Ghet

toLov
eSt
ory
:AThug’
sLov
e
Pr
ologue
I
t’
salmosti
mpossibl
etoresi
stabadboywho
i
sagoodman.Admi ti
t,amanwhot r
eat
syou
l
i
keaqueen,butrul
esthestr
eet
sli
keasavage…
y
ou’dlov
ethatt
oo.
Idi
dn’
tsetoutt
olov
eabadboy
.
No.
Actual
lymyplanwastowor m mywayintoa
ri
choldman’spants,
becomeami st
ress,
use
hi
smoneyt ostar
tabeautybusi
nessandjust
l
iveli
fe
Iknowt hatsoundssill
ytoy ou,buttr
ustme, i
t
works.Oratleastitwasgoi ngto.Also,Iam
onlyalmostninet
een, y
oucan’ texpectmet obe
makingt hebestdecisi
onsy et.Anyway ,t
hat
wast heplanwhenIl ef
tmyhomev il
lageand
camet oFrancist
ownaf terIfi
nishedmyf orm
fi
ve.ThenKar t
elhappened.
Whatat
tract
edmet
oKar
tel
wast
hehungeri
n
hiseyes.Thatwasakingwit
houtaki
ngdom.
Hehadt hiscal
m demeanort
hatmaskedthe
cagedlionbeneat
h.
Yes, y es,thef lawlessobsi di
andar kskinthat
happenst obemyweaknessi naman… Iknow
thisisst er eotypical andbul l
sht,butIalways
hav eaf eelingal ightski nmanj ustwoul dn’
t
knowwhatt odowi thme.Andt henthereisthe
hei ght… Iam at allgir
l andIwearheel s.Howdo
Ir espectamanI ’mt all
erthan?Kar telhadthe
righthei ght ,withanat ural
lyburl
ybod.Andy ou
knowwhatt hatkindofhei ghtmeans, ri
ght?
Inser tsev eral winksi nattemptt odragy ouwith
mei ntot heaby ssofmydi rt
ymi ndhere.
Ok, whatIam say i
ngis, Kart
elwasbui l
twell.
Notmucht olookati ntheface,exceptthose
delectablel
i
ps,butwhatr eal
lycaughtmewas
thefir
ei nhi
sey es.Itmademesad.I twast here,
butjustady i
ngf l
icker.Hisshouldershunched
andhi sheaddippedl i
kesomepr idel
essli
on.
Whywast hiski
nggi v
ingup?Tellme,whati sa
manwi thoutpride?Whati samanwi thoutfire
i
nhi sheart?Thelit
tl
ef i
xerinmewasal ready
going‘Eh-
ehpapa, youdr oppedyoucrown.
Standupki ng,l
et’
sgof i
ndy ourki
ngdom’ withi
n
secondsofmeet i
nghim.
Oh, i
ntr
oductions.Youwantt hatwhol eni ne
yardsofmynamei sblahbl ah, Iam thi st all.
.
Whydopeopl eact uallythinkany onecar eshow
tall
theyorli
ghti ncompl et
iont heyar e?Icoul d
be2cm t al
lwithapur plehueandy ouwoul dn’t
care.Youareher efort hejuicyst uff… wher e
didImeethi m?Di dIlethi m hitthef i
rstni ght?
Howmanywomenhecheat sonmewi th, and
doIpourhotoi lonhi sd* *kandgodr agt he
bichbyherweav eont hest reet.Hel l
, Iam
alwaysherefort hatshtt oo.All wideey edand
mout hgape,thighsl appi nglaughwhi leIr epeat
the‘waakachoma’ and‘ senthee’ forthef i
f t
een
ti
me.Poi nti
s, weal lloveaj uicyst ory,andboy
i
sminedri
pping.Pul
lthepopcor
nandst
rapi
n
f
ort
heridebaby.
Iam Lubal
ashe,
andIhav
eat
hug’
slov
e.
*
***
***
***
*
Inthestreetskingsarenotcrowned.Thrones
andusurped, usuall
ybrutal
ly
.Andy oustay
watchingy ourback,becausethenextguyis
alwaysey eingyourcrown.
Andwhenyouareastreetki
ng,t
hemost
i
mport
antassetyoucanhaveisyourqueen.
Regar
dlessofhowbi gandbadyouare,
ther
eis
al
waysthatonegir
l.She’sseeny
our
weaknessesandl
ov esyouanyway.
Andifshei
sari
deordi
e.Theny
ouhav
e
al
readywon.
‘
Kart
el’
methi
satasalonwhenheaboutgav
e
uphavi
nghi
sdream l
i
fe.
Hehadcomet
oFr
anci
stownal
readynot
expect
ingmuch.Whenlif
ehaskickedyou
enoughti
mes,youevent
uall
ystopexpect
ing.
Especi
all
yfr
om acit
ycall
ed‘Ghet
to’
.
Hehadcomeher ehopingforatl
eastaspeci
al
constabl
eorsecuri
tyguar
dposit
ion.Ear
na
l
itt
lebuckandhelpathome,yaknow.
Wel l
,thatdi
dn’tpanout .Theci
tyspathim out
l
ikeachewedupgum.Andwhenhewasdown
andbeatupont hedi r
typothol
eriddengrav el
,
thestreetshadhi m.Andwhodoesn’ tt
akea
handt hatoff
ersy oubreadwheny ourstomach
i
sr umbl i
ng?Ofcour sehehadembr acedthe
str
eetsoft heGhet to.Andnowhehadapl ace
tolayhishead.Nowhehadal i
ttl
esomet hingto
helpathomewi th.
Hewasnoki ng,hellnotevenacourtjest
er,
he
wastheslave.Her anforabigf
atuglyjunki
e
mother
f**kercal
ledBozawhot reatedthem l
ike
per
sonalslavesandpai dt
hem nexttonothi
ng.
Butatl
easthepai dthem.AndKar t
el’
searni
ng
wentt
ohi
sver
ybasi
cneeds,
andt
her
estt
ohi
s
f
amily
.
Ofcourseinthattypeofsi
tuation,y
oufor
get
aboutdati
ng.Girl
fr
iendsar
el uxuryabr
okeman
l
ikehim coul
dn’taffor
d.
Hehadonl yreallymeanttogiveLubaaplaceto
stayforaf ewni ght
s,butevenashewal kedher
i
nt ohi
sr entedal mostbareoneroom,
somet hingalreadytol
dhim‘ t
hiswasit
’.Hewas
agoner .Final
lythegirlwhocaptur
edhisstone
coldhear t
.
Lubawasext r
emel ypretty,yes… butitwasthe
hustl
einhereyest hatcaughthi m.Thiswasa
gi
rlwil
li
ngtofightforhersl i
ceoft hepie.The
ty
peofqueenwhodoesn’ tinsul
tyouwi thwhat
othermenaredoingf ortheirwomenwhi l
eyou
aredown,butinsteadf i
xesy ourcrownand
pull
syoubackup.Imean, withagirll
i
ket hat
,
whatcanat hugdobutf al
l?
*
***
***
*
Wewi l
lst
artthi
sbookwhenwehav e500
shar
esont hi
spost.Whetheri
ts5mi nut
esf
rom
nowor5y ear
slater
.So,gettoshar
ing.
Ghet
toLov
eSt
ory
:AThug’
sLov
e1

Icameoutoftheexam r
oom f
eel
ingt
hewayI
j
ustdi
dthroughthesewhol
eexams.
Di
sappoi
nti
ng.
Buti
twasdone.Ov
er.Fi
nished.
Iwasdonewi
thschool
,andIhadapl
an.
Anexci
ti
ngpl
ant
hatIwasaboutt
oputi
n
moti
on.
Irantothecl
assr
oom tocol
lectmybackpack,
stoppi
ngatthedoorwhenIheardmyname
beingsaidi
nsi
de.
Twot
eachersatatt
het
abl
echat
ti
ngand
l
aughi
ng.
TEACHER:Owaii
,boLubal asheitendshere…
shepeakedandfi
nishedinseniorschool,
sheis
goi
ngtofail
andbej ustanothervi
ll
agedrunk.
TEACHER2: Mal
atsiat
heysayt herei
sathi
ng
cal
ledi
nfluencer
s.Shemightjustendupbei
ng
oneofthosegirl
swithabigInstagr
am
fol
l
owingandgoi ngtoDubaiforoldmentosht
i
nhermout h.
Ser
iousl
y?
Whatthehellki
ndoftal
kist
hataboutaki
d,
especi
all
yforateacher
?
Ok,f
ine,
Idi
dgi
vet
hem gr
ieff
ort
woy
ear
s,but
st
il
l,
comeon.
IfIwasn’
tinsuchahurr
y,I
’dst
opandgi
ve
t
hem afewchoicewords.
Iwalkedi
nandlaughed,
looki
ngatthem f
rom
headtotoei
nthemostcondescendingst
are.
ME:Imagi
nesayi
ngstuf
fli
kethatabout
chi
l
drenandcal
l
ingyour
selft
eachers.Dobet
ter
.
Igrabbedmyschool
bagandr
anoutf
li
ppi
ng
them.
Look,IknowIwasabadki d.Constant l
y
ski
ppingclasst ogopl ayaroundint hegar den.I
wasinboar ding,burIranof fof
ten,andspent
wholeweekendsgone, gotcaughtdr i
nking…got
i
nwor dsexchangewi thteachers.Ibeen
suspendedt wicealr
eady ,andwasatt hev erge
ofexpulsi
on.I tdi
dn’thelpthatIwasn’ t
academicall
ygi ft
edeither.
Thet eachersalwaystriedt
ohumi li
atemeby
talki
ngaboutmyv erylowmar ks,butwhenyou
beent hroughwhatIbeent hrough… whenyou
beent ol
dwhatwor thl
essevilyouareal
lyour
l
ife,youdev el
opthickskin.
I
t’
ssaf
etosaytheteacher
swerehappytosee
mego.Theyal
lexpect
edtoseemef ai
li
nli
fe,
butIwasgonnashowt
hem al
l
.
Ihadapl
an.
*
***
***
***
***
Kgathal
o, akaKar
telpacedaroundt
he
Franci
stownbusr ankaimlessl
y.Ev
ent
ual
lyhe
noti
cedt heguyhewasdoi ngadropwi
th.
Theyshookhandsandmoneyexchanged
hands,Kar
tel
gett
ingt
hemoney,
theguythe
‘
packages’
Theyexchangedgr
eet
ingsli
ketheykneweach
other
,andthenwentt
heirway.
Hel
ookedatt
heP400i
nhi
shadsadl
y.
Justt
woofthosesmal
lpacket
sear
nedhi
s
bossP400…
Aquar
terofwhathegotmonthl
yasarunner.
Andheprobabl
ydidaboutf
if
tydr
opsl
i
ket hese
amonth.
Hesuppl
ement
edhi
msel
fbyski
mmi
ngj
usta
tadforhi
sownper
sonalsalesatt
heside.A
mereP500extr
apermont h,buti
s‘Boza’
caughthi
m,he’
dbetoast
.
Hehat
edt
his.
Butt
hiswasbettert
hanst
ayi
nghomebeggi
ng
fr
om hi
sparent
’swhohadnothi
ngt
ogiv
e.
Thiswasnol i
fe.Hewasnev ergonnagetout .
Nevergonnahav ethegoodlif
ehesov er
ymuch
craved.Beaut
if
ulbighouse,wif
eandtwoki ds
whogot oapri
vateschool
.Howdumbt othink
suchwaspossi bl
eforaguylikehim.
Hell
, hewasnev erev
engonnahav eagir
lf
ri
end,
atthisrat
e.Gir
lswereexpensi
ve,soitwas
easiertoj
usthitandrunwit
houtany
att
achment .
Somebodywalkedov
ert
ohim ner
vously
.Aguy
maybe18.Hewasgonnabethebigguytoday
atwhat
everpart
yhewasgoi
ngto,wit
hthis
goodst
uff.
‘
Arey
out
heguy
?’
KARTEL:
Whatguy
?
‘
So,
howdoI
… uhm… uhm…
KARTEL:
P95
Theboyhandedhim aP100,andKar
tel
handed
hi
m aP5back,thendroppedabagofweedin
hi
sschoolbagpocket
Hewalkedov ertotherowofhawker stopickup
hi
ssister
,whosati nacr at
ei nfr
ontofthebale
cl
othesshesol d.Thatshehadanentir
edegr ee
wi
thgoodmar kstoo,andstil
lthi
swasherl i
fe,
madehi m sad.
Shewasat alent
edphot ogr
apher
,butther
e
weremanyi nthemarketandshehadnot
got
tenherbigbreak,probabl
ybecauseifalack
i
fproperequipment.Hercamerawasanol d
oneher epossessedfr
om someunl uckyt
ourist
.
Heneededt ogetheranewonesoon.
Lastnighthehadcried,
heari
ngherbegher
fr
iendtoatleastbuyherpadsifshecoul
dn’
t
borrowhersomemoney .
Hi
sfami
lyhadal
waysbeenpoorbutt
hings
t
ookanosedi
vewit
hthei
rfat
her
’ssi
ckness.
Theirfatherhadwor keddoi
ngoddj obsunt il
hehadt hestroke.Theirmotherhadal way s
beenahomemaker ,butshetri
edthedr ought
rel
i
efpr ogram af
tertheoldmanhadast roke.
Herhighbloodpr essurecoul
dn’ttakeit,so
aft
erfainti
ngtwice,shewasl aidoff.
Thefamilyhadf i
vechil
drenal
l t
ogether,
he
wast hethi
rd,
justaf
terhissi
ster.Thei
rolder
brot
herhadbeenki l
l
eratashebeensl astyear
,
hisyoungersi
sterwasinformf i
ve,andthe
youngestbrot
herinfor
m 1.
Tosayitwast
oughf
ort
hei
rfami
l
ywasan
under
stat
ement
.
Hej
ustpai
dhi
srent
ali
nFr
anci
stown,
bought
bar
enecessi
ti
es,andgav
eever
ythi
ngel
sehe
hadtot
hefamilyever
ymont
h.
Theti
nyli
ttl
eVit
zbelongedt
ohi
sbosswhol
et
hi
m keepittodoruns.
Healsousedittopickupanddropoffpeopl
ein
thevi
ll
ageeverymor ni
ngandl
atenightt
oearn
anextr
abuck.IfBozafoundout
, he’
dbeinso
muchtroubl
e.
Hewal kedovertohissisterwhohadj ust
fi
nishedpacki
ngupherst uf f
.Hecoul dt el
lshe
hadnotsoldany thi
ngagai n.Notonl ywast he
compet i
ti
ontoughwi t
hsomanyhawker s,but
hi
ssi st
erwasv eryshyandanxi ous,which
di
dn’tworkwell f
orsell
ing, butatleastshewas
tr
ying.
Hepi ckedupthebagofclot
hesandputi tin
thecarwhi l
eshesatint
hepassengerseat.He
gotinside,
thenhandedhert
heP100hej ust
made.
KARTEL:
Runov
ert
oShopr
it
eandgetwhaty
ou
need.
HER:
Kgat
hal
o,Ican’
tkeept
aki
ngy
ourmoney
.
KARTEL:Youarenott
aki
ngi
t,Iam gi
vi
ngi
t.
Pl
easedon’tar
gue.
HER:Fine… butl
etspassbyChoppi
esinst
ead,
I
mightgetagoodcabbageandasmal l
bagof
pap.
HedrovetoChoppi
esandcamebackwi tha
smallgr
ocer
ybag,t
hentheypickeduphisother
si
sterfr
om t
heseni
orschoolandtheyheaded
home.
*
***
***
***
**
I
twasl at
eafter
noon,andthetruckstotake
boardi
ngstudent
sbackt othei
rvil
lageswere
ready,
peoplewerest
arti
ngtocomewi t
hthei
r
bags.
Il
oadedmybagandhoppedi
nthebackoft
he
t
ruck,
exci
tedaboutmypl
an.
I
twasf inall
yhappeni ng.Ihavebeenpl anni
ng
thi
sfory ear
snow.I tkeptmegoi ng.Through
thewhipsandf orcedenemasandaccusat ions
ofwitchcraf
t,andl i
terall
yalmostgetti
ngkilled
duri
ngoneoft her i
tualsthatder
angedzeal otof
amanputust hr ough.
AndnowIf
inal
l
ywasgoi
ngt
omakemyescape.
Ever
yki
lomet
rebackhomet
ookmeast
ep
cl
osert
omynewl i
fe.
Thet r
uckturnedintot
hedust yl
it
tl
egrav elr
oad
ofthetinysett
lementIhai
l f
rom,stoppingat
theonlyconvenientst
orethatser
vedt heli
ttl
e
sett
lementandt woothersnearby.Myf at
her’
s
shop.
Af ewkidsgotoffandstartedtheirj
ourneyi
nto
thesettl
ement,wheretheywillprobabl
ybe
stuckmostoftheirl
ivesfrom hereon.Notme
though.Iam meantforbigger.
Iaskedtheconv
enientst
oreempl
oyeeifIcoul
d
l
eavemybagbehi ndthecount
erwhi
leIwentto
pee,andsheagreed.
St
ep1done.
Ispr
int
edhomeli
kethewind,sneakingint
ot he
compoundqui
etl
y.Mypar
ent ssatunderthe
l
argemokobatr
eedri
nki
ngt hei
rafternoontea.
Ther estofthecultmember swereatt heback,
hi
sassi stantsgi
vi
ngenemasandwhat ever
otherkak.Theychurchf ol
kwer eneverallowed
i
nourmai nhouse,whichwasav erylarge
compoundmyf at
herinher
itedfrom his
grandfather.Thewholecompoundwasscr een
walledbyahi ghwallandfruitt
reesgr ownall
over,courtesyofmysweet ,butpussyass
mot her.
I
nthefr
ontwasourhouse,
obviouslybigto
i
nfl
atemyfat
her
’sal
readyl
argeego.A nor mal
f
encesepar
atei
tfr
om the‘
church’area,whi
ch
wasav erylargesi
ngl
eroom hal
l,
witharowof
roomsbehi nditwher
epeopl
ewhocamef or
‘
heali
ng’stayed,pl
usthehousesforthe
evangel
ist
s.
Noneofmybusiness.Ifyouar
esuchapr
ophet
,
pr
ophesyt
his,
mot her*
* ker
.
Iri
ppedtheredandwhi t
estri
ngar oundmy
waistandthrewitonthefl
oor,gl
aringangri
l
yat
thehippo-
hidewhipmount edont hewall.A
whipmybodywasal lt
oofamili
arwi t
h.Awhip
thathadputthecall
ousedscarsinmyt hi
ghs.
Myf atherli
ter
allybeliev
edy oucouldbeatthe
evi
loutofaper son,andIhav ewatchedhi m not
doittojusthischi l
dren,buthiswifeandhis
congregationast heydancedt otheirt
rance
musicwi thredcandl esli
t.
Hereall
ythoughttheonlyreasonat eengi
rl
whogrewupsupr essed,
emot ional
l
yand
phy
sical
lyabused,i
ndoctr
inatedwithrel
igi
ous
bull
shtandconstantl
yjudgedbyacommuni ty
thatexpectedhert
obeacer tai
nwaybecause
herfatherwasaprophet,wouldrebelwas
becauseshewasbewi tched.Ser
iousl
y.No,
dummy ,y
oudamagedme.Andmademe
athei
st.
I
f‘pr
eacher
’ski
dsy
ndr
ome’
isat
hing,
Ihav
eit
i
nhypermode.
Ir
anmyhandoverthelar
gescart
hatr
andown
mythi
gh.Thehi
ppohide’
sdoi
ng.Att
hehands
ofmyfat
her.
Shoul
dmyplanfai
landIgotcaught
,thewhi
p
wil
lbemyf
atetoni
ght.
Ont
hatnot
e,st
ept
wo.
Il
ookedout
sidethroughthewi
ndowagai
n.
Theywer
estil
latthetree.
It
iptoedint
otheirbedr
oom,hi
sgreenr
obewith
aredcrossinfr
ontlai
donthebedbesi
deshi
s
Bi
bleandstaff
.
Myhear
twasbeati
ngsof ast
.Whati
fhecame
i
nri
ghtnow.MaybeIshouldj
ust
…
No.
Ihadt
odot
his.Hadt
ogetoutoft
hispl
ace.
Il
i
ftedthemat
tressandpul
l
edoutt
hebr
own
St
anbicbankmoneybag.
Tomorrow,l
astdayoft
hemont h,myfather
wouldgodepositt
heconveni
entstor
eand
veget
ablesf
arm moneyatthebankintown.
Usual
l
y.
Nott
omor
row.
Ismil
edandt ookt
hewholebag,
thencar
eful
l
y
putever
ythi
ngbackinpl
ace.
Ichangedfr om myschool unif
orm and
escapedthroughthebacky ard,
sprint
ingback
totheconvenientst
ore.Ipickedupmybagj ust
afewmi nutesbefor
et hebusar ri
ved,
FRANCISTOWNi nbiglett
ersonacar dboard
boxpl
ast
eredacr
ossi
tswi
ndscr
een.
Itookadeepbr
eat
handgoti
nsi
de,
taki
ngmy
seatwit
habigsmi
le.
Iwasr
eal
l
ydoi
ngt
his.
*
***
***
***
**
Kart
elparkedt
hecarandhel
pedhi
ssi
stercar
ry
thecl
othesbaginsi
de.
Hesadl yl ookedatthestruct
ureoft heirhome.
At wor oom houset hatwasnotpl astered,anda
fall
ingov ertradi
ti
onalhut.Hisparentsstay edi
n
oner oom, hi
ssibl
ingstheother,andt he
tradit
ional hutwasthe‘ki
tchen’
.
Hisparentssati
nfrontofthetradit
ionalhut
toget
her,andhecouldtellt
heywer estarvi
ng.
Theyprobablyhadn’
teatenallday… hismot her
hadsaidsomeonewasgonnabr i
ngt hem
Tsabana,heguesseditdidn’
tmat eri
ali
se.
Hi
ssi
sterqui
ckl
ymadepapandcabbage,
and
Kar t
elsatsadl ywatchi
nghisparent
seat
grateful
ly.Butwhatabouttomorrow?Hispay
wasnotduef oratleastaweek.Theyhadrun
shortthismont hbecausehehadt obuyhis
father’
smedi cinefr
om thepri
vat
eclini
cs
becauseasal ways,t
hegovernmenthospi
tals
wasoutofst ock.
Henev ercompl ai
nedaboutcar i
ngforhisfami
ly
.
Hisparentswer egood,lovi
ngparentswho
deserv
edbet ter
.Hissibli
ngsgood,wel l
manner ed,
respectful
andr esponsi
ble.His14
yearol
dbr otherwasev ertr
yingafi
rewood
sell
i
nghust l
eont heweekend.
Hisheartbrokelooki
ngathisfamil
ydev ourthe
papandcabbagel ikeitwasfi
vestarhotelfood,
chatt
ingli
velyaboutthei
rday.Theyneverlet
thei
rcir
cumst ancebri
ngthem down.Nev er
complained.
Hehaddecl
i
nedhispl
ateoff
oodandl
i
edthat
heat
e.Hi
sparent
scoul
dhaveitt
omor
row.
Whathappensaft
erthat?Heknewt
her
ewasn’t
anymorefood,notoil
etry
…nosomanythi
ngs.
Whenhefinall
yleft
,hesati
nthecarforaf
ew
mi
nutes,
at earrunni
ngdownhischeek.
Wasther
ereal
lyaGod?Whywoul
dgood,God
f
ear
ingpeopl
elikehi
spar
ent
sgothr
oughthi
s?
Hedr oveoffheadi
ngtoFranci
stown,
contemplati
ngmov i
ngbackhomebecausehi
s
rent
al moneycouldbeputbacki nt
othef
ami
l
y.
Butthatwouldneverbeideal.Hehadtoomuch
respectt
obringwhathepeddl edbackhome.
Andcomi nghomeatt hehour sheusual
lygot
homeatsomet imeswoul djustfeel
too
disr
espectf
ul.
Hetur
nedintoavil
lagejustbeforeFr
anci
stown
anddrov
ef orabi
t.Itwasalreadydar
kandt he
str
eet
squiet.
Therewasthatbughousethathadal
those
fancycar
sandat uckshop.
Hepar kedatadistanceandpull
edouta
bal
aclavaandski ppingr
opefrom undert
he
passengerseat
,thenwal kedt
owardstheyar
d.
Aboycameoutofthehousewithastackof
key
sandheadedtothetuckshop.Pr
obabl
yto
cl
osedownfort
heday.
Kart
elsnuckintotheyardandint
othetuck
shop,cover
ingtheboy’smouthwithhi
shand,
putt
ingthecoldsteel
ofhisokapiagai
nstt
he
boy’
sneck.
KARTEL:Thiswill
bequickandnobodyneedsto
gethur
t.Don’tbestupi
d.I
fyouunder
stand,nod.
Theboynoddedwi tht ear
sr unningdownhi s
cheeks.Kart
elpul
ledt heboy ’
st-shi
rtoffand
usedittomuffl
ehim, stuff
ingsomei fi
tinhis
mouthandt yi
ngther esttothebackofhi shead.
Thenhet i
edhimt othestructurebeam andgot
busyfil
li
ngupthelargechecker edbagwi ththe
tuckshopstock.Heempt iedt hecashregist
er
i
ntoat
hemoneybagbagboyhadbr
oughtwi
th
hi
m.
Thenhelift
edthelar
gebagandt hemoneybag,
andsnuckout,runni
ngasfastashecouldwit
h
thatheav
yloadandgotinhiscar,dr
ivi
ngof
f.
*
***
***
***
**
Thebusst oppedinthebigbusrank.Ihave
beentoFrancistownacoupleofti
mes, butI
wouldn’
tsayIknewt hecity
.Myset t
lementisa
fai
rdist
ancef ormthesecondci
ty,sowedi dn’
t
comeher eoften.
I
twasalr
eadyget
ti
ngdar
kandt
hebustr
ank
hadempti
ed.
Itr
iedmyfr
iend’snumberagain.Ihadbeen
tr
yingt
ocal
l herthroughoutt
hebusjour
ney,
andshewasn’tpickingup.
ButsheknewIwascomi
ng.Shewoul
dn’
tleav
e
mehere,ri
ght
?
Ikepttr
yingandt
het
axi
dri
ver
skeptcomi
ngt
o
askifIwantedat
axi
.
Byni
ne9pm Ihadt
oacceptt
hatshewasn’
t
comi
ng.Iwassoscar
ed.WhatdoIdonow?
Ihadn’tev enreali
sedIwascr yi
ngunt i
lthe
specialconstablecameov erandt oldmeI
neededt ogohome.Inar ratedmyst or
yand
aftersomedel i
berati
on,theytookmet othei
r
officei
nt hebusr ank,explaini
ngthatIwasnot
underar r
est.Oneoft heladi esscoldedmef or
somet i
mesabouthowIshoul dnev ert
rust
fr
iends,butbr oughtmeabl anketandt ookme
i
ntoanempt yroom.Istretchedoutt heblanket
andusedmyt owel asapi l
low,andwentt o
sl
eep.
*
***
***
***
***
Kart
eldrovebacktohishomev il
lageandfound
hi
sfamilyal
readysl
eeping.Heunlockedthe
doorandwentinsi
de,hi
ssi st
ercomingoutto
checkwhoi
twas.
HER:Oh,y
ou,y
oualmostgavemeahear
t
at
tack,
whatar
eyoudoinghere?
KARTEL:
Droppi
nggr
ocer
y.
HER:Kgat
halo,
wher
edi
dyougett
hat
?Wher
e
di
dyougetthat!
KARTEL:Notsoloud,damn… andwhatdoesi
t
matterwherei
tsfr
om, youwon’
thavetocome
homet oyourpar
entshalf
waytofai
nti
ng
becauseofhunger.Hel
pmeputtheseaway.
Sheshookherhead, butquietl
yhelpedhim put
thefoodint
heirfoodcabinet.Whent heywere
done,hecountedthemoney .AroundP460.He
handedhertheP400andwal kedofftothecar
quiet
ly.
*
***
***
***
Iwokeupi nt
hepoli
cestati
onandt hankedt
he
off
icer
s,andaft
erassur
ingthem IwasokandI
hadmoneyt ogobackhome,It ookmybagand
wentof ft
othepublictoi
let
sinthemall.I
brushedmyt eethandwashedmyf ace,then
wentintoShoprit
eandboughtaf ewthingsfor
breakfast
.Isatdownandwol feddownt hefood
i
nr ecordti
me.Thel astt
imeIatewasy estar
day
breakfast
.
WhenIwasdoneeat
ing,
Iloi
ter
edar
oundt
he
mal
l,
pull
i
ngmybag.
Iwentpastaposhl it
tl
esalont hatwast ry
ingto
hardtolookedgy,redbri
cksandal l.Iwalk
i
nside,l
ookingaround.Fourwomenwor ki
ng,a
chubbyonewhowasi nstal
lingbrai
ds, afancy
l
ookingpinkhair
edt hi
ckthighsbeaut ybraidi
ng
hai
rtoinstal
lalacefront
,twomor edoing
washing.
Iwal
kedtothechubbyonebecauseshel
ooked
mostfr
iendl
y.
ME:
Hi…I
’
mlooki
ngf
oraj
ob.
Shelookedupwit
hasadsmile,l
imeshehat
ed
thatshewasaboutt
odi
sappointme.
SALONLADY:
Owai
i
,ther
eisnot
hingmydear
.
ME: Pl
ease… Icoul
dsweep… r uner
rands,
anythi
ng.Iam gr
eatatbrai
dingandcutti
nghai
r.
Pleasema’am…Ihav enowheretogo,Ijust
camet otheci
ty…
SALONLADY: Mydear,Ihearyou.Igetatleast
fi
veofyouevery
day,andIwishIcouldofferyou
al
lsomethi
ng,butIhavenothi
ng.Iam so
sorr
y…
Iwastry
ingsohardnott
ocry.Whatnow?What
thehel
ldoIdo,wher
edoIgo?Becauseback
homejustwasn’
tanopti
on.
Aladyinacream pantsui
tthatr
eekedofmoney
walkedinwithachubbymi xedracewhi
ney
l
it
tlethi
ng,anddemandedherdaughter’
shai
r
getwashedimmedi at
ely.
SALONLADY:
Ok,
giv
emej
ustaf
ewmi
nut
es…
HER:Idon’thaveafewmi nutes,Ihavetodrop
heratabirt
hdaypartyandmeetacl i
ent.I
fyou
can’
tdoittell
mesoIcanl etpeopleknow
aboutyourservi
cehereand…
SALONLADY:
Sweet
iewee,
washt
hebaby
’s
hai
rmama…
Il
ookedatherconf
used,andpoi
ntedatmy
sel
f
i
nquesti
on.Wasshetalki
ngtome?
Thesal
onl
adynodded.
Yessss!
Al
lIhadt
odowasi
mpr
ess.AndIknowmyway
ar
oundhai
r.
LUBA:
Comepr
incess.Seather
e.
Ipattedthechai
rwit
hasmil
e,ashermit
her
barkedinstr
ucti
onsatmel
i
keI’m dumb.
HER:Sheist enderheadedandIhat
ewhenshe
cr
ies.Herhairtangl
esal ot
.Det
angl
eit
.Idon’
t
wantitt
ofrizz…
ME:Ok,ma’am.I’l
ltakecareofi
t.Sweet
ie,y
ou
wantmet otel
lyouast or
yaboutabeaut
iful
pr
incesswhowentt othesalon?
Theli
ttl
egir
lnoddedeagerl
y,andIkepther
engagedinastor
ywhileIgentl
ydetangl
edand
washedherhair
.
Hermotherl
ookedatmei
nawewhenIwas
done.
HER:Ihaveneverseenherseatlongenoughf or
anyt
hing.Youareamazing!Pl
aithert oothe
mma, Iwil
lcomegetherinanhouri fy oucan
dosomecut ecornr
owsorwhat ever.Justmake
hercute.
Il
ookedatthesal
onownerandshenodded,
gi
vingper
missi
on.
Yeah!
Iassur
edtheladythatherdaught
erwasin
goodhands,andshelookedaroundforabi
t,
l
ookedatme, anddecidedshecouldtr
ustme,
t
henshewal
kedout
.
Ikeptt
hel
it
tl
egir
lengagedwi
thst
ori
es,
song
andgamesasIpl
ait
edherhai
r.
Byt hetimeIwasdone, anotherl
adywhohad
broughtherdaughterinsist
edIdoherchi
ld’
s
hairtoo,thentwootherladi
eswhosaidthey
weret enderheadedandwant edsomeonewith
gent l
ehandscamet ome.
By6pm Iwasabsol
utel
ywornout,butf
inal
l
y
gott
oseatdownwiththesal
onlady.
SALONLADY:
I’
m Nnunubyt
heway
.
ME:
Lubal
ashe.Youcanj
ustcal
lmeLuba.
NNUNU: Youdidar eall
ygoodjobtoday … got
menti
onedonFacebookev en,t
hatfi
rstladyis
somerichgi
rlwithahugeI nst
agram foll
owing.
Shepostedhowki ndandgentleyouar ewith
ki
dsandhowbeaut i
fulyoumadeherdaught er
.
Recommendedt hissalonandsaidpeopl e
shoul
daskforyou.It hi
nkyouaregonnabe
hav
ingl
otsofl
i
ttl
egi
rl
sbei
ngbr
oughtt
oyou
ME:
Doest
hatmean?
NNUNU:
Yes,
yougott
hej
ob.
What
?
Whaaaaat
!Ihadajob?Ihadajob!Il
i
ter
all
y
st
art
edjumpingupanddown,andhuggedher
.
Sheaskedafewquesti
on’saboutme,wher
e
I’
mf r
om,whatIwasdoingintown,wher
eI
stay
ednow,thatki
ndofstuf
f.
Igavethebar
emi nimum.Justfi
nishedform
fi
ve.Probl
emsathome, hadtoleave,f
ri
end
abandonedme,Isleptatapol
icestati
on,and
hadnoone.Hadnowher et
ogo.
Aguywal
kedi
nwi
thabl
acksui
tcase.
Ineverbeli
evedint
hatloveatfirstsi
ght
rubbi
sh… Lust,maybe.Butlov
e?Nah.Youdon’ t
fal
linl
ovewi thast
ranger,
allyouseei sthei
r
body,whichiswhatyouareattractedto,
hence
l
ust
.
Butt
her
ewassomet
hingaboutt
hisguy
.
Somet hi
ngsadandpi t
if
ul.Hewasabi gguy.
Tallandburly
, wi
thal
arge‘x’scaronhisl
eft
cheek,thatl
eftmewonder i
ngwhathappened
ther
e.What everi
twas,i
twoul dhavetohadhur
t.
Alot.
Buthel ookedli
keamanaccust omedt ohurt.A
tor
turedsoul.Hisshouldershunchedli
kethe
weightofthewor ldperchedont hem.Hishead
wasdr oppedinresignati
on,andwhenhi seyes
caughtmygazef orthatspl
itsecond… adying
fl
ame.
Ther
ewasfi
reinhishear
t…thismanhad
st
art
edouti
ntendi
ngtowin… hopef
ul.
Butmaybehehadtakentoomanyhi
ts,
andnow
thef
ir
ewasady i
ngfli
cker.
Ohno,ki
ng,
don’
tgi
veup.Youf
all
,yougetr
ight
backup.
Iwant
edt
ogi
vehi
m ahug.
HI
M:Nnunu,Dav
easkedmet
odr
opt
hisf
ory
ou.
I
t’
shai
rorsomethi
ng.
NNUNU:Thankyou.Oh,
Luba,
thi
sisKgat
hal
o.I
t
hinkhecanhel
pus.
HI
M:(
laughi
ng)Li
ter
all
ynobodycal
l
smet
hat
.
NNUNU: Fi
ne,thisisKartel
.Karteltherr
athis
gir
lhasnopl acet ostayandhasnobodyi nthe
cit
y.Nnal eDav ewear erenovatingourhouse
beforethebabycomes, sowear ecurr
entl
y
renti
ngaoner oom unti
litsdone.Nenkamoha
boroko.Don’tyouknowany onewhocan
accommodat eher?
KARTEL:
Nope
NNUNU: Comeon, sheisdesperat
e.Sheslept
atapol i
cestat
ionyesterday
,andy ouknow
todaywon’tbesogoodt oher.It
hinkbo
Mishingohavear oom.Gocheckt her
e.
Hesi
ghedi
nannoy
ance.
KARTEL:
Fine,
I’
ll
askar
ound.
NNUNU: Gowithhersoyoudon’
tfor
get
.Luba,
behereby8am tomorr
ow.Here,l
etmegive
youanadvanceofyourpaysoyoucangeta
placet
ostay.
KARTEL:
Nnunu,
rent
ingt
akest
ime,
shecan’
t
j
ust…
NNUNU:
Butyouknowpeopl
e,Kar
tel
.Youcan
makei
thappen.
KARTEL:Whati
fIdon’
tfi
ndany
thi
ng,
whatwi
l
l
Idowit
hher
?
NNUNU: Kgat
halo,youhavesi
ster
s.Wouldn’t
youwantpeopletooffert
hem ahelpi
nghand
whentheyarealoneanddesperat
e?Youar e
oneofthegoodones… helpthepoorgir
ltherra.
Shehandedmet hemoneyandIstoodther
e
wai
ti
ngforthenextmove.Theguysighedi
n
i
rr
it
ati
onandi
ndi
cat
edf
ormet
ofol
l
owhi
m.
Ipickedupmybagandhur tledafterhi
m.Wi t
h
thoselonglegs,hemovedfast.SoFastIwas
almostjoggingbehi
ndhim.Andt heassdidn’
t
evenoffertohelpwit
hmybag.
HestoppedataVitzt
hatl
ookedal
ltoosmal
l
f
oraguyhissize,
butsomehowseemedto
wor
k.
Heopenedt hedoorformei nthepassenger
seat,
thenli
ftedmysuitcaseand
unceremoni
ouslythr
ewi tintheback.
Whatagent
lemanIt
houghtdr
yly
.
Hewasn’
thi
dingi
tthatmypresencewasa
bur
den,
andIwasabot hert
ohim.
Oh,whatev
er.Iusedourt
imei
nthecart
otake
hi
mi n.
Hewasnothandsome.Noti
nthepr
ett
ysense
ofal
lthoseChr
isBr
owns.Hi
sski
nwasdarkas
night.Hewast al
landbulky,hisbuil
dst r
ong
andr obust.Hisbicepslooklikehecoul d
suffocatesomeonewi t
hachokehol d, hi
spalms
big,theri
ghtsizet ogoaroundaneck…… on
thatnote,hell
owet ness,myol dfri
end.Befor
eI
derail…Hiseyeswer esmal landuntrusti
ng,l
ike
hehadseent oomuchunj ust.Hi
sliplooked
upsidedown…al mostalway sinascowl .An
angryscari ntheshapeonan‘ x’onhischeek,
andhehadat oothpi
ckst i
ckingoutofhi s
mout h.
Hisclotheswebasicandnon-di
sti
nct.Blue
j
eans, ol
d,overwashedwhit
etshirt
,ablackand
greenKappaj acket
,di
rt
yconver
se,
abl ack
buckethat.
Ther ar
efewt imeshespoke,hehadthatdeep
butlazybari
tonethatcoul
ddriv
eagirlcr
azyif
hedecidedtosaysweett hi
ngs.Hehadthat
str
eetslang,tsot
siet
aal
.
Hi
sfacel
ooksl
i
kehei
sper
pet
ual
l
yangr
y.He
doesnotgi
veav
eryappr
oachabl
evi
be.
Howt
hehellam Isupposedt
ogoany
wher
e
wi
tht
hisman?
Butwhatot
herchoi
cedidIhav
e,myf
ri
endwas
st
il
lnott
aki
ngmycal l
s.
Heweav edthr
oughthecit
yroadsal
ltoof
ast
.I
coul
dn’tcat
chtheroad.Howwill
Ievengoto
worktomorrow?
Soonweleftt
hecit
ycentreandweredri
vi
ng
thr
oughthedust
ystreet
sofalesssav
ourypar
t
oftown.
Hestoppedi
nfr
ontofabi
gyel
l
owhouseand
cal
l
edouttoagir
l.
KARTEL:Shi
nginemmadoy oust
il
lhav
ethat
room?Ihaveagir
llooki
ng…
HER:Owai
i
,wej
ustgotat
enant
,li
ter
all
ytwo
hour
sago.
Wet
ri
edaf
ewmor
epl
aces.Not
hing.Fi
nal
l
yhe
drovet
oay ar
dwit
habouttenst
andal
oneone
roomedhousesi
nthr
eerows.
Hedrovet
othebackandparkedneart
hel
ast
r
oom, t
aki
ngoutmy,bagandbeaconedmeto
f
oll
ow.
Ok.
Heopenedthedoortothe room att
hev
ery
backandwalkedi
n.Ifol
lowed.
Itwasact uallyqui etasizabler oom.Thewal l
s
wer ebare, notpl astered,andi twascor rugated
i
r onroofed, wi ththeel ect
riclinesandr oofing
planksv isibl
eatt het op.Ther ewasadoubl e
bedwi thagr eyduv etcovert hatl ookedl i
keit
hadseenbet terday s, asi
ngler azorthinpill
ow,
clothesspi ll
ingf rom asui t
caseatacor ner,a
l
ar gegreenpl astictubwi thasunl ightsoapbar ,
at att
eredbl uewi thasoccerbal lwashcl oth,
nextt ogr een, oldunder pants, andanor ange
sackont opofi t.Thenataf arwal ladir t
y
el
ectr
icst
ovewithonepotontop,andabigbox
ofnoodl
esthathadoneateontheside.
Li
keKart
el,
ther
oom wasnondist
inct.Just
anot
herr
oom ofat
ypical
hust
li
ngcityboy .
KARTEL:
YousawthatIt
ri
ed.Ihav
enoopt
ions
l
eft
.Youcancr
ushinmyroom.
ME:
Thenwer
ewi
l
lyousl
eep?
KARTEL:
Thebedisbigenoughf
ort
wo… I
pr
omiseIwon’
ttouchyou.
Il
ookedathi
m war
il
y.
KARTEL:Ok,f
ine,suityour
sel
f,gooutther
e
wereIcanguaranteetheywil
ltouchyou.
Ishudderjustimaginingbeingoutthereal
one.
Notonlywher etherenost reetl
i
ghtshere,
butI
saw groupsofguy sloiter
ingaroundaswe
drovein.Thi
sl ocat
ionlookedshady,onecan
onlyimaginethingsthatcanhappent oagirl
aloneoutthere.
Kartel heatedupwateri
ntheel
ect
rickett
le,
thent ookasmal lr
edbucketf
rom underthe
greent ub,andwenttogetcol
dwat eronthe
outsidet ap.
Hepouredthehotandcol
dwateri
nthepl
ast
ic
tub,t
henst
ri
ppedandgoti
nsi
dethetubt
o
bathe.
Whatt
hehel
l
!
Di
dhej
ustst
ri
pri
ghti
nfr
ontofme?
Butheseemedunbotheredatallashehummed
somesongandlathereduphisbodywitht
he
soap,
scrubbi
ngwiththatorangesackandthen
ri
nsi
ngwiththewaterinthebucket
.
Il
ookedawayunt
ilIcouldhearhim done,
get
dr
essed,
andwenttot hr
owoutt hebathwater
.
KARTEL:Ther
eiswat eri
nthatbucketi
fyou
wannashower.Justheati
tupinthekett
le.
Ir
eal
l
ycoul
duseabat
h,t
hel
astt
imeIhada
showerwasatt
hedor
msy
est
ardaymor
ning.
Buthowt
obat
hwi
thar
andom mani
nther
oom?
Hesighedandt ookalargebedsheetfr
om the
wardrobe,hangi
ngitfr
om ahookatt hecor
ner,
andthehingesofthedoor…itsortofsecl
uded
thebathspace,butIwasstil
lner
vous.
Igotbehi
ndt
heclot
handst r
ipped,
maki
ngthe
bathver
yqui
ck,
thenchangedintomypy
jamas.
WhenIcameoutoft hemakeshif
tbathr
oom,he
wasont hebedcounti
ngsomethi
ng.Small
packet
swi t
hwhit
epowder.
ME:
Whati
sthat
?
KARTEL:
Product
ME:
Whatki
ndofpr
oduct
?
KARTEL:
Theki
ndt
hat
’sgonnat
akemeoutof
thesl
ums.
ME:
Isi
tdr
ugs?
KARTEL:
Thoset
ypeofquest
ionswi
l
lgety
ou
ki
ll
ed.
Iqui
ckl
yshutmymout
h.Growi
ngupwit
ha
fat
herl
i
keminehadt
aughtmehowtobequi
et.
Iwenttomybag, t
aki
ngoutmyokapiknif
e
di
screetl
yandputitundert
hepi
l
low,
t henlai
d
downt osleep.
*
***
***
***
***
Kar
tel
noti
cedthepr
ett
yli
tt
let
hingt
hemoment
hewal
kedint
othesal
on.
Shesatwi thNnunut alking.Shewasno
wal lf
lower.Thegirlhadr oom presenceev en
whenshewasdoi ngnot hing.Shewasski nny
thick-thekindofbodyI nstagram modelspai d
for.Leant hickhi
ps, t
inywai st,bi
g,notlar
ge,
per kyboobst hatcurrentlyshowedt oomuch
cleav age,
andabi gaf rot hatwasint wopuf f
s.
Butthemostatt
ract
ivet
hingaboutherwas
thosebi
geyes.Hopes…dreams… mostofall
,
i
ntent
ion.Thiswasnoslayqueen.Shewasa
womanwi ll
i
ngt of
ightf
orhersli
ceofthepi
e.
I
twasbeaut if
ultosee,
remindedhim ofhi
msel
f
whenhef i
rstcamet ot
heci t
y.Heso
desper
atel
ywant edtopreservedsuch
i
nnocencef orher
.
Forasecondt heresher aisedherheadand
caughthisgazeandsomet hi
ngsilentbutpure
happened.Hedi dn’tknowwhat ,butforthose
fewsecondst hathehel dhergaze,somet hi
ng
happened.Aconnect i
onofsoulsmay be?Isthi
s
theloveatfi
rstsightthing?Aninexplicabl
e,
crazyattr
act
iont osomeoney oujustmet ?His
soul r
ecogni
singitsotherhalf?What everiti
s…
hef el
titt
hemomenthehel dhergaze.And
knewshef el
tittoo.
Somet hi
ngt
hatthr
eat
enedtheverycoreofhis
being.Avul
ner
abil
i
tyhedi
dn’tneed.Orwant.Or
l
ike.
Whichofcour
seirr
it
atedhi
m.Howsheso
easi
lycoul
dgetunderhi
sskinwi
thoutdoi
ng
anyt
hing.
Lubalashe.God’
sfl
ower.Veryapt.I
fGodhada
garden,heassumeditwouldbloom aspr
ett
yas
shelooked.
Andhehat
edhi
msel
ffort
hinki
ngt
hat
.
Especi
all
ywhenNnunuv
olunt
eer
edhi
mfor
babysi
tt
ingher
.
Andwhatwashesupposedtodo,dumpthe
poorgi
rlont
hestr
eetswhentheycoul
dn’
tfi
nd
aroom?Hedidtheonlyt
hinghecoul
d.
Nowshelaidonhi
sbedscr
eamingand
t
hrashi
nginwoesofani
ght
mare.
Whatarey
oudr eamingabout,
li
ttl
eflower
?
Whatwasdonet oyou?Whohur tyousomuch
t
hateveni
nsleep,peaceevadesyou?
*
***
***
***
Iwokeupf
rom thenight
mar
escr
eami
ng,
ki
cki
ngandthr
ashing.
Igr
abbedthekni
fef
rom underherpi
l
lowand
swungitwi
ldl
y.
KARTEL:Gir
l… girl
,i
t’
sjustadr
eam…cal
m
down… Lubalashe…
Hekeptadist
ancebutwasspeaki
ngi
nacal
m
voi
ce,
worryinhi
seyes.
KARTEL: Lubalashe… cal
m down..Nobodyis
gonnahur tyou.Youaresafehere… youare
safe… ok,look,l
ook.Anybodycomesi n,
Igota
kni
fe… nobodycanhur ty
ou.
Iwassti
llshaking.Horri
ble,hor
ri
blememori
es.
Heputhisbigar m aroundmet ocalm medown,
andIi
nchedcl oser,snuggli
ngtohisbi
gchest
ashekeptgent l
ywhi sper
ingthatIwassaf
eand
hewouldprotectme.
*
***
***
***
AThug’
sLov
e:2

Iopenedmyey esandsatuponthebed,
str
etchi
ng.Lastni
ghtIsl
eptali
tt
lebett
er,
fel
ta
l
itt
lesaf
erinthearmsofthi
sst
rangerIj
ustmet.
Tal
kingaboutthat
,wherewasKart
el?He
wasn’ti
ntheroom whenIwokeup.
Thequest
ionwasansweredaf
ewmi nut
eslater
whenhewalkedbacki
nwi t
habagoffatcakes
andatwocansofcoke.
KARTEL:
Iwentt
obuysomef
atcakes.Hav
ea
bat
handwewill
eat
.
It
ookmyl i
tt
letoi
let
rybagandgoti
nthe
makeshi
ftbathr
oom whereIhadabat
h.
WhenIcameout,Iwasdressed,
Isatdownon
thebedandhehandedmeabagoff atcakes
andthecani
fcoke.Wesatandateinsil
ence
f
orsomet
ime.
KARTEL:Idon’tknowi fy
ouwillf
indany
t hi
ng
midmonthl i
ket hi
s,l
egoneattheendoft he
year
.Peoplelargel
ymov ehousesendof
December,somostr oom wil
lbeonlyavail
abl
e
i
nJanuary.
Il
ookedathim pani
cki
ng.Idi
dn’
twantt
obe
homeless.
KARTEL:Chi
ll
.Youarewel
cometostayhereas
l
ingasyouneed.I
t’
snotfi
vest
ar,
butitaroof
overy
ourhead.
LUBA:Thanky
ou… I
’
llt
ryt
omov
eoutasf
astas
Ican.
KARTEL:Norush,Iam bar
elyev
erhome
anyway
.Okthen.Fi
nisheat
ingandI’
l
ldr
opy
ou
off
.
*
***
***
***
***
Af
tereat
ing,
wedr
ovei
nsi
l
ence,
hisey
es
st
rai
ghtonther
oadashecasual
l
yleanedback
onhi
sdriv
er’
sseat
.
Iwastryi
ngtol ookatt
heroadsoIdidn’
tget
l
ostlat
er,butIkeptget
ti
ngdi st
ract
edbyhis
bi
cepsashef lexedandrel
axedwhiledr
ivi
ng.
Thiswasamannotf oreigntohar
dlabour,y
ou
couldt
ellhi
smusclewer ealotl
essgym and
wholel
othardwork.Hishandslookedrough
andcall
ousedonthatsteeri
ngwheel…God,
thosevei
nedhands…
Hisbr
owswer efur
rowedli
kehewasalr
eady
cont
emplat
ingtheday.Whatdi
dheevendofor
ali
vi
ng?Idi
dn’tknow.
Ordi
dn’
tI?Thosepackages…
Ther
ightquest
ionwas,
didIcar
e?
Bef
oreIknewi
t,t
hecarhadst
opped.
KARTEL:
Wear
eher
e…
LUBA:
Oh…
Hekepthiseyesfor
ward,
tappi
ngt hest
eer
ing
wheelsof
tly
,butgavemeahalflaugh.
KARTEL:
wer
eyoudaydr
eami
ng?
Il
ikedhisv
oice.Scr
atcht
hat
.Il
ovehi
svoi
ce.
Thatdeeplaugh.
LUBA:(
laughi
ng)seemsIwas.Al
ri
ght
,thanks
fort
heri
de.
KARTEL:
Hereisali
tt
lemoney ,getyourself
l
unchandbuyafewgr ocer
iesforthehouseasI
hav
enoneinthehouse.Thengetat axihome.I
won’
tbeabl
etopickyouup, Ihavesomet hi
ng.
HehandedmeP200.
LUBA:
Thanks
KARTEL:Nobi ggie…youjustcrosstheroad,the
saloni
sthere,youcanseei t
,ri
ght?Thesal on
gir
lscanshowy ouwher etogetgr oceri
es.To
getbackhome, youcomebackt hesameway ,
got ot
hosetaxiesther
e,j
usttellthem ha
dishopong,
thenyoucanseet
hehousef
rom
thereandpointi
tout.
Forsomeonewhoconst antl
ylookedangryand
ont heedge,thecalmvoiceheusedonmel ast
nightwhenIhadt henightmare,
andwasusi ng
now, di
dn’tsuithi
m.Wasn’tthesamef or
ceful
tonehehadwi thNnunuwhenshef i
rstmethim.
Hewasbeingki
nd.Li
kehecouldtel
lIwas
ner
vousf
ormyof f
ici
alf
ir
stdayatwork.
KARTEL:You’
l
lbefi
ne.Isawpostsabouty
ou,
seemsli
keyouknowat hi
ngabouthai
r.
Ihadn’
tseethepost sbecausemyphonewasa
damnancientnokiathatIwassurpri
sedst
il
l
worked.Myfatherrefusedbl
atant
lyt
obuymea
smartphone.
LUBA:DoIl
ookok?May
bemyski
rti
stooshor
t
and…
KARTEL:Youlookgr
eat
.Youar
egonnado
gr
eat.Yougotthi
s.
LUBA:
Igott
his.
KARTEL:That
’st
hespi
ri
t!Letmewal
kyout
o
thesal
on.
ME:Thanks…andIam sorr
yaboutlastni
ght…I
haveni
ghtmaressometi
mes… thenIgettoo
scar
edtosleep.
KARTEL:
Hey
,don’
twor
ryabouti
t.
Hecamet oopenthedoorforme,t
henwal ked
metot hesal
onentr
ance.Wesaidgoodbyes
andIwatchedhi
m unti
lhehadgott
eninthecar
anddroveoff
.
Kar
tel
wasagoodman.
Obvi
ousl
yabad,
badboy
.Butav
erygoodman.
Agentl
eman.
I
nmyexperi
ence,
menwer
en’
tgood.ButKar
tel
wasagoodman.
*
***
***
***
*
Kar
tel
drov
eof
fthi
nki
ngoft
hel
i
ttl
efl
owert
hat
wasi nhi
sbedl
astni
ght
.Itwasn’
toft
ent
hathe
sharedabedwi
thawomanandnot hi
ng
happened.
Heparkedhi
scarandwal
kedi
ntoBoza’
s
compound.
BOZA: Myman!Igotthenewmat eri
alatt
he
farm andRuesaidt
heyfi
nishedcooki
ng.The
otherstuf
fisdr
iedt
oo,soy ouandMonkwi l
lgo
pickupandpackage.
KARTEL:
Sur
eboss.
BOZA:
AndKar
tel
?
KARTEL:
Yesboss?
BOZA:
Ihear
dofar
ougesel
l
eri
nmyst
reet
s.
Hecameal lt
hewaycl oseandpushedKartel
on
thewall
,l
it
eral
lyhavi
ngt ost
andontiptoesand
holdhi
shandupt oputhisstubbyf
atli
ttl
epalm
overKar
tel
’sneck.
Kar
tel
want
edt
olaugh.Notonl
ywast
he‘
choke’
weakashel
l,t
hemanwaspant
ingf
rom i
tmor
e
t
hanKartel
was.
Don’
thur
tyour
sel
fov
ert
her
e,f
atboy
.
Het
houghtandal
mostl
aughedout
.
Bozawasalegacy,hehadi nheri
tedthestreet
s
andthemenf r
om hisr uthl
essf ather
,andt he
cowar
dwasst i
llki
ngonl ybecauseal otofthe
menwereloyalt
ohi sfatherev eninhisdeath.
Theol
dmanhadpi ckedt hem from eati
ngin
tr
ashcansandtookt hem intohisf ol
d.
Kart
elhadnoloyal
tytot
hiscowardorhi
sdead
fat
her.Hehadonlycomeinalr
eadyanadul
t.
BOZA:(pant
ing)Ar
eyoust
eal
i
ngf
rom me,
Kar
tel
?
Al
lhehadt
odowaspushthi
sfool
andhis
j
unki
easswoul
dpr
obabl
ynotbeablet
ogetup.
Butofcausethecronieswil
lrai
nonhi mli
kea
badplague.Hewouldn’tmakeitoutofher
e
al
i
ve.
KARTEL:Ofcour
senot
,boss.Iwoul
dnev
er.I
sweari
t.
Bozar
eleasest
hehol
dandpul
l
edbackwi
tha
l
augh.
BOZA:Ofcour
seyouwouldn’
t.I
’mf*
*ki
ngwi
th
you,
man.Lookatyou,
all
scared.
Heimaginedhimselfsomescar
ygangstert
hat
peopl
efeared.Kar
telwant
edtolaugh.
Boy
,theonl
ythi
ngi
nfearofy
oui
spot
atochi
ps.
BOZA:
Alr
ightt
hen,
getamov
eon.
Kar
tel
wal
kedawaysmi
l
ingt
ohi
msel
f.
That
’swhyIf
**kedy
ourbi
ch,
youugl
y
mother
f**
ker
.
Hesawhi
sfr
iendwal
kin,
andwentov
ert
ohi
m.
Monkwasasbi gashi
m,butt
hat
’swher
ethe
compar
isonended.
Themanhadaspi derwebt att
ooonhal fhi
s
face,andakni fet attooacr osshisey e.Those
wer ej
ustt hefacet att
oo.Andwer en'thel
ping
hislookatal l
,whatwi ththescarf rom f i
xi
nghi s
cleftl
ip,andhisonebl i
ndey e.Hisbodywas
coveredwi thtattoos, andheal way swor egoth
blackwi t
hasi lvercr oss.Andhet alkedsolitt
le,
therewer epeopl ewhohadknownhi mf oryears
andst il
lhadn’thear dhisv oice.Itwasl ikehe
j
ustwant edtolookscar y.
Monkgogi hadnof ami ly.Hewasabandonedas
achil
dandr ai
sedinanor phanage,whichhe
agedoutof .Kartelhadmethi m whenhewas
al
oneandscar ed,ay earafterKart
elhad
embracedt hestreets.Hehadgi venhima
pl
acetostayf orabi t,thenhelpedhim gethi
s
ownwayi ntoitall.
KARTEL:(
laughi
ng)FatBoyonhi
speriodagai
n.
Hewantsust ogodoapickandpackage.
MONK:
Sur
e…
TheygotintheVit
zanddrovepastTat i
,tot
he
outski
rt
softhevil
l
age.Kart
elparkedthecar
andwalkedoutasachubby ,shortmancame
outofthebarnandwalkedtowardsthem.
Hisfr
iendRue.Ruebenwasacol l
egeeducat ed,
booksmar tbastardbrotherofBoza’ s.There
wasnol ovebetweent hebr ot
hers,Boza’ s
motherhadabusedRueasachi l
d,sodi dBoza,
andtheirf
atherleftRuenot hi
ngev ent houghhe
l
ivedwiththem.Af terf
aili
ngtogetaj obwi t
h
hi
schemi calengineeri
ngdegr ee,hest art
ed
cooki
nguppr oductf orhisbrotherinsteadof
hi
m buy i
ngfrom supplier
s.Nowt heywer e
suppl
yingevenpeopl einGabor one.
Ruelookednot
hingl
i
kehi
stwofri
ends.Hewas
shor
tandchubby,wi
thaj
ovi
alf
aceandf r
iendl
y
demeanour.
Hecameout
sideeat
ingabagofchi
ps.
KARTEL:
Howt
hehel
ldoy
oumanaget
oeati
n
t
her
e?I
tsmel
l
sli
keasci
enceexper
iment
.
RUE:(
laughi
ng)br
other
,Icanal
way
smanaget
o
eat
.
Hesai
dashehuggedKar
tel
,thenwentf
or
Monkwhoi
gnoredhi
m asusual.
RUE:
Comeon,
bigman,
youknowy
ouwantone.
Monkal
mostsmi
l
ed,
andpushedRueof
fgent
ly.
Kartelshookhisheadlaughi
ng.Ruewasal ways
getti
ngonMonk’ sver
ylastnerveswithal
lhi
s
l
ov eydov eyst
uff
,butthelov
e, bond,
and
brotherhoodbetweenthethreewasundeniabl
e.
KARTEL:
Guy
s,Iwannadoaj
ob.
RUE:No.Nope,
lastt
imewedi dthat
,weal
most
endedupkomatamong.
..nope.
KARTEL:Comeon, Rue...thesepeopledeserve
i
t..
.someI ndi
anbastardswhot r
eatoursist
ers
andbrotherswhowor kf orthem l
ikesht
.Eais
i
nt hesceuri
tyandtr
anspor tingt
hemoney
l
ater.
..Notmuch,P200000,
sonotmuch
secur
ity.
.P50keach,i
ncl
udi
ngEagi
l
e.
MONK:
I'
min
RUE:
No,guys,
comeon.
..Il
ovemyf
reedom.
Comeon.
..
KARTEL:Bro,mypar entsneedt hei
rmedi cati
on
andgovernmenthospi t
alsaret alki
ngrubbish
asusual
...WhatImakewi tjBozawon' tcover
evenourgrocer
ies.Irefusetot akefrom people
whoarest r
uggl
ingthesamewayIam, soIcan't
j
ustruninthestreet
sandgr abawal l
et,Ionly
goforbi
gguy swhohogweal th.Comeon. .
.it
s
aneasyjob.Str
aightfoward, becausewe
al
readyhaveamanont heinside.
RUE:Jai
lai
nteasythough!Iam al
abr
at,
man,
I
don'
tli
kedoi
nghits.
KARTEL:Myf ami
lyisstar
ving.
..bothmyf
olks
needmedicati
on.
..Idon'
twannal osemy
parent
s,Rue.
.Ial
readydon'thavemuch.
RUE:
Arggggg,fi
ne!Fi
ne!I
'
llf
ixagetawaycar
.
What
'stheplan?
*
***
***
***
*
Iarri
vedjustwhenoneofthegirl
swasopening.
Ididn’
tcatchhername,andshewasn’tver
y
fr
iendly
.Pinkhairgi
rlar
ri
vednextandcame
overtome.
SESHA:Gi
rloft
hemoment
!Heysweet
ie.I
’
m
Sesha.
LUBA:
Luba
SESHA:Pret
ty!Babydol
l
,youar
etr
endi
ng!Di
d
yousee?
Isadl
ylookedatmyphoneonthetable,
ashamedoftheanci
entthi
ng.God,Ineededa
smartphone!
Theot
herempl
oyeear
ri
vedandi
gnor
edmet
oo
whenIgr
eet
edher.
SESHA:
Oh,
ignor
ethem.Theyar
ejusthat
ing
becausey ougotthemostappointmentsfor
thi
sweek.Nnunugi vest
hebestemployeea
l
itt
lei
ncent i
veeverymonthandtheyknowy ou
aregetti
ngitmont h.Comeonsweet i
e,l
etme
showy ouwher eyoucanputyourstuffi
nthe
back.
Shet ookmyhandandl edmet otheback.Ihad
af eeli
ngIwasgonnabef ri
endswi ththisgirl
.
Seshawasbour giebeauti
ful.Youknowt hose
kindofpeopl ewhoal way slookclean?Shewas
superf emininewi t
hthatbody ,thi
ckthighstiny
wai standal l.Todayshewor eat i
nyoff
shoul derplaiddr essthatshowedhersmoot h,
thickt high,andherpinkhai rwasupi nahi gh
pony .
Sheshowedmewher eever
ythingwas,and
gavemeakeyt omyowndr awertokeepmy
thi
ngs,
thenhelpedmesetupmywor kst
ation
i
nthesalon.Nnunuwastakingearl
ymat er
nit
y
l
eavesincetheynowhadextrahandssoi twas
j
ustf
iveofus.
Iwasgonnal
ovet
hispl
ace.
AtlunchSeshatookmewi t
hhertothelady
whosoldfoodfrom t
hebackofhertr
uck.We
gotourfoodandcamebackt othesal
on,
seat
ingdowntoeat.
Aphonecal
lcamei
nfr
om anumberIdi
dn’
t
know.
ME:
Hel
l
o?
KARTEL:
It’
sKar
tel
,thi
sismynumber
.
ME:
Oh…
KARTEL:Iwant
edt
ojustcheckony
ou… how
i
syourfi
rstday
?
ME:
It’
sok.It
hinkImadeaf
ri
end…
KARTEL:
That
’sgoodnews.Ev
ery
onebei
ng
ni
ce?
ME:
Not
hingIcan’
thandl
e.
KARTEL:Thatdoesn’
tsoundposi
ti
ve.
.Ist
her
e
someonemessingwithyou?
ME:(
laughi
ng)Cal
m down,
justgi
rlpet
ti
ness.
Howisyouday?
KARTEL:Justhust
li
ng.Hey
,Ij
ustrememberedI
di
dn’
tgiv
ehouseakey ,soIl
efti
tonthebri
cks
behi
ndourroom.Yougonnabeokt ogethome?
Ourr
oom…
Home…
Il
i
kedhi
slanguage.Iwasev
ensmi
l
ing.
ME:
Yea,
I’
ll
bef
ine.
WhenIf
ini
shedt
hecal
l
,Seshal
ookedatme
wi
thasmil
e.
SESHA:
(smi
l
ing)Boy
fri
end?
ME:
Ae,
justKar
tel
…
SESHA:Ohhhh,
‘j
ustKart
el’
.Thenwhyar
eyou
bl
ushi
ng,gi
rl
?Heisaf i
nemalespeci
men,t
hat
Kar
tel
,i
sn’
the?
ME:
(smi
l
ing)Iwoul
dn’
tknow…
SESHA: (
laughi
ng)Ri
ght!Don’tcomecr
y i
ng
whentheysnatchhim away.Comeonl unch
hourover.
*
***
***
***
***
Kar
tel
parkedt
hecari
nBoza’
shomeand
wal
kedin.
HeknockedandBoza’
swifecametoopeni
na
si
lkgowntgatwasni
tti
ed,showunghe
rmatchi
ngl
aceoanti
esandbra.
ShewasanEt hi
opianexot i
calt
hatmadeBoz a
feell
i
keabigdeal becausehebaggeda‘ beaut
y’
accordi
ngtowhit
epeopl estandards.Long
fl
owyhair,
li
ghtskinned,fakeboobsandbut t,
andhewassur ethatwaistwasdonet oo.
KARTEL:
Hal
i
ma…Bozawant
edt
oseeme?
HALI
MA:
Oh,
for
gethi
m.It
ext
ed.Hei
sgonet
o
Gaboronefort
heweek.It
houghty
ouandI
coul
dhav esomefun.
KARTEL:
Itol
dyou.Iam noti
nter
est
ed.
Sher
anherhandsacr
osshi
schest
.
HALI
MA:
Youwer
eint
erest
edl
astmont
h…
KARTEL:Yea,
well
,Igott
ir
edofbei
ngy
ourd*
*k
forpay
.I’
m of
f.
HALI
MA:Kar
t,pl
ease… y
ouknowBozacan’
t
makeme…
KARTEL:
Notmypr
obl
em.
Hewal kedof
fandshewentintothehouse
angri
ly
.Ashewentpasthercar,t
herewerea
bunchofshoppingbagsi
nthebackseat.One
ofthem… abrandnewlat
estiPhone.
Helaughedandeasi
lypi
ckedthedoor ,tookthe
i
Phoneandwalkedout.She’
dpr obablyhave
gi
venittohi
mifhetoldherto,butthelastthi
ng
heneededwasbeingindebttothatbich.
*
***
***
***
Aft
erworkIboughtcookedfoodandwent
home.Kart
elar
riv
edjustali
ttl
ebi
taft
erthat
andhandedmeawhi t
ebag.
ME:
What
’st
his?
KARTEL:It
hinki
twoul
dbebet
teri
fyouhad
WhatsApp.
Il
ookedi
nthebagseei
ngt
hebr
andnew
i
Phone.
ME:OhmyGodKar t
el… ohmyGod…t
hisi
sso
ni
ce.ButIcan’
ttakethi
s.
KARTEL:
Iinsi
st…don’
tsayno.
Iwasn’
tgoingt obesill
yandaskquest i
onslike
howhecoul daffordaphonelikethi
sorsome
sht
…Ihavebeenar oundhimforjustadayandI
wasfastl
earningnott oaskdumbquest ions.
AndIdesperatelyneededasmar tphone.
Thegi
rl
satt
hesal
onwer
egonnabesoj
eal
ous.
Ihuggedhi
m.
ME:
Thanky
ou
KARTEL:
It’
snobi
gdeal
..Howwasy
ourf
ir
st
day
?
ME:Gr
eat,
you'
l
lli
keSesha..I
'
llbr
ingherar
ound
someday
.Seat
,Ibroughtf
ood.
Hesatonthebedandat
e,t
henwasonthe
phonewhi
l
eIf i
gur
edoutmynewphone.
Aboutanhourlaterhelef
t,wi
thj
usta‘
Igota
thi
ng’
.LikeIsaid,Idon’
taskdumbquest
ions.I
haveathingi
sgoodenough.
*
***
***
***
*
Theweekwentwell
,Kar
tel
wasrar
elyhomeas
hesai
d.OnSatur
dayNnunugav
emeadayof f
toset
tl
e.
Iwokeupearl
y,andhadbreakfastonmyown.
Kar
telhadtol
dmeal r
eadyhe’dbegonefora
j
oblastni
ght,t
hentoseehisfamilyf
ort
he
af
ter
noont
oday
.
Istart
edcleaningthehousefr
om t
opt obott
om,
wipedthewal lstoremovecobwebs,and
dustedtheroofingwitht
hebroom,mopped,
poli
shedthef l
oor,andwashedal
ltheclot
hes,
hisandmi ne.
WhenIwasdone,
Ishoweredandsatont
he
bedcount
ingt
hemoneyIstol
efr
om myfather
.
P11309
Gr
eat
.
IcalledSeshaandaskedaboutbuy i
ngf ur
nit
ure.
Withinanhourshecal ledmebackaboutaguy
sel
lingasecondhandf r i
dgeandwardrobefor
P4000.Ical ledtheguyandsawt hepictur
es.
Thet hingswer erelat
ivel
ynew,andsincehe
hadat ruck,
heagr eedtodeli
vert
hem fora
smal lfee.
Aft
erhedeli
ver
edi
t,Imanagedtocharm hi
m
i
ntobel
iev
ingIwasmovinginal
one,andifhe
hel
pedmegoshoppi
ngf
ormor
efur
nit
ure,
he’
d
hi
tlat
ert
oni
ght
.
Ical
ledSeshaasshehadahal
fday.Shemet
mei nthemall
andsuggest
edwewalkto
anothersi
deoftownt
ogetthi
ngsIhadtol
dher
Ineeded.
ShecalleditBul
awayoandwecr ossedabri
dge
togetthere.ArowofChineseshopsselli
ng
whatever.Theguydrov
ear oundandcamet hat
side,
wai t
ingasIwentthr
ought heshops.
Iboughtaheadboar d,t
wobeddi ngset s,
with
l
ar gedecor ati
vepi l
lows,twoot herpil
l
ows, a
ki
t chencabi net
,af oldablediv
ider,l
aundry
basket ,
asetoft wopl asti
cchairsandasmal l
plastictabl
e.ThenIboughtanewt wobur ner
gasst oveandacy l
inder,twopot s,asetoffiv
e
plates,fourcups, somecut ler
yandcl eaning
stuff.Ithendi dthegr oceryandt heguydr ove
mehome.
Seshahungaroundunt
ilt
heguygotpi
ssedat
hercockbl
ocki
ng,andl
eft
.
Wel
aughedabouti
tasshehel
pedme
r
ear
rangeandmakether
oom.
SESHA:
Gir
l,Iseey
ouset
tl
ingi
n.
ME:Comeon, Ij
ustdidn’
twanttospendthe
money,soIboughtmyf ur
nit
ureal
ready
.WhenI
f
indaroom,Iwill
justneedabed.
SESHA:
(laughi
ng)Soy
ousay
.
Wechat
ti
ngaboutr
andom t
hings,
thenshel
eft
.
If
oldedourl
aundr
yandbat
hed,
thent
ookanap.
*
***
***
***
**
Kartelarri
vedhomeandl ookedatt heroom, not
recognisingitatall
.Newbeddi ng,new
cupboar d,newt abl
eandchai r
s, aroundt he
‘
bathar ea’ar at
tandivi
derthatsecl udedt he
washar ea, i
nsideitt
hegreent ubt hathadbeen
scrubbedcl ean,anewt al
landt hinst anding
shelv
ewi ththeirtoil
etri
es,incl
udingaf oam
bath,andapl asti
cpegst hinghungf rom ahook
onthewal l
,wi thherpant i
esandapi nkface
towelhungi nonesi de,andhi sunder wearanda
newwasht owel hungont heother.Thent her
e
wasanewshowerspongeandapumi cestone,
andtwonewt owels.Ont hesideoft he
‘
bathroom’ anewl aundrybasket.Inthe
wardrobe,allhisclotheswer ewashedand
fol
dedi nonesi de,hersint heother,
andt he
housesmel ledsof r
esh.
God,
howmuchdi
dshespendont
his?
Yestar
dayt
heyhadfi
nal
lydonethejobagain
aft
ersometi
me.Theyallhat
edthisbecause
onewrongmoveandtheyarelockedup.
Buthewantedtoof
ferLubaallt
hegoodthi
ngs,
sil
lyasi
tmadehimfeel.He’
djustmett
hegir
l,
forGod’
ssake.
Butt
hej
obhadwentwel
l
,nobodyhur
t,andt
hey
eachhada50000.
HetookoutP15000andqui
etl
yplacedi
tinher
wal
l
etwhereshewasonlyl
eftwit
hP200.
Man,
hefel
tref
reshedjustbei
ngi
nhere.Soit
wast
ruewhattheysai
daboutahomeneedi ng
awoman’
stouch,huh?Thiswaspur
emagi c.

Poort
hingmusthav
ebeensot
ir
edaf
teral
lthi
s.
Hesnuckoutanddr
ovetoNandos,
butt
hem
f
oodandcamebackjustasshewaswaki
ngup.
LUBA:
Oh,
hey
…
KARTEL:
Heysl
eepi
ngbeaut
y…
LUBA:(l
aughing)Ipassedout
.Iwassot
ir
ed…
I’
l
lgetst
artedont hecooki
ng.
Hesmi
l
edandr
aisedt
hef
oodpacket
s.
LUBA: Icoul
dhav
ecooked,
takeaway
sar
e
expensive.
KARTEL:
(smi
l
ing)Justf
ort
oday
,it
’sok.
Hehandedherthef
oodandt
heysatdownat
t
henewt abl
eandate.
KARTEL:
Ilov
ewhaty
oudi
dwi
tht
hepl
ace.
LUBA:
Ihopey
oudon’
tmi
nd.
KARTEL:
It'
samazi
ng!Il
ovei
t.
LUBA:
It’
sthel
eastIcando.
KARTEL:
Howdi
dyoucar
ryal
lthi
sthough?
LUBA:
Seshahel
ped…
KARTEL:
Sesha?
LUBA:Myworkcol
league,thefr
iendImade,
remember
?Thatcurvyhipschubbyone?
KARTEL:Oh,yea.Ni
cegirl
..
.howdi
dyougeti
t
home,youshouldhavecal
ledme.
LUBA:
Uh.
..Seshahasaf
ri
endwhohasat
ruck.
God,
Ifeltbadl
yi
ngtohim,butwhatdoIsay
,
someniggawhothoughtIwasgonnagi
vehim
somehel
pedmeout
?
Idon'
tknowwhyIcan'tsayt
hatt
ohim, butI
j
ustcouldn'
t.Iknowhewoul
dbepissed.
Aftereat
ing,Icl
eanedupandbat
hed,
putt
ing
onmypy jamasandl ai
ddowni
nbed.Hebathed
too,andlai
dbesidesme.
God,thi
swashard…layingbesidesherandnot
havi
ngher… buthedidn’twanttomovetoofast
.
Wantedtobeagentleman.
Ilaudnextt
oKar telpret
endingtobeasleep..
.
dy i
ngforhi
mt omakeamov e..
.touchme,do
somet hi
ng.
..Buthejustlai
dt her
e.Icouldhave
madet hefi
rstmov e,butIdi
dn'twannaappear
l
ikeoneofthosel oosegirl
s.Awomanmust
hav esomedignit
yaboutherwheni tcomesto
themanshewant s.
*
***
***
***
**
LI
KE,
COMMENT,
SHARE
AThug’
sLov
e3

Thenextmor ni
ngIwokeupear l
yandmade
breakf
ast
,thentwolunchboxes.Buy
ingf
oodi
s
soexpensi
veoutthere.
Aft
erbr
eakf
astKart
eldr
ovemetowork,and
whenhewasdroppi
ngmeoff,
Ihandedhim hi
s
l
unchbox.
KARTEL:
Whati
sthi
s?
LUBA:
Lunch.
Heopenedandtookabi
teoft
hemeat
,
appr
eci
ati
vel
y.
KARTEL:
Nii
i
ce.
LUBA:Youar
esupposedt
oeati
tatl
unch,
Kart
el.
KARTEL:(l
aughi
ng)Nnahaonneel ahel
ahao
tswamokoloingkeasut ha.HowcanIgo
aroundcar
ryi
ngdeli
ciousfoodall
morni
ng.Pl
us
Ihav
enof r
idgewhereIwi
ll
be.Iwil
lbear
ound
andabout
.Itmayspoil
.Gowit
hitandIwi
ll
cometakeitatl
unch.
LUBA:
Ok
KARTEL:
Eish,
don’
tletany
oneeati
tthemma…
Ilaughedandwavedhi
m offashecamearound
toopent hedoorf
orme,t
henwalkedmetothe
salon.
Mostofhermorni
ng,Iwasexcitedtohav
e
l
unchwit
hKartel
,l
ikeitwasn’tr
iceandabeef
st
irf
ryi
ntwoplasti
ctumblers.
Ar
ound1pm hecal
ledandsai
dtocomedown.I
warmedt
hefoodinthesal
onmicr
owaveand
wentt
ohim.
Hestoodout
side,
leani
ngagai
nstt
hecar
,
smoking.
Hest
ubbedhi
sci
garet
teandopenedt
hedoor
f
orme,t
hengoti
nsi
detoo.
KARTEL:
Youdi
dn’
teatmyf
oodaker
e?
Il
aughedandhandedhi
mthef
ood,
whi
l
ehe
handedmeacandr i
nk.
Wesatinthecareat
ingwi
thoutmuch
conv
ersat
ion.
Hewasn’
tat
alker
.
Hehadprobabl
ysai
d‘warengLuba’
athousand
t
imesnow.Itwassocut
e.
ME:
Tel
lmeabouty
our
sel
f.
KARTEL:
(laughi
ng)Whatdoy
ouwantt
oknow?
ME:
Any
thi
ng.Doy
ouhav
esi
bli
ngs?
KARTEL:Three.Twosist
ers,
onebrothers.We
weref
ive,butonepassedaway.Iam thethi
rd.
ME:Iam thef
ir
stoft
hree.Ihav
etwobrot
her
s.
Whereareyoufr
om?Whydi dyoucometo
Fr
ancist
own?
KARTEL:
Ati
nypl
acecal
l
edSemot
swane.Why
di
dIcomehere?Hunger.Iwasagrownman
sti
l
lbeggi
ngmyparent
sf orf
oodthatt
heydi
dn’
t
have.
ME:
Howol
dar
eyou?
KARTEL:
25.Icamet
oFr
anci
stownat20.
ME:
Whatdoy
oudo?
KARTEL:
Thi
sandt
hat
.Ihust
le.
Iknewbet
tert
hant
oaskf
urt
heront
hat
.
ME:
What
’sy
ourf
avour
it
efood?
Hel
aughedandl
ookedathi
stumbl
er.
KARTEL:
Whatdi
dwej
usteat
?
ME:
Mexi
canr
iceandabeefst
irf
ry.
KARTEL:Myfavour
itef
oodi
sMexi
canr
iceand
abeefst
irf
rythen.
Ibl
ushedandl
ookeddown,
smi
l
ing.
KARTEL:
Youhav
eabeaut
if
ulsmi
l
e.
Hesai
d,reachi
ngouthi
s,gent
lycar
essi
ngher
l
ipswit
hhi sfi
nger
s.
KARTEL:
Ithi
nkl
uncht
imei
sup,
lubal
angu.
Ismi
l
ed,
thenf
ull
onl
aughed.
ME:Ithoughtyouwer
ef r
om thecent
raldi
str
ict
orsomething,
howdoy ouknowKalanga.
KARTEL:Idon’
t,
butIhavebeeni
nFranci
stown
forf
ivey
earsnow.Ipi
ckedupawordortwo.
Comeon, I
’l
lwal
kyouback.
Iwal
kedbackt
othesal
onsmi
l
ingl
i
keani
diot
.
Hi
s.Hehadcal
l
edmehi
s.Hi
sfl
ower
.
*
***
***
***
***
Lat
eraf
terwork,Iwentwi
thSeshatoShopr
it
e
asshewantedtobuynecessi
ti
es.
Idi
dn’thavemuchmoneylef
tafterbuy
ing
thi
ngsforourpl
ace,
butKart
elsentmet owork
andpickedmeupmostt i
me,al
soSeshahad
shownmehowt owalkhomefrom work,soI
di
dn’
treal
l
yneedmoneyr
ightnow.
Iopenedthebagandt ookoutmywall
ett
obuy
my sel
fachocol
atebarasSeshapai
dforher
grocer
ies.
Whatt
he… wher
edi
dthatcomef
rom.
Irecoil
edback,
looki
ngatastacksofP200’
s
heldtoget
herwithpapercl
i
psi
nmywal l
etthat
couldn’
tevencl
ose.
Kar
tel
.
Ishookmyheadwi
thasmi
l
eandcal
l
edhi
m.
KARTEL:
Lubal
angu?
LUBA:
Kartel
,whyi
sther
esomuchmoneyi
n
mywall
et?
KARTEL:(l
aughi
ng)Howam Isupposedt
o
know?It
’syourwal
let
.
Icoul
dheart
hesmugi
nhi
svoi
ce.
LUBA:
Idi
dn’
tputi
tint
her
e!
KARTEL:Ao?Theni
tmeansonal
ethokol
osi
.
Icoul
dhearhewasl
aughi
ng,
andIl
aughedt
oo.
LUBA:
Buthonest
lyKar
tel
,youcan’
tdot
his,
I…
KARTEL:
Youboughtsomuchf
ort
hehouse…
LUBA:
Ididn’
tevenspendhal
foft
his!How
muchiseveni
nhere?
KARTEL:
P15K
ME: (
whisper
ing)P15000Kartel
!Ahh!Whatam
Isupposedtodowi t
hall
that
?
KARTEL:(l
aughing)Hey,banyanaba
Zwenshamber uri,
gaoitsegobechedi
wakant
e?
Gospoily
ourself.Seey
oul at
eraker
e.
Hesaidandhungup.Ist
oodt
her
ehol
dingmy
phonetomychestwit
hasmil
e.
SESHA:Iwishmymangav
emeP15000j
ust
because.
LUBA:
(bl
ushi
ng)Kar
tel
isnotmyman.
SESHA:(l
aughi
ng)Soyousay,
gir
l!Soyousay
…
so,howhehiti
t?Abigstr
ongmanliket
hat
musthavesomestamina…
LUBA:(l
aughing)Sesha!Ahh.Ther
eisnohi
tt
ing
ofany
thing.
SESHA:Ri
ght
!Becausehotguyhotgi
rlsame
bedequal
snot
hing,huh?
LUBA:(
laughi
ng)I
’
lll
i
ter
all
ybuyy
ouachocol
ate
bart
oshutup.
SESHA:
Okt
henr
ichgi
rl
,I
’l
ltakeat
opdeck!
*
***
***
***
**
Kart
elsatst
ari
ngathisphonelongafterhe
hungup,wit
hasmi l
einhisface.Hewi shedhe
hadseentheexpr
essioni
nherf ace… i
tmade
himfeelsogoodt
omakeherhappy .Madehim
feel
li
keaman.Herman.
Ruewal
kedov
ert
ohi
m.
RUE:
Onl
yagi
rlwi
l
lgetamancheezi
ngl
i
kea
fool
thewayyouar
edoingri
ghtnow.Wor
dof
advi
ce,i
twi
ll
endintear
s.
KARTEL:
(laughi
ng)Howwoul
dyouknow,
incel
?
Ruemadeadr amat
icmov
ehol
dinghi
shand
overhi
shear
t.
RUE:Now,howaregonnahur
tmyfeel
i
ngsl
i
ke
that
?Butser
iousl
ybr
o,whoisshe?
KARTEL:(
smil
i
ng)shei
sdif
ferent
,br
o… l
i
ke,
youknowwhenyougotawif
e.
RUE:Whaaaaat?F*
*k,br
o,whendi
dthi
shappen,
youbeenhol
dingoutonme?
KARTEL:
Imetherl
astweek.
RUE:NowIknoey ouarecr
azy.Howdoyou
meetagirl
lastweekandalr
eadyusi
ngbi
g
wordsl
ikewife.
KARTEL:Ihopeonedayyouunder
stand.
Anyway,
wel i
vetoget
hernow.
RUE:
Tel
lmet
hat
’sal
i
e.Br
o!Monk,
comet
alk
t
othi
sfool
.Hemov
edi
nagi
rlhej
ustmet
MONK:
Youknowhowi
t’
sgonnaend,
right
?
KARTEL:(l
aughi
ng)Consi
der
ingbot
hofyou
don’
tevenhaveagir
lf
ri
end,y
ouradvi
cedoesn’
t
count
.
RUE:
Pu*
*ywhi
pped.
KARTEL: (
laughing)Ihav
en’
tevenhi
tity
et,
so
shutup.Look,lookRue,wif
eyi
scomingover…
getsomebal l
sandt alkt
oher.
Hesai dast hegirlwholi
vedinthenext-
door
yardwal kedov ertot
hem.Hermot herowned
theserent al
housesandmadeNeel odealwith
therentals.Shewasasweet ,shyli
tt
lethi
ng
thatpeopl ealwaysgavehell
aboutpayingrent,
until
Kart elstart
edhelpi
ngher.
RUE:(
whistl
ing)Mokekegonemahepapoo
st
rai
ght!… damn… shei
scomingher
e.
Shel
ookeddownshy
lyast
hemenl
oomedat
her
,tr
yingbyal
lmeanstomakehersel
flook
small
.Shehadalway
shatedherbi
g,ext
remely
cur
vybodybecauseoft
hewaymenl ookedat
her
.
KARTEL:
Nel
s,t
her
ent
alsgi
vi
ngy
ouapr
obl
em?
NEELO:
Thatoneatt
hef
ir
str
owendagai
n.
KARTEL:Rue,whywon’
tyougohelpNelsout
,
sheissoft,
sopeoplet
akeherforgr
ant
ed.
Roughthatguyupandhewil
lpay.
RUE:(
whi
sper
ing)Kar
tel
!Whyar
eyoudoi
ngt
his
tome.
KARTEL:Nel
s,t
hismanwi
l
lgohel
pyouout
,ok.
Gowithhi
m.
Ruef
li
ppedhi
m ashewal
kedof
fwi
tht
hegi
rl
.
*
***
***
***
*
Thenextmorni
ngSeshawentt ohelpmeopen
abankaccountandIdeposi
tedtheP10000
fr
om t
hemoneyKar t
elgaveme.
Wewentbackt otheoffi
ceandasIdidsome
bourgi
egirl
’
sl acefront,
shekeptcomplai
ning
aboutthei
rspecialbrownhookupcancell
i
ng.
Il
eaneddownandwhi
sper
edt
oher
.
ME:
(whi
sper
ing)Icanhooky
ouup.
HER:
Huh?
ME:Speci
albr
ownies,
cooki
es,
cakes,
jel
l
y
shot
s,andgummies.
Shel
ookedatmeandsmi
l
ed.
HER:Howf ast
?Tomorr
owismyf
ri
end’
sbr
idal
showerandwewantitl
it
.
ME:Tomorrowi
sgood.Letmef
ini
shher
eand
wewil
ltakeawal
k.
Ifi
nisheddoi
ngherhai
randwal
kedhert
oher
car.
ME:So,smallspacemudcakeisP550,asmall
tr
ayofweedbr owni
eP350,20j
ell
oshotsP350,
500gram bagofgummies200.Premium st
uff
.
It
akecashonl
y,hal
fpr
icedeposi
tupf
ront
.
HER:I
’
llor
dernow,
1cake,2tray
sbrowni
es,
2
bagsgummies,1packetj
ell
oshot
s.
Idi
daqui ckment almat hs.P500+350t i
mes
twowhichi s700,plus400f orthegummi es,
and350.P1950.Ij ustmadeaf *
*ki
ngP1950!I
wantedtojumpupanddown.ButIal solearnt
something.Seehowshedi dn’teventr
yto
negoti
atethepr i
ce?Richpeopl ewereawayt o
go.Andal ltheseli
ttl
epimpi ngupsmadet hey
bel
ievetheywer en’
tjunkies,sot heywerewill
i
ng
toputdownt hemoney .
Iwalkedwi
thhert
ot heATM andshecashed
P2000andhandedittome.
ME:
Justhal
fpr
icef
ornow.
HER:It
rustyou… domegoodandIwill
gety
ou
t
rust
worthycli
ent
s.Keept
hechange.
Idi
dn’
thav
eanymorecli
ent
sfort
heday ,soI
cal
l
edSeshaandt
oldheIhadaheadache,then
wenttobutanov en,
bakingut
ensi
lsand
i
ngredi
ents.Ical
l
edKartelwhocametopickme
up.
KARTEL:
Andt
hen?
ME:Youwant
edawayout,r
ight
?Togetoutof
t
heslumsandst
artal
i
fe?Iknowhow.Baki
ng!
KARTEL:Hat
etobur
styourbubbl
e,l
ubalangu,
butGhet
tohasal
otofbaker
iesal
ready
.
ME:Notsell
i
ngwhatwesel
l
.I’
m gonnaneed
someproduct.
KARTEL:
No!
ME:IjustmadeP2000wi
thspeci
albaked
goods,andIneedt
odel
iv
ertomorr
ow.
KARTEL:
Iam nothav
ingy
oui
nvol
vedi
nanyof
that
.
ME: Whodiedandmadey oumyguardian.Iwi
ll
beinvol
vedinwhatevert
hehel
lIwant.Eit
her
youdoit,orIf
indsomeonewhowill
,causeI
al
readyt
ookt
hemoneyandaboutt
ogetmor
e
cl
i
ents.
Hesi
ghedi
nannoy
anceandpacedabout
.
KARTEL:
Howmuchy
ouneed?
Iinstr
uctedhim onwhatIneeded, andhedrove
home, openinghisbackpackandhandi ngme
thestuff
.Hest ayedwithmet otheweehour s
ofthenightasIbaked, hi
m constantl
ywashing
alltheut
ensilsIused.Wef i
nishedby3am and
wer ebothsot i
redwejustpassedoutineach
other’
sar ms.
Hewokemeupi nthemorni
ngandIqui ckly
bathedandgotr eadyf
orwork.Heagreedt odo
mygoodi esdrop,andanhourlat
eratwor k,my
cl
ienttext
edthatshereal
lyl
ovedmygoodi es
andwillbebuyingmore.
Ispentt
hewholedayinsuchagoodmood,
especi
all
ywhenIgotanordert
hatcameto
P1300forthecomi
ngweekend.
.Itext
edKar
tel
themessage,
andeventhoughhewasnot
pleasedwi
thmebei
nginvolvedi
nallt
his,
he
commendedmeonmyhust l
espir
it
.
Igotfr
om wor kear
ly,
andwel aidinbedtalki
ng.
Itol
dhim aboutthebankaccount,andmypl an
tofindusat woandahalfrentalsowecoul d
haveabakingspace,andheappr ovedofthe
i
dea.
Ther
ewasaknockandhewentt
oopen.
KARTEL:
CanIhel
pyou?
Myheartst
art
edpoundi
ngwhenIhear
dthe
voi
ce.
‘
Erm… uhm… i
sLubal
ashei
n?’
Sht
.
*
***
***
***
***
LI
KE,
COMMENT,
SHARE
AThug'
sLov
e:4
God,
menneedt
olear
ntot
akeahi
nt.
Listen,men, whenwegi v
ey ouvibest hatwewi l
l
sleepwi thyouduringamomentwher eweneed
yourhel p,wearelying.Thisgoesf orallwomen.
Ifshei sfl
irt
ingtogetsomet hingfrom y ou,she
i
sl ying.Shehasnoi nt
enti
onofgi vingy ouany
atal l
.
Wel
i
etogetmen’
shel
p.Don’
tbel
i
eveus.
Justaccepty
ougotpl
ayedanddon’tshowup
atpeople’
sdoor
swhil
etheyar
eplanningt
hei
r
fut
ure,wtf
.
Thoset hought
sraninmyheadasIr acedto
thedoorwhi l
etheguywasf umbli
ngwordsin
frontoftheveryi
nti
midat
inglooki
ngKart
el.
KARTEL:
Excuseme?CanIhel
pyou?
ME:Ohhh,
Kart
el,
thi
sistheguywhosol
dusthe
f
ri
dgeandthewardr
obe.Idi
dn’
thav
eenough
moneywit
hmethatti
me,soIaskedhi
mto
col
l
ecti
ntheev
eningwhenyouarehome.
Helookedatmeskept
ical
l
y.Thenbackatt
he
guy
.
KARTEL:
HowmuchdoIowey
ou?
Hesai
dtaki
ngouthi
swal
l
et.
ME:
Wewer
eshor
tjustaP50.
KARYEL:(l
aughi
ng)Qui
ckwit
hthem wor
ds,ey
,
Luba?Hesloworsomethi
ng?Whyyouhaveto
tal
kforhi
m?
Isuckedmyt
eet
hathi
m.
ME:
Mxi
n…Justpayt
heman.
Kar
telhandedhi
m aP50not
eandi
ndi
cat
edf
or
hi
mt obounce.
Hecl
osedt
hedoorandl
ookedatme.
KARTEL:
Youf
**khi
m?
ME:
Yoh,
king,
slowy
our
oll
,youdon’
thav
ethe
r
ightt
obeaski
ngmet
hatki
ndofquest
ion.
Hepushedmeagainstt
hewall
andpi
nnedme
ther
e,t
ippi
ngmychinuptomakemelookat
him.
Helookedatmewit
hacomi
cal
lookasIst
ared
upathiminpani
c.
ME:
Pleasedon'
tbeatme.
KARTEL:
Idon'
tbeatwomen.
Thenhel eaneddownt oandcapt uredherlips
roughandur gent
,akisssteepedi napassion
thatigni
tes.Rough,raw,real.Thepr i
maldesir
e
ofwhatwehav ebot
hbeenpushi ngasidefor
almostt woweeksnow.Al i
onstakingclai
mi n
histerri
tory.
Myheartbeatoutofmychestasmybody
t
rembl
edf r
om histouchashecar
esseddown
mythi
ghs,eli
cit
ingamoan.
Ar
gh,
final
l
y!Ihav
ewant
edt
hismanf
orday
s
now.
Butthent
hebast
ardpul
l
edback.Car
essedmy
faceandl
ookedi
nmyey es.
KARTEL:
Idon’
thav
ether
ightt
owhatagai
n?
Huh?
Iwasst
il
ltoooutofbr
eat
htot
alk.
KARTEL:It
houghtyouhadal
lthem words?
Can'
ttal
know?Ididn'
thavet
her i
ghtt
owhat ,
eh
l
it
tl
eflower
?
Hesaidwit
harai
sedeyebr
owashet
ri
edt
o
hi
dethathewasl
aughi
ng.
Thel
aughdi
sappearedasfastasi
thadcome,
andhewasal
lbusinessagai
n.
KARTEL:
Did.You.Fuck.Hi
m?
Ishookmyheadwi
thqui
ckness.
ME:Iswearit.Ij
ustgothi
mtohel
pmecarry
t
hingsfrom t
heshopsandbri
nghi
m her
e.I
mighthavefl
irt
ed.
Hewasal l
upinmyspaceagain,
car
essingmy
thi
gh,upmyskir
t,andcuppi
ngmycoreovermy
panti
es,maki
ngmemoan.
KARTEL:
Thi
s… bel
ongst
ome.
Heki
ssedmeagai
n,t
hist
imesof
tandsensual
KARTEL:
Thi
sbel
ongst
ome…
Hecuppedmybr
aest
sovermyt
-shi
rt
,rest
ing
hi
shandwher
emyhearti
s..
.
KARTEL:Thi
stoo… i
tbel
ongst
ome.You
bel
ongtome.
Hetookmyhandi
nhisot
herhandandr
ani
tup
hi
sbodyIcoul
dfeel
himtr
embleandhi
sst
o
mytouch.
Igaspedasmyhandr
anov
erhisnowar
oused
member ,
maki
ngmecuphi
sjunk.Ohmy….
Hetookmyhandsovert
hathar
dchest,
and
overhi
shear
t.Hekeptmyhandther
eand
cover
editwi
thhi
s.
KARTEL: Thisbel
ongst oy ou.Andonlyyou.
From nowon, Idon’tf
li
rt.Idon’tt
ouchanyother
woman, Idon’tevengivethem ideas…same
goestoy ou.Youthinkyoucanhandl ethat?
Myhandwasov
erhi
shear
t,andhi
sov
ermi
ne.
Mybodywasst i
lltr
emblingf r
om hisproximit
y,
hi
ser ectarousal pr
essedagai nstmytummy ,
hi
shandcar essingmyski n… thebeatofhi s
heartashest aredinmyey es.
..itwasallso
i
nyimat eandemot i
onal.
ME:
Ican…
KARTEL:Luba,
Idon’
twantyout
ojustsayit
.
Youneedtoknowwhatbeingwi
thmeent ai
l
s.
Youneedtoknowme.WhatIdo.
Hesai
d,l
ooki
ngi
ntomyey
es.
ME:
Iknowy
ou.Iknowwhaty
ou.
Hepul
l
edbackandpacedt
her
oom.
KARTEL:
Thi
sisn’
tsomef
ant
asyaboutt
he
roughadr
enal
inefi
ll
edli
feofbeingwit
hathug.
WhatIdo,i
sdangerous.Iwil
ldomybestto
keepyououtofthel
oop,thoughIdoubty
ouwil
l
l
etme.
ME:
Iwon’
t.
Hechuckl
edandst
aredout
sidet
hewi
ndow.
KARTEL:Sincemeet ingyou,Ideci
dedIwantt
o
gi
veyouev eryt
hing,soIam planni
ngmyempire
soIcoul
dbeabl et odothat.Ineedloy
alt
y.
Under
standing.
ME:
Yougoti
t.Igoty
ourback.
KARTEL: Iknowgirl
sr eadallthesegangster
romanceandt hinkitsallsocute,thi
srideordie
sht.Buty oureadytor i
det hr
ough72hour s
roughi nter
rogat
ionswhent heytrytogettome?
Your eadt owatchmedo25y earsko
mat among?Your eadyt ogodownwi thme, end
updoi ngt i
me?Becausesomet i
mest heywill
i
mpl icateyou.Your eadyt oburyme?Seeme
shotanddi
einy
ourar
ms?
ME:
Stop.
KARTEL: No,babe,ifyouwannabear ideordie,
yougot t
aknowwhatt hehel l
youareridi
ng.It
aintli
kethemov i
esandnov elswherebeinga
gangster’
sgal meansget t
ingf **
kedgood,laced
i
ndi amondsandbei ngtheenv yofal
lwomen.I t
meansknowi ngev eryti
meIwal kawayfrom
youcouldbet helastti
mey ouseeme.
ME:Isn’
tthatt
rueforeveryone?Tomor r
owi sn’
t
guarant
eed.Youcouldbeaf **kingpastorand
haveacaraccidentwheny ouleav ehome.Iam
notasnaiveasyouthink,
Kartel.Howy outhink
Il
earnttomixshtandbakegoodi es?
KARTEL:
How?
ME:
Whatdoesi
tmat
ter
?
KARTEL:
Damni
tLuba,
how?Whoi
she?
ME:
Damn,
chi
l
l,nobody
…justsomer
ichki
d
whohadaccesst othei
nter
netandaj unki
e
uncl
e….Welearnthowintheint
ernet
,andIt ook
HomeEconomi csandwasgoodati t
,soI
baked,
andwemadepar ti
esint
erest
ing..We
were16andthoughtwewasBonni eandCl yde
orsomesht.
KARTEL:
Wher
eishenow?
ME: Howt hehellam Isupposedt oknow.He
becamet oodependentont hestuff,
soIdi t
ched
him.Myr unawayf r
om homepl andi dn’
tincl
ude
beingtet
heredtoaj unkie.So,yea,Imightnot
haveinsi
ght si
ntoit
,butIknowal l
thesething
youaretelli
ngme.Yes, Idon’tl
iketot hi
nk
aboutthem.Butdot heyscar eme?Nope.
Hel
ookedatmeandshookhi
shead,
laughi
ng.
KARTEL:Youareei
ther
,crazy
,orst
upi
d.You
ar
eapr et
tygi
rl
.Youcoulddosomuchbetter
.
ME:Andyouar
esmar
tenought
oreal
i
zeIknow
whatIwant
.
KARTEL:
Al r
ight
…Ihearyou,
li
’l
mama.Ihear
you.I
’
mtired,l
etssl
eep.
Cany oubel i
ev et
hisdumbassmeantsl eep
‘
sleep’.Likecloseyourey esandofft
o
dreaml andsleep… afterallt
hat
,gett
ingme
fi
redup, makingmef eelhismamboj unkall
hard.
F*
*k!
Il
aidi
nbedstar
ingatt
heroof
ing,readyt
owake
hi
m upandbegfori
tatthi
spoint
.Screwdigni
ty.
Istr
addl
edhim andt
r i
edtokisshi
m, buthejust
gentl
yputmedown, spoonedme,hishar don
sti
l
lther
e,pushi
ngagainstmesodeliciousl
y.
ME:
Please,
Kar
tel
…
Iwhi
ned,
andthesmughal
flaughf
rom hi
mjust
mademeannoyed.
Hewhi
sper
edi
nmyear
.
KARTEL:
Sor
ry,
nott
oday
…that
’swhaty
ouget
f
orf
li
rt
ingwi
thot
hermen.Got
osl
eep.

F*
*ker
.
*
***
***
***
*
ThenextdayIwokeupwi t
hKartel
notinthe
room,butIcoul
dhearhi
m out
sidewit
hother
peopl
e.
ImadesomefatcakesandOr
os,thenputfive
pl
ast
ict
umbler
sinat r
ayandcar
ri
edt hem out.
Kar
tel
sawmeandcamet
ohel
pmecar
ryt
hem.
KARTEL:Heysleepi
ngbeauty.Thi
sisMonkgogi
andRuben.Pleasedon’
tfeedthem,t
hey
’l
lnever
l
eave.Monk,Rue,mygirl
,Luba.
Theywer
ebothwatchi
ngme… weighti
ngme
outwi
tht
hei
reyes.WasIgonnahurtt
heirf
ri
end?
Fi
nal
lyRuebr
okeasmileandshookmyhand,
ki
ssi
ngitwi
thacur
tsy
.
RUE:
Mil
ady
… aty
ourser
vice.
Kar
tel
boppedt
hebackofhi
shead.
KARTEL:
Ey,
not
ouchi
ng!
Rubenl
aughedandbowedback,
even
Monkgogismi
ledabi
t.
ThenRubenwasal
lov
ert
hef
oodal
ready
.
RUE:
Damn,
gir
l…t
hesef
atcakesar
easgood
asmymama.
KARTEL:(
laughi
ng)Great
,nowhewi
l
lnever
l
eave.Youaresupposedtoshar
ewi
thus
asshol
e.
Hesai dashet ookaf at
cakeandof f
eredMonk
one,thenRuepassedar oundt hedri
nks.These
weren’tj
ustfr
iend,theywer ebrot
hersbychoice.
Itwassobeaut if
ultowat ch.Kart
ell
essedgy
andlessangryl ooking,
onecoul dal
mostev en
sayplayful
.
Iwal
kedof
ftot
hrowt
het
rashandnot
iceagi
rl
maybeayearortwooldert
hanme, bi
g,t
hick,
t
hickhi
ps… bei
ngyel
ledatnextdoor.
‘
Ot holaont semokgar agahel amo, eati
ngall
myf oodandbei ngusel ess… whycan’ tyouever
doany thi
ngr i
ght,Neel
o?Mxi m.Legoney ouask
mef ormoneyt odohai r ,
y ouragemat esare
al
readypay i
ngt heirwayt hroughli
fe,andIsti
ll
havetof eedyou.’
Theladywalkedoffst
il
lboil
ing,
andthegir
l
stoodther
esobbingquiet
ly.Iwal
kedovertot
he
fenceandsmiledather
.
ME:
Gosh,
youar
esopr
ett
y.
Shel
ookeddownshy l
yandmurmureda
di
smissal
,somet
hingabouthowf
atshewas.
ME:Uhmm, ok,andfatpeoplecan’
tbeprett
y?
Andyougotthatbody,gir
l.Thi
cc.Bytheway,I
dohair
.Popbywheny ouhavetime,andI
’l
lsort
youout.
NEELI
:I… Idon’
thav
emoney
.
ME:Fir
stone’
sonme, sugar
.AlsoIcanteach
youhowt odoyourownhair
.Costslesst
hat
way.I
’m Luba
NEELO:
Neel
o
ME:
Alr
ight
,lat
ert
hen.
Shesmi l
edshy l
y,sur
pri
sedIevennoti
cedher
.
Neelowasawal lf
lower,
usedtoblendi
nginwi
th
thebackground.
*
***
***
***
Nexttoy ourqueen, t
hemosti mportantt
hingto
yourempi r
ei syoursoldi
ers.Fr
iendswill
come
andgo, butifyoufindthatbrot
herhood… the
soldi
ersthatremainet er
nal…y ea,t
hat’
sgood.
Kar
telsatwatchinghisboysscr
uti
nizehi
s
woman.Di dt
heylikeher?Hedesper
atel
y
wantedthem t
olikeher.Hewasactuall
y
ner
vousaboutit.
Wheny
ouar
ebui
l
dinganempi
re,
thel
astt
hing
youneedi
sy ourqueenbi
cker
ingwi
thy
our
sol
dier
s.I
t’
sdistr
acti
ng.
Hehadnotev
enreal
i
zedhewasholdi
nghis
br
eat
hunti
lRuesmil
edandshookherhand.
Phew.
Monkstil
lhadawaryl
ookinhisonegoodeye,
butevenheshookherhand.AndMonkdidn’
t
shakehands.
Thi
swasgood.
Now,awayt
of i
gur
eouthowt
obuildanempi
re,
wi
thBozaal
readyr
uli
ngt
hest
reet
s.
*
***
***
***
*
ThenextdayIsatdoi
ngNeel
o’shai
rwhil
e
Kar
telwenttodoadropofmygoodies…
Ruewalkedi
nandIswearheal
mostwal
ked
backwhenhesawNeelo.
Ial
mostl
aughedwhenInot
icedwhatwas
goi
ngi
nfrom,Neel
o’sbl
ush.
Hewassweetonher
.
ME: HeyRue,comeonin,Kar
tel
isontheway
back.Nels,l
etmegoandbuysomet hi
ngover
atthatt
uckshop,I
’l
lbeback.
Iwal
kedof fwithawinkt oNeel
o,whodidn’
t
seem t
ounder standwhatIwascommuni cat
ing.
Ohwell.Igavethem thepri
vacytoshar
e
cont
actsorwhat ever
, i
twasuptothem now.
*
***
***
***
Ruescratchedhisheadnotknowingwhatto
say,asthegir
llookeddownshyly..Someti
mes
heenv i
edhisfr
iendsomuch..Kartelwasaborn
al
pha..Atakechargekindofman.Heont he
otherhandwasabet a… agowitht hef
lowkind
ofguy.
Whatwoul
dKar
tel
do?
RUE:Sheismaki
ngyoupret
ty,Imean,
nott
hat
youweren’
tpr
ett
ybefor
e,j
ust…uhm…
NEELO:
(bl
ushi
ng)Thanks
RUE:
So,
li
kewhatdoy
oudo…
Shel
ookeddownembar
rassed.
NEELO:
Ifai
l
edf
ormf
ivet
woy
ear
sback…
RUE:
Ithappens… i
t’
sli
fe.Yea… uhm.
.
So,
whatdoy
oul
i
ke,
dof
orf
un?
NEELO:
Huh?
RUE:
Like,
gooutandal
l
.
NEELO:
I… uhm…
‘
Neeeeeeelo!’hermot
herscr
eeched.‘Kooreyou
arebusyfli
rt
ingwithmenoverther
ewhent he
ki
dsareaboutt ocomebackf r
om school.
.Ka
youdon’tevenbuyfood,t
heleastyoucandoi s
cookit
.’
NEELO:
Uh…Ihav
etogo,
tel
lLubaIwi
l
lbeback.
RUE:WhencanIseey
ou?Letmehav
eyour
number
.
NEELO:I… uhm… Idon’
thav
eaphone…Igot
robbedandhaven’
tbeenabl
etobuyanewone.
Ihavetogo.
Shehur
tl
edoffandRuel ookedathersadly
.
Howshewasal waystr
y i
ngtomakeher sel
f
l
ooksmall
er… beinvi
sibl
e… tal
kdownon
her
sel
f…itwassad.
*
***
***
***
*
Icamebackwi thKart
elawhilelater
,andthen
Monkar r
ived.Whi
leIcooked,theysatout
side,
atthebackoftheroom,tal
king.
Ipressedmyheadtothewi
ndow soIcoul
d
hearwhatitwasabout
.
RUE:
No,
Kar
tel
,i
t’
stoosoon,
andt
oobi
g…
KARTEL: Aintyout
ir
edofsurvi
ving?ManIam
ti
red.
.Tir
edofhust l
i
ngandwor kingf oryour
damnbr otherandbeggi
ngforscr apswhenI
l
it
erall
yrunt hedamnshow.Wedot hishi
t.Hal
f
ami l
each, andwecangetaway , st
artourown
t
hing.
MONK:Fort
hefir
stti
me,Iagr
eewi
thRue.You
ar
ebei
ngreckl
ess,f
oll
owi
ngonEa’
sgreed.
KARTEL:
May
bei
t’
smygr
eed,
howaboutt
hat
.
MONK:
Nah,
becauset
hat
’snoty
ou.
RUE:
Whathappenswhenyougodown,
Kar
tel
,
wholooksoutf
ory
ourfami
l
y?
MONK:Igotason,
man.Ihav
etost
ayar
ound
t
otakecar
eofhim.
KARTEL: (
sighing)Ijust… Iam t i
red.Isthisall
thereistolife?Struggle?Thatgi rlthereinthe
house, sheisamazi ng.Shedeser vest hebest…
Iwannaof f
erhert hebest .Whathappenswhen
moneyf r
om t helastjumpr unsof f.Ifeelli
kea
bichjustknowi ngIcan’ tgiv
emygi r l
thelif
eshe
deserves.Younev erlookedy ourelder l
ymot her
i
nt heey esandseet hest ar
vation…t hepain.
Beingunabl et oprovideherev enjustameal ?
Whatki ndofmani st hat?
Hi
svoicebrokeashespoke,
thenhest
ormed
of
fangri
ly
.
Ruet
ri
edt
ogoaf
terhi
m,butMonkhel
dhi
m.
MONK:Kartdon’
tdoemoti
onspubl
i
cly
.Lett
he
manhavehispri
vacy
.Comeon.
Ihear
dt hem l
eave,
andIwalkedoutt
oKartel
,
huggi
nghi mfrom t
heback,lay
ingmyheadon
hi
slarge,pur
emuscl eback.
ME:Stopwor
ryi
ng,ki
ng.Wegonnamakeour
empi
re.Wegotthi
s.
KARTEL:
Ijustwannagi
vey
ouagoodl
i
fe.
ME:Wearegonnagetusagoodli
fe.Thi
s
goodi
est
hing…i
t’
sgonnawork.
KARTEL: I
t’
snotenoughLuba.I t’
snotenough.
Wehav etooperateundergr
oundt oavoid
att
racti
ngBoza’satt
enti
on,andunderground
meanssmal lscal
e.Whichmeansnotmuch.I
can’tgi
veyouagoodl i
feon‘ notmuch’.And
thatwil
lbeyourhust
lest
il
l.Ican’
thav
eyou
provi
ding,
Iam aman.
ME:Let
’sj
ustt
akeonedayatati
me.I
’m gonna
needmorepr
oduct
…Ihavethr
eemoreorders.
KARTEL:
Sht ,
I’
m out
.I’
ll
headt
othef
arm,
ther
e
i
snoonet her
etoday.
ME:
CanIcomewi
thy
ou?
KARTEL:
Nah…
ME:Ij
ustwannabetherefory
ou.Youar
e
emoti
onal
rightnowand.
KARTEL:
I’
m notemot
ional
.
ME:Godforbi
dthemightyKart
elhaveemoti
ons.
Fi
nethen,
Ijustwannabearoundyou… pl
ease
Kart
el,
wearebothsobusy,weneedt ot
ake
ever
ymomentweget .
KARTEL:
Arggg,
fine!
If
oll
owedhimtothecarandwedroveof
f
Fr
ancist
own,
pastTati
,pastt
hef
iel
dsandtoa
far
m wit
hnoani
mal
s,j
ustabi
gwar
ehouse
str
uct
ure.
Hepickedthelockandwewenti nsi
de.I
twasa
completel
ivi
ngr oom,wi
thevenaTVandsof as.
Theothersi
det herewasaki
tchenanda
bathr
oom.Wewentdeeperi ntoabackroom
thatwascodelocked.
Kar
tel
keyedi
nthecodeandt
hedooropened.
Wewalkedi
n.
Itwasbasicall
yaGr eenhouse, wit
hpl otsof
weedandgr owli
ght s.Theot hersi
det her
ewas
tray
sofweedbei ngdr i
ed,andinanot herr
oom,
may be5kgbagofsomewhi t
epowder ,
wit
h
someequi pmentt hatwasobv i
ouslyusedto
cookt hecokeinasmal lscal
e,withthecoca
l
eav esbesideit
.
KARTEL:Iusual
lyj
ustski
m al
i
ttl
ebi
t.TodayI
got
tatakeenoughtosell
andt
obake.
ME:
Won’
thef
indout
?Won’
tpeopl
etal
k?
May
bewest
ickt
oenoughf
ort
hegoodi
es?
ME: Hehasnoi deahowmuchi sinhere.AndI
onlysell
tot r
ust edjunkies… butIam afrai
done
dayhewi ll
.Bot swanai stoosmal landther
eare
ver
yf ewsellers.Eventuallyhe’
llknowthereis
anotherrunneri nhisterri
tor
y.ButwhatcanIdo?
Justhavet otaket hatrisk.
Ashewaspacki
ngweedi
nhi
sbackpack,
I
wentt
othet
oil
et.
WhenIcameoutfif
teenminut
esl
ater,
thr
ee
guysst
oodi
nfrontofhim,
onepoi
ntingagunat
hi
m.
Icoveredmymout hwit
hmyhands,myheart
beatingoutofmychest
,mybodyshaki
ng.God,
please… pl
ease…
Theyhadnotheardme,andwerefaci
ngaway
from me,
butKart
elwaslooki
ngatme.He
subtl
yshookhi
sheadformet onotcomeoutt
o
them.
Ist
ayedput
,shaki
ng.
KARTEL:Comeonboss,youknowIcoul
dnev
er
dothat
.Iwasgonnasel
lfory
ou.
BOZA:Nonsense.Iknewsomeonewasst eal
i
ng
fr
om me.Iknewit.Justnevert
houghti
twoul
d
beyou.Igaveyouli
fe,man.Tookyouinwhen
youwerejustaconfusedvi
ll
ageboy…
KARTEL:
Boza,
wecant
alkaboutt
his.Ay
earof
meworki
ngwit
hnopay
…
BOSS:Youknowwhathappenstopeopl
ewho
st
ealf
rom me…Ican’tl
etpeopl
ethi
nkIam
weak,
Kartel
.Igot
tasendamessage.
Hecockedt
hegunandpoi
ntedi
tatKar
tel
’
s
head….
*
***
***
***
**
LI
KE,
COMMENT,
SHARE
AThug'
sLov
e:5
LUBA
Ifr
oze.IlookedatthatgunandIwasli
teral
l
y
paral
yzedwi t
hfear
.IsawKar t
elcl
osehiseyes,
accepti
nghisfate.
Imusthavesni
ff
ledbecauseoneoftheguys
l
ookedbackandsawme, hegr
abbedmet o
Kar
tel
’spr
otest
s,anddraggedmetowherethey
st
ood,wit
haknifeatmyneck.
IwassoshakeyIendedupcol
l
apsi
ngt
omy
kneed.
BOZA: (
laughi
ng)Ohhh,l
ooki
e!Yougoty oursel
f
achippy.DoImakey ouwatchherdiefi
rst,or
makeherwat ch?Bet
teryetsheishot,
how
aboutwehav ef
unwithherfi
rst
,thewayy ou
f*
*kedmywi f
e.Youcanwatch.
KARTEL:Comeon,man.Shehasnot
hingt
odo
wit
hthi
s… comeon…lethergoandt
akeme
out
.
BOZA:Youknowthat
’snothowi
tworks.You
makeanysuddenmoveandshedies.
Heputt
hegunt
omyt empl
eandIfel
tpee
r
unni
ngdownmylegasmybodyshook.
Allofasuddensomet hingcamest r
aightathi
s
for
ehead.Astone,hi
ttinghim bet
weent heeyes,
sendinghi
m stagger
ingback.
Itwasall
thedist
ract
ionKart
elneeded.He
grabbedBoza’
sgunandwi thtwopops, the
croni
esweredown,Bozajoi
ningthem soon.
Thenhekneltbesi
desme, huggingmewhi l
ea
gi
rlopastel
brownsweatpants,apastel
brown
spor
tsbraandbrownsneakerswal kedi
n.
‘
Nowwear
eev
en,
mot
her
f**
ker
.’
KARTEL:
Ron?Thef
**k,
Ron,whatareyoudoi
ng
her
e?Wherehav
eyoubeen?Maaan!Sht.
RON:Takecareoft
hel
ady,wewi l
lcat
chup.
Shelooksl
ikeshei
sshock,
I’
ll
gethersome
wat
er.
Shewentt
ogetmeagl
assofwat
er.Icoul
dn’
t
evenhol
ditformyself
,Iwasshaki
ngsomuch,
whil
eRonj ustski
ppedovert
hedeadbodi
es
l
ikethet
rashtheywere.
Aft
erIdr
ankt
hewater
,Kar
tel
wal
kedmet
othe
car
,andRonf
oll
owedus.
KARTEL:
Babe,
wai
ther
eforasecond.
Theywentbacki
nsi
det
oget
her
.
*
***
***
***
**
KARTEL
Ihadacceptedmyf ate.Butwhatwasbr eaki
ng
myhear twasthattheygotLuba.Seeingher
thatscaredandshaking…butonewr ongmov e
andthatasswouldbl owawhilethr
oughher .
Thenitall
happenedsof ast
, wi
thi
namat terof
moment s,Iwasstandi
ngov ert
heirbodi
es,wit
h
Patr
onell
ast andi
ngthereli
ketheangelof
deat
hshewas.
RonandIwer
echi
l
dhoodf
ri
ends.Ourf
ir
st
ev
ery
thi
ngwaswi
theachot
her
.
Shehadcomet otheGhettobeforeme, whenI
wentto.Doformt hr
eeinShashe, whileshe
fai
l
edf or
my hree.Welostcontactthen.When
Doll
afoundmeandbr oughtmei n,IfoundRon
i
ntheircrew.We’dhookupof t
en, butitwas
nothi
ngbig,j
ustasfri
end,youknow.I twas
good.
Until
onedayheaf terf*
*ki
ngBoza, she
druggedhimtosleep,cl
eanedhissafeoutand
fl
ed.Ihadn’
tseenhersincethen,t
hreeyear
s
ago.
KARTEL:Seri
ousl
yPatt
ywhatthehel
l
.Where
haveyoubeen?Coul
dn'
tsaygooby
e?Whatar
e
youdoingher
e?
RON:Samet hingy
ouaredoingappar ent
ly.
Hereandthere…beenbackforday
s, l
aidlow,
hear
dthatthewarehousewasempt ytoday,soI
wasgonnamakemymov e.Getal
it
tleproduct
andspl
i
tback.
KARTEL:
Whyy
ouback?
RON:
Wow.War
m asal
way
sKgat
hi.
KARTEL: Imean, i
tscool
toseeyouandal
l
,but
youdon’tjustshowupont het
urfofamanyou
robbed.
RON:Hi
tafi
nanci
aldi
ff
icul
tyandneededal
i
ttl
e
somet
hingt
opush.
KARTEL:Well
,don’
tjustst
andt
her
e,hel
pme
gett
hisshti
nthecar.
West uff
edthedri
edweedi ntwobigbagsand
thengrabbedthecoke.ThenItookoutBoza’
s
sim car
daswecar ri
edeveryt
hingout.
*
***
***
***
**
LUBA
Iwasst
il
li
nshockwhentheycamebackwit
h
bi
gbagstheyst
uff
edi
nthebackseat,
al
ongsi
deabrownGucci
smallsui
tcase.
KARTEL:Babe,
I’m gonnaneedt
ocl eanup.Ron
i
sgonnadriveyoutwoal i
tt
ledi
stancewhil
eI
handl
ethi
ngs.
Inodded,andhekissedme, t
henwentt
ogeta
j
errycan.Iwatchedhim useatubet
osi
phon
petr
olfrom Boza’
scar,t
henwentbacki
nsi
de.
Ronorwhoev
erthehellgoti
nthedr
iver
’sseat
anddr
oveabit,
stoppi
ngbehi
ndabush.
Kar
tel
wasi
nther
eforaboutt
hir
tymi
nut
es.
Isawsmokecomingfrom thehousebefore
fl
amestot
all
yengul
fedit.Ipani
ckedandwas
aboutt
ogetoutofthecarandgot ohim when
hecameoutrunni
ng.
KARTEL:
Ron,
takeust
omypl
ace,
please.
*
***
***
***

KARTEL
Af
terwest
ackedpr
oduct
,Rondr
oveust
oour
placewhil
eIstayedwithLubaattheback,
tryi
ngtocomforther.Shewasdistr
aught
,just
stari
nginspacesil
entlyast
ear
sr andownher
face.
Wegoti nthehouseandRonl oadedt hest
uffi
n
theroom whil
eIbr oughtLubai n.Iwarmedup
herbathwater,butshewasst illi
ntoomuch
shocktomov e,soIundr essedherandcarri
ed
hertothebathwhi l
eRonwai tedinthecar.
Aft
erbathi
ngherIputherinherpaj
amasand
qui
cklybathedtoo,
thenl
aidi
nbedwi t
hher
,
ki
ssingherneck.
KARTEL:Babe,
I’
m sosor
ry… Iam sosor
ryy
ou
sawthat
.
Herv
oiceshookwhenshespoke.
LUBA:
Ther
e… t
her
ewassomuchbl
ood…
KARTEL:I’
m sosorr
y.Buti
twaseitherusor
them.Theywouldhavenev
erletusli
ve.I
’m
sorr
y.
LUBA:
Weal
mostdi
ed.
..Kar
tel
..
.
KARTEL:Butwesur
viv
ed,
babe.West
il
lher
e!
Wesurvi
ved.
Hehel
dmeandt
alj
edt
omesi
ft
lyunt
ilIdr
if
ted
of
ftosl
eep.
*
***
***
***
***
LUBA
WhenIwokeup, Kar
tel
hadgot
tensomeWimpy
breakf
astandputi
tonthet
abl
ewithaf
resh
rose.
Ididn’
thaveanappeti
teatal
l
.Al
ookatt
hose
bagthathadal
lthatweedmademeshi
veral
l
overagai
n.
IsatupinthebedandKar
tel
camet
ohugme
fr
om theback,ki
ssi
ngmyneck.
KARTEL:
Brushy
ourt
eet
h,l
i
ttl
efl
ower
.Wehav
e
tomoveon.
Hehandedmeat
oot
hbr
ushandweakl
ywent
overabuckettobrushandwashmyf ace.He
wenttothrowthewat eroutf
ormeandasIsat
atthetabl
e,hetri
edtocoaxmet oeat
.Ijust
didn’
thavetheappeti
te.Hepickedupthe
spoonandst ar
tedfeedingme.
It
ookaf
ewbi
teswi
thal
otofcoaxi
ng.
KARTEL:
Wegott
omov
eonl
i
kenot
hingwent
down.
Mybrai
nwasscr
eaming‘butsomet
hingwent
down,y
ouki
l
ledt
hreepeople’
KARTEL: Maybet
akeadayof f
.Igot
tashowup
andkeepupappearances.I
’
llt
rytobebackas
fastasIcan.
ME:
Pleasedon’
tleav
emeal
one.
KARTEL: Babe,IgottashowuporIwi l
llook
suspici
ous.Ronwi l
lhangaroundti
llI
’
m back..
Isitokifshetakesabat hhere?Shewas
supposedt opasst oGaboroneonthenight
trai
n,butshemi sseditandslepti
nthecar.Can
shehav
eabat
h?
Ishr
uggedandl
aidbacki
nbed.
Kartel
wentoutsi
deandcamebackwi
thher
druggi
nghersuit
case.
RON:
Howi
sshe?
KARTEL:
Bad…
RON: Ir
ememberwhenIfi
rstoff
edsomeone.I
di
dn’tspeakforawhol
eweek,di
dn’
tmove,
di
dn’teat.Remindmet
otel
lyouabouti
tone
day.
KARTEL:Shemeansal
ott
ome,
Pat
ty,
look
af
terher
.
RON:Igotyou,ngwanakogae.Gobef
oreDol
l
ar
hasananeuri
sm.
KARTEL:
Ihav
en’
tthankedy
ouf
orsav
ingmy
ass.
RON:Don’tment
ioni
t.Br
ingherav
ali
um or
somet
hing.
Hehuggedhert
hencamet
oki
ssmewhi
l
eIl
aid
i
nbedt henhel
eft
.
Y’
all
,ri
deordiei
snoteasy.If
eltsi
cktomy
st
omachev er
yti
meIclosedmyey es.Al
l
lIsaw
wasthatbl
oodpool
edtothefloor.
Andwhatmademesi ckt
hemostwast
hati
t
coul
dhavebeenour
s.
Wecouldhav enevercomehome.Hadt hatRon
notshowedupwhenshedi d,wewouldbe
dead.Thosebull
etswouldhavewentint
omi ne
andKartel
’schest
s.Justthet
houghtofitmade
mequeasy .
*
***
***
***
**
KARTEL
Idr
ovetoBoza’
scompoundwhi
stl
i
ngal
ongt
o
Ghett
oGospel
.
Peoplewererushi
ngaboutasIappr
oachedone
oftheguys.
KARTEL:Spi
nny
,what
’sgoi
ngon?
‘
Ther
ewasaf
ir
e.
KARYEL:
Fir
e?
‘Atthewarehouse.Idon’ thaveallthedetail
s,
butitl
ookslikeoneoft hecy l
indersexploded
andBoza’sjerrycanwasf ul
landnextt oit.
Boza,Str
eitandM’ chif
anawer epassedout ,so
theywentdown.It hinkthecopssuspectt hey
werehigh’
KARTEL:
Cops?
‘
Yea,
Dol
l
awast
alki
ngt
othem.
’
KARTEL:
Wher
eishenow?
‘
Ithi
nki
nsi
dewi
thHal
i
ma’
Ij
oggedt
othehouseandwhenIgoti
nsi
de,
Hal
imacametoforahugasshesobbed.
Thatbi
chdidn’
tcarethef
atassswasdown,
shewasjustworr
iedaboutherownself,
and
l
ookingt
oalignhersel
fwi
ththenextki
ng.
Dol
lahadbeenBoza’
sri
ghthandman.Hewas
adi
stantcousi
nofhi
sorsomething,
hisf
ather
wascousinswit
hBoza’
sfat
her.
Hewasnol egacyandnoneofthemenowed
hi
m anyloyalt
y,butbewasonebrut
al
mother
f**kerandmanydidn’
tli
kehi
m.
I
fpeopl
estay
edinli
nef
orhi
mitwasoutof
f
ear,
notanyl
oyal
ty.
Il
ear
ntmostofwhatIknowf
rom Dol
l
a.
Hewast heonewhobr oughtmei n,t
akenme
underhiswingandactedabigbrothertome
whilel
earntther
opes.He’dgivenmeapl aceyo
staywhenIwashomel ess,t
aughtmehowt o
driv
e,howtoshootagun.
Buthestart
edfeeli
ngthreatenedbecausehe
wasusedt obeingsurr
oundedby‘ yes’men.He
wast heonl
yalphainthi
swhol edig,andan
alphacubwhoi sfif
tenyearsyoungerstar
ting
togrowamanei nhi
sterri
torywascausef or
concer
n.ButBozahadalreadyt
akenal
iki
ngto
me,sohecouldn’tgetr
idofme.Nowthecub
wasalion,
andheknewbet t
ert
hantot
ryf*
*k
wit
hme
IhuggedHal
i
maandpat
tedherback.
KARTEL:
Hey
,heynow,
may
behewasn’
tinsi
de
and…
DOLLA:Theyr
ecov
eredt
hebodi
es.Compl
etel
y
bar
bequed.
KARTEL:
Sht
.Yout
hinki
twasf
oul
play
?
DOLLA: Thecopsdon’tseem t
othi
nkso… they
suspecttheyj
ustgothighandpassedout
.
Nobodybotherswit
hthedeathofadr uglord,
andthat
’swhatIhadbankedonwhenIt orched
them.Fi
recanmakesubst anti
aldamage,
especi
all
ywhenpetroli
spouredrightint
ot he
body.Wit
hfleshbur
nedout,it
shar dtospota
bull
etwoundwheny ouarenotlookingordon’t
care.
KARTEL:
Damage?Di
dwesal
vageany
thi
ng?
DOLLA:
What
everwasl
eft
,copst
ooki
t.
KARTEL:
F**
k,what
’snext
,man?
DOLLA:Werebui
ld…I’
ll
getstuf
fback…t her
eis
nogri
efi
nthestr
eets.Wetaketoolongand
anot
herki
ngri
sesandusurpsmyt hrone.
Ial
mostl
aughed.
So,
hehadi
nst
all
edhi
msel
fal
ready
,huh.
We'
l
lseeaboutt
hat
.
Butthi
swasafi
ghtIwasn’
tafrai
dof.Ij
ust
neededtopl
aymycardsri
ghtandI’
l
lcomeup
ontop.
KARTEL:That’
sgoodtohear
,man.Goodt
o
hear
.Ihaveyourback.
Hali
mawat chedthetwoment alki
ng.Oneof
them wasgonnabethenewki ng.Oddsfavor
ed
Doll
abecausehewasal readytopofthechai
n
andknewBoz a’
sinnerdeal
ings,whil
eKart
el
managedt
hegr
ound,
ther
unner
s,al
lthat
.
I
tdidn’tmatt
ertoher
,real
l
y,shef*
*kedthem
bot
hr egul
arl
y,andshewouldeasil
ytakeup
pl
aceasei t
her’
squeen.
ShehadmetBozawhenhewasatav acati
on
i
nEthiopia.Shewor kedinthehotelasacleaner
,
andcouldsmel ltheinsecur
einhim.Butmost
ofal
l,t
hemoney .Hehadspentt heentir
etwo
weeksspoi l
ingher,andattheend,askedherto
marryhim.
She’
dpackedherbagsimmediat
elyandj
ustl
i
ke
that
,fr
om wor
kertoqueenbee.
Al
i
feshewasnotaboutt
olose.
ShecouldjusttakeallthemoneyBozawoul d
havelef
therandspl it
,butitwasgonnar unout
befor
elong.Shehadnoski ll
s,andhat edall
this
hustl
i
ng,sell
ingclothes,cooki
ngandal l
,she
wastooprettyforal lt
hat.Oraj ob.Shecouldn’
t
takeovert
hest reet
s,itwouldn’tbeev enaday
bef
oresomeonecamef
orhe.
Trul
y,shejustenj
oyedbei
ngahousewifeand
spendingherhusband’
scash.Oneoft
hese
menwasgonnabehernexthusband.
Bothbigandequal i
nstrength,
bothf **
kedher
good,butifshewasbei nghonest,she’
drat
her
i
tbeKar t
el.Whenhehi tit
,itmadehespeaki n
tongueandhewasagent l
eman,andnota
l
ady ’
sman.Dol l
awasachauv i
nist
ic
neandert
hal wi
thathrongofbichesandbaby
mamaswhower egonnabegunni ngforwif
eyif
hecameoutont op.
*
***
***
***
*
LUBA
WhenIf i
nall
ywokeup, t
hatRongirl
wasst il
l
ther
e.Whatt hehel
lki
ndofnamei sRonfora
gir
leven?Iwasn’tevenhati
ng.
..ok,I
'
ml y
ing,I
washat i
ng,Ihat
edherchemistr
ywithKartel
.
Hatedthatshecouldmov ewhereIfr
oze…
hatedthatthi
sgirl
wasmor ehar
dcor
eanda
ri
derthanIwas.Seemedt oknowKar
tel
more
thanIdid.Ideci
dedIhat
edher.
RON:Baby
dol
l,
ifyouar
egonnari
dewit
haG,
youar
egonnaneedmoreski
nthant
hat.
ME:
Mxi
m…
Shelaughedandraisedherhandwhileshe
chewedonmyl eftoverbreakfast
.F*
*kigbich,
chewinguponallmyf oodlikesheownsthe
world.Ihat
eher
.IknowIam pet t
yandall
,butI
hateher.
RON: Chill
,ma.I’
m notfi
ghting.Thosewer ebad
guys.Theydeser v
edit.Kgathaloisworri
ed
abouty ou,andhecan’taff
ordt hatr
ightnow
becauset hestr
eetsareforgrabsandheneed
tobef ocusedifheistostakeacl ai
m.
ME:
Ihav
eaheadache,
cany
ouj
ustshutup.
Sheshookherheadandlaughed,
thenj
ustsat
herl
i
kesomebaby si
tt
er.
Il
aidbacki
nbedandcov
eredmy
sel
fwi
tht
he
duvet
.
Iwasn’treadytofacetheworldy
et ,If el
tli
ke
everyoneknewwhatwedi dandthemomentI
steppedout si
dewewoul dgetar
rest ed.OrI’d
saythewr ongthi
ngandgetusar rest ed.I
couldn’
ttrustmyself
.
Ifr
ozewhenmyman’ sli
fewasont
hel
i
ne.That
cert
ainl
yisnotr
idi
ngf
orsomeone.
Kar
telsomehowmanagedt ogetmeaone
weeksickl
eavefr
om someprivat
ecl
i
nic,and
val
i
um thathel
pedmesleep.
Hespentt
hedayatBoza’swi
thal
lthef
uneral
t
hingandall
,keepi
nganeyet
omakesurethere
werenoquesti
ons.
Ronstayedanotherdayandev er
ytimeshesai
d
‘
ngwanakogae’ ,Iwanttothr
ottl
ehersexy
sweatpantscladsexyass.It
hinkI.fi
nal
l
y
exhal
edonl yaft
ersheleft
.
Kartelwasst
il
lgoingt
oBoza’salldaythr
ough
theweek,andintheeveningshe’
dbringme
l
itt
letokenst
otryappeaseme… newshoes,
handbags… l
aptop.
Howdidt
hatmanal
mostdieandwasj
ust
goi
ngonl
ikei
twasnot
hing?
Af
tert
hefuner
alhecamebackhomeandf
ound
meinbed.
Helai
dbesi
demeandhel
dmyhand,
squeezi
ng
i
t.
KARTEL:
Hei
sdownnow.Noquest
ionsasked.
Ij
ustnodded.
KARTEL: Iwishyoudidn’tseewhaty ousaw
thatday,butbabe,t
hisisacr ucialmomentright
now.Anewki ngisal
readyr i
sing,i
tsour
momentt omakesurehedoesn’ tsquashus.I
needy ou… Ineedmyqueenbymysi de.
Howdi
dheexpectmet
odoany
thi
ngatal
l
,
af
terwhathappened?I
bjustsatt
hersi
l
ent
ly.
KARTEL: AnywaywegotP350000f rom Boz
a’s
secr
etstashthatday.IgaveRonP100000.We
haveP250000.Youcan’ thandl
ethisli
fe,
so
l
etsjustgetoutandstar
tsomet hi
ng.
Wai
t,what
?Thi
sfool
didwhat
?
ME:Youwhat?Whywoul
dyoudot
hat
?P100
000i
salotofmoney
!
KARTEL:Inthest
reets,
sil
enceisbought
.Pl
us
shedidsaveourl
ivesandhelpedwith
ever
ythi
ng.
Hemadesense, butIwasstil
langry.Less
aboutthemoneyandmor eaboutRon’ s
exi
stence.It
hinkIwasjealous,becauseRoni
s
whoIwant edtobe.
Butwi ththewayIr eact
ed,am Ir
eall
ycutoutfor
thisli
fe?Will
Ifreezeeveryti
meKar tel
needed
me?Ar i
deordiehasy ourback,notf*
*ki
ng
freezewheni t
spinnedt othewall
.May behe
wasri
ght
,weshoul
djustt
aket
heP250kand
l
eave.
*
***
***
***
***
***
LI
KE,
COMMENT,
SHARE
Nextpostaf
ter1000l
i
kes/
100comment
s/20
shar
es
AThug’
sLov
e6
LUBA
ThenextMondayIwentbacktowork.Iwas
feel
i
ngali
tt
lebett
erandcomingbacktomy sel
f.
Seshahadcometoseemet wi
cedur
ingt
he
weekIwasoff,
andshehuggedmeasIarr
ived.
Inoti
cedabr ui
seonthelef
tsideofherf
ace,
eventhoughshehaddoneagoodj oboftr
ying
tocoveritupwithf
oundati
on.
ME:
Babe… whathappened?
SESHA:
All
ergi
creact
ion
ME: Youareaterr
ibl
eli
ar,
ist
hatni
ggaput
ti
ng
handsinyou,Sesha?
SESHA:
What?Hewoul
dnev
er!Oh,
woul
dyou
l
ookatt
hat
,acust
omer.
ME:Dineoi
sat
tendi
ngtoher
,Sesha,
ifhehi
t
you,
youneedt
ogot ot
hepoli
ce.
SESHA: Goodthi
nghedi
dn’t.Ihav
etogoget
brai
dandst ar
tpul
li
ngi
t,Ihavea10.am f
or
brai
ding.
Shef l
ewfrom mel
ikeIwasr
adi
oacti
ve.AndI
sattheresadl
y.Whydowomendothis,
li
efor
thei
rabusers?
*
Sesharanint
othebathr
oom andlookedather
face,
putt
ingmorefoundat
ion,whichwasfut
il
e
astearsr
andownhercheek, r
uini
ngher
makeup.
Shecov
eredhermout
hwi
thherhandst
o
muffl
ehercr
ies,l
i
fti
nghershi
rtt
olookatt
he
br
uisesi
nherstomach.
Shebreathedhersel
fint
ocal
mness, washedher
face,
reappli
edhermakeupandt ookmor edeep
breat
hsunt i
lshefel
tnormal
,thenwalkedout.
*
***
***
***
*
KARTEL
Ihadfeel i
ngDoll
awassidel i
ningme,pushi
ng
meout .Ihadnoi deawhattodonext,wehad
money, butifwemov edtooquickl
yDoll
awould
besuspi ci
ousandcomeaf terme.
Ineededtobui
ldmyowncrew.Dol
lawoul
d
hesi
tatewhenheknowsIhav
eacrew.
It
ookmyphoneandcal
l
edRon.
KARTEL:
Pat
-pat
RON:
F**
kyou
KARTEL:(
laughing)Nothanks,
Igotawoman,
butt
hanksfortheoffer
.
RON:
(laughi
ng)F*
*ker
.What
’sup?
KARTEL:
Youl
efty
et?
RON: Notyet
.Whatdoyouwant ?Akereor
il
e
yourgir
lgacomfor
tabl
e.St
il
lcan’tbel
i
evey
ou
putmeoutKgathi.
KARTEL:Don’ttwi
stmywords.Isai
dshe
neededti
meandspacet opr
ocess.Whatdo
youplanwit
hy ourmoney
?
RON:
Idon’
tknow,
sur
viv
e?
KARYEL:Howaboutmakesomet hi
ngofy
our
own?I’
m notafol
l
ower ,
Pat
ty,
youknowthat
.I
am dy
ingbeggi
ngapiecefr
om thesef
ool
s.I
wantmyownempi re.
RON:
Youwannat
akeonDol
l
a?
KARTEL:
IfIhav
eto.
RON:
F**
kit
,I’
m down.What
’st
hegi
ve?
KARTEL:Becauseofthef
ire,
theyar
ehurt
ing
forpr
oduct
.Ihavethatpr
oduct.Weswoopin
andt
akeov
erbef
oret
heyr
est
ock.
RON:
Whoi
s‘we’
?
KARTEL:
Meandy
ou,
webr
ingi
nMonkand
Rue…
RON:
Ain’
tRueBozacousi
norsomet
hing?
KARTEL: Hehasnol oveforhi
m,youknowt hat
.
Butwedon’ ttel
lthem anyway.Wesayy ou
broughtinproduct.Iputdownsomemoney ,so
doy ’
al
l.40%f orme, 20%foreachofyou.
RON:
Wtf
,whyy
ouget40?
KARTEL: (l
aughing)Becausewit
houtme,y’
al
l
gotnothing.Iontheotherhand,coul
dbui
l
d
anothercrewwher eIkeepital
l.
RON:
Arr
ogantass.35f
ory
ou,
25f
orme.
KARTEL:
Nope.
RON:Argg,f
**k.20sti
ll
soundsl
i
keabett
er
deal
thanrunningoutofmoneyi
nanot
her6
months.Fi
ne.I’
min.
KARTEL:
Cool
,meetmeatMonk’
s.
RON:Happybi
rt
hday
,bi
ch,
lemmet
akey
ouout
l
ater
.
KARTEL:Ha,y
ouwannagetmyasski
cked.
Lubawil
lbepisses.
RON:
Shecancomet
oo.
KARTEL:Thenshewi l
lfeelbadt
haty
ouknew
andshedidn’
t.Besi
des,it
’snobi
gdeal.Seey
ou
i
nabit.
*
***
***
***
Bylunchti
meamani nasui
tar riv
edwi t
ha
bouquetofflower
sandchocolates,al
ongsi
de
l
unchf r
om someI ndi
anr
estaurantSeshatol
d
meshel oved.
Hewal
kedovertoherandki
ssedhercheek,
t
henhandedhert
heflower
s.
Icoul
dtel
lshewasf
aki
ngit
,butshesmi
ledand
putonashowasthegi
rl
saww-edandohhh-
ed
andsai
dhowl
uckyshewas.
SESHA:
OhmyGod,
babe,
whatar
ethesef
or?
HIM:(smi
l
ing)Just
… Isawt
hem andt
houghtof
you.
SESHA:
Awww…
Theychattedf
orabitandt henhelef
t.Shesat
ther
esmi l
i
nglikeafool.Iwentovert
oherand
openedthefood,t
akingabi t
e.
ME:(whi
sper
ing)St
opsmi
l
ing,
Iknowhehi
ts
you.
SESHA:Canyoust
op?Pl
ease,
babe… goget
spoonsr
eje.
ME:
Sesha…
SESHA:Lubast
op.Itdoesnotconcer
nyou.You
knowhowannoyingIcanbe.Gogetspoons.
Isi
ghedandwentt
othebackr
oom t
obr
ing
spoons.
*
***
***
***
**
KARTEL
Iwalkedint
oMonk’ sr
oom andRuewasalready
ther
e.Af ewsecondslat
erRonknockedand
walkedin.
RUE:
Whatt
hehel
l
,Ron?
RON: (l
aughi
ng)Closey
ourmouth,
Ruben.The
onlyti
meIseeitthatwi
deiswhenther
eisfood
around.Monk.
Monkti
ppedhiscapatherwi
thali
tt
lesmil
e,
andt
hat’
sasfarashegoeswithgr
eeti
ngs.
RUE:Whyi sshehear,whendidshegetback?
Yousaidyouwant edameet i
ng,whyi
sshe
her
e?Ifyoucall
edthismeeti
ngaboutwanting
todoanotherjob,
it’
ssti
llano.
Ismiledandputaquart
eroft
heproductIhad
takenfrom t
hewar
ehouseonthebed.
RUE:
Whoa,
wher
edi
dyougett
hat
?
RON:
Icl
eanedoutmyboy
fri
endi
nS.
Aandr
an.
RUE:Dude,
I’
m nott
ryi
ngt
ohav
esome
gangst
eraf
terme.
RON:
Rel
ax,het
hinksI’
m dead.Longst
ory
.But
wear
eher
e,wehav epr
oduct.
KARTEL:
AndDol
l
a’si
shur
ti
ngf
orpr
oductr
ight
now.
RON:
Isaywemov e.Taket
hest
reet
swhi
l
ethey
ar
est
il
lupforgr
abs.
RUE:
Dol
l
arwi
l
lcomeaf
terus.
Ronputt
hethr
eegunswehadt
akenf
rom Bi
za
andt
heguysonthetabl
e.
RON: Igotthesetoo.Youknowonl yBoza,
Doll
a,
ChiefandSt rei
tcarr
iedammo, sowhatthehel
l
yougottafearwheny ouareloaded?IknowKart
canshoot,yout wo?
MONK:
I’
m st
rai
ght
.Kar
tel
showedme.
RUE:
I’
m notaki
l
ler
,Idon’
ttoucht
hatsht
,sono
t
hanky
ou.
RON: Andthat
’swhyyouaretheweakli
nk.You
thi
nktheywon’tcomeforyou?Andwhatwill
yourp***
yassdowhent heybeatonyou?
Squealonus.
KARTEL: Ay,l
ayof f
,heisgood.Rueisalabr at
,
andthat’
swher ehewi ll
stay.Westar
tourthi
ng,
i
tmeanswemi ghtaswel lbewagi
ngwarwi t
h
Doll
a,becauseev entual
lyhewil
lfi
ndout.
ever
yonedownorwhat ?
RON:
Down
MONK:
In
RUE:
Arggg,
whyt
hehel
lnot
.Scr
ewDol
l
a.Down.
KARTEL:
That
’smor
eli
kei
t.Weneedaspace…
RON: Icanhelpwi tht
hat.Apparentl
ymy
deadbeatofaf atheroncetri
ed
entrepreneur
ship,bui
ltali
tt
lemot el
outsi
de
FrancistowntowardsMat si
loj
e.Gotbroke
beforehecoul dfinishi
t,anditsbeen
abandonedf oraboutf i
ft
eeny earsnow.
Couldn’tsell
.Badlocati
ont obui l
d,li
ter
all
ya
l
iabili
ty.Icameher ebecausehej ustpassed
andhel ef
tininmyname.It houghtitwasa
scrapIwasgonnai gnore.Thest ruct
ureissol
id,
wej ustputinnewdoor sandwi ndows, pl
ast
er,
paint.Andi t
’sgoodt ogo.
RUE:
Thatki
ndar
enogonnacostser
iousdough.
RON:I
’l
lcough.Li
keIsai
d,cl
eanedoutmy
ni
gga.
KARTEL:Weknowt hecust
omers.Wej
ustst
art
pushi
ngsecr
etl
y.Buil
dourarmy
…
RUE:Eventual
l
ymovet
obr
icksandj
ustbe
suppl
ier
s,butwher
ear
ewegonnagett
hecoca?
KARTEL:Y’
al
lknowIbeenthinki
ngaboutout…
soIst
oledi
git
sfrom Boza’
sphoneabitback.
RON:Sowegotspace,pr
oduct
,andsuppl
i
ers.
Boy
s,wear
einbusiness!
*
****
***
LUBA
Il
eftwor
kearl
yandwenti nt
othemal l
.Today
wasKart
el’
sbi
rthdayandhethoughtIdi
dn’t
know.
Iwant edtosur pr i
sehi m.Iwentt opi ckandpay
andboughtaf ew t hingsandwi ne, thenwentt o
buyaboxandwr appingpaper .Igothomeand
wr appedt heboxni cely,t
henputt hei temsIhad
beenbuy i
ngf orday sinsi
de.Asetof7Hugo
Bossbr i
efs,setoft hreeboxershor ts, t
he‘King’
cologneandaf tershav esetthathadcostme
P2500, ashavingset ,t
hatNiveasetForHi m
thathadal lthef acewashandmoi sturizerand
rollonandal lthat .Theni twasaf ewnewsetof
clothes,pant sandt -shir
ts,socks, new
conv erse,apai rofsneaker s,runningshoes, and
formal shoes, andanewwal let
..Al togetherI
thinkIhadputdownP10konhi spr esent ,
but
thismandeser vesi t.Hiswar drobewassool d
becauseal
lheev
erdi
dwast
akecar
eofot
her
s.
Iclosedt hebigboxandt iedi twithabow, then
setupt her oom, puttingupcl eanbeddi ngt hen
threwr osepet al ont hebed, spr ayedaf r
esh
l
av enderairfreshener ,andt henputt hewhi te
clothont hepl ast i
ct abl eandsett het able,
puttingfreshflower s, andscent edcandl es
wai ti
ngt obelit.Youdon’ tneedabi ghouseand
allthefancyst uf ftomaker omant icy ’
all
.Our
room lookedsocosyandr omant ic,Icoul dn’t
wai ttoseehi sf ace.Iqui cklyshower edanddi d
mymakeup, t
hengotdr essedi nasexyl i
ttl
e
blackdr essthathuggedmybodyi nal ltheright
placesandshowedmycl eav agewel l.Cany ou
believethismanst i
ll hadn’ thi tit
?Wewer e
goingi nfourweeksofl ivingt ogethernow, andI
wassl eepingnextt ot hishotmanev erynight,
andget tingnot hing.Whatki ndofr ubbishis
that?IfIdidn’tgethi m wi tht hisdress, nothing
will
.
*
***
***
***
**
KARTEL
Aftermeeti
ngwit
htheguy
s,Istar
teddoi
nga
Googleresear
chonsal
onequipment,
wri
ti
ng
everyt
hingdown.
ThenIcontact
edani nter
iordesi
gneron
Facebookwhogav emeherquot es,andfound
outrentf
orapl acebigenough.Luba’s
ni
neteenthbi
rthdaywasi nfourmonthsandI
wantedeveryt
hingreadybyt hen.Imetupwi t
h
aChinesemanwhodi dimportsofmachiner
y,
andhegav epointersofhowt ogetgoodqualit
y
fr
om China.Hegav equot esofhowmuchI
wouldneed.
Isatdownhav i
ngabeerandcal culat
ing
every
thing.Wit
hwhatIwasgonnaneedt o
coughupf orstar
tingouroper
ati
on, f
or
ref
urbishi
ngRon’ splacet
omov ein,buyi
ng
machineryforRuet ocookcoke,andforpay
ing
thepeoplewhobroughti
nthecocal
eaves,
thentakecar
eofmyf amil
y,t
heP250000Ihad
didn’
tevencoverhal
f.
Iwasgonnaneedtodoanot
herj
ob,
butmay
be
noti
nFranci
stown.
MonkandRuewer ebeingl i
tt
lebiches,soI
call
edt heonl yot herper sonIknewwhowasas
crazyanddar i
ngasIwas, andasexpect ed,Ron
wasdown, sowasEa.Wewi l
lmeett omor r
ow
tobrainst or
m.Igoti nShopr iteandboughta
chocol atebarf ormyqueenandheadedhome,
careful t
ohi demyquot at i
onssoIdi dn’tr ui
nher
surpri
sebef oreitwasev endone.Ichuckl edto
my selfthinkinghowt odaywasmy25t h.Monk
andRuehadwant edtogoout ,butIjustwant ed
tobewi t
hLuba.
Iopenedthedoor,
hitbyasweetwaf
tof
l
avender…theroom l
ookedamazi
ng.
LUBA:Myki
ng…happybi
rt
hday
.
Shel
ookedsobeauti
ful
.Li
keser
iousl
y,shewas
st
andi
ngther
edoingnothi
ng,
andIfel
tmy sel
f
gosemihar
d.
KARTEL:
How…howdi
dyouknow?
LUBA:
(smi
l
ing)
,Imakei
tmybusi
nesst
oknow.
Come.
Shetookmyhandandledmetothetabl
e,
wheresheuncov
eredf
oodthatl
ookedfancyas
hel
l.
KARTEL:
Whati
sthi
sonecal
l
ed?
LUBA:Gril
l
edribeyewithfondantpotat
oes,
but
terbr
occol
i,gar
licbutt
ermushr ooms,anda
bl
ackpeppersauce.
KARTEL:
Maaan,
Ifeel
all
sor
tsofspeci
al.
Shet
ookmyhandandsqueezedi
t,ki
ssi
ngi
t.
LUBA:
Youar
eal
lsor
tsofspeci
al.
KARTEL:Thi
sisact
ual
l
ymyf
ir
stbi
rt
hday
cel
ebr
ati
on.
LUBA:
What
?Ev
er?
KARTEL:
Wheny ouar
epoor
,youdon’
tbot
her
wit
hsuchluxur
ies.
Lubaf el
tsobadf orhim.Somet imessheforgot
thatnotevery
onecamef rom pri
vil
egel
ikeher.
Hermot heral
way satleasthasacakef orher
duringherbi
rthday.Herfatherwouldeven
throwachurchpar tysomet i
mes.
LUBA:
Well
,at
oast
,tot
hef
ir
stofmany
,many
moret
ocome.
Aft
erdi
nnershebr
oughtoutt
hecheesecake
shesai
dshehadboughtatabaker
y.
KARTEL:
OhmyGod… nowy
ouar
ejustt
ryi
ng
tomakemecr
y…
Shesmi l
edproudl
yandkissedmycheek,t
hen
sangme‘ HappyBir
thday
’,andIcoul
dn’
tst
op
blushi
ng.
Wecutt
hecakeandat
e,t
henshehandedmea
bi
gwr
appedpr
esent
.
KARTEL:
What
’st
his?
LUBA:
Readt
hecar
d.
Ipi
ckedupt
hecar
dont
opandr
ead.
‘
Iam nopoet ,
butj ustIwantt oletyouknow
howy ouhavebl essedmesi ncethemomentI
mety ou.Yougav emeapl acet ostay,
notonly
i
ny ourhouse,butiny ourhear t
.Ifeelt
all
er,
str
onger,smarter,becauseIhav ey ouinmyl i
fe.
Iknowmebecauseofy ou.Truly,
whenIf ound
you,Ifoundme.Lov e, Lubal
ashe’
KARTEL: Maaan,
don’tdomel i
kethi
s,Luba,
for
real
,I
’m gonnacr
y.Thanky ousomuchbabe.
Thisi
sthebestthi
ngany onehaseverdonefor
me.
LUBA:
Opent
hepr
esent
.
Iopenedi
tandt
her
ewasanot
einsi
de.
‘
Bef
orey
ouwhi
neaboutal
lthi
s,y
ouar
eal
way
s
t
akingcar eofeveryone, Kgat
halo,f
orget
ti
ng
yoursel
f.Youmat tertoo.Youdeser v
egood
t
hings.Deser vetobet akencareof.Imadeit
myjobt otakecar eofy ou,soshutupandlet
medomyj ob.Loveyoual ways.
’
Thistimeatearf
ell
downasIlookedatthe
note.Idi
dn’
teventr
yt owi
peit
, Iwasj
ustso
overcomewithemotionsf
rom herwor
ds.
KARTEL:
Babe…
LUBA:
Come.On,
comeon,
seey
ourpr
esent
s.
Ipull
edouti nthingsf r
om thebox,over
come
withemot i
ons.Cl othesunderwear… God
knowsIdesper at el
yneededanupgr adeofthat,
everyt
hingIownedwasov erwashedandol d…
cologne… Ihav enev erownedcologneinmyl i
fe,
Ij
ustusedar ol
l onandbeonmyway ,Iwastoo
arr
oganttobuyt hesewei r
dsmel l
i
ngChinese
shopones, andt oopoort obuytheexpensi
v e
ones.Itsmel l
edsogood.
Iputi
tal
ldownandj
usthuggedher
…
KARTEL:
Thanky
ou… wow,
youar
eamazi
ng.I
l
oveyou…
Wai
t,what
?Di
dIj
ustuset
heLwor
d?
Todaywascl
ear
lyani
ghtoff
ir
st,asIhav
e
neverusedt
heLwordonanygir
l.
Butiti
strue.What’
snott
olov
eaboutLuba?I
thoughtasIhuggedher
.
Andshesmel
l
edgoodt
oo.
LUBA:Il
oveyout
oo,myking.Trul
y.Youar
e
ever
ythi
ngIdi
dn’
tknowIneeded.
Shecaressesmyf aceandpulledmyhead
downt oher,softl
yclaimi
ngmyl ipsi
na
sensualki
ssthatcommuni catedever
ythi
ngshe
couldn’
tsaywithwor ds…passion…
vul
nerabil
i
ty…trust…
And,
quenotsolit
tl
eKartj
oini
ngthepart
y,
st
rai
ningsohar
dagainstmyzipper
,want
ing
out… butwewerenotgonnahurr yt
his.Not
aft
erallt
heselfr
estr
aintIhadpract
icedforf
our
wholeweeks.ThelongestIhadhonewi t
hout
sexsinceIbecamesexuall
yacti
ve.
Ihavebeentry
ingtomakeitto90dayswithout
sexbecauseofsomesi l
lyt
houghtsabout
prov
ingmyl ov
eforherwasrealandhad
mothingtodowithsex.
Scr
ew90day
s..Iknewi
twasr
eal
.AndIwant
ed
her
.
Icaressedupherhi ghsandgent
lyl
aidheron
thebed, t
akingcont
rol,
capt
uri
ngherli
psina
sensualkiss…
{
EXPLI
CIT}
Readexpl
i
citcont
entatMOKWADIWA
MOTSWANAEXTRAS
*
***
***
**
Li
ke,
Comment
,Shar
e
AThug’
sLov
e7

Iwokeupwiththebiggestsmi
l
einmyfaceas
Kart
elhadhishandaroundmewrapped
possessi
vel
y.Hekissedmyneckandgrumbl
ed
aboutmewakingup.
Weendeduphavi
ngsteamysexbef
oreI
shower
ed,
thenhewenttodr
opmeof fatwor
k.
AsIwalkedi
n,Iwasst
il
lsmi
l
ing.Seshacame
overt
omewi t
hasmi l
e.
SESHA:
Sooooooo?
ME:
Sowhat
?
SESHA: Youwantmetospel
li
tout
?Girl
,the
bi
rthdaysex,
didhehi
tit
?Howwasit?
ME:
(laughi
ng)Youar
eannoy
ing.
SESHA: Andyouar
ebori
ng.Youbetterhave
usedrubberyoudon’
tknowtgatni
ggast at
us
and… shityoudi
dn’
tuserubber
.Luba!
ME:Ijustgotcaughtupi
nt hemoment… ohmy
God… Idon’twannagetpregnant
… Ihaveso
muchIwantt oaccompli
shf i
rstKar
telandIar
e
motready.
SESHA:ThatiswhyyouhavemmaneSesha,
babydol
l.Come,mynestappoi
ntmenti
s10am
andyour
si s10:
30am.Thegirl
scanhandl
e
walki
ns.
Wewenttoapharmacywhereweboughta
mor
ningaft
erpi
l
l.ImessagedKar
tel
.
‘
accompanyi
ngSeshatoTebel
opel
eweshoul
d
gooneoftheseday
s.’
‘ ucut
e.I
’
m clean,
doll
.It
estedther
e
monthsagoandsincethenIusedrubberunt
il
l
astnight
.Buty
ea,we’l
lgoanyt
ime.’
Iexhaledwi
threl
iefandt ookthemorni
ngaf
ter
pil
l
,thenboughtseveralpacksofcondomsand
wewentbackt owor k.
*
***
***
***
**
KARTEL
Aft
erLubawenttowork,Imetupwit
hRonwho
hadarr
angedforacontr
actor
,andwewentt o
seeherproper
ty.Themanexamineditand
camebacktous.
‘
Withplumbing,connect
ingelect
ri
cit
yandwat
er
andtherestoftherenovat
ionforthewhol
e
bui
ldi
ng,wear elooki
ngatP300000’
Iwhi
stl
edi
nshockatt
hepr
ice.
RON:Ok,
wearedoingit
.Yousai
dyouwant
eda
thi
rdoft
hepi
ecetostart
,wher
esoIsi
gn.
‘
Justcomet oourof
fi
ceandassoonast
he
deposi
tispaid,
wewill
star
t’
RON:
HowaboutIcome2pm t
oday
?
Shesett
heappoi
ntmentandt
hecont
ract
orl
eft
.
KARTEL:
And?
RON:YouputP50000andIputP50000and
wegetitst
art
ed,
thesoonert
hispl
acei
s
f
unct
ional
,thebet
ter
,hot
elsar
ecost
ingmea
l
i
fe.
KARTEL:
Youwentt
oseemma-
Diboy
et?
RON:
Scr
ewher
.Seeherf
orwhat
?
KARTEL: I
fweputt
hemoneydown,howabout
product
,wedon’
tevenhav
eaplacewecanhit
yet.
RON: Actual
lywedo.Andi
t’
seasi
er.
.Mor
e
dangerousthough.
KARTEL:
Tal
k
RON: Thereisthi
sGhani ansIwasf **ki
ngwitha
l
it
tl
ewhi lebackinS.A.Tr af
fi
ckingandwhat
not,t
heiroperati
onisinS.A, butthebigdogis
hi
dingher eaft
ertheygotsomeheatt hatsi
de.
Showymot her
f**kerf
launtscashl i
kenothi
ng.
I
t’
sdirtymoney ,soobv i
ouslyit
snoti nt
hebank,
i
tsinhishouse.
KARTEL:
Youknowwher
e?
Theonet hingyoualwayshav etohav eclear
wheny oumakeaj umpistoknowexact l
y
wheret hecashis.Nofumbling,noguessi ng,
that
’sforpettyhousebreakinthieves.Know
wheret hecashis,andknowhowy ouaregonna
takeitandexit.
.Doll
ataughtmet hat
.
RON: Ido.Oldarrogantasshasiti
nhiswalkin
cl
osetbecausehei ssurenobodywil
lhavethe
gallt
ohithim.Butnobodyi sall
owedinthe
bedroom withouthim.Hisgoonsarealways
around,watching.
KARTEL:
Sohowdowegeti
n?
RON:
Hehasapar
tyt
oni
ght
.Ihav
eapl
an.
*
***
***
***
***
LUBA
Byeveni
ngwhenIf
ini
shedmylastcl
i
entKartel
cametopickmeupandtookmeoutfordi
nner.
Wecamehomeandhegav
emeamassageand
wemadel
oveagai
n.
KARTEL:Babe,
isi
toki
fIgooutwi
tht
heboy
s
forabi
t?
ME:
Ofcour
se,
youdon’
tev
enhav
etoask.
KARTEL:Justwantedtol
etyouknow.I
probabl
ywon’tbebackunt
ilar
ound3am.I
sthat
fi
ne?Willy
oubeok?
Iki
ssedhi scheekandassur
edhi
mI ’
dbefine.
Heshower edanddroveoff,
andIwasmissing
him al
ready.
*
***
***
***
**
KARTEL
Imetupwi thRonandEaatRon’ smotelroom.
Ronhadal readygott
enthestuffweneeded.
Threephonesonsi m car
dswi t
hf akenames,
pl
umbi ngequipment,chl
orof
orm andsome
engineoil
,andov er
all
s.
ME:
Wher
ethehel
ldi
dyouev
engett
his?
RON: (l
aughi
ng)Si msIgotagi rlwhor egistered
them forme,engineoilisthereinshops, you
knowt hat
,ri
ght,andchloroform Iknowaguy .
Andl ookwhatIfound.Di dyouknowt heyhad
l
acebear dandey ebrows?Wi l
d.Thisdr eadlock
beaniecompl et
eseverything.Iwasmessi ng
withanoldflamewhor unsanar tclubi nt hat
priv
ateschoolandbam.Thi sisperf
ect .Seat,
Kart,l
etsgi
vey ouabiggerbear d.Myl acewi g
glueissomewher ehere.
Isatont hechairasshegluedthebeardtomy
face,thenputthebushyey ebr
ows,andfi
nal
ly
putabeani ewithsever
alfakedreadl
ocks
attachedtoitinmyhead.Ipulledonthe
overall
sabov emysweat sandtshi r
t.
RON:Per
fect
!Your
eadyboys?Thepar
tyisi
n
hi
sfar
mhousepastthedam i
nTati
.Ready?
ME:
Let
sdot
his.
EA:
Goodl
uck.Wemeetupher
eifi
tal
lgoes
wel
l
.Ifi
tgoesSout
hev
erymanf
orhi
msel
f.
Weal
lfi
stpumpedandgotr
eadyt
oheadout
.
Ihat
edsomuchthatIli
edtoLubaaboutwher
e
Iwasgoi
ng,
butIdidn’
twanthert
owor r
y.
*
***
***
***
*
KARTEL
Iwait
edinthegetawaycaratadist
ance,hi
dden
bythebush.Afewmi nut
eslat
erEatextedt
hat
hehadswitchedthehandyman’snumberon
theguy’
ssist
er’
sphonetomybur ner.
Nowi
twasRon’
smov
e.
*
Rontwerkedont
heguy’sl
apandki
ssedhi
m as
heshovedmoneyinhercl
eav
age.
RON:Gi
rl
s,howaboutwegot
akecar
eofdaddy
i
nthebedr
oom.
Thegi
rl
scheer
edhappi
l
yandRonaskedoneof
t
hem t
obr
ingt
hechampagne.
Oneshehadspikedwi
thmel
atoni
nwhenno
onewaswatchi
ng
Theyal lwentt othebedr oom wit
hthelarge
man.Hegotont hecust om madebed, withthe
girl
sall overhim.,kissinghim,undressinghim.
Oneoft hem pour edt hechampagneandt hey
eachhadagl ass,toastingtotheman.Ronkept
herlipsathergl ass, pretendi
ngtodrink,
discreetlychanginggl asseswi t
honesomebody
hadal readydr ankthreequar t
erway .
Sheexcusedherselfandwenttot hetoi
let
,
pouri
ngtheoili
nsidet het
oil
edbowl and
fl
ushed.Thensheopenedt hetankandbr oke
thel
ever.Thenextflush,t
hetoi
letwon’tstop
l
eakingwater.
Asshecameoutanot
hergi
rlwhowasdr
unk
st
umbl
edinandt
hrewupint
hebowl.
Whenshef
lushed,
Ronsmi
l
ed,
hear
ingt
hegi
rl
y
ell
inshock.
Sof
arsogood.
Daddywenttot
hebathroom whi
chwasnow
fl
oodi
ngtothef
loor
,thepukeall
over
.
‘
Whatt hehel
ldi
dyoudo,youstupidbi
ch… you
arer
uiningmyfl
oors,
ohmyGod!Whatdowe
do,i
twon’tst
op!Lookatt
hissht!Doyouknow
howexpensivet
hesefl
oorare?Emma!Emma! ’
Hegroggi
lycal
ledhissist
erwhobasical
l
y
managedevery
t hi
ng,whil
eRonpret
endedtobe
passedoutonthebedwi t
hothergi
rl
s.
Thesi
sterr
ani
nandwasshownt
hesi
tuat
ion.
‘
Getsomeonetofi
xthi
snow!Payt
hem doubl
e
i
fneedbe.Now!’
Hecamet ol
i
edownont hebedandpassedout
,
l
eavinghi
ssi
stert
ohandl
ethesi
tuat
ionas
usual.
*
***
***
***
**
KARTEL
Thecal
lcamei nandIputonmyaccentt
o
mimict
heirusualpl
umber.
KARTEL:Mysist
er,i
t’
slat
e,na!Howwil
lIcome
att
hishour?Andcomeallthewayoutt
here?
Seereasonpl
ease.
Shepleadedwi t
hmef orabi tandfi
nall
yIsaid
I’
dreferhertoanotherpl umberwhowi llcal
lher
,
andsheaccept ed.Aft erIhungupIcalledher
withanotherburner,
dr oppingtheaccent.She
wasgr at
efulIagreedtocome, andsaidshe
wouldwai tf
ormeatt hedoor .
Iwait
edthi
rt
yminutes,l
ookingatmysel
finthe
mir
rorandr
ubbedthebigfakebeardandbushy
br
owsRonhadf i
xedforme.
Ilookedinthemirr
orandsmi led.I
fyoudi
dn’t
knowme, y
ouwoul dn’
trecognizeme.Hel
l,
even
i
fy ouknewme, youwoul dn’
trecogni
zemeif
youwer en’
tpayi
ngat t
enti
on,thewaypeopl
e
ar
en’
tpay
ingat
tent
ionatpar
ti
es.Especi
all
yat
ni
ght
.
Ipi
ckeduptheplumbi
ngequipmentandwal
ked
i
ntotheyar
d.Shebeckonedformetocome,
andleadmetothebedroom wher
etheguywas
haddozedoff
,al
ongothergi
rlsona
humongousbed.
Oneoft
hegoonsandthesi
sterst
oodwi
thme
asIwor
kedonthetoi
l
et.
Ea’
smov
e.
Idiscreetl
ytextedhim andfi
veminuteslater
wehear dacommot i
on.Afi
ghthadbrokenout
andwasbecomi ngabig,messysi
tuati
on.The
si
st eraskedthegoont ogocheckitout,andthe
momenthewal kedout.Roncamefrom the
backandcov eredthewoman’smout hwitha
chloroform cl
oth,watchi
ngherpassoutwi t
hout
evenseei ngwhathappened.Shewasgonna
wakeupgr oggywi t
hahazymemor yand
assumethepl
umberknockedheroutor
somethi
ng.
Ipickedt hedoori nt
othewal kincl
osetandRon
l
edmet owheret hemoneywas.Iopenedt he
twof ullduff
elbagst hathadstacksonstacks
ofcrispP200not es.Iwonderedhowt heyhad
those, asusuall
yt hei
rform ofbusi
nesswor ked
i
ndol lars.Meh, notmypr obl
em.Iclosedthem
backupandpi ckedthem.
Ronlaidbackont hebedtonotdrawsuspici
on
onherselfasshewouldhavebeenpassedout
witht
her esti
fthegi
rl
s.Iwalkedoutt
hrough
thebedroom doubl
eglassdoor.
Iwasjustcl
i
mbingupthewall
toescapewhen
Ihear
daguyy el
l
ingi
nafor
eignlanguage.
Sht.F*
*ki
ngEawassupposedt
omakesur
e
nobodycameback.
Ij
umpedthewall
andran,t
heguycomingaft
er
mefast
.ThankGodfort
heplacebei
ngonthe
outski
rt
s,noli
ghtsouthere.Irant
hroughthe
darkfor
estweavingandhidingthr
ought r
ees
fastwhil
eIcal
ledthepoli
ceonmybur ner
.
KARTEL: Yes, yes… Ithi
nkthereareguys
chasinganot hermanwi t
hguns.Yes,outside
Tatisi
ng,justpastthedam, theycamef r
om that
standalonebig, wal
ledhouse,youcan’tmissit
.
Ifthepoli
ceweregenui
ne,theywil
lcomeand
willprovi
deagooddist
ractionandI'
dhavean
easyescape.I
ftheywereunderthisguy
’s
thumb, ohwel
l
,itwassti
llagoodat t
empt.
Ifel
tasharppai
nri
pthr
oughmyshoul
derf
rom
theback.
Sht
.Iwashi
t.
Icr
iedouti
tpai
n,butkeptgoi
ng.I
ftheycaught
me,Iam of
f.
Icoul
dn’
tdi
enow.
Il
ostt
hem,
cir
cledbackt
omycaranddr
oveof
f
l
ikecrazy
,final
lycal
mingwhenIreal
i
zedIhad
l
ostthem forreal
.Icoul
dn’
tseeanycart
hat
seemedinpur sui
t.
Iwasbleedingprofuselyandst ar
tingtoget
di
zzy.Justincaset heysawt hecar ,Iwentand
par
keditwher eIknewt hestreetkidswould
havegottenitandst r
ippeditforpartsandsold
i
ttoscrapy ardsbymor ning.
ThenIwalkedbackhome.IwassureIwas
gonnafai
nt.Got
tagohome… gott
aseeLuba…
gott
a…
*
***
***
***
LUBA
Il
aidonthebedwatchi
ngmov i
esont hel
apt
op
andchatti
ngwit
hSeshawhenIheardaknock.I
l
ookedthroughthewi
ndow.Kart
el,
leani
ng
agai
nstthedoor
.
Iopenedandhef
ell
infacef
ir
st.Hisbackwas
cov
eredinbl
oodf
rom t
heshir
tallt
hewayto
hi
spantsandshoes,
andt herewasapr
ofusel
y
bl
eedi
ngwoundonhi sshoulder
.
KARTEL:
Il…I
… Il
ovey
ou…
Hepassedout
,twoduf
fel
bagsbesi
dehi
m.
OhmyGod.OhmyGod!OhmyGod!WhatdoI
do?Whathappened?OhmyGod!
Idr
aggedhi
minsidewithdif
fi
cul
ty,
andj
ust
whenIwasaboutt
oclosethedoor,
Ronpushed
i
tandrani
n.
ME:(
sobbing)Hejustfel
lin… heisbl
eedi
ngso
muchandhej ustf
ell
in.Willhebeok?Ohmy
God,
pleasedon’tl
ethim die.
RON:
Lightt
hest
oveandheatakni
fe.
Ij
ustst
oodt
her
eshaki
ng.
RON: Gi
rl
,youwanty
ourmandead?Heata
kni
fe.Passmetowels.
ThethoughtofKar
tel
deadgotmemovi
ng.I
heat
edupt hekni
fewhil
eRonhel
dat
owelto
Kart
el’
sback.I
tsoakedupandshet
ook
anot
her.
RON: Comeon,Kar
tel
.Come.On.Youdon’t
f*
*ki
nggettodieonme, bi
ch.Youdon’
t!You
don’
t.Kgat
hal
o!Maafaker,
wakeup!
Ihandedhertheknif
eandshemadecut
son
bothsidesofthebul
letwound
ME: Whatareyoudoi
ng… ar
en’
twenot
supposedtonotremovet
heobj
ect
…
RON:Stopwat
chi
ngGr ey
’sAnatomy,t
hat
’snot
howtheworl
dworks.Anyway,Ihav
edonethi
s
bef
ore.
ME:
Shoul
dn’
twet
akehi
mtot
hehospi
tal
?
RON: Guywer anfrom defi
nit
elyhas
connecti
ons.Hospitalswantpoli
cerepor
ton
gunwounds, andpolicehavemast er
sthecan
squealto.Shtthi
sisbad.Thisissobad!Thisi
s
f*
*kingbad.
Ther
ewasaknockandaguywal
kedi
n.
RON:
Ea,
thi
sisbad.Heneedsahospi
tal
.
EA:Comeon.Iknowadoct
orwhowi
l
ldo
any
thingf
ormoney.
Eaopenedoneoft
heduf
fel
bagsandt
ooka
st
ackofcash.
HeandRonlift
edanowunconsciousKart
eland
wenttoanoldbeatupv
anparkedoutsi
de,and
puthi
mi nt
heback.
RON:Luba,gowit
hthem Igot
tahandlet
he
bl
ood,Isawdri
psonthewayin.Here,
coverhi
m
wit
hthisbl
anket
.
Igotatthebackofthevanwheretheyput
Kart
el,cover
inghi
m wit
hablanketandlai
dhi
s
headonmyl ap.
Rontookourbroom andwascover
ingupthe
bl
oodtrai
lwit
hsandandl ev
ell
ingi
tup,goi
ng
al
lthewaytothemai nr
oadwherether
ewere
sev
eral
possi
bledi
rect
ionst
oonecoul
dgo.
Eawasmaki ngcal
lswhil
edriv
ing,
andwhenwe
reachedsomepri
vatehospi
tal
,adoct
orwai
ted
outsideonagur
ney.
HehelpedEaputKart
eli
nthegur
neyandthey
wheeledhi
minsi
de.Iwal
kedbesi
dethem,
bar
elyfeel
i
ngapulseasIhel
dKart
el’
shand.
Istayedbesi dehi m,holdinghishand
throughoutast hedoct orremov edt hebullet,
andt r
eatedt hewound, t
henpat chedhim up.
Thenhewasputonbl oodt ransfusionandt he
doctorsai dheneededabi tofti
met osleep.
Ronar ri
vedal ittl
eafterthat,andweal lstayed
wi t
hKartel unti
l around5am whenhewas
transfer
redt oawar d.Heneededt obeint he
hospitalforaf ewday s.
Roneventual
l
yconvi
ncedmet
ogohome,
and
Eadroveusback.
Ther
oom l
ookedl
i
keamur
derscene,
wit
h
bloodever
ywhere,
andbl
oodi
edt
owel
s
scatt
eredonthefl
oor
.
RON:Her
e,t
aket
hisandsl
eep.Mel
atoni
n.I
’
ll
cl
eanup.
Idi
dn’
tev
enhav
etheener
gyt
oar
gue
Iwast i
redandsleepyandscaredandcovered
i
nmyl over
’sbl
ood.Ijustbat
hedandtookthe
pi
ll
,thenIpassedout.
*
***
***
***
***
WhenIwokeupt henextmor ni
ng,thehouse
wasspar kli
ngcl ean,andRonhadboughtsome
fatcakesandmadet ea.Ir
eluctantl
ytookaf ew
forcedbites.AllIwantedwast ogoseeKar tel
.
Afterbreakfast,
wecaughtat axitothehospi t
al,
Rondi dthet al
ki
ng, askedforAlbertHatendi
whowasadmi tt
edf r
om acaraccidentlast
night,
wher eashar dembeddedi nhisshoulder.
Howsmoothlyandqui
ckl
yshel
i
ed,
wit
hout
evenski
ppi
ngabeat.
Howshewasalloverthesi
tuat
iony
est
arday
…
r
idi
ngforKar
tel
all
through.
Ihat
edt
hatIcoul
dfeel
jeal
ousatt
hismoment
.
Wewer el
edto‘Albert
’sroom,andIbreatheda
sighofrel
iefasIsawKar telawake,
layingi
n
bed,proppedupwi t
hapi ll
ow,abandage
aroundhisshoulder,hishandconnectedtoan
IV.
Hesmi
l
edandt
ookmyhand,
kissi
ngi
t.
KARTEL:
Heybabe…
Tear
srandownmycheeks.
KARTEL:Oh,mypoorbabe… comeher
e…
comehere.Il
ovey
ou…comeher el
ubalangu.
Hepat
tedt
hespaceont
hebedhel
aidon.
Icametoseatonthebed,layi
ngmyheadonhi s
chestont
hegoodside,andjustcr
ied.Hekept
ki
ssingmyfor
eheadandt ell
i
ngmehewasok.
Butwhataboutnextt
ime?Howmanyt
imes
coul
dIgot
hrought
his?
Whenhet ol
dmeaboutal lt
hisbeinga
posai
bil
it
y,i
tdidn'
tscareme,becauseitjj
ust
soundedli
kesomet hi
ngwewoul dnev erhav
e
todealwit
h,becausewhatthehellcanhappen
i
ndeadassFr ancist
own.Di
dpeopl eevenhave
gunsinthi
sdeadci t
y?
Butlastnightashisheadl aidonmyl ap,
unconscious,hisbreat
hingshal l
ow,Ireali
zed
ther
ewasawhol eundergroundsideoft hi
scity
Iandtheav eragepersonwasnotawar eof.And
i
tmadesense.Whatbet terplacetohidethana
deadcityifyouaredoingi l
legalacti
vi
ties?
LastnightwhenIheldmyki ng’
sheadonmy
l
apandi tfel
tli
keeverybreathcoul
dbehisl
ast
,
Ideci
dedIcouldn’
tgot hr
oughthisagai
n.
Whatki
ndofli
fewasthi
s?Intwoweeks,hehad
hadabrushwi
thdeat
htwice.Twi
ce!Andthi
s
ti
meheactual
l
ygothurt
.Almostdi
ed.And
agai
n,Ihadbeenlostonwhatt odo.Thiswas
al
lnewt ome,Ihadnev erhadanyonefal
lin
fr
ontofmewi t
habul l
etwound.Kar t
eldeser
v ed
astr
eetsmartqueenlikeRonifhewast obuild
asoli
dempire,notababywhocr i
esandshi vers
whenshtgetstough.
*
***
***
***
**
LI
KE,
COMMENT,
SHARE
AThug’
sLov
e8
LUBA
Kartelwashospi
tal
i
zedforthenextsevenday
s.
Ont hedayhewasdischar
ged, Roncameand
set
t l
edthebil
l
,andaswewal kedout,Eawas
parkedther
einabrandnewBMW , pl
ayi
ng
Tupacandhol di
ngabeer.
KARTEL:Dummy ,don’
ttel
lmey
ouwentand
boughtt
hisal
ready!
EA:
(laughi
ng)I
’
mtestdr
ivi
ngher
.Found
someonedesperat
eforcashandwi l
l
ingtol
et
hergoforP200000.Hejustgotherthr
ee
monthsback.
Hesai
dashehandeduseachabeer
.
RON:Sweet
,beont
hel
ookoutf
oragooddeal
formebr
o.
EA:
Wil
ldo,
let
’st
akey
ouhome.
Wegoti nthecardri
nki
ngandEadrov
eusto
ourplaceastheyloudl
yboppedt
o‘Li
feGoes
On’andsangalong.
Lif
eGoesOn?Goeson?Howt hehel
ldoeslif
e
‘
goon’whenj
ustafewdaysbackIwashol di
ng
thi
smanwhil
ehewasont hedoorofdeath?
Wherewer
etheyact
ingl
i
kenot hi
nghappened?
Iwasj
ustsobor
ed,
Isatt
herehol
dingmybeer.
Whatt
hehell
weret
hesepeopl
ecelebr
ati
ng?
Al
mostdyi
ng?
Kar
tel
putahandar
oundmyshoul
derand
ki
ssedmyf
orehead.
KARTEL:
Youokt
her
eli
tt
lef
lower
?
ME:
I’
mfi
ne.
Isai
dwi
thmyhandscr
ossedov
ermychest
,
fumi
ng.
KARTEL:
Iam sor
ryIl
i
edabout
…
ME:
Nother
e.Notnow.
Hej
usthel
dmyhandl
ooki
ngatmesadl
y.
*
***
***
***
**
KARTEL
Eaparkedbesidemyhousei ntheabouttobe
hissweetri
de.MaybeIcouldgetoneofthose
toosoon,seei
nghowIIwasnowcar l
ess.Ron
hadconfi
rmedmycargotj ackedanditsbody
hadbeensoldtoascrapyardalr
eady.
Weall
walkedint
otheroom,andRonreached
i
ntoaspaceshehaddoneinthematt
ressand
pul
l
edoutt
het
wobags.
RON: 2metereachbag.So,4.Icount
edi tf
or
thepastf
ewday s,buty
’al
lcangoatittoo.
KARTEL:
I’
m sol
i
d,It
rusty
ou.
EA:Youknowyoumygi
rl
.Ok,
soIt
ook50f
or
thatdoct
orf
ool
…
RON:
Andhospi
tal
bil
lcomest
o12.
KARTEL:
Takei
toutofmi
ne.
RON:
Nah.Weshar
ewhat
’sl
eftequal
l
y.
EA:
Yup… what
’susedi
sjobexpenses.
KARTEL:
(laughi
ng),
youbothfool
s.Thanks
guy
s.So,howdowedot his?
RON:Eachstacki
sat
hou,l
etmesee,
wemi
nus
thi
sdi
videby3…P1327000each.
EA:Sweet,ev
enaft
erIputdownformywaiti
ng
gi
rlout
sideandgetadecentcr
ib,
I’
m st
il
lgonna
havestacks.
KARTEL:
Trynott
obl
owi
t,Ea.
EA:(l
aughing)Il
iv
el i
fe,myman.Wewaspoor
beggingpeoplegrowingup.I
’
m gonnaenj
oymy
l
ifenowwhenIcan.Scr ewcauti
onandsaving.
RON: YouseewhyIcan’ tdobusi nesswi ththi
s
reckl
essfool ?Hegonnast ayfor everbroke.By
theway ,
theGhanai anssuspect edsomegi rl
whot hr
ewupi nthetoil
etforwor ki
ngwi t
hthe
plumber,theytookheroutwhenshesai dshe
knewnot hing,nowtheyar el
ooki ngf ora
beardedbigbel l
ydreadl
ocked, bigbear d
Zimbabweanman.
Theyal
ll
aughedhear
ti
ly
.
EA:
Sowegotawaycl
ean.Andt
heydon’
tknow
ust
osuspectus.
RON: Ihadalreadyhi ntedtothem t
hatmy
fat
herleftsomet hing,soitjustl
ooksli
keit
sjust
myinheritance.PlusIhear dthatsomeonecall
thepoli
cet hatnight,theycameandf oundsht
t
her
e…
KARTEL: (
laughi
bg)Damn,Ical
l
edt hepol
ice!
Di
dn’teventhinki
twoulddoanythi
ngotherthan
adist
racti
on.
RON: Damn, bro!Yousavedusdr ama.Looks
l
ikesomebr anchoflawenf or
cementhasbeen
wat chingthem.May beDI S.Thatcallgavethem
achancet oswoopi n.Daddywasar r
estedon
thespot ,waiti
ngex t
radit
iontoS.Aforhuman
traffi
ckingcrimes.Mostoft hegoonsr anand
suspect edtohav edippedbackt oGhana, and
Emmai splanningherexitt
oo.Wel uckedout .
Hi tattheper f
ectti
me.
EA:
Sweet
…
LUBA:Sweet?Sweet?Fr
om whatshesai
d,an
i
nnocentgir
ldiedf
ornothi
ng!
EA:
(laughi
ng)col
l
ater
aldamage,
babe.
LUBA:Scr
ewyou!Shewasaper
sonwi
thali
fe
andshedi
dnothi
ngwrong,
nowshei
sdeadfor
whaty
out
hreedi
d.
RON:
Yoh,
chi
l
lma.Peopl
edi
e.I
thappens.
LUBA:
Youknowwhat
?Ican’
tdot
his.Ican’
t
KARTEL:Babe… don’
tmindthesef
ool
s,of
cour
seshemat t
ers.I
t’
sapit
yshewentdown…
LUBA:
I’
m of
ftoseeSesha.
KARTEL:
Babe,
please… l
etst
alk…
LUBA: Lat
er,don’
tfol
l
owme.Ican’
tstandyour
fr
iends.Il
ikeRueandMonkbett
er.Theyar
enot
maniacs.
BothRonandEalaughedandsal
utedheras
shewalkedof
f.
*
***
***
***
**
LUBA
Iwai
tedforat
axiforsometi
mebef
orea
combist
oppedinf
rontofme.
‘
Let
’sgo’
ME:
I’
m wai
ti
ngf
orat
axi
.
‘
I
’m of
fdut
y,Icandr
opy
ou’
ThesunwassohotandIwasjustsopi
ssed.I
goti
nsi
deandtol
dhim wher
eIwasgoing.
‘
I
’m Muny
aradzi
’
ME:
Luba
Hesmil
edandchanged,
speaki
ngt
omei
n
Kal
anga
MUNYARADZI
:So,wher
ear
eyouf
rom,
Luba?
ME:Ati
nyset
tl
ementdeep,
deepi
nthehear
tof
Bokal
aka.
MUNYARADZI :
(laughi
ng)Ok,cooli
fyouwanna
staymy
ster
ious.I’
mf r
om Jackal
as.Whatdo
youdo,
Luba?
ME:
Hai
r… Iuhm… Iwor
kinasal
on.
MUNYARADZI:Sal
ongir
lsandal
way
sbei
ng
pr
ett
y.Idr
ivet
hiscombi
.
ME:
Your
s?
MUNYARADZI :Yep… sav
edforyearst
ogetit
.
Bestdeci
sion.Iam notswimmingincash,
butI
makeal i
vi
ng, andmakeupmyownhour s.
ME:
Smar
t…
MUNYARADZI
:NemmacanIbuyy
ouadr
ink
someday
?
ME:
Ihav
eaboy
fri
end.
MUNYARADZI :Cool…ok,t
henhav emynumber
andifyouhaveanyev entorsomethingandy ou
needtranspor
t,hitmeup.Recommendmeat
yoursalonify
ouhearany onelooki
ng.Ialso
havear oom f
orrenthereinDonga,verycheap.
Hegavemehisnumberanddr
oppedmeat
Sesha’
spl
ace.
*
***
***
***
*
KARTEL
IknewLubawaspi
ssedatmet
hewhol
eofmy
st
ayatt
hehospi
tal
.AndIunder
stand.
Thisl
ifei
snotforthefai
nthear
ted.Thugl
i
fei
s
coolandfancyonl
yinAfri
canAmer i
canhi
phop
vi
deos.Thereal
it
yisroughandscar y
.
Iwassoscaredshewasgonnadeci deshe
coul
dnothandleitandleaveme.Ikeptt ryi
ngto
cal
lherandsheignoredmycalls.Ididn’teven
knowwhereSeshal i
ves,pl
usIwast oldt ostay
i
nbedf ort
henextfewday stohealpr operl
y.
RonandIhadendedupagreei
ngt
hatIget40%
ofouroper
ati
ons,
shegot40%andwegav eRue
andMonk10%eachsincewewereforki
ngout
al
lthemoney.
So,wit
hthemoneyfrom t
hej obandthe200+I
hadlef
tfr
om Boza’
sstash,IhadaroundP1.
5m
tomyname.
Icoul
dt aket
hemoneyanddi p,l
iv
eadecent,
honestli
fewit
hmylady,butitwouldev
ent
uall
y
runout.Busi
nessai
nteasy.Andwhatbusi
ness
wasIev engoingt
ostar
tifIdi
p?ThiswasallI
knew,tryi
nganewbusinesswhil
elear
ningt
he
ski
lli
trequir
escan’
tbeeasy.
Imaygobr oketr
yingt oest abl
ishit,soitwas
safetost i
cktowhatIknow.Besi des,Ihadso
muchIneededt oclear .Neededt ogetmyl ady
hersalon,getmypar entsincomf ort,t
heir
healthwasbad.Idi dn’twantt hem todie
withouteverhavi
ngexper iencedacomf ort
abl
e
l
ife.Didn’
twantsiblingst oexperienceanymor e
pov er
tythantheyalreadyhad.
Itookmyphoneandstar
tedcrunchi
ngnumbers.
IhadP1327000plustheP200000Ihadl ef
t
fr
om thest
ashIst
oleduri
ngthefir
e.So,
around
1527000.
Ronhadsaidshewil
lcovert
her emaini
ng200k
fort
herenovat
ionsonherpropert
y,soIdi
dn’t
havetoworr
yaboutthat
.
Forpur
chasi
ngpr
oductandev
ery
thi
ngwe
neededt
ost
art
,Iputdown500k,
sodi
dRon.
So,
nowP1027000l
eft
.
NextIcal l
edupmyChi nesehookupandt old
himt ogoaheadandor derLuba’smachi nes,I
willcomedel i
verthecasht omorrow.ThenIput
downadeposi tont heplaceIli
kef orLuba’ s
salon,andcalleduponeoft hegirl
sIusedt o
messwi t
h,whowashappyt ohelpmewi th
purchasingallthegoodhai r
, wi
gs,nai l
polish,
andwhat everelseasal onneeded.Ev erything
neededf orthesalonincludi
nganei ghtmont hs
rentalandempl oy
eewagesf orsixmont hs
camet oP400000.Iwashappyt obeabl et o
makemyqueen’ sdream comet rue.
Withtheremaini
ngP627000, IcontactedRon’s
contr
actorwhosaidhiscompanycoul dbuild
andwi reandconnectwaterinafivebedroom
housef orP250kaltoget
her.Mypar ents
deservedit
.ThenaP100kt of ur
nishthehouse
andspoi lt
hem abit
,andanotherP150kt oget
them medicalaidandkeeptaki
ngthem t
o
pri
vatehospital
s,pl
usthei
rupkeep,whi
l
emy
busi
nesspi ckedupinthenextyear
.
Thatl
eftmewit
hP127k.Notmuch,butIcoul
d
buyasimpl
ecarandupkeepmyladyandIunti
l
themoneystar
tsrol
l
ingbi
g.
Webeent hr
oughsomucht hesepasttwo
weeks,
Ijustwant
edt ospoi
lher.Il
ooked
thr
oughallt
hosefancydest
inati
onsinKasane
andbookedusaweekendget away.
*
***
***
***
LUBA
Iar
ri
vedatSesha’
shousest
il
lpi
ssedatKar
tel
andhi
sfri
ends.
IknockedandSeshasaidtocomei n.Iopened
thedoorandwalkedin,i
mmediat
elywor r
ied
abouther.Shel
aidonthebedwit
habr ui
se
aroundherli
p.
ME:Babe,y
oucan’
tli
vel
i
ket
his…hei
sa
monster
.
SESHA: Youdon’tknowhi
m… kegor el
ennaI
provokehim wi
thmybi gmout
h,Ineedtol
ear
n
toshutup.
ME:Bull
sht
!Nomatterwhaty
oudi
d,hehasno
r
ightput
ti
nghandsonyou.
SESHA: Luba,stayoutofthi
ngsyoudon’
t
underst
and.Whydoy oulookli
kesomeonespi
t
i
ny ourcoffee.
ME:
I’
mleav
ingKar
tel
.
Ishockedev
enmy sel
fwhenIsai
dthat
.When
didIdeci
dethi
s?
SESHA:
What
?Whybabe?
ME: Ijust
…t herelat
ionshi
pisment al
lytaxi
ng.I
l
ovet hatmanwi thallmyheart,butIcan’t
Sesha.Ijustcan’
t.Hel i
vesafastli
fethat
scaresme.
SESHA:Soyouar
erunni
ngbecauset
hingsar
e
ali
tt
lehar
d?
ME: Youdon’tunderst
and,Sesha.Iwat
ched
him almostdietwi
cealreadyi
ntwoweeks.I
can’telabor
ateonthat,
butyea… myheartcan’
t
takeit.
SESHA: Ithi
nkthatmanl ovesyouandhewould
doanythingforyou,butlegal
emma, youseem
tohavemadeupy ourmi nd.Justbesur
e,and
don’
tregretyourdecisi
onslater.
*
***
***
***
KARTEL
Iwassoexcitedtotell
Lubaaboutourholiday
onceshegothome.I ’
veneverbeenonahol iday
i
nmyl if
e.Otherthanacoupleoft i
mesIwentt o
Gaboronetodosomet hingforBoza,
Franci
stownandt hesmallv
ill
agesbetweenit
andmyhomev il
l
ageswer eallIknow.
I
t’
sjustsoamazi
ngt
oexper
ienceal
lthesenew
thi
ngstomewi thher,
li
ke,
Iwouldneverwanti
t
anyotherway.It
hinkshemakesever
ythi
ng
ext
raspecial
.
Iwashappyt hatatleastnowwewoul dno
l
ongerbedoi ngjobs.Justmakingproductsand
sell
ingassuppli
erd,whichwasr el
ati
velyl
ower
ri
ski fy
oudon’tcountpossibil
i
tyofbeing
bustedandgoingt ojai
l.Butwecanalways
greasehands,sothatcouldbesorted.
Nowwewer egonnahaveanor mall
i
fe.She
wasgonnabeabusinessowner.Ial
readyf
elt
sopr
oudofher,becauseIknewshewasgonna
makeitwor
k.
Shearr
ivedhomearoundev
eni
ngt
ime,
andI
hadboughttakeaway.
Shewasi
namoodaswesatandat
e.
KARTEL:Luba,Iam sosor r
yIl
iedaboutgoing
outwit
htheboy s.I’
m sorr
yIgotshot
,andyou
hadtoseeallt
hat .ButIpr
omisethi
ngsare
gonnachange.
LUBA:
Idon’
tthi
nkIcandot
his,
Kgat
hal
o.
If
eltmyhear
tsi
nkt
omyst
omach.
LUBA: Bei
ngwi t hy
ourequi
rethekindofhear
tI
j
ustdon’thav e.Idi
edathousanddeathsthat
nightwetooky outot
hehospital
.Ever
yti
me
yougoout ,Iam gonnabescared.
KARTEL:ButLuba,i
tsnotgonnaalway
sbeli
ke
that
.Inf
act,
Iam donewithjumps.Wegot
somemoneyt ostar
tanoperati
onofourown,
besuppl
ier
s.
LUBA:Yousayitl
ikethereisnori
sk.Yougota
milf
rom t
hisKart
el.Dip.Let
sstar
tabusiness.
KARTEL:Amet eri
snot hingbabe.Iwas
budgeti
ngupandi t
salreadyal lal
locat
ed.
ThereissomuchIneedt oclearup.Besides,
whatbusinesscanIstart,
f ar
mingissaturated,
youarealwaysseei
ngt hesesmal lti
mef armers
complaini
ngaboutit
… Idon’ tknowanything
el
setobeconfi
dentenoughtosayIcanmakei
t
work.
.Butt
hisIknowforsur
eIcangetusset
.
LUBA:Youjustdon’
twantto.AndIcan’
tli
ve
wit
hthefearofwhathappenstoyou.SoIthi
nk
i
tsbett
erwepar tways,
I’
ll
moveoutinthenext
week.
KARTEL:Luba,pl
ease… Il
oveyou… noneofi
t
i
sworthanythi
ngifIdon’
thaveyou.
LUBA:Thenputyourmout
hwer
eyoumoneyi
s
andgetoutoft
hisli
fe.
IknewIcouldn’
tgetout
.Ihav
emyf ami
ly
dependingonme,andIknewthi
sIcoul
dmake
i
twor k.
KARTEL:
Pleasedon’
tdot
his,
Luba… pl
ease…
LUBA:
(sobbi
ng)I
’
m sor
ry.Ij
ustcan’
t.
*
***
***
***
*
LUBA
ThenextdayIcal
l
edMuny
aradzi
andaskedhi
m
aboutaroom.Hehadoneav ail
ableforP700.
Earni
ngP2600andal it
tl
ecommi ssi
onifIsold
hi
ghendwi gs,Icoul
daffor
dt hi
s.Iconfi
rmedI
wil
ltakeit
.Istil
lhadthemoneyIhadgot ten
fr
om Kar tel
,andallt
hatmoneyf rom sell
i
ng
cookies.
Afterwor kIwentt oseet her
oom.I twasat wo
andahal f,Muny aradziliv
edi
nt heotherroom,
andt hemi ddleroom wasaki t
chenwhi chwas
al
r eadyfull
yequi ppedandhet oldmewecoul d
shar ei
t.SoIj ustneededabed, awar dr
obe,and
j
ustaf ewt hings.Istil
lhadsomeoft hemoney
Kar t
elhadgi ventome, pl
uswhatIgotfrom
selli
ngbakedgoodi es,andmysal ar
y.Iwas
gonnabef i
ne.Iwasgonnahav eagood, normal
l
ife,andwor kmy sel
ftosuccess.
*
***
***
***
KARTEL
Thr
eeday
slat
erLubapackedherbagandt
old
meshewasmov
ingout
,shef
oundahouse.
KARTEL:
Luba,
please…pl
easedon’
tdot
his.
LUBA: Idon’
twantto… butIhav
et o.
.Iam r
eal
l
y
sorr
yKar tel
.Thankyousomuchf oryour
hospit
alit
y.
KARTEL:
So,
that
’si
t?
LUBA:
Unf
ort
unat
ely
.
KARTEL:
Yourst
uff
?
LUBA:Iboughti
tfory
ou… Ial
readyboughtnew
ones.
Sher eall
ywasdonewi t
hme.Not hi
ngIsayor
dowasgonnamakeherst ayunl
essIdropped
outoft heonlyl
if
eIev erknewasanadul t
.
WhichIcoul dn’
tdobecauseIhav esick,
elder
ly
parentsIhav etotakecareof.
Isi
ghedandwenttothewar
drobewher
eI
count
edastackofcash.
KARTEL:
P50000… t
akei
t.
LUBA:Thanky ou,
butIcan’t
,Kar
tel
.I’
dbea
hypocr
it
etot akemoneyfrom t
heverythi
ngI
sayIdespise.
Shekissedmeandt henpulledherbagsoutsi
de.
Ist
oodatt hedoorandwat chedherasawhi t
e
combi wai
tedforheratthegate.Aguycame
outandhelpedherwithherbags,putt
ingt
hem
i
nsideandt heygotinanddr ov
eoff.
Idon’tknowhowt odescri
bewhatIfel
t.Ifel
t
myt hroatclosi
ngup… ahar dl
umpf orming,
chokingme…If el
tli
keshehadjustr
unov ermy
heartwiththatcombi,l
ikeshehel
ditinher
handsandj ustkeptwringi
ngit
.
Ikeptt
ryi
ngtoconvi
ncemyselft
hatIdon’
tcare.
Ifsher
eall
ywantedt
oleav
e,thenscrewher.
Halfofmewant edt
ocallRonandj
ustkicki
t
l
ikeoldti
me… butIjustcoul
dn’
t…I
tfel
t
unfai
thf
ultoLuba.
Man,
thi
sisf
**kedup,
howcoul
dmyqueen
l
eav
e?
Ipickedafr
amedphotoofusont hetabl
eand
hurledi
ttot
hewall
,nextwenttot
heflower
vaseshebought
…t heplat
es,mugs…
Ijustwentint
oamani acragetrashi
ngtheroom
viol
entlyunt
ilIburntout,si
tt
inginthemiddleof
themessyr oom, huggingmykneeswhi l
esilent
tearsroll
eddownmycheeks.
Howcoul
dmyqueenl eav
eme?Doesn’ tsheget
t
hisempi
reIam bui
l
dingisal
lforher
?
Iwi
pedtear
swiththebackofmyhand,
but
morej
ustkeptr
oll
i
ngdown.Howcouldshe
l
eave?
*
***
***
***
***
LI
KE,
COMMENT,
SHARE
AThug’
sLov
e:9

LUBA
Asday swentbyKart
elcal
ledandtextedl
ess
andless.Butwhocouldbl
amehim?Inev er
pi
ckeduphi scal
l
sorr epl
i
edhistexts.
Wewer eont hef i
ft
hweeknow, andhehad
stoppedcall
ingort ext
ingalt
ogether.Couldhe
havemov edonal ready?Didhef i
ndsomeone
new?Pr obablythatRon.Damn, Idon’tli
ketgat
girl
.Shehasn’tdoneany thi
ngtome, butIdon’
t
l
ikeher.
ThatIwassoeasil
yreplaceabl
esucked.Andi
t
wasallnotget
ti
nganybet t
er.Thel
ongeeI
st
ayedawayf r
om him,t
hesadderIgot.So
muchfor‘ti
meheals’
.FYIitdoesnot
.
MunyaandIhadbecomef r
iend, hewasalways
l
ooki
ngoutforme.Icouldtell
hewant ed
somet
hingmore,
butIjustdidn’thav
eittogiv
e.
*
***
***
***
**
KARTEL
I
thasbeenf
iveweekswi
thoutmyqueen.Ihad
honest
lyt
houghtshewasbluf
fi
ngandwoul
d
comeback,butIwasst
art
ingtowor
ry.
Istoodinthesalonl
ookingaroundasthe
i
nteriordecor
atorgi
rldi
scussedwithmyfri
end
Nikit
aonwher eevery
thi
ngwoul dbe.
Niki
taandIwerefrom t
hesameseni orschool
andhadat hi
ngal i
tt
let
here.Shewasasl ay
queentur
ningtr
icksonri
chf or
eignmen,but
wasalwaysreadytodropeveryt
hingforme.
Andshewasal ookertoo,f
akeboobs,
fakehi
ps,
fakeass,
itt
ybittywaist,
someIndi
anhairor
whatever
,fakeev er
ythi
ng.
Wehadmeti nboardingschoolandusedt oki
ck
i
t,butl
ostt
ouchaf t
erwardswhenshemov edto
Gaboronewhereshenowst ays.Irecent
lyr
an
i
ntoherandwe‘ r
econnected’i
fyouknowwhatI
mean.OfcoursethatwasjustbeforeImet
Luba.
Shecameov
erwi
thasmi
l
e.
NI
KITA:Baby,
thi
sisgonnabeamazing!Wi
thal
l
t
hemachinesyouhavecoming… i
t’
sgonnabe
aoneofakindpl
ace.Steam r
oom?What!
KARTEL:
Thanksf
orhel
pingout
.
NIKITA: Andtheamazi ngthingis,Iordered
thingstocaterformi ddl
eclasst oo,li
ke,there
aren’tt
oomanysuperr i
chpeoplet oafforda
P8000l acewigonawhi m, butsomanywi ll
be
clamoringupf orthosegoodpr epl uckedf or
P2500.
KARTEL:(l
aughi
ng)Il
i
ter
all
yhav
enoi
deawhat
pr
epluckedis.
NIKITA:Li
kemywi gs,thosethatgiveareal
i
sti
c
hair
li
neinst
eadofst rai
ghtuplinetheway
thesecheaponesdo…I ’m sur
prisedyouare
i
nterest
edinsalonthough.
KARTEL:Uhm… wel
l
,Igott
hatCEDAmoneyf
or
i
t,soyea.
NI
KITA:
Youdon’
tknowhowhappyIam f
ory
ou.
Likeseri
ousl
yboo.Iam al
lfory
ourglowup.So,
l
ike,shoul
dwegobackt oyourplaceandki
ckit
?
KARTEL:
Uhm… notr
ightnow.
NIKITA:
Becausethatwei
rdbichPatr
onel
lai
s
back?Isawheratthemallt
heotherday.
KARTEL:YouknowRonandIai
ntl
i
ket
hat
.And
youdon’
thavetohat
eonher
.
NIKI
TA:Ai
ntli
kethat
?Youcheat
edonmewi
th
her,
sev
eralt
imes.
KARTEL:Ni
kibaby,
whenwaswedat
ing?That
ti
meinseni
orschool,
wewer
eki
ds,i
tdon’
t
count
.
NIKI
TA: (
laughing)Youremembertheti
mewe
gotcaughtintheartlabbumpingugli
es,and
whenthet eacherfl
ippedyout
oldhershecould
geti
ttoo?
KARTEL:(l
aughi
ng)Yea,
wewer
esomebad,
bad,
kids.
NIKI
TA:Mxi
m,andy ousaywedi
dn’
tdat
e.So,
howaboutPat
ronel
l
at hen?
KARTEL: YouandIusedtoki
ckit,sodidRon
andI.PlusRonisachil
dhoodfr
iend.YouandI,
wewer ealll
onel
yandneededsomebody
warmth.
NIKITA:
Keeptel
li
ngyour
selft
hat.Weweretight
,
youandI.Whatwehadwasspeci al
.Onl
ythat
bichPat
ronel
l
akeptcomingbetweenus.
KARTEL:Ok,
ifwedated,
thenhowcomey ou
j
ustlef
tandneverhi
tmeupsincewefi
nished
for
mf i
ve?
NI
KITA:
Youdi
dnothav
eaphone.
KARTEL:(
sarcast
iclaugh)Ibett
hat’
sit
.Gi
rl
,I
wastoopoorforyourbourgi
etaste.
NIKITA: (
laughi
ng)Iam meantf orasoftli
fe,
baby .Ial
way sknewt hat
.Iwasn’tgonnastayin
somebackwar dv i
ll
ageandbesomel ankyki
d’s
wife.Butlookaty ouknow.Allbuffedupand
moni
edup… Icoul
dbeal
lov
ert
hat
.
KARTEL:
BecauseI’
dwantsomeonewhoonl
y
want
smef orwhatIgot
NIKITA:Youareget
tingi
tall
wrong.Ialways
beenintoyou,
butthewholenomoneyt hing…
err
rr.Toomuchforme.Mj ol
oneedsmoney .I
’
m
gonnahelpyoumaket hi
ssalonafranchi
se,
baby.Letmerunit.
KARTEL:Ital
readyhasamanager
.Thanks
babe… Iowey ousomuch.
*
***
***
***
***
*
LUBA
Ihadjustcomeoutofwor kandgoti
nShopri
te
topickupsomet hings.Ir
ani
ntoMunyaandwe
walkedaround,
talking.
MUNYA:Fancyr
unni
ngi
ntoy
ouher
e.Headi
ng
home?
ME:
Yup,
donef
ort
heday
.
MUNYA:It
ookadayoff
,wenttohelpmy
mot
heroutpr
epar
ingf
ormysister
’sweddi
ng.
ME:(l
aughi
ng)Hi
wmany‘
youar
enext
’di
dyou
get
?
MUNYA: (l
aughing)Waayt
oomany..Ij
ustt
old
them atl
eastf
indmeagi r
lf
ri
endsoIcoul
dbe
next
.
Webothlaughedandtal
kedaboutrandom
t
hingsasweshopped.Heinsi
stedonpayingf
or
myP200t oi
l
etryandt
hencarr
iedtohiscombi
f
orme.
AsIent
eredthecombi
,IsawKar
tel
get
ti
ngi
n
somefancycar
.
Ihadt
houghtitwasn’
thimi
nShopr
it
ewhen
twi
ceIhadthoughtIsawhi
m.
Helookedatmeandt
henwal
kedof
font
he
phone.
*
***
***
***
*
KARTEL
Aft
ermeeti
ngNiks,
Iwentt
oShopr
it
etobuy
somegrocer
iesf
ormyfamil
y.
I
’dj
ustf
il
ledupt
het
rol
l
eywhenInot
icedLuba
goi
ngar
oundwit
hsomeguy
,doi
ngupgr ocer
y.
Like,
doy ouunder
standthelevel
of‘toget
her
’
doinggrocer
ytogetheri
s?Samet rol
l
eyandall
.
It
’salmostli
kedri
nkingfr
om thesamest r
aw.
Ok,maybenot,butt
hefactremainst
hatshe
wasoverther
egiggl
ingwiththatmanandnot
wit
hme.Whuchmademepi ssed.
Ifel
tli
kesuchadummyf orkeepinghopethat
shewascomi ngback.Afterf
iveweeksof
text
ingandcall
i
ngallday,begging,y
ou’dt
hinkI
wouldhavegottenahint
.
May beIdi
dneedtoseet hi
stofinal
l
ygeti
t
thr
oughmyt hi
ckskul
l.Yestar
dayIsawa
Facebookmemeaboutr especti
ngwomen’s
wishes.I
fshesay
sshedoneorshei snot
i
nter
est
ed,thenacceptt
hatsheisdoneand
st
oppester
ingher.Somethi
ngli
kethat
.
IhatethatIhadbecomethatman.Theonewho
disr
egardsawoman’ swi
shandkeepscall
ing
whenshesay sshedoesn’
twantyou.
That
’swhyt
heycall
ustrash.Ineededtostop
bei
ngtr
ashandacceptLubadidn’twantme.
Hurtashel
lthough.Idi
dn’twanttobealone,
so
Ist
artedor
ganizi
ngal i
tt
lechi
llsessi
on.
Rue,Monk,Ea,RonandImetatRon’sproper
ty
thatwasbeingref
urbi
shed.Ronshowedup
withNiki
taandanothergir
l.
*
***
***
***
Allt
hroughthenightIwasthi
nki
ngaboutKart
el.
Ihopehedidn’tt
hinkMunyaandIhadat hi
ng
aft
erseeingusshopping.
Act
uall
yLubal
ashe,
whatdoy
ouwantfrom the
man,YOUleft
.Whocanbl
amehi
mthinking
t
hingswhenheseesy
ouwi
thanot
herman?
I
nthemorningNnunucamei
nandcal
l
edmet
o
t
heoff
ice.
NNUNU:Luba,baby
doll
,youknowIl
ovey
ou,
andIhat
etotell
youthi
s…
OhmyGod, pleasedon’
tletherbef
ir
ingme,
pl
ease,
please.
NNUNU: Youar edistr
acted.Otherssayyou
spendday sherecryi
ngori nasur l
ymood, and
thi
sisnotwhatwear eabouther e.Weserveour
customerswithasmi le,
andy ouar enotdoing
that
.Iheardyouy ell
edatakidwhowoul dn’t
seatstr
aight
.
ME:
Iwashav
ingabadday
.
NNUNU: Onetoomanybadday s,Luba.You
havebeenworkingher etwomont hs,andyou
al
readytookacumul ati
v etendaysoff.Iam
putt
ingyouonpr obati
on, i
fyouratt
it
udeand
mooddoesn’timpr ov
e, wewi l
lhavetoletyou
go.
Icameoutoft hatroom stil
li
nadaze.She
want edtofir
eme?Wasi tbecauseofallt
he
attenti
onherboy fri
endalway spaysmewhen
hecomesi n?At t
enti
onInev erevenaskedfor
anddi dn’
twant .Iwasherbestdamnhai r
dresser,peoplespecif
icall
yaskedforme.
Shecoul
dn’
tfi
reme, whatwoul
dIdof
or
money… God,
please… pl
ease.
Isodamnmuchwant edmyownsal on.Would
CEDAgi vemefi
nancing,consider
ingal
lthe
exper
ienceIhadofanythingwast womont hs
worki
nginasalonandIdi dn’
thaveanyt
hingto
myname?
TherestofthedayIfakedsmi
l
esanddi
dmy
beattokeepmyj ob.
Event
uall
yitwastimet oknockoff
.Iwas
cr
ossingtheroadtothetaxiswhenInot
iced
Kart
elandEagilwebeingstoppedbyapoli
ce
off
icer
.Theywerebothplay
ingi
tcool
,butI
couldt
ell
theywerenerv
ous.
Whichcoul
donl
ymeanonet
hing.Theywer
e
car
ryi
ngsomeproduct
.
*
***
***
***
KARTEL
I
’m notgonnali
e,i
tstungabitseei
ngRonshow
upwi t
hanewr i
detoo.Ist
il
lhadnocar .Butmy
parentshousewastaki
ngoffandt hesalon
preparat
iongoi
ngwell.
Ifel
tli
keafooldoingupthatsalonwhenLuba
wasobv i
ousl
ymov edon,
butIjustcoul
dn’
tleti
t
go.Itwasherdream.
EnoughaboutLuba, Iwasher ewit
hmyf riends,
havi
ngf unli
keanyot her25yearoldguy,not
sul
kinganddr i
nkingaloneli
kesomemi ddl e
ageddivorcee.Ineededtogetmygr ooveback,
Lubawasgone.Sowechi l
l
edanddr unkand
gothigh.
Eaeventuall
ydisappearedi
ntoonei
fthe
unfi
nishedroomswi thoneofthegi
rl
s,Ronwas
busygetti
ngstonedwi t
hMonkandRue.
Ni
ki
tacamet
oseatonmyl
ap.
NI
KITA:
Okwhoi
sshe?
KARTEL:
Whoi
swho?
NI
KITA:Thegirl
whogotyousulki
ngli
kealit
tl
e
bi
ch.I
t’
sthatRon,i
sn’
tshe?Herexi
stenceget
s
i
nmyner ves.
KARTEL:
Yougi
vewoment
oomuchcr
edi
t.
NI
KITA:
Ithast
obeawoman.
KARTEL:
Nope
NIKI
TA:Fi
nethen,
ify
oudon’
tst
opsul
ki
ng,
Iam
gonnasl
apyoubacktor
eal
it
y.
KARTEL:
(laughi
ng)Msmamas,
don’
tthr
eat
en
mewithagoodt i
me.
Isai
dasIsqueez
edherassandt
ookherhand,
wal
ki
nghert
other
ooms.
*
***
***
***
KARTEL
Lastnightwaswi l
d.Iwokeupnaked, wi
th
Nikit
a’sthreekil
omet er
sPer uvianwigtangled
al
l overmeonanol d,dir
tybaremat tr
ess,on
fl
oorofanunf i
nishedroom thatsmel l
edlike
booze, weed,sex,andbaddeci sions.
Thefi
rstni
ghtIhadn’
tfel
tli
keacompl
etel
oser
si
nceLubaleft
.
Doll
ahadmessagedmeandcommandedmeto
showupatthecompound.Whatt
hehel
ldi
dhe
want?ButIwentany
way.
If
oundhi
mint
hel
i
vingr
oom cr
unchi
ngpaper
s.
KARTEL:
Oldguy
…
DOLLAR:
Myboy
…seat
.
Ok,
awkwar
d.
Isetdownandheor
der
edt
heboy
stobr
ingus
dri
nks.
DOLLA:
Ihear
dRoni
sback.
KARTEL:Shemeansnotroubl
e,pl
ease,man.
Shewasjustaki
dwhenshest ol
efrom y
’al
l
.Let
uspayitbackwi
thi
nter
est.
DOLLA:(l
aughing)Chil
l,
y oungbuck.Iam not
aft
erher
.Notint hatway.Resourcefulgi
rl
.I
hol
dnothingagainsther.Withagirl
likeherbya
man’ssi
de… youar eassuredawi n.
Oooookay
?
Di
dhecal
lmeher
etot
ell
mehehadabonerf
or
Ron?
DOLLA:Any
way…remembert
hatl
i
onshowwe
usedt
owatcht
ogether
?
KARTEL:
Yea,
Iremember
…
DOLLA:Ay oungcubwil
lstar
tget
tingali
’
lmane
andfeel
big.Makeaplayforhisf
ather
…
r
ememberwhatwoul
dusual
l
yhappen?
KARTEL:
Whydon’
tyousaywhaty
ouwanna
say
?
DOLLA:Whatwouldusual
lyhappenisthefat
her
wil
lgi
vehi
m warningbi
tesfi
rst
.Butifhestar
ts
bei
ngtoorough,
thefat
herwill
riphi
sf**ki
ng
neckof
f.
KARTEL:
Idon’
tneedt
oli
stent
othi
s.
DOLLA: Youaren’
tjuststeppinginmyt oes,
youngcub.Ihear dy ouarepr oducingbri
cksand
supplyingnow.Suppl yi
ngall t
hewayt oGabs.
Steppingont hetoes.Icanpr otectyouonlyso
l
ong, myboy ,becauseifany oneget st
or i
py our
neckof f,i
tsme.ButIcan’ tbelookingafteryou
allt
het ime.Youareupset ti
ngpeopl e,i
ncluding
me.
KARTEL:
(smi
l
ing)I
t’
sonl
ybusi
ness,
man.
DOLLA:It
ookyouf
rom t
hegut
ter
,lety
oui
nmy
home,t
aughty
outhest
reet
s.
KARTEL:Youal
soletBozaunder
payand
mist
reatme,myfamil
ywasstarv
ingandyou
di
dnothing.
DOLLA:Aninher
it
edt
hronenev
erlast
s.See
whathappenedt
oBoza?Iwantedyoutoear
n
yourcr
own.
KARTEL:
AndIwi
l
l.Wi
thouty
ou.
DOLLA:AllIgott
asay ,
iswatchyourback.And
notfr
om me, becausewhenIcomef oryou,i
t
wil
lbestr
aightatyourface.St
epdown, cub,
andcomet akeyourplaceasmyr i
ghthand.
KARTEL: (l
aughing)Idon’tplaysecondf iddleno
mor e.Yourcubisgrown, Dolla.Youshoul dbe
proud.Anddon’tforgetint heli
ondocument ary,
they oungcubalwayshadt hebenef i
tofy outh…
so, maybethi
stimeher ipshi sfather’
sneckof f?
AndIam notaf rai
donany one.Iremembermy
streetfat
hertol
dme‘ fearisf orli
’
l bi
ches’.You
taughtmet onotbeal ilbich.Staywel l
,andI
knowyou’
l
llookouti
fsomeonecomesf
orme.
Peace.
Iwalkedofff
eeli
ngproud.Myfi
rststandof
f
wit
hDol l
awithoutf
eel
ingint
imi
dated.
Imetupwi
thEabecausehehadsomeChinese
guywhowaslooki
ngtobuyabr
ickandr
eselli
n
hi
scommunit
y .
Ideci
dedtopassbyt
hebusr
ankt
odr
opsome
moneyformysist
erwhi
l
ewewait
edf
ort
heguy
.
Badmistake.Justaswemadet hatturnaround
Choppi
esf r
om thebusrank,acopflaggedus
down.Ihadami ndtorun,butwhati
ft hefool
gavechase?Wedi dn’
tneedthatki
ndofheat .
.
Wecouldjuststopandgreasehands.
Butwhati
fhewasacl
eancop?
Sht
.
OFFI
CER:Youdoknowt
hatdr
inki
nganddri
vi
ng
i
sacrime?Legonel
enwalei
kgantsha,
o
t
shwer
ebi
riwhi
l
eatt
hewheel
?
F**ki
ngEa,man.Thisbichwasgonnabemy
downfal
l!F*
*k!Ihadjustt
oldhi
mtoputthat
beerdownandhet ol
dmet ost
opwhini
ng!
Theamountofcokewehadi
nthecarwasf
or
sur
egonnaearnusti
me.Sht
.
KARTEL:
I’
m sosor
ry,
off
icer
…wewi
l
lnev
erdo
i
tagai
n.
EA:
I’
m sur
ewecant
alkabouti
t.
Hesaidt
akingacoupleofP200from hi
swal l
et,
andIswearIwant
edt ostr
angl
ehim.That’snot
howyougreasehands,damnit
.Notgostraight
ati
t
OFFICER:Ar
eyoutr
yingt
obri
beme?Andthi
s
carsmell
sli
keweed.Whydon’
tyout
wostep
outsi
deandlet
sseewhatwefi
ndinher
e.
Werel
uct
antl
ysteppedout
sideandhepatted
usbot
h,f
indi
ngnothi
nginourpocket
s,because
i
twasinthef
**ki
ngcar,
undert
hedri
ver
’sseat
..
Hopef
ull
yhewon’tl
ookundert
her
e.
*
***
***
***
**
LUBA
OhmyGod,whati
ftheyhadsomedr
ugswi
th
t
hem?He’
dgot opr
ison.
Ohno.
Iquickl
ywalkedovert
hereasIundidthetwo
topbuttonsofmyshirtandshor
teningthe
strapofmybr at
omakemycl eavagemor e
pronounced.
Ir
eachedt
hem andl
ookedatt
hepol
i
ceof
fi
cer
ME:
Dumel
ang…whatdi
dhedonow?
Awesome,
hisey
eswer
eonmycl
eav
age.
OFFI
CER:
Youknowt
heseguy
s?
ME:Thi
stall
idi
oti
smybr
other
.Nnangwanayo
gakesait
segoregat
wer
ereng,ourmot
her
j
ustcameoutoft hehospi
talkestr
esssarreyo.
Ahhh,nnaIgi
veupwai t
se,dowhaty oumust.I
gi
veupkaene, gongwepri
sonwi l
lhelphi
m
gr
ow.Mypoormot her
…nowshehast odeal
wit
hhimi npr
ison.Whatdi
dheev endo?
OFFICER:Dri
nkinganddrivi
ng,koorebanwaba
i
kgantsha,t
heot heronewasatt hewheela
tshwerebi
riwit
honehand.Andt hecarsmel
ls
ofweed,soIwasaboutt osearchthem.Then
theytr
iedt
obr i
beme!I ’
m notthatkindof
offi
cer
.
ME: Icantelly
ouareamanofhonour .I’
m so
sorr
y ,
thathewouldinsul
tyouliket
hat!Hewas
rai
sedbet t
er.Dowhatyouneedwi t
hthem rr
a,
mymot herIwil
lj
ustcomforther…onedayI
swearmosadi mogolowagowakepel okethi
s
boy.
Il
ookedathi
m wit
hthat‘damsel
indi
str
ess,
onl
yyoucansaveme’look.
OFFICER:(
sighi
ng)Lett
hisbethel
astti
meI
cat
chy oudri
nki
nganddrivi
ngbanna.Gohome,
otaabolaamosadimogolo.
ME:Reall
y?Thanky ousomuchof f
icer.They
don’
tdeservey ourkindness.Godwi llblessy
ou.
Thankyou,thanky ou.Mymot herwoul dhave
gotaheartattackforsure.Iwi l
ltr
ytokeephi m
home,thesenogoodf ri
endsofhi s,ahh.Thank
you,l
etsgolona.
OFFI
CER:
Arebueami
nut
ethemma.
Karteltr
iedtosaysomet
hing,
butIj
ust
discreet
lyshookmyheadandtheygoti
nthe
car.
OFFI
CER:
So,
kegobonal
engnemma?
ME:(
giggl
i
ng)Ot amponakaet
ota,
nnaI
’
m
al
waysatwork.
OFFI
CER:
Wher
edoy
ouwor
k?
ME:
Att
heTat
icl
i
nic.
OFFI
CER:
Youar
eanur
se?
ME:
Yes.
OFFICER:
Youl
ooky
ounger
,youhav
eababy
face.
ME:(l
aughi
ng)Canyoubeli
evet
hati
dioti
s
act
ual
lymybabybrother
!
OFFICER:What?Nnyay out
akecareofyour
sel
f
well
then.Lookathowbeautif
ulandyoungyou
l
ook!Ok,letmetakeyournumbersowecan
t
alk,whatdoIsaveitas?
ME:
Angel
OFFICER:
Theygav
eyouanamet
hatsui
tsy
ou.
Yournumber
?
ME:
(smi
l
ing)Thanks…
Igavehim mysecondarysi
m’snumber
,and
watchedwithasmileasitr
ang.
ME:(
laughung)Aorrayout
hinkI
’
dgi
veagood
manli
key ouafakenumber
?
OFFICER:(l
aughing)Ee,youl
adi
esdot
hist
ous
al
ltheti
meaker e.That’
smynumber… ket
ago
bonaakere?
ME:Al
ri
ght.Thanksagai
noff
icer.Youar
eone
ofaki
nd.I
’
llprayfory
ourbl
essing.
OFFICER:(l
aughi
ng)Maybemybl
essingi
sa
wif
e.Alri
ghtAngel
…tal
ktoyoul
ateraker
e.
Hesmiledl
iket
hecatwhojustgotabowlofmil
,
andkeptgl
anci
ngbackatmeashewal kedto
thecar
.
Fool
.Hewasgonnagetbl
ockedt
hesecondhe
gotoutofsi
ght
.
It
ookt hecarkeysfrom Kar
telandgoti
nthe
dr
iver’
sseatwhi l
ewatched,put
tingont
hebig
si
ster‘
Iwon’tletyoudri
vedrunk’show.
I
fthegoodoffi
cerknewIdi
dn’
tev
enhav
ea
dr
ivi
ngli
cense.
Wewat
chedhi
m dr
iveof
f,asKar
tel
andEa
l
aughedhear
ti
ly
.
KARTEL:Damn,babe,t
hatwasbadass!Damn!
Youjustsav
edusatleastt
enyear
sinlockup.
Sht
,Iknewmyqueenhadi t
!
*
***
***
***
**
LI
KE,
COMMENT,
SHARE
AThug’
sLov
e10

KARTEL
Lubawasquietandl
ookedpi
ssedal
ltheway
home.IknewIwasgonnagetatal
ki
ngto,and
tobehonest
,Ideser
vei
t.
Eadroppedusatmyplace,
andIstoodatt
he
door
,wonderi
ngifLubawouldcomein.
Sur
pri
sedandel
atedwhenshedi
d.
Shelaiddownont hebedforawhol
efi
ft
een
minutes,wi
thoutt
alki
ngtome.
LUBA: Tel
lmeKar t
el,
howt hehell
canyoubeso
reckl
ess?Youarecarryi
ngabr i
ckandgo
arounddri
nkinganddriv
ing,dr
awingat
tent
ion
toyoursel
f?
KARTEL:Technical
l
y,Eawasdr
inki
ngand
dr
ivi
ng,Iwasjustdri
nki
ng.
LUBA:Doesthi
slookl
i
keamomentt
obea
smart
assri
ghtnow?Doesi
t?
It
ri
edt
ohi
demyl
augh.
KARTEL:
Iam sor
ry.
LUBA:Eaisgonnagetyouinalotoft
roubl
e,
youneedtodit
chhim,heisgonnagetyouin
tr
oubl
e,anddon’ty
oudarearguebecause…
KARTEL:
Iknow…
LUBA:
Imeani
tKar
tel
,Eai
stoor
eckl
ess…
KARTEL:Iknow… hethi
nksitsomesortof
game.Idon’t
,Ij
ustdon’
twannabepoor .I
’
ll
drophi
m.Babe,doesthi
smeany ouarecoming
back?
Shesi
ghedandstoodup,wal
kedt
othewi
ndow,
cametoseatdownagai
n.
LUBA:
Youst
il
ldowhaty
oudo.Iam st
il
lscar
ed.
KARTEL:So,
leavingmeisaverysmartsol
uti
on?
What’
sthepointofiti
fyoust
il
lcar
e?
LUBA:
Ijustcantgot
houghal
lthatagai
n… I
wassoscared.
KARTEL:Justmakei
tmakesensetome.You
arel
eavi
ngmebecausemylif
escaresy
ou.You
don’
twannaloseme.Ar
en’
tyoulosi
ngmeby
l
eavi
ng?
ME:Ij
ustcan’
tdeal
withthatsi
tuat
ionagai
n,
Kar
tel
… seei
ngyouknockingondeath’
sdoor…
KARTEL:Andleav
ingmetot
all
yprotectsme,
ri
ght
?IfIam meanttodi
eataparti
cular
momentIam gonnadieLuba.Ir
ememberone
smartgi
rlt
ell
i
ngmeIcouldbeapast orand
dr
iveoutandbei
nacaracci
dentanddi
e.You
ar
etoobadasstol
iv
eon‘whati
f’
.
Shesmi
l
edandbl
ushed.
KARTEL: Andtellmebabe, won’tyouhur tifyou
hearthatIgotshotanddi ed?Justbecausewe
arenottogether,
doesi tmeani twon’ taffect
younow?Won’ tyouregr etnott
akingwhat ever
ti
mewehav etogether,insteadofr unningi n
fear
?IfyouknewIhadadayl ef
t,woul dn’
ty ou
wannaspendi twithme?
LUBA:
Ahhh,
youar
econf
usi
ngme,
stop.
KARTEL: Ibeli
eveit’
sbet tertohavelovedand
l
ost,t
hant ohav eneverl ovedatall
…I ’
dwanna
bewithyouev eni fIknewy ouhadanhour
l
eft
… Thatni ghtwhenIwasshot …IthoughtI
wasdy i
ng.Wewer esupposedt omeetatt he
motelRonst aysat.Whi chwascl oser.Ea’
s
pl
acewasal socloserforme.Ourpl acewas
wayoutoft heway … butIj ustwantedt ospend
t
hel
astmoment
sofmyl
i
fewi
thy
ou.
Shesatonthebedsnif
fl
ing,andIwenttoseat
wit
hher,huggi
ngherandkissingherhead.
LUBA:
Thi
sisal
lnewt
ome,
Kar
tel
.It
’sscar
y…
KARTEL: AndIunder
st andthat
… Ir eal
lydo.I
promiseyouI’
m gonnagetout .Getourcash,
buil
dsomet hi
nglegi
t,andwedi p.Ineedy ou,
Luba…Iam amesswi thoutyou.Please…Iam
begging.
Shewasqui
etf
orsomet
ime.Iwassur
eshe
wasgonnal
eav
e.
LUBA:
Kar
tel
,pr
omi
semey
ouwi
l
lbecar
eful
.
KARTEL:
Isweari
t.Onmymot
her
.
LUBA:
AndnoEa.
KARTEL:
NoEa.
LUBA:Nomor ej
umps,j
ustdoproductunt
ilwe
arest
ackedandthenwegetout
.
KARTEL:
Done…
LUBA:Andi
fyouev
erlietomeagai
nIwi
l
l
cast
rat
eyouwit
hasickle.
KARTEL:
(laughi
ng)Ouch!
Isai
d,cov
eri
ngmyj
unkwi
thmyhands.
Iwatchedhersmil
e,t
hinki
ngthatwast
hemost
beauti
ful
smilei
nthewor l
d.
KARTEL:Iwast
hinki
ng…l
i
ke,
may
begeta
si
mplecar.
LUBA:Yougot t
ahavear easonforhavingal
l
thi
smoney ,babe.St
artabusinessthatcan
expl
ainital
l
, ot
herwi
sey ouaregonnerdodge
thest
reetsonlytobepinneddownbyt hecops.
KARTEL:(
smil
i
ng)Yousee,
youmakemea
bet
terman…
LUBA:ButIam notmovi
ngbackin.Atl
eastnot
yet
.Li
vingi
ndependenti
shel
pingmegrow.
*
***
***
***
*
LUBA
Well
,tosayt
heni
ghtwasgoodwoul dbean
under
stat
ement
.Especi
all
yaf
terf
iveweeksdr
y
spel
l.
Inthemorni
ngIshower edandworethebiker
short
sIworeyestar
day,pl
usKar t
el’
st-shi
rt
,
whichwasoversi
zed,butIf
eltcut
eallday
becausei
tsmeltl
ikehim.
Ataroundlunchtimemyki ngbr oughtmel unch
andhewasl ookingall
sortsofdel i
ciouson
somej eansandawhi t
eAdi dasjerseythatIgot
him.Mymancanweart hehelloutofcl ot
hes,
j
oh.IswearI’m gonnagobr okedr essingthi
s
onebecauseev eryt
imeIgoonFacebookor
passashopandseesomecut et hi
ngs, Ij
ust
seehim onthem.
Iwasdoingsomesl ayqueen’
slacewig
becausetheover
lylongoneshegotonhadall
sort
softhingsonitlikeshebeensl
eepi
ngon
somedi
rt
yfl
oor
sorwhat
ever
.
Shel
ookedupf
rom herphoneandsmi
l
ed.
NIKITA:Ohh,
babe… howdi
dyouknowIwas
here… y
ouaresosweet.
Wai
t,what
?
Theremustbesomeshor tni
ggast
anding
behindKart
elthatshewascal
li
ng‘
babe’
becausetherewasnowayshewast al
kingt
o
myki ng.
NIKI
TA:Nandosbabe,
I’
dhav
epr
eferasal
ad,
butawww…
KARTEL:
What
?
ME:
Youknowt
hist
ri
ck,
king?
Sht
.
IknewIshoul
dn’thav esai
dthat
,butherwhiny
Kim Kar
dashi
anv oiceannoyedt
hehelloutof
measshesatt here,cal
li
ngmyking‘babe’
.
KARTEL:
Longt
imeback,
not
hingspeci
al.
NI
KITA:
Excusey
ou?Not
hingspeci
al?
Ioop.
Ii
magi
nebei
ngcal
l
ed‘
not
hingspeci
al’
sti
ngs.
KARTEL:
Any
way
,Iwasj
ustdr
oppi
ngy
oul
unch,
babe.
NIKI
TA:Ohhhh,
thi
sishert
hen?Meh,
basi
c.
Youcoul
ddosomuchbet t
er.
ME:Li
feadvise,sweet
ie,
don’
tcal
lagi
rlwho
hasascissortoyourhead‘
basi
c’
.
Isai
dwi t
hasmil
eandshej
umpedf
rom t
he
chai
r,scr
eami
ng.
NIKI
TA:Iwantherf
ir
ed!I
sthi
showy outal
kto
customer
s?Waitaminut
e,Kar
tel
.Iknowyou
didnotmakemebuyallt
hosethi
ngsforasal
on
youaregett
ingf
ort
hisbi
ch…
KARTEL:
Damni
t,Ni
ki
ta!Shutup,
wil
lyou.
ME:
Whati
sshet
alki
ngabout
,babe?
NIKI
TA:Youdid?OhmyGod,
Kar
tel
!Youar
e
suchanass.
Shest
ormedof
fangri
l
yandIl
ookedatKar
tel
wit
hmyhandsfol
ded.
ME:Speaknow,orthesi
ckl
e.Whatsal
on?
Get
ti
ngitforwho?
KARTEL:(
laughi
ng)nothi
ngbi
g,i
tsfory
ou.But
youhavet
owai tunt
ily
ourbi
rt
hday.
ME:
It’
stwomont
hsaway
!
Hejustl
aughedandki
ssedmyhead,then
handedmethefoodandwal
kedoff.
Seshacameov
erwi
thasmi
l
e.
SESHA:OhmyGodwhendi dt
hishappen?How?
Gir
l,whyar
eyouhol
dingoutonme?
ME:(
smili
ng)I
tjustki
ndadi
d…wear
egonna
makethi
ngsworkthisti
me.
*
***
***
***
**
KARTEL
Aft
erdroppi
nglunchforLuba,Iwenttopi
ckup
mysecondhandAl t
ezza.Iwastir
edofnot
havi
ngacar,anduntil
wehav estackedupcash
well
,Iwil
lj
ustsettl
eforthi
s.
Ni
ki
takeptcal
l
ingme,
andIwasi
gnor
ingher
.
Damn,thatsal
oni
nci
dentwentbet
tert
hanI
expect
ed.
ButIknewIhadtocomecleantomyqueen
aboutcl
appi
ngNiki
ta’
scheeksafewdaysback.
Ican’
tbehel
dresponsi
blef
orthat
,Iwasdrunk,
high,
andLubahadlef
tme.So,no,Idi
dn’
tcheat
.
MyChi nesehookupcal l
edthatthesalon
machineshadar r
ivedinGaboroneandwi l
lbein
Franci
stowninaweeks.Man, ev
eryt
hingwas
goingsowel l
… mypar ent
shousewasget t
ing
done.Icouldn’
tbel
ievewhereIwasat .
ButLubawasr i
ght,Ineededabusinessthat
couldbeafrontf
orallthatmoney.Iwasn’t
gonnagethersaloninvol
vedinanythi
ngdirt
y,
thatasher
.baby.
Istart
edGoogl
ingeasymoneybusi
nesses,
crossi
ngofft
hosethatwoul
dn’
twor
kin
Botswana.
MovingandDeli
verycompany .Peoplear
e
al
way smovi
ngallover.Wanti
ngt osendthings
ar
oundthecountry
.Itwil
ll
ookl egi
t.Eveni
fwe
di
dn’
tgetcustomers,wewoul dfakethem and
j
ustchannel
themoneyt hroughthem.
Yea,thi
swasagr eatidea.Ihi
tupthose
Facebookpeoplethathelpyouregi
stery
our
company ,
bothmi neandLuba’scompany
neededregist
eri
ng.
ThenIcal
ledupadr i
vingschoolandregi
ster
ed
myflowerforl
esson,becauseassoonaswe
canputtr
aceinourmoney ,Iwil
lbegetti
ngmy
l
adyacart
omat
chherbossbabest
atus.
Now, aboutt
hathol
i
daywedi
dn’
tgett
otake
becauseshelef
t.
Il
ookedforhot
els,
madecal
l
s,andhadar
oom
booked.
Aft
erthat,
Igoti
nthemal
landpickedupsome
cutecl
othesIt
houghmyl
adywoul dlove,
then
packedabagandwait
edforhernearthesalon.
*
***
***
***
LUBA
WhenIwasabouttoknockof
f,Nnunuar
ri
ved
wi
thherbabydaddy
.
HI
M:Luba… war
enghel
a?
ME:
Sepe
HIM:Lanthalebonatheseshorttight
slooking
goodonany one.Theyal
waysl ooksor i
dicul
ous.
Hei,
Luba… gapewenay oul
ookgoodon
anyt
hing,
imaginesomeonel ookinggoodwi th
gr
eenhai
r.
Iflookscouldkil
l
,Nnunu’
sst
arewoul
dhav
e
slaughteredmebynow.Shecall
edmetot
he
officefuming.
NNUNU:Koor
ewenay ouj
ustcameherefor
men,
onkobeladicust
omer,al
lyoudoi
sbe
r
udeandhangaroundagangster
.
ME:
Ijo…
NNUNU: It
hinksi
ncetodayismonthend
al
ready
,let
smakei ty
ourlastdayher
e.
ME:
Ok
Shewasabi tshockedbecauseshehadwant ed
toseemebegandhav ethatpowert
ohur tme
becausehermanwant edme.Whyar ewomen
l
ikethis?Iwasn’
tevenint
eresti
nshortDavi
d
wit
ht hedadbod.
ME:
I’
ll
clearmydrawerbef
oreIleave.Do
r
emembery ouhav
etopaymet hreemonths
sev
erance.
NNUNU: Youthi
nkyoudeserveseveranceaf
ter
youwererudetoacust
omer ?Ialr
eadygave
youarewarni
ng.Youwereonpr obati
onand
vi
olat
editbybei
ngrudetotourcustomer.
ME:
Ok,
what
ever
.By
e.
Iwalkedoutfeel i
ngabitbummed.Ihat edthatI
hadnoj ob,
butmymangotme, andwhatwas
thataboutasal onblackRapunzelhadsaid?I
smiledtomy selfandwhenIl ookedup,myman
wasi nfr
ontofme.Hel ookedsogoodl eaning
againstanAltezza,smoking.
Hest
ubbedoutt
heci
gar
ett
eandsmi
l
edatme.
KARTEL:Hopeyouhavel
eaveday
sbecauseI
’
m
aboutt
okidnapyouf
orafewdays
ME:
Gotf
ir
ed,
kindoft
hesamet
hough…
KARTEL:
OhmyGod,
babe… ar
eyouok?
ME:
Yup.I
’
m good.I
twast
otal
l
yget
ti
ng
uncomfortabl
eany
way .Nnunu’sbabydaddy
beenleer
ingatme, andsheblamesme.
KARTEL:Wait
,what
?I’
m gonnagoknockt
hat
asst
eethoff
.Didhebot
heryouatal
l?
ME:(
laughi
ng)Pi
perdown,king.Icanhandl
e
t
hatf
ool.Whatwasthataboutkidnappi
ng?
KARTEL:
Wear
eof
ftoKasane…
ME:
What
?Idon’
tev
en… ok,
Iwi
l
lneedcl
othes.
Heindi
cat
edwi
thhi
sheadt
olooki
ntheback
seat
.
Loadsofshoppingbags.Like,l
oads,
all
sortsof
thi
ngsthatweremystyle,onlyafewali
ttl
ebig
ortoosmall
,butIcoul
dr etur
nthem.
Ineverev
erknewhowsexyi twastohaveyour
manbuyy ourclot
heswithoutyou.Thathepai
d
somuchat tent
iontomybodyhecoul dbuyme
cl
otheswithoutmepresent… aww…
ME:
OhmyGod,
babe…I
’
m gonnacr
y.Andt
he
wheel
s?
KARTEL:
Used,
soaf
for
dabl
e.Justf
ornow.
Thingaboutdati
ngathugis,moneyiseasyto
comebywhenhei sdoinggood,sospendi
ngis
easyforthem,henceyouaregonnabespoil
ed,
babygir
l.
Hehadevenboughtacool
eranddr
inksand
snacksf
ort
heroad.
Weat
edi
nneratsomerestaur
antt
henhi
tthe
r
oadj
ammingtoTupac’
s‘MeandMyGi r
lf
ri
end’
West oppedinNatatodroptwobigbagof
weedf orsomeone.Igotoutt
ostret
chandgo
usethelooatsomeshopwhi leKart
eldi
dthe
drop
Whenhegotbacki
nthecar
,hehandedmet
he
P8000i
ncashinabrownenvel
ope.
ME:
Forwhat
?
KARTEL:
(smi
l
ing)What
ever
,spoi
lyour
sel
fmy
f
lower
.
Thenhej usthitther oadagai n,wi
thasl ysmi
l
e,
seati
ngont hatseat ,leanedback, onehandon
myt high,t
heot heront hewheel ,r
apping
alongsideJayZas‘ ForeverYoung’ pl
ayed.
Gosh, youguys, whent hathandf l
exed..Al
l
thosev ei
nsuphi sar m… t hatcasualcool
energyashedr ov e… Iwasj ustmelti
ng.
Iswearwhenhecar essedmyt hi
ghIgotwet
j
ustl ooki
ngathim.Howcanamanbet hi
s
extremelysexydoingsuchamundanet hi
ng?
May beIam biased,butChanningTatum
str
ippinginMagicMi keneverevencamecl ose
tolookingthi
sgood.
*
***
***
***
*
Wear ri
vedintheweehoursoft hemorningand
checkedin.Oh,bytheway,Isawgi r
aff
esonthe
wayandsqueal edli
keakid.I
’veneverseen
gir
affesinmylifeevent
hought heyweremy
f
avor
it
eani
mal
.
Anyway ,
wewentst r
aighttobedandwokeup
aroundeleveni
ntheafternoon.Thebrunchwe
orderedwasamazing,awhol eplat
terofexoti
c
fr
uits,meatcut
s,cheese,andconfecti
onery
.
So,
thi
sishowsoftl
i
fefeels?Itwasal
lnewt
o
bot
hofus,andwewerejusti
ncloudni
ne.
I
nt heaf
ter
noonwewenttoaSafarit
our,and
thenwentbackt
othehot
elwhereKartel
said
hehadtodoadropatasunsetcrui
se.
ME:
Letme.
KARTEL:
Lety
ouwhat
?
ME:
Dot
hedr
op
KARTEL:
No
ME:IfI
’m gonnaunderst
andwhaty
oudoi
s
saf
e,Ineedtoexperi
enceit
.
I
nmyhead,ifIdi
ditandfel
tsaf
e,t
henI
’
dknow
hewassaf
eandwon: tworr
ysomuchal
lthe
t
ime.
KARTEL:
No
ME:Your
eal
lywantpeopl
etot
hinky
ourqueen
i
ssomekeptdamsel?
KARTEL:
Notsol
ongagoy
ouwer
eagai
nstal
l
thi
s.
ME:WhenwasIev eragainsti
t?Iam against
r
eckl
essness.Againstyoudoingjumps.Iwas
t
otal
l
ycool wit
hslanging.So,l
etmedot his.
KARTEL:
Fine,
comeal
ong.
Iputonmywhi t
eshor tandawhi tecroptop,
andawhi tesheerkaftanontop,thensome
whitesandal
sandl argesunglasses.Myking
wassohotonwhi teshortsandawhi tegolft
shir
t.Hehandedmet hestuffandIputiti
nmy
sl
ingbag.
Wegoti
nthecrui
seandhetol
dmewhot he
cl
i
entwer
e,andhungbackasIappr
oached
t
hem.Iguesshewant
edt
oscar
emeor
what
ever
.
Ipull
edachai randsatdownwi ththef our
Indi
anmeni nt heirf
orti
esorover.Theywer e
play
ingcards.Theyl ookedupi
nwonderat
somef ancylookinglit
tl
egir
lsi
tti
ngatt hei
r
tabl
e.ProbablythoughtIwassomesl ayqueen.
ME:Doy ouboy
sbake?BecauseIhav
e
i
ngr
edients.
Theyper
kedupcat
chi
ngmydr
if
t.
‘
Wher
eisKar
tel
?’
ME:
Het
ext
edy
ou.
Theguypul
l
edupt
hephoneandl
ooked,
then
smil
ed.
HI
M:Wel
l
,showmewhaty
ougot
,honey
.
Iscootedunti
lIwasseat
ingnextt
ohi
m,my
chairt
urnedtofacehi
m.Iopenedmyhandbag
tolethi
m peek.
HI
M:At
ast
e?
Itookoutthesmallsamplepackageunderthe
tabl
eandheni ckedabitwit
hhislongnailand
snorted.
.Yup,ri
ghtther
e.Buti
twasqui eta
secludedtabl
eandnoonesawany thi
ng.
‘
Mhhh,goodstuf
f.Whydon’
twegot
omyroom
backi
nthehotel
soyoucanshowmewhatel
se
youhavet
hat’
sgood?
Hesai
dwi
thhi
shandonmyt
high.
Ipull
edmyl egbackasfastasfarbackasI
couldandbroughti
tbacktohiscrotchwi
tha
hardkick.
Hey
owl
edl
i
keawoundedani
mal
.
‘
Bich!Thathur
ts’
hesai
dwi
thsomeadmi
rat
ion
i
nhisey es
Whenhearingthenoi
seKart
elhadr
unover
,
crouchi
ngnexttomeandputsteel
poi
ntedto
theman’sball
sundert
hetabl
e.
‘
Whyareyoucomi
ngatme,
sheki
ckedme!And
i
thur
ts!
’
Ismi
l
edsweet
ly.
ME: Therei
smorewheret
hatcamef
rom i
fyou
evertouchmeagai
n.Cutmemymoneyand
takeyoursht.
Kar
telcockedthegunundert
hetable,
theman
shi
ft
ingabitatthesoundoft
hatcl
ick.
Theguyshookhisheadwithasmi l
eandpicked
uphisphone.Asecondlatert
herewasapi ng
i
nKartel
’
s‘busi
ness’phone.Moneytransf
erred.
KARTEL:Wegood.Let
sgo,
queen.Wegotour
dough.
HI
M:Keept
hisone,
Kar
tel
.Shehasf
ir
e.
Wewal
kedov
erwi
thmeov
ert
hemoonf
rom
t
her
ush!
Cany
ousayadr
enal
i
ner
ush!
Damn.AndKar
tel
all
cool
crouchi
ngt
her
eli
ke
hedidnothav eagunpoi ntedtoaman’ snuts
underatable,coveredbyt hetablecloth!No
hesi
tat
ion,compl etefocus.Seeingmymanat
workwassuchat urnon.Andt hatwewer eno
l
ongersmal lt
imesel li
ng,wewer epr oducers
sel
li
ngtodistributor
s…If eltal
ltypesofbig.
Hugeturnon!
AndIknowwat chi
ngmedoadr opgothi m al
l
workedouttoobecauseIcouldfeelhi
sboner
ashehuggedmef r
om behindwhil
ewe
watchedthesunset
,sippi
ngonourwi ne.I
twas
gonnabelitwhenwehotbackt othehotel
room.
*
***
***
LI
KE,
COMMENT,
SHARE

AThug'
sLov
e11
LUBA
Iwokeupcuddl edt omyki
ng’schest.Af
tera
steamyl i
ttl
emor ningwoodsession,
wel aidon
thebedj ustrevel
ingoneachother’
scompany ,
aftersuchal ongtimeapart
.
KARTEL:
Soooo,
don’
tbemad,
ok?
ME:WhydoIf
eel
li
kewhat
every
ouaboutt
o
saywi
l
lmakememad?
KARTEL:(l
aughing)Becauseyouaresmar
t.But
thisonei
sactuall
yyourfaul
t.Youl
eftmeall
aloneandlonel
y…anditwasapar t
yand…
LUBA:
Youf
**kedbl
ackRapunzel
.
KARTEL:
Who?
ME:(
laughi
ng)Yourl
i
ttl
etr
ickatt
hesal
ont
he
ot
herday.
KARTEL:
Itdi
dn’
tmeanany
thi
ng.
ME:
Didy
ouuser
ubber
?
KARTEL:Dude!Seri
ously
,whohitsaslayqueen
raw?Eww.Canwemov epastt
his?Pl
ease,
don’
tmakemet al
kaboutitanymorethanI
needto,
Ial
readyfeeldumbenough.
ME:Asl
ongasshewon’tbeaprobl
em.Iam
nott
het
ypetobefi
ght
inggir
ls.
KARTEL:I
fthereisonet
hingyouar
enever
gonnado,i
sfightgi
rl
sbecauseofme,
my
fl
ower.
*
***
***
***
*
KARTEL
Thenextfewday swereamazing.Ifeltl
i
kea
man,beingabl
et ospoil
mywomanl ikethi
s.He
j
oy,t
heexcitementasshepointedoutal lt
he
ani
malswhilewedr oveby…God, whycan’twe
beli
kethisf
orever?
Whenwef inal
l
ygotbackhomeearlymorni
ng,
I
droppedLubaatherpl
aceandheadedtomy
homev i
ll
agetocheckonmyparents.
Theylookedsomuchbet
terwi
ththepr
ivat
e
medicati
onwewereabl
etoaff
ordnow.
MOTHER:Myboy
…t hatyouf
indti
met
ocheck
onusev
enaft
eryourpromot
ion?
ME:
Promot
ion?
MOTHER: Paki
tol
dusyougotpromot
edatt
hat
companyyouworkwi
th.Thaty
ouarea
managernow.
That
’smysi
ster
,al
way
shav
ingmyback.
KARTEL:
Uh,y
ea…Icant
akebet
terl
eav
enow.
Howareyouf
eel
i
ng?Mdala?
FATHER:Ijustwanttoseeyougetmar r
ied,my
boy.Don’
twasteti
mer unni
ngaft
ercitygirl
s,a
goodwomancent resyou.Getmarr
iedmyboy .
KARTEL:
Iwi
l
l,soon.
Oneofmysupposedaunt
swal
kedi
nandcame
t
oseatwi
thus.
HER:
Isawt
hisni
cecar
,It
oldt
hesepeopl
ethat
i
t’
smysister
’sson.Ial
waysknewyouwoul
d
becomesomething,mynephew.
Ifmypar ent
swer en’
tar ound,I
’dhavet oldher
tokissmyass.Thesepeopl etreatedusl ike
trash,
mymot herwoul dbegforjustpapt ocook
forus,andtheywi l
lrefuse.Herownsi sters,
whower edoingpr et
tyok.Theyl etusst arve.I
remembert hi
sonespeci fi
cal
lygivi
ngust he
sawdustsheboughtf orherdogs.
HER:Thi
sisabi
ghouseyouar
ebui
l
ding.Wi
l
l
youmanagetof
ini
shi
t?
KARTEL:
Whatwoul
dbest
oppi
ngme?
HER:
Nnyaa,ker
aahel
a,l
egal
ekagat
weo
mmanegar
a.Akoonchonol
lemot
ogolo.
KARTEL:
Idon’
thav
emoney
…
The‘
towast
e’wassi
l
ent
.
HER:EemmebogolommaTi r
othemma
nt
abolel
amashi
,kanawenangwanawagagoo
gor
ekel
aboCr
emor
a.
Isighedi nresignat ionasmymot herwentt o
givehersomepowder edmi lk.Mypar ent sare
botht hesof test,kindestpeopl eIhadev er
comeacr oss.Theydi dnothol dgr udgesand
forgav eeasi l
y,andj ustlovet ohelpot her s,even
whent heywer ebl atantl
ybei ngt akenadv antage
of.Myf at
herwast hev i
l
lagehandy manbef ore
hegotast r
oke.Peopl ewoul dcal lhimt opat ch
theirroofingorsuch, andt hent ellhimt heyhad
nomoney ,theywi l
l paynextmont h,whicht hey
nev erdid.Andwi llenduphav i
nganat titude
towar dshi m whenheaskedf orhispay ment ,so
hewoul dletitgo.Sowenev erhadanymoney
forsur vi
val.
Ij
ustignoredmy‘aunt’assheaskedmet ogi
ve
hersonclothesorwhateverr
andom bull
.
Eventual
l
yshel ef
t.Imademypar entsl
unch
andjustchil
ledwit
hthen.Int
heev eni
ngImade
di
mmert oo, asmysist
erhadtoldmeshewas
onadat e.Fi
nall
y.Thegi
rll
i
ter
all
yneverhada
l
ife.IhadgivenherP3000togobuyhersel
f
somethingfancyfort
hedate,
hopeful
lyshedi
d.
Aft
erIcookedandser vedmypar ents,Ipi
cked
upmybr otherandsist
erfrom school,
thentook
aspadeandweedt hegrassclosesttothe
house.Ihavetoarr
angef orsomeonet ocome
anddot hewholeyard.
Ilov
ecomi ngtovi
sitmyfamilyli
kethi
s,we
havealwaysbeenverycl
ose.AndIcouldn’
twai
t
forthem t
omeetLuba.Ijustknewtheywere
gonnaloveher.
*
***
***
***
**
LUBA
Thenextmor ningIwokeuptooneofmy
goodiescl
ientli
ter
all
ybeggi
ngformetomake
somegoodi esforherasshehadmassi
ve
bi
rthdaypartycomingup.
Inol
ongerneed smal
lmoni
esl
i
ket
hat
,butI
am al
sonotonetoburngoodbri
dges.SoI
confi
rmedthegoodi
es.Idi
dn’
thaveanovenat
myhouse,soIneededtogotoKart
el’
splace.
Fir
stIwentt othemallst
oretur
nsomeoft he
thi
ngst hatweretoobigort
oosmal lwhi
ch
Kartelhadbought.ThenIboughthi
m afew
mor eclothes,
andwenttohisplace.Icl
eaned
up,didhislaundr
yandmadel unch,t
henwentto
seeNeel o.
Ifoundhercr
yingy
etagai
n.Hermotherhad
beenonhercaseagai
naboutajob.
ME:
Howwoul
dyoul
i
ket
omakeP2000?
NEELO:
Huh?
ME: Ihaveacaket obakeanddecorat
e,anda
bi
gbat chofcookies,candi
esandbrownies.I
havejustmadet hedough,soyoucanjust
comehel pmecutandbaket hecooki
eswhi l
eI
decoratethecake.
Shewassohappy
,andIr
emi
ndedmy
sel
fto
hir
eherwhenmysal onopened.Or rr
r… whynot
abaker ytoo?Sur ewouldexplainall
themoney
betterthanjustonesalon.Kartelhadtoldme
thathehadbeencont actedbysomeguyi n
Zambi a,andhewaschecki nghim out.Soi ft
his
wasl egit
,wecoul dbeexpandingorbusi ness
evenf urt
her.Whichmeantmor emoney .Which
meantweneededanot heralt
ernati
vet oour
evergr owingincome.
*
***
***
***
*
KARTEL
Aftermeet i
ngmypar ents,Iwenttochil
lata
restaurantdoingresearchonmyMov ingand
Distri
butioncompany .Ifoundsomeonet odoa
businesspl anforme, soIendedupseat i
ngand
wat chi
ngdocument ari
esonwel lknowndrug
dealers,andwhatt heirdownfall
hadbeen.
Mostofthem st
artedli
vi
ngtool
avi
shwi
thout
anyr
easonableexplanat
ionf
ort
hemoney.
Whi chat tr
actedt hepoli
ceatt
ent i
on.Weneeded
tohav eanexpl anat i
onofwhereourst ar
t-up
capital camef r
om.Ibouncedar oundi deas, and
themostpl ausibleonewaswor kingabr oad.No,
Iwasn’ tgonnagodosomej obabr oad, I
’
mt oo
busyher e.Backdat edexi
tandent r
ancest amps
canbei ssuedt oshowmewor kingt hreey ears
i
nUKasawai t
ress.Ihaveheardofsome
foreignerguy sdealingonVISAs.So, thatwas
sorted.Conv ertpossibl
esavingsf rom poundt o
pulaandi twouldexplainmehav i
ngP500000
tost artasalonf orLubaandamov ingcompany
forme.
Ical
l
edmyboy
stomeetupatacardeal
ershi
p.
Becauset
heywer estart
ingfr
om zer
o,andonl
y
took10% eachfrom ouroper
ati
on,Rueand
Monkhadn’ tsav
edenoughy etf
oracar.
AndI’
drathertheyfocusonstar
tingtheirown
busi
nessesalso,sotheycanexplai
ntheir
money.So,inst
eadofbuy i
ngmy sel
faf ancycar
,
IboughtasecondhandAl tezza,andtwoHonda
Fitf
oreachofmyboy s.No, I’
m notgenerous
l
ikethat.Justthatifthereiseverquestionson
them, t
hereitcouldleadbackt ome, andIdidn’t
needallthat.All
mycl osecrewhadt ohav e
businesses.Andwewer egonnakeepi tti
ght,
norunners,wecandoourownr unssincewe
j
ustdobi gsalesnow.
Isawt
hem getoutofat
axi
andwal
kov
ert
ome.
RUE:
What
’sup?
Ij
usthandedthekey
stoeachoft
hem aswe
l
ookedatthet
wocarspar
kedbesi
demine.
RUE:
What
’st
his?
KARTEL:Iknowit’
snotmuch… buti
tsal
lI
coul
daff
ordr i
ghtnow.
RUE:Withwhatmoney?Whaty oubeenupt o
Kart
el?Iknowwesoldbri
cks,butnotenough
yett
obuyt hr
eecarsandbui
ldyourfamil
ya
house.Andallt
hisf
ancycl
othes…
KARTEL:Don’
tbemad… Iendedupdoi
ngt
hat
j
umpwi t
hEaandRon.
MONK:
Youdohav
eadeat
hwi
shaf
teral
l
.
KARTEL: Befor
ey’
allgetsmartwithme, I
’m
here,ar
en’tI
?Wegott hecasht ofundour
operati
on.AndIgotyoutwot hese.Iam not
taki
ngnof orananswer,l
et’
sgodot he
paperwork.
RUE:
Dude,
arey
ouser
ious?
KARTEL:
Yup,
comeon…
RUE:
Man,
I’
m gonnacr
y…
KARTEL:(l
aughi
ng)I
fyouhugme,
I’
m gonna
punchyou.
MONK: Nopointtel
li
ngy
out
hiswas
unnecessar
y,r
ight?
KARTEL:Youknowmewel
l,
boy
.Can’
tgoupi
f
mybrother
saint
.Yout
woar
emybrot
her
s,
don’
tyouget?
*
***
***
***
*
LUBA
NeeloandIwerebusybaki
ngwhenther
ewasa
knock.Shewentt
oopen,andIcoul
dtel
lbl
ack
Rapunzel’
svoi
ceal
ready.
Iwentout
sideandl
ookedatherwi
thasmi
l
e
ME:
HowcanIhel
pyou?
NI
KITA:
Wher
eisKar
tel
?
ME:
Leav
eamessage,
Iwi
l
lpassi
ton.
NI
KITA:
Mxi
m… Kar
tel
?Kar
tel
!
Shesaidasshepushedpastmeandintot
he
house,
andIjustst
oodther
elaughi
ng.
ME:Nowthaty
ouconfi
rmedhei
snother
e,
wannal
eaveamessage?
NI
KITA:
Mxim…imagi
nethi
nki
ngy
ouhav
ea
manwhenhesl
eepsar
ound.
ME:
Oh,
youmeandur
inghi
s‘gof
**kcheaphos’
weekoff,
wher ehedi dn’
tevenbothertotake
yout
oapr operpl
aceandnai ledy
oui nadirt
y
matt
ressinanunf i
nishedhouse.Yup, I
’
mt he
onewiththeprobl
em her e.Ok.
Shestor
medof
fangr
il
yasIl
aughedandwav
ed
ather
.
Ij
ustknewt
hisgi
rlwasgonnabeapr
obl
em.
Thi
swasnotover
,Ijustknewi
t.
Iam notthetypeofgi r
ltofi
ghtforahowho
goesaf t
erotherwomen, butletmet el
lyou
honeyIwi ll
wipethef l
oorwithahot hat
constantl
ycomesaf termymanwhenhemakes
i
tclearhedidn’twanther.AndIknowf orsure
she’ll
bedoingthecomi ngafterbecause
bichesli
keherdon’tcareifamandon’ twant
them.Andhecan’ twhoopherassandnotend
upi npri
sonsinceheisaman.ButIcan.
*
***
***
***
*
Ni
ki
tawal
kedof
fangr
il
y.I
fthatl
i
ttl
egi
rlt
hought
shewasj
ustgonnawal
kawayshewascr
azy
.
Shewaspai nf
ull
yawarethattherewer
e
youngergi
rl
snow, at25shewasnol ongert
he
hott
estthi
ngintheroom ever
yt i
me.
Andherbankaccountwaspai nfullyremi ndi
ng
herthatsheneededt ofindanot herway .AKA
beKar t
el’
swife.Shewasn’ tnaïveenought o
beli
evethatwhole‘ IgotaCEDAl oan’ bull
,she
knewhewasi ntosomet hi
ngillegal,butshe
didn’
tcare,al
lthatmat teredwasi twasbr i
nging
i
nbi gmoneyandKar telwasgener ous.I magine
aguybuy ingyouawhol esalonwheny ou
weren’tevenmar r
ied.
Yea,Kartel
wasgonnabeat ot
alwi
n.Women
alwayshadt ocompromi
se,
ifhewashothe
wasbr oke,i
fhehadmoney,hewasugly
, ol
d,or
fat,
ifhewashandsomeandhadmoney ,hewas
ajerkorhadasmal l
dck.
ButKar
tel
washot
,al
lthatt
alldar
kand
handsome… hadstart
eddressingfineashell,
wasagent lemanandgenerous,hecoul dhi
tit
realgood,andmosti
mpor t
antly
,itwasobv i
ous
thatwhateverhewasint
o,hewasget ting
money .Canyousayhusbandmat eri
al!Her
husband,tobespeci
fi
c.
*
***
***
***
LI
KE,
COMMENT,
SHARE
AThug’
sLov
e12

LUBA
Thepastt womonthshadgonesof ast,
wit
hme
doingmor edropsandbakinggoodi
esfor
cl
ients.Kart
elhadexpandedthebusi
ness,
and
wewer edoinggood.
Todaywasmyni
net
eent
hbir
thday
,andIwas
exci
tedi
nmoret
hanoneway.
Wi
thKar
tel
teachi
ngmeathome,
andt
he
dri
vingschool,Ihadjustpassedmydrivi
ngtest
,
andgotmyl icense.Ofcoursewi t
hali
tt
lehand
greasi
ngtomaket hi
ngsgof aster.
Also,If
inal
lygett
oseemysal
on!Iwasso
excit
ed,Icoul
dhardl
ywai
t.
Iputonasequinedgol
dshortdr
ess,
andmy
hai
rwasalldoneupandlooki
nghot.
Iputoutmyking’
soutf
itt
oo,
andwhenhegot
dressed…damn,boy
.
Wefinal
lyl
eftandhedrov
eint
otown.Whenhe
par
ked,hebli
ndfol
dedmeandtookmyhands,
wal
kingmeupt hestai
rsi
ntoabui
l
ding.
Heremov
edt hebli
ndf
old,
andpeopl
eshout
ed
‘
HappyBi
rthday’
.
Itwasasmal l
,i
nti
mat efunction.Sesha,Neelo,
Kartel’
ssi
ster,t
woofmycl ientswhower eso
l
onel yi
ntheirl
ivestheythoughtwewer e
actuall
yfr
iends,some‘ i
nfl
uencer s’andtheyhad
broughtaf ri
endeach.ThenRon, Rue,Monk.A
f
iveot
hergi
rl
sIdi
dn’
tknow.
Seshacameov
erandhuggedme.
SESHA: Congr ats!Andhappybi rthday,boss
l
ady.Any wayt hesear efi
veofy ourother
employees.Kar t elaskedmet olookand
i
ntervi
ew, thenhi re.Car ol
isamasseuse, Leboa
nail
tech,Pearl amakeupar ti
st,Goratadoes
waxing,Lonef aci als.Theyallhaveski l
l
st odo
theotherjobs, that ’
sjustthei
rspeci al
ty.You
andIwi l
lhandl ehai r.Ihopeyoul ikethem.You
canhiremor east hebusinessgr ows.
Ihuggedher
,emot
ional
.
ME:
Babe… ohmyGod… y
oudi
dthi
sforme?
SESHA: Kar
teldid,
Ijustpatchedinhereand
there.Iam sohappyf oryou,babe.Letmego
showy ouaround.Bathong,gatwerrewadi
tatt
oomof acingont i
bil
eengat shosajaana.
Il
ookedatMonkandl
aughed.
ME:
Monk?Hei
sjustabugt
eddybear
.
SESHA:Monk?Hei
sli
ter
all
ytheopposi
teofa
monk.
ME:(l
aughi
ng)Wel
l
,hedoesn’
ttal
kmuch,
and
hei
ssweet.
SESHA:Sweet
?Themanhasahugespi
derweb
tat
tooonhi
sface!Andhi
sli
p…
ME:Sesha!Hewasbornwi
thacl
eftl
i
p,t
hat
’s
t
hescarfrom f
ixi
ngi
t.
SESHA:
Ijoo,
nnahegi
vesmet
hechi
l
ls.
*
***
***
***
Ruest
oodwi
thKar
tel
andMonkdr
inki
ng.
KARTEL:
IthoughtI
’
dseemynephewt
oday
Monk?
MONK: (
sighi
ng)Ah,akerey
ouknowhowt hat
gi
rli
s.Weagreedhelasentl
egor
eIam having
hi
m kaweekend,thenall
ofasuddenngwanao
i
lemasimo.
KARTEL:Nxla,
buti
fyoumisschi
ldsuppor
tby
evenaday,shewil
lbej
umpingwal
ls.
RUE:Andthesadthingi
s,shedoesn’
tev
ent
ake
careoft
hebaby.Hermotherevensai
dMonk
shoul
dtakehi
m, butsheref
used.
MONK: Ah,
whatcanIdo,t
hel
awfav
orswomen
aker
e.Ruecheckt
hatout
… wi
fey
.It
hinkshe
l
ookedatyou.
KARTEL:(
laughi
ng)Thisishonest
lyadorabl
e.
Youtwoarecrushingoneachother.Youhave
togosaysomething,Rue… comeone.Nels…
takwanothemma.
Neel
owal
kedov
ershy
lyast
heyl
ookedather
.
KARTEL:
Monk,
hel
pmewi
thsomet
hingt
his
si
de.
Theywalkedof
fandRuel
ookedatNeel
o,
smil
ing.
Nowornev
er.
RUE:
Youl
ookni
ce.
NEELO:
Thanks
RUE:
May
bewecoul
dhangoutsomeday
?
Wow,gori
ghti
ntoi
twhydon’
tyou!Hewas
sur
eKart
elwoul
dhavedonei
talotmor
e
smoot
hly
.
Butshel
ookeddownandsmi
l
ed.
NEELO:
Ok
RUE:
Howaboutt
omor
row?
NEELO:
Uhm… ok
Theysatt
herei
nawkwar
dsi
l
enceunt
ilLuba
cal
ledNeel
oover.
*
***
***
***
KARTEL
Seei
ngthej oyi
nmyqueen’ sf
acewasjust
pri
cel
ess.Theplacelookedamazi
ng,andwe
hadafewi nfl
uencer
swhower egonnagetpai
d
topromot
eitat
tendi
ngt
hel
aunch/
bir
thday
part
y.
Andmybabyl
ookedsmashi
ngonthatl
i
ttl
e
gol
dnumber
,Icoul
dn’
twai
ttor
ipi
toffl
ater
.
Icoul
dseeRuel ooki
ngatNeel oy
etagain.God,
wasthisboyevergonnamakeamov e?It r
ied
tosor
thim out,
thenwalkedoffwit
hMonkand
Rontomeetsomel i
tt
leshtwhostol
efrom me
andwasselli
nginourterri
tor
y.
See,wehav enoprobl
em wit
nsmallt
imes,t
hey
buyfrom usanyway.Butt
hisguywassel
li
ng
bags.
Bagst
hathadgonemi
ssi
ngf
rom myhouse.
Whichmeantheknewme.KnewwhatIdi
d,and
di
srespect
edmeenought
obreaki
ntomyplace
andsteal
.
Man,Icoul
dn’
twaitt
omov etoRon’
spl
ace
wher
eitwaskeypadlockeddoor
s.
Monkhadpickedhi
m upear
li
erandputhi
min
anoffi
ceadj
acentt
othesal
on,t
hatIwas
rent
ingasmyMov i
ngCompanyoff
ice.
If
oundt
hel
i
ttl
eshtt
iedupandi
nacor
ner
.
KARTEL:So,
youar
ethebal
l
sofst
eel
nigga
whosteal
sfr
om me?
Iunt
iedhi
m.
KARTEL:
Standup…up,
mot
her
***
ker
.
Hest
oodupshaki
ng.
HI
M:Kar
tel
I…I
…
Ikneedhi
m har
dont
hest
omach
KARTEL: Youbr okei ntomyhouse… myf*
*ki
ng
housethatmyqueensl eepsi
n.Heri
nti
mates
arei
nt here.Yout hinkyoudeser
vetoseemy
queen’
spant ies?Doy ouknowhow
di
srespectfulthatis?
Ihi
thim sohardonthejaw,
asRontur
nedt
he
musicuploudertodrownhi
scr
ied.
ME:Youstealf
rom me.Thattel
l
smey outhi
nkI
am weak… t
hatyouthoughty
ou’dgetaway
wi
thit
HI
M:No,
no…Kar
tel
,pl
ease…I
…
KARTEL:Honestl
y,t
hathur
tmyf
eel
i
ngs.If
eel
fucki
ngdi
srespect
ed.
Ipunchedhim againandhefel
ldown.Ronand
Monkj oi
nedmeki cki
nghim unti
lhewas
bleedi
ng.
KARTEL:
Enough.
Ipul
l
edhim upwit
hhiscol
larandsl
ammedhim
agai
nstt
hewall
,pi
nninghi
mt her
eandshov
ing
myguninhismouth.
KARTEL: Iam gonnaletyouwalkwithyour
worthl
esslif
esoy oucant el
lthest
reetst
hatthe
nextni
ggawhot r
iestocomef ormel i
kethat
getsaslugthroughtheirf
**ki
ngskull
.
Ipushedhi
mtowar
dst
hedoorandki
ckedhi
m
ashest
umbl
edoutdi
zzy
.
Iknowt hismayseem brutal
,butwhat’
saking
withoutrespect?Andi
nthisworldofthugs,
respectisearnedwit
hblood.Simpl
yput ,
peopl
e
don’tf*
*kwi t
hy ouwhentheyfearyou.
*
***
***
***
*
LUBA
IhadseenKartelwalkoutwit
hRonandMonk,
andIwascur i
ouswhent heyweren’
tbackfor
thi
rt
ymi nut
es.If
ollowedthemusicandfound
them i
nsomeof f
ice.Ihi
dbehindthedoorand
watchedastheykickedsomeguysenseless.
Thi
swassuchadi sori
ent
ati
on.Seei
ngKart
el
vi
olent
.Iam usedt ohi
m asthegentl
emanthat
hewas.Eventheonet imeIsawpointagunat
someman’snut s,hehadbeencalm,col
l
ected.
Todayhewaspi ssed.
Ishr
uggedmyshoulder
sandwentbacki
ntot
he
part
y.Thatguypr
obabl
ydeser
vedi
t.I
over
heardsomet hi
ngabouthi m steal
i
ngf r
om
myking?That’stheform ofdisr
espectthat
coul
dr ui
nmyki ng’
sstreetcred,soitwasonly
ri
ghtthathecurbsitatthebud.
Iwatchedhim casual
l
ywalki
n,hugmef r
om t
he
backandkissmyneckl i
kehedidn’
tjustal
most
ki
llsomeone.
IguessIwi
l
lneedt
ogetusedt
othat
.
Heni
bbl
edmyearl
obeandwhi
sper
edi
nmyear
.
‘
youl
ookl
i
kemynextmeal
…‘
Hesaid,thatdeepv oicetur
ningmeon.Andfor
somer eason,watchinghim disci
pli
net
hatl
i
ttl
e
shtl
i
ket hekinghewasj ustnow…
ME:Mhhh,
youar
emaki
ngmewet
,papi
.Wher
e
di
dyougo?
KARTEL:
Tohandl
esomebusi
ness.Wet
,huh…
Hesai
d,car
essi
ngmybar
ethi
ghs.
,maki
ngme
moansoft
ly.
ME:
Mh-
hmmm
KARTEL:
whenist
hisgonnabeov
er?Ineedt
o
seet
hatwet
nessf
ormy sel
f.
ME: (
laughi
ng)Chi
l
l,gr
eedy
…theni
ghti
sst
il
l
young.
KARTEL:Atl
eastl
etmesmel
li
t… gi
vemey
our
pant
ies.
ME:
Huh?
KARTEL:
Pant
ies…now.
ME:
Ookay
…letmegot
othet
oil
etand…
KARTEL:No… f
indawayi
nher
e.Youhav
efi
ve
minut
es.
Heki
ssesmyneckandwal
kedof
f.
God,whywast
hatal
lbusi
nessv
oicet
urni
ngme
onso?
Il
ookedaroundunt
ilIsawthefoodt
able,whi
ch
hadalongtablecl
oth.Iwentt
oseatatthe
tabl
e,againstt
hewall,andpi ecebypi ece
sashayedoutofmyl acepant ieswi thoutli
ft
ing
mydr essorbeingnoti
ced, usingthet ablecl
oth
covertoslidet
hem offmyl egsj ustasIsaw
himlookingathiswatchandt appingi tt
oshow
met i
mewasr unni
ngout .Iwonder edwhathe’ d
doiftimeranoutbeforeIdi dast old.
Ist
rodeovert
ohim anddi
scr
eet
lysl
idthewet
wit
hmyj ui
cespant
iesi
ntohi
spantpocket
.
AsItri
edtowalkaway,hepull
edmebackby
thehand,
kissedme,andwhisper
edi
nmyear.
KARTEL:
(whi
sper
ing)I
’
m gonnaf
**ky
oudi
zzy
whenwegeti
nthecar.
Oh.My
.
Thenhej ustcasuallywentbackt ohis
conversati
on.Like,whatthehell
,howam I
supposedt ocarryonwi t
hany t
hingrightnow.
Mybodywaschar gedandtingli
ng.Insucha
shortdresswithoutpanti
es,Ifel
tsoexposed,
sowant on…andsosexy .Andwhenhet ookt
he
panti
esoutt hepocket,
hiddeni
naf i
st…
broughtthem tothenoseandinhaled…Lord
havemer cy!Mythugknowshowt oturnmeon.
*
***
***
***
LI
KE,
COMMENT,
AThug’
sLov
e13

Mybi r
thdaypar
ty/
sal
onl
aunchhadbeensucha
success.
TodayIwal
kedinandsmiled,l
ooki
ngatal
lmy
ol
dcustomersf
rom Nnunu’ssal
on.
Thensomenewoneswhohadcomet ot
ake
advant
ageofthe50%of
fopeni
ngsal
e.I
twasa
ful
lhousef
orsure.
Af
terIdi
dafewchecki
ns,Iwal
kedtothenext
of
fi
cewherethemainr
oom wasaf ourwork
st
ati
onsandfi
l
li
ngcabi
net
s.Mykingwasinthe
i
nner,small
eroff
ice,
looki
ngatpaper
s.Iwentt
o
seatonhislapandkisshi
m.
ME:
Howi
sitgoi
ng?
KARTEL:Roninvest
edtobuyt
hemov i
ngtr
ucks,
weareaddingcoldtr
ucksf
ort
ranspor
ti
ng
per
ishabl
esforf
armsandsuch.
Ipout
edandgotof
fhi
slap.
ME:
Youdi
dn’
ttel
lmeaboutherbei
ngapar
tner
.
KARTEL: Babe,comeon… afterev
ery
thing,I
didn’
thaveenough,,andshehadmoneyf rom
thelastj
ump, becauseal
lshedidwasrenovate
herplace.
ME:Butbabe,
isi
tokt
haty
oust
artabusi
ness
wi
thyourex?
KARTEL:
Roni
snotmyex.
ME:Yousleptwithher
…youwer
einl
ovewi
th
heratonepoint
.
KARTEL:
Youar
ebei
ngunr
easonabl
e..Thi
sis
f
orus,
don’
tyougeti
t?Comeher
emyqueen…
Hest
oodupandcamet
ohugme.
KARTEL:
Roni
snot
hreatt
oyou,
myqueen.
Nobodyi
s.
Het
ookmyhandandputi
tov
erhi
shear
t.
KARTEL:
Feel
that
?Yea,
itbeat
sfory
ouonl
y.
Iheardaclucki
ngofheelsandt
urnedt
osee
blackRapunzelwal
kin.
OhGod.
.Whatdoesshewant
?
NI
KITA:Nebat
hoyoudidnoti
nvi
temet
othe
l
aunchwhenIdi
dever
ythi
ng?
ME:
Itwasf
orcl
osef
ri
endsonl
y.
NIKITA:(si
ghing)Luba,Idon’
twanttofightwi
th
you.Kartell
ovesy ouandIacceptthat
.What
him andIhad… i t
’sover
.Buthim andI,
wear e
fr
iends,Ihopey ouandIcanbef r
iendstoo.
Oooook?
NIKI
TA:Anyway,Icamet
osaycongr
atul
ati
ons.
Youarealuckygir
l.
ME:
Thanks?
NI
KITA:
Any
way
,seey
ouguy
s.
Shewalkedof
fandIwat
chedher,
notfool
ed
onebi
t.Sowearedoi
ng‘keepy
ourenemies
cl
oser
’huh?
*
***
***
***
**
Neelowokeupandf i
nishedcl
eani
ngt
hehouse
hummi ngtoher sel
f.Todaywasgonnabeher
fi
rstdateever.Andnextweekshewasstart
ing
ajobatt hebakeryforLuba.
‘
Gaosabat
etogel
a’
Shelookedupt
ohermotherhover
ingov
erher
wit
hherhandsonherwaist
,loomi
ngangry
.
NEELO:
Maa?
‘Youcal
lthi
scl
eani
ng?Mxim.Gi
vemeP500,I
knowyouwerebaki
ngwit
hthatgi
rlandmade
somemoney
.’
NEELO: ButIgaveyouP500lastweekwhenI
baked,andthismoneyisfortr
ansportt
ogot
o
workthroughoutthemonth…
‘
Nnakeagojesaonnamogame,mmewena
haotswar
amadiyour
efuset
ohel
p?Youar
e
sel
fi
shNeel
o’
Shesi
lent
lywentt
othebedr
oom andt
ookout
P500,
andgaveitt
ohermother
.
Shewat chedthewomanwal koff,feel
i
ngso
angry
.Thi swomannev eraskedherot her
daughterMonicaformoneyev enthough
Monicawor ked,t
hiswasnotf air
.
Shesmi
l
edasat
extf
rom camei
n.
‘
can’
twai
ttoseey
ou’
‘
met
oo’
Shesmil
edt
oherselfasshecont
inuedt
ocl
ean,
hummingahappysong.
*
***
***
***
**
KARTEL
Myqueenwasn’ thappywit
hmypartner
ingwi th
Rononbusi ness.Iknewshewasgonnal oseit
whenshef oundoutwewer emovi
nginthe
sameplace.Butshewi l
lj
usthav
etodeal ,
its
j
ustconvenientthisway.
Iparkedt
hecarandwal
kedi
nasRonwas
al
readywalki
ngRueandMonkt
other
enov
ated
house.
Ifoll
owedthem inandthelobbyhadbeen
turnedi
ntoal i
vi
ngroom withalar
geTVand
soundsystem, apoolt
ableatonecorner
,anda
shopstyl
ef r
idgethatwasgonnabesoon
stackedwit
hbeer .
Weeachpi ckedourbedr
ooms,whi
chhadt hei
r
ownbat hr
oom, t
oil
et,
andaful
l
yequipped
ki
tchenett
e.
Oneoft
her
oomsatt
hebackhadbeent
urned
i
ntoaki tchen,ast helargei
ndustr
ial
si zed
kit
chenwast urnedintoacookr oom wi thasun
roofandkey padl ocked.Therewassev eral
cupboardswheeepot tedweedplants, sat,
hydroponicssy st
em, andequipmentf orRuet o
cookt hecoke,andi nt hepant
rysomecoca
l
eav eswehadj ustgotten.Wewer ei
nbusi ness,
baby .
Atthebackwasarenovat
edswimmingpool
andlawnchai
rsf
orchil
l
ingout
side.
Astheroomswer
eful
lyf
urni
shed,al
lwe
neededtomovei
nwasourbags.
Wesatar oundandhadsomebeerwhi l
ewe
tal
kedbusiness.ThenIwenttoourplaceand
packedmycl othes.I
’dkeept
hisroom her
eto
stor
et hefurni
tureunti
lmyparentshousei
s
done.
ThenIwentt
opi ckLubaupfrom work.Aswe
drov
eoutofFrancist
own,shelookedatme.
LUBA:
Andt
hen?Wher
ear
ewegoi
ng?
KARTEL:Toourt
empor
arydi
gs,
Iwanty
out
o
movebackwithme.
Ipar
kedthecarandwewalkedi
n.Ronsati
n
thel
ivi
ngroom pl
ayi
ngv
ideogameswit
hRue.
LUBA:
(laughi
ng)Ok,
whyam Iher
e?
KARTEL:
Beni
ce.Comeon,
I’
ll
showy
ouour
spot
.
Il
edhert
oourr
oom andIknewshewaspi
ssed.
AssoonasIcl
osedt
hedoorshewentof
f.
LUBA:Youhonest
lywantmet
obeokwi
thy
ou
l
ivi
ngwithy
ourex?
KARTEL: Notmyex …andi t’
swhatwear edoi
ng,
Luba.I
t’ssafer,
wecanguar dtheproductand
I’
m wit
hmybr other
shere.WhenIam donewi t
h
myparentshouse, Iwi
llgetusapr operhouse.I
knowy ouareupset,buty ou’l
lbefi
ne.
LUBA:
Youar
esof
**ki
ngchauv
ini
st!Yout
hink
youcanjusttel
lmewhattodoandIaccepti
t?
WhatifIl
ivedwithmyex,
Kart
el,
wouldyou‘be
f
ine’
?
KARTEL:
(laughi
ng)I
’
djustmakehi
m mov
eout
.
LUBA:Iam notmov i
ngin,
Itol
dy ouli
vi
ngonmy
ownisimportanttomeKar tel
..
.Idon’
twantt
o
j
ustbeyougirl,IneedtoknowwhoIam beside
you.
KARTEL: Ir
espectt
hat.Fi
ne,y
ou’l
lkeepyour
place.Comeon,let
’sgetdr
esses.Dol
lari
s
throwingapart
yandifIwannakeephim
hav i
ngmyback,I’
m gonnaneedtoshowup.
LUBA:It
houghtDoll
awoul
dbepi
ssedwi
thy
ou
taki
ngoverhi
ster
ri
tory
?
KARTEL: (l
aughi
ng)Doll
adon’tsel
lbr
ick.
They’vealwaysdonesmallt
imepersonto
person.Plushewon’tl
etanyonethat
’snothi
m
comeaf terme.
*
***
***
***
*
LUBA
Idi
dn’
twantt
obeall
aloneatt
hepar
ty,
soI
cal
l
edupSeshaandwewenttopi
ckherup.
Wear ri
vedatDolla’
splaceanditwasthi
shuge
housethatwast eemingwithpeopl
e,ski
mpy
dressedslayqueens,andmendr i
nki
ngbeer
.
Kart
elsor
teduswit
hthedr
inksandwentt
o
fi
ndDoll
abecausehewant
edtotalk.
SeshaandIdancedt
oget
heraswewai
tedf
or
Kart
elt
obringussomebraai
.
Ifel
tsomeonebesidesme, hol
dingmebyt
he
waistandgri
ndi
ngtheircr
otchintomei
nan
excuseforadance.
ME:
Uhh,
excusey
ou,
no.
Isai
dasImov
edof
f.
HI
M:Cal
m down,
bichwear
ehav
ingsomef
un.
Hesai
d,gr
abbi
ngmeagai
n,andIshov
edhi
m
of
f.
ME:
Don’
tcal
lmeabi
ch,
leav
emeal
one.
SESHA:
Didn’
tyouheart
hel
ady
?
HI
M:Aww,
youar
ecut
etoo,
youcanj
oinus…
SESHA:
F**
kof
f,y
oudr
unkbast
ard…
Hecameatmeagai
nandsqueezedmyboob.
Thenhewaspul l
edbackbyt
heshoul
derand
Kart
elpunchedhim.
HI
M:Whatt
hehel
l
,wal
wanemonnaKar
tel
?
KARTEL:
Idon’
tfi
ghtt
rash…
HIM:Howwoul dyoufi
ghtwhaty ouare… your
p*ssyassdaddyshoul
d’vetaughtyouhowt o
beaman… wai t,
hecan’tbecauseheisn’
tone.
Doesn’tknowhowtobeone…
KARTEL:
Don’
tf*
*ki
ngt
alkaboutmyf
ather
.
Hetr
iedtocomeatKar
tel
again,
butmybabe
wassofast
,kneei
nghi
m,punchi
ng,ki
cki
ng.
Oneoft
hatguy
’sboy
str
iedt
ost
epupsot
hey
coul
dtakedownKar
tel
toget
her,butRongoti
n
fr
ontofhi
m andt
ookoutaknif
e.
RON:
Youdon’
twannadot
hat
.
‘
Yout
hinkI
’
m af
rai
dofagi
rl
?’
Ronpunchedhim,andwhenhecameather
again,
sheopenedupherSwisskni
feand
sl
iceddhi
m ofthearm,
laughi
ngastheguy
screamedi
npain..
RON:
Whatwast
haty
ouwer
esay
ingaboutgi
rl
s?
MonkandEahadgrabbedtwootherguyswho
weret
ryi
ngt
oattackKart
elandpuncheswere
j
ustfl
yi
ngontheair
.
Kartelhadpi
nneddownhi sguyandwas
punchinghim bl
oody.Ist
oodbehindhim
screamingforhi
mt ostop,whenInoti
ced
anotherguycomeathi m wi
thaknif
e.
Idi
dn’
tevent
hink,
justgr
abbedt
hebeerbot
tl
e
onthegr
oundnexttomeandwenthardonthat
guy’
shead.Iwasn’
tgonnaseemybabe
knocki
ngondeath’
sdooragai
n.
Theguyf
ell
backwi
thhi
sheadbl
eedi
ng,
butI
di
dn’
tcar
e.
Iyankedhar
deratt
hemor
onwhowast
oobusy
fi
ghti
ng.
ME:Babe!Enough,
it’
senough,
hei
snotwor
thi
t!
Comeon, Kar
tel
.
Hepul
l
edbackj
ustasapol
i
cecarpul
l
edupat
t
hegat
e.
KARTEL:
Let
sgo.
Hetookmebyhandandl edmet otheback
wayaspeopledisper
sedinahurry.Idi
dn’
teven
haveachancetogetSesha,butIsawMonkcall
herandshowfoll
owedquickly
.
*
***
***
***
***
*
LI
KE,
COMMENT,
SHARE
(
apol
ogi
esf
ormi
ssi
ngpost
ingy
est
arday
,wor
k
washect
ic.Iwi
llbetr
yingtomakeupf
ori
tthe
whol
eofthisweek.Muchlove)
AThug’
sLov
e14

LUBA
Kart
eldrov
etothatnewpl
aceandpar
kedi
nthe
tencargar
age.
Hetookmyhandandki
ssedi
taswewentt
o
ourr
oom.
Imadehi
m seatdownandcl
eanedupt
hel
i
ttl
e
cut
sonhisf
ace.
ME:Seri
ousl
y,whatt
hehel
l
,man?Whatwer
e
yout
hinki
ng!
KARTEL:
(laughi
ng)Hehadi
tcomi
ng,
hei
s
al
waysgoadingme.
ME: YoucannotdothatKart
el!Youcan’
tdr
aw
unnecessar
yattent
iontoyoursel
f!
KARTEL:
Youhear
dhi
mtal
kaboutmyf
ather
,
ri
ght
?
ME: Sowhat?Sowhat,doestherubbi
shhesaid
changewhoy ourf
atheri
s?Youneedt ogrow
upKar t
el,
weareabovepett
ysquabbles.Weare
ventur
ingint
obusi
ness,howwill
peopletakeus
seri
ouswheny ougoaroundcaughtinpett
y
fi
ghts.Mxim.
KARTEL:Ok,
ok!Iheary
oumyl
ady
,nomor
e
fi
ght
ing.
Ther
ewasaknockandEast
oodatt
hedoor
.
KARTEL:
Wassup?
EA:Ron.Sheaskedmet opickherupatDol l
a’
s,
thenshesaidshewaswai ti
ngbyt heroad,went
ther
e,sheisnotthere.NotatDoll
ar’
seither
.
AndIcan’treachherphone,nowmyphonedi ed.
Kar
telt
ookouthi
sphoneandt
ri
edcal
l
ingher
.
Noanswer
.
Hepi
ckeduphi
skey
sandki
ssesmycheek.
KARTEL:
Igot
tagof
indRon.
.
Ok?
*
***
***
***
**
Ronsatintheli
vi
ngroom ofDoll
a’
shouse
wai
tingoutthepol
icetol
eave.Shehadrunin
whenshereali
sedstupi
dassEahadleftheri
n
al
lthecommot i
on.
Dol
l
awal
kedbacki
nasatacr
ossher
.
DOLLA:
Isor
tedi
tout
,theyl
eft
.
RON:Cool
…uhm,
ok…I
’
llcal
lEat
ocomepi
ck
meup.
DOLLA:
Icoul
ddr
opy
ouof
f.
RON:
Thanks,
butI
’
m sol
i
d.
DOLLA:
You’
ver
eal
l
ygr
own,
youar
en’
tasugl
y
any
more.
RON:
(laughi
ng)I
fthatwassupposedt
obea
compl
i
ment
,yousuckati
t.
DOLLA:Hemissedyou,
youknow…aft
ery ou
l
eft
,al
lBozawantedwasyouback,
hedidn’
t
car
ethatyoust
olefr
om hi
m.
RON:
Ohwel
l
.
DOLLA:
Youst
il
lki
cki
ngi
twi
thKar
tel
?
RON: Nah, Kar
tandIwerenev
erathing,why
doesn’tanybodygett
hat?Wewerebot hl
onel
y
andhur t
ing,sowefoundwaystokeepeach
othersane.
DOLLA:
Good… good.So,
youar
esi
ngl
e?
RON:
That
,isnoneofy
ourbusi
ness.
DOLLA:Weshoul
dhangsometi
mes… y
ou
know,gett
oknoweachot
her
.
RON:What
?Ew!No.Youar
eli
ke… ol
d.Any
way
,
ar
en’
tyoumessi
ngwit
hBoza’
slef
tover
?
DOLLA:Idon’
tneedat
rophy
,Ineedsomeonet
o
ri
dewit
hme.
RON:
Goodl
uckf
indi
ngone,
Eai
sher
e,by
e.
Sher
anof
fandwai
tedf
orEabyt
her
oadsi
de.
Shehadmessedwi t
hDollarwhi
lewithBoza
becausesurvi
val
.Af
terDoll
acaughtherwit
h
Kart
el,hehadmadehersleepwit
hhim oft
en,
thr
eateni
ngtotel
lBoza.
Shesawanol dladywalkingwit
htwoli
tt
le
chi
ldren,
hol
dingalargecheckeredr
edand
whitebagandabeatuphandbag.Acoupl eof
l
oit
eringboyswherestalki
ngthem.
Shepal
medherpurplebedazzl
edgunand
madesuretheboy
ssawi t,
thenputi
tbackand
wal
kerovertot
heoldlady.
RON:
Letmehel
pyounkuku.
Theol
dladyhandedherabag.
OLDLADY:Ehebashi
manebat shabi
l
ewena?
Pel
ontseeit
aakerekanahel
ahaket sena
cor
ner
,baagontshwara.
RON:
Bai
l
e.
OLDLADY: Thanky ou… t hatbagal mostki ll
ed
me. .Iam f rom Gabor onei fy ouseemeoutwi t
h
chil
dr enatt hishourl i
ket his.Iwant edtotake
theset otwot ov i
sitt heirmot her,
mydaught er,
sheabandonedt hem.Ij ustant edt hem tosee
herf oraweekandcomebackwi t
ht hem.Owai i
,
whenwear ri
vedi nGabor oneshehadswi t
ched
offherphone.Iwai t edunt i
l Ireali
sedshe
wasn’ tcomi ngforusev ent houghsheknewwe
werecomi ng.SoIt ookt hel astbusbackt o
Franci stown, andIam goi ngt oaskf oraplace
tolayourheadsf rom t hisladyIknow, west ay
i
nJackal as.May beshewi l
l hav efood, basule
tal
adi ar amot saModi mo, Ididn’thav emoney
tobuyt hem anything.
Ronfel
tal
umponherthr
oatandheldback
tear
s,r
emember
ingav
erysi
milarj
ourney
.
Herbestpinkl
acedresswithherschoolshoes
andwhitesocks,
herhairt
iedinasloppypuff
hert
eny
earol
dsel
fdi
d..
.
Howlongthej
ourneyt
othebi
gcit
ywas… how
bi
gthebuster
minalwaswhenshear
ri
ved… i
t
haddi
zzi
edher.
Shehadshownthetaxidri
vertheaddr
ess
wri
tt
enonacrumpledpaper … oneoft
he
nei
ghbour
shadgivenittoher.
Shehadsmiledsoproudlyasshecarr
iedher
l
it
tlebagtothedoorofthebi
ghouse… thi
swas
wherehermitherl
i
ved.Whereshewasgonna
l
ivenow.Itl
ookedsonice.Hermotherwas
gonnabesohappyt oseeher…
Herbri
ghtwidesmi
l
eashermotheropenedt
he
doorwitht
wokidsl
i
ghtski
nwi
thcurlygol
den
hai
rintow
Butt
hesmi
l
ewasnotr
eci
procat
ed.
‘
Whatt
hehel
lar
eyoudoi
ngher
e!’
Hermot
hery
ell
ed,
bef
oredr
aggi
nghert
oacar
anduncer emoniousl
ythrowi
ngherintheback
seat,gentl
ystr
appingtheotherki
dsontheircar
seats,anddroveoff.Shehaddroopedheroffin
alesserfancysideoftown,gi
vingherastern
tal
kingto.
‘
Whatar
eyoudoi
ngher
e,Pat
ronel
l
a?’
‘
Mama,Iwant
edtoseeyou,
Ihavenotseeny
ou
i
nsi
nceIwasinst
andar
done!’
‘
Mommy ,
whoi
sthi
s?’t
heol
deroft
heki
ds
asked…
‘
Noone.Listen,i
fyouevercomebackher e
again,
Iwil
lbeatyou.Yougetinthathouse,and
i
nt hemorni
ngmycousi nwi l
ltakeyoutothe
busesback.
Thenshetalkedt
osomel adywhowassmoki
ng
acigar
ett
e,handedt
heladysomemoney,and
gotint
hecaranddroveoff.
‘
Idon’
tunder
stand’
shehadwept
.
‘
Sweet i
e,yourmotherhasaf ancynewlif
ewit
h
herwhitehusband,andal it
tl
edarkiewa
dikwabanyanadoesn’tfi
tint
othat.Aker
egape
shedidn’tt
ellhi
m onal engwanabecause
somemendon’ twantthatburden.
’
Thathadbeenherf irstandonlyhear
tbreak.
Shenev ertr
usted,
nev ergaveherhear
tout,
neverexpectedanythingfrom any
onesince
then.Andthathadbeent hel
astti
meshesaw
hermot hertoo.
Shehadn’
tev
enreal
i
sedtheyhadarr
ived,
lost
tot
hought
.Shehandedt
heoldladyherbag.
RON:I’
ll
runovertoseeifpeopl
einthetuck
shopIseeatadistancecanopenandsellme
somethi
ngforthekids.Geti
nsi
defi
rst,
Iwil
l
knockandsay‘KePatty’
Sheranof ft
othetuckshopgoi
ngdown
memor ylaneagai
n.Howhergrandmot
herhad
beathersensel
esswhenshecameback…
Toreal
isethatbot
hhergrandmotherand
motherwereinonthis!Theyhadplannedf
or
hermothertoabandonher.
Shewi pedtearsandknockedforsometime,
tel
li
ngsomesobst oryunt
ilsomeonecameto
sellf
orher.Shet ookthecannedfi
sh,l
oafof
breadand2l i
tr
esofcoke,thenranback.
Thegrat
itudeoft heoldl
adyasshehandedthe
food… t
heobv iousloveforhergr
andchi
ldr
en!
God,whatshewoul dhavegivent
ohaveatl
east
agrandmot herli
keher.
RON:Tshwar
angl
etaar
ekel
abanadi
chi
ps
kamoso.
Shehandedhert
heP280t
hatwasi
nherwal
l
et.
OLDLADY:Maa?Nny
aangwanaka,
gakebat
e
gogoshot
isa.
RON:
I’
m ok,
please,
takei
t.
Theol
dlady
’st
ear
sbr
okeherhear
t,andasshe
walkedaway
,shefel
tsuchangeratthi
smother
whohadabandonedthesel
ovelyki
ds.Angerat
herownmother…
Shehadfoundthebi
ch’
sphonenumber
,but
hadn’
thadthegutst
ocall
yet
.
Shescr ol
leddownt o‘
incubat
or’
.Hov er
edher
fi
ngerov erthenumber .Wentbackt ohome
screen.Startedtypi
ngamessaget oit,
then
del
et i
ngitast earsrandownherf ace.Shesat
downi nasmal l
trenchandbrokedowncr y
ing.
Why
?
Whycouldn’
thermot
herl
oveher
,butl
ovedand
r
aisesherot
herki
ds?
Nomatterhowmuchshepr
etendedshedi
dn’
t
car
e,i
thurt
.Hur
tsobad.
Herphonechimedandhel
ookedatKar
tel
’
s
nameont hescr
een.
KARTEL:
Pat
tywher
ear
eyou,
Eawassupposes
topi
ckyouup,butcoul
dn’
tfi
ndy
ou,
andDol
l
a
sai
dyoulef
t.
RON:Whatarey ou,
myfather
?Ithoughtt
hat
ni
ggaisdead.DoIneedtorepor
tmydi ck
appoi
ntmentstoyou?
KARTEL:
Youar
ecr
ying.
RON:
I’
m not
.
KARTEL:
Yesy ouar
ePatronel
l
a,youbett
ert
ell
mewhereyouareorIwil
lwanderaround
l
ooki
ngforyouandprobabl
ygetkil
l
ed.
RON:
Iam t
hesui
cidal
onei
nthi
sequat
ion.
KARTEL:Wher
eareyou,
Ron?Whathappened,
di
dDoll
atouchyou…
RON:What?Ew.No… Iuhm… Isaw andol
d
l
adythatsomest
reetki
dswer
eaboutt or
ob,so
Iwal
kedherhome.
KARTEL:
That
’sni
ce…
RON:
Sheuhm… shehadhergr
andki
ds… t
hei
r
mot
herabandonedt
hem.
KARTEL:
Ohno.Ar
eyouok?
RON:(sobbing)Shewental
lthewayto
Gaborone,andthebi
chswit
chedoffherphone
onthem.Whodoest hat!
KARTEL:
Iam dr
ivi
ngj
ustpastDol
l
a’s,
wher
e
ar
eyou?
I
’
llwal
ktot
her
oad.
*
***
***
LUBA
Honestl
y,whati
sthebi
gdeal aboutagr
own
womannotanswer i
ngherphone,thi
swasso
annoyi
ng.
Especi
all
ythathe’
djustl
eav
eli
ket
hat
,af
tert
he
daywehad.
Icall
edupSeshatocheckifshear
ri
vedhome
safe.WhenIhungup,Igotamessagefrom
Muny ar
adzi
.
‘
haventseeny
ouar
oundi
nabi
t,comehome,
I
missyou.‘
OK?
What
ever
,Ihav
enot
imef
orhi
m.
Il
aidupst
ati
ngatt
hecei
l
ingl
oomingatti
me
goby.Kar
tel
andRonwer
esti
l
lnotbad.
*
***
***
***
Seshasati
nthedri
ver’
sseatnervously.This
guyscar
edher.Whatkindofper
sont houghta
hugespi
derwebont hefacewasagoodi dea?
Plusifherboy
fri
endsawheronanot
herman’
s
car…
MONK:
Wher
edoIdr
opy
ou?
SESHA:
Kodi
blockong
MONK:Cool…doyoumindi
fIdr
opmyson’
s
t
hingsf
ir
st,
sincei
tsont
heway?
SESHA:
Sur
e…
Theydr
ovesi
l
ent
lyf
orabi
tandt
henhepar
ked
andcal
l
ed.
MONK: I
’
m droppingdil
otsangwana,
yousai
dI
shoul
dn’
tcomei ntoyourpar
ent
shomeatnight
,
socomegetthem.
Afewmi nut
esl
ateragirl
weari
ngapanty
hose
onherheadandMi ckeymousesl
eepi
ngtshi
rt
wakedout.
Hegotouttomeetherhal
fway
,wit
hplast
ics
bags,
bitshewal
kedovert
othecar.
MONK: Di
ntl
e,canIhav
emyson,
Iwi
l
lbr
inghi
m
backonSunday?
DINTLE:
Hei sgonetot hef
iel
ds.Thaaaka,wa
booadimil
wekol oi
kemang?( laughi
ng)
Monkgogi,
howcany ouhavemadi adikol
oi
ngwanawagagoasot ega?
MONK:Suff
erwher
e?Ibuyhi
m ev
eryt
hingand
gi
veyouP1500amonth.I
fhei
ssuff
eri
nglet
hi
m st
aywit
hmeee.
DINTLE:Whatdoesathiefl
ikey
ouknowabout
taki
ngcareofachil
d.Ebil
eyouareal
ready
givi
nggi
rl
srides?
Shewal
kedov
ert
oSesha’
ssi
de.
DI
NTLE:Excusemesweetheart
,thatf
rontseat
i
smine,t
hisismybabyfat
her.Youthi
nky our
bi
ghi
psandsmal lwai
stcancomebet weenus?
Di
dhetell
youheisadeadbeatdad?
MONK:Wi
ll
youst
opi
t!ForGod’
ssake,
Dint
le,
cany
ounot
?
DINTLE:WatshamekaMonkgogi,
ont shodi
sa
ngwanawat hogoeki
ma,ontshenyetsammele,
thenthi
nkyoucanmoveontobany anabadi
hips?Nxl
a!
Agi
rlcamef
rom t
hehousecar
ryi
ngachi
l
d.
HER:
Dint
le,
hei
scr
ying.
MONK:
Ithoughty
ousai
dhei
satt
hef
iel
ds.
DI
NTLE:
Mxi
m…
MONK:CanItakehi
m?Atleastf
ortoni
ght
?You
hav
ebeendenyingmemychildf
ormonthsnow.
I
’mtaki
nghi
m whethery
ouli
keitornot
.
DINTLE: Sothatmma-Dihi
pscanki l
lmybaby
.
Nxla!Trytal
ehim soIcanreportyouandhav
e
youthrownbacki npr
ison,j
ail
bir
d.
Shetookthepl
ast
icbagsandwal
kedbackt
o
thehouse.
Monksi
ghedanddr
oveof
f.
MONK:
I’
m sosor
ryaboutt
hat
.
SESHA: Don’
tapol
ogi
se,hercr
azyi
snoty our
faul
t.Haveyouconsi
der
edgoingtotake
cust
ody ?
MONK: Who’sgonnagivesomeonewi t
ha
cri
minalr
ecordcustody?Pl
usIdon’twantt
o
takemysonf r
om hismother,
crazyassheis,
sheisagoodmot her.Al
lIwantistobepar
tof
myboy ’
sli
fe.
*
***
***
***
**
KARTEL
IpickedupRonandshewasupset.Shehas
thesemoments,andev
enthoughIcan’
trel
ate,
I
feelforher
.
I
magi neyourownmom di scar
dingyouli
ke
tr
ash,andneverevenknowingy ourownfather
unti
lyouaretol
dheleftyousomeabandoned
di
lapi
datedbuil
dingwheny ouareanadult.
Somet i
mesIfocussomuchonwhatIdi dn’t
havegrowingup,If ai
ltoseejusthowmuchI
had.NotonlywasRonj ustaspoorasme,but
shehadnoone, raisedhersel
f.Itmademe
appreci
atemypar entsevenmor e.
Rongoti
nthecarandwedr
oveback.
KARTEL:
Youcool
?
RON:
I’
m sol
i
d.
KARTEL:
Whydon’
tyoucal
lher
…orgoseey
our
gr
andmot
herorsomet
hing?
RON:
Idon’
tf*
*ki
ngcar
e.
KARTEL:
It’
shur
ti
ngy
ou…
RON:
Isai
dIdon’
tcar
e!Dr
opi
t,wi
l
lyou?
Shetookoutabluntandl
i
tup,taki
ngaful
ldr
ag,
thenpassesi
ttomeandOt ookapuff
.
KARTEL:
HowcanIhel
p?
RON: YouknowI ’
l
lbeok.SometimesIsee
thesekindofsi
tuati
onsanditj
usttakesme
back,youknow.Icri
edallt
hewaybackt o
Franci
stownthatday.
KARTEL:
I’
m sor
ry.
RON:(sobbi
ng)IjustIsti
lldon’tgeti
t.Iwas
j
ustalit
tl
egir
l… herchi
ld.Sheusedt oplai
tmy
hai
randdressmei nprettyl
itt
ledressesand
tel
lmeIwassobeaut if
ul.Likewhatchanged?
WhatwrongdidIdo?
KARTEL:
Ihav
etol
dyoual
ready
,chi
l
drendon’
t
needtodoany t
hingtogaintheirparentsl
ove.
Youarenitt
heonewi ththeproblem, shei
s.
Justcal
lher
,itwill
bri
ngy ouclosure.
*
***
***
***
**
Seshagotoutoft
hecar
,happyherboy
fri
end
hadgonetohishomevi
ll
age.
Sheputt
hekeyi
namdunl
ocked.
Befor
esheevent
urnedonthel
i
ght
,shef
elta
hotsl
apacr
ossherface.
‘
Arey
oucheat
ingonmeSesha?
’
SESHA:What
?No,
babeIswearhej
ustgav
eme
ari
de.
‘
From wher
e?’
SESHA:
Lubai
nvi
tedmet
oapar
ty…
Anot
hersl
ap…
‘
ItoldyouIdon’
tli
ket
hatho.St
ophangi
ngwi
th
her.‘
SESHA:
Butshe…
‘
Don’
t,
don’
ttr
ytoexpl
ainy
ourwhor
ing’
Hemadet
oslapheragai
n,butshecov
eredher
f
acewi
thherhands.
‘
So,
youwantt
ofi
ghtme,
huh.
.Ok,
let
sfi
ght
…’
Hepunchedheri
nthestomachandgr abbed
herbyt
hehead,hi
tt
ingheragai
nstthewallas
shescr
eamedandbeggedf ormercy.
‘
Ot samaal
ebannabadi kol
oikaontebelako
tasennaakenakoloi
.WenaIwi ll
kil
lyoi
l
ebelet
ekweena.IswearSesha,Iwil
lstabyou
andhangmyself
.’
*
***
***
***
***
*
LUBA
Kar
telcamebackaboutt
wohour
slat
er,
smell
i
ngofweedandbeer.
KARTEL:
Ronwashav
ingahar
dti
me,
sowe
wentf
orabeer
.
ME:
Mxi
m
KARTEL:
Oookay
…youar
enothappy
.
LUBA:Areyousurpri
sed?Youwer egonefor
twohourswithyourex.I
t’
sbadenoughthatyou
l
ivewit
hher,buttobeoutt oget
herj
ustt
hetwo
ofyou,l
ateatni
ght?Legonewhyt hehel
ldo
youneedtogoaf t
eragrownwomani fshe
deci
dedtonotcomehome?
KARTEL:Babe,whatwearenotgonnadoistr
ip
aboutmehavingafri
end.Wearenotgonnado
that
.
LUBA:Iam nottr
ipping,Kar
tel
.Anywoman
wouldbeuncomf ort
ablewitht
heirmanl
i
ving
wit
htheirexandrunningoffwit
hher.
KARTEL:
Whydoy
ousayi
tli
keIwasoutt
her
e
f*
*ki
ngher!
LUBA:
Wer
eyou?
KARTEL:
Notev
engonnadi
gni
fyt
hatsi
l
li
ness
wi
thananswer.Ronhasbeent her
eforme
moret
imesthatIcancount.Sheneededme.I
wentt
oher.Caseclosed…
LUBA:
Wow… j
ust
… wow…y
ouar
eunbel
i
evabl
e.
KARTEL:
Sesesal
ang,
youknowIl
ovey
ou.
Hesai
dashecuddl
edmet
ohi
schest
,ki
ssi
ng
myhead.
*
***
***
***
***
LI
KE,
COMMENT,
SHARE
ATHUG'
SLOVE15

LUBA
I
nthemor
ningIwentbacktomyplacewhil
e
Kar
tel
wasworki
ngoutwithRonandtheboys.
ImetMuny
ajustwhenhewasaboutt
ohead
out
MUNYA:
Youar
erar
etheseday
s.
ME:(
laughi
ng)Aor
ra… Iwasj
ustv
isi
ti
ngsome
f
ri
ends.
MUNYA:Youdi
dn’
tev
ent
ell
meaboutt
henew
sal
on.
ME:I
’m sosorr
yMuny
a.I
thasbeencr
azy
.Not
wor
kingtoday
?
MUNYA:Acoupl
eoffr
iendsar
ehavingapi
cni
c
atsomefar
m.Oper
ati
vebeingcouple…
ME:Shem,coupl
e?Whatwil
lyoudo?Orhav
e
youf
oundsomeoneelse?
MUNYA:
Ifoundher
,butshedoesn’
tseeme.
ME:Shei
safool
,gat
wewhydowomennev
er
seet
hegoodmenne.
MUNYA:Owaii,
itsl
i
fe.Howabouty
ou,
back
wi
thyourboy
fri
end?
ME:
(si
ghi
ng)y
ea…
MUNYA: I
jo… Ithoughty
ousaidyoudon’tl
i
ke
hi
sli
fest
yle.Gonemmeodi rang,
hedrinkstoo
much?
ME:Uhm… yea… dr
inkt
oomuch.ButIlov
ehi
m,
soI
’
mt ry
ingtohel
phimfixhi
ssi
tuat
ion.
MUNYA:Somemendon’
tknowhowl
uckyt
hey
ar
e.Whatar
eyoudoi
ngt
oday?
ME:
Checkont
hesal
on,
why
?
MUNYA: Comewi t
hmet oapicni
cwit
hmy
f
ri
ends.Iam theonl
ysingl
eone,soI
’
dbea
t
hir
dwheel keleone.
ME:
Muny
a,I
…
MUNYA: Yougetachancetogetcl
ientsfor
yoursal
onifyoumakefri
endswit
ht hoseladi
es.
PleaseLuba.
Whatt hehell
,whynot?Kart
elcoul
dhavehis
preciousRonal lhewants.Besi
des,Iwas
curiousathowt heothersi
deliv
es.Thenormal
straightlacesi
de.
Sot
hat
’showIendedupmaki
ngsandwi
ches
wit
hMuny a,t
alki
ngaboutrandom stuf
fandj ust
havi
ngfun.Heisaniceguy, Munyar
adzi.
Ser
iousniceguyfri
endl
y,kind,har
dwor ker
.
*
***
***
***
**
Seshawokeupt
oherboy
fri
endmaki
ng
breakf
ast
.
‘
Hibeaut
if
ul’
SESHA:
Mxi
m…
Hecameov erandhuggedher
,ki
ssi
ngher
cheek.Seshawincedinpai
nfr
om herbr
uise.
‘
Aww,
sosor
rybabe,
canIgety
oui
cef
ort
hat
?
SESHA:
Ican’
ttaket
hisany
mor
e…
‘
Babe, youknowIlov eyou… kalewenaSesha
youl i
ket opushme.Youknowhowst r
essful
myl ifeisri
ghtnow, Iam tr
yingt
ohustleandput
thingst ogether
,gagokopane… andt henwena
youar eoutt her
erunningaroundlebannaba
dikoloi?It
’snotfai
rSesha,howdoy ouexpect
met
otakei
t?
SESHA:
Iwasnotr
unni
ngwi
thot
hermen!
‘
I’
m sor
rybabe,
Ilov
eyou,
ok?Letmehel
pyou
wit
hthat
.’
Shesatont
hebedasheputicet
oherbr
uise,
tr
yingt
omassaget
heswell
ingaway
.
‘
Babe, borr
owmeP2000, Iwanttoinvestonthi
s
otherprogram y
aoil,i
t’
sreall
ygood,Iknowa
guydoi ngi
twhoi sdoingreal
lywel
l.ThisoneI
canjustfeeli
t,i
t’
stheone.
SESHA:It
houghtthel
astthr
eewer
e‘t
heone’
,
andyoust
il
lhaven’
tpaidmebackf
orthe
moneyyoutooktoinv
est.
‘
Now, whyyougot
tasayal
lthat…yousee?You
sehowy oupushme?Iam t
ryingt
omakea
bet
terli
fef
orusandyoukeepsecondguessi
ng
me.’
*
***
***
***
***
***
***
KARTEL
WhenIwokeup,
Lubawasst
il
lsl
eepi
ng.
Iwentout
sideandf
oundRon,
EaandMonk
al
readyworki
ngout
.
KARTEL:
Ok,looksl
i
kethi
sscoundr
elbr
ought
backasmil
etopret
tyt
hatface.
Isai
dandwi
nkedaher
.
EA:(
laughi
ng)Theydon’
tcal
lmeMrLov
er-
Lov
erfornothi
ng.
RON:(laughi
ng)Nobodybuty
our
sel
fcal
l
syou
thatandlit
eral
l
y,f
**kyoubot
h.
EA:
Notabadi
dea…
RON: (l
aughi
ng)Youar
ebot
hseri
ousl
y
disgust
ing.Monk,
howdoyoust
ayfri
endswi
th
thesetwo?
MONK: (l
aughi
ng)theartoft
uningi
diot
sout
,
dearone,t
heartoftuni
ngidi
otsout
.
RON:
Teachme,
mast
er.
KARTEL:
Buthonest
lyt
hough.Yousol
i
d?
RON:
I’
m good.
KARTEL:
Sooo,
Monk…y
oudr
oppedSeshaof
f,
huh…
EA:
Sawthat…wi
tht
hosehi
ps,
I’
dbedr
oppi
ng
mypant
stoo.
KARTEL:(
laughi
ng)Boy,you’
ddropyourpant
s
forany
thi
ng.Ser
iousl
ythough,Monkhowdidit
go?
MONK:(
laughi
ng)Gowher
e?Nosy
mot
her
f**ker
s.
Man,t
hisi
stheli
fe.Myladypeaceful
l
yrest
ing,
myboysandIchi
lli
ng,myparentsdoi
ngbetter
,
moneycomingi
n,li
fegood… yea,t
hiswasit.
Ruecamei neat
ingapacketofchipsand
watcheduaworkout.You’
dthi
nkt hemanwas
al
lergi
ctodumbbell
sorsomething.
EA:MrRomant
ic!Wedoi
ngpi
cni
csnow,
hey
Rue?
RUE: (
laughing)Ifyou’
dnotsl eepwit
hgirls
withi
nt henextfivesecondsofmeet i
ngt hem,
you’dreali
sedatingisn’tsobad.Anyway, i
n
business.Ihadaboutt hirt
y-f
iveonebri
cks
readyinthekitchen…
RON:Shit
,that
’ssomeseri
ousdough… Igot
thr
eeinZambiawhowillt
akethr
eebrickseach,
andonebricki
nMaun,sogimmet en.
KARTEL:
Youcancr
osswi
tht
hat
?
RON: Easy
.Eawi
l
lneedt
ocomewi
thme
though.
EA:Nobiggie.Justletmedomydr
opinGC
fi
rst
.I’
l
ltakethreetoo.Goi
ngt
othi
spar
tyi
n
GC…
KARTEL:
Noti
ntheNi
ger
iant
err
it
ori
es,
Eagi
l
e.
EA:
F**
kem.Isel
lwher
eIwant
.
KARTEL:
Ea!Ther
eyougobei
ngr
eckl
essagai
n.
EA:I
fwekeeptryingtoav
oidt
oes,wear
e
l
imit
ingourmarket.Howwegonnari
sei
fwe
ar
ebeingp*ssi
es?
RON:Hei srightthough… eventuall
yweare
gonnaneedt osteponmor ethatjustDoll
aifwe
wannastackupf astandgo.Ot herwisei
twil
l
takeyear
sbecauset hecustomerbasewi ll
be
wayti
nierthatital
readyi
s.Isaywemonopol i
ze.
KARTEL:Fi
ne.Ij
ustwanty
ouf
**ker
ssaf
e,ok?
Becaref
ul.
EA:
Aren’
tIal
way
s?
KARTEL:
No,
as*
*ol
e,y
ounev
erar
e!
MONK:
I’
ll
taket
hree,
possi
blyf
our
KARTEL:That
’sgreat.I
’
llt
aketheremaini
ng18.
Gotsomeoneint
roducingmet oanupmar ket
..
Forei
gner
sandther i
ch.Pl
usIam workinga
dealf
orMozambi que.Goodtouri
sm equals
l
otsofusage.Mightneedt
ogother
eandscout
t
heplace,butt
he18Icanpush.
EA:Sht,guy
s.Wear
ereal
l
ydoi
ngt
his!Li
ke,
for
real
though.
KARTEL:
Takecashonl
y.Wedon’
twantt
het
rai
l
wit
hsuchbi
gdough.
RON:
Butwi
thcash,
howdowe…
KARTEL: ThisguyTom thatIrecentl
ymet
throughmysi st
er’
sboyfri
end.Ididhim asol i
d
andheowesmeone… heacl eanerforbig,big
guy s,andhecangeti ti
nthebanksf orus.I ’
ll
wor ryaboutthat.Guy
s,please,staysafe,Iam
notbur yinganyofyou.Thisgoesspeci fi
call
y
fory ou,Ea.
EA:
(laughi
ng)What
’dIdo?
KARTEL: Idon’tknow,exist?Imeanit,Eagil
e.
Alsoy ’
al
lmaker elat
ionships,wewantr et
urn
customers.Now, let
st al
kbusiness.Real
business,becausethisisnotourendgame.
Wegonnagetoutandl iveasaf eli
fe.Buty our
moneyneedst obeexpl ai
nable.RonandIhav e
gonei nt
ol ogisti
cs.Wi t
hthisincomi ngdough, I
am put t
ingupy outhr eeinglassproduct ion.I
havesomeonewor kingonabusi nesspl an,
becauseI ’
v ebeenf **kingbeggi ngyouf **ker s
tostartsomet hi
ngandnobodymov ed.It’
sa
goodbusi nessandnotcongest ed,andgl assis
neededev er y
wher e.Ifany oneobject s,
speak
now, soIcanbeaty ourstupidass.
MONK:
I’
m cool
RUE:
Met
oo
EA:
ButIt
houghtI
’
dgetanAudi
…
Kar
tel
gav
ehi
m awar
ningl
ook.
EA:
(laughi
ng)I
’
m ki
ddi
ng,
I’
m ki
ddi
ng.
KARTEL:
AsIt
hought
.
EA:(l
aughi
ng)Glassi
tis.Nobodyhasasense
ofhumorthesedays
KARTEL:
Notevery
thi
ngisaj oke,
youf
ool
.
Thi
nkIwannaseeyourassdead?
EA:Thehel
ldoweev
enknowaboutr
unni
nga
busi
ness?
KARTEL:I’
llgetpeopl
et orunthebusinesses
andeveryt
hing.PlusIhaveregist
eredforan
onl
inebusinessdipl
omaj ustsoIcangett he
concept
sandwedon’ tgetcheated.
*
***
***
***
***
***
*
LUBA
Muny apickedupaf ewofhi sf
riendsar ound
town,thenwedr ovetothebookedpi cnicspot
andot hercoupleswer ealr
eadyt her e,wi t
ha
l
argewhi teandr edpicnicmatlaidoutand
severalpeoplealreadylayi
ngabout .Muny a
i
ntroducedmeandwespentt i
met al kingabout
thei
rbor i
ngjobsandmundanel iv es.I twasf un
andrelaxing.Butextremelybori
ng.
I
ntheev
eni
ngwedr
oppedot
herbackandt
hen
stoppedatKFCbecausewewer
ebot
hlazyt
o
cook.
WedrovehomeandIwalkedoutofthecar
l
aughi
ngatsomethi
ngMuny ahadsaid.Ihad
notev
enseenthecarpar
kedattheotherside,
orKar
telsi
tt
ingi
nthehouseveranda.
KARTEL:
So,
that
’swhaty
oubeenupt
o.
ME:
Kar
tel
…
KARTEL:
Geti
nthecarwear
eleav
ing
ME:
Kar
tel
,I
…
KARTEL:
Get
.In.
The.
Car
MUNYA:Manchi
l
lout
,youcan’
tspeakt
oher
l
iket
hat
.
ME:
Muny
a,i
t’
sok…
MUNYA:NoLuba,
it’
snotok.Whatifhei
sdrunk
andhi
tsy
ouorsomethi
ng?Getinthehouse.
KARTEL:
Lubal
ashe,
geti
nthecar
.
ME: Youknowwhat ,f
**kbothofy ou,mydamn
fat
herdoesn’
tgettotalktomel i
ket hat
anymore.Munya,Idon’tneedsomekni ghtin
shi
ningamour,andwenaKar telyoucanf **
koff
,
Ihavenoroom foryouratti
tude.What
happenedto‘
hey ,
howwasy ourday ’i
fyouwant
toknowwhatIbeenupt o?Mxi m.
Ipushedthem asideandgotinmyr oom,
l
ockingmy sel
fin.Wheredoest hi
sonegetthe
gal
ltocomeatmeaboutwher eIgowithwhom,
whenhemademef eelparanoi
dwhenIt al
ked
abouthi
m andRont heotherday?
*
***
***
***
*
KARTEL
Ibeentr
yingtocal
lLubaalldaybecauseshe
j
ustlef
tandIcouldn’
treachher,
herphonewas
outofcoveragear
eaorsomet hi
ng.
IknowIam paranoi
d,butat
housandscenar
ios
weregoi
ngthroughmyhead.WhatifDoll
atook
hert
omakemepay
?OrtheGhanaiansf
ound
outi
twasmewhor
obbedthem… or…
ByeveningIwassickwi
thworr
y.Seshaand
Neelohadnoideawhereshewas.Isatather
doorhopingshe’
sshowup.
Andcany oubel
i
ev eshewasall
giggl
ywit
h
someguyandact edli
keIam wrongf
orcal
li
ng
heroutonit?
Andthi
sguywast her
etr
yingt opuffupli
kehe
wasTHEman, whil
eIwast alki
ngtomywoman?
Iwasthr
eesecondsawayf rom knocki
nghis
dumbteethof
f.
Lubawentinherhouseandl
ockedher
sel
fin.
Li
kethatwasgonnastopanybody
.
Isweart
hisgi
rlcanbesuchachi
l
dsomet
imes.
Ipi
ckedt
hedoorandgoti
nsi
de.
*
***
***
**
LUBA
Ihadjustundr
essedandwasabouttostar
t
bathi
ngwhent hedooropenedandKar
tel
walkedin.
F*
*ker
.
ME:
Youar
etr
espassi
ng.
KARTEL:
Andyouareannoyi
ng.Doy
ouknow
howworri
edIwasLubal
ashe?
ME:
Nobodyaskedy
out
o.
KARTEL:Don’
tassumeat onewi
thme.So,
whatnow,youf*
*kinghi
m?
ME:
What’sthatsay
ingagai
n?What
’sgoodf
or
t
hegooseisgoodfi
ethegander
.
KARTEL:
Idon’
tev
enknowwhatt
hatmeans.
ME:
Yougetwhaty
ougi
ve.
KARTEL: So,
what,justbecausey ouassumeI’
m
f*
*kingRon, youwentandf **kedanotherman?
I
st hatwhatyouaresaying,Lubalashe?
Hewasf
uri
ous.
ME:
Idon’
tev
enknowwhaty
ouar
emadaout
.
KARTEL:(y
ell
ing)WhatI
’m madabout
,
Lubal
ashe,i
sy our
unni
ngoffwit
houtt
ell
i
ngme
whereyouare!Iwasworr
iedsi
ck!
Atthi
spointhehadmepi nnedagai
nstt
hewal
l
wit
hhisdomi neer
ingbi
gbody,al
most
squashi
ngme.
Iwasn’tbackingdownt hought,
Idon’tcare
whatany onethinks,
Karteli
swrongf ormov i
ng
i
nwi t
hhi sex.Whowoul dwantt hat
?Andhei s
tr
ippi
ngaboutmespendi nganaf t
ernoonwitha
manI’m neverev engonnascrew.Nxl a.
Ipushedhi
m backaggr
essi
vel
yandsatont
he
bed.
ME:
Youar
esquashi
ngme.
KARTEL:Lubawee… IswearI
’
lll
ocky
ouupand
nev
erletyougooutagain,
…i j
a.
ME:
(laughi
ng)Thef
actthatyout
hinky
ou‘
l
et’
medoany t
hingi
shi
lar
ious.
KARTEL:Getdressed.Wearegoi
ngt
oapar t
y
wit
hsomef ancypeoplegat
wecockt
ail
.Ke
shapo?
ME:
I’
m notgoi
ngany
wher
ewi
thy
ou.
KARTEL:
(smi
l
ing)Fi
ne.BetRonwi
l
lbewi
l
li
ng
togo.
ME:
Mxi
m…
Il
ookedhimf
rom headt
otoei
nhi
sjeansand
sneaker
s.
ME:Youl ookamess.Act uall
y,seatdown, l
et
met r
imy ourbeardandf i
xt hatfade.Ithi
nkI
boughtyouanewbl azerIforgottobring,i
tcan
gowellwithjeans,sneakers,andthattshirt
.
Inanhourwewerelooki
ngf
ineashel
laswe
steppedi
nthecar
.
Iwaswear
ingabodyhuggi
ngsequi
neddr
essI
boughtfrom theseFacebookboutiques,
but
neverused,somebl ackshoes,andmyweav e
fel
lloosearoundmyf ace.Read,cuteasshel
l
.
Butwewerebot
hsul
ki
ngandt
hedr
ivewas
qui
etal
ltheway
.
Thepart
ywasinsomefancyhouse.I
twasso
cl
assy,
ever
yonel
ooki
ngsonice.
Someguycamet
omeetKar
tel
.
HI
M: Thi
sistheri
chas**ol
esIpromisedyou
af
teryouhandl
edthatt
hingforme.Uhlahlah.
Whoisthi
s?
KARTEL:
Myl
ady
,Luba…
HIM: Beaut
if
ul,uni
que…shei sagem, y
oul ucky
dog.Gooni nandmi ngl
e.YouwantShar on,that
blondkarenhairst
yleoldbich,shebeenmov ing
prescri
pti
onpill
stoal lt
hebour gi
ewhit
e
housewives,sheaskedmet ohookherupt oa
sell
erofotherstuff
.
KARTEL:
Shel
egi
t?
HI
M:Woul
dIi
ntr
oducey
oui
fshewasn’
t?
Wewentinsi
deandsatdown,
thenKar
tel
whi
sper
edinmyear.
KARTEL:Wegotsomenewsst uff
.Pinkl
itt
le
tabl
et,
.P160pertabl
et…seeifyoucanmov e
some.Thisishowweent ert
hismarket,
start
small
.Lookintoy
ourhandbag.
Hekissedmycheekandwal kedofftot
hekaren
l
adyfrom ear
li
er.Isatal
oneforsometi
me
wonderi
nghowIwasgonnapeddl ewhatwasin
myhandbag.
Iwentovert
oat
abl
eofsomebour
giel
ooki
ng
whit
egi
rl
s.
ME:
Heyl
adi
es…
Theyal
li
gnor
edme.
Ok
Isatdownandl
ookedatmyphonef
orabi
t,
thensmil
edattheonewhoseemedt
obet
he
queenbeeofthegroup
ME:Oh,honey,pl
easel
etmehooky
ouupwi
th
goodext
ensions… f
orf
ree.
HER:
Excuseme?
ME:Imean,
thosear
ejustsoobv
ious,and
humanhai
rwouldbesomuchbetter
.
HER:Excusey
ou,
thi
sishumanhai
r!Best
qual
i
ty.
ME:
Oh.
Ismil
edandwal
kedofftothetoil
etdoi
nga
countdown…Gi
rl
sli
kethatrespondtoi
nsul
ts
bett
er.
Wit
hinaf
ewminut
esIknewshewasgonna
f
oll
owmeanddemandandexpl
anat
ion.
Ihear
dherheel
scl
i
ckandf
akedacal
l
.
ME:
Yea… i
tssobor
ingbabe.Iam j
usther
efor
myman.It
hinkImi
ghthaveoff
endedsome
ni
cegirlthough,becausesomeonedi dherdi
rt
y
wit
hhair.Shegotsomebadr emyextensi
ons
andthi
nksi t
sgoodqual i
ty.I
’mjustgonnapop
someEsot hatIcanatleasttol
erat
ethispl
ace.
Ok,by.
WhenI‘
hungup’
,It
ookoutapi
l
landhel
diti
n
myhandasshewalkedI
.
HER:
What
’swr
ongwi
thmyhai
r?
ME:Babe,i
t’
snotqual
i
ty.Butt
hat’
snonei
fmy
busi
ness,
whatdoIknow,Iam j
ustasal
on
owner.
Ipr
etendedt
opopt
hepi
l
linmymout
h.
ME:
Ok,
byenow…
Istar
tedt
owal
kof
fwhenIhear
dhercal
lme
back.
HER:
Whodi
dyourhai
r?
ME:This?Mysel
f,babe.Iownthehot
testli
tt
le
sal
onintown,HeavenlyMane,
seri
ously,
come
thr
ough,wewil
lsor
tyouout
,wedoCaucasi
an
hai
rtoo.Seey
ouaround.
HER:
Whatwer
eyout
aki
ngj
ustnow.
ME:
Ihav
enoi
deawhaty
ouar
etal
ki
ngabout
HER:Comeon… Iusecoke,
Iknowwhen
somethi
ngi
susi
ng.What’st
hat?
ME: E,butIdon’
thav
eanyt
ospar
e,t
hisst
uffi
s
expensive.
HER:
Comeon,
justone… t
hispar
tyi
sbor
ing.
ME:Babe,
itsP180…realgoodst
uff
.I’
m not
gi
vi
ngawaygoodst uf
fli
kethat
.
HER:
Icanewal
l
etedy
ou…
ME:
Fine…
Idel
iber
atelytookoutthewholebagwithabout
fi
ft
eenpill
s,andgav eheroneaft
ershe
tr
ansfer
redthemoney .Iknewforsureshewas
gonnatell
herf r
iendsandthi
sstuffwi
llbegone
bytheti
meIl eft.
*
***
***
***
Bythet imewel eft
,thepartywaslit
,almost
ever
y onewashi gh,andwehadmadegr eat
contacts.Wehadbeenl aughingandmi ngling
andchat ti
ng,butthemomentwegoti nt hecar,
wewer ebot hbackt osulki
ng.Hedrovebackt o
hi
spl aceandIj usttookoffmymakeupand
shower ed,t
henl ai
dinbed, st
il
lnott
alkingt o
hi
m.
KARTEL:
Sti
l
lmad?
ME:
Mxi
m.
KARTEL:
Am Iwr
ongt
owor
ryabouty
ou?
ME:I’
mr eal
lynoti
nter
est
edKar
tel
,aker
ewena
youareneverwrong.
KARTEL:Youar
esuchachi
l
d….Madaboutsi
l
ly
thi
ngs.
ME:IfI
’m achi
l
d,whatdoest
hatmakey
ou,
pedo?
Helaughedandlai
dbehindme,spooningme
andkissi
ngmyneck,speaki
ngagainstmyski
n
ashepulledof
fmypy j
amatop.
KARTEL: Mygr eatestfearislosi
ngy ou.
Especiall
yyoubei ngtakenbypeopl ewhoIhav e
pissedoff.I
fIcan’ tr
eachy ou… Ipanic… It
hink
thewor st
… IbreakdownandI ’
mi r
rati
onal…I
woul dn’
tknowhowt of uncti
onwithoutyou…I…
thesepeople… Luba, therearesavage,thi
ngs
they’
ddot oyoui ftheyev ergotyou… the
thoughtof…t hethought …
Wor dschokedhi
m andhewal kedoff,stari
ng
outthewindow,shudder
ingasifwhat ever
thoughtshewashav i
ngaboutmeki dnapped
shookthev er
ycentr
eofhisbeing.
I
tbr okemyheart.I
’dnev
ereventhoughtofthe
fearhecouldbeliv
ingwit
h,consi
deri
nghis
naturalcar
ernat
ure.Heworri
edevenabouthis
boys.
Hewasn’tanemot ionalper
son,
andi thurtt
o
thi
nkIcausedhim somuchpani c.Reall
y,woul
d
atextt
olethim knowImaybeoutofcov er
age
havehurt
!Iannoymy sel
fsomet
imes.
Iwentov
erathi
m andhuggedhi
sback.
ME:I
’m sor
ry… Iam sor
ry,
youhavesomucht
o
wor
ryabout,Idon’
tneedtoaddtothat
.
It
urnedhim ar
oundandiki
ssedhi
m sof
tl
y,
i
nter
twini
ngoutfi
ngers
ME:
I’
m sor
rymyki
ng… I
’
m sor
ry.
Hecaressedmyf
ace,
looki
ngatmewi
tha
weaksmi l
e.
KARTEL:I
t’
sok… i
t’
snotyourf
ault
,li
keIsai
d,I
getpar
anoi
dwhenitcomestoyoursafet
y…
ME:Thenteachmehowt oshootagun…don’
tI
st
andbett
erchancesi
fIknowhowt opr
otect
mysel
f?
Iwassosur
pri
sedwhenhej
ustsai
dok.
Hepull
edmeagai nsthisbody,t
uckedtight
ly
agai
nsthi
sr i
ppedcheat,andhejusthel
dme
ther
e… If
eltsafe… pr
otected… l
oved.
*
***
***
***
**
LI
KE,
COMMENT,
SHARE
AThug'
sLov
e:16

LUBA
InthemorningIwokeupandwenttothe
kit
chen.If
oundRonmaki nganabsol
utemess
ofthi
ngsinthekit
chen.
RON:
Hey
ME:
Hi
RON:
Upf
orsomegr
il
ledeggs?
Il
ookedatt
hepanandt
ri
edt
ohol
dmyl
aught
er.
ME:
Idi
dn’
tknowy
oucooked.
RON:
Todayi
sahar
ddayf
orEa.It
houghtI
coul
dcheerhim up.Makeafamil
ybreakfast
.
Heli
kesscrambledeggs.Wasgonnamake
some,butI
’
m sogood, Imadethem gr
il
led.
ME: (
laughi
ng)Idon’
tthi
nkIhav
eeverhear
dof
gr
il
ledeggs.Theyuhm…t hey
…lookali
tt
lebur
nt.
RON: Oh,thi
s?It’
sact ual
lybr aai…whoam I
kidding,Iam hopelessatt his, Idon’
tknowwhyI
evenboughtgr ocery
…Ij ust…i t ’
sthefi
rstti
me
oft hi
sdaycomi ng whenwear eallnot
struggli
ng.Wecanaf fordt ospl urgeandbuy
things…andi twouldbeni cei fwecoul djust
hav ebreakfasttogether,allofus…cheerEaup,
youknow.
ME:Wecoul d…Engli
shbr
eakf
asti
squieteasy
andfast…yea,l
ooksli
kewehavet
hingsfori
t
too… maybesomepancakesal
so…Icould
showy ou…
RON:
Real
l
y?
Shesai
dwi
thexci
tement
.
Iwonderedaboutt hisgi r
lalot… shehadthisI
don’tgi
veadamnper sona,butsometimes
ther
ewer ecracksofv ul
nerabi
li
tyandIcould
tel
lshelongedtobel ong.Andt odayshereall
y
seemedi nt
erestedinmaki ngsureEacheer ed
up.NotthatIhav eeverseenEanotcheer edup.
ME:Mhm-hmm…buty
ougot
tat
eachmehowt
o
bel
i
keyou.
Shel
aughed.
RON:
Whatdoy
oumeanbel
i
keme?
ME: Br
ave,
strong,f
earl
ess…Igetscar edandI
pani
candIf r
eezeand…Ij ustwishIwasst r
ong
andquickt
hinkingl
ikeyou.Andy oudoal l
that
l
ookingsodamnsexyandputt ogether!Li
ke,
seri
ousl
y,i
tsnotevenfairallofusmer emor tal
s.
Whatcanyounotdo?
RON:
(laughi
ng)Ican’tcookf
orsht
s…andt
her
e
i
snot
hingperfectaboutme…
ME:
Buty
ouknowhowt
o…y
ouknow,
takecar
e
ofbusi
ness…y
oucandef
endy
our
sel
f.Teach
methat.
RON:Youcan’tt
eachi
nst
inct
,youl
ear
nby
exper
ience.
ME: Thengivemeanoppor
tuni
tyt
ohav
ethat
experi
ence.Takemewit
hyoutoZambi
a.
RON:
What
?Kar
tel
wil
lnev
eragr
ee.
ME: Kart
elwoul dnotagreetomeusi ngabut ter
knif
eifgiventhechance.ComeonRon.How
am Isupposedt ostandbyhi ssidewhenIcan’ t
eventakecar eofmy sel
f?Youl ookli
kethat‘ gi
rl
power’typeofwoman, butwon’thelpanot her
womanhav eherownpower ?Whati fKartelisn’
t
ther
et oprotectme?Wi lly
oubeokknowi ngI
wouldhav edefendedmy selfhady outaughtme?
RON:Ah, emotionalblackmai
l.Ver
yni
ce.You
wil
ldowel l
kid.Idon’tevenhavemuchteachi
ng
todoitseems.
ME:
So,
yest
oZambi
a?
RON: Eaneverkeepsanyt
hingf
rom Kar
tel
.He
wil
ltell
him.AndKartel
…
ME:
Thenwedi
tchEa,
please…
RON:Ahhh,fi
ne,
buty
ougot
tamaket
hatwhi
te
peopl
ebreakf
ast…
ME:(laughing)Engl
i
shbr
eakf
ast
,andy
es,
let
s
getcooking.
*
***
***
**
Seshaopenedt hesal
onandwal kedin,
checkingthingsup, andupdatingthegi
rl
s
appointment s.Lubahadsai dshewasn’t
comingi ntoday ,butther
ewasanewgi r
lwho
couldtakeov erherappoint
ments.
Shewenttocheckherbrui
sesi
nami rr
or,
not
ici
ngthefoundat
ionandconceal
erdi
dv er
y
l
it
tl
etohidethem.
Shesi
ghedheavi
l
y.Sheknewshehadtol
eav
e.
Sowhyhadn’
tshe?Whywassheholdi
ngonto
t
hisrel
ati
onshi
pthatwassuf
focat
ingheri
nal
l
ways?
Thelookedupwhenshehear
daknock,
and
facetat
tooguyst
oodther
e.
SESHA:
CanIhel
pyou?
MONK: Lubaaskedmet odropsomeboxes
here.Condi
ti
onerorsomethi
ng.Wher
edoIput
them?
SESHA:Uhm… ok,
comet
hisway
,I’
l
lshowy
ou
st
orageroom…
Shest oodov erandlookedashewhi stl
edwhile
carr
yingtheboxesi n,wonderingalotabout
him.Hedi dn’ttal
kmuch…al wayswor eblack…
andthet att
oos.Plusthatsti
l
lfakeeyeball…
SESHA:
Howar
ethi
ngswi
thy
ourbabymama?
Whywassheevental
ki
ngtohi
m?Thiswashow
shegoti
ntr
oubl
einthef
ir
stpl
ace.
MONK:
(si
ghs)Owai
i
,st
il
lwon’
tletmehav
emy
sonover
.Shei
spuni
shi
ngmef
orbr
eaki
ngup
wit
hher.
SESHA:
Whydi
dyou?Br
eakupwi
thher
?
MONK:Iwasti
red.Whathappenedt
oyour
pr
ett
yface?
SESHA:It
’snot
hing.Thanksf
orbr
ingi
ngt
he
boxes,
youcanleave.
MONK:
Whohi
tyou?
SESHA:Mindthebusinessthatpaysyou.We
haveworktodo,so,unlessyouwannageta
weaveorsomething,youcanleave.
MONK:
Whohi
tyou.
SESHA:
Isai
d…
MONK:
AnswermeandI
’
lll
eav
e.
SESHA:(
sigh)Iwasmugged,
ok?Theybeatwe
upandstol
emyst uf
f.
MONK:
Shal
lIt
ell
youhowIknowy
ouar
ely
ing?
Becausesomeonewhogotmuggedwoul djust
say‘Igotmugged’notgoaroundci
rcl
esli
keyou
do.I
fhei shi
tt
ingyou,youneedtor
eporthi
m.
Andl eav
e.Anyway
, seeyou.
Hewal kedof
fandat earr
andownSesha’s
cheek.Shewipedi
tandwalkedouti
ntothe
sal
onwher eshest
art
edbrief
ingt
hegir
lsinthe
day.
*
***
***
***
*
KARTEL
Iwokeuptoav er
ylovel
ysight.Mybestbud
andmyqueensetti
ngupt heneverused
breakf
astt
abl
e,gi
ggli
ngtogether.
IknewitwasRon’sideabecauset
odayis
usual
lyaharddayforEa,andwealwaystr
yto
cheerhi
m up.
KARTEL:
Mhhh,
smel
l
sni
ce.
RON:
Boy
,youl
uckedout
…fi
neashel
l
,ar
ider
,
andmakesameanf
east
…cuf
fherbr
o.
KARTEL:
(laughi
ng)Soon,
babegi
rl
,soon.
IwentoverandkissedLuba,whomademe
tastesomet
hingshehadmade, thensentme
onaner r
andtowakeev er
yoneup.Ididn’
teven
havetobecausethearomaofthef oodgotal
l
thesedogsoutofthei
rrooms.
Weall
satatthelar
getabl
e,Ron,
Monk,Ea,
Rue
andhi
sladyguestNeel
o,meandmylady.
Myfamily
.All
havingbreakf
asttogetherand
l
aughingandj
ustbeinghappy.EvenEawas
chat
ti
ngandindulgi
ngintheheartybreakf
ast.
ThebestIhaveseenhim beonthisdayev er
y
year
.
*
***
***
***
Aft
erbreakf
astEagoti
nhiscarandashewas
aboutt
odriv
eoff,
Kart
elcameover.
KARTEL:
Youok?
EA:
Whywoul
dn’
tIbe?
KARTEL:Youar
eall
owedt
ofeel
,youknow.
Todayi
stheanni
ver
sar
yof…
EA:
Itdoesn’
tmat
ter
,ok?I
tdoesn’
t.
KARTEL:
Ify
ouwannahang…
EA:
Ihav
eat
hing.By
e.
Hedr
oveof
ftohi
shomev
il
lagecemet
ery
.
Hewal kedovertohismot herandlit
tl
esister
’s
gravesandst ar
tedweedingar oundthem and
poli
shingthemar bl
eofthenewt ombstoneshe
hadr ecent
lyputaft
ert
hatj ump.
EA:Heymama…Ihopey oulikeyournew
house… It
hinky ouwouldhav el
ov edit,i
thas
angel
sandal l
…Nny anawoul dhavelikedhers
too… i
t’
sli
kepi nkmarble.Sheli
kedpi nk.
Anyway…Igotanewcar …y oulikeit?Iknow,I
know,you’
dwantmet ogetagi r
lfr
iend…get
marri
ed.ButIjust… whatifIam li
kehi m?They
sayIam l ikehi
m… i mpul si
v ereckless…
Rememberhegott hedeat hpenal ty?Theyar e
fi
nallygonnasendhi mtohel lwherehebel ongs
i
nt hreemont hs.Andno, Irefusetof or givehim
orgoseehi m.Any way ,therei sagi r
l Ilike… y ou
knowher ,Pat
ty… shei s… unconv ent i
onal .But
sheisni ce.Idi
dn’tev enknowIf el
tliket hat
aboutherunt ilsher ecentlycamebackand
we’vebeenhangi ng.Idon’ tthinksheseesme
though, sothereist hat.Any way ,Kgat hi is
helpi
ngmegetr eal good.St artareal busi ness…
belegi t
.Iam gonnashowt hem alltheywer e
wrong.Iam notl ikehi m.Iam noti mpul siveand
reckl
essl ikepapa.Icanber esponsi ble…Iam
notlikehim…God, Imi ssy out wosomuch!
Fift
eeny earstoday .Fif
teeny ear
ssi ncehest ole
youf rom me.
Hewipedhi
stearsandki
ssedbotht
ombstones,
thenwal
kedbacktohi
scar,get
ti
ngatextf
rom
Ron.
‘
Yougood?
’
‘
Sol
i
d’
‘
I
fyouwannat
alk,
I’
m her
e…‘
‘
Don’
t.Kar
telhasal
readydonet
hepoorEasht
,
sogi
veitarest’
‘
May
behei
sri
ght
.Youshoul
dtal
kabouti
t.
’
‘
Soshoul
dyouabouty
ouri
ssues,
butIdon’
tsee
y
ouyappi
ng.
’
‘
Becausemyshtevencompar
es.Idi
dnot
watchmyfathermur
dermymotherandmy
l
it
tl
esist
er.
’
‘
Wow,t
hanksf
orther
eminder
,li
keIwasn’
t
t
her
e.Wannamessar
oundlat
er?’
‘
Anyti
me .Eagi
le,
seri
ousl
y,ar
eyougood?
Thi
sdayi
sal
wayshardonyou’
‘
F**
kof
f.Getsomeweedt
oo.Seey
oui
nabi
t.
’
*
***
***
***
***
Eaparkedhi
scarandwal
kedovert
ohisr
oom,
fi
ndi
ngRonalreadyi
nhi
sbed,smoki
ngajoi
nt.
Shehandedi
ttohi
m andhet
ookagr
eedypuf
f.
RON:
Yougood?
EA:Please,pl
easedon’
tmakemegot hrough
thewahwah.Weal lknowit
’sabaddayf orme
andIprefertorunawayfr
om i
teverypossibl
e
way,sotell
mey ougotboozetoo.
Sheheldupabot
tl
eofv odkaandhelaughedas
hetookofhi
stshi
rtandjoinedheri
nbed.
EA:
Nowy
ouar
etal
ki
ng
Shepushedhim downont hebedandst r
addl
ed
him,
leani
ngdownt okisshim andpassedonof
thel
i
ttl
epinkpil
l
si nhermouthtohim.
EA:Mhhh.SomeE.Now,t
hat’
sapart
yIwanna
bepartof
.Rockmebabyl
ikeawagonwheel
.
Yee-
haw!
Shel
aughedagai
nsthi
sli
ps,
nibbl
i
nghi
slower
l
i
passheundi
dhi
spant
szi
pper
…
{
EXPLI
CIT}
*
***
***
***
*
LUBA
Twoday slat
erRont ol
dmet opackan
overni
ghtbag.Isatonthebedpacki
ngasI
tal
kedtoKartel
.
ME: So,Iam gonnagocheckoutaspafora
fewdays… youknow, t
oseehowwecan
i
mpr ovethesalon.Maybemakeitaret
reat
placeoutoftown…
KARTEL:Al
ri
ghtbabe… t
hatsoundsli
kear
eal
l
y
amazingi
dea.Whycan’
tthesefool
sthi
nkl
i
ke
you?
ME:
Don’
tbesohar
dont
hem.
KARTEL:(
sighi
ng)Youareri
ght… weareall
fr
om har
dtimes,sowejustwannaenjoyabitof
l
uxur
y… buteverysi
ngl
esell
eri
nhi st
ory
’s
downf
all
wasunex
plai
nabl
emoney
.
ME:
Youst
il
lobsessov
ert
hosedocument
ari
es?
KARTEL:I’
m notgonnamaket hei
rmistakes.
AndIstandabetterchancewhenIknowwhat
theydi
dwr ong.I
’
m gonnagoseet hatcl
eaner
guytoni
ghttoseewhathegotf orme.Want
met osendy out
oy ourspa?
ME:Ni,Roniscomingwi
thwhil
eshewaitsfor
Eatocomebackf r
om hi
sdropsotheycango
toZambiatoget
her.
Ifel
tuncomf
ort
abl
ely
ingt
oKar
tel
,buthewoul
d
neveral
lowme.
*
***
***
**
LUBA
AfterKart
ell
eft
,IgotinthecarwithRonandwe
drovetoKasane,ar
riv
ingi nt
hemor ni
ngand
checkingint
oahot el
.Iwast i
redfr
om thedr
ive
andpassedoutmostoft heday.
WhenIwokeup, Ronwasout,butar
ri
vedafew
minut
esl aterandt
oldmeshehadwentt odo
ourfi
rstdropandgetlunch.
Ical
ledKart
elasIat el
unch.Itol
dhi
mI ’
dbe
spendi
nganothernight
,andhewascool wi
th.
Mostofthedaywej ustwatchedmovi
esinher
l
aptop.Li
keKartel
,shewasn’tmuchofatal
ker
ei
ther.
I
ntheev ening,shet
oldmei twast
imetomov
e.
Shejustbroughtherbackpack,
andtol
dmewe
weregonnat akeaboat.
Wet ookat axi,thengotinsomefisher
manboat
thatcrossedwi thoutevengoingt
hrough
i
mmi gration.Ronpai dthem andwetook
anothertaxiintoLivi
ngstone.I
tdr
oppedusat
somedar kpl acebehi ndabar.
Af
ewmi
nut
esl
atert
hreeboy
sshowedup.
‘
Weknowwhaty
ouhav
eandwear
etaki
ngi
t’
Whatt
hehel
l
?
RON:
Ohy
ea?Wher
eismymoney
?
‘
Bich,
yout
hinkI
’
m pl
ayi
ng?’
Oneoft hem grabbedme, andanot hertr
iedt o
comef orRon,butshepunchedhi m,theot her
tryi
ngt oo.Shewasf i
ghti
ngof fbothofthem as
theyt ri
edtotakeherbackpack.Icoul dn’
tjust
stayher eli
kesomehel pl
essdamsel .Taking
cour agefrom howmuchshewasf i
ghti
ng, I
head- butt
edmyat t
acker,andwhi l
ehemewl ed,I
pickedupast oneandhi thim.Twomor eguy s
cameandt hefourofthem hadsubduedRon,
ont akingherbackpackandl aughi
nghappi lyas
helookedi n.
‘
Jackpot,guy
s..It
houghti
twasjustthr
ee
bri
cks,seemsshewascarryi
ngnine.Weare
ri
ch.’
RON:Youmypar
tneri
sgonnaki
l
lyou,
right
?He
i
sri
ghther
einLi
vi
ngst
one.
Theyal
ll
aughed.
‘
Howishegonnaknow?Mech,
sli
tbot
hthei
r
t
hroat
s.’
Weknel tsi
debyside,bothbruisedand
bleedi
ng.Ronlookedatthem def i
antl
y,ref
usi
ng
tobegforherli
fe.Orsheknewi twoul
ddono
good.Theywerebentonget tingfreeproduct
andgettingr
idoftheevidence.
No.
No.
Wewer
enotgonnadi
eher
e.No.
IrememberedthedayBozaal mostki
ll
edus.
Theseguysdidn’tevenhaveguns,
all
Ron
neededwasadi stract
iont
ogettohers.
ME: Pl
ease… pl
easedon’
tkil
lme.Iwi
l
lnever
t
ellanyonei
twasy ou…Takeme,dowhatever
youwantwithme….Please…
Ireachedmyhandtomychestandstar
ted
undoingmyblouse…undoi
ngmyf r
ontclasp
br
a,l
ett
ingi
tfal
lopen…
Menaresi
ll
y,y
’al
l
.Seri
ousl
ythough.Ali
tt
le
boobt
akesawaythei
ratt
enti
onprett
yeasy.
Andwi thinseconds, Ronhadhergunpoi nt
edat
theringleader.Didn’tevenbothertalki
ng,j
ust
l
aidhi m downf lat.Thenwentforthenext ,
withoutev ensomuchnoi se.Kart
el hadtol
dme
theyhadsi lencers.Notthati
twouldhav e
mat t
ered,wi t
ht henoisefrom t
hecl ubandall
.
Onegrabbedherfr
om t
heback,
try
ingt
o
wrest
leherf
orthegun.
Ijumpedonhi sbackandfoughthim of
fher,
biti
nghisear,
forci
nghimt opul
lbackinpain,
andRonl ai
dhimf l
at,t
henranaft
ertheother
twowhodi dn’
tgof ar
,whil
eIstuf
fedour
productbackinthebackpack.
Shecamebackr unni
ngandtookmyhandandI
foll
owedherl
eadandr anasfastasIcoul
d.We
zig-
zaggedt
hroughyardsunt
ilwewereata
mainroadandhail
edacab.Wewenti ntoayard
wi
thonecorrugat
edironhouse,andoncewe
wereinsi
de,
wef i
nal
lystoppedandcaughtour
br
eath.
RON: Sawapoli
cecar.Theydidn’tseeme
though.Ni
cel
ydone,gir
l.Idon’
tthinkanyoft
he
boyswouldhavegott
enmybackl ikeyoudi
d.I
f
Ieverdojumpagain,Iwantyouwi thme.
Shesaidasshel
aughedsomuchshefel
lback,
andIj
oinedher
,bot
hofuslaughi
ngl
i
ke
l
unati
cs.
RON:Youok?Thatwaspret
tyhect
ic… so,
you
good?Youknowitwasei
thert
hem orus,r
ight
?
ME:
Ido… andI
’
mfi
ne.
RON:
Att
argi
rl
.
ME:Howaboutthebodi
es… won’tt
heydo
somefi
ngerpr
int
sormay bet
herearecamer
as
andal
l
.
RON: Wepickedthatpart
icul
arplacefordrop
becausenocamer as…andnei t
herofusar ein
thei
rsystem ev
eniftheygetforensi
cDNA, so
i
tsuseless.Nothi
ngevenputsusi nZambi a
becausewedi dn’
tgot hr
oughimmi grat
ion.
Shecheckedherphoneandshehadsev
eral
missedcal
lsandtext
s.
‘
wtfRon,
Iam wai
ti
ng’
Shefi
nal
lycal
l
edhi
m,t
henl
aughedwhenshe
hungup.
RON: Thosewer esomeofourbuy er’
sboyswho
wantedt ogor ouge.Theyf oundoutabout
today’
sdr op.Sot heymessagedhi m usi
ngmy
Zambi asim Ihadl ostwhil
ehere,andchanged
l
ocations.Hehasbeenwai ti
ngtherewhil
ethey
camet otheor igi
nal l
ocati
on.Hest i
llwant
sto
buy.I
’m gonnagodel iver
.
ME:
Whati
fit
sanot
hersetup?
RON:
Idoubthewasi
noni
t,andi
fhewas,
hei
s
notstupidenoughtomakeapl aceatmetwice
i
naday .Notaft
erIl
aidhisboysdownli
kethat
.
ButIam r eadyt
hist
ime,anyway.
ME:
I’
m comi
ngwi
thy
ou.
RON:
No
ME:
Iwasn’
taski
ngf
orper
missi
on.
RON:
Fine.Taket
his.
Shehandedmeagunbedazzl
edwi
thpur
ple.
RIN:I
t’
scockedandready.Ai
m, Putf
ingerher
e
and,andpul
lback.Bam.Youstayinthe
shadows,r
eadytoshoot.
Soagainwel ef
ttotheroad, t
ookacabt o
anotherlocati
on.Wedr oppedof faf
ew met er
s
away ,
andIhi dbehindat reeasshemethim at
thegate.Myhear twast humpingsohardasI
star
tedtopr ayital
lwentwel l
.Thiswasenough
exci
tementf orthenight.AndIdidn’
tevenknow
i
fIhadi tinmet oshootshoul dsheneedit.
Luckil
yitwentwell,
andshewalkedback
holdi
ngaf i
rstai
dkitandabagofclot
hes
alongsi
dethemoneyenv el
ope.Wewentback
toourshedt ocleanup.
Shewasal otmorebustedthanI,
fight
ingoff
fourguysonherownandal l
.Shewasbl eedi
ng
l
ightl
yinthefacefor
eheadandIthinkoneof
thencutherupwithsomethi
ngont hecleavage,
herwhitevestwassoaki
ngwi t
hblood.
ME:Waithere,
Ithi
nkIsawat
api
nthaty
ard
ov
erthere.
Iwalkedtotheyar
dnextdoor ,peedi
nside
thr
oughawi ndow,andsawasmal lt
ubwith
soap,nobodyhome.Ipickedthedoorandgot
i
nside.Nobodyhome.Pr obabl
youtgroovi
ng.
Iwentt ogetRon,andwarmeduswat erint
he
kett
le.Wet ookturnsbat
hingandchangedi
nto
thefreshclothesshehadbrought
.ThenImade
herseatont hebedasIdressedherwound.
ME:
Cany
ouseatst
il
l!
RON:
Youar
eput
ti
ngDet
tol
inmycut
!
ME:Fancybloodsepsi
s?Iam maki
ngsur
eit
doesnotgetinf
ect
ed.Now,st
opbeingababy
andseatst
il
l!
Shelaughedandshookherhead, t
hensatsti
ll
,
winci
ngasIcl eanedal l
thedirtf
rom t
hewound
andappliedanti
sept i
cscream, t
hendressedit
.
ThenIgav eherapai nkill
erfr
om thefir
staid
ki
t,andthrewourdi rt
y,tornfr
om thefi
ght,
bl
oodsoakedcl othesintothepit
ylat
ri
ne.
Att
hist
imeitwasar
ound3am andwewer
e
j
ustsot
ired.
Wetookablanketandapil
l
owfr
om t
hehouse,
andwentbacktotheshedwer
ewepassedout.
I
nthemorningwewokeup, caughtat
axit
oa
hot
elwher
ewehadbr eakf
ast,rent
edacar
,and
hi
tther
oadf orournextdr
op.
RON:Idon’tneedtotell
youwecan’ tt
ell
Kar
tel
aboutal
lthi
s,doI?Thebuy erdoesnotknow
Kart
el,
soitsallgood.So,wecool?
ME:
Yup.Iam notst
upi
d.Iknowhewi
l
lfl
i
p.
RON:
Goodgi
rl
Wear ri
vedi
nKal omotodoourl astdr
op.This
onewentwithoutanydrama,wef oundtheguy
wait
ingwit
ht hemoney,exchangedbags,and
drov
ebacktoLi v
ingst
one.
Theadrenal
inewasst ar
ti
ngtowearoff
,andI
wasstart
ingtodigestal
lthi
s.Weki
ll
edfiv
e
peopl
elastnight
.Almostgotkil
l
ed.
Butwhatchoicedidwehave,di
e?Not hanky
ou,
Ijustonl
yreal
lyst
art
edli
vi
ngafterescapi
ngmy
father
,andIam notgi
vi
ngthatup.
Iwassurpri
sedathowcalm Iwasaboutt
his.I
guessi
twast heblackandwhit
ewayRonwas
aboutt
hings.Sur
viveatal
lcost
.
RON:
Youok?
ME:
Yea
RON:
Youar
enott
alki
ngmyearof
f.
ME:
Ithoughti
twasannoy
ingwhenIt
alk?
RON:(l
aughi
ng)It
’sbet
tert
hanthesi
lence.I
don’
tknowifyouareokaft
erev
eryt
hing.
ME:Iam… i
tsj
ust
… Iam sur
pri
sedIam okwi
th
i
tal
l
.
RON: It
’sgood.I
tmeansy ouarelearni
ngto
survi
ve.Youknowwhaty ouneed?Youneeda
l
itt
lefuninyourli
fe,
gir
l,l
oosenup...AndIdo
fun.Idofunverywell
.
ShedrovetosomeplacecalledMukuniBig
Fi
vewher ewehadlunch,wentonaSaf ar
itour
andtooklot
sofpi
ctureswalkingwi
thl
ionsand
al
l.
ThenwewenttoVict
ori
aFallswerewet
ookt
he
hel
icopt
err
ideov
ertheVict
oriaf
all
s.
Whenwecameof fofthehel
i
copt
ershesawa
f
lyerf
orbungeej
umping.
Shel
ookedatmewi
thawi
ckedsmi
l
e.
ME:
No
RON:
P*ssy
ME:
(Laughi
ng)St
il
lno
RON:
Chi
ckensht
ME:
Chi
l
d.Andst
il
labi
gno!
Webot
hbur
stoutl
aughi
ngatourl
i
ttl
ebant
er.
RON:Fi
ne,
loser
,Iam goi
ngf
ori
t!I
’
llf
indy
ou
her
e.
IshookmyheadandlaughedasIwatchedher
getstr
appedupandj
umpedasshey ell
edin
exci
tement.
I
fIwantt
obelikeRon,Ineedtost
opbei
ng
f
ear
ful
.F*cki
t,Iam doi
ngthi
s.
WhenshecamebackIwentov
ert
oherast
hey
wer
ehel
pingherr
emov
ethest
raps.
ME:
Iwantago.
RON:
Hel
lyea!Iknewy
ouhadi
t!Geti
tgi
rl
!
Istoodatt
heedgescar
ed,
butshewasther
e
cheeri
ngmeinandtel
li
ngmehowfunitwould
be.
Theguypushedmeof fandIswearI
temporar
il
ysawheaven.Myscr eamswereonly
offear
,noexcit
ementinther
e.Ionlyf
inal
l
y
cal
meddownwhenIwassaf el
ybackonland
andoutofthosest
raps.Ifel
tsobadass.
RON:
Let
’sr
idet
hehi
ghev
enmor
e,comeon.
Shetookmyhandanddr
aggedmetoanot
her
pl
aceandIj
ustknewIwasi
ntroubl
e.
ME:
Ron… Ron,whatt
hehel
li
saDev
il
’spool
?
OhmyGod.Ronno… no.
RI
N:Yes… y
esbaby
,yes… wear
edoi
ngt
his.
TheDev
il
’sPool
tur
nedt
obepool
att
hev
ery
edgeofthef
all
s..Li
ket
hev
eryedgewher
ethe
waterdr
opsdown.
Ist
art
edshaki
ngmyheadi
npani
casshe
l
aughed.
ME:
Yousadi
sti
cli
tt
lesht
RON:(l
aughing)Ar
eyougonnabeascaredli
tt
le
gi
rl
,orareyougonnagr
abthedevi
lbytheball
s?
ME:Iser
iousl
ydon’tcareaboutt
hedevi
land
hi
sball
s…Ron, t
hislooksdanger
ous.
Butluckil
yt heyhadropeshiddenbythewat er
thatstr
apst oyousoyouar enotsweptoverby
thecurrent.Ronwentall t
hewayt otheseand
peekeddown.Iam nott hatbrav
e.
Thenwewentforlunchandhadl
otsofsel
fi
es
andwentshoppi
ng.
I
’venev erhadgir
lfr
iends,buti
fthi
sishowi ti
s,I
wantit.Ronwasf unandnaught yand
uninhi
bited.Ical
l
edKar telandt
oldhim Iwas
gonnagotoanotherspa.Atnightwewentt oa
bar,andt
henextmorninghadanact ualspaday
beforewedr
ovebackal t
ernat
ingdri
vingback,
si
ngingandr
appingalongloudlytoTupacand
Eminem.
*
***
***
***
**
KARTEL
IwassohappyLubawast aki
ngt i
met ohersel
f
withthesespat ri
ps,
andshecheckedi nt hr
ee
ti
mesaday ,whichmademef eel somuchat
ease.Ronalsocheckedi nandsaidthedr ops
hadwentwi thoutahitch,
eventhoughf orsome
reasonshehaddeci dedshenol ongerneeded
togowi thEa.
Myparent
s’housewasal
mostf i
nished,
andI
hador
deredallt
heni
cefur
nit
ure.
Foeonce,If
eltaccompl
i
shed.Atl
eastget
ti
ng
accompli
shed.
Isatbyt
hepool
onmyown,
hav
ingabeer
,
whenacal
lfr
om anumberIdi
dn’
tknowcame
i
n.
‘
Hi,i
tsAjax…Jami
li
ntr
oducedusi
n
Fr
ancist
own’
Oh.SomeguyIwasr ecent
lyint
roducedt oby
myIndi
ancli
entinKasane,butdidn’treal
l
y
knowhim wel
l
.Hehadshowni nterestinbuy
ing,
butnev
ergotbacktome.
ME:
Ajax?Yea,
Iremember
.HowcanIhel
pyou?
‘Ij
ustfel
tli
keIshoul
dapologi
esformyboy
s
goingr
ougeliket
hat… Ihadnot
hingt
odowith
i
t,Iswear
…
KARTEL:
Whatar
eyout
alki
ngabout
?
‘
Thedr
opwi
thRon.
..‘
Oh,sohewasoneofRon’
sZambi
ancont
act
s.
Cool.
KARTEL:Goty
ourpr
oductIhear
?Isi
ttoy
our
st
andard?
‘
It’
sv erygood.Theboy s…t heywer ewor ki
ngon
theirown, Iswear .Buty ourgi r
lshandl editwell
.
Youdon’ tneedtocomeaf terme.Iwantno
smoke.IswearIhadnot hingt odowi t
hit,
Ieven
helpedy ourgirl
s, gotthem ani cefirstaidkit
andachangeofcl ot
hes, plusagoodhot el.I
alsosmoot hedt hingswi t
ht hepolice, t
here
won’ tbeani nvestigat
ion.Ij ustfeltlikeIshould
talktoy ou,youknow… makesur ewear egood’
KARTEL:
Star
tfr
om t
hebegi
nni
ngandI
’
lldeci
de
i
fwearegood.
‘
Myboy sstol
eRon’ssim andusedi tto
messagemechangi nglocati
on.Ithoughti
twas
her
,soIwenttothenewl ocati
on.Theymether
att
heorigi
nall
ocati
onandambushedher ,
but
sheandtheothergi
rltookthem downwel lfr
om
whati
tseems.Allfi
vedown.‘
KARTEL:
Othergi
rl
?Descr
ibeher
.
‘
Ionl
ysawherwhent
heywer
eatt
heDev
il
’s
pool
,notdur
ingt
hedrop.Sli
mt hi
ck,gr
eenhai
r,
ver
yprett
y…doyouknowi fsheissi
ngle?
’
KARTEL:Askt
hatquest
ionagai
nandy
ougett
o
tongueki
ssmygun,nxl
a’.
Ihungupwit
hacuss,ki
cki
ngthechai
rhard.So,
that
’swer
ethehel
lshewas.AndRon,whatthe
hell
!
*
***
***
***
LI
KE,
COMMENT,
SHARE
AThug'
sLov
e:17

Monkwalkedt
owardst
hey
ardhehaddr
opped
Seshaatl
astt
ime.
Hecoul
dn’
tgetheroutofhi
shead.
Allbr
uisedandsosad.Howshetri
edtohide
theobviousfactt
hatsomeonewasbeat
ingher
up.
Hedidnotunderst
andmenwhobeatwomen…
i
fyouaresuchamanwhynotgetinaboxi
ng
r
ingandfaceothermenl
ikey
ou?
Ashegotcl
oser,
hecouldhearscr
eams
comi
ngfrom t
hathouse.
Hestar
tedjoggi
ngtowardsitandbr
okei
ntoa
f
ull
run.Whenher eached,hetri
edt
hedoorand
i
twaslocked.
MONK:
Sesha!Sesha!
Hebangedhisfi
stsonthedoor
,ev
ent
ual
l
y
f
indi
ngawiretopickt
hedoor.
Seshal
aidonthef
loorbr
uisedandbloodi
ed,
andsomescrawnymanknel tbesi
desher
.
‘
Shef ell
… shei
ssoclumsy,
Ial
waystel
lhert
o
becar ef
ul.Wai
twhatarey
oudoingi
nmy
house?
Monkpunchedhi
m sohar
dhef
ell
back.
ThenMonkknel
tbesi
deSesha.Herey
ewas
cl
osedshut
,herl
i
psswol
l
enandhernose
bl
eedi
ng.
MONK:
Weneedt
ogety
out
othehospi
tal
.
Het
ookouthi
sphoneandcal
l
ed.
MONK:Kart
el,Ineedacar,Ilef
tminebecauseI
want
edtotakeawal k… hejust
… hebeather,
man… i
tssof**ki
ngbad… itsbad… I’
m gonna
ki
l
lhi
m,Iam gonnaki l
lhi
m…
KARTEL:Monk,breat
h,br
eath… ok,that
’s
bett
er…justi
gnorehi
mf ornow.Ifsheis
bl
eeding,
tryt
ostopthebleedi
ng.Sendthe
di
recti
onsandI’
m onmyway .
Whenhehungup,
hel
ookedatt
heman.
MONK: Iam gonnakillyouoncesheissorted.
Youcanei t
herturnyoursel
fovert
othepol ice
andst andachanceofkeepi ngyourworthless
l
ife,ortrytorun,whereIcanguarant
eey ouI
will
findy ou,andkil
lyouinthemostpainful way
.
Now, f**koff.
Theguystumbledoutr
unni
ng,hol
dinghi
s
brokennosef
rom Monk’
spunch.
*
***
***
***
**
KARTEL
Iarr
ivedatSesha’splaceanditwasbad.Bad.
Shewasswol ledalloverandcoul
dn’
tmov e,
winci
ngandgr oaninginpainwhenwetriedt
o
mov eher.
I
tlookedli
keshehadtri
edt
othr
owthePOSout
bylooksofapackedbagwi
thmen’
sclot
hes
onl
y .
Ihav etogiveittoMonkf ornotl
osinghissht
s
though,becausei fhehad,eventhatguy’
s
mot herwouldn’tbeabletorecognizehi
sface
whenMonkwasdonewi thhim.WhenMonk
l
osesi t,i
tgetsugly.Ver
yugly.
Imovedthecarasclosetot
hedooraspossible
andwegentl
ymov edherin,
andMonksatwi th
heri
ntheback.Idr
ov et
hem tot
hehospi
taland
shewasadmi
tt
ed.
Wehungar oundunt
ilt
henur
setoldust
ogo
homesinceshewasonpainki
ll
ersandwil
lonl
y
beawaketomor r
ow.
Wewentbackhomeandsatwat chi
ngTV.Luba
hadcall
edear
li
ersay
ingshewasonherway
back.Sodi
dRon.Iwentt
oRon’sbedroom t
ofi
x
upsomethi
ngupabit.
*
***
***
***
***
*
LUBA
Whenwear r
ivedhome,i
twasaround8pm.The
boyswer esi
tti
nginthel
iv
ingr
oom watchi
ng
tel
evi
sion.Ronputherbagdownandsatwith
them t
owat ch.
Isati
nKar
tel
’
slapandki
ssedhi
scheek.
EA:
Ao,
let
ammogo?
RON:Yea,
sawherkor
enkengandgav
ehera
ri
de.
KARTEL:
That
’sni
ceofy
ou.Howdi
dthedr
op
go?
RON:
Absol
utel
yper
fect
.
Shesaidasshehandedhi
mthemoney
envel
opes.
KARTEL:
Awesome.
ME:Guy
s, I
’
m gonnagol
iedown,t
hisonemade
medr… uhm,i
twasalongbusri
deandIam
t
ir
ed.
Iwentt
othebedr
oom andKar
tel
fol
l
owedme.
Hepul
l
edmet
ohi
sbodyandki
ssedme
KARTEL:
Howwasy
ourspat
ri
pbabe?
ME:Amazi
ng!Feel
myski
n,i
t’
ssosof
taf
tert
he
t
reat
ment.
Hecar
essedmycheekandki
ssedi
t.
KARTEL:Whowouldhavet
hought…thatal
lit
takesf
orsof
tski
nistobeari
sktaki
ngli
ttl
eli
ar.
ME:
Huh…
KARTEL:Iam ver
y,ver
y,pissed,
mylov
e..Very
pi
ssed.Youseathereandt hi
nkhar
dabout
whereyou’
vebeen,andwhenIcomeback, you
bet
terhavefoundyourhonesty.
*
***
***
***
**
Ronst
oodupt
ogot
oherr
oom
RON:
I’
m knacker
edt
oo,
soI
’
m gonnal
i
edown.
EA:
Letmeusey
ourphoner
eal
qui
ck.
Shehandedi ttohim absentmi ndedlyand
walkedintoherroom.Themomentshegot
i
nside,thedoorshutandshenot icedthehandl
e
wasr emov edfr
om theinside.Shehear dadri
ll
asKar t
elf i
xedthr
eebol tl
ockst otheoutsi
deof
herdoor .
RON:
(scr
eami
ng)Whatt
hef
**k!
KARTEL:Whatthef
**kwer
eyout
hinki
ng,Ron.
Youtookheronadropi
nsomebackall
ey
wher
eit
ssuperunsaf
e?
RON: Wel l
,yousaidnottogointopeople’s
homes, andy oucan’
texact
lyhandov erthr
ee
bri
cksinpubl i
cwithoutbei
ngnoticed.Soback
al
leysitis.
KARTEL: Andaf t
eranattack,y
oudeci detogo
meett heleaderoft
hev erysamecrewt hatj
ust
att
ackedy ou.Thisi
sbey ondastupid.Thi
sis
str
aightupadeat hwish.Anddevil
’spool?What
thehell,
Patronel
la!
RON:
Opent
hedoornow.
KARTEL: Youar egonnastayinther eunti
l y
ou
l
ear nt
ov alueyourowndamnf **kingli
feand
stopmaki ngstupiddecisi
ons.Untilyoureali
ze
j
usthowdumbanddanger ousthiswas, you
canenjoyy ourli
tt
leti
meout .Wannaactl ikea
l
ittl
echil
d, gett
reatedl
ikeone.
Shehear
dhi
m wal
kof
fcussi
ngasshecal
l
ed
aft
erhi
m.
*
***
***
***
*
LUBA
Isatont
hebedf
rozenwi
thf
ear
.Soheknew.
Whatwashegonnadot
ome?
Hewal
kedi
nlooki
ngpi
ssedashel
l
.
ME:
Pleasedon’
thi
tme.
.
KARTEL: Jesus,
wil
lyoustopwi
tht
hat
,It
old
you,Idon’thi
twomen.Comeon.Wearegoi
ng
foraridetotal
k.Now,Luba!
Igotupandt rudgedafterhimlikeagoodl i
ttl
e
puppy .Wegoti nthecarandhedr oveoutof
Francistowntowar dstheTat if
iel
dsandwent
on.Ther oadwasempt yasitwasni ghttime
al
r eady,andhest art
edincreasingthespeed
steadily
, andwentupunt ilhewasf l
ooringthe
car ,
drivi
ngsof astIwasf eel
ingnauseat ed.
ME:
Kar
tel
,sl
owdown…I
’
m gonnapuke.
KARTEL:
Aker
eyouwannabeanadr
enal
i
ne
j
unki
e,her
eisy
ouradr
enal
i
ne,
babygi
rl
.
Thewi ndwhooshedpastusandIhel dont othe
seatfordearl i
fe,
especiall
yasacarcamef rom
theotherdirecti
on.Heswer vedatthelast
momentanddr overighttowardsal argetr
ee
sti
llatafastspeed.Att hispoi
ntIwasn’ tev
en
sureifhewasst i
ll
incontrolofthecar.IswearI
sawmyl i
feflashbeforemeaswei nched
towardstgatlargetreetrunkatshockingspeed.
Iwasshaki ngsomuch, nauseated,
scar edthe
hellout…
Iscr
eamedmyl ungsoutaswecamecloseto
thet
ree,
butheswer v
edtothesi
deandstopped
j
ustamer esecondbefor
ewehiti
t.
Iopenedthedoorandstumbledout,f
all
i
ng
downonal lf
oursandpukedmygut soutonthe
groundandallovermyclot
hesunti
lIwasdry
heaving,
thenIjustsatt
hereshaki
ngandcry
ing.
KARTEL:
Wast
hatenoughadr
enal
i
nef
ory
ou?
Akereyouwannaf
eelli
kesomebadass,doi
ng
dropsandget
ti
ngi
nfuckingDev
il
’spool
s?You
feell
i
keabadassyet
?No?Getinthecar
.
Ishookmyheadno, t
ear
srunni
ngdownmy
cheeksasIbeggedhi
m nott
omakemegetin
thecar.
KARTEL:Getinthef*
*kingcar,badshawt y
,we
gonnadoaj ump.Youjusthadaf eelofhowa
getawaycarfeel
sli
keany way.Getinthe
f*
*kingcar
,wegonnagodoaj ump, akereyou
areathugwena.Let’
sgo, Bonnie.
*
***
***
**
Ronpacedther oom,noti
cingthati
thadbeen
str
ippedofanysortofentert
ainment… no
l
aptop,novideogames,herphonewi t
hEa..
Justherandherthoughts.
Shehear
dEaspeaki
ngont
hecor
ri
dor
s.
RON: Ea,pl
easel
etmeout.Thi
sisi
nsane.What
thehelli
swrongwit
hKart
el?
EA:
Sor
ry,
butIagr
eewi
thhi
m.
RON:
Oh,
youar
eonet
otal
k!
EA:May beso,butwhaty
oudidwasr eckless
Ron.Youwentbackt omeettheleaderofthe
gangthathadjustmuggedyou.Youshoul d
havestoppedthatdr
op.Andmeet i
ngindar k
al
leys?WithLuba,whoknowsfokolabout
anyt
hing?
RON:OhmyGod,am Ibei
ngl
ect
uredbyy
ou?
Theki
ngofr
eckl
ess?
EA:Youdon’ tcareabouty ourownlif
e…wel l
,
someofuscar e,Ron.Wecar edeeply.Youtalk
abouthowmuchofal onewol fyouare.Haven’t
Kart
el andIalwayshady ourback?Monkand
Ruetoo, si
ncey ougottoknowt hem.Wear e
famil
y, y
ouar epartofthatfamil
y,andwecar e.
Itwi
llhurtasshtifanythinghappenedtoy ou.
RON:Manscrewy ou….Thelastpersontot
alk
aboutr
eckl
essnessisyou!Youloveliv
ingl
i
fe
ontheedgeandseeinghowmanytimesyou
canpushyourni
nelives.Howcomeyouarenot
l
ockedupinherethen.
Ea:Ohwel l
.Stayi
nther
eandusethi
sti
met o
refl
ectonyouracti
onsandseej
usthowwrong
theywere,andinafewdayswhenyouar
eready,
admi tt
othem andyoucancomeout
RON:
Day
s?What
!
EA:(l
aughing)Uhhuh.Afewdaysoughtt
ogi v
e
youti
met othink,wewil
lgi
vey
oufoodthrough
thebathr
oom wi ndow.
Shelookedatt
henailedshutwindowofher
bedr
oom indespai
r,andlai
dinbed.Sur
elyt
hey
coul
dn’tl
ockherupfordays.
RON:Ea!Eagi
lwe!Eagi
l
wey
ouopent
hisdamn
doorr
ightnow!
*
***
***
***
***
Iwasst
il
lsoscar
edIwasshaki
ngasher
ipped
offmypukedonsweatpant sandtshirt
,
throwingthem inthatground,
thentookawater
bottl
ef r
om thecar,mademer i
nsemymout h,
andpour edtherestofitinmyf r
onttowash
overwhat everpukemighthaveseepedt hr
ough
theclothes.
Thenhepi ckedmeupandt hrewmei nthe
passengerseatofthecar.Ifoughtt hedoorand
tr
iedtogetof f
,buthehadchi l
dl ockedit
,and
j
ustlaughed,gett
inginanddr i
vingagain.
Isatther
einj
ustmynowwetbr aandpanti
es,
sobbingandbeggi
ng.Hewasstil
ldri
vi
ngsuper
fast
,butnownotdeatht
rapsuperfast
.
ME:
(sobbi
ng)Idon’
twannadoaj
ump.
.
KARTEL: No,youaredoingi t
.Youwantt his
akere.NnaIam tryi
ngtokeepy ousaf ewena
youthinkIam anidiot
.Fine,Lubalashe,havei
t
yourway .Buckl
eupsugar ,becauseweaboutt o
rai
sehell.DoBonnieandCl ydef orr
eal.Wanna
bear ider?Let’
sri
desweetheart.Andwi pethat
shitoff,whatareyoucryi
ngabout,youar ea
badassaker e.We’
llstopatsomecl ot
hesst or
e
wer eyoupickthelocksandy ou’
ll
getclothes.
Let’shaveusagoodol ’
spreeofrobberi
es
tonight.
Il
ookedupathi
m wi
tht
ear
y,pl
eadi
ngey
es.
ME:Please… pl
ease…I’
l
lneverdoitagai
n… I
wi
llal
way sst
aysafeandli
stenandnotli
e… I
pr
omiseIwi l
lbegood.
Iwassoshakenup…
Hecouldn’
tkeepitup… hebrokehis
composureandreachedout,
caressi
ngmy
thi
gh.
KARTEL:Wear
enotdoi
ngaj
ump.You’
l
lbe
al
ri
ght.
Hegavemear eassuri
ngsmil
e.Idon’
tknow
whatwasitaboutthatsi
mplegest
ure,buti
t
t
otal
l
ybrokeme.Ibr okedownandbawledmy
ey
esout,myhandsonmyl apandmyf
acein
myhands.If
elthi
m squeezemyshoul
dersof
tl
y.
Wedr oveabitmorewhileIstay
edjustl
ikethat
cry
ing,andt henheparkedthecarandcamet o
mydoor ,openingi
tandtakingmeout,seati
ng
downandput t
ingmeonhi slap,
holdi
ngme
againsthisbodyassobsshookmi ne.
KARTEL:I’
m sor
ry… Ishoul
dn’thav
edonethat
.
Itol
dyouIbecomeirrati
onalwhenitcomest
o
yoursaf
ety.
Hecar
essedmyfaceandt i
ppedmychi
nupt
o
l
ookathi
m whi
l
ehesof t
lyki
ssedme.
Hestar t
edcar essingmybody ,squeezing,
nibbl
ing… withinsecondsIwasmoani ngand
rocki
ngt ohist ouch.Ihadnotev enreali
zedhe
hadtakenmybr aoff
.ThenIfeltthecoldsteel
ofhisknifeagai nstmyt hi
gh…
Mybreat
hhikedandmyheartwasthumpi
ngso
muchitwasdeafeni
ng.Whatwashedoi
ngwit
h
theknife…Iwaspetr
ifiedasthecoldsteel
caressedmybar et
high…i nt
omyi nnerthi
gh,
up… upi twent
,andrightovermycor e…sl
idi
ng
undermypant i
es…agai nstmymistsensit
ive
skin…
Thecoldoft hekni
fewasbothterr
if
yingand
er
oticagainstmylabi
a,andIfel
tashamedf or
evenhavingarousali
nmymi ndatsuchat i
me…
Thenhet
urnedt
hekni
fedownandy
ankedhar
d,
ri
ppi
ngof
fmypanti
es.
Hecutmypanti
esoffr
ightatmysoppingwet
cor
e,andboydi
dthatt
urnthingsup.
Isattherei
nfr
onti
fhim onjustt
wocl
othst
hat
usedt obemypant
y,whichhesoonri
ppedof
f
too,andIwascomplet
elynaked
Iwasonhisl
apnakedashegent
lypul
l
edme
tomyknees.
Heopenedthebackdoorandsatont
hecar,
openi
nghi
szi pperandt
ookouthist
hicksemi
har
dlengt
h…
ME:
Kar
tel
,whati
fpeopl
e…
KARTEL:Youcangof i
ghtgangs,
butare
worr
iedaboutpeopl
eseeingyousuckd*ck?
Hegr abbedthebackofmyheadandr oughly
pull
edmedownt ohim.Iopenedwi detohi s
i
mpr essivegi
rth andmoanedasIt astedhim,
andhekeptpushi ngmyheaddownunt ilhewas
hit
ti
ngmyt hr
oatandmaki ngmegag.Iwas
angryathimf orwhathej ustdid,stil
lhighon
thedrive’
sadrenali
ne,scar edshtl
essofbei ng
caughtnakedl i
kethis,andemot i
onal fr
om his
tendertouch,andhislengt hinmymout h,which
allt
ranslat
edt oaverychar gedupme.Myhear t
wast humpinghardasIt ookhi m deeperinmy
mout h.
{
EXPLI
CIT}
*
***
***
***
LI
KE,
COMMENT,
SHARE
AThug’
sLov
e:18

LUBA
Iwokeupcuddledtomykinginthecar,f
eel
ing
ali
tt
lebi
tashamedofallt
het hi
ngsthatwent
onri
ghti
nthisfi
eldl
astni
ght.Butholl
ay!
Whatani
ght
.
Thet
hingshedi
dtomemademebl
ush.
Kar
tel
kissedmeandt
uggedmeev
encl
oser
.
KARTEL:
Morni
ngmyf
lower
.Howar
eyout
his
l
ovel
yday?
ME:(laughi
ng)Mi
ghtwalkal
i
ttl
ebowleggedfor
thedaybutit’
sahappybowl
egged.I
’m al
it
tl
e
shytosaywhatIr
eall
ywannasaythough.
KARTEL:(l
aughi
ng)Youlikeditbet
terl
astni
ght
becauseIwasrough,
didn’tyou?
Ibl
ushedandcov
eredmyf
acewi
thmyhands
asInodded.
KARTEL:(l
aughi
ng)Freak…butIhearyoumy
l
ady.Ihearyou… ket
aabaakanya.Let
’sgof
or
somebreakfast
.
ME:
Ihav
enocl
othes…
Helaughedandhandedmehi st
-shi
rtwhich
wasadr essshi
rtonme,thenwenttohiscar
tr
unk,f
indingafoot
bal
lt-
shir
thehadl ef
tther
e
someti
meback.
Iputonmybr aandsincemypantyhadthat
misfor
tunelastni
ght,Ij
ustwentcommandoas
wesetof ff
orbreakf
ast.
*
***
***
**
Monkpickedthedooroftheoner
oom,
remi
ndinghi
mselfthathewasnotgonnabeat
upanybody.
I
thadt
akenhi
m al
loff
ivemi
nut
est
alki
ngt
o
someguy si
nthenei
ghbor
hoodtofindwher
e
thatguywoul
dgo.Hi
sbrother
’spl
ace.
Heopenedt
hedoor
,andt
hecowar
dwasl
ayi
ng
i
nbed.
Hesatupst
art
led,
andpani
ckedwhenhesaw
Monk.
MONK:Youdi
dnothandyoursel
ftothepoli
ce.
Whi
chmeansyouchoset
ot akeyourchances
wi
thme.
HIM:Comeon,br
ayaaka,wecantal
k…kana
youdon’
tknowhowthatgi
rli
s…shekeeps
pushi
ngme.
MONK: Youknow, onethi
ngIhaveobser ved
aboutall
abusersofwomenandchi l
dren.You
areall
cowar ds…bi
gmenwi thal
lthepower
unti
lanothermanstepsinfr
onti
fy ou.
HI
M:Kanat
hatbi
ch…
Monkpunchedhi
m har
d.
MONK:
Cal
lhert
hatagai
n…Idar
eyou.
HI
M:Youcan’
tjust
…
Monkpi
nnedhi
m agai
nstt
hewal
landpushed
hi
sguni
nhismouth.
MONK: Ofclick.Onef **kingclick!Ok,hereis
whatwear egoi ngtodo.Youar egonnast ay
awayfrom Sesha.Don’ tt al
ktoher ,don’
tcall
her,don’ttexther .Idon’tcarei fshecomest o
you,r
unt heot herdi r
ection,bl
ockher .Stay
awayinal lsortsofway sornextt i
mewemeet ,
yourbrainsdecor atesthewal ls.Understood?
Theguynoddedhishead,
wit
htear
srunni
ng
downhischeeks.
Monkwi t
hdrewhisgunandwi pedi
tonthe
guy ’
sf ace,t
henwalkedaway,butonsecond
thought ,wal
kedbacktohim andpunchedhim
sev eralti
mes,kneei
nghim onthestomach,
and
kickinghim onthefacewhenhef el
ldown.
MONK:
Youcl
umsyt
hing,
youf
ell
?Shame,
be
mor
ecar
eful
nextt
ime.
Hewalkedoutst
il
lfeel
i
ngtheguydeserv
edso
muchmor e,
buthewantedtomakeittothe
hospi
tali
nti
me.
*
***
***
***
*
Ronjumpedoutofbedasahornbl
aredather
window.East
oodontheout
sidel
aughinghi
s
l
ungsout.
RON:(
rol
l
ingherey
es)Youasuchapi
eceof
sht
.
EA:
Mor
ningsl
eepi
ngbeaut
y.
RON:
F**
kof
f.Letmeoutofher
e.
EA:
Hav
eyout
houghtaboutwhaty
oudi
d?
RON:
F**
kyou
EA:(
laughi
ng)pat
iencel
ady
,youwil
l
,wheny
ou
comeoutofyournaught
ycorner
.
RON:
Argggg!Youar
esoannoy
ing.
EA:That
’snotawaytot
alkt
osomeonewho
bri
ngsyoubreakf
ast
.
RON:
Scr
ewy
ouandy
ourbr
eakf
ast
.Ar
eyouok?
EA:
(si
ghi
ng)Hesentanot
herl
ett
er…
RON: Letmeguess,
youar
enotr
eadi
ngt
hisone
too?
EA:
Yea,
scr
ewhi
m.
RON: Theguyhast hr
eemonths.Thenyouwil
l
nevergetthatchancetol
ookhimintheeyes
andtellhi
m howmuchhehur tyou.AndIknow
youwantt hat
.
EA:
NoIdon’
t
RON:
Yesy
oudo,
Ea.WannaknowwhatIt
hink?
EA:Notr
eal
l
y,butwhenhast
hatev
erst
opped
you?
RON:(chuckl
i
ng)Goodboy.It
hinkyoushoul
d
goseehim.Getcl
osure…andreal
izeyouare
not
hingli
kehim…otherwi
seyouwillal
ways
hav
equest
ionswhenhei
sgone.
EA:
Whati
fIam l
i
kehi
m,Ron?
RON: I
sthatwhyyoudon’tdor
elat
ionshi
ps?
Becauseyouareafr
aidyouwil
lendupkill
ing
yourwifeandchi
l
dren?
EA:Wow.Waytobecandid.But,y
es,Ron…Iam
ter
ri
fi
ed…andIj
ustcan’
timaginehur
tingy…her
.
RON: Ebil
ether
eisa‘
her
’.Ea!Waj
olagor
iana
(l
aughing)
EA:(laughi
ng)Trustyout
ofindhumorinallt
his.
Andno, Iam notdati
ngherbecauseshe
doesn’tthi
nkmuchofme.Whi chiswarrant
ed
though…
RON:
Youar
enotl
i
key
ourf
ather
.
EA:Youwon’
thaveki
dsbecausey
out
hinky
ou
ar
elikey
ourmother
.
RON:Iwon’thaveki
dsbecausetheyar
e
annoy
ing.Buyyea…ourfol
ksdidf**
kusov
er,
hey
.
EA:
Yout
hinkwe’
l
lev
erbe,
youknow,
nor
mal
?
RON: Notr
eal
l
y.Don’
tcar
ethough…ar
eyou
real
l
yleavi
ngmeinheref
ordays?
EA:(l
aughing)Youmi ghtgetoutear
lyf
orgood
behavi
or.Now, eaty
ourf ood.
*
***
***
***
*
Monkwalkedi
ntother
oom andSeshalai
din
bed.Shewasst
il
lswol
len,
butawake.
SESHA:
Idon’
thav
emoneyf
orpr
ivat
ehospi
tal
.
MONK:
Don’
twor
ryabouti
t.
SESHA:
Hei
sn’
tal
way
sli
ket
hat
,youknow.
MONK: Pl
easedon’
tmakeexcusesf
or
someonewhoalmostki
ll
edyou.
SESHA:
It’
sjust
…hel
osti
t.Ipushedhi
mtoof
ar
and…
Heshookhi
sheadsadl
y.Gi
venachance,
she’
d
pr
obabl
ygoback.Buti
fthatf
ool
knewwhat
wasgoodf
orhim,he’
dstayaway.
MONK: Idi
dn’
tknowwhatyoul
iked…soI
boughtafewthi
ngs,
mageu,j
uice,
yogur
t.
SESHA:
Thanks.
Theysati
nawkwar
dsi
l
ence.
*
***
***
***
LUBA
Wesathav i
ngbreakf
astinarestaur
ant
.Iheard
ahighpi t
chedvoicebefor
eIevensawplasti
c
fantast
ic.Shecameandsatwi thus,wi
thtwo
otherplasti
csl
ikeher.
NIKITA:Fancyrunni
ngi
ntoy
ouhere.Hope,
thi
s
i
st hatf
riendofminewasal
onIwastell
i
ngyou
about.
Iwatchedthem getamazingamountoffood
andIlaughedtomy sel
f,t
hinki
ngthesef
ools
thi
nktheyareonmybabe’ stab,huh.
ItookKar
tel
’
swal letandcall
edthewai
tr
ess,
tel
li
ngherever
ythi
ngt hatwasonourbi
l
lsonl
y.
Theylookedatmeconf
usedasIpai
dforour
foodandtookmyman’shand.
ME: Youl
adi
eshav
eagoodt
imenow.Let
’sgo
babe.
Hewastryi
ngsohardnottol
aughasIt
ookhi
s
handanddraggedhi
m out
.
KARTEL:
(laughi
ng)Youar
eapet
tysav
age.
ME:Howdotheyeveneatt
hatmuchf
oodwhen
t
heyaret
hatski
nny
!Seri
ously
!
Ni
ki
tacamer
unni
ngaf
terus.
NIKI
TA:Kar
tel
tlher
rawear
erunni
ngal
i
ttl
e
shor
t.
.
ME:Owai
i,l
eronawearedrydear
,wej
ustpai
d
wi
thourv
erylastmoney
,sorr
y.
NI
KITA:Pl
ease,
Kar
tel
… kanat
hosegi
rl
s
t
hought
…
ME:What
,thaty
ouf
oundafr
eemeal
tickett
he
momentyousawmyman!Bi
chby
e.
KARTEL:
Babel
et’
sjusthel
p…
ME:
Nope.Let
sgo.
Kar
tel
shr
uggedandwal
kedt
othecar
,andIgot
i
nsi
deaswedroveof
f.
*
***
***
***
**
LUBA
Wegothomeandshowered,t
henKar
tel
headed
outt
omeetwi
thhi
scleaner.
Iwentt
ocheckonRonandfel
tthi
swasjustso
dumb.WearegrownasswomenforGod’
ssake.
Whymustmendecidewhatwedo?
Idi
dn’thav
ethekeys,
soIfoundascrewdri
ver
andremovedallt
heboltl
ocks,
thenpi
ckedt
he
doorandopened.
Rongotof
fthebedandl
ookedatme,
laughi
ng.
RON:
Gir
l,y
ougotbal
l
s
ME:(l
aughi
ng)Scr
ewt
heseboy
s,wegi
rl
sgot
ta
st
ickt
ogether
.
RON:
Kar
tel
isgonnaf
li
p.
ME:
Kar
tel
isnot
hingIcan’
thandl
e.
RON:(l
aughi
ng)Iknewther
ewasar easonI
l
ikedy
ou.Wear ecatchi
ngadr
inkt
omor row!
Shehadt oheadoutsomewher e,andIwentto
vi
sitSeshaatthehospit
al.Iwasshockedat
howbadshewas.Andcany oubel
ievethi
sgi
rl
wasstil
ltr
yingtodefendhim.
ME:
Ihopey
ouar
eopeni
ngacase.
SESHA: Kanawenay oudon’
tunderstandLuba,
akerewenakanat hemomentyouopenedy our
eyestorelati
onships,youmetyourprince
charming,soIunder st
andwhyy ouarejudgi
ng
me.Thet hingissomeofusknowt hereisso
muchwor seoutt here.
ME: Whatcouldbewor sethanamanwho
abusesyoui nall
sortsofways?Hebeatsyou,
takesyourmoney ,f
orcesyoutohav
esexwhen
youdon’twantto.Justbecauseyouhaven’
t
caughthim cheati
ngdoesn’tmeanyoucan
excuseallother
s.
SESHA:
Mxi
m…
ME:HatemeallyouwantSesha,
buty
ouknowI
am r
ight
.Thi
sisnoli
featal
l.
Monkar
ri
vedal
i
ttl
ebi
taf
ter
.
MONK:
So, t
heysayyoucangohome,
butneed
t
ocomplet
elybeonbedrest
.
SESHA:
Ok,
justdr
opmehome.
MONK:Ispoketotheguysandwehav
easpar
e
bedr
oom youcancrushatwhi
ley
ouheal
.
SESHA:
No,
I…
ME:
Iagr
eewi
thMonk.
SESHA:
Kanai
tsnotnecessar
y,I
…
MONK: It
’sthelogicaldecisi
onbecausethere
arepeopl
et her
ei ncasey ouneedhelp.Iam
real
l
ynotinanar gui ngmood.Ihaveclearedup
thepaperwork,so,letmepacky ourthi
ngsup
andwewi ll
go.
Hejustwentont opackupandIhel
pedSesha
getdressed,t
henMonkbroughti
nawheelchair
andwheel edhert
ohiscaranddr
oveusall
home.
*
***
***
***
*
KARTEL
Aft
erdroppingmyl adyhome,Imetwi t
hsome
I
ndianguy swhowant edtotal
kexporttoal
lthe
wayupt oKenya,ast heyhadabr
otherther
e
whodidn’thavestuffaspureaswedidatsuch
agoodpr i
ce.
Theyweret
alki
ngbi
gamounts,
andt
herateat
whi
chthi
swasgoingscar
edmetobehonest
.
Wi
tht
hisdeal
,we’
dal
lbev
eryweal
thybyy
ear
end,butmovi
ngtoofastwasanotherreason
formostsel
l
ers’
fal
l.Butcoul
dIreall
yletsuch
moneygo?
Yea,weweredoi ngwel l
,butwewer en’t
stacki
ngcoinli
ket hat.
.West i
l
lhav etosav ea
wholelot
,noneofushadahomeofourowny et
,
wewer edri
vingverybasiccars,myl adydidn’t
evenhaveacar ,
andIpl annedoncuf fingher
themomentshet urned21.Ineededl obola
moneyandt henmoneyf orherdream weddi ng.
No, no.Iwasn’ tbeinggr eedy…Ihadt hi
sunder
control.Iwasn’twor riedaboutt heseguy s
becauset heywerel ongt imecust omersandI
hadshti nthem, t
heywoul dn’
twantt odoubl
e
crossme.Ij ustneedest omakesur emy
cleanercoul dcleant hisbigstackt hatwould
comei n.AndRuewi llprobablyneedhel pto
meetdemand.SoIwasgonnapi nchf r
om Doll
a
af ewki dswhower el oyaltomewhenIwasst il
l
there.Spinny ,
Lox,Est her.All
goodki dswho
Ruewi
l
lteachhowt
ocook.
Iwalkedawayfrom t
hatmeet
ingwithanaggi
ng
feel
i
nglikeIwasgetti
nggr
eedy.Allt
heEl
ChapoandAl Caponesoft
hewor l
dfell
togr
eed.
No,
Iwasn’
tbei
nggr
eedy
.
Imetwithmycl
eanerandhandedhi
mthe
moneyinabi
gbagli
keIalway
sdo,andby
weekendhewil
lmagical
l
yhavei
tinmybank
account
.
Thebusi
nesscarspur
chasehadal
sogonewel
l,
wecouldst
artoper
ati
ngnowasthetr
uckswer
e
ready
.
Thenhegavemeformswithdownpay
ment
puti
ntwocar
s.MercedesBenz.
HIM:Youjustneedt
ogopickthem up,
the
monthl
ypay mentpl
ani
sthere,
andIknowy ou
canaff
ordit.
KARTEL:
Dude,
ser
iousl
y,Idon’
twanna…
HIM:Gottadresshowy ouwannabeaddressed.
Andy ousti
l
llookl i
kejustastr
eett
hug.We
gott
amakey ouabusinessman.Iwantthi
s
l
ogisti
csbusi nessofyourst
obeabi gdeal
becauseyouar eoneoft hef
ewhonestmenI
knowandIcandependon.
Hepausest
osi
padr
ink.
HIM: Yourbusi nessneedst obesuccessf ul
for
easycl eanup.Whi chmeansy ouneedt oget
dealswi thbigbusinessmen.Andt heyar e
snobbyashol es.Theywil
llookatwhaty oudr i
ve,
wherey ouliv
e, whatyouwear, everyt
hing,
beforet heydobusi nesswithyou.Car sarea
must ,onef oryou,oneforyourl ady.Youcan
aff
ordt hemont hl
ypay ment.
Hewasr i
ghttobehonest,
andev eni
nthe
str
eet,
ifIwant
edtogetrespect
,Ihadtol
ook
l
ikesomeonetorespect
.
Wehadonemor
ebeerandt
henwentt
othe
dealer
shipwhereIsi
gnedpaper sandpickedup
mycar .HedroveLuba’sbehindmeandwe
droppedmi nehome,thendroveint
otownwi t
h
abowoni t
.
*
***
***
***
*
LUBA
Aft
erchecki
ngonSesha,
Iwentt
othesal
on
andconti
nuest
oworkforabi
t.
Kartelwal
kedinsmil
ingl
i
kethecatwhost ol
e
milk.Hehandedmyemployeesfourpizzas,
thenstoodther
elooki
ngatme,smili
ng.
ME:
(laughi
ng)Gor
il
engkant
ewena,
ij
a?
KARTEL:(
laughi
ng)Justwonder
ingwhyy
ouar
e
wal
kingar
oundallbowlegged.
Ibl
ushedandl
aughedatourl
i
ttl
eint
ernal
joke.
KARTEL:
Comeon,
Ihav
esomet
hingt
oshow
you.
Hebl
i
ndf
oldedmeandwal
kedmedownt
he
st
air
sandout
side.
Whenhetookthebli
ndfol
dsout,somekidwas
r
ecordi
ngavideowithaphonewhi l
eawhit
e
MercE300witharedri
bbonstoodinfr
ontof
me.
ME: OhmyGod,
whati
sthi
s?OhmyGod,
babe…
Hewasgr i
nni
ngsoproudofhimself.Icoul
dn’
t
beli
evethiswashappeningt
ome, Ialwayssaw
Facebookv i
deosofgi
rl
ssurpri
sedwi t
hcarsby
thei
rmenandt houghttheywer
esol ucky.NowI
wast hatgi
rl
.OhmyGod!
Hehandedmethekeysandabouquetof
fl
owersasacr
owdthathadf
ormedclapped
andrecor
dedi
tal
l
.
Iwi
pedmytear
sandhuggedhi
m,andhe
whi
sper
edi
nmyear.
KARTEL:
(whisper
ing)Sawyourhandi
workon
Ron’
sdoor,
andIknowi twasyoubecause
nobodyel
sewouldt
rymel
iket
hat
.I’
m gonna
smackthatassr
aw,t
henf
**ky
ouinthehoodof
thi
sherecar
.
Oh.My
.
Lor
d, pl
easedon’
tletmehav eawetspotwhen
al
lthesepeopl
earer ecor
ding.
Il
ookedatthehood,
pict
uri
ngmebentoveri
t,
andIswearImoanedali
ttl
e,feel
i
ngmybody
ti
ngl
ingal
lover
.Ihadtoseatdown.
Iopenedthecarandgoti
nsi
de,
feel
i
ngl
i
kea
pri
ncess.
*
***
***
***
*
LI
KE,
COMMENT,
SHARE
AThug’
sLov
e:19

Iwokeupthenextmorni
ngandmademyki
ng
breakf
ast
,tooki
ttohi
minthebedr
oom.
KARTEL:
Well
damn,
Imusthav
ehi
titr
eal
good
l
astni
ght.
Il
aughedandpour
edhi
m somecof
fee,
then
someformysel
f.
ME: Idon’
tmeant
osoundungrat
eful
,myking…
becauseIam t
hemostbl
essedgir
lonear
th.
KARTEL:
But
?
ME:Butyouaremovingtoofastbabe…howdo
youexpl
aint
hesetwocars?Mysal onj
ust
opened,
yourbusi
nessisnotevenoperat
ing
yet
…
KARTEL:Rel
ax,
theyar
etakenundermy
cl
eaner
’scompany.
ME:Sti
l
l,wehavetopayhi
m andinvestont
he
gl
assbusinessandt
hetr
ucksforthecompany
,
i
tstoomuchcommi t
mentbabe…
KARTEL:Wehavehugecashcomi
ngi
nwi
th
theseI
ndi
ans…
Isatther
eandlistenedtohi
m goinaboutt
his
dealandIjustf
eltuneasyabouti
tal
l.
Somethingabouti
tfel
tof
f,buthefel
tso
conf
identabouti
tandwasn’thear
ingany
thi
ng
atal
l
.
Iwasn’
tint
hemoodt
oar
gue,
soIj
ustbat
hed
andwenttowor
k.
*
***
***
***
*
Seshalai
dinhernewbedr
oom whenMonk
knockedandwalkedi
nwit
hatrayi
fsof
t
porr
idgeandmil
k.
MONK: Lubasai
dtomakesureyoueatallof
t
hisandtakeyourpi
ll
s,y
ouweresti
l
lsleeping
whensheleftsi
nceshehadt
oopen.
SESHA:
Thanks…
Shet
ri
edt
oseatupandeat
,butwi
ncedi
npai
n.
Monkcameoverandarr
angedthepi
ll
owsso
shewaspr
oppedup,t
henmi xedupt
he
por
ri
dgeandf
edher
.
SESHA:
Okaebabymama?
MONK:
Ahhh…shei
sst
il
lref
usi
ngwi
thmyson.
SESHA:What
’shi
sname,
yourson?
MONK:
Mar
shal
l
SESHA:Cool
…yousai
dyouwontgotocour
t
becausey
ouareaf
elonandwentt
opri
son…
why?
Helookeddownandpi
ckedatsomei
nvi
sibl
e
l
intathi
spants.
SESHA:
Thatbad,
huh?
MONK:(si
gh)Icoul
dsayitwasn’
tmyf aul
t,but
t
hatwouldj
ustsoundl
ikeanexcuse.
SESHA: Whatwasi
t?Youobvi
ouslydon’
tli
ke
vi
olenceagai
nstwomen,sonot
hingofthatsor
t.
MONK:
No,
nev
er… uhm,
howi
syourpor
ri
dge?
SESHA:
It’
sok…
Awkwar
dsi
l
ence,
agai
n.
No,
no… hehadt
ogett
oknowher
.
MONK:So,l
i
ke,lat
erIwil
lgot
otheshops.Wr
ite
meali
stofthi
ngsIshoul
dgetyouandI’
l
lget
t
hem.
SESHA:
(smi
l
ing)Ev
eni
fIwr
otet
ampons?
MONK:
Whatar
etampons?
SESHA:
Huh?Youar
enotser
ious,
right
?
MONK:
Yes,
isi
taf
ood?
Shebur
stoutl
aughi
ng.
SESHA:
Its… wel
l
,youknowpads,
right
?
MONK:
Yea?Fort
hepus… Imean,
per
iod?
SESHA:(
laughi
ng)Tamponsar
etinyver
sionof
padst
hatyousti
ckinsi
dethev
ij
ayjay
MONK: Wai
t,waa… what
?Ist
hatanact
ual
t
hing?
SESHA:
(laughi
ng)Ther
eisev
enacup.Toput
i
nsi
de.
MONK:
Nooo!Howwoul
dyouputacupi
n…i
n…
SESHA:
(laughi
ng)Hi
tGoogl
e.
Hegoogl
edandhi
sey
eswi
dened,
maki
ngher
l
augh.
MONK: Nooffensetowomen,
butIam
seri
ousl
ygladI’
m aguy.Sowait
…thi
stampon
thi
ng,i
tsl
ikeami ni
dil
do…
SESHA:( l
aughi
ng)Eh-
ehthe!Wabookare
di
ldo.I
ja.Wait
sewena.NnakanaIt
houghto
di
dimetse.
MONK:Ionl
yspeakar
oundpeopl
eI’
m
comf
ort
ablewi
th.
Sheblushedandlookeddown,seeingt
heman
forthefi
rstt
ime.Notthebi
g,ugl
y,oneeyed,
facetatt
ooed,cl
eftl
i
pscaredguy,butt
heman,
thepersonhewas…andhewasagent l
esoul.
Orwashe?
ShehadthoughtthesameaboutRoger,
and
l
ookwhereitgother.Shecoul
dn’
teventr
ust
her
sel
fanymor e.
Monkwasafelonaft
eral
l
,Godknowswhathe
di
dtoendupinpri
son.
*
***
***
***
*
LUBA
Iwasst
il
luneasyt
hewhol emorni
ngasour
vi
deowassharedathousandsofti
mes.
Thi
swasnotgoodatal l
.Thiswast oomuch
at
tent
ion.Kar
tel
didn’
thaveitli
kethatnotso
l
ong,nowhewasbuy i
ngf ancycar
s?
Icoul
donl
yhopethatt
hehypeofitdi
eddown
befor
eany
onestar
tedaski
ngquesti
ons.
Atl
unchKar
tel
cameov
erandIl
edhi
mtot
he
of
fi
ce.
KARTEL:
WhydoIgetafeel
i
ngmyqueenisnot
happy
?Thingsar
egoi
ngsowel
lforus!
ME:Weareatt
ract
ingt
oomuchat
tent
ion,
Kar
tel
!Waytoomuch.
KARTEL:ButItoldyouhowweexpl ai
nthecars
aker
e?Theyar eboughtunderKhumalo
I
ndustr
ies,f
orme.Ij ustt
ookovert
herestof
thepayment.Ifeverthepol
icel
ookatit
,they
’l
l
fi
ndeveryt
hingsoli
d.
ME:Ok,j
ustbecar
eful
Kart
el… Idon’
twant
any
thi
nghappeni
ngtoyou.
*
***
***
***
KARTEL
TobehonestIwasi r
rit
atedabitwithLuba.The
carshadanexplanat
ionandIknowt hoseguys,
theIndi
ans.Ihav
estuffinthem,theyknow
bett
erthantomesswi t
hme.Idi dn’tunder
stand
whatshewast ri
ppi
ngabout .
ButIdoseeherconcernst
hough… Ij
ust
,thi
sis
i
tman, bi
gmoney … weweregoingbi
g.Anyway,
I
’djustr
unitt
hroughthecr
ewincaseIwasthe
onemi
ssi
ngsomet
hing.
Iwentt
otheof f
icewher
etheHRladyprovi
ded
bymycleanerhadbeenint
erv
iewi
ngstafff
ora
bi
tnow,andIhadt ogomeettheonesshehir
ed.
Iwal
kedi
nandt heHRl
adycal
l
edt
hem f
or
i
ntr
oduct
ions.
HER: Thisisyouboss, MrMoseki .MrMoseki ,
yourstuff,Aaron, BakangandGor at
aar e
customerser vice,Kadimooper ati
ons,Thato
fi
anance,Leemeof ficemanagement ,andand
Niki
tawi l
l bedoingmar keti
ng.Youwillhi
re
moreast hebusi nessgr ows,butf
ornowt hi
sis
afunctionalteam.
Al
lIcoul
dthinkofwas,
Lubawasgoi
ngt
ofl
i
p!
Worki
ngwithNiki
ta?
Yoh.Iwasadeadmanf orsure… andIcouldn’
t
evenjustf
ir
eherwit
houtgett
ingi
nt roubl
e,aft
er
shewasof fer
edanemploymentl
etter… andto
behonestitwoul
dn’
tfai
r.Shegotthejobonher
ownfai
randsquar
e,i
fshebehav
ed,
wewon’
t
hav
eanyprobl
ems,ri
ght
?.
Idrov
ehomeandfoundtheguy
ssi
tt
ing
toget
herwat
chi
ngfoot
ball
.
KARTEL:Any
way,Imett
heI
ndi
ansagai
n,andI
thi
nkweareago.Bi
g,bi
gmoneywhenwehit
Kenya.
Theyal
lcheer
ed.
KARTEL: Guys… Ijust
… Lubaisn’
thappywith
thi
sdeal…andIj ustwantedtoknowifther
eare
anyreservat
ions.EaandMonk, youhavemet
theIndi
ans.Whatdoy out hi
nk?
EA:YouknowI ’
m all
in.That’
salotifdough,br
o,
andwear enotl
osingitbecauseyourgir
lison
herper
iod.
KARTEL:
Hey
!Wat
chi
t!Monk?
MONK:Wi
thwhatwehaveonthem,Ithi
nkt
hey
knowt
hei
rpl
ace,
soIsaylet
sgofori
t.
KARTEL:Ar
ewebei
nggr
eedy
,guy
s?Li
ke,
Luba
thi
nks…
EA:Lubahasneverevenmett hem,soshecan’
t
haveanopini
on!Andsheisn’tevenpar
tofthe
crew,whydoeshersaymatter?
KARTEL:
Itmatt
ers.Deal
wit
hit
.RonandRue,
any
thi
ngtoadd?
RON: LubaisgoodpeopleandIli
keher,
butI’
m
gonnagowi t
htheopi
nionofpeoplewhonot
onl
yknowt hi
sgame,buthavealsometthe
I
ndians.It
’sago.
RUE:
Isaygot
oo.
KARTEL: Okthen.I
’m meeti
ngthem af
tert
hist
o
talkabouthowmucht heywill
beabletoget
from usandallt
hat,Rueyouwill
needtoupdat
e
meonourcapaci ty
.
Ifel
tbadgoingagai
nstmylady,buttheywer
e
ri
ght.Lubadi
dn’
tknowthi
sgamet hewaywe
di
d… t hi
swasabigoppor
tunit
y.
Iwentof
ftomeett
heI
ndi
ansandf
inal
i
zet
he
deal
.
*
***
***
***
LUBA
Thegi
rl
shadj
ustl
eftf
ortheev
eningandIwas
cl
osi
ngupwhenandoldmanwalkedin.
ME:
Wear
ecl
osed.
HIM:Good,becauseIneedtotal
ktoyoualone.
Iam i
nspect
orJohnKgar eandIthi
nkyouandI
canhel
peachot her
.
Hesai
d,showi
ngmehi
sbadge.
Myhear
tst
art
edpoundi
nghar
d.Whatdi
dthey
hav
eonus?Whatdi
dhewant?
Hestart
edplay
ingar ecor
dingofsomeIndi
a
guystal
ki
ngtoKar t
elwhowast el
li
ngt
hem he
wil
lsuppl
ythem coke,andev engavet
hem one
bri
ck.
Sht
.
Sht
.
HIM:Asy oucansee, itwasaset up.They
wantedt othr
owhi m underthebusbecause
ther
ehav ebeenal otofproductmov ing.See,
theyareproducerstoo,andwehav ebeen
watchingthem, butwhenwef inal
lygott hem ke
habai paabasethabar etheyarejustsel l
er,
anddecidedt ostri
keadeal,togiveust he
suppli
erforreducedsentences.
Sht
.
Ipressedmyphonecameraandsecr
etl
youti
t
besidesme,
faci
nghim,butpart
lyhi
ddenbymy
top.
ME: Sooo,off
icer
,Iam sur
eyouar
eher
e
becausey oubeli
evewecancometoan
understandi
ng.
HIM:Mywi f
ecomeheref
orhair,andIsawy ou
acoupleofti
meswhil
ewait
ingforher.You
seem l
i
keasensibl
ewoman…t hat’
swhyIcame
t
oyoui
nst
eadofKar
tel
foradeal
.
ME:
Whatsor
tofadeal
arewel
ooki
ngat
?
HIM:Iam notagr
eedyman,butgov
ernment
ret
ir
ementissht
.IwantP50000amonth… t
hat
andyouhavemypr ot
ect
ion.
ME:We,wehav
eyourpr
otect
ion.Mycr
ewandI
.
Al
lofus.
HI
M:Makei
t70kt
hen.
ME:
60
HI
M: 65andIgetaccesst
othi
sany
timeI
want
…
Hesaid,car
essi
ngmyt
high.Ir
ecoi
l
edbacki
n
di
sgust.
ME:
70t
hen
HIM:Youar
enotheari
ngme, y
ouarepar
toft
he
deal
.Mywif
eisoldandshr
ivel
ed,
Iwant
somethi
ngf
reshandnew.
ME:
Getahooker
.I’
l
lpayf
ori
tev
en.
HIM:(l
aughi
ng)Il
i
kecl
assygi
rl
s.You,
tobe
speci
fi
c.
Hesai
dashecaressedmyshoul
der
s,pul
l
ing
downmytopst
raps.
Ipul
ledoutmyphoneandl
aughed,
play
ingt
he
vi
deo.
ME:
Checkmat
e.Nodeal
.
HIM: (
laughing)Stalematesweet hear t.That
vi
deogoesout ,
thi
soneget sinpr ocessi ngand
yourboygoesawayf oravery,verylongt i
me.
Butyoukeept oourdeal,nobodyev erseest hi
s,
everyt
hingget spinnedont heIndians, andy ou
havemel ooki
ngov erforyouandy ourguy s.I
couldhav estruckthisdealwit
ht heI ndians, but
Ichosey ouguy sspecifi
cal
lyfory ou.BecauseI
wanty ou.NoLubal ashe,nodeal.Getony our
knees,darli
ng.
Hesai
dasheundi
dhi
szi
pperasher
ippedmy
bl
ouseopen.Igotonmykneesandcl
osedmy
ey
esindisgustasIopenedmymout
h…
Tel
lme,
whatchoi
cedoIhav
e?Whatwoul
dyou
hav
edone?
*
***
***
***
***
**
LI
KE,
COMMENT,
SHARE
AThug’
sLov
e:20

LUBA
Ioncer eadt hisanal
ogyaboutanegg,carrot
,
andacof feebean.Howtheyallr
espondto
beingboi led.Theegggoesinsoftandrunnyon
thei nsi
de, andcomeouthard.Thecarrotgoes
i
nhar d,andcomesoutsof t,
butthecoffeebean,
i
tbl endsinandchangest heconditi
onofthe
wat er,makesi tbl
ackgivesitt
aste.
Icoul
dlookatthi
ssi
tuat
ionr
ightnowandcr
y
andaskmy sel
fwhyt
hiswashappeni
ngtome.
GodknowsIhav
edonet
hatpl
ent
y.Andhasi
t
r
eal
lyhel
pedme?
No.
Badthingshappeneventogoodpeople,andI
’
m
notevenone.Thatdoesnotmatter
.It
’show
yourespondtothem t
hatmatter
s.
AndIwant
edt
orespondbybei
ngcof
fee.
Iwasgonnami
l
kthi
ssi
tuat
ionandmakei
t
workf
orme.
Ijustl
aidt
her
eandwat
chedt
hisf
ool
pantand
huff
.
Ihavespentwaytoomuchti
mefeeli
ngsor
ry
formysel
f.Ohpoorme,Ial
mostgotki
ll
edby
Boza.Ohpoorme, myt
hugboyf
ri
endalmost
died.
Whenthoseguysatt
ackedusi
nZambia,
I
r
eal
izedsomethi
ng.Poormedoesn’
twor
k.
Wegotoutoft
hatsi
tuat
ionbecausewef
ought
ourwayout
.
Andt
hisher
esi
tuat
ion?Igot
taf
ighti
toutt
oo.
Notkick,
scream ki
ndoff i
ght
.Youneedto
knowwhi chweapont ouseandwhati
stheend
goalofeverysi
tuat
ion.
Acorr
uptcopcoul
dbeanamazi ngasset
.Use
hi
m whil
eItr
apandt angl
ehim sobadthat
whenIfi
nal
lyst
ri
ke,hewon’tbeabletostand
up.
See,
I’
m apl
anner.Ipl
annedmyescapef
rom
mydadfory
ears.AndIwasyoungandnaïv
e.
Now?
WhenIknowwhoIam?Hav
eal
lthese
exper
iences?
Andreal
izet
hebiggestadv
antageofmeisthat
Iam cut
eandsoftandfemini
neandIlove
cl
othes,
hair
,andmakeup.Peopler
eadthatas
weak…stupi
d…
Andthati
sgonnaser
vemewell
because
nobodywil
lev
erseemecomi
ng.
Yea,t
hisoner
ighther
ecoul
dn’
thav
echoset
he
wrongmomenttouseme.
Twominuteslat
erwhenhewasdoneIcl
eaned
up,
thenIoff
eredhi
m adri
nk.
Hel
ookedatmei
nsur
pri
se.
ME: (
laughi
ng)What?Youexpect edmet obe
boweddownandbr okenf r
om yourexploit
ati
on
ofme?Cr yi
ng?Tsk,t
hatdoesn’
thel pnoone.
Butwhileyouweredisgr
acingyourdisabil
i
ty
here,
Iwast hi
nki
ng… isthi
sall
y ouwant ?To
f*
*kay oungwoman?
HI
M:Whatar
eyousay
ing?
ME: Ourmarketissmall
,soonwemaynotev en
beabletopayy ouyourP65000.Whathappens
toyourret
ir
ement ?
HI
M:Keept
alki
ng.
ME: Youar eani nspect or
.Keepsqueezi ngt he
Indiansf orthatKeny aroute.Andot hersel
lers,
findmet heirbuy ers.Thengi veitt
ome.Mor e
moneyf orme, mor emoneyi nyourpocket.And
Icanev engeti tcleanedf oryou.Inaf ewy ears
wheny our eti
re,y ouar eamul ti
mi l
li
onair
eand
hav ebusi nesses.Ory oucouldjustgetsome
youngt ail r
egularlyandwear en’tabletopay
becauset hemar ketissmal landwebot hlose.
Hesmi
l
edandshookhi
sheadl
aughi
ng.
HIM:Iknewther
ewassomet
hingmor
etoy
ou.
I
’l
lcallyou,
MsMoses.
Afterhelef
t,Igotinthesmal lshowercubicl
e
atworkandscr ubbedmy selfclean,
feel
ing
di
sgustedandt hrewupatt hememor i
esofhis
di
sgusti
ngtongueal lovermybody .
Ohwell
.Al
l’
swell
thatendswell.Andt
hisone
wasgonnaendwell
.Atleastf
orme.Nothim
t
hough.
Isatinmychairresearchi
nghi m onli
ne.Hehad
nosocialmediapresence,beingasanci entas
hewas.Butaqui cksearchofhi slastnameand
hewasi nfamilyr
eunionspictures,weddings,
etc.Bytheti
meIwasdoneIknewwher ehe
l
ived,hi
schildr
en,grandchi
ldren,everyt
hing.
Socialmediay’
all
.Peopleov ershare.
Hmmm…
Ihaveneverbeenani
mpulsiveone.Il
ove
planni
ngbecausewhenIstr
ike,Iwannadel
i
ver
j
ustonedeathpunch.
Andoh,
wasIgonnamaket
hisol
dmanpay
.
Str
iphim ofev
ery
thi
ngbef
oreIshoothi
m on
theface.
Ismil
edtomysel
fandgoti
nmycar,dr
ivi
ng
backhomeasIsangal
ongtoShani
aTwain’
s
‘Man.If
eelLi
keAWoman’
Kartelcametothebedroom tobri
ngmethe
takeouttheyhador
dered,butIhadnoappet
it
e
af
teral
lthatj
ustwentdown.
KARTEL:
Babe,
youok?
ME: Oh,I
’m good,l
ove.Anyway
,asIt
hought
,
yourIndi
andeal i
safluke.
KARTEL:Luba…canwenot
..Ital
kedt
othe
ot
hersandweallagr
eei
tsgood.
ME: TheIndi
ansaregett
ingarrest
edfir
stthi
ng
i
nt hemor ni
ng.Coul
dhav ebeenyou.Istr
ucka
dealwit
hapol i
ceoffi
cerforamont hl
ypayout.
KARTEL:
Youwhat
?
ME: Relax…i t
slegit
,heisdirty.Hecamet ome
tomaket hedeal,anditsbestt oalwayshav ea
copi nyourpocket ,
no?I twasamoment ’
s
decision.Takeitorleaveitkindoft hi
ng.Itook
i
t,seeingittakesoutt hecompet it
ionwhi l
e
savi
ngy ourass.Eit
herway ,hewasmaki nga
deal t
onight.Eit
herwithmeort heIndians.
KARTEL:
Luba,
youcan’
tjustgoar
oundmaki
ng
dumbdeci
sions…whydi
dn’
tyout
alkt
omef
ir
st?
ME: Youar enothear
ingme.Hewasmaki nga
dealTONI GHT.Itwasallaboutwhowastaki
ng
i
t.TheI ndi
anshadalreadyratt
edonyou,
the
wouldhav etakeniti
nabl i
nk.Youwer
ebeing
recordedallt
hatti
mey ouwer emaki
ngadeal.
KARTEL:
What
?
ME: Wantmet otel
lyouwor df orwor dwhatyou
said?ThoseI ndi
anshadt heirownsuppl y
,
ratt
ingyououtwast heirattemptatt akingout
thecompet it
ionwhil
esav i
ngt heirasses.I
madeadeal ,andnowthev ideodi sappears
from pol
icefolder
sandt heconf iscatedphones
oftheIndians.
KARTEL:
Whycomet
oyou.Whynotappr
oach
me?
ME:Whynotgoaskhi
m?Themai nt
hingis,
its
done.Youar
eof
fthehookandcompeti
ti
onis
gone.
KARTEL:Sht
,Luba,
ist
hisf
orr
eal
?
ME: P65kamont h,andIhavegai nedthe
Indi
anssupplyroute.ButI
’l
lhandleit.Seei
ngI
am theonlyoneher ewhocanr eadcaut i
on
wheni t
sinmyf **ki
ngface.
KARTEL:
Idon’
twanty
ouget
ti
ng…
ME:Youalmostcostusever
ythi
ng,Kart
el,y
ou
don’
tgett
otell
mewhatt odoany more.Iam
gonnagocheckonSesha.
*
***
***
***
LUBA
Igoti
nSesha’
sroom andshewassti
l
l weak.I
hel
pedherbat
he,thensatwi
thhert
alking.
ME:
Monkhel
pedy
ouar
ound?Iaskedhi
mto.
SESHA:Youdidn’
tneedt
o…andIam comi
ng
backt
owor k…
ME:Notunt
ily
ouaref
ull
ywel
l
.Yourj
obwi
l
l
al
waysbewaiti
ng.
SESHA:
ButIf
eel
…
ME:Nope!Don’
twannaheari
t.Youheal
fir
st.
Soooo,
Monk,huh…
SESHA:
(laughi
ng)St
opi
t.
.
ME:
Youhav
etoadmi
thei
sagent
leman…
SESHA:
Hei
snotsobad…
ME:
AndRoger
?
SESHA:
Kanay
oudon’
tunder
standhi
m…
ME:Hashecal
l
edy ouevenoncetocheckhow
youar
edoi
ngafterhet
ri
edtokil
lyou?
SESHA:
(sobbi
ng)hebl
ockedme.
ME: Thengetahi
nt,
babe.Youaretoocuteto
beg.Now,let
sgiv
eyouyourmedicati
on.Open
up.Goodgirl
.Nowgotosleepsweethear
t.
*
***
***
***
***
LUBA
Igotbackt
oourr
oom andhadal
ongbat
h,t
hen
goti
nmypaj
amasandl
aidi
nbedt
hinki
ng.
Kart
elt
ri
edt
otouchmeandIj
ustpushedme
off
.
ME:
Mh-
mhh,
I’
mti
red.
KARTEL:Ooookay
.Yousur
eyouar
egoodbabe?
IadmitIwasmadatKartel
becausei
fitwasn’t
forhi
sstubbor
nass,Iwoul
dn’
thavebeenstuck
sucki
ngoldmend*ck.
Andrightnowint
imacywast hel
astthingI
wanted.ButI’
l
lgetov
eritbymorning,andal
l
wil
lbewel l
inourworl
dagain.
Iturnedt
oThewallandpretendedtosl
eep,
surpri
sedIwasn’
tcr
yingaboutthewhol
ethi
ng.
*
***
***
***
*
KARTEL
Sht!Lubawasri
ght
..I
nthemorni
ngt
heIndi
ans
werearrest
edandt
herewasnomenti
onofme
atall
.
Thatcouldhav
ebeenmer
ightnow.I
tcoul
d
haveall
beenov er
…
Andmyqueenhadmel i
kethat
.Itwasweirdhe
wouldgotoherandnotdeal wi
thme, but
may behet
houghtbeingseenwithmewoul d
rai
setoomuchsuspicion?
Anyway,wewer
eof
fthehook,
andIcoul
dn’
t
complai
n.
Sonowwhatdowedowi thal
lthemater
ial
we
order
ed?Ihadbasedalotonthi
smoney
comingthr
ough,busi
nessi
nvestment
s,more
tr
ucks… whatwerewesupposedtodonow?
AsIcamef rom theki
tchenwi thRue,Isawmy
l
adyleavi
ngf orwork,butdamn, t
odayshewas
awholelevel.Sheworeawhi t
epencilski
rt
,
whi
telacelit
tlesi
lknegli
gee,andawhi t
eblazer
.
Iwentov ert
okissherandIswearIsomehow
fel
therrecoi
lbackwithoutev
ennoti
cingshe
didthat
.
HadIdonesomethi
ngtopissherof
f?Shehad
beenstandof
fi
shsi
ncecomingfr
om workl
ast
ni
ght.
ME:
Babe,
yousur
eyouar
eok?
LUBA:I’
m sol
i
d,l
ove.Justhav
eameet
ing.See
youl
ater.
Sheki ssedmeandwal kedof
finthatpower
suit
,lookingl
ikesomebadassbusinesswoman.
Iknowt hi
ssoundscl
i
ché,butIfel
tsoproudi
f
thewomanshewasbecomi ng.
*
***
***
***
*
LUBA
Iopenedthesalonandassignedthegirl
sthei
r
duti
esandconf i
rmedtheappointment
s, t
hen
wenttocheckont hebakerywhichhadjust
opened.Neelowasalreadyinandsett
ingup
wit
ht wootheremployees.
Af
terev
ery
thi
ngwasdone,
Iwentbackt
othe
sal
onandsatonmyof
fi
ce.
Icont
inuedresear
chi
ngthatoldmanandhi
s
famil
y,smil
i
ngasapl anst
artedt
ofor
m.
Hewasj ustaoppor
tunistbul
lywhouseda
si
tuat
ionandhispowert otr
yandt r
apme.Me,
ontheotherhand… Iwasgoingouttogethi
m,
wit
hamet i
cul
ousl
yplannedtrap.
Hear
ri
vedaf ewmi
nut
esl
aterandIcal
l
edhi
m
t
otheoff
ice.
ME:Whatareyoudoi
nghere!Wecan’tbeseen
t
ogether,
youwantt
oatt
ractatt
ent
ionto
your
self
?
HIM:Rel
ax,noonesawme,andthisi
sthel
ast
ti
me.IhavetheI
ndi
ancont
acts.Remember
,
100k.
Hehandedmeapaperwi
thal
i
stofnamesand
number
s.
ME:
Andy
ouraccountnumber
?Iam gonna
hav
eacleanerf
ixacompanysoy
oucanhav
e
anexpl
anat
iononwher
ethemoneyi
sfr
om.
HIM:Ihav
etextedy
outheaccountnumber.
Don’
ttryt
of**
kmeov er
,li
tt
legi
rl
.Ihavedeal
t
wit
htoughcr
iminal
s.
ME: Exactl
y.
.Andy ouwouldbeabletotel
li
fI
wasupt onogood.Besi des,
whatcouldI
possibl
edo, orhopetogainfr
om messingwith
you?Youknowt hi
sworldmor et
hanIdo.Ijust
wannat akeadvantageofanopport
unit
ysowe
bothwin.
HI
M:Il
i
ket
hat
…
Het
ri
edt
oki
ssmeandIpushedhi
m of
f.
ME:Nope.Noneoft hatanymore.Wedo
busi
nessonl y
,ornothi
ng.Threatent
ouse
Kart
el’
svideoandgethim arr
estedandItell
you
goahead.Youdo,webot hlose.Youpossibl
y
gotojai
ltoofort
hedeal youmadewi thme.I
haveav i
deo,r
emember ?So,darli
ng,
unlesswe
workt
ogetherandbeeachother
’skeeper
,we
bot
hlose.What’
sitgonnabe?
Hesmi
l
ed,
impr
essed.
HIM:Nx,
nx,
nx!Youar
en’
tjustapr
ett
yface,
are
you?
ME: Qui
etthecontrar
y,Iact
ual
lyam.Don’t
expectmorethanwhaty ouseefrom me,Iam
notsomesmar tgangsterchi
ck,Iam j
usta
pret
tyli
tt
leopportuni
st.
HIM:(l
aughing)Okthen… bythe30thevery
monthI’
llbechecki
ng.Ift
hereisanyt
hingatal
l
youneedtobeawar eof,I
’l
lgetthei
nfotoyou
somehow.
Hewal
kedof
fandIf
eltsopr
oudofmy
sel
f.
No,Iwasn’
tcutoutfordoingjumpsanddr ops
andshooti
ng.ButIthi
nkIhadj ustper
fectl
y
foundmyplace.Iam analpha,that
’swhypawn
j
obsdon’tsui
tme.Ineededt otakemyki ngdom
i
nmyownt er
m.Andt hankful
lyIhadaki ngI
f
oundwort
hytost
andbymysi deandbet
he
f
aceofi
tal
l
,int
hemisogy
nist
icworld.
Iwentbacktomydesktop,
andnoti
cedan
envel
opeaddressedt
ome.Itmusthavecome
i
nwhenIwasout .
Ihadal
ett
er.Whost
il
lwr
it
esl
ett
ers!
Iopeneditupwit
hsuspi
cion,
butrecogni
zed
mymot her’
shandwr
it
ingi
mmedi atel
y.
‘
Mudi
wa…‘
Ismil
edatherni
cknameforme.Mybr ot
hers
alway
ssaidIwasherfav
ori
tebecauseofit
.
‘
Mudiwa… howar ey ou?Ay oungl adyhas
shownmeav i
deoofy ouget ti
ngani cecar.I
al
soheardyouhav eabusi nessofy ourown, a
sal
on.WhenIwasy oungerIdreamtofhav i
nga
sal
on.Itmademesohappyseei ngy oudoing
well
.Iam soproud.Arey ouhappy ?Isthatman
tr
eati
ngyouright
?Ipr ayso.Imi ssy ousomuch,
mudiwawangu.Ishoul dn’tbedoingt hi
s,butI
j
ustwant edy out oknow.Imar ri
edy oung.Iwas
basi cal l
ygiv ent oyourfatherat16, mypar ents
thoughtIcoul dhav eabetterli
feinBot swana.
Likey ou,Iwasf ul
lofgasandaf ightert hattime,
soIr an.Camet oFranci
stown.Iwasi nanew
count rywher eIknewnobody ,butsomeki nd
girl
sf rom backhomesai dIcoul ddohai rand
makeal i
ving.Iwassohappy .Itwasahar dlif
e
ofl i
v i
ngi nat inysharedroom, eatingbr eadwi t
h
wat ersomet imes, hustl
i
ngf orcustomer s
ever yday ,buti twasmyl i
fe.Itwentonf ort wo
weeksonl y,t henImett hismanwhowaski nd
andshower edmewi t
hmoneyandamazi ng
gifts, vacationsandshoppi ngspr ees.If eltso
spoi lt,everydaywassomet hingnew, Ialway s
feltlikeapr incesswi thhim.Unt i
lhiswi fef ound
meandbeatmeup, t
hensentmebackt omy
husband.Myhusbandbeatmesomuchand
hadmenf rom hi scongregationguar dmef or
year saf ter.Amont haft
erIreturned,If oundout
Iwaspr egnant .TobehonestIcannotsayI
knewwhoy ourf at
herwasbackt henbecauseit
couldbeei ther.Ihadsl eptwi t
hthatmanaday
beforeIwascaughtandsentback, andmy
husbandt henextdaywhenIcameback.But
nowt hatyouar egrown, allIseeiny ourf
aceis
him.Mygener ousl over.IwishIcoul dgiveyou
detail
sonhi m, butIdon’ tknowmuch.Al lI
knowi shisnamei sMmi l
i
li
,hewasanol der
man, marriedwi thchildren,,andhehadacar
dealershi
pt hattime.Iwi shy ouwel l
,mudiwa,
andIknowi tssel f
ish,butIhopet oseey ou
againoneday .Iloveyouso, ruvarangu.’
*
***
***
***
***
LI
KE,
COMMENT,
SHARE

AThug’
sLov
e:21
LUBA
Iwipedatearandreadthelett
eragai
n.Icoul
d
feelherl
ovepour
ingri
ghtthroughit
.
Man, Imissedhersomuch.Ihadal ways
thoughtheracowar dandt houghtIdespi
sed
her,butdeepdownal lIev ersawwasabound
woman, andnowIr ealiseIdespisedher
weaknessi nst
ead.Despi sedhowshedi dn’t
protectmewhenmyf atherbeatmeupwi t
ha
hippohidewhipandl ockedmeupi nawell
.
NowIwonder edwhatshecouldhavedone,
reall
y.Shehadnov oi
ce,
nosay ,
nopowerthere.
Shecoul dn’
tevensav
ehersel
f.Shewasjustas
trappedasIhadbeen.
KnowingMoseswasn’
tmyfatherwassucha
rel
i
efIdidn’
tev
enknowIneeded.
Ireadsomewher
et hatwhenapar
entabusesa
chil
d,mostt
imesthechil
dtendst
oblame
themselv
es,
becausewet hi
nkpar
ent
allovei
s
thatpur
ethattheycoul
dnev
erj
ustabusey
ou.
..
Youstartthi
nki
ngyoumusthav
edone
somethingwrong.
AndIreali
seddeepdownIhadal waysdone
that
.ThoughtIwasbor nj
ustnotgood,that’
s
whymyf atherbeatmesooften.Hencet hesel
f-
destr
ucti
vebehaviourwhenIwasachild.
Nowi twasli
kesomeonejustputi
nthel
ast
pieceofaverydi
ff
icul
tpuzzl
eandIfi
nal
l
ysaw
theful
lpi
ctur
e.
Hemusthav eknownIwasn’thi
s.AndI
remindedhi
m oftheti
mehiswifedar
edescape
him.Herinf
idel
i
ty.Hetooki
tonme.
Andsomehowknowi ngt
his,
itgaveme
t
remendouspeace.I
twasn’
tme.Itwashi
m.
Itr
iedmyluckandt yped‘
Mmil
il
icardealer
ship’
andtheresul
tsthatcamebackwasabouta
Mmi l
il
iMoyowhoco- ownedNort
hsideMot or
s.
Otherswerever
yoldnewspapercoverages
abouthim goi
ngtopri
sonf
orsteal
i
ng
diamonds,impl
icat
edonmult
ipl
erobber
ies,
acqui
tted…
Il
ookedathi
spi
ctur
eforsomet
imes.Youknow
what,
Idi
dseeit
…someofmyf eat
ures…
Ok,sonowwhatt hehel
ldoIdowi t
ht his
i
nformati
on?Hiswifesoundedli
keapi eceof
workifshebeata17yearoldandsentherback
toanabusiv
ehusband.DidIreal
lyneedt hese
peopl
einmyl i
fe?
*
***
***
***
***
*
Seshaf i
nishedshower i
ngandfeltabi
t
stronger
,soshedeci dedt ogooutforawal k.
Lubahadbr oughtherbreakf
ast
,soshepi cked
upt hepl
at esandwentt otheki
tchentoput
them away .Shewalkedi nonMonkpolishing
hisgun.Hehi ditbehindhimsel
f.
OhmuGod, hehadagun?Shehadnev
erev
en
seenagunbefor
e
SESHA:(pani
cked)That
’s… t
hat
’sagun.Ohmy
god,i
sitreal
?
MONK:
Iuhm…Iuhm…
SESHA:Monkgogi
,whatdoy ouandy our
fr
iendsdo?Youal
lhav
et hi
sfancyplaceand
carsandspendmoney,
Kartelbuy
ingsalons
andall
.Whatdoyoudo?
MONK:
Weuhm…we…pi
ecej
obs.
SESHA:Ihaveneverhear
dofpi
ecej
obst
hat
paysenoughtobuyasalon.
MONK:
Whatdoy
out
hinkwedo?
SESHA:
Idon’
tknow.
MONK:
Doesi
tbot
hery
ou?
SESHA:
Ijustsai
dIdon’
tknow
MONK:
Youdo.Doesi
tbot
hery
ou?
SESHA:
Ist
hatwhyy
ouwentt
ojai
l
?
MONK:
Uhm…no.ButIcoul
difImessup.I
’
m
gonnagol
ookatcar
s.Youwannacome?
SESHA:
Whydidyoucomet
omypl
acet
hatday
?
Whenheuhm…thatday
?
MONK: (si
gh)Ij
ust
…Iam notgoodwi t
hwords.
Butther
eissomethi
ngIfi
ndinter
est
ingabout
you.Iwanttofi
ndoutwhati
tis.
SESHA:
Ihav
eaboy
fri
end.
MONK:
Doy
ou?
SESHA:YouknowI …any way,evenifweare
done,hi
m andI…Iam l eavi
ngav er
yabusiv
e,
tr
aumaticrel
ati
onship.ThelastthingIneedis
tojumpint
oanot her,
especiall
ywi t
hathugwho
hasbeentoprisonandcar ri
esagun, whatif
yougetmadandshootme…
MONK:
Wow…
SESHA:Damnit
,meandmybigmout
h,t
hatwas
notsupposedt
ocomeoutl
oud.
MONK:
Itdi
d…
SESHA:Idi
dn’
tmeani
tli
ket
hatMonk,
Iswear
…
Ij
ust…
MONK;
Nah,
it’
scool
…so,
uhm…I
’
m gonnahead
out
.
*
***
***
***
***
Eawalkedbehi
ndRoncar
ryi
nghershoppi
ng
bags.
EA:Ser
iousl
y,howmuchclothesdoesoneneed!
I
fIhavetocarryonemorebag,IswearI
’
m
gonnafal
loveranddi
e.
RON:(
laughi
ng)Boo-
hoo,dramaki
ng… agir
l’
s
got
tal
ookgood.PlusIboughty
outhi
ngstoo.
EA:Gonemmewhati
sal
lthi
snewcl
othesf
or
any
way ?
RON:
Dol
l
ainv
itedmet
oapar
ty…
EA:
Youar
eint
othat
?Dol
l
a?
RON:Dol
la?Eww,butIneedt
ostayonhisgood
si
debecausewi
ththi
supcomingproduct
,we
aregonnabepushinghi
m outofbusiness,so
heisgonnacomeaf t
erus.I
’m gonnabespy i
ng
onhim.Butthecl
othesarebecausetheremight
besomecut eguysoutt
here… yourgir
lbeen
singl
efortool
ong,man.Can’
tev enr
emember
thelastt
imeIwentonadate.
EA:
Icoul
dtakey
ou… onadat
e,y
ouknow.
RON:(
laughi
ng)Imeanareal
dat
e,Ea… y
ou
know,
withaguyandall
.
EA:
Yea.Iam aguy
,andi
tcoul
dber
eal
.
RON:(l
aughi
ng)Yea,
what
ever
…let
scheckt
hat
shop.
Shegotinsi
det
heshopconf
used.Di
dEaj
ust
askheronadate?
No,hewouldn’thave,becauseEawasaho
whodidn’
tdate,justcasualhook-
ups.Whi ch
wasapity.Becausethef oolwasactuall
ya
gent
leman.Andcut e.Andcouldhitisrealgood.
Andwasherf ri
endandmadef orgreat
company
.
No,Patt
y,don’
tsetyoursel
fupfor
di
sappoint
mentli
ethat.Eadoesn’
tdat
e.Andhe
hasnevershownint
erestpastbey
ondbumping
ugl
ies.
*
***
***
***
*
LUBA
WhenIgothome, Kart
elhadjustar
ri
vedand
wasinourbedroom.Iwentt omakethefam
di
nner,
andweat etogetheratt
hetable,
then
wentbacktoourbedrooms.
Aft
ershoweri
ng,
Kar
tel
lai
dont
hebedandI
cametojoi
nhim.
KARTEL:
Babe,
youar
esur
eyouar
eok?
ME:
Act
ual
l
y,noKar
tel
.Iam notokatal
l
.
Icoul
dnotdothi
swhol
esul
kthi
ng,
howdoy
’al
l
womendoit?
KARTEL:
Iknewi
t.Whatdi
dIdonow?
ME:Youli
ket
otakemeforgr
anted,l
i
keI’mj
ust
somesil
l
ythi
ngyouamuseyour
selfwit
h.
KARTEL:
Idon’
t
ME:Yes, y
oudo.Youdon’tconsi
dermyadv ise
andtreatmwli
keaki d,
howdoIst andbeside
youwhenIam justyourkeptt
rophy?Itol
dy ou
somethingwaswrongwi t
hthatdealandyou
i
gnoredme.Nowl ookwer ei
tgotus.
KARTEL:KanannaIwasj
ustgoi
ngbylogi
c.
Ever
yoneagreewi
thme,wecoul
dn’
tletagood
dealgoonahunch.
ME:
Thehunchwascor
rect
!
KARTEL: Yesitwas, ori
tcouldhavebeen
wrong.Everyonemakesabadcal lsometimes.
Andthat’
st hepri
ceofbei ngaheadofany thi
ng,
sweetheart
.Knowi ngeveryt
hing,goodorbad,is
onyou,andi t
sf**kingti
ri
ngsomet imes.Imade
acallIt
houghtwasagooddeal .
ME:
Yea,
wel
l
,yourgooddeal
got
…ituhm…
Ij
ustbrokedowncr
yingandhehel
dme,
kissi
ng
myforehead.
Idi
dn’
tev
enhav
etosayany
thi
ng…
KARTEL:
F**
K… f
**k!Iam gonnaki
l
lhi
m.Ri
ght
now!
ME:
(sobbi
ng)why
… whywoul
dyou…
KARTEL: Somesill
ypay mentwouldn’
tmake
youcry…t hatf
**ker… he… he…seewhyI
wannakeepy ououtofal l
this?I
t’
sadangerous
world,andthet
houghtofy ouhurt…I’
m gonna
ki
llhim.
Itearrol
l
eddownhi
scheekwi
thouthi
m ev
en
notici
ng.
Hest
oodupandgr
abbedhi
sgun.
Ibl
ockedhi
m bef
oreheev
enwentout
.
ME:Thati
stooki
ndf
ort
hel
i
kesofhi
m.Ihav
ea
pl
an…
KARTEL:
ButLubahe…
ME: Yes,buti
thappened,nothingcanchangei t
.
Thebestwecandoi sgetawi noutoft he
si
tuation.Wegotahighrankingpoliceofficerin
ourpocket!Andetect
ivewor ki
ngnar cot
ics!
Don’tyouseehowgr eatthatis?Think,myki ng.
Unti
l wehaveourmoneyandgetout ,weuse
hi
m.Weal waysstayastepaheadoft hepolice
becauseofhim.
KARTEL:
Ican’
tjustl
ethi
m go,
Luba.Hehur
t
you.
ME:Wear enotlett
inghim go.Thi
nklongter
m,
myking.AndIhav eaplan… Iwannastri
phim
ofever
ythi
ng.Hisfamilyhismoney ,
hisj
ob,
honour
,andfinal
lyI’
ll
letyoubeathimtodeath.
Hesi
ghedheav
il
yandt
hrewapi
l
lowagai
nstt
he
wal
l.
ME:
Cal
m down,
myki
ng.Wewi
l
lgethi
m.
Hesatf
orabi
tandt
hem cameandt
ri
edt
oki
ss
me.
Ihadn’
tev
enr
eal
i
sedIr
ecoi
l
edf
rom hi
stouch.
Hel
ookedatmesadl
y.
KARTEL:Luba, y
ouwer eattacked.Hur t
.A
vi
cti
m.Buttomey ouarethestrongwomanI
l
ove.Thegir
lwhohasf oughtsomanydemons
andcameoutv i
ctori
ous.Thesexyv ixenwho
gi
vesmeahar donwi t
hjustat hought.Butmost
i
mpor t
ant
lythewomanIl oveandwi llalway
s
l
oveunconditi
onally.
Iwassoconfused.Canamanr eal
l
yaccepta
womanaftershewas… youknow,beenwit
h
anot
hermanwhi l
edati
nghim?
ME:Kar
tel
,I
…I…itsnotev
enassaul
t,hedi
dn’
t
hol
daguntomyhead…
KARTEL: Onlythef r
eedom ofthemany oulove.
Whichi st
hesameasagunt oyouhead,r
eall
y.
Youei t
herdidwhathewant ed,orIgot
oprison.
Coercionissti
l
l assaul
t,Luba.Whathappened
wasr apeandnof aul
tofyours.
ME:(sobbing)Howcany ouwantme…men
don’
t… can’tacceptawomanwho…who…
KARTEL:Whowaswhat ,assaul
ted?Firstofall,
I
don’
tknowaboutanyot hermen, butIwillnev
er
puni
shsomeonef orbeingav i
cti
m.Butmost
i
mportant
,ther
eisli
terall
ynothi
ngt hatcanev er
makemenotl oveyou.Not hi
ng.Andy oubest
rememberthat
!
Ijustheldontohim asIbrokedowncr yi
ng.
Thi swasthelastthi
ngIexpected.Somuch
under st
andi
ngandki ndness.Especial
l
yt hatI
feltli
keIcheated,
mor ethananythingelse.
Ev enthoughIknewIhadnochoi ce.
KARTEL:NowIunder standwhyy ouhavebeen
pushi
ngmeawayandnotwant ingtobe
i
ntimatewithme.Andbabe, Iunder
standifyou
needti
me, orneedtot alkt osomeoneabouti t
,
youcantakealltheti
mey ouneed,justknow
thatt
omey ouar eal
way ssobeaut i
fulandsexy,
andIalwayswannaj umpy ou.
Het
ippedmychi
nupandsof
tl
yki
ssedme.
ME:Mymothermessagedme… sentmea
l
ett
eract
ual
l
y…
KARTEL:
Yea?
ME:
Imi
ssher
… shesai
dshehopest
oseeme.
KARTEL:
Yea?Wi
l
lyougoseeheroneday
?
ME:Ican’
tgobackther
eKar t
el.Theni
ght
mar
es
wi
ll
startagai
n… and… and…
KARTEL:
Ory
oucoul
dgogetcl
osur
e.
ME:
How…
KARTEL:(chuckl
ing)Dr
essspor
ty.Leggi
ng,
sneaker
s…t hencometothecar
.
Hechangedint
oblacksweats,abl
acktshi
rt,
andsneaker
s.If
oundhim wait
ingi
nthealt
ezza.
ME:
Wher
ear
ewegoi
ng?
KARTEL:
Someti
mesnothingi
smor
esat
isf
ying
andfr
eei
ngl
iker
evenge.
Wedroveof
ftomyhomev il
l
ageandhepar
ked
adi
stancef
rom myf
ather
’scompound.
KARTEL:
Whatwast
hei
rnamesagai
n?
ME:
Jer
emi
ah,I
sake,
andMoagi
.
Theguy swhower er esponsibleformy
ni
ghtmar es.Howt heyhadt orturedmeal lnight
l
ongt ot r
yandhi deev idenceofwhatt heydi d
fr
om myf ather…theyal mostdr ownedmei nt he
pondusedt obaptizedandgi v
epeopl e‘spir
itual
cl
eansing’ i
n, butdecidedt hatwoul dn’tlook
naturalbecauseIcoul dswi m…f i
nallysettl
ing
onbeat i
ngmehal ftodeat h,pour i
ngv odkaont o
met hroughmyanussoi tl
ookedl ikeIwas
drunkandcomi ngf r
om acl ubandgotr obbed.
Vil
l
agershadf oundmebarel
yalive,andIhad
norecoll
ecti
onofwhathappenedt ome.I
couldn’
trememberformonths.IguessI
bl
ockedit.
WhenIf
inal
l
yremember
edi
tandt
oldmyf
ather
,
hecal
l
edmeali
arandsaidwhycomef
orwar
d
manymont
hsf
rom t
heincidence.
KARTEL:
Waithere,st
ayi
nthecar
,andi
f
any
onecomes,call
me.
Fi
fteenminutesl
aterhecamebackwith
Jeremiahgagged,
agunathishead.Idi
dn’
t
evenknowhowbecausehehadnev erseenhi
m.
ME:
How…
KARTEL:AskedforbrotherJeri
miahbecauseI
neededpr
ayers.Andjustmyl uck,Iasked
Jeremi
ahhimself.Healsoshowedmet heot
her
two.MonkandEaar ehandlingthat.Noone
sawus.I’
l
lkeepourguestni ceandcosy .You
dri
ve.
Hedi
rectedmet ot
heout
ski
rt
s,wer
eitwasf
ar
f
rom any
t hi
ng.
WefoundMonkandEawi
thI
sakeandMoagi
t
iedt
ochai
rs.
Kar
tel
tiedJer
imi
aht
othet
hir
dasMonkandEa
l
eft
.
Thenhehandedmeabasebal
lbat
.
KARTEL: Rememberev er
ysinglet
hingtheydi
d
toyouandf i
ndthatrage,t
hatfear
,that
hel
plessness….Thenusethatbattoleti
tgo.
Ihesi
tat
edatf
ir
st,
butl
ooki
ngatt
hem t
her
e… i
t
al
lcameback.
IwentforJer
emiahfir
st… ontheknees.The
head,
back… Isake,
Moagi,backtoJeri
mi ah…
Itl
astedaboutanhour ,andhej ustl
etmegoat
i
tashesatbyt hetreetrunkunbot hered… when
Ifi
nallyt
hrewthebatdownhewasr ightther
eto
catchmeandIcr i
edonhi schestforagood
twentyminutes.minutet hreelaidontheground
sti
l
l t
iedupandgagged, bruisedandbr oken.
Kartelputmei
nthecarandwenttothem.
Pickedupthebatandputiti
nacar,
,remov
ed
thegagsandbinds,t
ookthechai
rs,
andput
them i
nthecar,
thenloadedasyri
ngewi
th
someH, l
etthewholeifi
tineachoft
hei
rchest
.
Iwatchedthem f
oam atthemouthandki
ck
aboutbefor
etheywentstil
l
.Thenhepoured
petr
olall
overandli
tafir
ebeforewedrov
eof f
.
KARTEL:
Arey
ouok?
ME:Actuall
y,I
’
m great…y ouwer
er i
ght
…it
hel
pedmel etgomor ethananyther
api
stever
would.Theygotwhattheydeser
ved.
AndImeanti
t.
Ever
yhitf
eltl
i
keaweightoffmyshoul
der
s.
Li
keexact
ingthej
ust
iceInevergot
.
KARTEL: Awesome…now, aboutt
hatpol
ice
off
icer
…y ouarer
ight
.Let
susehimf i
rst
.Get
hi
mt oar r
angeanescapeforRaji
t…theleader
oftheIndians.
ME:
Huh?
KARTEL:
Wehav
etosendamessaget
opeopl
e
whoar ethi
nki
ngoff **
kingwit
hus, andweare
doingitwit
hRaji
t.Can’tdothatwhenheis
l
ockedup.Themomentheget soutIsnat
ch
himfrom thest
reetandsendamessage.So,
youthinkyoucanarrangeit
?
ME:
Consi
deri
tdone,
myki
ng.
IsaidasIsashayedi
ntohisl
apandstart
ed
ki
ssinghim.Helaughedandpul
ledt
ot hesi
de
ortheroad…
*
***
***
**
LI
KE,
COMMENT,
SHARE
AThug’
sLov
e:22

LUBA
Isati
nthesalonwait
ingf
orthatdet
ect
ive.I
wasgetti
ngimpati
entwhenhefinal
l
yarr
ived.
HIM:Ithoughtwewer
enotsupposedt
obe
seentogether
.
ME:Thisi
simportant
.Appar
ent
lyRaj
i
tisgoi
ng
t
otalkandimpl
icateyou.
HI
M:No,
hei
snot
,he…
ME: (
laughi
ng)Youcopshav ealoudmout h
whent her
eispaperoft
het abl
e.Raji
tisgonna
tal
kandhesai dhehasev i
dencethatcan
i
mpl i
cateyou.Wearegoingdowni fyoulett
his
happen.
HI
M:ButIwon’
thav
eenought
imeal
onewi
th
hi
m…
ME:Heissti
l
linaholdi
ngcel
l,
right?Gethi
m
t
ranspor
tedt
oprisonandl
ethim escape.
HI
M:What
?
ME:That ’
swher eIhavemyboy snabhim and
makesur ehenev errunshismouthagain.We
havetheKeny adealint hebag,
Kgare,
wecan’t
havehimr ui
ningitnow.Ihav et
extedyou
i
nstruct
ionsofwher ey oushoul
dlethi
m escape.
Getitdone.Please.
Iopenedadr
awerandhandedhi
m anenv
elope
wit
hmoney.
ME:Let
anwadri
nkaker
e.Now,
ify
ou’
l
lexcuse
me,
Ihavecl
i
ent
s.
Hewal kedoffandIwentbacki
nt hesalon,di
d
aboutthreel
acewigandt womani-pedi,t
hen
theoff
icercall
edandsaidthet
ransferwas
happeningat3pm.Ical
ledKart
elandl ethi
m
know.
*
***
***
***
*
KARTEL
It
’snoteasyasmantohavetojustseatwhi
l
e
knowingsomeonehur
tyourgir
l.
ButIseewhatLubawason,
andhonest
ly,
thi
s
i
swhysheismyqueen.Shebal
ancesmeout.
SoIwasr eadyt
obaitt
imeunti
lwecodgett hat
ol
dperv.Whatbrokemyheartwasthatshe
woul
dthinkIwouldseeherdi
ff
erent
lybecause
shewasassault
ed.Ij
ustwannagivethi
sgir
l
thewor
ld.Li
veherandprot
ectherandgiv
eher
anamazingl
ife.
Afterhavingbreakfastwithmyqueen, Idroveto
theoffi
ceandhadadi scussionwi
thmy
managerf orabit
,thensatinmyof fi
cefinishi
ng
myassi gnment sformyonl inedi
ploma.
Ni
ki
tacamei
nandsatatt
hecor
neroft
het
abl
e.
Sht
.
If
orgott
otel
lLubaaboutt
hisher
esi
tuat
ion.
NI
KITA:
Youl
ookl
i
keaboss.
KARTEL:
(laughi
ng)Iam.Yourboss.
NI
KITA:
Andt
othi
nkI
’
mtheonewi
tht
hedegr
ee.
KARTEL:Don’
tbehar
dony
our
sel
f,l
i
fehasno
for
mula.
NI
KITA:
Sooo,
howi
sev
ery
thi
ng?
KARTEL:
Good.
NI
KITA:Iwasthi
nkingofwaystoboostst
aff
moral
eandIthoughtsomethi
ngasli
ttl
easa
l
unchtoget
herwoulddo.Anditwoul
dbegr eat
i
fyoujoi
nedus.
KARTEL:Oh,
ok….Seti
tupandsendmet
he
det
ail
s.
NI
KITA:
Alr
ight
…
Shej
ustcont
inuest
oseatt
her
e.
KARTEL:
Ist
her
eany
thi
ngel
se?
NI
KITA:Lubai
sal uckygi
rlwai
tse… oneofthe
t
hingsIl
oveaboutyouishowloyalyouare.
KARTEL:Ireal
lyhav
ealotofwork,Ni
kit
a,Ihave
someassignmentsandthenIneedtogoov er
somepaper s.
NI
KITA: Aorra.Kar
tel
,wedon’thavet
obeat
warjustbecauseyouareseei
ngsomeoneelse.
Wewer ebeyondf *
*kbuddi
esyouandI,we
werefri
ends.Andnowwewor ktoget
her
.
KARTEL: (si
ghi
ng)Youarer
ight
.Pardonme.
ButIreall
yhavealotofwor
k,Iam notj
ust
sayi
ngt hat.
SheleftandIstay
edinandworkedmostoft
he
morning,havi
ngthel
unchLubaparkedf
orme
i
nmyof fi
ce.
Around12noonshetext
edt hatourpl
anwasa
go,so,IgotMonkandEaready.
By3:15am wewai t
edhiddeni
nacarand
watchedasthatguyandtwounif
ormedpol
i
ce
of
fi
cersdroveby.
Thereachedtheagr
eedspotwhereEahadput
nail
sjustmomentsbefor
e.Tir
eswentkaput,
thecarski
ddedandhitatree,
butnot
hingbad.
Astheunifor
medof f
icerwentt
ocheckthe
engi
neandcallf
orhelp,Kgar
ewenttotheback
andsubtl
yopenedforRaji
tandwhi
speredfor
hi
mt orun.
Raj
i
tgott
hought
hebushes,
butdi
dn’
tgof
ar
bef
oreMonknabbedhi
m andt
hrewhi
mint
he
car
.
Wedr oveofft
omypar entsfi
eldanddragged
hi
mi nsidet
hecorrugat
edironshiel
d.Myqueen
wasalreadywait
ingoutsi
dethefarm,l
eani
ng
agai
nsthercar.
MonkandEadr aggedRaj
iti
nsideandhadhim
kneel
ingdown.It
ookoneseati
ngacrossfr
om
him,wit
hagloveoninonehand.
KARTEL:
Hel
l
oRaj
i
t.
RAJI
T:Kar
tel
,Isweari
twasn’
tme,
man…I
…
KARTEL:
Wasn’
tyouwhodi
dwhatRaj
i
t?Huh?
Bef
orehecoul
danswerIpunchedhi
m.
KARTEL: Wasn’tyouwhodi dwhat ?See,I
thoughtwewer efri
ends,Raji
t… butthe
problem i
syoupeopletakekindnessf or
weakness.Thisismyf **
kingterri
tory.I
nmy
f**ki
ngcountr
y!Iall
owedy outost reetsel
land
yout
houghtIwasweakf
ort
hat
,want
edt
otake
meout.
RAJI
T:No…no,
itwasn’
tli
kethatatall
.Pl
ease
Kar
tel
,mywi
feispr
egnant… Ihavetwoother
ki
ds…
KARTEL: Di
dyout hi
nkaboutmyf amil
ywhen
youratt
edmet othepolice?Snit
ches,Raj i
t…
sni
tchesgetsti
tches.Unfor
tunatelyf
ory ou,I
don’
tbeli
eveinthat.St
it
chesmeant heygeta
chancetopatchyouup.F* *kt
hat.Snitchesget
l
aiddown.Powpow.Goodni ght.
RAJI
T:Pl
easeKar
tel
…I…I
…
Ipunchedhi
m agai
n.Nothi
ngthatl
eavesa
mark.Notevenapri
ntfr
om myhand,hencethe
glov
e.Ihadaplanf
orhimthatwouldsenda
messageandnotcreat
eanotherpoli
cecase.
KARTEL:
Babe…
Ir
eachedmyhandtoherandshehandedmea
vi
alofHandasyr
inge.
Icouldal
readyseeotherneedl
emarksonthe
fool
’shandasIpinnedhim downwithmyknee
andpunchedanewhi keinhisarm.Enough
doseforli
ghtsout.
Iwatchedhim kickandfoam,t
heweputhimi
n
thecarandt ookhimtooneofhisf
ri
ends’
far
ms.Policewi l
lbeal
loverhi
shouse,
sowe
hadtobecr eati
ve.
Wedr oppedhi minthefarm shed, andI
cleanedt heneedleandt hevialtor emove
fi
nger pri
nts,t
henusedhi shandt ohol dthevial
andt heneedl etoputhisallovert hem,befor
e
droppingt hem nexttohim.Monkhandl edout
footprintsint
othefarm withaf an, whi
leEatook
outRaj it
’sshoesandcr eat
edasi nglesetof
fresht r
acks,thenputthem backonRaj itand
wedr ov ebackhome.
*
***
***
***
**
Il
ovehowsmoot
handt
houghtoutmyki
ng
handledt
hatRashi
tsi
tuat
ion.Aswedr
oveback
helookedatme.
KARTEL: CallRon.Iwantyouandhert opay
Raj
it
’ssisterSali
maandt el
l hert
heiroperat
ion
i
sstopped.Wai tunti
lRaji
tisfound.CallKgare
andgiv
ehi m at i
p.
OhmyGod,washeactual
lyl
ett
ingmedo
somet
hingwi
thouthov
eri
ngoverme?
Bi
gst
ep.
WhenIgotoft
hecarIcal
l
edt
heof
fi
cer
Aft
erIgavehi
m a‘
ti
p’andRaji
twasfound,
lat
er
atni
ghtRonandIwenttohi
ssist
er’
shouse.
Ronpickedt
hedoor,andwef
oundher
watchi
ngtel
evi
sion.
HER:Youhadf
ivesecondst
ogetoutofmy
house.
RON:Youhaveevenlesstoshutthef
**kupand
l
ist
en.Babegi
rl
,wannahandl
et hi
s?
ME:Sure.Li
sten,Sali
ma.Youar eawomanand
Iam al
laboutgirl
sst andtogethersht,t
hat’
s
whyIhavecomet otellyoukindlythatwhatev
er
oper
ati
ony ouhad, endswi t
hRaj i
t’
sdeath.That
wasawar ning.Compl i
ment sfrom Kart
el,
bythe
way.
HER:
Thatsonofa…
ME:
Cal
lmymot
heri
nlawnames,
Idar
eyou.
Ronsmil
edandpul
l
edherbedazzl
edgunt
o
Sal
ima’
shead.
Sheshuthermout
hqui
ckl
y.
ME: Thoughtso.So, anyway .Youstop
produci
ng, youst opselli
ng,y oubasi
call
ystop
everyt
hing.Orl eavethiscity.Unl
essyouwanna
takeuson, andi tsobv i
ouswehav efr
iendsin
goodplaces… doy out hinkRashitbei
ngableto
‘
escape’ wasacoi ncidence?Youar enotthat
naïve,
sweet ie.Haveal ov el
ynightnow.
Wewal
kedof
fanddamn,
theadr
enal
i
neIf
elt
f
rom i
tal
l
!
ME:
Yout
hinkshei
sgonnast
op?
RON:Sheisasmar
tbi
ch,
sheknowswhat
’s
goodforher
.
*
***
***
***
**
ThenextdayIwantedtogoseemymot her
.I
wasscaredtobehonest.Havingt
ofacemy
dad…Ihatethathest
il
lscaresme.
SoKartel
decidedt
ocomewi t
hme.Todaymy
dadwouldgodepositmoney
,soI
’
lluset
hat
oppor
tuni
ty.
Wewai tedf
orsomet i
meunti
lIsawhi
scarpul
l
off
,thenIpul
ledmyhoodieupandwal
kedint
o
theyardandtothehouse.
Iwatchedherir
onhiscl
othesandsi
ngsome
l
ull
abyIr emember
edhersingi
ngtomewhenI
wasaki d.
ME:
Mama…
Shetur
nedar
oundwi
tht
hebi
ggestsmi
l
eand
huggedme.
MAMA:Lubalangu!Mybaby
!Oh,thanky
ouGod,
t
hanky
ouf oranswer
ingmypray
er.
SheseemedtohaveagedalotsinceIl
astsaw
her,
herwor
ryli
nesalotmor
epr ominent
.She
huggedmeandspunmear oundhappily.
MAMA:Mybabyyoulooksogood!Lookathow
bi
gyouar
e,y
ouhaveevengai
nedabitof
wei
ght
!
ME:
(laughi
ng)Thati
snotacompl
i
ment
,mama.
MAMA: Ohcomeof fit
, y
ouknowy ou’vealways
beentooski nny.Baby,Iam sohappytoseey ou,
butyoucannotst ay.
.Ifhecatchesyou,hewill
neverletyouleave.Hei sinabadmood, t
hree
ofthey oungerprophetshavegonemi ssing.He
prophesisedthattheyhav ebeenkil
l
edf orpart
s
bymut imen.
Il
ookeddownwi
thsat
isf
act
ion,
thi
nki
ngoft
hei
r
uglyfacesbur
ning.Andal
mostl
aughedatt
he
prophecy.
ME:Comewi t
hme, mama.I’
l
ltakecar
eifyou.I
r
unabusiness,soIcanpr
ovi
de.Wecant ake
mybrot
hers…
Sheshookherheadwi
tht
ear
sinherey
es.
MAMA:
Icant
,mudi
wa.Ican’
t.
ME:Yesy oucan,mama!Yesy oucan…y ou
don’
tevenneedt opackabag,wewi l
lbuynew
cl
othes.Ifyouareworri
edaboutmybr other
s,
wecant akethem t
oo.
Sheshookherheadandat
earr
andownher
cheek.
MAMA:
Thi
sismyl
i
fe,
mudi
wa.
ME: Youar
eonly37yearsoldmama!Youcan
star
tanewlif
e,fi
ndhappiness…f
all
inl
ovefor
real
…
MAMA:
(sobbi
ng)
,Lubal
angu…Iam sohappy
youleft
,thatyoufi
nal
lygett
olive…Iam so
proudofy ou…butthi
sismylif
e.Ihavet
hree
otherchi
ldren
ME:
Thr
ee?
Oncueal
i
ttl
ebabycooed.
Iwal
kedi
ntot
hel
i
vingr
oom wher
eal
i
ttl
ebaby
wasi
nacot.
MAMA: Wewer
eexpect
ingwhenyoul
eft
.She
i
sjustt
woweeksol
d.HernameisTaf
adzwa.
ME:Ev
enmorereasonyoushoul
dcomewi th
me,
wewil
lgetMichael
andDanielf
rom school
.
MAMA:
Asi
fyourbr
other
swi
l
lleav
e…
ME:
Thenl
etsgo.TakeTaf
adzwaandl
etsl
eav
e.
MAMA: Ican’
tmyl
ove.Ican’
tabandonmy
chi
l
dren.
ME:Youdon’tknowwhatyouareput
ti
ngher
t
hrough.WhatIwentt
hrough!I
twashel
l,
mama!
Hel
l!Bei
ngthatman’
sdaughteri
shel
l.
MAMA:I
’m sosor
rymudi
wa… y
oumustl
eav
e,
hewi
l
lbebacksoon.
ME:Mamaplease… pl
ease.Iam beggi
ng.
Comewit
h.
Oneoft
hel
adi
eswhot akescar
eofthehouse
wal
kedi
nandIduckedbehindadoor
.
HER:
Ma-
Michael
,wer
eyout
alki
ngt
osomeone?
MAMA: Oh,justbabyTaf
ahere.It
hinkshei
s
hungr
y,I
’l
lfeedhim.I’
l
lcal
lyouwhenIneed
somethi
ng,sist
er.
Thel
adywal
kedof
fandIcameout
.
ME:
Ma-
Michael
?
MAMA: Youruhm… yourf
atherdecidedwe
don’
tspeakyournameanymore.Ifpeopl
ecal
l
hi
m anythi
ngothert
hanpr
ophetMoses, i
sra-
Michael
now…
LUBA:
Ohwel
l
,hei
snotmyf
atherany
way
.
Isatdownandhel
dmyl
i
ttl
esi
ster
,ki
ssi
ngher
chubbyli
tt
lehands.Howcoul
dmymotherwant
toputherthr
oughthetr
aumaandhel
lIwent
thr
ough?
ME:
Mamapl
easel
etsgo…
MAMA: Pl
easemygi
rl
,l
eavenowbefor
ehe
cat
chesyouandi
mpri
sonsyouf
orev
er.
Icoul
dseeiti
nherey
es.Therewasno
convi
nci
nghertol
eavet
hishellhol
e.Ihugged
herandlef
twit
haheavysigh.
*
***
***
***
Niki
tasati
nherbedroom l
ooki
ngatt
hebr
uise
shehadjustmade,wit
hasmi l
e.
OnethingaboutKar
tel
wasthathewastoo
muchagent l
emantoevert
hrowaladyouton
t
hestreetsatni
ght.
Andoncehel
etsherst
ay?
Hehadanoppor t
uni
tyt
oworkonhi
m.Atwork
andathome,
sinceshehadhear
doeofLuba’
s
sal
ongi
rl
ssay
ingLubast
il
ll
iv
esi
nDonga.
Thatl
it
tl
egir
l’
sli
feshoul
dbeher
s,Lubadi
dn’
t
deser
veit
,Ni
kit
athought
.
Butshe,ont
heotherhand,
deser
vedal
lthose
fancycar
sandsalonsandbei
ngspoi
lt
.
*
***
***
***
LUBA
Igotint
hecarandj
usthel
dont
omyman
cry
ing.
ME:Howcoul dshebesoself
ishKart
el!Af
ter
ever
ythi
ngIwentthr
ough,howcouldshewant
toputhert
hroughwhatIwentthr
ough!
KARTEL:
Iher
etol
i
stenbabyi
fyouwannat
alk.
Iwi
pedt
ear
s,sni
ff
li
ng.
ME:SoIhaveatwoweeksoldl
it
tl
esister
…
Taf
adzwa.Iwantedt
hem t
ocomewi thmeso
Taf
adzwadoesn’
thavet
heli
feIhad,butmama
won’
tleav
e.Howcanshebesoselfi
sh!
KARTEL:
May
beshehasherr
easonsand…
ME:Don’tt
akeherside!Nothi
ngjust
ifi
es
subj
ecti
ngapoorli
ttl
ebabyt ohorr
ors,when
youknowtheyarecomi ng.
KARTEL:I’
m nott
aki
ngherside,I
’
mj ust
sayi
ng… youknowwhat,l
etmeshutup.Shall
wepassbySparandgetthattuboficecream
youli
kesomuch,andli
ghtthosenicecandl
es
ofyourandrel
ax?
*
***
***
***
*
KARTEL
Ifel
tsosadf ormybabe, especial
lyt
hatI
coul
dn’tdoany t
hingtohelp.Sowepassesby
Sparandgotal l
herfavouri
tes,andwhenIgot
homeIr anherashowerandwel i
tcandl
esand
sati
nthet ubcuddli
ngandl i
steningtoherv
ent
.
Anhouri
nwehear
daknockt
hatwoul
dn’
tgo
away.
ME:
Cany
ouj
ustf
**kof
f?
EA:
No,
comehandl
eyouri
ssuesMi
ster
.
I
ssues?
Ihav
eissues?
Iputononeofthewhit
erobesthatmatched
Luba’
sthatshehadgott
enforus,andwentto
thel
ivi
ngroom.
Abr
uisedNi
ki
tasati
nthechai
rsobbi
ng.
ME:
Andt
hen?
EA:Don’taskme.Wasdr i
vi
nginandshewasat
thegat
ecr yi
ng,sayi
ngshehadbeent
ryi
ngto
call
you.I’
m offtobed.
Il
ookedatNi
ki
tawhowasst
il
lsobbi
ng.
KARTEL:
Andt
henwena?
NIKI
TA:(sobbi
ng)I
… Ihadnowher etogo,andI
rememberseei
ngy ouraddr
essli
stedinsome
documentsatworkandIjust…
KARTEL:
Whatar
eyoudoi
ngher
e,Ni
ki
ta.
NIKI
TA:Myboyf
ri
endthr
ewmeout…Ihad
nowher
etogo.Hebeatmeand…and…
KARTEL:
Arey
ouok?
NIKITA:(
sobbing)I’l
lbefi
ne…Ijusthad
nowheretogo..Ijustneedafewday stosor
t
my sel
fout.
.Pl
easeKgat halo.
.Ihavenowher
e
elsetost
ay..Ihav ebeenther
ef ory
ouwhen
youneededit…
KARTEL:(sighi
ng)Fi
ne.I
’l
lhavetotal
ktoother
fi
rst
.Butonlyafewdays,Niki
ta.Youcanmake
i
ttoworkt omorrow?I
fyouneedadayof fIcan
tel
lRobi
n…
LUBA:
Whi
chwor
kisshemaki
ngi
tto?
Sht
.
Ihadfor
got
tenagai
ntot
ell
LubaNi
ki
tawor
ked
forme.
*
***
***
***
***
LI
KE,
COMMENT,
SHARE
ATHUG’
SLOVE:
23

LUBA
Istoodlooki
ngatKar
tel
ashebl
i
nkedl
i
kea
deerinheadl
ight
s.
ME:Iaskedaquest
ion.Whatj
obi
ssheget
ti
ng
t
o.
KARTEL:
Babe,
canwet
alk…i
nthebedr
oom?
ME:
Answert
hequest
ion.Kar
tel
.
IsaidasIwal
kedt
othebedr
oom andhe
fol
lowed.
NI
KITA:
Kar
tel
,wher
edoIsl
eep,
I…
LUBA:Youcanwai
t,Pl
ast
icFant
ast
ic.Ar
eye
wena.
Kart
elfol
l
owedmeandcl
osedt
hebedr
oom
door.
KARTEL:Imeantt
ot ell
you.Iswear
.Wi
th
ever
ythi
nggoi
ngon,Ijustf
orgot.
ME:
Answert
hequest
ion,
Kar
tel
…
KARTEL:So,
Ifoundoutt
hatmymanagerhi
red
Ni
kit
aformarketi
ng.
ME:
Ohwel
l
,shei
sfi
red.
KARTEL: Wecan’ tj
ustdothat…t
herear e
pr
otocols,especial
l
ythatshehasalreadygot
anofferlet
ter.Andsheisdoingareall
ygood
j
ob,Luba.Sheknowst hi
swholedigi
tal
marketi
ngt hi
ng.
ME:
Idon’
tcar
e.
KARTEL: Let
’snotthi
nkwi t
houremot ionsifwe
aregonnabesuccessf uli
nbusiness.Sheis
good,andwear ejuststar
ti
ng,wedon’ tneed
unfai
rdismissall
awsuits.
ME:(si
ghi
ng)Fi
ne,keepyourho.Butwhatthe
hel
li
sshedoinghere?Actual
l
y,Idon’
tcar
e.
Makeherl
eav
e.
KARTEL: Herboy
fri
endbeatherandt
hrewher
out.I
t’sl
ate,
Luba.Wecan’tt
hrowheroutl
i
ke
that.
ME:
Whynot
!
KARTEL:Real
l
y ?AndNi
ki
tai
sn’
tabadper
son,
shehasbeentheref
ormemanyti
mes.
ME:Wow, youarewor
kingover
ti
mei
ntheBlack
Rapunzel
DefenseFor
ce,hey
…dowhatyou
wantKart
el.
KARTEL:It
’sj
ustf
oraf
ewday
sunt
ilshecanbe
onherfeet
.
ME: Keri
ledowhaty
ouwantmot howaga
Jehova.Aker
ennawhatIsaydoesn’
tmat
ter
.
KARTEL;Youarebei
ngpetty.Whatdoyouwant
todo,t
hrowheroutthi
slat
ewhenwear ethi
s
farf
rom any
thi
ng?Therearen’
tevenanymor
e
combisandshedoesn’
tdri
v e.
ME:
Fine,
I’
ll
goputheri
nar
oom.
Iwal
kedbackt
oher
.
ME:
Let
’sgoRapunzel
.
Iputheroom thet
ini
estr
oom wehad,wi
thout
anybedsheetorpi
ll
ows.Justabedanda
mattr
ess.
ME: Li
sten,skank.Keeptryi
ngtogetatmyman
andIwi l
lkil
lyou.Dropthat‘Iam t
ryi
ngtobe
fri
ends’rubbi
sh,it
sannoy i
ng.Youleave
tomorrowmor ni
ng.Goodnightnow.
NIKI
TA:
ButhowdoIsl
eepwi
thoutbedsheet
s
and…
ME:Snakesdon’tneedbedsheet
s.Andifwe
makeyoucomf ort
able,
youwon’tleav
e.
Ij
ustwalkedof fandclosedmyselfi
nthe
bathroom andrelaxedinmybath.Iser
iousl
y
havenot i
mef orthis,
Ihadalongdayandwas
sti
l
l worr
iedaboutmybabysi st
er.
*
***
***
***
Ni
ki
tal
aidi
ntheempt
ybedandl
aughed.
Thatsi
ll
yl i
tt
legir
ldi
dn’tev
enrealizeshewas
serv
ingKar t
eltoherinasil
verplatt
erjustwit
h
thi
satti
tude.NotonlywasKartelagentleman,
hewasal soalwaystheref
orthosewhost ood
byhim.AkaNi kit
a.
Hmm,whati
shegonnasayhear
ingshewas
madet
osl
eepinabedwit
hnobedsheets.
Hephoner angandsheanswered.Hersist
er.
Naomi andherwer eseparat
edatbir
thwhen
hermot hergaveNaomi asanewborntoher
twi
nsist erwhocouldn’
thavebabi
es.Naomi
wasraisedi nGaboronebutNiki
tavi
sit
edthem
oft
en.
NI
KITA:
Bae…
NAOMI
:Whatar
eyouupt
onow?
NI
KITA:
(laughi
ng)snat
chi
ngmymanback.
NAOMI
:Youhav
eaman?
NI
KITA:RememberthatboyItol
dy ouIwasin
cl
asswithi
nseni
orschool?TheoneIsai dwe
j
ustvi
bedandhewast hebestrel
ationshi
pI
waseveronandIhaveapermanentcr ushon?
NAOMI :HowcanIfor
get
.‘Kgat
hii
sjustso
per
fectandhotandagent
leman,ifonl
yhe
wasn’
tpoor’
NIKI
TA:Heisnotpoornow.Inf
act,heisfar
f
rom poor
.Hejustboughthi
sgir
lasalon.Ohh,
t
herewasav i
ral
v i
deoofsomegreenhairedgi
rl
areket
sweaMer c,yousawi
t?
NAOMI:Yea… t
heguyi
ssohot…hehasthat
badboyvi
bemmegapehelookssweet
.
NI
KITA:
Yup,
that
’smyhubby
.
NAOMI:That
’sKar
tel
?OhmyGod,
babe…hei
s
hot
!Whatdoeshedo?
NI
KITA:
Heownsal
ogi
sti
cscompany
,Iact
ual
l
y
j
uststar
tedwor ki
ngf
orhi
m.So,
IsayIhav
eone
f
ootinalready
.
NAOMI:Buthehasagi
rl
,babe…andifheis
buy
inghersal
onsandMerc?Soundsser
ious.
NI
KITA:Shecameafterme,
soshecamef
**k
of
f.Kar
telandIwer
emeanttobe,
bae.
NAOMI
:Ok,
ify
ousayso.
NIKI
TA: Gapetheli
ttl
egir
lisnotmywor ry.My
nemesis,Pat
ronell
a,i
s.Theyalway shadthat
annoyi
ngconnection,andthegir
l,Luba,i
ssil
l
y
enoughnottoev enrecognizei
t.
*
***
***
***
**
KARTEL
Inthemorni
ngIwokeupandwenttot
he
kit
chent
of i
xLubahercupoft
ea.
Thekitchensmel
tsoni
ce,
andNiki
tawasin
therecooki
ngupastor
m,wear
ingbar
elyt
here
pajamas.
Shet
urnedandl
ookedatmewi
thasmi
l
e.
NI
KITA:
Oh,
hey
…youar
eawake.
KARTEL:I’
m surpri
sedyouar
e.Aren’
tyou
‘
all
ergi
c’t
omor nings,
orwhatev
ershtyousay
?
NI
KITA:Couldn’
tsl
eep.Thebedi
salit
tl
eitchy
wi
thoutbedsheet
s,I
’l
lbuysomel
ateraft
erwork.
KARTEL:Whywouldt
hebednothavesheet
s?I
thi
nkRonboughti
nbulkf
rom Chi
naandput
them i
nthatl
i
nenpant
ry?
NIKI
TA:Ao?IguessLubafor
got.It
’sok.Seat
down,l
etmeser v
eyou.Yousti
llt
akeyour
coff
eetwoteaspooncof
fee,
black,nosugar?
KARTEL:
(laughing)y
ousti
l
lgonnacall
it
sewer
agewat erandaskmehowIdrinkit
?
NIKI
TA:(l
aughing)Yougott
aadmit,Kart
,it
s
foul
.Ist
il
lgagfrom t
hatti
meyoupinnedme
downandmademedr i
nksome.Eww.
Remembert hatti
meweescapedboar di
ng
school
andwenttomymom’ shouseandspent
awholeweekpl
ayinghouse?
KARTEL:(l
aughi
ng)I
twasy
ouri
dea.Youar
ea
ter
ri
blei
nfl
uence.
Ronwal
kedi
nandl
ookedatNi
ki
tauni
mpr
essed.
RON:Ter r
iblebeingtheoperat
iveword.Also
i
sn’
tpl asti
csupposedt ostayawayf r
om fire?
CarefulthereNikkidear,al
lnearthestoveand
al
l,
y ourboobs, hi
psandassmi ghtmelt.
NI
KITA:
Hat
eisj
ustanugl
ycol
orony
ou,
dear
.
RON:Heistaken,skank.So,st
opparadi
ngthat
pl
asti
cassaround.Also,nobodywantsyou
her
e.Incl
udi
ngKar t
el.
NIKI
TA:Oh,dearPat
ronel
la,
ifyouli
ke,Ihav
ea
r
emedyforthoseunder-
eyebags.Theymake
youl
ookold.
RON:Bet
terol
dthancheapsl
ut.Kart
el,
how
l
ongdidyousayyourl
oosepu*sypeasanti
s
st
ayi
ng?
Lubawal
kedi
ndr
essedf
orwor
k.
LUBA:
Goodquest
ion.Mor
ningRon.
RON:Heybabes,
tot
all
yfeel
freetor
epl
aceher
facemaskwit
hapermanentbluedy
e.
NIKI
TA:Womenr
eal
l
yar
eeachot
her
’swor
st
enemy.
KARTEL:
Annnnd,
that
’smyexi
t.
LUBA:Uhmm… no, y ousti
l
l hav
en’tanswered
thehowlongquestion.Iwantheroutbytonight.
Idon’
tcareifshehasnopl acetobe,putherin
ahotelorsomethi
ng.
RON:
Isecondt
hat
.
*
***
***
***
**
LUBA
Iwasst
ill
annoyedatKar
telf
orhir
ingthatskank
andl
ett
ingherstay
.Nowtheyarewalking
memor yl
aneandgi
ggl
i
ngt
oget
heri
nthe
ki
tchen?Mxi
m.
Anyway,
Ihav
emorei
mport
antthi
ngsthan
Highl
yFl
ammabl
ewit
hherbal
loonboobs.
Igott
oworkandgotonFacebookmessagi
ng
someguy
.Detect
iveKgar
e’sl
astbor
nson.
Wehadchat
tedf
oraf
ewday
snow.
Kart
elhadfi
nal
lygot
tent
heLSDIneeded,
soI
text
edtheguy.
‘
Howaboutwehangt
oni
ght
’
‘
Cool
,can’
twai
ttomeety
ou.10pm?
’
‘
awesome’
It
ext
edKar t
elthatweweregof ortheplan.
WhenIsayIam gonnadestroydetecti
veKgare,
Ir
eal
lymeani t
.Takeever
ythingawayfrom him
pi
ecebypiece.
*
***
***
***
**
KARTEL
Lubat
ext
edt
hatt
heguyshewaswor
kingi
n
wasago.
Idi
dn’treall
ylikethi
s,notbecauseIgavetwo
shtsaboutt hatguy.Iwasjustworr
iedabout
herifanythi
ngwentwel l.WhichiswhyIwas
gonnaber i
ghtoutsidet
hathouseandr eadyi
f
sheneedsme.
Ouroper ati
onwasgrowi ngwell,wit
hthecross-
boarderbusinesswejustacquiredthroughthe
cont
act sLubagot,weneededmor ehands.Ron
andIsati nmycarwaiti
ngf orthetwoki dswe
werepl anni
ngtopoachf rom Doll
a.Theywere
l
oyal t
omebecauseIbr oughtthem in,andI
knewt hisonewasgonnabeeasy …
Isawt
hem looki
ngaroundandIcal
l
edt
heguy
anddi
rect
edthem t
ot hecar
.
Theenteredt
hecarbot
hwhi
stl
i
ngatt
he
grandeuroft
hecar
.
SPI
NNY:Yesaan!Br
oKar
tel
,damn…Ihear
dyou
wentup,
butwow….
ESTHER:
Ser
iousl
ythough…damn,
man!
KARTEL:(l
aughi
ng)Ther
eismorewher
ethi
s
camefrom.Sti
ckwithusandweal
lgoup.
SPI
NNY:
Whatar
eyousay
ing?
RON: Wewanty outwoi nourcrew.Est heryou
havecookedwi thRuebef ore,soy oujoinhi
m,
andbr i
ngt heot hercookifheisloy al,
and
Spinny,you’l
lber unningasusual .Full
accommodat ion,nor ent
alorbill
s, andaP3000
mont hl
ybasi c,plusincent
ivesify oubringi
n
realbuyers.
Agai
ntheywhi
stl
ed.
SPINNY:Dol
l
arwill
fli
pifyout
akebot
hhi
s
cooks.Hewi
llbecri
ppled.
RON:F**KDol
l
a.Heeverlookedoutf
oryoul
ike
Kar
teldi
d?Heeverwentoutofhi
swayforany
ofyouthewayKar tel
alwaysdi
d?Karteland
Monkt ookcareofallofuswhenDoll
abeatand
abusedus.Protect
edallofus,
especi
all
yf r
om
Doll
aandBoza.Howar ethi
ngsnowwi t
hout
hi
m, tel
lme?
ESTHER:(si
ghing)Bad,
Dollai
scr
uel.NnaI
’mi
n.
Iam j
ustworri
edDollawil
lcomeaft
erus.
KARTEL:Youhavemypr ot
ect
ionwhenyouget
wit
hmycr ew.Wenotjustacr
ew,butafamil
y.
Dol
lacomesafteranyofmyfamil
y,hecomes
af
terme.
ESTHER:WhendoImov
ei n?Tot
hat
accomodat
iony
oumenti
oned?
RON:That
’smygi
rl
.Ial
way
sknewy
ouwer
e
smar
t.Spi
nny?
SPINNY:
F**
kit
,I’
min.Ij
usthav
etopi
ckupmy
bag.
Iknewthi
smeantwarbecauseSpi
nnywas
Doll
a’
sbestsel
l
ers,
andIwasginnatkebot
hof
hi
scooks.Idon’ tcare,
somet i
meswari s
necessary.Doll
awasl i
mi t
ingmybuy ers
becausehewasst oppingthem f r
om sell
ingi
n
hi
st er
ri
tory,whichmeantt heirdemandwas
l
ess.Plusal otofpeoplestill
v i
ewedmeashi s
progeny,soIneededt ostepouti fhisshadow.
So,f**
kit,ifwarwaswhati ttook,t
henletit
come.
*
***
***
***
*
Monklaidinbedlooki
ngatt
hephotosofhis
sonthathisbabymama’sbr
otherhadsenthi
m.
Therewasaknockandhewentt oopento
Seshastandi
ngthere.
MONK:
Hey
SESHA:
Hey
…
MONK:
What
’sup?
SESHA:
CanIcomei
n?
Heshr
uggedandopenedt
hedoorwi
der
.Sesha
wal
kedi
nandsatatt
hebed.
SESHA:
Ifeel
li
key
ouar
emadatme.
MONK:
I’
m not
SESHA:
Don’
tbel
i
ket
hat
.
MONK: Likewhat?Iam whoIam, Sesha,Ido
whatIcant ogetmylifet
owhereIcanbeabl e
t
otakemysonandcar ef
orhim.Ihavedecided
t
hepeopl ewhoIwillkeepinmyli
fearethose
whowillsupportme,notjudgeme.
SESHA:
Kant
eam Iwr
ongt
oaskwhaty
oudo?
MONK: Ineversaidyouwerewrong.But
i
nsinuat
ingIwill
kill
youwhenIgetangry,j
ust
becauseIhavebeent opr
ison?That
’ssomebull
.
SESHA:
I’
m sor
ry…
MONK:
It’
scool
…
Hewentbacktohisphoneandkeptl
ooki
ngand
t
hephotos,
ignor
ingher.
*
***
***
***
LUBA
Kar
tel
andIar
ri
vedatKgar
e’sson’
shouse.
Kar
telst
ayedoutsi
deandUwakedt othedoor
.I
wavedathim andknockedont
hatguy
’sdoor.
Hecamet oopenthedoortopl
ess.Obvi
ousl
ya
pervertl
i
kehisfat
her,andr
umorhadi tt
hathe
wasenoughwi thgir
ls.Whi
chwaswhyIhadno
problemsdoingwhatIwasaboutabouttodoto
hi
m.
Het
ri
edt
ohugmeandImov
edt
othesi
de.
ME:Ibroughtwi
ne,
wher
eist
heki
tchensoIcan
pourussome?
Hesatint
hesofaandpoint
edmetothekitchen.
Imix
edintheLSDintohi
sdri
nkandwatched
hi
m dri
nkasheleer
edatmel i
keahungr
ywol f.
Twentyminut
es… inaboutt
went
ymi
nut
es,
it
wil
lst
artt
owor k.
AndIr
eal
i
zedithadwhenhestar
edlaughing
anddr
awi
ngshapesontheai
rwithhi
sfinger.
Letsseeifi
treal
l
ymakesonesuggest
ibl
eli
ke
theysay.
ME:
Keenewee,yourememberwheny
out
old
meyourdaddyt
ouchedyou?
Ofcoursehenevert
oldmet hat.Justt
oldme
oneofhisfav
ori
temoment swi t
hhisfatherwas
whenthey’
dgocampi ngandfish.
HI
M:Hedi
d?
KE:Yes,di
dy ouforget?Hemadey ouputy our
handsonhispeni s,
itstar
tedwheny ouwere
onl
yfive… i
nt hosecampingandf i
shingtr
ips…
youhavetoremember …feel
ingofhishands…
i
twassowr ong… y ouwer esosad.Soscar ed.
HI
M:Iwas?I
’
m sad… I
’
m scar
ed…
Hewascryi
ngnow.Thiswasgoi
ngsomuch
bet
tert
hatIexpect
ed.
I
fanythi
ngIr eadwast ogoby,
tomorrowhewi ll
remembersni ppetsofhi
m cr
yingaboutthi
s..
Dothi
st ohim.Enought i
mesandhest ar
ts
thi
nki
ngitsanact ualmemoryandIpressure
himtotell
hismot her.
Ihadmett hewoman.Shei sasternwoman
whol ovesherchildr
en.Shemayst andfor
Kgare’swhori
ng, butIwasquietsureshewould
neverlethi
m beinginappropr
iat
ewi t
hherkids
go.
That
,isj
uststeponeofst
ri
ppingthi
smanof
ever
ythi
ng.Takehi
sfamil
yfi
rst.
ThenwhenIam r eady,
Iwil
lbegoingf
orhis
money .Thenhi
sjob.Iwasslowl
ybuil
ding
thi
ngsIwasgonnaf ramehim wi
th,wit
hout
i
mpl i
cati
ngus.
Ilookedatt
hecr
yingf
ool
ont
hef
loorand
turnedmycamer
aon.
ME:
Keene,
tel
lme,
whatdi
dyousayy
ourf
ather
di
dtoy ou?Yousai
dhetouchedy
ourpeni
sand
madey outouchhi
s?Whenyouwereonl
yfi
ve.
Sayi
t,Iwantyoutosayi
t.
HI
M:(sobbi
ng)myfat
hert
ouchedmypeni
sand
mademet ouchhi
swhenIwasonl
yfi
ve.
Good.Iwasgonnacutoutt
hebeginni
ngofthe
vi
deowithmegivi
nghimthesuggesti
ons…
Iwalkedoutwi
thasmi
l
eashel
aidont
hef
loor
cr
ying.
Kar
tel
waswai
ti
ngner
vousl
yout
side.
KARTEL:
Howdi
ditgo?
ME: (
laughing)Igotitonvideojusti
ncasehe
doesn’tr
emember .Thisi
sgonnabegood, babe.
Kgarewillneverseeuscomi ng.Heisstart
ing
tothi
nkwear epartner
saker e,
sohewillnever
suspectus.Thisisjustthebeginni
ng.
Kar
tel
laughedandshookhi
shead.
KARTEL:Youbot
hscar
eandf
asci
nat
eme,
my
queen.
*
***
***
***
**
LI
KE,
COMMENT,
SHARE
AThug’
sLov
e:24

LUBA
Whenwegothome, Pl
asti
cFant
ast
icwasst
il
l
her
e,andIwasnothavi
ngit.
ME: Todayi
fyouarekeepi
ngy
ourho,
I’
m af
rai
d
Ican’tst
ay,
Kart
el.
Isai
dasIpar
kedanov
erni
ghtbag.
KARTEL:
OhmyGod.Ser
iousl
y?
ME:Yes,ser
iousl
y!Whycan’
tyouseethatt
his
bi
chhasherclawsoutandreadyt
osinkthem
i
ntoyou!
KARTEL:
AndIam hel
plessandcan’
tjustav
oid
hav
ingcl
awssunkint
ome, ri
ght
?Comeon, giv
e
mesomecredi
there!Idon’
tmessar
oundon
you,
andnev
erwil
l.YouknowwhatLuba?Fi
ne,
I
’l
lgodr
opheri
namot el
.
ME:
Good.Let
sgo.
Iwalkedaheadofhi
m andbangedonBl
ack
Rapunzel
’sdoorl
oudl
y.
ME:
Outy
ougo,
ho.Comeonnow.
KARTEL:
Cany
oust
op!Ni
ki
ta… canwet
alk?
Shecameoutwr
appeduni
nat
owel
.
Ser
iousl
y!
?Thi
sbi
ch.
NI
KITA:
Huh?
KARTEL: Iuhm… I’
m afrai
dyourpr
esenceher
e
i
scausingabi toft
ensionandIthi
nkit
sbest
weputy ousomewher eelse.
NI
KITA:Ser
iousl
yKar
tel
?Youar
egonnat
hrow
meout?
Shest
art
edsobbi
ngandIr
oll
edmyey
es.
KARTEL:Iam nott
hrowingyouout,
weall
deser
vepeace,soIthi
nkthi
sisthebestway
.
NIKI
TA:Wherewil
lIevengo,Kar
tel
.Mymot her
andIar
enotingoodtermsfornow,andIdon’t
havemoney.
ME:Imagi
nerockingP9000lacewi
gyety
ou
can’
taf
for
drent.Pri
ori
ti
es.
KARTEL:Luba,that
’senough.Nikki
,Iwi
ll
put
youinamot el
foramont h,unt
ilyoucanget
yoursal
ary
.
ME:Uh,noy
ouwon’ t
.Shecanpayforherown
sht
.Youwon’tbeput
tingherany
where.
KARTEL:
YesIwi
l
l.Ni
ki
ta,
gety
ourst
uff
.
Shefakesul
kedbacki
ntot
hebedr
oom and
st
art
edpacking.
Ii
nsist
edoncomingwit
hthem andthemoment
Kar
telpai
d,Idr
aggedhi
m backtothecarand
weleft
.
Iam notbei
ngunr
easonabl
e,woul
dyouwant
tol
ivewit
htwoofyourman’
sex’si
nthesame
house?
Yea,
RonandIsquashedthi
ngs,
buty
oudon’t
complet
elyr
elaxar
oundy
ourman’sf
ir
stl
ove.
*
***
***
***
**
KARTEL
Ireal
l
yunderst
andwher
eLubawascomi
ng
fr
om, Ido.
ButwhatwasIsupposedt
odo,
thr
owNi
ki
ta
outatni
ght?
Atl
eastwegothersor
ted.
WhenIwokeupt henextday
,Doll
ahadsenta
messagethathewantedtoseeme,andIjust
i
gnoredhi
mf ort
henextfewdays.
Hesentanot
hermessage.
‘
I’
m nott
ryi
ngt
ocomeaft
eryouKar
tel.You
st
olebot
hmycooksandIwantt
hem back’
Whot
hehel
ldoest
hisguyt
hinkhei
sthough?
‘
Youcan’tsteal
people,
theymadethebest
choi
ceforthemselv
es.Theyareundermy
prot
ect
ion,sobestyoudon’tf
**kwit
hthem.
’
Lubawasl
ooki
ngov
eratmyt
ext
s.
LUBA:Cany
ounotantagoni
zeDol
l
a?Wedon’
t
needt
hatki
ndofheat
.
KARTEL:Dol
lacanf
**kof
f.Iam donewi
thhi
m
di
ctat
ingtome.
LUBA: Yourbiggestprobl
em,mylove,i
sthat
youar eanalpha’sthr
oughandthr
ough.Down
tothat‘Iam alpha,Imustrul
e,ever
yonemust
bow’ arr
ogance.
KARTL:
Yout
hinkIam wr
ongaboutDol
l
a.
LUBA:Ithinkyouneedtolearntobateyour
ti
me.AtthispointDol
lahasabi ggercr
ew,has
bi
ggerstreetcred,
moreloyalt
y.Fri
m whatI
gather
,het ookinmostofthoseguystheway
hedidy ou.Manywi l
lst
andwithhim.Onlyt he
fewy oubroughtinmaystandwi t
hy ou.
Antagonisi
nghimi sdumb.Andgoi ngafterhi
m
i
ssuicide.Personal
lyIam nei
therstupi
dnordo
Ihaveadeat hwish.
KARTEL:IknowwhatIam doi ng.Iknowthese
st
reet
s,babe.IfIkeepact
ingli
keDol l
a’
sli
tt
le
bi
ch,nobodyisgonnarespectme.
Ir
oll
edmyey esathowadamanthewast
opl
ay
byal
ltheset
iredassr
ules.
ME: But,babe,goingheadtoheadwi thDoll
ais
suici
de.Nev erdrawagununl essyouaresure
yourbulletwil
ltakeoutyourtarget
.That’
swhat
Ront aughtme.Bestwayi stokeepget t
ing
closeruntil
youhav ethem pi
nned.Thenshoot.
KeepDol labeli
evinghehasyouf ornow.
KARTEL:Nah,I
’m done,
ifit
swarDollawants,
thecrewunani
mouslyagreethatl
ethim hav
eit
then.
*
***
***
***
***
Ronl
aidi
nbedbesi
deEa.
EA:
So,
li
ke,
Ideci
dedIam gonnagoseehi
m…
RON:
Oh?That
’sagr
eati
dea…
EA:
Wil
lyoucomewi
thme?
RON:
Ifi
tswhaty
ouwantofcour
se…
Theywer
equi
etf
orsomet
ime.
EA:
Doy
out
hinkI
’
mli
kehi
m?
RON:Webeenthr
oughthi
sal
ready.Youar
e
not
hingl
i
keyourf
ather
.Wheny ouwannago?
EA:
Dri
veupt
oGabor
onet
omor
row?Comewi
th
me?
RON:Ofcourse…Kant
ewhoi st
hisChar
lot
te
l
it
tl
egir
l,shebeenmessagi
ngme.
Eat
ookherphoneandl
ooked.
EA:
Uh-
uh.
RON:
Yourexorsomet
hing?
EA:
Shel
ookl
i
key
oui
fyouwer
emi
xedr
ace.
RON:
Nah…
Eawenti nt
otheprofi
leandfoundapictureata
recent18thbi
rt
hdaypartyoft
hegirl
,st
anding
withbothherparent
s.Herfat
herandmot her
.
Ron’
smom.
EA:
Tol
dyou.
RON:
Fine.ThenI
’
llj
ustbl
ockher
.
EA:Why ,
whatdidshedot
oyou?Atl
eastl
ets
readhermessages.
RON:
No,
I…
East
art
edr
eadi
ngt
hemessages.
EA:‘Hey…y oudon’tknowme, butwemet
bri
efl
ywhenIwasl i
ttl
e.Youcametoourhouse
whenIwasonl yt
hree,andcall
edmymom
‘
mama’ .Thatinci
dentneverlef
tmymind,Ikept
rememberi
ngt hegir
lwhocal ledmymamaher
mama.Butshef orbademeoft al
kingabouti tor
aski
ngwhoy ouwer e.Irecent l
ystart
eddoi ng
myownr esearchandIam v erydisappointedin
mamaf orwhatshedi dtoy ou.I’m sorr
y.Tell
meifIam askingtoomuch, butIwoul dliketo
gett
oknowmybi gsisterify ouare
comfor
table.
’
*
***
***
***
***
LUBA
Thenextdayaf
terwor
kIgothomeandgot
dressedupf
oradatewit
hmyking.
Wewenttosomef
ancyr
est
aur
antandhadusa
l
ovel
yti
me.
Weweredr
ivi
ngbackhomewhenIf
ir
stnot
iced
t
hetr
uck.
Ichosetoi
gnor
e,butmyi
nst
inct
stol
dmeIwas
notwrong.
ME:
Ithi
nkwear
ebei
ngf
oll
owed,
babe.
KARTEL:
Inot
iced…
Hepi
ckeduppaceaswel
eftFr
anci
stown.
Thecarpickeduptooandwhenwewereonan
openroad,theybumpedoursi
deandt
ri
edt
o
runusover.
KARTEL:Sht
… sht
… sht
…I’
m gonnat
ryt
o
out
runthem.
ME:
Giv
emey
ourgun.
KARTEL:
What
?
ME:Rontaughtmehowt oshoot
,gi
vemet
he
gunanandletthem cat
chup.
Ir
eachedt
ohi
swai
standt
ooki
t.
ME:Comeon,l
ett
hem cat
chup.WhenItel
l
yougo,
swer
velef
tandgetusasf
araspossi
ble.
Whentheywerebyoursi
de,gear
ingtohitus
agai
n,,
Il
eanedouti
fthewindowwiththegun
concealed,
thenwentf ort
hefr
ontti
re.It
old
Kart
el t
ogot hesamet imeIf
ir
ed,andhe
swervedandgotal lt
hewaytotheothersi
deof
theroadast hei
rti
reblew.
ME:Let’
sgo,l
etsgoKar
tel
,theyar
emanagi
ng
tost
opthecar,andwecan’
taffor
da
conf
ront
ati
on.
Wespedoffhome,wi
thmet
hinki
nghowmuch
Idi
dnotwantthi
swar
.
*
***
***
***
**
Twoday
slat
erEast
oodwai
ti
ngwi
thRon.
EA:
Iam sof
**ki
ngner
vous.Whyam Iner
vous.
RON:Anybodywoul
dbener
vousi
nthi
s
si
tuat
ion.
EA:
Ihav
en’
tseenhi
ssi
nceIwasf
if
teen.
RON:Yougotthi
s.Youthi
nky
ou’
l
lbeok?Ican
tot
all
ycomeinwithyou.
EA:
I’
m good.It
hink.
Hewasledt
oaroom wher
ehi
sfat
hersatdown.
Hesmi
ledwhenhesawhim.
FATHER:
Fana?Fanai
sthaty
ou,
myboy
?
I
tannoyedhimthathewasn’
tfr
ailandbeat
down.Hewasthebulkybi
gmanEa
remembered,j
ustwit
hmoretatt
oos.
EA:
I’
m noty
ourboy
.
FATHER:Iseeyouhavebecomeamannow.
Myboy!Lookatyou!
EA:Ihav
eonequest
ion.Why
.Whydi
dyouki
l
l
them?
FATHER:Tel
lme,
Fana,
doy
ouhav
eki
dsof
yourownyet
?
EA:Youdon’
tgettoaskquest
ions.Whydaddy?
Why?Tellme,i
sittrueyoubr
okeintopeopl
e’
s
homesandstol
ethings?
FATHER:IdidwhatIcoul
dtomakesur
emy
fami
lydi
dn’tst
arv
e.
EA:
Youst
il
lhav
en’
tanswer
edwhy
.
FATHER: Youmot herknewwhoIam whenshe
mar ri
edme.Aki ndmanunt i
lpoked.Ilovefher,
wor shippedher … broughtherthebestIcoul d.
ThenNny anagotsick… sheneededsome
transfusion,Idon’tknow…bot hmywi f
eandI
wer en’tamat ch.Thedoct orpressedhert o
bringint hefatherashemi ghtbeamat ch,they
saidmedi cal
lytherewasnowayIwast he
father.Shef i
nallybrokedownandconf essed
thatNny anawasnotmi ne.Notonlyt hat,she
waspr egnantagainwi ththeotherman.She
hadbeenconst antl
ytakingNny anatomeether
fatherandshewasl eavingmeandt akingy ou
andNny ana, t
obewi t
hhernewman.
EA:
Youar
ely
ing.
FATHER:WhatdoIgetf rom lyi
ng,I
’
llbedeadin
amonth.Iremembert hatday.Wefoughtall
the
wayfr
om thehospi
tal.Whenwegoti nsi
deshe
st
art
edpackingbags.Ijustlosti
t.I
nthat
momentIhat edher ,j
ustwant edt otakeoutal l
myf rustrati
onsonher ,soIkepthi tt
ing… y ou
tri
edt ostopmeandIhi tyousohar dy ouhita
cupboar dandi tfellony ou,trappingy ou…y ou
wer esoscr awnyt hen, couldn’tmov eonce
trapped…t henIgr abbedakni feandIj ustkept
stabbi ngher.Nny anatr i
edtogetbet weenus.
Thei ronyoft hat.AtthatmomentIl ookedat
Nny anaandIhat edher …t hi
swasal l herfault,i
f
ahehadn’ tbeenbor n,hadn:thot tensi ck… I
woul dn’thavef oundout …we’ dst il
lbeahappy
fami l
y.Ihatedher .Hat edmyowndaught er,and
shewasmi ne,biologi
cal ornot .SoIwentather
wi t
ht heknifetoo…
EA:(sobbi
ng)Shecri
ed… beggedyoutostop…
Ibeggedyou… tri
edtogetoutandst
opy ou,but
Iwast r
apped.Herbl
oodhitmyface… Ipassed
out.
FATHER:IhavecometopeacewithwhatIdi
d
andthepuni
shmentIam get
ti
ng.Ihav
enor i
ght
aski ngforyourf orgi
v eness,Idon’tdeser vei
t.
So, Iam atpeacewi thy ourangert oo.Ijust
wanty outoalway sremembery ouar enot hi
ng
l
ikeme.Yes, t
hebadt hi
ngssaidaboutmewer e
true.Iwasat hi
ef .Buty ouhadal way sbeen
good.Smar t.Kind.Iknowy ouar ewal ki
nga
differentpart… Icanj ustseei t
.Lookatt hat
fancywat chy ouhav e…l etmeguess.
Busi nessman?
EA:
(wi
pingt
ear
s)Uhm,
yea… gl
asspr
oduct
ion.
FATHER:Yourmot
herwoul
dbesopr
oud.I
’
m
proudofy
ou.
EA:
Idon’
tfor
giv
eyou.
.Iwi
l
lnev
er.
FATHER:
Youdon’thav
et o.Justmakepeace
wit
hwhoIwas.Anddon’tleti
taff
ectyourl
if
e.
EA:
Iwon’
tcomet
oseey
ouagai
n.
FATHER:Goodcall
.Iwi
shyouever
ysuccessin
l
if
emyboy .Andwhenitcomest
owomen, walk
away.Nomatterhowmuchshehurt
syou,just
walkaway.Ourfamil
ymen, wearecur
sedwith
anotsogreattemper.So,j
ustwal
kaway.
Thankyouforcoming.Icoul
dnothaveasked
forany
thi
ngmor ebeforeIl
eft
.
*
***
***
***
*
LUBA
Fordaysnow,Kar t
el andt
hecrewhadbeenup
i
nt hei
rheadsplanninghowtheyweregonna
takedownDolla.
Theywereinontheirheads,t
hemanhadway
muchbiggerarmy,andifhisrumour
edbrut
ali
ty
wasanythi
ngtogoby ,goingagai
nstsucha
savagewasjustst
upid.
Icoul
dn’tl
ett
hishappen.Idi
dn’
twannal
ose
anyofthem.Thishadtostop.
Butther
ewasnowayt
hesehot
headswer
e
gonnali
stent
ome.
I
tlef
tmewi
thonl
yoneopt
ion.
Thenextdayaft
erIsortedoutthingsatwor
k,I
droveof
ftoDol
la’
splace.Notthathousethe
part
ywereafi
ghtbrokeoffwasl astti
me.
Thisonewasinabour
gie,poshnei
ghbour
hood
wit
hhugehousesandgreenlawnsandwhite
peoplenei
ghbour
s.
AsIpar
kedandwal kedi
n,Ikeptt
hinki
ngIwas
bot
hthest
upidestandbravestbi
chIknew.
Themanl i
ter
all
ytr
iedt
ohav
euski
l
ledaf
ew
daysback.
Iwal
kedt
othedoorandknocked.
Somet
all
exot
ical
camet
oopen.
HALI
MA:
What
?
ME:
Iam her
eforDol
l
a.
HALIMA:Maan,t
hesehoesget
ti
ngbol
d
nowadays.
.Youcometomyhousetoseemy
fi
ancée?
Dol
l
awal
kedi
nfr
om t
hei
nnersi
de,
fixi
ngat
ie.
Hisl
ookremi
ndedmealotofGhostf
rom t
hat
TVshow,Power
.Hewasagoodlooki
ngman, i
n
anol
derguysor
tofway
,andoooooh,hewore
anoud?
Il
ovethesmellofoudonaman.I
tsmell
sso…
af
fl
uent.Kar
tel
stil
lpr
efer
shi
scol
ogne.
DOLLA:Thatboysendi
nghi
sbi
cht
odohi
sdi
rt
y
worknow?
ME:Iai
ntnobody
’sbi
ch.I
’
m myownwoman.
AndIneedfi
veminut
esofyourt
ime.I
t’
sal
lI
ask.
DOLLA:
Andwhyshoul
dIhonourany
thi
ngy
ou
say
?
LUBA:BecauseIhav
eadeal
thati
sgonna
benef
itusboth.
Hel
ookedatmeandl
aughed.
DOLLA:Ok,li
tt
leone,I
’
llhumoury
ou.Hal
i
ma,
getusdr
inks.Wine?
ME:
Vodka.
.Ont
her
ocks.
DOLLA:Mhh.Har
dli
quor.Ei
thery
ouaretr
ying
toimpr
essmeoryoureall
yareahar
dlady.My
studyi
sthi
sway.
Theopulencewasamazi ng.Goldstat
uesthat
l
ookedrichashel
l.Oi
l paintar
tonwal l
s…
expensi
vetast
efurni
ture.Hissuitl
ooked
expensi
ve.
Tobehonest
,Iwassur pr
ised.Ihadexpect
ed
hi
mt obesomecl asslessbrute.Theoneti
meI
wasathi
splace,Ididn’tr
eall
ymeethi m.Thi
s
wasnotwhatIexpected.Agent l
emanwho
pul
ledmychairf
orme.
Hel
ookedatmewi
thhumour
.
ME:
Youl
aughatme.
DOLLA:
Notforbeinghere.Iam notwhaty
ou
hear
doffr
om thestr
eets,am I
?
ME:
(laughi
ng)Notatal
l
.
DOLLA: (
chuckle)Iam t hedisgracesonof
wealth..Mymot herwasmar ri
edt oawealthy
manofnot e,Igrewupi nfancyboyschoolsin
London, andi nt
ernati
onal tr
avel.WhenIwas
twentyt wo,justaft
ergr aduati
ngcollege,
he
foundoutIwasn’ thi
s,andt hrewust othecurb
withoutat hought.Blackedmyj obopport
uniti
es
andal l
.Ihadt ostartfrom scratch.
ME:Youdi
dwell
then.Iheary
our
ant
hewhol
e
t
hing,
Bozawasj
usttheface.
DOLLA:(
smili
ng)Why,t
hankyou,ki
ndmadam.
Oh,comeinandputt
hedrinkst
hereHal
i
ma…
Sheputt
het
rayont
het
abl
eandt
ri
edt
oseat
down.
DOLLA:Shutt
hedooronyourwayoutnow
dar
li
ngLima.Thanky
ou.
Shest
oodupandl
ookedar
ound.
DOLLA:
Now,
Hal
i
ma.
Shesulkedandwalkedout
.Dol
l
acl
osedt
he
doorandlockedi
t.
DOLLA: I
’m af
rai
dy ouhavemeata
di
sadvantage.Youknowmyname, butIam
af
raidifIr
efertoyouas‘Kart
el’
sbi
ch’
anymor
e,
Imightendupwi t
ht hi
svodkaonmyface.
ME: (
smi l
i
ng)Smartman.Andt
henamei
sLuba.
LubalasheMoses.
DOLLA:Luba… Fl
eur
… Ok,
MsMoses,
whatcan
Idoyoufor?
ME:
Yout
ri
edt
ogetmeki
l
led.
DOLLA:(
laughing)Yety
oucometomyhouse.
Youarebrave.Il
ikeawomanwi
thbal
l
s.Very
brav
e.
ME:
Orst
upi
d.
DOLLA:Idoubt
…andi fi
t’
sanyconsolat
ion,
it
wasn’
taboutyou.You’
dhavebeenjust
col
lat
eral
damage..Ihear
dyouwereal l
Ms
Smi
thont
hem,
shoot
ingt
ir
esandsht
.
ME:It
houghty
ouconsi
deredhimy ourson.
Howcanyouwannahavehim ki
l
led.
DOLLA: ItookKar teli
nbecauseIknowwhati t
feelsl i
ket obewher ehewas.Mymot herandI
sleptoft hest r
eet sforday saft
erwewer e
thrownout .Thosewecal ledfri
endswer e
war nednott ohelpus, andwewer ethrownout
withj ustt heclothesonourback.Mymot her
commi t t
edsui cidebecauseshecoul dn’ttake
thehumi li
ati
on,af terknowi ngsomuch
opul encef orsolong.Icamenearsui cide
my sel f
.Ar uthl
essmanIt r
iedtostealfrom took
mei n.Boza’ sfather .Hemademedoal lhis
dirt
ywor k,becausehi ssonwasawi mp.ButI
foundapl acetost ayandawayt omakeal i
vi
ng.
WhenIsawKar tel al
laloneandbeatdown, I
knewIhadt ohel phi m.Ilov ehimlikemyown,
butatt heendoft heday ,
Iam gonnal ookout
forsel f.Hei stryingt or unmeoutofbusi ness.
AndIcan’
tlethi
m dot
hat
.
ME: (
sighi
ng)Kar
teli
sanimpulsi
vemantr
ying
tocreateanameforhimself
.Hemeansno
harm.Helooksuptoy ou.
DOLLA: St
il
l…Ihav
eworker
sthatneedpay
ing…
i
fher unsmeoutofbusi
nessbytaki
ngmy
cooks…
ME: Whati
fther
eisawaywecanwor k
toget
her.
.Iknowyoudon’
twannakil
lKar
tel
,
andhedoesn’twannaki
ll
you.Whati
fyoucan
getyourmoneyandnowar s?
DOLLA:
Keept
alki
ng
ME:Wedon’
tsel
lont
hest
reet
s.Wesel
lbr
icks.
Sowear
enocompeti
ti
on.
DOLLA:
Buty
ourcust
omer
sar
e.
ME: WhatifIcl
ear
edt hestr
eetsforyou?I
n
Franci
stownweonl yprovi
debricksf
oryou.No
oneelse.TheIndi
anar eout
,theyweretheot
her
compet i
ti
on, soal lbuyfrom us.Your ul
ethe
NorthEast .Ifyouar etheonlystreetsell
er,
you
willmakedoubl e,t
ripl
ewhaty oumake.You
don’tevenneedt hestressofbuy ingproduct
andcooki ng.Justpur elysel
l.Plus,Ihaveahigh
rankingpoliceof f
iceinmypocketwhocanbe
ofbenefittoy ou,whenev eryouneed.
DOLLA:That
’saver
ylucrat
iveof
fer
,Fl
eur
.
Kar
telknowaboutt
his?
ME:
Kar
tel
ismybusi
ness.
DOLLA: (
laughing)So,that
’sano,then.You
real
l
yareher eony ourowncapacity.Atake
chargeki
ndsgi rl
.Il
ike.Anyway,Kart
elisahot
head,hewillneveragreetothi
s,hewillthi
nki
t’
s
acopout.
ME:Letmewor r
yabouthim.Idoal
lthatf
oryou,
andwecallaceasef
ir
e.Youstopcomingaft
er
Kart
elandourcr
ew..Dowehav eadealornot
?
Heshookhi
sheadl
aughi
ng.
DOLLA:Idon’trememberthelastti
meawoman
caughtmyinterestt
hismuch.Youar e
fasci
nat
ing,
MsMoses.Howi st hatboyev
er
gonnahandlethismuchspunk?
ME:
Dowehav
eadeal
,Damon?
DOLLA:Andsheknowsmynamet oo.Ok,Ms
Fl
eur…ifyoucangetyourboyt
oytoagree,
it’
s
adeal
.Deli
ght
fulasthecompanyi
s,Iwas
act
ual
lyonmywayt oaboardmeeti
ng.
ME:
Onasui
t?Looksser
ious.
DOLLA: Ah,yes,yes.Idodabbleint
he
professionalwor l
dnow.Idohav eanMBAaf ter
al
l.Iboughtasmal lamountofshar
esinthat
preciousstonet hing,andIam meeti
ngthe
boardf orthefir
stt i
me.
ME:Soy
ouhaveabusi
nessest
hati
sdoi
ngwel
l
.
Whydoyoust
il
lsel
l
?
Hegav
emet
hemostchar
mingsmi
l
e.
DOLLA:Itputsfoodontheplatesift
hose
wit
houtaf ancydegreet
of al
lbackonli
keI
had… t
hosewi thoutachanceatthecompanies
Iown… thest r
eetki
dswhot hi
sisallt
heyknow.
ME:
Anobl
emant
hen…
DOLLA:(laughi
ng)Therei
snothingnobl
eabout
me,mydear .IdoprayIwi
llhav
et hepl
easur
eof
thecompanyagainsometime.It
’srat
her…
capti
vat
ing.So,wil
lI?
ME:
Notl
i
kel
y.
DOLLA:
(laughi
ng)Loy
alt
oo.Ah,
aladyt
hen.
ME:Ther
eisnot
hingl
ady
li
keaboutme,
mydear
.
Shal
lwe?
Hesmi l
edandwalkedmetot
hecar
,openi
ng
thedoorformeandwavedmeof
fwi t
hasmile
asIdroveaway.
Wel
l
,thatwentwel
l
.Warav
ert
ed.
Icoul
dn’
twai
ttot
ell
Kar
tel
thatnobodyneed
di
e.Iknewhedidnotwanttokil
lDol
l
aei
ther
.
Hewillbesohappywereachedan
under
standi
ng.
*
***
***
***
**
LI
KE,
COMMENT,
SHARE
AThug’
sLov
e:25

LUBA
Iwassoexci
tedasInar
rat
edmyst
oryt
oKar
tel
.
ME:So,
yousee,wedon’
thav
etof
ightwi
th
Dol
l
aanymore.
KARTEL:F**
k,f
**k,f
**k.Whathav
eyoudone.
OhmyGod, whatthehell
haveyoudone,
Lubal
ashe!
Hepacedar
oundbi
ti
nghi
sthumbnai
l
.
Ok?
Whatwasheonabout
,It
houghthewoul
dbe
happy
.
ME:
It’
sgood,
right
?
KARTEL:No,thef*
*knot!Youj
ustputat
arget
i
nev er
ysingl
ef**
kingoneofmycrew!
Especi
all
yme.
ME:
But
…
KARTEL:Youdon’tunderst
andhowt
hest
reet
s
works,
doy ou?Nobodyrespect
samanwhose
bi
chdoeshi sdi
rt
ywor k.
ME:
Don’
tcal
lmeabi
ch
KARTEL:Wil
lyoushutt
hef
**kup,
foronce!
Shutup!Ohman!
ME:
Ihonest
lydon’
tseet
hepr
obl
em.
KARTEL: That’
sbecauseyouar ebusytryi
ngto
playt
hugqueenonawor l
dy ouknownot hi
ng
about!Ihaveacushyseat,businesses,
fancy
carsandall.Mycrewiswelltakencareof ,
I
haveagoodcust omerbaseasasuppl i
er.
Everyonewant sthat … want smyseat .Theone
thi
ngt hatwaskeepi ngeverysi ngl
e
mot herf
**kerf r
om comi ngf ormewasmycr ed.
Them knowi ngIwi llgutthem likeaf ishwi t
hout
thought.ThatIcant akeli
fewi thoutf l
inchi
ngor
beingbother edbyi tthenextday .Wor dgetsout
thatIgonesof t
?Hadmybi chbeggi ngDol lafor
me?Thewhof **kingt owni sgonnacomef or
us.Trytakemeandmycr ewoutsot heycan
haveourspot .I
t’
saj ungleouther e.Smal l
est
showofweaknessandev eryoneisr eadyt o
pounce.Int hestr eet,credisev eryt
hing.
ME:
ButDol
l
awoul
dn’
t…
KARTEL: Fiv
emi nuteswiththemanandy ou
alr
eadyknowhi m, huh?Dollaisacunning
snake.Ifyouwerei nthestudyheprobablyhas
i
tonr ecordtoo.Everyonegonnaseeav i
deoof
youbeggingonmybehal f.
ME:
Iwasonl
ytr
yingt
ohel
o.
KARTEL:
Nobodyaskedy
out
o!damni
t!
Hetookoutaphoneandst
art
edaconf
erence
cal
lwit
hthegr
oup.
KARTEL:
Heyguy
s…
RON:
Yoh,
man,
thef
**kdi
dLubadonow!
KARTEL:
Sht
,whathappened?
RON: Justsentyou.Thev i
deoismaki ngrounds
i
nt hestreet
..Ther
eistalkeverywhereofhow
yourownbi chdon’thav
er espectforyou.
Beggingandr eadytodroppantiesforDol
laon
yourbehalf.
EA:Don’
twannabet hatperson,butt
hisgir
l
thi
nksshekni
wsbet tert
hanev er
yone,man.
Dit
chheroratleastgetheroutofthecri
b.We
can’
tbemeetingwithheraround.
RON:
Second.
MONK:
Truest
ory
.
RUE:
I’
m sor
ryKar
t,y
ouknowIl
i
keLuba,
shea
badasscook,
butgi
rldon’
tknowherpl
ace.I
’
m
wit
hthem,shecan’
tstay.
KARTEL: Enough!Whyy ’
al
l acti
ngl i
keIdon’t
knowshef **kedup?Iwi lldealwi t
hLuba.Iwant
every
onet ol aylow.Dodr opsi npairs,onein
watchout ,andify ouf eelany t
hingami ss.Di
tch.
.
Productormoneyi sn’tmor eimpor tantt
han
yourli
fe.Ditch,andr un.Aler tme.Yoh, werethe
f**
kisEst her.Spinny !Wher eEst herat?
SPI
NNY: Sht
… shei
soutatthatgi
rlKeba’
s
pl
ace.Theyhav
ingababyshowerorsomethi
ng.
EA:
Isn’
tthatgi
rlwi
thMeech’
s?
Meechwast hatguywhogotinaf
ightwi
th
Kart
ellastt
imeatthepar
ty.
.HewantedKar
tel
’
s
spotbad.
Kart
elgrabbedt
hecarkey
sandr
anoutwi
thout
eventel
l
ingmewherehewasgoi
ng.
*
***
***
**
KARTEL
Iseri
ousl
ycan’texpl
ainhowpi ssedIwaswi t
h
Luba!Ser
iously
,doesthisgirl
think?Iam
star
ti
ngtothinksheisjustapr et
tyfaceaf
ter
all
.
Evenaf**ki
ngseventeeny earsoldli
keEst
her
wouldn’
tmakesuchadumbassmov e.
Idrovel
iket
hewind,r
eal
i
zingMonkwasdr
ivi
ng
behindmewithSpi
nnyonthecar
.
Iparkedandranthr
oughthehouse,
looki
ngfor
Esther,
shout
inghername.Shewasnowhereto
beseen.
Theyweregonnawannasendamessage.
Cementtheonethatv
ideohadal
readysentt
hat
Igonesoftandwasapu**y.
Ifpeoplecoul
dsnatchmycrewandbeatt
hem
uporwor se,wit
houtf
ear,
theni
twoul
dforreal
dri
vei ti
n.Kar
telwasweak.Whi
chmeant
everyonecouldcomeforme.
Igr
abbedt
heheav
il
ypr
egnantKebaand
draggedhert
othecar
.Spi
nnydr
ovewhi
leIsat
atthebackwit
hmyguntothebi
ch’
shead.
ME:
Cal
lMeech.Now.
Shewascr
yingandshaki
ngasshecal
l
edhi
m.
MEECH:
Heybabe… ohsht
..
KARTEL:Heybich.Youhaveexact
lyfi
ft
een
minutest
oleaveEstheri
nthewait
ingroom orI
putabull
etthr
oughthisbi
ch’
sgut.AndEsther
bett
ernotbeharmed.
Iwassonervousandscar edf orpoorEst
her.
Sheisnotafi
ghter,sheisacookwhowor ks
withRueint
hekitchen.Icouldimaginethose
aashol
ehurti
ngher..Spi
nnydr ovetothebus
rankwit
houtevenbeingtold,andhewai t
edin
thewait
ingr
oom unt i
lEstherwalkedin.
TheycametothecarandEstherwasbrui
sed.
Herfl
oral
spri
ngdresswastorn.It
ookoutmyt
shi
rtandputi
tonher.
KARTEL:Babydol
l
,di
dtheyhur
tyou?Di
d… di
d
theyt
ouchyou?
ESTHER:(sobbi
ng)No… theyweregoi
ngto…
wheny oucall
ed… Meech,heri
ppedmydress
andand…Iwassoscar edKart
el…hedidn’
tdoi
t,
buti
fyouhadn’tcal
l
ed…
Ihuggedherasshesobbed.
KARTEL: Youar esaf
enow, babydol
l,
youare
safe.Wear egonnagety outopeoplewhowill
tal
kt oyouandhel pyouprocessit
.Andweare
all
her eforyouanyti
me.Spinny,t
akeherhome
i
nMonk’ scar ,
andev er
yonestaylowkey.
MONK:
Wher
ear
eyougoi
ng?
KARTEL:Togetbackmycred.Y’
al
lst
aywi
th
Est
herandmakeherfeel
safe.
MONK:
Letmecomewi
thy
ou.
KARTEL:Sot
hatever
yonecancal
lmeabich
whoneedsasideki
ck.Nope.Man,f
**kt
hat
bich.I
nonenightsheundi
dev
ery
thi
ngIt
ook
yearsbui
l
ding!Go.
*
***
***
***
***
Iwipedmytearsandwentt ot
heli
vi
ngroom
whenIhear
dv oices.Theywal
kedi
nwi t
ha
brui
sedEst
herwhowaswear i
ngKartel
’st
-shi
rt
.
ME:
Whathappened?
SPINNY: Thi
sisy ourdoi
ng.Youmustbeproud.
Becausey oumadeKar tell
ookli
keabi
ch,
every
onei str
yingtodestr
oyhiswhol
ecrewand
takehisspot.
ESTHER: (
sobbi
ng)Ial
mostgotr
aped,you
bich… t
heybeatmeup…theyweregonna…
they
ME:
Idi
dn’
tmeanf
oranyoft
hist
ohappen.…
RonandEar
ani
n.
RON:Whathappened?Wewer
edri
vingpast
Tonot
awhenKar t
elcal
l
edt
heconf
erencecal
l.
SPI NNY:Kart
elwentafterMeech.Hehashi s
gir
l.TheytouchedEsther,butdidn’t
…Kart
elis
f**kingpi
ssedaboutthem ev enlayi
ngafi
nger
onher .Ithi
nkbodiesgonnadr opwhenhe
catchesthem.Hewant sy out olookuppl
aces
thatcanhelpEsther,
andgetheraspotwi t
h
thosepeople.
ME:
(sobbi
ng)I
’
mreal
l
ysor
ry…
RON:Maybeify
ouact
ual
lyl
i
stenedtopeopl
e
whohavebeenont
hestr
eet
sforyears,
Luba!
EA:Wear enotst upi
d,youknow.Yourbri
ght
i
deas?Weal readythoughtift
hem.Andknow
thei
rconsequences.What’sakingwhosecrew,
especi
all
yhisbich,don’
tli
stentohi
m?
Undermini
ngKar t
el l
i
kethatwasanulti
mate
disr
espect
.
RON:Plus,
onlyanarci
ssistwil
lgoaheadwith
pl
ansli
kethatwit
houtdiscussi
ngwithcrew.
Don’
tyouseeKartel
askingusal l
oneveryt
hing
bef
orehemov es?Ever
ybodyhasbl
indspot
s,
anddi
scussi
ngistomakesureotherscanhel
p
wit
hyourbli
ndspots.
ME:
(sobbi
ng)Idi
dn’
tthi
nkDol
l
awi
l
l…
SPI
NNY:
Her
eiswhaty
ourDol
l
adi
d…
Hehandedmeaphonepl
ayi
ngav
ideoofmei
n
Dol
l
a’soff
ice.
SPINNY:Notj
ustunder
mineKart
el,
fli
rtwi
thhi
s
ri
valt
oo.Maan,waytobur
yanig*a.
ME:
(sobbi
ng)Iwasn’
tfl
i
rti
ng.
RON: Nobodycareswhaty ouweredoingLuba,
i
tcomesacr ossasfli
rti
nginthisvi
deo,and
Kart
elishurtbyi
t.Esthergotbeatupand
al
mostr aped.Al
lbecausey oufel
tli
kesome
bossbich.
Theyall
mov edt
ot hekitchenweretheyf
ussed
overEsther
,Roncleaningherbrui
sesandthey
gavehersomepainkil
lers,bef
oret
akinghert
o
bed.
*
***
***
***
KARTEL
Idroveoutwit
hMeech’sbi
chinthecarandt
old
theasstomeetmeal onei
fhewantedtoget
her.Thati
fIevenseehi
screw,I
’
dshoother.
It
iedhert
oat
reeandwai
tedi
ntheshadows.
Whenhepar kedhiscarandr anov ert
oher ,
I
j
umpedhi m andst ar
tedpunchinghim,taki
ng
outall
myf rustrati
onsonhi m.AsIpummel ed
hi
m withfi
stsandki cks,
unti
lhewasabl oody,
sti
l
lbreat
hing, unfort
unatel
y,butbloodymess.I
di
dn’twannaki llhi
m becauseoft hatpoor
bastar
dwhowasaboutt obebornt ohim.
Itookoutmyknif
eandstabbedbot
hhisknees
repeat
edl
y.Gonnaputt
hisbichonawheel
chai
r.
Howaboutthatforamessage.
Iwi
l
lneedt
otakedownaf
ewmor
eguy
sjust
tol
etpeopl
eknowIwassti
l
llet
halandcunni
ng,
andi
fanybodyt
ri
edtomesswithme,they
’dgo
down.
WhenIwasdone,Itookouthisphoneand
cal
ledhi
screwwithinst
ruct
ionsonwheret
o
fi
ndthem.ThenIwenthome.
IwenttocheckonEst herandwast
hankf
ulshe
wasr est
ing.Poort
hing.
Ihadnotli
tupforal
ongt
ime,
butt
hisbi
chgot
mef**kedtoday.
Ir
oll
edabl untandst
oodatt
hebal
cony
smoking.
Lubacameandt r
iedtohugmef
rom t
heback.I
j
ustpushedheroff.
LUBA:
I’
m sor
ry.
Ii
gnor
edher
.
LUBA:
Idi
dn’
tev
enknowy
ousmoked
KARTEL:
F**
kof
f.Outher
efl
i
rti
ngl
i
kemybi
ch
got
tapoppus*ytokeepmesaf
e.Youmademe
af*
*ki
ngjoke.Nxl
a.
Iwal
kedawayangr
il
yandsatwi
thRonandEa
i
nRon’sr
oom,asEatol
dusabouthi
svisi
twi
th
hi
sfat
her.
*
***
***
***
**
LUBA
ThenextdayIwastoosadtoevengot
owork.I
tr
iedtocheckonEst
herandshetol
dmetof
* *
k
off.
Ever
yonewantednot
hingtodowit
hme, and
Kart
elhadspentt
henighti
noneofthespar
e
rooms.
Hecametot
her
oom andt
oldmet
oget
dr
essed.
IdidasIwastol
dandfol
l
owedhim.Hequiet
ly
drovetosomeBHChousesanddrov
eint
oone.
Notbig,j
ustanor
mal,
thr
eebedr
oom house.
KARTEL: So,Ibeenwor ki
ngongetti
ngust his
sowecanmov eoutandhav epri
vacy.Notour
dream home, butthatwil
lcomeeventuall
y.I
haditfurni
shed,andpeoplecomet oclean,so
i
tsready.Youwi ll
gopacky ourst
uffandmov e
i
nher e.
ME:
Howabouty
ou?
KARTEL:
Ineedt
obewi thmycr
ewforabit
.
Maybeafewmonths… bui
l
dbackmoral
e.
ME: Buthowaboutus,
Kartel
… Il
i
teral
l
yfeel
yourdist
ancef
ri
m mer i
ghtnow… thi
sisni
tus.
KARTEL: Andthati
swhosef aultagai
n?Cause
andeffectConsequences,princess.Wannaact
l
ikeabadbi ch,bereadyforbadbi ch
consequences.
Ouch.
ME:
So,
Ist
ayher
eal
one?
KARTEL:
You’
l
lli
ve.
.Pl
us,
I’
ll
visi
tof
ten.
ME:Whycan’
tIst
ayt
her
etoo,
unt
ilwear
ebot
h
r
eadyt
omov e.
KARTEL:Becausewehav eourmeetingsther
e,
ourwhil
eoperati
on,andwecan’
ttrustyounot
tofuckoutourshtanymoret
hanyoual r
eady
did.
ME:Kar
tel,I
’
m sor
ry.Ireall
yhadnoideait
woul
daffectyoul
i
ket his.Pl
easef
orgiv
eme.I
don’
twannaloseyou.
KARTEL:Youarenotlosi
ngme, I
’m st
il
lpi
ssed
ri
ghtnow.Givemeti
me.Al r
ight
.Igott
aheadoff
somewhere.Takeacabbackt othecri
band
packyourbag.Seey
ou.
No‘Il
oveyou’
orakissl
ikehealwaysdoes
whenhegoesawayfrom me.Tearsr
andown
mycheekasIhear
dhiscarpullof
fanddri
ve
away.
God,whathav
eIdone?CouldIhavepossibl
y
f*
*kedupthebestt
hingt
hateverhappenedto
me,
wit
hthi
sov
erent
husi
asm ofmi
ne?
*
***
***
**
LI
KE,
COMMENT,
SHARE
AThug’
sLov
e:26

LUBA
Il
aidinthekingbedofthenewhouseal lal
one,
mytearswetti
ngthepil
low.Ihadnoteven
hear
dKar t
elcomein,Ij
ustfel
thim getonthe
bedandhugmef r
om behind.
KARTEL:
Yousl
eepi
ng?
ME:
Mh-
hmm…
Hechuckl
edandki
ssedmyneck.
KARTEL:
Thenhowar
eyour
espondi
ngt
ome?
Wewer
equi
etf
orabi
t.
KARTEL:
Youbeencr
ying.
ME:
Whatdoy
ouexpect
?Yout
hrewmeout
.
KARTEL: Idi
dn’ tthrowy ouout.Wewer ealready
goingtomov eint woweekst ime, sowecan
havepriv
acy .Plus, af
terwhathappened.You
won’thavepeacet here.Mycr ew… everysi ngl
e
oneofthem, Ihav esacr i
fi
cedmy sel
fforthem
atonepoi nt
.Al way slookedoutf orthem.So
theyareverypr otecti
v e.Rightnowy ouar enot
anybodythere’sf avoritebecausewhaty oudi d
hurtmyreput ation.Youwoul dn’
twannast ay
withpeoplewhoar eallmadaty ou,wouldy ou?
ME:Ir
eal
lynevermeantt
ocausehar
m.Ij
ust
want
edtohelp.
KARTEL:(si
ghing)Iknow,babe.AndI
under
stand.Iam justst
il
langryri
ghtnow,you
havetounderstandwhatIlost…it’
sgonnatake
meal ott
or ebuil
d..I
twouldhavebeeneasier
j
usttosneakuponDol l
aandt akehim out
.
ME:
Buty
oudon’
twannaki
l
lDol
l
a.Andhe
doesn’
twannakill
you.Whycan’
twest
il
lcome
tothedeal
Ireachedwit
hhim.
KARTEL: Hell
o!Dol
laplayedyou.Besides,that
doesnotev enmatternowbecausewor dont he
str
eetisyousleptwithDoll
atokeepmesaf e.
Doy ouknowwhatdoest oaman, notev enthe
str
eets,j
ustnatur
all
y.Nomanwant stobe
knownast heguywhosewomansl eepsaround
tokeephim safe.
ME:
Buti
tsnott
rue.
KARTEL: Iknow, babe…butevery
oneislooki
ng
atmel ikesomesi mpguy …anditsmaking
thi
ngshar d.Iam gonnahav et
oresortbackt
o
themeIr esent.Har
d..Soul
l
ess.Dropafew
bodies.That ’
swhatI’
m gonnahavetodot ot
ry
rest
oremycr ed.
ME:
Youf
eel
dist
ant
…
KARTEL:
Iwi
l
lbef
ine.Wewi
l
lbef
ine.
ME:
Idon’
twannal
osey
ou…
KARTEL:RememberwhatIt
oldy
ouaboutmy
l
ovefory
ou?
Inodded.
KARTEL:
Whatdi
dIsay
?
ME:
Not
hingwi
l
lev
ermakey
ounotl
oveme.
Heki
ssedmycheekandhuggedmet
ight
er.
KARTEL: Anditstillstands.Youar eoneoft he
purestsoul
sinthewor l
d.Fier
ce, brave.Theway
youstandupforme… Imean, Dollatriedt okill
usandy ouwentt ohi splace,
puty ourselfin
dangerforme.Ift hat’snotbadass, Idon’tknow
whatis.Younev ermademef eelinadequat e,
evenwhenIdidn’ thav emucht ogi vey ou.And
youarealwayscheer ingmeon.Not hing,andI
meannot hi
ng,wi l
l evermakemenotl ovey ou.
Thisangryanddi sappoi ntmentwi llpass, ev er
y
rel
ati
onshipgoest hr oughdownssomet imes.
It
urnedar
oundandsobbedonhischestashe
j
usthel
dme.Honestl
yy’
all
.Ihav
ethebestman
i
ntheworl
d.Wherehav
ey oueverseena
per
sonwhoevenwhenpissedatyou,st
il
ltr
eat
s
yousot
ender
ly?
*
***
***
***
**
Dol
l
awalkedi
ntohi
shousef
uri
ous.Hegr
abbed
Hal
imaf
rom t
hechai
randsl
appedher
.
DOLLA:Thehell
didyoudo!Whatdi
dyoudo
Hal
ima.WhatifKart
elhur
tsher
?
HALIMA:
Idon’
tknowwhaty
ouar
etal
ki
ng
about
.
Hesl
appedheragai
n.
DOLLA:DoIl
ookli
keani
diott
oy ou?Onlyyou
knowhowtoaccesst
heCCTVf ootageofmy
study
.Youar
etheonewhoputitout.
HALIMA: Youaredamnri
ghtIdi
d.Howdoy ou
thi
nkIfeel,
watchi
ngyoufl
ir
twit
hthatl
i
ttl
e
skank?
DOLLA:
IswearIwi
l
lki
l
lyou,
yoyder
angedbi
ch.
Nxl
a.
Hewalkedof
fpaci
ngar
oundashet
ri
edt
ocal
l
Luba.
*
***
***
***
**
KARTEL
Themor ningwhenIgott owork,Nikit
awalked
i
ntomyof fi
ceandsatont hetable,herpenci
l
skir
tridi
ngup, showinghert
highsthatIhadnot
theleasti
nterestin.
NIKI
TA:OhmyGod,whatwasLubat hi
nki
ng.
Thatgi
rli
ssodumb.Iam sosor
ry,
howcould
she…
KARTEL: Niki
ta,
whatwear enotgonnado, is
dr
agmyper sonall
if
eint
ot heof fi
ce.Andifyou
evercal
lmygi rl
namesagai n, I
’
m gonnalether
wipethefloorwit
hyou.Doy ouhav eany
thing
workrel
atedy ouwantedtodi scuss?Because
ot
herwise,Ihavealotofwor k.
NI
KITA:
Iwasj
ust
…
KARTEL:
So,
not
hingt
hen.Wel
l
,excuseme.
NI
KITA:
Wow…
KARTEL: Niki
ta,don’
ttakemyhel pingy ouwith
accomodat i
onasanyf or
m ofi nterest.I
’dhel
p
everyonewithoutaplacet ostayorf oodt oeat
i
fIhadt hemeans.Iwasj ustraisedl i
kethat.
Don’tgetideas,andmostcer tainlydon’t
disr
espectLuba.Whatdi dy ouexpect , f
ormet o
cheeryouonasy ouslandermywoman?You
can’
tbet hatdim.Getout.
Shewal kedoutdi
sappointed.Ididn’
tevencar
e
thatIprobabl
yoverr
eacted.Iwasal r
eadyona
shortfuseandthi
snotgonnal etupatt
it
udeof
herswasext r
emelyir
ri
tati
ngt oday.
*
***
***
***
LUBA
Igotatt
hesal
onandst
art
edpr
epar
ingf
ort
he
day.Dol
lawal
kedinwi
thpani
c,andexhal
ed
heavi
lywhenhesawme.
DOLLA:
Oh,
youar
eok.Iwaswor
ri
edal
lni
ght
.
ME: Youhav
eaner
veshowi
ngupher
e,y
oul
i
ttl
e
snake.
DOLLA: Iknowhowt hislooks,butcheckthi
s
out…t heboardmeetingf i
nishedat5pm,then
wewer etakentothemi ne.Ionlygothomeat
10pm.Andy oucanonlyaccessCCTVf r
om the
studyathome.Thev ideowasoutar ound7pm.
Atthatti
meIdi dn’
tevenhav esignal
,Iwas
i
nsideami ne.
ME:
Doy
ouev
erst
opl
yi
ng?
DOLLA:Iam notly
ing.Idi
dn’tputthatv
ideoout
.
Besi
des.Ir
ecordedaconfession.
Heplay
edanaudioofanargumenthehadwith
Hali
ma… herconf
essi
ngtosendi
ngoutthat
vi
deo.
DOLLA:IhaveCCTV becauseofdeal sImake
i
nmyst udy.Bozahadaccessandletherhav eit.
If
orgottochangeitwhenhedied.Any way,t
hat
wasagooddeal ,whywouldIsabotageit?Isti
l
l
wantiti
fit
sont hetabl
e.
ME:
(si
ghi
ng)I
t’
snot
…
DOLLA:So,
heshuti
tdown?Andy
ouar
ejust
gonnat
akeitl
ayi
ngdown?
ME:
Whatdoy
ouwantmet
odo?
DOLLA: Youarenotabeta,Luba.
.Tr
yingto
reduceyoursel
ftoonetopleaseamani s
stupi
d.Isthatal
lyouwant?TobeKar t
el’
sli
ttl
e
keptwomanwhoj umpswhenhesay sso?You
areninet
eenandy ouar
er el
egati
ngyoursel
fto
beingat r
ophybeforey
oucanev enli
ve?Pi t
y.
ME:
Youdon’
tunder
stand.
DOLLA:Ido.Kart
eli
sanalpha.Al
phasare
i
nsecurel
itt
lesht
swhoalwaysneedtolead,
andfeelt
hreat
enedwhensomeoneelsetakes
t
her
eignsev
enj
ustf
orabi
t.
ME:
Yout
hen?
DOLLA: (
laughing)Iam noal pha.Iam asi
gma,
dar
li
ng.Inev erplaybyther ul
es.Foralongtime
Idi
dn’tunderstandmy selfunti
lImetmyact ual
mentor.Themanwhot aughtmet obesecurei
n
whoIwas.
ME:
Boza’
sfat
her
?
DOLLA: Nah, t
hisot herO. Gcal ledMmi li
li.He
raninacr ewwher et herewasanal pha, buthe
wasnobet a.Ididn’ tunder standhowt heygot
onwel luntilheex plaineditt ome.Hewast he
wildcardwhodi dwhathet houghtwasr ight ,
everyonebedamned.Andmanyat ime, it
savedt hem.Heev endi djailtimeforhi scr ew
once,becausehet houghtt hatwasbest .He
didn’
twai tforconf irmationf rom others, nev er
did.Ireali
zedt hatwasme.Wher eBozal i
ked
playi
ngal pha,Ilethi m hav et hespotl
ightand
didwhatev erIthoughtwasright
.Ir
eali
zedI
wasasi gma.Soar eyou,bytheway.Icanjust
tel
l.St
opf orcingyoursel
fint
oapersonali
tyyou
aretol
dt oplay .
Mmi
l
il
i…
Couldthatbemyf
ather
?Soher
eal
l
ywasa
thug.
ME:It
hinki
t’
sjustbestIst
ayoutofi
t.
DOLLA: Youknowwhatt hatmeans,r
ight?
Kartelannoysme, Ikil
lhim.Endofstory.Oryou
couldenf or
cethatdeal youmade.Keept he
peaceandkeepy ourboy ’
sheadonhi s
shoulders.Trut
hisy ouar eri
ght
,Idon’
twanna
ki
llhim,butIwilli
fIhav eto.So,l
eashhim.Call
meandl etmeknow, MsMoses.
ME:
Wait…tel
lmeaboutthatMmi
li
li
guy
.Ishe
t
heowneroft
hatNor
thsi
deMotor
s?
DOLLA:
Yea,
youknowhi
m?
ME:Iuhm… Ij
usthear
dofhi
m.Tel
lmeabout
hi
m.
DOLLA:(l
aughi
ng)Why
?Youi
ntool
dmenor
somethi
ng?
ME: What?Ew.No.Ij
ust
…I … Iwanna
underst
andthatsi
gmathing.Tel
lmeabouthi
m.
DOLLA: (smi l
ing)Imethi m whenIwasal r
eady
ont hest reets.ButIwasf r
ustratedwi th
const antl
ybei ngmadet opl aybyt her ules.He
fascinatedmeandIst art
edpl ay
ingi ceboyf or
him becauseIwant edt obel i
kehi m( l
aughing).
Hehel pedmeco- existwiththeal phaBoza’ s
fatherwas, andt heweakl i
ngBozawas.Il earnt
alotf rom Mmi l
il
i.Especi all
yencour agedmet o
goi ntobusi ness.Hei sani ceguy .Wi l
dcar dto
boott hough.West il
lkeepcont act,andIhav e
arranged‘ ’f
un’ tr
ipsf orhimf rom timet ot i
me.
Mat teroff act,Iam i nvit
edt ohismar r
iagev ows
renewal t
hisev ening.
ME:
CanIcome?
Isaidt
hatoutofimpul
se.Whatthehel
lar
eyou
doingLuba!Kar
telwi
ll
bepissed.
Butitwasmychancetogomeetmyf ather
…
evenifIhadnoi
ntent
ionsofi
ntr
oduci
ngmy sel
f.
DOLLA: Tothewedding?Uhm, ok.Ihaveonly
oneplusoneinvi
tethatI’
dgivenHalima,butI
canjustchangei
ttoy ou.So,
sure.Pickyouup
at7pm.
*
***
***
***
***
Dol
l
awalkedint
ohishousewithasmi
l
eas
Hal
imawaschoosi
ngdresses.
DOLLA: Oh,y
ouarenolongercomingtothe
wedding.Tel
lthemaidt
orefreshmygrey
Savi
l
leRowandhav eherpol
ishthoseTom
For
dshoes.Theblackone.
HALI
MA:I’
m notyourPA.Andwhatt
hehel
ldo
youmeanI
’m notcoming?
DOLLA:
What
ever
.Icant
ell
hermy
sel
f.
Hepushedpastherandgoti
ntheshower
.
HALI
MA: Youtaki
ngoneofy ourli
ttlebaby
mamas?IswearDol l
a.IswearI
’llsl
apabi ch,
t
heyarealway
st r
yingtowormt heirwayin.And
t
hehellI
’
m notcomi ng.
DOLLA:I
tiswhati
tis,
andIsweari
fyoucome
ther
eandcausedr
ama, Iwi
l
lbeatt
heli
feoutof
you.
*
***
***
***
**
LUBA
Isatwonder i
nghowIwasgonnaexpl aingoi
ng
toaweddi ngwithDol l
a,andIwascomi ngup
withblanks.ButIjusthadt ogo.Getachance
tomeett hatmanandhi sfamil
yallatthesame
ti
me, anddecideifIwantt hem i
nmyl if
e.
Iknewther
ewasnowayKart
elwasgonna
agree,
andDol
l
awasri
ght,
Idon’
tli
kebeingt
old
whatt
odo.Askmyt
eacher
sorpar
ent
s.
Iam gonnago,
anddeal
wit
hther
estl
ater
.
Idrovehomeandgotr
eady,doi
ngmyhai
rand
makeup,theywor
eagreysequi
nedev
eni
ng
dress.
Kar
telcal
l
edandsai
dhewoul
dn’
tbeabl
etosee
metoday.
Hal
l
eluj
ah.
SoIdon’
thav
etoexpl
ainany
thi
ngt
hen.
Il
eftmycarathomeandt
ookat
axi
tot
he
sal
ontowaitf
orDol
la.
I
’
m notgonnal
ie,
themanwasinthatbourgi
e
l
ooki
ngsuit
.Andthesmel
li
fthatl
i
velyoud…
Andf
unnyt
hathi
ssui
twasgr
eyt
oo,
mat
chi
ng
mydr
ess.
Wegotinhiscarandhedroveust oani
celi
tt
le
l
odgeoutoftown,whereagardenwassetup
cl
assywit
hal ar
gebannersay
ing‘Happy
Anni
ver
sar
y,Mmi
l
il
iandChedza’
.
Otherguest
swerear
ri
ving,
andwesatdownas
t
hecer emonycommenced.
Whentheyhadsaidthei
rvowsandwewer
e
eat
ingandmingl
ing,
hecameov ert
ogr
eet
Dol
la.
HIM:Atl
eastmaket
hisoneawif
e,man.Four
babymamasisalot
.PlusHal
i
ma.
DOLLA:(l
aughing)It
’snotevenli
kethatwi
thher
.
Sheisanacquaintance.Luba,
Mmi l
i
li.M2,
thi
s
i
smyf ri
end,Luba.
Theman… myfat
her
…shookmyhandand
fi
nal
l
ytookal
ookatme.
HIM:DoIknowy
ouf
rom somewher
e?Youl
ook
ver
yfami
li
ar.
Ilookeddownsohedi
dn’
tlookatmeany
furt
her.
ME:
Idoubt
.
HIM:
No,no… y
oul
ookf
ami
l
iar
,whatwasy
our
nameagai
n?
ME:
Luba
HIM: Ir
emembert hatnamet oo… Luba… Luba?
Wher edoIknowy ouf r
om?Ir ememberboth
yourfaceandname…Di dy ougot oschoolwit
h
anyofmyki ds?Waitami nute.Lubal
ashe?I
knewsomeonewhof oundt hatnamejustso
adorableandusedtosaywhenshehada
daughter,shewouldcallherthat.Isy
our
motherTapuwa?
*
***
***
***
***
KARTEL
Isatwi
thmycrewbrai
nst
ormi
ngournextmov
e
whenIgotat
extfr
om Hal
ima.
‘
Maan,whyy ouwannaf i
nishwhateveri
slef
tof
yourr
eputationl
ikethi
s?Peoplealreadysay
s
shepoppedpu* sytokeepy ousafe.Nowbeing
seenatev entsi
nmat chingoutf
it
swi t
hDoll
a?’
What
?
Thehel
lwassheonabout
.
Afewminuteslat
ershesentmeaphotoof
Lubawit
hDollaonsomemat chi
nggreyev
eni
ng
wear,
atsomeweddi ngorsomet
hing.
Whatt
hehel
l
.
Shehadtol
dmeshewasj ustgonnagohome
andsl
eepsinceIcoul
dn’
tcomeseeher.
Whatt
hehel
lwast
hisgi
rlpl
ayi
ngat
?
ImessagedHal
i
maaskingwher
etheev
entwas,
andshesentmethei
nfo.
Ir
ushedt
omycaranddr
oveov
ert
her
e.
Hali
mawaswai ti
ngintheparkingli
t,andled
met owher etheweddingwas,arri
vi
ngj ustas
theceremonyhadendedandpeopl ewer e
mingli
ng.Lubawasl aughi
ngwi thDollawhen
someol derguycameov ertothem.
Whatt
hehel
lwast
his?
*
***
***
***
**
LI
KE,
COMMENT,
SHARE
AThug’
sLov
e:27

LUBA
Il
ookedatt
hemanandsmi
l
edsweet
ly.
ME: Oh,no,no… mymom isGlady
s,si
r.Butmy
fat
herusedt oworkasacl
eaneratNorthsi
de
Motors,andhebroughtmearoundafewt i
mes.
Youmi ghthaveseenmether
e.Hespokehi ghl
y
ofyou.
HI
M: Cl
eaner?Ican’
trememberanyonebri
ngi
ng
aki
d… may beBashe,hehadali
tt
legir
lifI
r
ememberwel l
.
ME:
Yessi
r,Bashei
smyf
ather
.
HI
M:Oh?Howistheol
dguydoi
ng?Greethi
m
f
orme.I
’
m af
rai
dImustgogr
eetot
herguests.
Helookedbackatmeashewalkedaway
.I
coul
dn’tt
ell
ifbel
i
evedmeornot.
Igr
abbedagl
assofwi
neandst
art
eddr
inki
ng.
*
***
***
***
***
*
KARTEL
Lubast
oodt her
edri
nki
ngwi
neandgiggl
i
ng
wit
hDolla.Iwasaboutt
ost
ormint
herewhen
Hali
mapulledmeback.
HALI
MA:
Kar
tel
,wai
t!
Shesai
dhol
dingmyhand.
HALI
MA:
Youdon’
twannadot
his
KARTEL:
Letmego,
Hal
i
ma!
Ipul
l
edmyhandaway
.Ronr
ani
nandgr
abbed
me.
RON: Calm down!Cal
mt hehel
ldown.Thi
sM3
father’
sthi
ng,youarenotcausi
ngasceneand
starti
ngshtwithhi
m.
DOLLA:
Yout
hinkMbat
shi
’
sscar
esany
one?
RON: Ok, howaboutdon’tr
uinot herpeople’s
daybecauseofsomedi shonestbich?The
coupl
ewant stocelebr
atetheirl
ov e, t
heydid
nothi
ngt oy ou.Youarenotthisper son,man.
Handley ourshtwi t
hLubalater,
lett hesepeopl
e
enj
oyt heirevening.
Shet
ookmyhandandl
edmet
ohercar
.
RON:I’
mt aki
ngyouhome.Youareinnomi
nd
todr
ive,
Spinnywil
lcomegetyourcar
.
KARTEL:
Howdi
dyouev
en…
RON: Youbeeni naf usesinceever
ythingwent
down, Kart
.Iknewi twasonl yamatteroftime
beforeyoulostit.Aftery
ourcall
andy oujust
ranout,Icoul
dt ellsomethingwaswr ong,soI
tai
ledyou.Letsgo.
KARTEL:Nah,Iai
n’
tgoi
nghome.I
’
mtooangr
y.
Ineedanoutl
et.
RON:
Ok,
let
sgogetdr
unk.
KARTEL:Therevengesort.Dollamademel ook
l
ikeawhimp,rel
easingthatvideo.Iwanthi
mt o
pay.I
’
m gonnagohi tDoll
a’splace.
RON:
Kar
tel
…
KARTEL: Hedeser
vesit
.Anditwil
lhel
pmelet
outsomest eam.ComeonPat t
y,l
i
kethegood
al
lti
mes.Remembert hegraf
fi
tiweusedtodo
onbridges?
Webothl
aughedaswewentdownmemor
y
l
ane.
RON:
Hisboy
swi
l
lbet
hen.
KARTEL:Thenwehandlethem.Thi
sisact
uall
y
whatIneedri
ghtnow.Imean,whodar
eshit
s
Dol
la?
Ron:Youknowwhat,
f**
kit
,let
sdoi
t.Let
sgr
ab
spr
ayfrom home.
Sher
acedhomer
unni
ngsev
eralr
edl
i
ght
sand
wel
aughedabouti
t.
Wegothomeandeachgotabackpackwi t
h
spr
aycansandothersuppl
i
es,
thenheadedto
Dol
la’
sworkshop
Weparkedatadistanceandsnucki
n.The
boyswerewatchi
ngTVi nt
hefrontr
oom.
Aboutseveni
nall
.
RON:
Got
otheback…
Shesaid,
thenwalkedi
nwi
thasmi
l
eandt
hey
al
ltur
nedtolookather
.
RON:
Heyboy
s… I
’
vecomeher
etor
oby
ou.
Theyalllaughed,
looki
ngather.Somepet
it
,hot
gi
rl.Thesenewboy shadnoideatheywer
e
deali
ngwi thaveryski
l
ledt
hieve.
GUY1:(
laughing)YoucanrobLoxi
onhereof
hi
svi
rgi
nit
y, swi
dat.ThenI
’
llgi
veyousomethi
ng
l
ongandthick.
RON:
I’
m ki
ddi
ng.Iusedt
orunwi
thDol
l
aand
Kart
el.Theyaremyboy s.Bozat
oo.Iwant
edt
o
checkont hem asIpassby.
GUY:Kartel
andDol
l
afel
lout
,sweet
ie,andBoza
hotconkeduponhi
sownshtandburnthi
mself
todeath.
RON:Oh… ohmyGod.That
’ssobad.CanI
,use
thel
oo?
GUY:
Str
aightahead,
seconddooront
hel
eft
.
Shewal
kedinbutt
ipt
oedt
otheki
tchenwher
e
shel
etmein.
Wehear
daguywal
kint
hecor
ri
dor
s.
GUY:Whatar
eyoudoi
ngt
hissi
de,
bat
hroom i
s
t
here…
Igr
abbedhi
mfrom t
heback,
cover
inghi
s
mouthasRonputagunt
ohisface
RON:
(whi
sper
ing)Makeasoundandbam!
Iti
edhi
m upandgaggedhi
m,thentookhi
s
phoneandwewalkedtot
heli
vi
ngroom si
deby
si
de,
bot
hourgunsdr
awn.
GUY2:
Whatt
hef
**k?
RON:(shruggi
ng)ToldyouIam her
etorobyou?
Don’
twor ry
.Wehav enoint
ent
ionsofhurt
ing
youi
fy ouaregoodli
ttl
eboys.
KARTEL:
Youmov
e,y
oudi
e.
IhandedRonmygunandGodf orgi
veme, but
shelookedsohotr ightnowwi thbothguns
point
edout ,allmadeupt oper fecti
on,dressed
prett
y,andbei ngabadbabyal latthesame
ti
me.Wewor kedsowel ltogethertoo,
wedi dn’
t
evenneedt o.Communi catemuch, wej ust
synchedup.Imi ssedthis.Doingj umpswi thher
andall.AndRoni nactional ways…
Yea.I
’
mtaken.
Iwentaroundt yi
nguptheguysandtaki
ng
cell
phones.Thenwedraggedthem al
ltogether
tothebathroom andl
ockedthem i
nthere.The
windowwast oosmal
lfort
hem toescape.
Wewal kedt othekit
chenwer eRongrabbeda
baseballbatandstartedsmashingthi
ngs
around… theequipmentusedt ocook… plat
es,
gl
asses.Shewast horoughl
ytrashi
ngtheroom.
Istuf
fedall
theproductt
heyhadi
nasmall
sack,
thentookal
lthei
rmateri
alt
omakepr
oducts
too.
WhenIwasdoneIj oi
nedherinsmashi ng
thingsaroundwhilewedr anktheirbeer
,
def acedthewall
swi t
hgraffi
tiandjusthada
blastdestroy
ingshtwhil
ewel aughedand
yelled.
Wewentout si
deanddi dgr affi
tionthet wo
carstoo,thendrov etohishousei ntheposh
neighborhood.Ipickedthedoorandt henputit
thecodebef orethesecur i
tyalarm wentof f.
Andwhatdoy ouknow, thear r
ogantf oolhad
notbotheredchangi ngthatt oo,becausehe
didn’
tthi
nkhehadanyt hreat,orhef orgotthatI
knewi t
.Thatgool Bozausedt itellme.
Passwordsandall
becausehet
reat
edmel
i
ke
hi
slit
tl
eerrandboy.
Wewentonar oundthehousewit
hspraycans,
thewalls,
hispri
zedart,ev
ery
thi
ng.Wecouldn’
t
trashshthere,
incasethenoseynei
ghbor
s
heardusandcal l
edthecops.
ThenIwenttohissaf
eandagai
n,passwor
dnot
changed.Fool
.
Hehadsomegetawaycashi
ncaseheev
er
neededt
ospl
i
t.
Thensomer ealex
pensi
vejewelr
yhecould
al
waystradeforcashi
fhisaccount
severgot
fr
ozen.
It
ooki
tal
l
,buti
twasn’
tthepr
izeIwasaf
ter
.
Iwasaf terhismostpr i
zedpossession.A gol
d
necklacethatbelongedtohismot her.When
thatasshehadt houghtwashisfatherthr
ew
them out,theyli
teral
l
yleftwi
thnothingbutthe
clot
hesont hei
rback.Hehadbur r
iedhis
motheronacheapsoci al
workerassist
ance
coff
inwiththedressshewaswearing,buthe
kepttheneckl
ace.Anditwastheonlythingof
herhehadleft.I
tmeantever
ythi
ngt ohim.
RON:Youaretaki
ngt
hat
?Itdoesn’
tlookl
i
kei
ts
wor
thanyt
hing.
ME:
(laughi
ng)i
t’
swor
thev
ery
thi
ngt
oDol
l
a.
Iwr
oteanot
eandputi
tint
hesaf
e.
‘
I
’m gonnat
hrowt
heneckl
acei
nar
iver
.Haha!
’
Wedroveoffhi
ghi
nadrenal
i
ne,
play
ing‘
HitEm
Up’
onloud,
anddri
nki
ng.
IwantedtogocheckonLubaincaseshewas
back.Rondrovemether
e,andasweparked,
Doll
a’scarwaspar
kedatthegat
e.
RON:
Let
’sj
ustl
eav
e…
KARTEL:Fckthat
.IfLubaismessi
ngwi
thDol
l
a,
I
’m gonnaki
ll
them both!
Ir
ushedt
othehouseandbur
stt
hedooropen.
*
***
***
***
LUBA
Doll
aparkedatthegat
eandcamet oopenthe
door,t
henwalkedmetothehouse,get
ti
ngin
andstandi
ngwithmeinthel
ivi
ngroom.
Hest
oodi
nfr
ontofmewi
thasmi
l
e.
DOLLA: Youarehidingsomethi
ngaren’ty
ou?
Thereisareasony ouwantedtogotothe
wedding…want edtomeetM2…y ouar
ehis
daughter…
ME:
Nope
DOLLA:Ni
cetry
…y ourmotheri
sthatTapuwa
hetal
kedabout
,isn’tshe?
ME: (
sighi
ng)Fi
ne,f
ine.ButIdon’tknowifIam
readytotel
lhi
m.Hisfamil
y… Ijust.
.Idon’
t
needanymor ecompli
cati
onsinmyl if
e.
DOLLA:Wel
ldamn…y ougetfasci
nat
ingbythe
minut
e.Mmil
il
i
’sdaught
er,hey?Makessense
though.Youareyourdaddy’
sdaught
er.Andy
ou
areamazing.Ihadfuntoday
.
ME:
Met
oo…
Thereachedoutandtuckedmyhai
rbehi
ndmy
earandourgazecaught.
Whywasmyhear
traci
ng?
Hest
aredi
nmyeyesfotaminut
es,andleaned
i
ntoki
ssme.Thesof
testper
kontheli
p,real
ly
.
IknowIshoul
dhav
ecutthi
soutfi
ft
eenmi
nut
es
agowhenhecameint
othehouse.
Idon’
tknowwhyIdidn’
tstophim.Ireall
ydon’t
.
Icoul
dsayIwasti
psy,buteventhen,Isti
ll
knew
bett
er.
Hecar essedmyface,mov i
ngdownt omy
neck… tomyback… unzippingmydr essand
caressedmyshouldersashedr oppeditt
othe
fl
oor …myhandswer ecaressi
nghischest…
buttonsgetti
ngundone.
Hi
sshi
rthi
tthef
loornext
.
Hesof tl
yki
ssedmeandgent l
ylai
dmeont he
sofaandgotontopofme, hishandsof
tl
y
kneadingmybraest
… pushingthecupl
acet o
thesideashetookanipol
ei nt
ohismouth…
Thedoorbur
stopenandKar
tel
wal
kedi
n.
KARTEL:
Whatt
hehel
l
!
Hey
ell
ed.
Webot
htur
nedt
olook,
star
tl
ed.
Ronwasr
ightbehi
ndhi
m.
RON:
Sht
!
IpushedDoll
aoffofme,butKart
elhadalr
eady
drawnhisgunandhaditpoi
ntedtoDoll
a.
ME:
Kar
tel
,I
…
KARTEL:
Getony
ourknees.
DOLLA:
Kar
t,man,
Icanexpl
ain…
RON:
Kar
tel
,l
eti
tgo.
KARTEL:Isai
d,getony
ourdamnknees!I
’
m
tal
ki
ngtoyoutoo!
Hei ncl
inedhi
sheadtomeandIf ol
l
owed
Doll
a’sleadandwentonmyknees,t
ears
runningdownmycheeks.WhydidIlett
his
happen?OhmyGod!
DOLLA:
Pleaseman,
thi
sisbet
weenus.Lether
go…
RON:I
tai
ntwor
thi
tKar
tel
… wal
kaway
…let
’s
go…
KARTEL:(laughi
ng)Thisissomebul l
,man!This
i
ssomebul l
.Iwasf eel
i
ngsobadabouthowt he
wholesi
tuationwentdown.Feelingbadforyou,
Iwentoffatthecrewandev ery
onewasr eady
toapol
ogize!Andy ouareheref**ki
ngDoll
a!
ME:(sobbi
ng)Babe,I
’m sosorr
y.I
’mr
eal
l
ysor
ry.
Pl
easeKartel
,not
hinghappened…
KARTEL:
BecauseIwal
kedi
n!
ME:
I’
mreal
l
ysor
ry.Kar
tel
,youknowIl
ovey
ou…
KARTEL:Shut
,thef
ckup!Themor eyoutal
k,
themoreIwannasl
iceyourf
**ki
ngthroat
!So
shutup.
ME:
(cr
ying)Babe,
please…
DOLLA: (
Whi sper
ing)Keepquiet
,youare
antagoni
zinghim.ThisistheKart
elyoushould
fear…theonewhoseonl ylimi
tishisownblood,
anyoneelsecangetabul l
et.
KARTEL: Shutup!Shutup!Thi sislow, ev enfor
ascoundr elli
keyou, Doll
a.YouknowIl ov eher
.
Andy ou… Il ovey ou,Luba… Inev erdot his
whol eloveshtbecausewomenar ef ckedup,
butIlov ey ouLuba… y ouknowt hat.Andy ou
areouther elyi
ngt omeandgoi ngt opar ties
withmyenemyandf **ki
nghim?Howcoul dyou
dothi s.Imean, whatdoy ouwantmet odo…I
can’tlivewi t
houty ou,butIcan’tli
vewi thy ou
ei
ther ,becausey ouar ejustsomecheapho.
DOLLA:
Hey
,wat
ch…
Kart
elt
hrusthi
skni
feonDol
l
a’sshoul
der
,Dol
l
a
fal
l
ingbackinascr
eam.
ME:Kart
el!OhmyGod… ohmyGod!Heis
bl
eedi
ngtoomuch.Heisgonnadi
e…you’
l
lget
ar
rest
edand…
KARTEL: (
yell
i
ng)YouthinkIcare?Youthi
nkI
f**
kingcare?Myfamil
yisset ,andyouarea
twotimingho…so,Idon’tneedtonearound
anyway.Wesupposedt obeaf or
ever
,Luba.A
wegonnabe.
Hesai
dasher
aisedt
hegunt
omyhead.
RON:
Kar
tno… nopl
ease…
KARTEL:
Ihav
eto…t
hisi
sourf
orev
er…
Theemotionl
essonhisvoi
cewaswhatscared
me.Li
kehewasn’ tev
enseei
ngmeast he
womanhel ovedanymor
e… justassomeone
whohurthim.
Heputhisf
ingeronthetr
iggerasasi
nglet
ear
randownhi
scheek.BothRonandDol l
a
screamedi
npleasforhi
mt onotdothi
s.
Hi
sownblood… Doll
asayswhenKar
tel
isl
i
ke
t
his,
onl
yhisownbloodist
hel
imit
.
Thi
swasmyonl
ysal
vat
ion.
Ilookedupathi
m.Withpl
eadi
ngey
es,
tear
s
runningdownmycheek.
ME:
I’
m pr
egnant
…
KARTEL:
Youar
ely
ing…
ME:Iswear
…Ifyoushootme,Kar
tel
,you’
dbe
ki
l
li
ngyourownchil
d…yourf
ir
stborn.
.
KARTEL:
Shutup!
ME: I
’
m notl
ying… goahead.Goaheadandki
l
l
yourownchi
ld…
KARTEL:
Isi
treal
l
ymi
ne?
ME:
Youar
etheonl
yoneIsl
eepwi
th.Wemade
ababy ,
Kar t
el…allt
hisdoesn’
tmatter
.Wecan
workitout… butthemosti mpor
tantthi
ngr
ight
nowist hatther
eisal i
tt
lebabyi
nherewho
needshisorherdaddyt ogetbacktohis
senses.
Isai
dasIr
ubbedmyf
latst
omach.
ME:Youbabyisinhere… soonwewi ll
beabl
e
tohearhi
shear
tbeatatthecli
nic.Youare
gonnabesuchagreatdaddy.
Hesof
tenedabi
t,ev
ensmi
l
ed.
KARTEL:I’
m gonnabeadaddy
… OhmyGod,
I
’m gonnabeadaddy!
Hecroucheddownandr ubbedmytummy,t
hen
car
essedmyf ace,andl
eanedint
okissme,
l
eaninghi
sforeheadonmi ne.
KARTEL:
Wear
ehav
ingababy
… ohmyGod!
Rongent
lyt
ookthegunfrom hi
m,thenshe
wentt
otendtoableedi
ngDol l
aasKart
elt
ook
myhandandl
edmet
othebedr
oom t
hrought
o
t
hebathr
oom.
*
***
***
*
Dol
l
agoti
nhi
scarwi
thasmi
l
e.
Kart
elwaspr
obablytheonlyguyintownhe
coul
dn’
teasi
l
yt akeoutbecausethef*
*kerwas
shar
pashellandalwaysonguard.
ButDoll
ahadjustfoundhisweakspot
.Kar
tel
wenttot
all
yinsanewithouthi
spr
ett
yli
tt
let
hing.
Doll
asmil
edtohimself.Yea,hedidl
ikeher,
a
l
otandhadever
yintentionsoftaki
ngheraway
fr
om Kar
tel
,butwhoi st osayyoucan’
tkil
ltwo
bi
rdswit
honestone.
Bitbybi tmakeKar telt
hinkshei scheati
ng.
Whi chwi l
lputhim offhisguardwhi l
efocusi
ng
i
nt he‘ cheat
ing’
.Andwhenhef inal
l
ygoes
recklessKar t
eli
nsane, hebecomesaneasy
target.Bam bam.Takehi m out.ThenDoll
a
woul dbet heret
ohel pLubapi ckupt hepi
eces,
makehi mselfagoodguyandgett oherheart.
Finallyhewasgonnagett hetypeofqueenhe
deser ved.Hehadt houghtRonwasi nteresti
ng,
butRonwasal ltoughedgeswi thoutsoftness
orsubmi ssi
onLubahad.Lubaont heother
handwasbot hagr aceful
pr i
ncessanda
har dcoresoldier
.Al adyandat hug.Shewas
alsoabor nleader,butnotpowerhungr y.Quick
thinkingtoo…becausehewassur ether
ewas
nowayshewaspr egnant,thewayshewas
guzzl i
ngwi neandchampagneatt heweddi ng
Shesol dthatli
esosmoot hlytoo, wi
thallthe
emot i
ons.At ruethugqueen.Theki ndof
womanhedeser ved.
*
***
***
***
*
LUBA
Kartelrant
heshowerandtookhi
sti
me
washi ngme,kneeli
ngi
nfr
ontofmeundert
hat
runningwater,
kissi
ngmytummy
KARTEL: Heyther
e,li
tt
leone… youjustgave
yourparent
sasecondchance…l if
e’shard.
.
Everycouplegoesthr
oughhardship… weare
gonnawor kthi
sout,yourmamaandI …
becauseGodknowsIl ovethi
sgirl
…damni t,
I
l
ovet hi
sgirl
!
Hest oodupandcar essedmyf ace, l
ookingint
o
myey esandIf el
tli
keat onifsht,becauseI
l
ov ethismantoo.Lov ehim sofckingmuch,
therewasnodoubtaboutt hat
.Igotcaughti n
theDolladecepti
vechar mthereforami nute,
andev enthenIknewl ustwastheonl ything
thatasdrivi
ngmei nthatmoment .
AndIcoul
dseeKar
tel
’
shur
tinhi
sey
es.
Atearr
oll
eddownmyf
aceandhewi
pesi
twi
th
hi
sthumb.
KARTEL:Heynow… nocr ying.Thi
sisour
secondchance.Luba,Iam sosorr
yaboutj
ust
now.Igeti
rrat
ionalwhenitcomestoyou… al
lI
sawwasy
oul
eav
ingme,
andIcoul
dn’
ttakei
t…
Hi
svoi
cebrokeashespoke,
thepai
npal
pabl
e
i
nhisv
oice.
KARTEL:
I’
m sosor
ry…forgi
veme?Don’
tleav
e
me…Icouldnev
erhur
tyou,Iwi
l
lnev
erdothat
agai
n.
Helookeddownatmewi
tht
ear
satt
hebr
im of
hi
seyes.
KARTEL:
Let
shaveagreatl
i
fe…Let
sgi
veour
chi
l
dahappyfami
ly
.Ourchi
ld…
Hechuckl
edandbentdownt
okissmytummy
agai
n,t
henlookedupwi
thpl
eadi
ngey
es.
KARTEL:
for
giv
eme?
ME:(sobbing)Youshoul
dn’
thav
etoapol
ogi
ze.
Idi
dwr ong.
KARTEL: AndIforgi
veyoubecauselovei
s
aboutthat,
right
?Loveisaboutfor
givi
ngand
underst
andingandallt
hat,r
ight
?
Inodded.
KARTEL:
Justt
ell
mewhy
…
ME: (sobbing)Ithi
nk… It
hinkIwasmadatyou
fortreati
ngmel ikeanoutsi
derwhenItr
uedto
help.Iguessat inybi
tofmewant edt
ohurty
ou
l
ikey ouhur tme.Idon’
thaveanyfeel
i
ngs
what soevertowardsDoll
a,youneedt
o
under st
andt hat
.
KARTEL:Iunderst
and… i
tsok,
babe.Webot
h
messedup.Freshstar
t.
Hecar essesmyf aceandl eanedintokissme…
sof tandgent l
e, exact l
yhowIwant edtobe
kissedbyhi m, myl ove,especial
lynowwhenI
feltsobad.Heal way sknowsj ustwhatIneed.
Hisl i
psmov edagai nstmine,softandmoi st
andhotandbr eat hy,nottryi
ngtowi nabat t
le
butseeki nguni onandcl osenessandt he
shar i
ngofonebr eath,onesensat i
on,one
ti
mel essandpassi onatemoment .
Ican’
tloset
his.Can’
tlosemyl
ove.
I
fhef
indsoutIl
i
ed…
Y’al
l,
howdoy ougetpr
egnantqui
ck?Oratl
east
fakeamiscar
riage?
*
***
***
***
**
LI
KE,
COMMENT,
SHARE
ATHUG’
SLOVE28
Dol
lawalkedi
nhi
shouseasHal
i
mast
oodt
her
e
l
ookingi
nhorr
oratt
hemess.
DOLLA:OhmyGod,ohmyGod,
whathappened?
Myart,
myf**
kingar
t!
HALI
MA:
Ijustwal
kedi
noni
tli
ket
his.
DOLLA:Therei
sonlyonepersonwi
tht
hismuch
bal
ls…f**
kingKar
telman.I
’
m gonnaki
l
lthat
a**
hole!
Hemov edpastHal
i
maangri
l
y,l
ookingathi
ss
ar
ttoseewhichonecoul
dbesal
vageabl
e.
Hetookouthi
sphoneandcall
edhi
sboysto
comecleanup,
butnobodywasanswer
ing.
DOLLA:Bookusint
oahotel
fort
henextfew
day
s,I’
m offt
othewor
kshoptocheckonthe
boys.
*
***
***
***
***
***
*
IwokeuptoKart
eljustst
ari
ngatmewi
tha
smil
e.Ismi
ledbackwithayawn.
ME:
What
?
KARTEL:
(laughi
ng)Youar
ebeaut
if
ul.Il
ove
you…
ME:It
’s8am,
Iam sur
eIl
ookl
i
kel
astni
ght
’s
di
nner.
Hel aughedandl
eaneddownt oki
ssmybel l
y,
thenwewentt oshowertoget
her,
whichended
uptakingaboutanhour…whenIfinal
l
ycame
outaf t
erget
ti
ngdoneup,hehadsetupat abl
e
withallmyfavor
it
efood.
ME:
Howdi
d…
KARTEL:IhadSpinnypicki
tup,
hejustdropped
i
toff
.Monkj ustboughtanewwhip,
sonow
Spi
nnycanuseMonk’ sHondaFit
.Seat,
eat…
cr
avi
ngany t
hing?
ME:(laughi
ng)It
hinki
ttakesabi
toft
ime
bef
oreitset
sin.
KARTEL:
Yea,Ireadaboutthatl
astni
ght.Some
womendon’thavethemorningsi
cknessor
cr
avi
ngs,someitcomesinlater
.
Ah,t
hat’
smybae.Heal
waysr
eadsupabout
ever
ythi
ngandhei
sal
wayspr
epar
ed.
Unli
keme.Whohadanon-
exi
stentpr
egnancyI
needtoexpl
ain.
KARTEL: Oh,bytheway ,appar
ently
,wehav eto
gor egi
steratahospit
al.Bopakij
uststart
ed
goingtosomepr ivat
eoneandI ’l
laskherfora
recommendat i
on.Isn’
tthissocute,Igettobe
anuncleandaf atheraroundthesamet ime.
Sht
.
Whatam Igonnadonow.Theyhavetodo
checksandshtwhenyour
egist
er,
right
?
Man,
Ineededt
ocomeupwi
thapl
an.
ME:Uhm, yea,babe…wegot tagodothat,how
abouttomorrow,todayIhavealotofst
ock
coming,andIneedt obether
etohelpSesha
managei t
.
KARTEL: Al
ri
ght,I
’
llaskmysi
sterf
ort
hedoct
or
recommendationandthenmakean
appoint
ment.
*
***
***
***
***
***
*
Seshawokeupt
oMonkknocki
ngi
nherr
oom.
MONK:
Heybeaut
if
ul
SESHA:
(bl
ushi
ng)Mxi
m…
MONK:
Fine,
mor
ningugl
y.
Shel
aughedandpl
ayf
ull
ypunchedhi
m ont
he
st
omach.
SESHA:
Wow,
yourst
omachi
shar
d.
MONK: So,kodi
-bl
ockongy
oucal
labs
‘
stomach’.
SESHA:(l
aughing)Or at
adil
owaitseMonkgogi .
HereIwasthinki
ngy ouarej
ustthi
squietguy .
Kantewhat’
sgoingonkaLuba.Idon’tgossi p,
butshehasn’
ttalkedtomeandIam wor ried.
All
ofasuddenshewasmov edoutandy’all
wereangrywithher.
MONK:Shef *
*kedup.ButKartel
isr
ect
ify
ing,
andwor
kingont hei
rthi
ngtoo.Wannahave
l
unchl
ater?
SESHA:
Sure,
ifLubacomesi
ntowat
cht
he
gi
rl
sandassi
gnappoint
ment
.
*
***
***
***
***
***
***
***
*
KARTEL
Idon’
tknow,
abi
gpar
tofmewast
ell
i
ngme
Lubawasl yi
ng,becauseIsawt hatshehadher
peri
odat woweeksago, butwoul dsomeone
whoisl y
ingaboutpr egnancyagreetogo
regi
sterit
?Anyway ,Iwasal l
owingmy sel
ftobe
happyaboutthis.Andi twouldsuckifshe
wasn’tly
ingandIaccusedherofi t.
WhatI’
ddoi
fshewasl
yi
ng?Honest
ly,
Idon’
t
know….
If
oundoutthedetai
lsoft
hedoctorfr
om my
si
sterandbookedanappoi
ntment.
Pl
easel
ett
hisgi
rlnotbel
yingt
omeGod,
pl
easel
ett
hisgi
rlnotbel
yi
ngtome.
*
***
***
***
***
***
**
LUBA:ThemomentIgott
owor
kIsati
nmy
off
icepani
cki
ng.
Seshawal
kedi
nandcamet
oseatbesi
deme.
SESHA:
Fri
end,
youl
ookt
roubl
ed.
ME:
Gir
l,Iam dead.Li
ter
all
y.Kar
tel
isgonnaki
l
l
me,
andIdeser
vei
t.
SESHA:
Whatdi
dyoudo?
ME:(laughi
ng)Mma!Monna’ kawatsenwa,
aut
wa!I j
oo,Kart
eli
scrazy!Sohecaughtme
makingoutwi t
hanotherguy,may
bey ouhear
d
ofhi
m, Doll
a.
SESHA:
(shocked)Luba!
ME:Idon’
tevenknowwhy …Iam notintohim.
Heistoorefi
nedformytaste,
Ilovemymant o
haveasortofedge….Li
keKartel
.Anyway,we
wenttosomeweddi ng,
thenhecamei nt
omy
house…
SESHA:
Kant
egonemmewhydi
dyoumov
eout
?
LUBA: (
laughi
ng)Nnakana, gophapha.Iwent
andmessedt hingsup,tr
y i
ngtohelp.Kar
tel
was
furi
ous.Butwear epastthat.Whenhecaught
mekanahepul l
edagunonme.Loaded.Kesa
tshoga!
SESHA:
I’
dhav
epeedonmy
sel
f,ohmyGod!
ME:(l
aughi
ng)Mmekanagat
weKar
tel
ist
ame
comparedt
oMonkwhenheismad.
SESHA:
Modi
mo!
ME:Gonemmewhati
sgoi
ngonwi
thy
ouand
Monk?
SESHA:Idon’tknow…heissuchasweet
guy…andIenjoymytimewithhim,soIam j
ust
l
ett
ingever
ythinghappennat
urall
y.Don’
tdi
ver
t,
wareabogor engkagun?
ME: Mma!Hest abbedDoll
aontheshoul
der
,I
savedmy sel
fbylyi
ngthatIwaspr
egnant
.
Gorianakamosowehav eadoctor
’s
appointment
.
SESHA:Jeso!Luba,
whatareyougoingtodo?
Kart
elwi
llki
lly
ou!NnaIthi
nkconfesshel
aonce.
ME:Never
.Kart
elwil
lki
l
lmef
orsure,
hehates
bei
ngli
edto.If
oundawomanonl
inesel
l
ing
traditi
onalherbsthatcleanset hewomb, gatwe
theycauset hewombt ocontractandexpel
l
iningandanydi rt
ythat’sinthere,
wheny ou
taket hem otsenamoav eryheavyper i
od,
ekar emiscarr
iage.Googl esaysear l
ypregnancy
mi scarri
agesdoesn’ tr
eall
yshowany thi
ngaf t
er,
kepai nandbl eedinghela.
SESHA:Luba!Thosethingscanper
manentl
y
makeyoubarren,Ihaveheardoft
hoseki
ndsof
her
bs.
ME:KetaarengSesha,I
’
m goi
ngt
ogoseeher
now,f
ini
shstockt
akingandal
l
.

*
***
***
***
***
**
Idr
ovet
othevi
ll
agenear
byandpar
kedmycar
att
hehutwher
eagir
lmyagecameout.
HER:
Janet
?
Shesai
dmyf
akename.
ME:
Yes,
yougotmyst
uff
?
HER:
Goin,andmygr
andmot
herwi
l
lexpl
ain
t
hem t
oyou.
Iwalkedintothehutwhereanoldwoman
i
nstruct
edmet oseatdown.Sheexplai
nedon
howt otaketheherbs,sometoboil
anddrinkas
i
tcleansestheblood.Sometosteam myv agi
na
wit
hasi twill
cleansthewomb,andsomet o
bat
hwi th,andsomeoi lt
orubonmy sel
f
Idon’tbel ievei
nallthi
s, Idon’tbel
i
evei n
anything, butIwasdesper at
e,andthisisjust
herbs,nopr ayi
ngorr i
tualsoranyoft hat.Just
medi cinel i
kethosefrom t hehospit
al,i
tsall
madef rom treesanyway .Shewassay i
ngi twi
ll
startwor kingwithi
nhour s.
Iwalkedoutoft hatsmell
yhousehopi
ngal
lthi
s
works.I
fIst ar
thavingpai
nfulcr
ampsand
bl
eedingal ot,
itwasjustgonnalookl
i
keIwas
miscarr
ying.
Iwentbacktomyhouseandi mmediatel
y
st
artedonit,
boili
ngthebarksandpowdersand
dri
nkingi
t,t
henboi l
edtheotheroneandpour
ed
i
tinabucket,thensatuponi tt
osteam mybi
ts.
*
***
***
***
***
***
***
***
**
Ar
oundlunchtimeSeshawal keddownstair
s
whenMonkcal l
edher.Shelookedaroundfor
hi
sHondaFit,notseei
ngit,
untilshenoti
ced
hi
m smokingbyaBMW.
Shewal
kedov
erwi
thasmi
l
e.
SESHA:
Andt
hen?
MONK:
Shei
smynewgi
rl
,aker
ewankgana.
SESHA:(
laughi
ng)Mxim,wher
ear
ey out
aki
ng
me?Ionl
yhav eanhour,
Lubai
sout,
soIhave
towat
chthegirl
s.
Theydr
oveof
ftosomerest
aur
antandsat
downhavi
ngl
unchwit
hsomeidletal
k.Af
ter
l
unchhewant
edtobuyafewclot
hes,and
askedhert
ohel
phi
m choose.
TheywenttoWool
wor
thsandshewaspi
cki
ng
thi
ngsupforhi
m.
SESHA:
Monkgogi
,tr
ysomecol
our
,ao!
MONK:(l
aughing)Nothankyou…ev
ery
thi
ng
mustbeblack,andpi
ckupsomethi
ngfor
your
sel
f.
SESHA:
No
MONK: Don’
tdothi
splease,besi
desmybr o’
s
andmyson,youaretheonlypersonIcare
aboutandIwannaspendmymoneyon, so,
pl
easeletme.
SESHA:Fi
ne,aslongasIpi
cksomet
hingf
or
yoursometoo.
MONK:
(smi
l
ing)Iknewy
ouwer
eagoodone.
Hesai
d,squeezi
nghershoul
derwi
thasmi
l
e.
Shebl
ushedandl
ookeddown.
Sothi
swashowbei ngl ov
edandcaredf orfelt
?
Notneedi
ngtopayf orsomeone’severy
thingor
thr
eat
enedforothermenl ooki
ngatyou?Monk
j
ustcasual
lyputhi
shandar oundherwaist
whensomeguyshoppi ngwi t
hhiswifestared
whenSeshacameoutt oshowMonkherdr ess.
Likehedi dn’
tbl
ameherf ort
hemanst ar
ing.
Didn’tbl
ameheratal l
.Hejustsi
mplyshowed
theguyhewast her
e,andthemanlookedaway
quickly.
Man.Wasthi
showotherwomenwer
eli
vi
ngal
l
al
ong?Thi
swasnice.
*
***
***
***
***
***
***
***
LUBA
Byev eningIcouldfeel
thecontr
acti
onsreal l
y
str
ong.I maginethemostpainf
ulperiodpains
youhav eev erhad.Thatwaswhatwasgoi ng
onwi thmeatt hemoment.Afewt i
mesIf ound
my selfcurl
edupont hefl
oorcryi
nginpain.
Bet
weent hecr
amps, Imanagedtocleanup
andthr
owawayt heherbs.Ithr
ewthem inthe
nei
ghbor’
sbinastheywerenothome, thenI
spr
ayedthehousewithairfr
eshener
,nottrace
ofwhatIj
ustdidatal
l.
Kart
elar
ri
vedhomei
ntheev
eni
ng,
andIl
aidi
n
bedinpai
n.
Hecameov
erandki
ssedme.
KARTEL:
Babe,
youok?
ME:
Yea,
Ithi
nkI
’
mjustt
ir
ed…
KARTEL: Ir
eadfati
gueispartofthef
ir
st
tr
imester.I
t’
sokbabe,Ibroughtsomedinnerso
youdon’thavetocook.Ar
ey ousurewedon’t
havetogot othehospi
tal
?
ME:
It’
sok,
wear
egoi
ngt
omor
rowany
way
.
Wi
thinthenextt
wohour
s,thecr
ampsgoteven
moresever
e,somuchIf
eltmylegsnumb.
Kar
tel
gav
emesomepai
nki
l
ler
s,andwas
warmi
nguphisicepacktoputonmyabdomen
whenIhear
dhim gasp.
KARTEL:
OhmyGod…ohmyGod,
ohmyGod…
ME:
(weakl
y)What
?
KARTEL:
Blood…
ME:
What
?No…No…t
hatcan’
tbe…
It
riedt
oseatup,butanothercramphitandI
l
aiddownscreaminginpain.WhenIstoodup,
bl
oodwascomi ngoutinthickclot
s.Thebed
whereIhadsl
eptwasr edandIf el
tsodizzy
.
God,
whathav
eIdone?
Kartel
pickedmeupandcar riedmetohiscar,
l
ayingmedowni nthebackseatandputt
ingon
thecarseatbel
tsbefor
edriv
ingtothehospi
tal
.
Mostofi
tbecameablurasIwastr
ansf
err
ed
i
ntoagur
neybefor
eIpassedout
.
*
***
***
***
***
***
***
***
**
WhenIwokeup, Iwashookedtoamachi neand
ther
ewasascr eeninfr
ontofmethatshowed
theinsi
deofmyuterus.Kar
tel
satatachairand
Icouldtel
lhehadbeencryi
ng.
ME:
What
’s…what
’sgoi
ngon?
Adoct
orwal
kedi
nandl
ookedatmychar
ts.
Kar
tel
lookedatt
hedoct
orsadl
yandnodded.
DR: Forsomeuncl earreasons,
yourut er
us
startedcontract
ingandcausingapl acenta
abrupt i
on.Theheartbeatwasveryweakwhen
youar ri
ved.Wet ri
edtostopthecont r
acti
ons,
buty ouwer ealr
eadysheddingli
ning,and
unfor t
unatel
y,youlostthebaby.
ME:
Huh?
DR:Iam real
l
ysor r
yforyourl
oss.Ij
ustwant
youtoknowt hatsometi
mest heset
hingsj
ust
happen,andatsixweeks,i
t’
smor ecommon
thanyouwouldthink.
Iwasi
nadaze.
What
?
What
?
ButIhadmyperiodtwoweeksback,
howwasI
si
xweekspregnant?
Iwaspr
egnant
?
Whi
ch…whi
chmeansIki
l
ledmybaby
.
OhmyGod.Iki
l
ledmybaby
.
Ij
ustbrokedowni
ntot
ear
sshaki
ngv
iol
ent
ly.
Kar
telcameandhel
dme.
KARTEL: I
’m sosor
rybabe,
I’
m sosorr
y…like
thedoctorsaid,
someti
mesitj
usthappens.
God’sti
ming…
ME: (
sobbing)I
’m sosor
ry…I
’
m sosor
ry…I
shouldn’
thave…I…
KARTEL:I
t’
snotyourfaul
tmylove.Ther
ewas
not
hingt
hatyoucouldhavedone…it’
snoty
our
f
aul
t….
*
***
***
***
*
LI
KE,
COMMENT,
SHARE
AThug’
sLov
e29

Thenextfewdayswereablurofcr
yingand
Kar
telandSeshacater
ingt
omeandt r
yingto
makemef eel
bet
ter
.
Af
teraweekIf
inal
l
ydeci
dedt
ogot
otheof
fi
ce.
Isati
nmyoffi
cecryi
ngsoft
lywhenIhear
d
someonecl
earthei
rthr
oat
Il
ookedup,
andt
her
est
oodMmi
l
il
i.
Myf
ather
.
FATHER:
Whati
sitt
hatmakesmyf
lowercr
y?
ME:
What
… whatar
eyoudoi
ngher
e?It
oldy
ou
I
…
FATHER:
Tel
lme,
myf
lower
,whydoy
ounot
wanty
ourf
athert
oknowy
ou?
ME:
I’
m not
…
FATHER: Notonlydoy oulooklikemykids,I
hadsomeonebagagl assyouwer edri
nki
ng
winewith,Idi
dpat ernityt
estsfrom t
here.I
knowy ouaremi nedear .Youhav en’
tbeeninfor
days,andnowIf indy oucrying.WhodoIneed
tokil
l
?I si
tthatboy ?
ME:I’
mjustgoi
ngthr
oughal
otandIj
ustdon’
t
wannatal
kabouti
t.
FATHER:Iunderst
and… doyoucaret
ohav e
l
unchwithyouroldman?Iunder
standify
ouare
notuptoit
,butIcoul
dtell
youaboutyour
si
bli
ngsifyouwant.
Icoulduseadistr
actionaswor
kwasobv i
ousl
y
notworking,
so,Igrabbedmyhandbagand
fol
lowedhim.
*
***
***
***
**
KARTEL
Thepastfewday sweresobad.Ihatef eeli
ng
usel
ess,butt
hat’sexactl
yhowIhadbeen
feel
i
ngthewhol eweek.Lubajustl
aidinbed
andcri
edandapol ogi
zedliket
hemiscar ri
age
washerfault
.Ireadthatsomewomenf eell
ike
thei
rbodyfai
ledwhent heyhaveami scarri
age
andIguesst hat
’swhatshewasgoi ngt hrough.
Todayshehadfinal
lydeci
dedshecouldgoto
work.Idi
dn’
twannabei mposi
ng,soI’
l
l onl
y
checkonherlat
er.
Iwentbackt otheplaceandjustl
ockedmy self
i
nt heroom andlaidwit
hmyf acebur riedont he
pil
low.Icouldnotall
owmy selft
of eelany t
hing
i
nf rontofLubawhenshewasgoi ngt hroughso
much.Nott hatIevenknewhowt oexpr essany
feeli
ngwi t
houtbeati
ngsomeone.Andt hi
stime
therewasnobodyt obeatbecauset herewasno
onet oblame.
I
’v
ealwaysbeent
heoneto‘
takeitl
ikeaman’
whenIgothr
oughany
thi
ng,
butthiswasjust
t
oomuchpain.
Idr
ownedmy
sel
final
cohol
,buti
twasn’
t
hel
ping.
Fi
nal
lyIwentt
otheki
tchenandgr
abbedsome
pr
oductandcamebacktomybedroom.
Ili
neditontheki
tchencount
erandr
oll
eda
recei
ptint
oapipe.
Justal
i
ttl
ebi
t.Justtodr
if
tfr
om t
hispainIwas
feel
i
nganddi
dn’tknowhowtoexpress.
Iwasabouttosnortwhenabigt at
tooedhand
sl
appedthepipeaway,t
henwi pedtheproduct
i
ntothesi
nkandr anthetap.
Ihadnotevenhear
dthedooropen,
butt
hat
’s
Monksignatur
eanyway
.Sil
entasamonk.
KARTEL:
Whatt
hef
**kman.
MONK:
No,
whatt
hef
**k!Youusi
ngnow?
ME:Youknowwhat
’sdownwi
thme,
Monk,
I
j
ustneed…
MONK:No,youdon’tneedthissht.YouknowI
beent
here,
right
.Howmuchi thur
ty outosee
mestr
ugglewithit
?Whatittookfory outoget
metokicki
t…I ’
m notl
ett
ingy ougot hr
oughthe
same.
Isi
ghedheav
il
yandwentt
oli
edownont
hebed.
Hej
ustl
aidbesi
deme
MONK:
Youar
egonnabeok,
myman.
Hewast heonlyonewhoknewwhatwentdown,
becausedespit
emyhi storywithRonandEa,
Monkwast heonlyonewhoIt rust edwiththe
deepstuff
.Besides,thoset wohav ebeen
missi
nginmyl ifethepastt hr
eey ears,Ron
wherevershewas, andEal ivi
ngr eckless.Monk
andIhadjustbecomecl oser.
KARTEL:
I’
m al
ri
ght
.
MONK:
Noy
ouar
enot
.
KARTEL:
I’
m notweak.
MONK: Weakispret
endi
ngyoudon’thur
t.Kar
t,
youjustl
ostachi
l
d,forGod’
ssake.Thatsht
oughttohurt
.
KARTEL:Ij
ust
…whatam Isupposedt
odowi t
h
thi
spai
nMonk?Whatam Isupposedtodo?
MONK: Iguessf eeli
t.Iam notgoodwi tht hi
s
sht,butbottl
ingupcan’ tber i
ght.Wear egood
now, man,wear enotonsur vivalmode,wecan
all
owour selvesthingsli
kef eel
ings,notjust
rel
ationshi
ps, butpersonalshtlikewhaty ouare
goingthrough.Soy ea… feelit
.
KARTEL:
Ithur
ts…
MONK: RememberwhenIl ostmyey e?They
hastocutitout… Ihadtogot hr
ought hatpai
n
toheal
,Iguessthat’
showpai nwor ks,
phy si
cal
oremotional
,gott
af eel
itt
oheal fr
om it.
KARTEL:
(laughi
ng)Lookaty
ou,
all
DrPhi
land
sht
MONK:(
laughi
ng)whatyouthi
nkI’
m monkfor
.
Comeonbro.Igotsomet
hingtoshowyou.
KARTEL:
Whati
sit
?
MONK: Football
kits… forkidsfr
om the
orphanageIgr ewupatandsome
underprivi
l
egednei ghborhoods.Ibeenmaki ng
them practi
ceandf or
mt ournaments.
After
war dswehav epi zzaandj ustchil
l
.It’
sso
specialtothem.… gi vesthem purpose,keeps
them outoft r
ouble.Somet hingIwished
someonewoul dhav edonef ormewhenIwasa
kid.
KARTEL:Wow…br o,that
’samazing… si
gnme
upanyt
ime,whateverhel
py ouneed.AndI’
ll
tal
k
toHRattheoff
icetoseei fwecansponsorthi
s
asawayofgivi
ngbackt ot hecommunity
.
*
***
***
***
**
Af
terwork,Seshagoti
nthemal
ltobuyaf
ew
gr
oceri
esforthehouse.
Asshecameout,
Monk’sbabymamawi
tht
wo
ot
hergi
rl
sappr
oachedher.
HER:Kooredon’
tyouf
eel
ashamedenjoyi
ngmy
babydaddy’
smoneywhenhi
schil
dstarv
es?
SESHA:IfMonk’
schil
disstarvi
ng,
it’
sbecause
youaremakinghi
m star
ve,themansendsy ou
moneyev er
ymonth,
yestar
dayIsawhi m send
P3000.
HER:Kooreyouthi
nkolaolamadi aga
Monkgogithaty
ouevendictat
ehowmuchhe
sendshi
schildwhenhejustboughtanewcar
?
SESHA: NnammaI ’m nottheone, i
fy ou
broughtlebandl
athinkingyouar egonna
i
ntimidateme, f
orgetitsweetheart.Idon’thav
e
ababywi thyou.Andify ouev erst
opbei ngso
selfi
shthatyouareletti
ngy ourchi
ldgr owup
withoutafatherwhent hefatherwant stobe
present,j
ustknowthatIwi
llal
waystreatthat
chil
dlikemyownbecausehei sMonk’ s,
now
getoutofmyway ,
myboy f
ri
end’scarisover
there.
Thepushedherasi
deandwal
kedov
ert
o
Monk’
scarandgotinsi
de.
MONK:
IhopeI
’
m notl
ate… f
oot
bal
l
.
SESHA:
Youar
ejusti
nti
me.
MONK:
Wast
hat
…
SESHA:
Yourbabymama?Yea
MONK:
I’
m sosor
ry.
SESHA: Don’tapologiesforthatpsy cho.I
actuall
yhadacl ientwhoi salawy ertodaywho
sai
dy oubei nganexconhasnot hi ngtodowi th
yourrightstoy ourbaby ,youhaveequal r
ightto
havehi m,especi al
lyseeingyouar enowa
businessowner .Herrefusingwithhi misill
egal.
Taket hi
sbi chtocour t,
mxi m.
*
***
***
***
*
LUBA
Igotbacktothesal
onf eel
ingal
it
tl
ebetter.
Mmi l
i
lihadspentt
heaf ter
noont
ell
ingmeabout
hi
sotherchil
drenam showingmetheirphotos.
Andhemademer eali
zesomethi
ng.Thathe
wasamanwhodi dn’
tspendanyti
mer egr
ett
ing
hi
spast.Hesai
dnothi
nggoodcomesf rom i
t,
al
lyoucandoismovef or
war
d.
Sot
hisi
swhatIwasgoi
ngt
odo.
Mov
efor
war
d.
Sowel ostt
hepregnancy.Hel
l
,itcouldhavenot
evenhadbeenmyf ault
,Ihadmyper iodt
wo
weeksback,sothatmeanssomet hingwas
wrong,ri
ght
?Evenifitwasmyf aul
t,sowhat
now,mustIburr
ymy selfi
nsorrow?
Li
femustgoon.
Andanot
hert
hingIr
eal
i
zedf
rom t
alki
ngt
omy
fat
herwasthatIwasnoti
nter
est
edi
nbei
ng
Kart
el’
sli
tt
ledamsel
.
Iwasgonnalear
nfr
om Kar
tel
,soIcansuppor
t
hi
m bet
ter.
Iwal
kedi
ntothehousehol
dingl
unchandfound
mymansitt
ingi
ntheli
vi
ngroom,onthephone.
Hegotof
fandhuggedme.
KARTEL:
Babe… howwasy
ourday
?
ME:
Iwentout
.Wi
thmyf
ather
…
KARTEL:
Whywoul
dyou…
ME:
Mmi
l
il
iMoy
o.That
’smyr
eal
fat
her
.
KARTEL:
Huh?
ME: (l
aughing)Foundoutr ecent
ly,
buther an
paterni
tytestsandall.Hehelpedmegai n
perspecti
v esomuch, babe… ofallhi
ssuccess,
hecreditshiswifeforit
,andhewasv eryhonest
,
Iaskedquest i
onsandhet ol
dmeabouthow
theyhustledtogether
… howsheunder stood
whathedi
d,andhadhi
sback.Iwannabet
her
e
f
oryouli
kethat
.
KARTEL:Fir
stofal
l
,ifM2i
syourfat
her
,hewi
l
l
ki
ll
mei fIputyoui
nanyki
ndofdanger
.
ME: Arggg,soanot hermant ot el
lmewhat ’
s
goodf orme, then?Well,
f**ky ou,f
uckMoses,
f**
kt hatM2al soifheiscomi ngintomyl i
feto
manspl ai
nhowIshoul dli
veit.Iwantusoutof
thi
slifefast,Kart
el.Andthatcanonl yhappenif
wewor ktogether.
KARTEL:(
sighi
ng)Fi
ne…buty
oudon’tmov
e
wit
houtt
alki
ngtomeandthecrew.
ME:Goti
t.Okbae,
letmegoshower
,Iam so
t
ir
edandImissyou… j
oinme.
KARTEL:
Cool
,ri
ghtbehi
ndy
ou.
Ihadjustgot
tenintheshowerwhenIhear
d
Kart
elcussout,andthenther
eweresomeother
voi
ces.
Ipeekedouttotheli
vi
ngroom,andIcoul
dsee
si
xguy s… oneIhadseenwit
hDoll
a.
Iduckedintot
hebedroom andgrabbedKart
el’
s
gun.Iheardhi
myelli
npainwhiletheywere
beati
nghim upwi
throdsandhar dwoodst i
cks.
F*
*ki
ngcowar
ds.Gangi
nguponhi
mli
ket
hat
.
Iai
medt
hegunandy
ell
ed.
ME:
Stopi
tyoucowar
ds.
Theyt
urnedt
olookatmeandl
aughed.
Guy:Ohhi
t’
sKart
el’
sli
’
lho.Whatarey
ougonna
do,
poppussyf
ormet olethi
m go?
AndIj
ustr
eleasedt
het
ri
gged.
Li
sten,
evenagunwithasil
encerhassome
sound,
andthet
hudofitsurpr
isedme,coupl
ed
wit
hay owl
sasthebull
etmadehisknee.
‘
F**
k,t
hisbi
chshothi
m..Shei
scr
azy
!’
Iwentf
orhi
m ont
heshoul
der
,laughi
ngashe
y
owl
edandf
ell
ME: Anybodywannacallmenamesagai n?
Anybody ?Huh?Huh?Sonowy ouareallsi
lent
huh?Idon’tneedtofi
ghtKartel’
sbattl
es
becausemymancanf l
att
enanyofy ouanyday .
Butonlycowardsshowupi nagr oupandat t
ack
anunarmedmanr est
ingathi
shome.Ihav e
morebul l
etsi
fImakeacountofoneandy ou
aresti
llher
e.Nxla.
Theydraggedthet
wobl
eedi
ngandr
ant
othe
car
,dri
vingoff
.
Iknel
tdownt
otendt
oKar
tel
,whowasl
ooki
ng
atme.
ME:Ifyouareabouttogivemesomeshtabout
mer ui
ningyourst
reetcred,
youcangetabullet
too,
becauseIam notgonnal etpeopl
ekill
you
j
ustsoy oucankeepsomesi ll
y,f
rai
lmaleego.
Seatsti
ll
,l
etmepat chyouup.
KARTEL:
(laughi
ng)Yesma’
am.
Justthent
her
ewasaknockandwhenIl
ooked
outsi
deapoli
cecarst
oodt
here.
Sht
.
Ther
ewasbl oodont hefl
oorfr
om theirshot
s,
andIam quietshowbloodtr
ailf
rom thehouse
towher
et heircarwas…
Thepol
i
ceknockedagai
n.
ME: Sht
,thenei
ghbor
smusthav
ehear
dnoi
se…
shtuhm…uhm…
Iwentt
oopensmi
l
ing.
ME:Oh,t
hankGodyouarehere,
off
icer,t
heyran
t
hatway…twowereinj
ured.Myboyf
riend
f
oughtandst
abbedthem wit
hakit
chenknife.
OFFI
CER:
Whathappenedher
e?
ME:Somemenwalkedi
nandstar
tedbeat
ing
upmyboyf
ri
endaski
ngforhi
sbankcardand
pi
nnumber
.
OFFI
CER:
Peopl
esai
dtheyhear
dwhatsounded
l
i
kegunshot
s?
ME: (
sobbi ng)TheyshotblanksintheairIthi
nk,
Idon’tr eal
lyknowany thi
ngaboutguns…t hey
saidt heywoul dkil
lhimifhedoesn’tgiv
et hem
hiscar dandpi n.See,myboy fr
iendownst he
l
ogi sti
ccompany ,ProMov er
s,andrecentl
your
videot rendedofhim gift
ingmeaMer c,soI
thinkpeopl ethoughttheywouldhitajackpotif
theymuggedhi m.
OFFICER:YouseewhyIdon’ tl
iket
hesewhol
e
vi
ralthi
ng,i
tjustat
tractst
hiev
es,st
opshowi
ng
i
ffyourwealt
hliket
hat .
ME: Wearesor
rysi
r.Weneedt
otakehi
mtot
he
hospit
al.
OFFI
CER:Di
dtheyt
akeany
thi
ng?Whi
chsi
de
di
dtheygo?
ME: Theyranoffwi
thhi
scardwhentheysawa
securi
tycarpassby.Si
r,canwepl
easegethi
m
tothehospit
al?Heisi
nsomuchpain,mypoor
baby.Theybatshi
m wit
hbats…Iwasi
nthe
showerandIjusthi
dinther
e.
OFFI CER:(l
aughing)Hey,basadi
.Jaanongy ou
j
usthi deandnot hel
p?Butthatwasagood
mov e,theymayhav ekil
l
edy oubot h.Ok,Iwil
l
dropy ouoffatthehospit
al,youlookedtoo
ratt
ledtodrive.
Letmet el
lyou,acutegi
rli
natowel,wit
habit
oftearandwhimper i
ngandfl
ir
ti
ng,cansell
any
stor
y.Hewast otal
lybuyi
ngthebul
lshtIj
ust
pull
edoutifmyhead.
Onthewaywecal l
edandr eportedKart
el’
scar
d
stol
en,andhaditcancell
ed.Papertr
ailandal
l
.
Incasethepol
i
ceof f
icercheckedto
corr
oborat
eourstory.
Theofficerdr
oppedusof
fatt
hehospit
al,
and
askedust ocomemakeastat
ementinthe
morning.
Kar
tel
gotpat
chedupandt
henMonkandSesha
cametopickusup,
hav
ingagoodol
’l
aughal
l
thewaybackhome.
*
***
***
***
**
LI
KE,
COMMENT,
SHARE
ATHUG'
SLOVE30

Ir
eal
i
sewher
eIhav
ebeengoi
ngwr
ong.
Seei
ngLubaas‘ mine’.Notthatshewasn’ tmine,
butratherthatshewasani ndependentwoman
fi
rst
.InthesenseIseeRon.Ihav ebeenlooking
atLubat hesamewayIseemyf amily,as
someoneIneedt oprotect
.Andl astnightshe
mademer ealisesheissomeoneIneedt oback
i
nstead.Shegoti tonherown, allsheneeded
wasf ormet ohav eherback,andl etherhave
myback.
Anddamniti
fthataintever
ythug’
sdr
eam!How
thef
**kdi
dIgetthislucky?
Il
aidi
nbedwatchinghershowerasshesang
sometuneandwiggledt
oit.
Shecaughtmewat
chi
ngandl
aughedwi
tha
bl
ush.
LUBA:Ay,
daddy
,youl
i
kewhaty
ousee?Come
getsome.
Shesai
dasshewal
kedi
nandst
raddl
edme,
ki
ssi
ngme.
Thentheli
tt
let
easewentont
ogetdr essed,
makingashowofputt
ingonhercl
othesbefore
shelef
tforwor
k.
*
***
***
***
Igoti
nthesal
onandDol
l
aar
ri
vedshor
tl
yaf
ter
.
ME:
Whatdoy
ouwantnow?
DOLLA:Ihadnot
hingtodowi
tht
hoseboy
s
comingaft
erKar
tel…
ME:
Right
…
DOLLA:Iswear.Iam gonnacomeaf
terKart
el,
that
’sf
orsure.Hemessedwi t
hmyart,pl
ushe
haswhatIwant.
Hesai
d,l
ooki
ngatme.
ME:Idon’
twanty
ou,
Dol
l
a.Whathappened… I
wasti
psy.
DOLLA:Nah,youwanteditasmuchasIdi d…
youli
keme,Luba.Iseeyou.Idon’tvi
ewyouas
j
ustsomedamsel Ineedtoprotect,
butan
equal
.
ME:
What
ever
…youneedt
oleav
e.Now.
Hetri
edtocar
essmyf
aceandIsl
appedhi
s
handaway.
ME:I’
m notatoyyouandKartelcantossback
andfourt
hinyoursi
l
lycatandmousegame.
Now,getoutofmyoffi
cebeforeIreporty
oufor
tr
espassi
ng.
DOLLA:
(laughi
ng)Al
ri
ght
…I’
l
lleav
e.Just
remembermyhandsar
eal
way
sopent
oyou,
pri
ncess.
Hekissedmycheekandranoffl
aughing.I
hat
edt hati
tmademelaughtoo,
him beingso
chi
l
dish.
*
***
***
***
*
Thenextdayt heboyssuggest
edwehavea
braaiandchil
l.Neel
ocameov er
,andasshe,
SeshaandIwer ebusymakingpapaand
chakalaka,Eaarri
vedwit
hRapunzel
… and
thereisRapunzelTwo?
KARTEL:Oh,
great
.NowIhav
etodeal
wit
hthi
s
oneathometoo?
NI
KITA:(
laughi
ng)Happyt
oseey
out
oo,
Kar
t.
EA:Heyguy
s…Imett
heset
woandt
heywant
ed
tochi
ll
.
ME:Ohh,heey
,Pl
ast
icFant
ast
ic… t
her
eist
wo
ofy
ou.Youarenotwel
come.
NI
KITA:
Imagi
nebeingsoinsecur
eyout
hink
ev
erywomanwantsyourman.
ME:Buty
oudowanthi
m,dear
…whatar
eyou
doi
ngher
e?
NIKITA:
From whatIhearyoudon’
tev
enl
i
ve
hereanymor
e,so,f*
*koff,
wil
lyou?
KARTEL:Ey,
wat
ched!That
’smyl
adyy
ouar
e
tal
ki
ngto.
Shefli
ppedhim andwentoffandsatonEa’
s
l
ap.Iwassoconf used,It
houghtEawaswit
h
Ron,orwhatevertheyweredoi
ng?
Iwentbacktot
hegirl
sjustasRuewaspull
i
ng
i
nwithanewcar.Theyallcheer
edhappi
l
yand
wentovert
ocheckitout.
Hecameov ert
oNeeloandkissedher,t
henshe
handedhi
m aplat
eoffoodandcontinued
cooki
ngwithusasRuewentbacktot heguy
s.
Thegat
eopenedandDol
l
awal
kedi
n.
KARTEL:
Whatt
hef
**kdoy
ouwantnow?
DOLLA: St
anddown, y
oustabbedmeand
tr
ashedmypl ace.MakesusevenforwhatIdi
d,
evenifIwasn’
ttheonlyoneatfaul
t.
KARTEL:
Getout
.
DOLLA:Youatt
ract
edt
oomuchat
tent
ion,
you
fool
.Ihav
einf
o.
KARTEL:
Youhav
efi
vemi
nut
es.Comeon…
*
***
***
***
KARTEL:
Idi
dn’
tknowifIcoul
dt r
ustDol
l
aornot
,butI
wasgonnahearhim out
.
Wewal
kedi
ntoanempt
yroom andsatdown.
KARTEL:
Tal
k
DOLLA:
Youar
eonpol
i
cer
adar
.
KARTEL:
Pol
i
cear
enowor
ry.
DOLLA:Nah,
man.Thesear
ethet
ypesy
ou
can’
tputinyourpocket
.Theyhavenothi
ngy et
,
butther
earepicki
ngpeopleupinthestr
eets,
andapparent
lyyournamecameup.Sodi d
mine.
KARTEL:
Andhowwoul
dyouknowt
hat
?
DOLLA: Iam anexLedi mo.Thenamecar r
ies.
Somepeopl ewi l
lstil
ltell
meshtbecauset hey
beli
eveIhavemadei tbecausetheoldmanset
meupev enthoughhecutmeout .Theythink
theycanearnf avourfrom mynotbrotherEdii
f
theyarefri
endswi thme.
KARTEL:Itakeyouarenother
eforthe
goodnessofyourheart
?Whatdoy ouwant
?
DOLLA: Iknowy ouwantout .Andy ouhavet
o
pul
lout,now.Cl eanhouseandal l
.Iwantto
tot
all
ypul l
outtoo.Ihav ebeenthi
nkingofways
togivethesekidsthatwor kformeaway
beyondjustrunning.Icanstartafarm or
whatever.Giv
et hem legi
tjobswit
hf ai
rwages.
KARTEL:
Keept
alki
ng.
DOLLA:
Letshitamine.Gold.Ihav
ean
i
nter
nat
ional
buyli
nedupf orbigbucks.
KARTEL:(
laughi
ng)Iknewyouwer
ealoose
canon,
butInevert
houghty
ouweredumbtoo.
DOLLA: No, l
i
st entome.Thatmi neIhav ethree
percenton?Isnooped.Foundi nfoonhowt hey
transportandal l
.Theyj ustst art
edcutti
ngf or
themsel ves,sot heyt ransportsolidbars.Wi th
ther i
ghtst r
ategy ,wecani solateonetruckt ake
i
tdown.Orwhat every ouseef i
t.Youarea
strategyman.Getj ustonebagandi tscr azy
money .Theypayusi nbitcoinandweal sost art
tradingpr of
il
es.Makei tl
ookl ikewearwget ting
moneyf rom trading, mycl eanersaysshecan
dot hat.Explainsourmoney .Youcouldbeout
bynextmont h, Kart.
KARTEL:
HowdoIknowy
ouar
en’
tset
ti
ngme
up?
DOLLA:
Now,
that
’si
nsul
ti
ng.
Hetookoffsomepapersandshowedhi
mthe
minebl
uepri
nt,t
ranspor
trout
es…
DOLLA:
Showi
ngyouthi
s,Iam al
ready
commit
ti
ngacr
ime.
KARTEL:
Whydoy
ouwannar
obami
ney
ou
own?
DOLLA:
3%ischumpchangecomparedt
owhat
thi
swhi
tesmake.Pl
ust
heyaret
ryi
ngtopush
meout.
KARTEL:
Yea,
buty
oual
readyhav
emoney
any
way.
DOLLA:Ialsohaveexpensivehabit
s,andsome
l
i’
lshtr
uinedmyar t!Gott
at r
ygetrest
oredor
butsomeot herr
arepieces.(l
aughi
ng).
KARTEL: Thi
sissomedanger
oussht
.It
ake
thei
rsecuri
tywil
lbet
ight
.
DOLLA:
Iwi
l
lgety
ousecur
it
yinf
o.Al
li
nfo.
KARTEL:
Ify
oucangetal
lthat
,whydoy
ouneed
me.
DOLLA: Becauset her
ei s90%chanceofus
pull
ingthisoffifyouplannedit.Youar
ethe
planner,t
hebr ai
n.Youst udyshtandlookat
everysingleangleunti
ly oul
eftnoroom f
or
fail
ure.
KARTEL: Icouldgetoutbynextmont h…no
mor eweedorcoke, nomorepr oducti
onhouse
i
nourkitchen, nomiredeal
i
ngwi ththese
thugs… beingscaredformyteam… wai ti
ngfor
someonet oslipupandgetcaught .Dyi
ngand
l
eav i
ngmyf amil
y… ormymot herwatchingme
gotojai
l… wow…
DOLLA:
Nextmont
h,man!
KARTEL:(
sighing)Iaintpromisingsht,
but
gimmetheinfoIneed, andatleasttwomont hs
tost
udyit
,Then, Icantell
y outhisi
sinsane,
and
youshoul
df**kof f.
*
***
***
***
***
Thenextfewday sKartelwasdist
racted.He
wouldbei nhisofficeall
toolat
e,studying
something.Iadmi tIsnuckuponhi m many
ti
mesbecausey ounev erknow,especiall
ywit
h
Rapunzelworkingt her
e… buthewasal ways
al
one.
Twomonthslaterhecall
edameet ing,
andI
wassurpr
isedtobeinvi
ted,butev
enmor e
sur
pri
sedtofindDol
lathere.
Wesataroundt
hel
ivi
ngr
oom andIhanded
dr
inks,
befor
ehest
art
edt
alki
ng.
KARTEL:So, Iwanttot
ellyoual
lIvalueally
our
i
nput… exceptforyouDoll
a,ofcourse,butyea.
.
AndwhatI ’
m abouttoproposetoyouisal i
fe
anddeaththing.
DOLLA:
OhmyGod,
stoppr
eachi
ngal
ready
.
KARTEL:F*
*kof
f.So,
any
way
.Ihav
eapl
ant
o
hi
tamine…
RON:What?Andwhatt
hehel
li
sDol
l
adoi
ng
her
eanyway?
MONK:
Thati
sinsane.
EA:
Signmeup…
KARTEL:Ihav
einsi
dei
nfot
hankstoDol
la,andI
thi
nkIhaveawaywecangetawaywit
hit.
RON:
Andy
oust
art
edt
rust
ingDol
l
abecause?
KARTEL:DoIlookstupi
d?IfIgeteventhe
sl
ight
esthi
ntthef*
*kerisplayi
ngus,Ihave
someonereadytoputabulletonl
i’
lAmahleand
hersi
bli
ngspret
tyl
it
tleheads.
DOLLA: Notbothered.Iai
ntpl
ayi
ngyou.Iwant
thatmoney.Sot hereis7ofushereandI
guessifKarthasy ouhere,
hewantsyouin.
Thenplusone.
Aww,mybabewant
edmet
ocomedoaj
ob
wi
thhi
m?
DOLLA:
Ifwegett
hreebags,
west
andt
omake
36mi
l
.So,
4.5each.
KARTEL:Thisi
sbi ggert
hananythi
ngweever
done.Thedangeris100%mor e.Weare
probabl
ygonnagetcaught,orshot
,soIadv
ice
youtopull
backrightnow.
Hesai
dlooki
ngatme.
KARTEL:Anybody
?Comeon…t
hisshti
s
danger
ous.
Ij
usti
gnor
edhi
m andl
ookeddown.
KARTEL:
Finet
hen.I
t’
syourl
i
ves.
RON: Youwon’
tputusindanger
.Ifyouthough
wewer egonnadi
e,youwouldn’
tgowiththi
s.
Especial
l
yhaveLubainonit
.So,tel
lustheplan.
KARTEL: (si
ghi
ng)Rueisthebestdr
iverout
here,soIwanthim att
hewheel.IwantLuba
waiti
nginanexchangecar.Ron,ai
ntnoshar p
shooterl
ikeyou,soIwantyouontheoutside
waiti
ngonabi ke,moveinthet
reesbutbeside
Rue, andtakeoutanycart rail
i
nghi m,ifany.
Hopef ull
ytherewontbeoneandi twoul dbea
cleani nandout .Ea, y
ouareonst andbyi ft
here
thereisany onef ol
lowing.Youar egonnacr eat
e
adi versi
on.Runt heot herdir
ection, di
tchthe
car,anddot heEamagi candloset hem.Monk,
DollaandIgost raightfort
hegr ab.Thr eeof
Dolla’smenwi l
lalreadybeposi ngassecur i
ty
andj ustmov ear oundt ohelpifthingsgosout h.
DOLLA: Packagingfortransportisinthisspot…
andsecur i
tyi
st i
ght.Soourbestchancei saft
er
thet r
uckshav eloaded.West ayhi ddenand
wat chthem load, t
henwewi l
lgrabt hr
eebags
anddashouther e,r
unintothishal l
way,and
throwi tinatrashcan,thentaket hisoutthe
trashcanandf i
ndawayt omakei touttothe
carswi thoutbeingkill
ed.
RUE:
I’
m sur
etheyhav
ecamer
as…
Dol
latookouthi
sphoneandmadeacal
l
,
put
ti
ngitonspeaker
.
DOLLA:
HiNaomi
…
NAOMI :Hi baby…I ’
mi nside… Andsi nceI ’ll
be
i
nt heplant,Icanact ual
lytriptheelectrici
ty
plugsforthreemi nutesbef oregener atorskick
i
t,givi
ngy out hediversi
onf orgrabandr un.
ThenIwi l
l wipefootageoft hegr abandr eplace
i
twi t
honer ecordedfivemi nutesprior.Theywi l
l
seeitwascutev entuall
y,buttheywi llnev er
knowwhatwasont heoriginalfootage.
DOLLA:That,people,isournumber8.Naomi
canhackint
oany thing,sother
ewear e.
KARTEL: Alwaysstaysafeguys, wear eall
makingi toutherealiv
e.Andy ouknowwhyt hi
s
wouldwor k?Becausenobodywi l
l t
hinkanybody
i
nBot swanawi l
latt
emptsomet hinglikethi
s.
Becauset heyleastexpectit
,theyr el
axabi ton
securit
y.Al so,
nobodyknowst heyjuststart
ed
producingt hei
rowngol dbars,soy ea, wehave
severaladv ant
ages.Wear estill
inabi grisk
here.
*
***
***
***
**
Isatther
eli
steningtomymanal l
incharge
gett
ingusready.Iwassof l
att
eredhebrought
mei n,ev
enifitwasinthesafestposi
ti
onwi t
h
thebestchancet ogetaway.
DOLLA:
Pri
ncessov
erhereandRuear
eli
ter
all
y
i
nnodanger
,whydotheygett
hesamecut?
KARTEL: Becauseinmyf ami lywear eequal,
andever y
one’spartmatters.Ifnobodywai ts
withagetaway ,
thi
siswor thnothing.I
fwet ry
tomakei toffwiththesamecar ,t
heywillfol
low
us,soweneedexchangecar … andwhot hehell
gonnasuspectsweetpr ettygirll
imemybabei f
anythi
ng?PlusLubacant alkherwayoutof
anythi
ng.Shet hi
nksquickandcanspunapl an
i
namoment .Evenifsheget sstopped,Iam
100%cer tai
nshewi ll
tal
kherwayoutofi t.Can
anyofy ousayy oucandot hat ?No?Shutup
then.
*
***
***
***
**
LUBA
Thenextf
ewdaysKartel
tri
edtosubtl
ygetme
topul
loff
,butIwasexci
tedaboutt
his.
Ont hedayofthejob,Iworeani tt
ybitpleat
ed
skir
t,atopthathadmycl eavageallout,
and
somer edli
psti
ck.Lookedliketheaveragehot
gir
ltypethatpol
iceoffi
certendtoletsli
de,i
n
theoffchanceIgotst opped.
Myheartwaspumpingsobadasever
yone
conf
ir
medtheywereinposi
ti
onvi
acodedtext
.
Iwai
tedforabi
t,t
hem Ist
art
edhear
ingbl
arr
ing
al
arms.
Sht
.
Somet
hingwaswr
ong.
OhmyGod,ift
heygotcaught
…ohmyGod!
Somet
hingwaswrong.
*
***
***
**
KARTEL
Sofarthepl
anhadgonewell
,themomentt
he
l
ight
swentout,t
hankyouNaomi,wegr
abbed
andranout.
Wewer ej
ustl
eav
ingthect
hepremi
seswhena
secur
it
ycarcomi
nginsawusfr
om adi
stance.
Sht
Whatt
hehel
lwer
etheydoi
ngi
tthebackway
.
Thi
ssi
dewassupposedt
obecl
osed.
Threemenwal ki
ngoutwithbagsofwhatwas
obviousl
ythepackagedhol
dbars?Yup,t
otal
l
y
suspici
ous.
Sht
.
Theywerecomingf orus!Westaredjogging
towardsthecar
,butanalarm hadbeentipped
andthecommot ionwason.Eagav eusy i
meby
parki
ngthecarinthemiddleoftheroadthen
rantocatchupwi t
hus,cal
li
ngRue.
Ruepar kedthecari
nfrontofusatadusty
screechandwegoti nandranastheygave
chase.Theyhadnotseenourf aces,
butitwas
nopoi ntbecausemorecarswerecomingaft
er
us.Sht .
Icoul
dhearbull
etsgoi
ngof
fassomeoft
hei
r
carti
reswentof
f.
Ron.
Thenthebul
l
etswentqui
et,
asdi
sthebi
ke
sound.
Sht.Weweresurewewer egoners.Also,where
thehel
lwasRon?Wassheok?Whydi sshe
suddenl
yjustgosil
ent
?Irefusedtoev enthi
nk
shecoul
dhav ebeentakenout.Nope.NotRon.
Idi
dn’tevenknowwhathappenedwhen, but
Ruescreamedandf el
lbackwit
hableeding
shoul
der.Igrabbedt
hesteer
ingwheeland
hammer edthecarbesi
deusoutoftheroad,
butsomeonet ookoutourt
ir
e.
Fck!Thatwasitf
orus,becauseweweren’
t
goinganywher
e.Ourgetawaycar’
sti
reswere
out.Weweregonnagetcaught.
Thenacarwascomi ngri
ghttowardsus.I
t
stoppedmidwayandther
ewast hatcomfort
ing
boom agai
n.Ihear
dshots,t
akingoutthetwo
carsbehi
ndus.
Myladydi
dn’tev
engoforthewheel
s.Dri
vers
wer
eslumpingonwheelsandcr
ashingcars.
Weallt
ookoutourgunsandhelpedher.
LUBA:
Geti
nyouf
ool
s…
MonkandEacar r
iedRuewhi l
eDollaandI
cover
edthem tot
hecar.IsawDol l
arwinceas
befor
ehi
swhiteshirtwentr
edont heshoulder
,
butwegotintheSUVst i
l
lbreathi
ng.
KARTEL:
Babe?Remembert
hatni
ghtweended
upinmypar
entsfi
eld?
LUBA:
Yea?
KARTEL:
Dri
vel
i
ket
her
idet
hatl
edt
othatni
ght
.
Andshesteppedonitli
kecrazy
.Ihavenever
beensothankf
ulforheri
mpulsi
venessthan
ri
ghtnow.Sheheardalar
msanddeci desto
showup.Hadshenotshownup, wewouldall
bedeadoronourwayt olockup.
LUBA:Sht,wear
enotl
osi
ngt
hem wi
tht
hecar
.I
haveaplan.
Shedrovel
ikeshewasVinDiesel
inFastand
Fur
ious,
thenstoppedadi
stancefr
om afarm.
LUBA: Thisi
smyf ath…Mosesv egetablefar
m.
Justbey ondt hereisapondt heyusef or
bapti
sm.TheBapt i
sm uni
formswi l
lbeina
room inthefarm.Weputt hem on, getj
oll
y
singi
ngunt i
ltheypass.Nev ermi ndtherei
sa
carthere.Wedi tchthi
soneabi tfarandtake
thatone.
KARTEL:I’
l
lgodumpi
t.Getof
f,go.Dr
iveand
getoutofher
e.
ME:
But
…
KARTEL:I
’m agrownman,baby.Icantakecar
e
ofmysel
f.I
’m notdyi
ngbef
oreImar ryy
ouand
gi
veyouacoupl eofki
dswewil
l watchgrowup.
Go.
*
***
***
***

LUBA
Idroveuptothem andtheyhadst
opped.Tires
out.Ist
oppedthecarandgotout,andjust
start
edshoot
ingatthecarsbehi
ndt hem.
ThenkeptatitastheygotRuei
ntheSUVIwas
dri
vi
ng,KartelandDol
laeachonmyside
hel
pingtakethecarsout.

JustasIwast
ryi
ngtogeti
n,Doll
aknockedme
offt
hewayandIheardhi
m scr
eam i
npain.
Sht
.
Hehadt
akenashotthatwoul
dhav
ehim me.
Hehadl
i
tetal
l
ytakenabull
etf
orme.
Wedr oveunti
lIr
eachedmyf at
her'
sfarm,and
Kar
tel wastogodumpt hecar,
alsocreat
inga
di
version.
Ikissedhi m, t
henranaf
tert
heothers,andDol
la
hadal readyknockedoutthedr
iverofthe
churchv an.Weputont heBapti
sm robesand
gotint hev an,dr
ivi
ngof
ftowar
dst he
settl
ementIgr ewupinandpastit,t
owards
Francistown.
Wedit
chedthevanandtherobesinMasunga,
t
henDoll
acall
edsomeonewhopi ckedusupin
abusandtookustoRon’spl
ace.
Monk, andDollawereinjur
ed,butf
lashwound
shots,butRuewasunconsci ous.MonkandEa
hadhadt ocar
ryhim.Wegotnewst hatt
woof
Doll
a’smenwer edead,oneescaped,butno
connectionwasmadet oDoll
aashewasnev er
wi
tht
hem.
Kar
telhadst
il
lnotshowedup,
andwher
ethe
hel
lwasRon?
Icoul
dhearDol
l
aor
gani
singadoct
ort
ocome
here.
Threehoursl
ater
,Ruehadbeentakentoa
pri
vatehospi
tal
,Monk,
andDoll
apat chedup.
Wehadt
hegold.Butwherewasmybabe…
wher
ewashe?Itwastaki
ngtoolongnow.
Wher
ewasmyKar tel
.AndRon?
*
***
***
***
**
LI
KE,
COMMENT,
SHARE
*
*
*

NB:
(thedeadl
i
neIbeenchasi
ngf
ort
hepast
twoweeksi
stomorr
ow.I
'm donewi
thwhatI
hadt
odo.Iwil
lbebackt
onormalpost
ingby
Monday)

ATHUG’
SLOVE31

KARTEL
Theseguyswerehotonmytai
landIknewIhad
tol
osethem,orIwasagoner.
Idrovel
iket
hewi
nd,
butt
heywer
ehotonmy
tai
ltoo.
Thecarhadtogo.IfI’
m onfoot
,theyar
eforced
togoonfoottoo,becauset
heycan’tdr
ive
thr
oughaforest
.
Andi
ftheyar
eonf
oot
,Icanout
runt
hem or
t
aket
hem out
.
OneIwascloseenought oathi
ckfor
est
, I
sl
oweddownconsi der
ableandopenedthedoor
androll
edout
,fal
l
ingtothegroundand
scr
apingmyskinbadly.
Butthecarwasst il
lrol
li
ngonandt heywere
giv
ingchase.Theywi ll
figureitoutinami nut
e
whenthecarcr ashes,butthisgav emea
chancetodisappearintothef orest.
Iranmostofthet
ime,
thenhi
tchedar
ideona
beatupvan.
Ihadt
ogof
indRon.
SoIdoubl
edbackt
othet
reeswher
eshehad
beenr
idi
ng.
Atadi
stanceIcoul
dseet
hepl
acet
eemi
ngwi
th
pol
i
ce.
No,
God,
nopl
ease…
ThenIhear
dal
owwhi
stl
e.Weak,
butI
r
ecogni
sedi
twel
l
.
Il
ist
enedagainandfol
lowedi
t.Shehadpushed
underathor
nyshrubandhidthere.
Shewasshottwiceandbl edoutsomuchshe
wasbarel
yconscious,herskinpali
ng.Shehad
al
sobrokeherarm andpr obablyr
ibortwo
whenshefell
from thebike,andthethor
nshad
pri
ckedher
.Ev enjusti
magi ni
ngthepainshe
wasinmademyhear tshatter
.
RON:
(weaksmi
l
e)Iknewy
ouwoul
dcome.
KARTEL:
Alway
s.
RON:
Iam sur
pri
sedt
heydi
dnotcomef
orme.
KARTEL:
Maybet
heonewhosawyougott
aken
down.Wedi
dqui
etsomedamageont
hem.
RON:
Howdi
dthenev
enknowwher
eIwas?
KARTEL:
Iguessgunsoundandmay
bebi
ke?
Tobehonest,Iwassurpr
isedandconf
usedby
alotoft
hingstoday
.Thealarm commoti
ons
andspeedingcarsshouldhavecoveredRon’s
si
lencergun,andherbi
kewasl ownoi se… she
shouldhavebeenundetectabl
einsucha
commot i
on.
Also,thatsidei
ssupposedt obecl
osedof f,
I
studieditfortwomont hs,guar
dsdon’tgo
there.That’swhyIchoseitasanexit
.Theway
theychasedmeandt rackedmeafterIlost
them… wei rd.
MaybeIwasov
ert
hinki
ng.Ineededt
ofocuson
Ron.
Itoreupmytshi r
tandti
edupRon’swounds,
thencarri
edherandwalkeddeeperi
ntot
he
forest
,theroadshadt
oomanypol i
cecar
s.
Ifi
nall
ysawahutandIwenti
nther
e.Pr
obabl
y
forsomeheadboy’
s.
Ilef
therthereandjoggedtothesi
deofthe
road,st
andingatadiffi
cul
ttur
n.Isawahonda
fi
twithagirlst
ruggl
ingtomakethetur
n,dri
vi
ng
soslow.Ipul
leddownmyhoodi
eandj
oggedt
o
herandpull
edagunonher.
KARTEL: Mysist
er,Iam nottryingtohurtyou,
butIwi lli
fyoutr
yt obediffi
cult
.Ify outr
yto
dri
veof f
,Iwil
lj
ustshootthet i
re.Theny ou.My
fr
iendi shurtandIneedt otakehert othe
hospitalimmediately
…t henIwi llpayyoufor
yourtroublesandy ou’
ll
beony ourwaysaf el
y.
Now, handmey ourcellphoneandkey s,t
hen
getint hebackseat.
Shewasshaki ngandcryi
ngasshegotoutof
thecarandinthebackseat.Idr
ovebacktothe
hutandgotRon, t
hendrovet oapr
ivat
ehospit
al
Iknewwoul dn’
taskquesti
ons,cal
l
ingthe
doctorontheway .Hear
rangedforabackdoor
pickup.
Ronwasunconsci ouswhenshewast akenin,
andt hedoctorsai
dtheywil
ltakeherstrai
ght
forsurger
y,soI’dhavet
owait.Igotthegirlt
o
unlockherphone,thenwenttoherFacebook.
HernamewasKesegoandshehadal itt
le
daught
ernamedKyl
iethatshepost
edoften.I
wenttoherWhat
sAppandsentmyot her
numberaphotoofl
i
ttl
eKy l
ie.
KARTEL: I
nsurance,butIam sur eI’
llneverhave
touseit.Youlookl i
keasmar tgir
l,Kesego,soI
am sureIdon’thavet otel
l y
ou,youcannev er
mentionanyoft hi
st oanyoneagai n.Iam
gonnadrivetoaf r
iend’splaceandgety our
seat
ssor t
edwi t
hal lthebloodont hebackseat ,
andletme r ei
mbur sey ouforyourt r
oubles.
Iewal
letedherP5000andgav
ehert
hephone
toseethemessage.
HER:
OhmyGod,
whywoul
dyou… t
hat
’sal
ot…
KARTEL:
Youdi
dmeasol
i
d,i
t’
sthel
eastIcan
do.
HER:
What
’s… what
’sy
ourname?
KARTEL:(
laughi
ng)Girl
,Ijustpul
l
edagunon
youanddraggedableedingoutpersoni
nyour
car
,andyouwannagetonf ir
stnamebasi s?
What’
swithwomenandbadboy s?Comeon,
l
etsgogetyourcarsort
ed.Byt heway,you
werenev
erinanyrealdanger,
Iwasn’tgonna
hur
tyou.
Wedrovetoagaragef
orsomeguywhoowes
measolid,andhesor
tedhercarandsenther
onhermerryl
it
tl
eway.
*
***
***
***
**
LUBA
Whenever
ythi
ngwassettl
edandever
yone
pat
chedup,Monkkeptt
hegoldsaf
e.
St
il
lnosi
gnofKar
tel
.
Istoodinfrontofthetelevi
sionast heevening
newswasal labouttheheist.I
thadgot t
enthe
whol ecountr
yexcited,becausethingsli
kethis
don’thappeni nBotswana.Thievesr obhouses
only.Notdohei st
s.Insocialmediaitwasal i
tif
speculati
onsasev enthesecur i
tycamer ashad
nothi
ng,f
ootagewaswipedasRapunzeltwo
hadpromised.Ihat
edheral
it
tl
elessalr
eady.
Manysuspectedgangsfr
om Sout
hAfri
caor
Zimbabwe.
Becausewhoi sgonnasuspectaMot swanaof
carr
yingagoldheistsuccessf
ull
y?Hell
,even
j
usthav et
hegallto,at
temptone?Wear e
general
lyacowardly… erm,Imean,peaceful
nati
on.
Myhear twasonmyt hr
oatwit
hfear,andforthe
fi
rstti
mesinceIwasni neyear
sold,Ifound
my sel
fprayi
ng.BeggingaGodIhadconv i
nced
my sel
fdoesn’texi
st,
toprot
ectKart
el.Prayi
ng
thenextnewsupdat ewasn’
tgonnabeabout
hisarr
est.
Dol
l
awal
kedov
erandgav
emeahug.
DOLLA:
Hei
sal
ri
ght
,hewi
l
lbebacksoon.
ME:
Thanks.
DOLLA:
Any
way
,Iam sendi
ngment
ogof
ind
hi
m andRon.
ME:OhmyGod,
thanky
ou,
thanky
ousomuch,
Dol
l
a.
DOLLA:
Any
thi
ngf
ory
ou.
Hesai
d,car
essi
ngmychi
n.
DOLLA:Uhm… ok,
Ithi
nkIshoul
dheadoff
.Iwi
l
l
di
scussthesal
ewit
hKart
el.Ar
eyouok?
ME:Me?I
’
mfi
ne.Youwer
etheonewhogot
shot
.
DOLLA:
Grazed.Mor
eli
keabadbur
nthana
bul
l
etwound.
ME:St
il
l,y
out
ookabul
l
etf
orme… y
oucoul
d
hav
edied.
DOLLA:
AndIwoul
dhav
edi
edhappyknowi
ngI
sav
edyourl
i
fe.
ME:
Dol
l
a…
DOLLA:
It’
sthet
rut
h.Justbecausey
oudon’
t
wantmedoesn’
tmeanmyf
eel
i
ngsf
ory
oudi
e,
Luba…l
etmeheadoff
.
ME:Thanks… f
orsav
ingme.Iam f
orev
er
gr
atef
ul.
Ihuggedhim andspontaneousl
ystart
ed
sobbi
ngonhi schest.Icoul
dbedeadr i
ghtnow
i
ft hi
smanhadn’ tendangeredhimsel
ftosave
me.Andwher eIwasst andi
ng,itwoul
dn’thav
e
beenjustabull
etgrazeforme…
TosayIwasgr
atef
ul…
Andwewor kedwel l
toget
her,di
dn’twe?Al
lof
usincludi
ngDolla.Lookattoday?Whoistosay
KartelandDoll
acannev erbefri
endsagai
n?
Theydi dsowellthatmomentwi t
heachofthe
onei t
herofmysi deaswel ai
ddownbodies…I
fel
tbadasst oboot.
AndIenj
oyDoll
a’scompanyandaf r
iend.And
ri
ghtnowIwasjustsogr
atef
ul.Iam surethi
s
hei
stwil
lmakethem r
eal
iset
heyarebet t
eroff
asf
ri
endst
hanenemi
es.
Myphoner
ecei
vedamessage.Fr
om Kart
el
say
inghef
oundRonandwasatthehospi
tal
.
ME: OhmyGod!Heisfine!Hegotaway!Heis
fi
ne.AndhefoundRon.Sheisbadlyhur
t,but
shewill
beok.Theyar
eatt hehospi
tal
.
Iy
ell
edexci
tedl
y,huggi
ngDol
l
aagai
n.
DOLLA:That’
s… that
’sgr
eatnews!Amazi
ng!Ok
then,
I’
m sur
ey ouwannagoseehim,soIwil
l
headoff.
Afterheleft
,Icl
eanedupandcalledNeelo,
updatingheronRue’ssi
tuat
ion.Shewant edto
come, soIwenttopickherupandt ookherto
thehospitalr
oom whereRuewasst i
ll
lay
ing
unconscious.
Shesobbedl
ooki
ngathi
m ont
hebed.
NEELO:
Lubakoorennawil
lthi
ngsev
erber
ight
f
orme?Ifi
nal
lyfal
li
nlov
e,meetamanwho
l
ov esmeuncondit
ional
lyandmakesmef eel
greataboutmysel
f… andthenthis?Ial
waystel
l
Reubent ost
opdri
vingsofast… nowhegotina
caraccident
.
Yea,Ihadli
edaboutwhatr
eal
lyhappened,
becauseitseemsRuehadnotreal
l
ycluedher
i
nonwhathedi d.
ME: Comeon,babe… sometimesthi
ngsjust
happen.AndRuelovesyoutoomucht oleav
e
you.Gotohim.Heisnotconsciousyet
,butI
betheari
ngyourvoi
cecanhelp.
Shewentandsatdownbesidehi
sbed,
hol
ding
hi
shandandsobbingsadl
y.
Isli
ppedoutt ogivethem pri
vacy,andjustasI
exit
edt her
oom, IsawKar t
elalongthecorri
dor.
IfIt
ellyouthi
swasl i
keamov ie!Wejogged
towardseachother,andIjustjumpedonhi s
armsandhehel dmei nt
oat i
ghtbearhugl i
ke
henev erwant
edt ogo.NeitherdidItobe
honest
.
Hisarmswer escr
apedraw,buthedi
dn’
tev
en
care,
justhuggedandki
ssedme.
ME:OhmyGod… OhmyGod,
babe…Iwasso
scar
ed…
KARTEL:
(laughi
ng)Imadeyouapromi
set
hatI
wascomingback.Ikeepmypromi
sest
oyou.
ME:Comeon,let
’sgetyoupat
chedup,
you
l
ookrough.Mypoorbaby.
Itookhi
shandandki sseditasIwenttothe
room wher
etheentir
ecr ewwaswaut ungaft
erI
toldt
hem Kar
telhadbroughtRonher e.Anurse
cameandpatchedupKar t
el,andIj
ustcoul
dn’t
waittot
akehim home.
*
***
***
***
**
Doll
awal kedint
her oom andt
hreeguysi
n
securi
tyunif
orm satther
e.Hewentoverand
punchedt henearest.
DOLLA: If***
kingsai dtheywer en’
ttomakei t
out,andwhatdoy oudo?Youal mostshoott he
onlyper sonIwant ednott ouched!Youwer e
supposedt otakeKar tel
,MonkandEaoutat
thatbackgat ewhi letheot her shandledRon
andRue.Ni neofy ou, al
larmed, andf i
v eof
them, onlyfourar med.Easyj ob,usethem t o
takethegol d, getridoft hem, andyoui diots
couldbemi ll
ionairesbynow.Butwher ear ewe?
Six,si
xofy oudead!Whi l
et heyar eallstil
l
f**ki
ngbr eathing!Thi swassupposedt obean
executionoft heent ir
ecrew!Ev enaftery oufail
,
Ihandedy ouKar tel onasi l
v erplatt
er,isolat
ed,
alone,wi t
honegun.Atl easty oushouldhav e
managedt ot akecar eofthat !
GUARD:
We…
Pop,
pop,
pop.
Theyhadnotev
enseent
heshot
scomi
ng.
I
fther
ewasonet
hinghel
ear
ntf
rom t
heonl
y
f
atherhehadev erknown, wastoneverl
eave
l
oseends.Thesef ool
smi ghtdeci
detogo
r
unningthei
rmout hs,andthatunhi
ngedlunat
ic
wouldgoafterhiski
dsf orsur
e.
Ohwel
l,
itwasaKil
lKar
telAnot
herDaythen.
Ki
ll
Kar
telandf
inal
l
ygettobewiththeone
womanhewassurewasmeantf orhi
m.
Damn,whensheshowedupal
lgunsbl
azi
ng
andsav
edthem?Sht…
Hedidn’
tevenknowhecouldinsuchasi
tuati
on,
butt
hebonerhe’dgot
tenforhi
squeenatthat
moment!Lubawasjustsomethi
ngelseman.
Hecall
edhisboyst
ocomedocl eanupift
he
bodi
es.Theyhadnoideawhatwentdown,so
fort
hem i
twasnormal cl
eanup.
Hewasn’tstupi
denoughtorunwiththegold
whil
eKartel
wasst i
llal
i
ve,sobacktothatplan
ofspl
it
ti
ngthem.Ohwhat ever
.Themoneywas
onl
yapartofit.Thi
swassupposedtobean
executi
onforKar
telandhiscr
ew,thenhewoul
d
haveswoopedinandcomf ort
edLuba.Thi
swas
supposedtobethebeginni
ngofhishappi
l
y
everyaft
erwit
hhisqueen.
*
***
***
***
**
3mont
hsl
ater
…
*
***
***
***
***
LI
KE,
COMMENT,
SHARE
ATHUG’
SLOVE 32

KARTEL
Somuchhadhappenedt
hepastt
hreemont
hs.
Dollahadcomet hroughwi t
hthesaleandmy
cleanerwasabletobuyusal lhousesusinghis
company ’
sname.I twasn’tmansions,we
wer en’
ttr
yingt
obest upi
dandat tractat
tenti
on
withlavi
shspending,sojustni
cef amil
yhomes,
thosebiggerBHChouses, andwewer eallj
ust
gratefulconsideri
ngal lofuscamef rom
nothing.Thenweputmor eint
oourbusi nesses,
RonandIgotmor ef l
eetsf orProMovers,the
boy sincreasedtheGl assFact orypr
oduction
capaci t
y,andt herestoft hemoneywasputi n
Bitcoin,andwewer ealllearni
nghowt odot hat.
Wehadj ustsoldthelastoftheproductwehad
andclosedshop,nomor esl
anging,andnotj
ust
becauseRuehadbeeni nthehospitalf
ort
his
wholetime,butbecausewewer edoneand
dusted.Goi
nglegit.Whatweal wayswanted.
Thef i
rstmonthRuehadbeeninacoma,when
hecameoutofi tthefol
lowi
ngmont
hhecould
barel
ymov e.Nowhewasmuchbet t
er,
his
upperbodywasf unct
ional
.
Hehadbeenshotont heshoulderandt henthe
backwhenheslumpedov er.Theysaidhis
spi
newasaffect
ed.Sonowhewaspar alyzed
fr
om wai
stdown.Thedoct orsdidn’
tthinkit
wasatotal
l
ylostcause,buttheysaiditwas
gonnabesomet
imebef
orehecoul
dev
enst
art
walki
ngonhi
sown.
Ronhadonl
yspentt
woweeksinthehospi
tal
af
tert
hehei
st,
andshewastot
all
yfi
ne.
Thepol i
cewer esti
l
l l
ookingatemptyleadson
theheist.Ihav
et ogiveittoNaomi
,therewas
notraceofusatal linallt
hecameras.Itwas
l
ikewewer eneverthere.
Isatint
hel
i
v i
ngroom wat
chi
ngTVwhenmy
l
adycamefrom t
hebedroom andki
ssedmy
cheek.
LUBA: Babe,I’
m gonnagohel pNeelofi
nisht
he
housebef oreRuef i
nall
ycomeshome.The
buil
dershav efi
nishedthewheelchai
rramp,and
thecleanerscamey est
erday,
sonowwehav e
toarrangefurni
tureandal l
.
KARTEL:
Cool .I
’
llbeatthehi
vebecauseIgott
a
taket
herestofourthi
ngsther
e,Ronislet
ti
ng
someofthekidswehav eworkedwit
hmov ein,
theyal
lgotj
obsatPr
oMov
ersoratt
heGl
ass
Factor
y.
Shecameov
erandki
ssedmeagai
n.
LUBA:Iam soproudofy ouguys,whatyouare
doingfort
hesekids…getti
ngthem outofthe
str
eetsandhelpi
ngthem golegitt
oo…that
amaz i
ng.Youareamazing.
KARTEL:
Comenow,
it’
snobi
gdeal
.
LUBA: Nah,babe.It
’sagoddamnhugedeal .
Otherguy sontopwoul dhav ej
ustleft,t
hey
nevercareaboutthelit
tlepeople.Youcar e.
That’swhyy ougarnersomuchl oyal
tyand
respect.Peopl
eknowy ouaintweak, butyou
care,andwheny ouconsi dersomeonef amily?
Yout akecareofthem…y ouareagr eatman.
KARTEL:(l
aughi
ng)Keepthatupandy ouare
gonnagetmeallbl
ushyandsht.Butthanks
babe…meansal ot
.Haveagreatday.Loveyou.
*
***
***
***
Ronsatintherest
aurantner
vouslywaiti
ng.She
hadfi
nall
yreachedouttoherhalfsi
sterandgot
hermother’
snumber.Somethingaboutalmost
dyi
ngmakesonet rytomakeamends.
I
thadtakenherawholemont
h,butshehad
f
inal
l
ytextedhermot
herandt
oldhershe
want
edtomeet .
Sheonlyr
epli
edaweekl
aterandsett
hedate
todayi
nthi
srest
aur
ant
,atsomebacktabl
e.
I
twasagoodt
hir
tymi
nut
espastt
het
imet
hey
hadset
.
Thi
swasami
stake…sheshoul
djustl
eav
e.
Shewasabouttost andupwhenshesawher
motherwalki
ngin.Shehadagedandt r
iedt
o
cor
recti
t,maybeaf acel
i
ftorsomethi
ng.
Somethi
ngwasdonet othatnoset
oo.
Shesatdownandl
ookedatherwi
thast
ern
st
are.
VI
RGI
NIA:
Whatdoy
ouwant
,Pat
ronel
l
a?
RON:Mama…Ij ust
…Ithoughtwecoul
dst
art
over
,for
gett
hepastand…
VI
RGI
NIA:
Why
?
RON:
Huh?
VIRGINI
A: Patr
onell
a,whydoy ouwantt odo
thi
stome?Ihav eagoodl i
fe,r
espectableinthe
soci
etyIexisti
n.LastIhear dofy ou,youwerea
commont hi
eveandapr osti
tut
e.Howdoy ou
thi
nkthatwouldaf f
ectmeandmanyf amilyi
fit
cameout ?Myhusbanddoesn’ tev enknow
aboutyou.Stayawayf rom Charlotte,
youar e
poll
uti
ngmydaught er
.Ijustdon’tunderstand
whyy ouwantt orui
nmyl i
fe.
RON:
Wow.Okt
hen.Hav
eani
cel
i
fe,
Vir
gini
a.
Shewal kedoffholdingthetear
sback.How
couldshesayt hat!Butthen,whywasshe
surpri
sed,thi
swast hewomanwhodumpedher
l
ikelastnight
’strashwhenshewasj ustaki
d,
whywouldanyt
hingbedif
fer
entnow?She
neededtol
ear
nwher eshewasn’
twant
ed,
damnit
.
Shegoti nhercaranddr overi
ghtbackt
o
Francistown.Whatthef *
*kdidshewantwi
th
peoplewhonev erwant edherwhenshehada
familythatwoul
ddief orheranyway?
Butitst
il
lst
ung,man.Sti
l
lst
ungli
keabicht
hat
herownmot herj
ustwrot
eherof
fli
keshewas
nothi
ng.
*
***
***
***
***
Neel
ostoodinthehospi
talshowerbathi
ngRue,
whowasseatingonhisshowerchair
.Shedr i
ed
hi
m offandswit
chedhimtot hewheel
chair,
wheel
inghimtotheroom whereshedresses
hi
m.
Ruereachedupandcar
esseshercheek,
then
ki
ssesher.
RUE:
Youshoul
dn’
tbedoi
ngt
his… wehav
e
money
,wecanhi
reanur
se.
NEELO:
Ther
eisnot
hingel
seI
’
drat
herbedoi
ng.
RUE:Neli
,Imaynev erwalkagain… Imaybel
i
ke
thi
sforev
er,maynotbeabl etogiveyoua
famil
y…defi
nit
elycan’thavesex…
NEELO:May.Doctorssaidi
tispossi
bleyouwi
l
l
recov
ersi
nceyournervesar
en’tcompl
etely
damaged.Andevenifyoudon’t
,wewillf
ace
thatt
oget
her…
RUE:Kart
el t
ell
smeLubasay syouhav en’tbeen
usi
nganyoft hemoneyony our
self,y
ouj ust
boughtt
hingsforthehouse… Nel i
,whenIgav e
youmycar d,i
twassoy oucant akecareof
bothofus.Buyy our
sel
fthingtoo.
NEELO:
I’
mfi
ne.
RUE: What,youthinkI
’
llf
eell
i
keyouaresti
cki
ng
arounddespitemyconditi
onfort
hemoney?
Neelo,Iknowy ou.Iwoul
dn’
thavegi
venyouthe
cardifIthoughtyouweresomegolddi
gger.
Youhavel
ostsomewei
ght
,whydon’
tyougo
shoppi
ng?
NEELO:
Isai
dI’
mfi
ne.
RUE:Neelo!Don’ty ougeti t?Idon’tf
eell
ikea
man,Iam av egetabl eyouhav etodoev ery
thi
ng
for
,aburden.Moneyi stheonlythingIhaveto
off
eryourightnow, damnit!So,please… l
etme
havethi
s.Letmef eel useful.
Atearr
oll
eddownhi
scheek,
andNeel
oki
ssed
i
taway.
NEELO:
Youar
ever
yusef
ul.
RUE: How,
Nel
i
?HowanIusef
ul,Ineedt
obe
carr
iedtot
het
oil
ett
osht
!Howthef *
*ki
sthat
useful?
NEELO: Thereismoretoapersonthanthei
r
phy si
cal abi
l
ity
.Andmoneyisn’tal
lyouhaveto
offer.Howaboutt hehappygoluckymany ou
are…t hatmakesmehappy .
RUE:Andev enthatisgone.AllIfeeli
s
hopel
essness.Anger ,
disappoint
ment.Itr
y,Nel
i
,
Itr
ytofi
xmy sel
fintoahappymoodwhenI
knowyouar ecomi ng… butIjustcan’
t.Al
lI
havei
senv yandanger …
Hebr
okedowncry
ingandshejustsatt
here
wi
thhi
m,huggi
nghim andki
ssi
nghishead.
RUE:(sobbi
ng)Please,Nel
i… doi
tforme,just
,
goshoppingorwhat ev
er,makemef eel
li
ke
yourman… please?
NEELO:Ok…Isawt hi
splussizebouti
quewi
th
somenicel
ingeri
e…andsincey ouar
ecoming
home…ohmyGod, Iam sorr
ythisi
sso
i
nsensi
ti
vesinceyoucan’t
…
RUE:(
laughi
ng)Babe,
myf
inger
sandt
ongue
movejustfi
ne.
Hesaidashefl
exedhi
sfi
nger
sandl
i
ckedhi
s
l
ips,
makingherbl
ush.
NEELO:
Don’
tbesohar
dony
our
sel
f.What
happenedtoyouwouldtraumati
zeevery
one.
Youhav eari
ghtt
ofeelangry.Sl
owlyyouwil
l
fi
ndawaybackt oyourself
.Don’
tpushyour
self
toohard.
Sheopenedthelunchboxshehadpackaged
hi
m andstart
edfeedinghi
m,ashishandswere
st
il
ltooshakyfordoi
ngithi
mself
.
*
***
***
***
***
Monkpar kedthecarwit
hthebi
ggestsmil
eas
hewenttot hebackseatandt
ookhissonfrom
thecarseat.
Hesti
l
l coul
dn’
tbeli
evehewasfi
nal
lyspendi
ng
morethanaglancewithhi
schi
l
dsincehewas
bor
n.Aftert
wowhol eyear
s!
Seshacameoutoft
hehouseandul
ulat
ed.
SESHA:Ohthanky
ouGod!Thankyou,
God,the
court
shav
eseenthei
njust
icet
hatwasbei
ng
done.
Monkpul
ledherint
oahug, thinkingabouthow
muchshehadstoodbyhi mt hesepastthree
mont
hashef oughtforequal custodyofhi
sson.
MONK: Wehav ehi m onweekends,andIhav e
actuall
ybeenal l
owedt ohandlehisschoolfees
andal lhi
sexpenses, whi
chIhavebeendoi ng
anyway ,butnowt hemoneyIam gi vi
ngherhas
beenr educedtoP800becauseev er
ythi
ngel seI
wil
l paydirect
ly.
SESHA:
Shemustbef
uri
ous.
MONK:
Idon’
tcar
e.
SESHA:That
’swhatIl
i
ketohear.Bobo?Come
her
epapa… comeheresweetboy.Ihavef
ixed
youaveryni
ceroom,l
et’
sgosee.
*
***
***
***
**
KARTEL
Afterspendi
ngtheeveni
ngcoachi
ngkids
footbal
lteam asMonkwasbusytoday
, I
headedtot hehi
vetoputthelastofourt hings
befor
epickinguplunch.Lubahadsai dshe’ dbe
l
atetoday,soshewoul dn’
tbeabl etocook.She
wasquitebusynowaday s,butIunderstood.
WithNeeloquitt
ingthebakerytotakecar eof
Rue,Lubaneededt ocovermanagi ngbotht he
sal
onandt hebakeryuntil
shef oundsomeone
tohandlethebakery.
Idecidedtotakeaqui ckshowerbecauseIwas
allsweatyandcov er
edindustf r
om thef
ootbal
l
.
Aftershoweri
ng, Iwenttothekit
chentogeta
dri
nkofwat er.Iwasjustheadingoutoft
he
room wrappedi natowel asnobodywouldbe
home.Ibumpedi nasobbingRonwhowas
try
ingtoruntoherr oom.
KARTEL:
Pat
ti
e,what
’swr
ong?
RON:
I’
mfi
ne
KARTEL:
no,
youar
enot
…whathappened?
Isai
d,hol
dingherhandt
okeepherf
rom
r
unni
ngof
f.
Shejuststar
tedsobbi
ng,andIhuggedherand
hel
dhert omychest,l
ett
inghercr
yitoutunt
il
shewascal m.
RON:
I’
m sodumb.
KARTEL:
Noy
ouar
enot
.Whathappened?
RON: Iwentt oseeVi rgini
a.Like,afteralmost
dyingthatti
medur ingtheheist …Iremember
theonet hi
ngIknewIr egret
tedasIt houghtI
wasi nmyl astmoment s,
itwast ryi
ngnott o
makeamendswi t
hher .Myhal fsist
erhad
reachedout ,butIignoredher .WhenIt houghtI
wasdy ing,
al lIcouldthinkwas, Ishoul dhave
givenitasecondchance.SoIbeent hinki
ngof
that.AndIfinallydidit
.Wentt oGabor oneand
shemetme.Basi call
y,tol
dmet of *
* koff.
KARTEL:
I’
m sosor
ryPat
ti
e.
Isai
dasIpul
l
edheri
ntoahugagai
n.
RON: Ij
ust
…It houghtmay
beshewoul
dwantt
o
rest
artandfi
nall
yIcanhaveafami
l
y…
KARTEL;
Youhav
eaf
ami
l
y…
RON:Ij
ust…eventual
l
yyou’
l
lleav
etoo…get
marr
iedandsht…
KARTEL:Youar
etheonewholef
t…I
’
m al
way
s,
andImeanalwaysher
efory
ou…
RON: Ijust…whati swr ongwi t
hme, Kartel
?Why
doesshenotwantme?Idon’ tunderstand.I
thinkther easonIam t hisf**kedupandal ways
ruinrelati
onshi pisbecauseIdon’ tevenknow
whatl ovei s.Like…Ijustwanthert oloveme.
Like,Charlottesay sshei sanamazi ngmom…
soi tmusthav ebeenme…may beIwasj usta
badchi ld…Ij ust…what ’
swr ongwi t
hmeKar t
el…
Shewassobbi
ngagai
n.Ronisonl
yev
ert
his
vul
nerabl
ewi
thme,sohel
l,
shecancr
yal
lshe
want.
God,
myhear
twasj
usti
nsomucht
art
ars.I
don’tknowwhatt odoforRonbecauseshehas
thi
sbelievesheisunlovable.Iwasgonnapay
thatVir
gini
aav i
sitf
orsur e,f*
*kherbeinga
womanandal l
,shehurtmi ne,andIcan’tl
et
thatshtgo.
Iti
ppedherchi
nupsoshecouldlookatme,
thenhel
dhergazendwestoodtherecaughti
n
eachother
’sey
esforabi
t.
KARTEL: I
fther
eissomethingwrongwithyou,
thenImustbebl i
ndtoi
t,becauseyouare
perf
ect.Idon’
tknowanyonewhowoul dn’tl
ove
you,Patr
onell
a.
RON:Youareobl
i
gat
edt
osayt
hat
,youar
emy
bestf
ri
end.
KARTEL:Iam notobl
igat
edt
osaysht
,Idon’
t
sayt
hingsIdon’tmean.
RON: Shesai
dIwasapr osti
tuteandat hi
ef…
andyouknowwhathur tsthemost ?Thefact
thati
tstr
ue.Iam notper
fectli
keherkidswith
thei
rper
fectcol
l
egeCGPAandwhat
evert
he
hell
not…
KARTEL:No.Youarenotdoi ngthat
.Wear enot
goi
ngdownt heself
-destr
uctiv
erabbithole
agai
n.Ihav
edoneal otofquesti
onablethings
onl
yyouknowabout ,Ron.Iwasahi t
manf or
hi
re…IdidwhatIhadt osurvi
ve…doy oul ook
downonmef ort
hat?
Sheshookherhead,
wit
htear
sinherey
es.
KARTEL: Thenwhyshoul dyouj udgey ourself
forwhaty ouhadtodo?Yousur vi
ved, Ron.Did
whatyouhadt odowhent heoneper sonwho
wassupposedt oprotectyouabandonedy ou.
AndIwi l
lalwaysadmirethatabouty ou.Al ways
l
ov et
hatabouty ou…andy ouknowev enifthe
wholewor ldt
urnonyou, babe,thereisal ways
oneplacewher ethel
ov eforyoui s
uncondit
ionalandendless.Righthere.
It
ookherhandandpl
acedi
tonmychest
.
Shelookedupatmewiththatbi
gbri
ghtsmil
e
shedidn’
tgi
veoutf
reel
y,t
hosebigeyesfi
l
led
wit
ht ear
s.
RON:
Youal
way
sknowt
her
ightt
hingst
osay
…
IcaressedherfaceandleanedinasIhel
dher
gaze…herlipspartedsl
i
ghtly…sodidmine…
Il
eanedi
n…
ButIj
ustcoul
dn’
t.Il
oveRonandIwanttomake
ever
ythi
ngri
ghtf
orher,butIcoul
dnev
erbet
ray
Luba.
I
nsti
nctandf amil
iar
ityhadtakenoverf
ora
minute,becauseusuall
yRonspiral
i
ngorme
goi
ngt hroughalowmomentendedupwi t
hus
gett
inghighandroll
inginthesack.
Ican’
tdot
hatnow.
Webothpull
edbackatt
hesamet
imeandeach
wal
kedint
oourrooms.
*
***
***
***
***
***
***
**
LUBA
Afterwork,Iwantedtogohel
pKartelpackup
thelastofourthingsatt
hehiv
e.Iwalkedint
o
thefoyerandwasaboutt ogotoourroom
whenIsawKar telandRoni
nthecorr
idor.
Hewaswrappedi
nat
owel
,topl
ess…herhand
onhi
slef
tpec…
Shehadt earsi
nhereyes,looki
ngupathim as
heldherhandtohisheartandsay i
ngthi
ngs
thatshouldhav
ebeenr eservedforme.
No,
no…don’
ttakei
toutofcont
extLuba,
it’
s
j
ust
…
Icoul
dn’
twatchashel
eanedi
ntoher.Iranof
f,
bumpingi
ntoEawhowasalsoret
reati
ngangri
ly
.
Icouldonl
yimagi newhathehadf eltwalkingin
onmewi thDollathattime,becauseIwas
feeli
ngf*
*ki
ngmur derous,andifIsnapt hat
bich’
sneckinhersl eeptonight
,pleasedon’ t
blameme.I’m pissed,li
ke,seri
ouslypissed,Ron
i
sn’tignorantofourrel
ati
onshi
p,andher esheis
playi
ngdamsel i
ndistr
essformyman?And
seri
ously,whatthehelldi
dKartel
thi nkhewas
doing.Wasn’thet heonewhowasl osinghissht
whenhesawmewi thDol
la?Wast hissome
sortofsickpayback?
*
***
***
***
***
***
***
***
*
LI
KE,
COMMENT,
SHARE
ATHUG’
SLOVE33
LUBA
Idrovehome, andthenextthreehourswait
ing
forKartelwereli
ter
all
ytort
urous.Iwasdamn
surehesleptwithher.Whattheyhellel
sewould
theybedoi ngaft
erIsawthem kissi
ng,wit
hhim
halfnaked?
Whenhef inal
l
yshowedup, Ipr
etendedIwas
sleepi
ngbecauseIdidn’
thavetheenergyt
otal
k
tohim wi
thoutbreaki
ngdown,evenasmyt ear
s
soakedmypi l
low.
Nextmorni
ngIwokeupveryearl
yandwentto
workbef
orehewasawake.Ij
ustcoul
dn’
tface
hi
m.3hours.Hewaswit
hhert hr
eehour
s…
Myf
athercal
l
edandinvi
tedmetomeethi
s
f
amil
yandIaccept
ed.Anyt
hingt
oav
oidhavi
ng
t
odealwit
hKart
el,
Iguess.
*
***
***
***
KARTEL
Af
tert
heal mostincidentwit
hRon,Il
ocked
mysel
finther oom andconti
nuedpacki
ng
ev
eryt
hingf orhours.WhenIgothome, Luba
wasasleep,andinthemor ni
ngshelef
tearly
.
Iwenttotheof
fi
ceanddidsomework,t
hen
headedtotheGl
assFact
oryt
ocheckonthi
ngs.
Iwal
kedinandEawasdoi
ngsomet
hingi
nhi
s
comput
er.
KARTEL:
Whatar
eyouwat
chi
ng?
EA:
BecauseGodf
orbi
dIdosomeact
ual
wor
k,
r
ight
?
KARTEL:
Whoa!I
’
m messi
ngar
ound.Rel
ax.You
ok?
EA:
Thef
**kwoul
dn’
tIbe?
KARTEL:
Ea,
dowehav
eapr
obl
em?
EA:
Whydoest
hatsoundl
i
keat
hreat
?
KARTEL: F*
*koff,Idon’
tneedtot
hreat
enyou,
I
’djustbeatyourass.Thehel
li
supwi t
hyou
now?
EA:
F**
kof
fyousel
fi
shb*
star
d.
Hecl
osedhi
slapt
opandwal
kedof
f,cussi
ngup
ast
orm.
Ooooookay
.
Whatt
hehel
lwaswr
ongnow?
*
***
***
***
*
Eadr
oveof
ffr
om t
hegl
assf
act
oryandwent
home.
F**ki
ngRon, man!Itwasl
i
keshedi
dn’tev
en
seehim, nomatterhowmuchhetr
iedtomake
himselfavai
l
able.
Andthefewt i
meshesuggest
edt
heywentona
dat
e,shelaughedathi
m.
Butshewasoutheresmacki
ngl
i
pswi
thav
ery
unavai
l
abl
eKartel
?
Maybeshewasoneoft hosewomenwhoonl y
wantedamanthatot
herwomenhad, because
i
fanotherwomanwantshim,ther
emustbe
somethi
nggoodabouthim,butwhowants
someonenobodywants?Womenwer eweird
l
iket
hat.
Hesmil
edtohi mselfandcall
edNiki
ta.Thebich
wasdesperat
eenoughf oratt
ent
ion.Hemi ght
aswel
ltakeadvantageofit.
EA:
Hey
…
NI
KITA:
Heyboo,
what
’sup?
EA:
Wannacomeov
erandj
ustchi
l
l?
NI
KITA:
Iki
ndahav
eaj
ob?
EA:
Imeanaf
terwor
k,dum-
dum.
NI
KITA:
Alr
ight
ythen… seey
ou.
Hehungupwi
thasmi
l
e.
I
fRonfoundt
heunavai
labl
esoal
l
uri
ng,
thenhe
wasgonnabeunav
ail
able.
*
***
***
***
**
Ni
kit
ahungupwit
hasmi
l
easshesathav
ing
l
unchwit
hhersi
ster
.
NAOMi
:Whowast
hat
?
NI
KITA:Ea… It
hinkhejustaskedmeonadat
e.
Heseemsinter
ested.
NAOMI
:Babe,
youknowEai
sapl
ayer
…
NIKITA:(
laughi
ng)Your
eal
lyt
hinkIwannabe
withEa?ThisismywaytobearoundKart
eland
getmybooback.
NAOMI:
That
’shor
ri
bleNi
ki
ta,
hecoul
dbei
n
l
ove…
NIKITA:
Andthat
’smyprobl
em because?It
old
you,Kar
tel
ismydream man,anEaisgonna
helpmegethim.
*
***
***
***
**
KARTEL
Ronwasst i
llpret
tydown.Iwassur
eshehad
cri
eshersel
ftosleep.Somethi
nghadt
ogi v
e,I
canstandseeingRonsad.AndIknewjustwhat
wouldpickherup.
Practi
cal
lyrai
singher
self,
Ronspentmostof
herchil
dhoodatmypl ace…mypar ents
absolut
elylov
edher,mymot hercall
edher
‘
daughter’
.Theyfedherandclothedherwhen
shehadnoone, t
heli
tt
lewehad, t
heyalways
sharedwithher.
Shehadnotseenthensi
ncesher anof
fand
cametoFranci
stownatsi
xteen,
andIknewshe
fel
tsomeremorseaboutj
ustleav
ing,
soshe
hadnotgonet
oseet hem si
nceshecameback.
Iknockedatherhousewhichwasj
ust
neighbor
ingt
oours,andshecametoopen,
wit
h
hereyesredandswoll
en.
KARTEL:
Packaweekendbag…
RON:
Noti
nthemoodf
orat
ri
p.
KARTEL:Ialr
eadytoldmymom youar
ecomi ng,
youwannadisappointher
?Theyar
esoexci
ted,
theyar
eslaught
eri
ngagoat .
RON:
Kar
tel
!
KARTEL:Thisisexactl
ywhaty ouneed.To
remindyouthatyouhaveaf amilythatlov
es
you.Amom whomi ghtnothavegiv enbir
thto
you,butl
iv
esy ouli
keherown…andmymom
alwayshasawayofheal ingthesoul ,
she’
ll
knowhowt omakey oufeelbet
ter.
RON:
(sobbi
ng)Ij
ustl
eft
… howcoul
dthey
…
KARTEL:
Hol
dthatt
hought
…
Hepl
ayedav
oicenot
e.
‘
Patti
emydaught er,Iam.Soexcit
edt
oseey ou.
Knowt hattherei
snothi
ngthatcanmakeusnot
l
ovey ou,leavi
ngwaswhatyouneededthen…
andnowy ouarebackhome.Comehome, we
missy ou.‘
Shesmiledhappi
l
yasat
earr
andownher
cheek.
RON:
Idon’
tdeser
vet
hem…
KARTEL:
Youdo… l
et’
sgohome,
babegi
rl
.
*
***
***
***
KARTEL
Wearr
ivedatmyparent
s’pl
aceandmymom
cameoutul
ulat
ingasshesawRon.
MOTHER:Mygi rl
ishome… ohGod,Ipr
ayedfor
t
hisday
,becauseIknewonlyyoucoul
dbri
ng
mysonhappiness,hewassuchasadman,and
allofasuddenhewashappyagai n..Smil
ed,
j
okedar ound, excit
edaboutl ife…… ev enhis
clotheshest arteddressingwel landgaining
wai t
,hisbear dandhai rwel lt
rimmed…It oldhi
s
father,Isaidt herei
sawomant akingcareof
him.Isai dit.Ev enhisluckchanged, hegot
promot edandnowev enst ar
tedhi sown
business, builtahouse…y ousee, Patti
e.My
dear ,
youar ehi sluckychar m!Oh, mydear ,we
aresohappy .
FATHER: Nowmyhear tcanbeatease.I
wor r
iedalotabouthim.Iwant edforhi
mt he
kindofloveIfoundwi t
hhismot her,awoman
whounder stoodhim andbroughtoutthebest
i
nhi m… mma- Temo,didn’
tItelly
ouevenwhen
theywereten?Di dn’
tIsayshei sourdaught
er
i
nl aw?
MOTHER:Yousaidi
tmogatsaka.Kgat
hi,Ihope
youbri
ngi
ngherhomemeansy ouarereadyto
set
tl
eli
keamanmust .Hee,
thi
sisablessed
year
,retaabolawakemonat e,Bopaki’
s
weddingkaha… andIam cal l
ingthisonetoo…
t
hisisasignthatIneedtotel lt
heladiest
obe
r
eadyt ocooktwice.(ul
ulat
ing)
Awkwar
d.
Theywer
ejustsohappy
,Idi
dn’
tknowhowt
o
st
opthem.
*
***
***
***
*
Aft
erlunchIsatinmyoff
icewhenDollacame
i
n.Halimahadcomet odoherhairandhecame
todropheroff
,thencametotheoffi
ceside.
DOLLA:
Heaf
ool
ifhei
smaki
ngy
oucr
y.
ME:Oh… Dol
l
a….Iwasn’
t… Iwasn’
tcr
ying…
al
l
ergi
es.
DOLLA:
Youar
etooyoungt
obecoveri
ngf
ora
manwhomakesyoucry
.DoIneedt
ogobeat
hi
sass?
ME:
Justl
eav
emeal
one…
DOLLA:
Whatdi
dhedo?
Ihadn’
tmeantt
o,butIj
ustbur
stoutcr
ying,
and
Doll
acameoverandhuggedme.
DOLLA:
Whathappened,
Luba?
ME:
Ithi
nk… It
hinkhesl
eptwi
thRon.
DOLLA:Shame.Thatwasboundt ohappen, Kart
andRonarejustli
kethat
,theywil
lalwayscome
backtoeachother.Youjusthav
et oacceptit
wil
lhappensometimes.
ME: Howcany ouevensayt
hat
,whowoul
d
acceptt
hat!Getout
!
Myphoner
angandIpi
ckedup,
notr
ecogni
zi
ng
t
henumber
.
ME:
Hel
l
o…
‘
Mudiwa,comeget,
now,
please.Youar
eri
ght
,I
hav
etoleave…I
..
’
‘
Whatthehel
ldoy
out
hinky
ouar
ethedoi
ng,
Tapuwa…’
Mosest
hunderedi
nthebackgr
ound,t
henI
hear
daslapandmymotherscreamed…
ME:
Mama… mama!Mama!
‘
TakeFadzwa… y
our
aiseher
… don’
tlethi
m
t
akeher…’
ThephonewentdeadandIt
ri
edt
henumber
agai
n… not
hing.
DOLLA:
Ever
ythi
ngok?
ME:I
’m gonnakil
lthatasshol
e!I
’
m gonna
f
**ki
ngmur derhi
m.
Isai
dasIpi
ckedupmycarkey
s.
Ical
l
edKar
tel
whi
l
eheadi
ngt
othecar
.
ME:
Babe… Iuhm…Ineed…
KARTEL:Heybabe… canIcal
lyouback?I
vi
sit
edmyparentsandIam ski
nningagoat
ri
ghtnow.
I
nthebackgr
oundIcoul
dhearawoman’
svoi
ce.
‘
Patt
ie,
canyoubr
ingt
haty
ell
owbowl
soIcan
putt
heoff
al.‘
Wow… sosheget st akent ot hepar ents?Kartel
hadnotev enment ionedmemeet inghi sfamily,
yethereRonwast herecomf ortablef etchi
ng
yell
owbowl s.Listen, Idon’tcar eift heygrewup
together.Thiswasnotr ight…t hi
si show
famili
esendupr esent i
ngt hegi rl
friendbecause
theyhavebecomesoaccust omedt othe‘fr
iend’
thethinkit’
st heirdaught erinl aw.
Ohwel
l
.
Ihav
emor
eimpor
tantt
hingsr
ightnow.
Il
ookedatDol
l
a.
ME:Youwoul
dn’
thappent
ohav
eagunIcoul
d
bor
row?
DOLLA:
Whathappened?
ME:Mymom i
sindanger
… Ihav
etogoget
her
…
DOLLA:
I’
ll
comewi
th.
Hesaidashegotint
hepassengerseat,
andI
f
loor
edthecarbackt
otheplaceIhatedthe
mostinthewor
ld.
Iwasgonnaendthatmant
oday.Foreveryt
ime
hebeatmeandmymot her
,theabuse,t
he
emoti
onalt
ort
ure…whathi
smendi stome…
Iwasgonnakil
lhi
m,andIwasgonnaenj
oy
doingi
t.Ihadf
ant
asi
zedabouti
tsev
eral
ti
mes…
*
***
***
***
**
LI
KE,
COMMENT,
SHARE
ATHUG’
SLOVE34
LUBA
Iwasdri
v i
ngatcrazyspeedwhenIsaw
somethi
ngf rom t
hesideoft her
oad.Someone
tr
yingt
ocr awloutoftheforestt
othemainroad.
Ihi
tau-turn,smell
ingtheburnofti
re,
butI
r
ememberbei
ngl
eftf
ordeadli
kethi
s… i
fhis
menwer
ecapabl
eofthat
,hesureashel
lcoul
d
l
eav
eherher
e.
Istoppedt
hecarandgotout
,runni
ngt
owar
ds
thewoman.
Mymot
her
.
Bloodyandbroken,herbr
eat
hlabor
ed,
andshe
couldbarel
ymov e.
ME:
OhmyGod…ohmyGod…mama…mama!
MAMA:
Get
…getFadzwa…
Dol
lacamerunningaft
ermeandpi
ckedherup,
put
ti
ngheri
nt hecar.
DOLLA:
Youst
aywi
thher
,I’
l
ldr
ive.
MAMA:
No…no…mybaby
…goaf
termybaby
…
ME:Wehavet
ogetyoutoahospi
tal
.I’
l
lcal
l
someonet
ogoaf
terher
.
Herbr
eat
hwasheav
yandev
erymov
emadeher
weaker
.
ME:
ForGod’
ssakeDol
l
a,f
ast
er.
Hewaspushi
ngt hecarasfastasitwouldl
et
hi
m,andst
il
l,
Icouldfeelmymot hersli
ppi
ng
awayf
rom me,herheadlai
donmyl ap.
DOLLA:
Tryt
okeepherawakeLuba…sht
,sht
,
sht
…
EvenasmuchasItr
ied,
Iwatchedasshe
becameweaker
,bl
oodtrai
l
ingfr
om hermout
h
ansomewhereonhersi
de.
MAMA: S…sorry…mudiwa…shoul
d…l
eft
…
shoul
dhav el
eftwheny
ouwereababy…
ndi
reger
ere?
MytearsdroppeddowntohercheatasIki
ssed
herf
orehead,tr
yingt
okeepherawake.
ME:zvakanana,
amai…zv
esezv
akanana…y ou
aregoi
ngt obeok…mama…mamapl ease…you
havetostayawake…mamapl
ease…
Herbreat
hswer eshall
owerandlonger,
almost
noi
sy…herey eshadgoneglaceasshest ar
ed
upatme, herchestr
isi
nglessandlessunti
lit
wasjustnotmov i
ng…
ME:
Amai
…amai
…mama!Mama!
Sheletoutonelastheavyinhal
eandwasst il
l
asDollaparkedi
nt hehospit
alent
rance.Iguess
hehadcalledbecausetherewasagur ney
wai
ti
ng.
Thenur sesopenedt hedoorandIsawt heir
facesf allastheytookher.Onesai dan‘I’
m
sorry’somewher ethere…butIcouldn’
tev en
real
lyhearher …myownscr eamswer e
deafeningmyear s…Iwoul dn’
tlethergo,they
hadt or ipmef rom hersti
l
lbody ,andDollahel
d
ont omet ight
lyasIkickedandscr eamedwhi l
e
thebodywaswheel edaway .
DOLLA:
I’
m sosor
ryLuba…I
’
m sor
ry…I
’
m sor
ry.
Hi
svoi
cewasasshakyasIf
elt
,butIkepton
fi
ghti
ng,scr
eami ngf
orthem tomakemymom
bett
er…Imanagedt ogetaway ,
butDoll
aran
aft
ermeandhel dmeagai n.If
eltashar
pprick
onmywr ist
,thenbli
ssf
ulpeaceasIdrif
tedoff
toasedatedsleep.
*
***
***
***
***
***
***
***
KARTEL
Thedayhadbeensobusywithever
yone
exci
tedaboutRonbei
ngback,t
hatInegl
ect
ed
tocall
Lubaback.
I
twasl at
eeveningnow,andIwal
kedaround
l
ookingforbet
tersi
gnal
whenmysi st
ercame
overtome.
SI
STER:Whydidn’
tyout
ell
them y
ouandRon
ar
en’
ttoget
her
?
KARTEL:
Ijust
…Ihaven’
tseenthem t
hishappy
i
nalongti
me.Ijust
…I’
ll
tel
lthem.
SI
STER:
Youar
emaki
ngt
hingsbadf
orLuba.
Nowthattheyhavethei
rmindsetonPatr
onell
a,
Lubai
sgonnabet heoutsi
der.Youneedt
o
cl
eart
hisout,Lubadeser
vesbettert
hant
his.
KARTEL:(si
ghi
ng)Fi ne,
I’
llt
ellt
hem aftert
his.I
j
ustneedtocal
l herback,shewant ed
somethi
ngearl
ier,andIforgottocall
herback.
Shewal
kedof
frubbi
ngherheav
il
ypr
egnant
bel
ly
.
Ikepttr
yingtocall
.NowLubaj ustwasn’t
picki
ngup.Whatwaswi t
hhertoday?Iwas
getti
ngaf eel
ingshewasavoidingme.Nowshe
wasn’tpi
ckingmycalls?Ohwel l
.Letherstew
fortheni
ght ,
shecanexplai
nwhat ever‘
wrong’I
supposedlydidtomorr
ow.Ah.Women.
Iwalkedbacki
ntothehouseandRonwas
washingthedi
sheswithmymot herast
hey
tal
kedaboutst
oriesofourchi
l
dhood.
KARTEL:Mme,
canwet
alk?I
nthel
i
vingr
oom
wit
hntat
e.
Shel
ookedatRonandwi
nkedwi
thasmi
l
e.
MME:Letmegogett
hegoodnews…Iwi
l
lcal
l
mybr
other
stomor
row.
Isighedheavi
l
yknowi
ngIwasaboutt
o
disappoi
nther.
Shecametoseatdownandtheybot
hlookedat
mewithexpect
antsmi
les.
FATHER: Ok?ShouldIgatherpeopl
etomor r
ow?
Ihatethatwehav et
osendherbr i
depr i
ceto
thatuselessalcohol
icgrandmotherofhers,
but
ourculturedemandsherf amilybeinv
olved,
uselessandall.
KARTEL:Uhm…ntat
e..act
ual
l
y,Pat
ti
eandI
ar
en’
ttogether
.
Iwassoner
vousIwasact
ual
l
ybi
ti
ngmynai
l
s.
MME:
Nott
oget
heri
nwhat
?
KARTEL:
Iuhm…Iam wi
thsomeoneel
se?
MME:
Wit
hsomeoneel
sewher
e,Kgat
hal
o?
Whatar
eyousay
ing?
KARTEL:
Iam dat
inganot
herwoman.
MME: Excuseme?Whati sthatev
ensupposed
tomean?Don’ tbeungr
atef
ulKgathal
o,l
ookat
you…howgoody ourl
if
eis,
howni ceyoul
ook,
shetakescareofyouand…
KARTEL:
Thati
sal
lLuba…
MME:
Whatev
enki
ndofnamei
sthat
?
FATHER:Don’tbeoneofthoseungr
atef
ulmen,
myson.Don’tfor
getthewomanwhost r
uggled
wit
hyoujustbecausenowy oumadeiti
nli
fe…
donotevokeGod’swrath.
KARTEL:
Lubaisthatwoman!Sheist
heone
whohasbeendoi
ngallthoset
hingsy
ouare
put
ti
ngonPatt
ie.
MME:Youwi l
lsayt
hat
,justbecausey
ouwant
t
hatLobagir
l.I
fshematter
edt oyout
hatmuch,
whyhaven’
tweseenher,orevenhear
dofher?
Donotr uinwhatGodpl annedandal readywr ot
e
i
nhi sbooks, Pat r
onellai sthewomanf ory ou.
Shemakesy ouhappy .Andshel ov esy ou…I
wasl i
steningt ohowshet alksabouty ou.Tal ks
aboutbeingi nbusi nesswi thy ou, butyour un
everyt
hing.Shehassomuchpr aisesf ory ou,
howy ouar et eachingy oursel fthisnewt rade
andaresogoodati talready .Howy out woar e
witheachot her .
.Thisgi rli
st hewomanGod
meansf ory ou, Kgathalo.Pat ronel la!
RON:
Maa?
Shepeekedf
rom t
heki
tchen.
MME:
Come…seatbyme.
Shecameov
erandsat
.
MME:
Youknowaboutt
hisLubagi
rl
?
RON:
Eemma…
MME:
And?
RON:
IjustwantKgat
hit
obehappy
,andshe
seemst
omakehi
m happy
.
MME: No,y
oumakehim happy.Iknowit
.Iwas
wat
chingyoutwoevent
oday.Yout woare
meanttobe.Youar
emydaught erinl
aw.
KARTEL:
Mme,
kana…
MME: Qui
et!Iam nottalki
ngtoyouKgathalo.
Tellme,Patti
e.Rightnowbehonestt oGodand
tel
lmey oudon’tlovemyson, youhaveno
feel
ingsforhim atall
andy oudon’
tthinkyou
twocanbehappyt ogether.
Ronl
ookeddown.Sodi
dI.BecauseIknewshe
wasnotgonnal
i
etomymot her.
MME:
Iam t
alki
ngt
oyou,
Pat
ronel
l
a.
RON:mme,Ij
ustwantKgat
hihappy
.Lubai
shi
s
choi
ce,
andIr
especti
t.
MME: Youar ebeati
ngaroundthebushes,not
answeringwhatIasked.Legal
e,youare
excused.Iputyourthi
ngsinhi
sroom, gosleep.
Ronsi
ghedandwal
kedof
f.
MME: Didyouseet hat
?Shei si
nlov ewit
hyou,
youfool
.Youar ehurti
ngthatgi
rlwithyouLuba.
Endthatnonsenseandgetmar ri
edt oawoman
Godmeantf oryou.Iam goingtosleep,maybe
tomorr
owy ouwi l
lcomet oyoursenses.O
mpolel
elaboLubaLuba, whatisthat?Come
mogatsaka.
Shepushedmydad’
swheel
chai
rof
ftot
hei
r
bedr
oom.
FATHER: Letnotl osepat i
encewit
hhim
mogat saka.Theci t
yisaconf usi
ngplace.
Thesegi r
lswithshor tskir
ts…andalsomanyof
them usemut i.Theyseeasuccessf ulyoung
man,theygot ot r
aditionaldoct
orsforhim.We
mustpr ayforourboy .
Iwatchedt
hem disappeari
ntothecor
ri
dorwi
th
mymom st i
ll
mutteri
ngangril
y,whi
lemydad
tr
iedtocal
m herdown.
Roncamebackf
rom t
hebedr
oom andsatnext
tome.
RON:
Bad,
huh?
KARTEL:
Wor
se…
RON:
I’
m sor
ry…
KARTEL:
Youhav
enot
hingt
oapol
ogi
esabout
…
RON:
Ijust
…
KARTEL: Youl ef
t,Patronell
a,ok?Youleftme.I
wasdev astated…wewer esupposedtobe
toget
her,youandmeagai nsttheworl
d,
remember ?Andy oujustuppedandleft.Idi
dn’
t
dateaft
ery ou.Iwashur t
.Itt
ookmet hreeyear
s
tomov eon.WasIwr ongt o?Youdidn’tsay
goodbye,didn’tsayifyouwer ecomingback…
whatwasIsupposedt odo?
RON:Iknowy ouaremadatmeandweshould
haveaddr
essedthist
hemomentIcameback…
buti
twasalreadycompl
icat
ed,
andweboth
deci
dedt
oignor
eit
…I’
m sor
ry.
KARTEL:
Whatdoy
ouwantf
rom me?
RON: Honest
ly?Thingsyoucan’tgiv
e.Thi ngs
I
’m notevensureIwanty outogive,becauseI’
ll
j
ustendupdi sappoint
ingyou.
KARTEL:
Ithoughty
ouwer
eint
oEa?
RON:Hei sagoodman…Ienj oyhiscompany
,
andIam happywithhi
m.Icanseemy sel
f
happi
lyspendi
ngtherestofmylif
ewi t
hhim.
KARTEL:
But
…
RON:
Yea.But
…
Ir
ubbedmyf
acewi
thmyhandandexhal
ed,
KARTEL;
Thi
sissuchacl
ust
erf
**k
RON: Iknow…I’m sorr
y…i t
’satalentforme.
F**
kingt hi
ngsup.May bethat’
swhyVi rgi
nial
eft
.
Alongt imeagoIrememberhersay i
ngherand
myfat herwer
ehappyunt i
l shegotpregnant.
Showedupandf *
* kedthi
ngsupbef oreIwas
ev
enbor
n,huh?
KARTEL:Hey…no…don’ tdothat
.Thisisj
usta
messy,t
angl
edsit
uationthathappened.Wewil
l
fi
gur
ethiswhol
ethingout ,
ok?
RON:Idon’twannacausetr
oubl
ebetweenyou
andLuba,sheisgoodpeopl
e.Oryouandyour
par
ents…
KARTEL:
Youar
en’
t.
Iwipedhertearsandputahandar
oundher
shoulder
s,cuddli
nghert
ome.
God,
whatacl
ust
erf
**k!Whataf
**ki
ngmess!
*
Kart
el’
st eenagesisterpeekedf rom thecorri
dor
andsnappedapi ctureofhim cuddli
ngRon, wi
th
asmile.Ronj ustfi
tinwiththeirfamily.Andshe
madet heirparentshappy.Thel astthingthey
neededismme’ shighbloodpr essurestarti
ng
upagainornt atehav i
nganotherst r
oke.She
hadtomakesuretheyst
ay edhappy
.Whi
ch
meantLubahadtogoiftheirpar
ent
sdi
dn’
t
wanther
.
*
***
***
***
***
***
***
***
Seshaarri
vedattheoff
iceandst
art
ed
prepar
ingfortheday
.Lubawasn’
tinyet
,may
be
runni
nglate.
Afewmi
nut
esl
atert
wopol
i
ceof
fi
cer
swal
ked
i
n.
OFFI
CER:
SeshaKgabo?
SESHA:
Yes?
OFFI
CER:
Cany
oucomet
othest
ati
onwi
thus?
SESHA:
Why
?
OFFI
CER:Therehavebeenar
epor
tmade
i
nvol
vingaminor…
SESHA:
Whatr
epor
t?
OFFI
CER:
Trav
isSeet
elowast
akent
othe
hospitalyest
erdaywit
hhispenisswol
l
en,and
hismot hersaystheboytol
dhim‘aunt
y’
pinchedandpul l
edit
.Apparent
ly,
hewaswith
youandhi sfatherf
ortheweekend.
SESHA:
Excuseme,
what
?
God, whatwaswr ongwi t
ht hatgirl
?Whyt he
hellwasshedoi ngthis?Seshahadnotev en
bathedt hebaby .Theywerest i
llsettl
i
ngintothe
house,soshehadbeenbusycl eaningand
arrangi
ngt hingsmostoft heweekend, onl
y
takingbreakst ocook.Monkhadwat chedt he
babyandt ooktimet obondwi thhim.Butt hat
bitt
erbichdi dn’
tknowt hatandj ustassumed
Seshawoul dhav ebeentheonedoi ngit
.And
thatshewoul dhurtherownbabyt ogetat
Sesha?God!
SESHA: (
sighi
ng)Idi
dnotev enasmuchas
changethatbaby’
sdiaper.Butyouhavetodo
yourjob,
soIunderst
and.Fi ne,I
’l
lcomewith
you.Ibet
tercal
lmyboy fr
iend,thefat
herofthe
baby
.Shewillcomeandexplai
nhowthi
sisj
ust
somemali
ciousshtbyabit
terbabymama.
*
***
***
***
***
***
***
***
LUBA
WhenIwokeupt
henextmor
ning,
Dol
l
awason
achai
ratt
hecor
ner
.
Ir
ubbermyey
esandcal
l
edathi
m.
ME:
Yousl
epther
e?Theyl
ety
ou?
DOLLA:
Bri
besgoal
ongway
,sweet
hear
t.
ME:
Mymot
her
?
Hej
ustshookhi
m head,
andIf
eltf
resht
ear
s
r
undownmycheeks.
Hecameov
erandhuggedme.
DOLLA:Heuhm…oneoft henursesisi
ny our
fat
her’
scongregati
on,sot heycal
ledhi
m asher
nextofki
n.Theyaresay i
ngshehasbeent r
ying
tolosewei
ghtafterbi
rth,soshewentforar un,
andmay
begotat
tacked.
ME: Thati
ssuchbull
sht!Hebeather
,Ihear
d
herscream oft
hephone.Somethi
ngmusthave
happened.Shewantedtorun!
DOLLA:Apparentl
ythepoli
cearebuyi
nghis
st
oryandnowi nvest
igat
ionisonthe‘
att
ack’
.
Heisarr
angingthefuner
alaswespeak.
ME:
Heki
l
ledher
!Mysi
ster
?
DOLLA:
Iasked…shei
swi
thananny
.
ME:
Ihav
etogot
akeher
…
DOLLA:
Hei
shi
spar
ent
,Luba,
hehascust
ody
.
ME: Youhear
dmama,shewant
edmet
otake
Fadzwa,youhear
dher
!
DOLLA:
Iwishedt
hatwashowt helawworked…
butt
heguar
diani
salwaysthesurv
ivi
ngparent
unl
essi
tcanbechal
lengedheisunfi
t.
ME:Heisunf
it
,theguyi
samegalomaniac
psy
chopat
hwhowhi pshi
scongr
egat
ion!And
si
ncewhendoy
ouabi
debyl
aws?
DOLLA:Thisi
sdifferent
,Luba.More
compli
cated,
youcan’ tj
usthi
det hefactt
hat
youtookachil
d…I’ll
helpyoufightforher
cust
ody,butri
ghtnow…t hereisn’
tmuchwecan
do.
Hewentout
sidet
otakeacall,asmyphone
r
epor
tedaFacebooknot
if
icat
ion.
Iwast
aggedi
nsomepost
.
Itwasascr eenshotofapictur
eofKar t
el
cuddlingRoni nsomesof a.Ithadbeenposted
ori
ginallybyBoi pel
o.Kar
tel’
sseventeenyear
s
oldsister,capti
oned‘ ‍ ‍ ‍ ’
Thi
spostthatsharedthescr
eenshothadmy
phot
owithKartelbythesi
de,wi
tha
‘
kantethi
sdudeisn’
ttheonewhowasbuyi
ng
2ndpicchickaMercmaloba.Menadogst
he
bat
ho’
Thepostwassharedabout2000t imesnow,
andsomebodyhadcomment edthattheyj
ust
sawmeatt hehospi
tal
,thatIfai
ntedwhenI
foundout
.
Someonecommentedwi
thapict
ureofDol
la
huggi
ngmeonthehospi
tal
bed,whichj
ust
happened30mi
nut
esago.
Hercommentsaid‘Moghel
eisnoti
nnocent
ei
ther,sheiscur
rent
lychi
l
li
nginhospi
tal
with
anotherbae.
’
Ihadsev
eral
missedcal
l
sfr
om Kar
tel
.
God,howwasIgoi
ngthr
ought
hisdur
ingthe
worstti
meofmyli
fe,
whenmymom justdiedi
n
myar ms?
*
***
***
***
***
LI
KE,
COMMENT,
SHARE
AThug’
sLov
e35
LUBA
Iwasdi
schar
gedf
rom t
hehospi
tal
andDol
l
a
drov
emehome.
Iwantedtobealoner
ightnow,
butDoll
ahung
aroundwit
hmeasIcal l
edmybr ot
hert
oask
aboutthefuner
al.
ME:
HiMi
ke…I
…
Hehungupt hemomenthehear dmyv oi
ce.My
youngestbr
otherdi
dn’
tanswerhisphone.I
sighedheav
il
yandcall
edMoses.
ME: Hi,Iwantt oknowaboutt hefuner
al
arrangement s,Iam t
oldyouar et
heonewho
maki ngthem, andalso,aboutarr
angement
sto
takeTaf adzwa.Mamawant edit.
MOSES: Youareforbi
ddenf r
om st eppi
ngint
o
myhome, youev i
lwhore.Iknowt hosethree
boysdisappearancehasev eryt
hingt odowith
you,Satan,andifyouthinkIwillev erl
ety
ou
havemydaught er
…
ME: Now,li
stenhereyoupedophi l
esonofa
bi
ch.Iam gonnacomet omymot her
’sfuner
al,
andwhenIl eave,i
twil
lbewi thmysister,
even
i
fIhav etokil
lyoufori
t.Iknowy oukil
ledmy
mother,soIam givi
ngy oufairwarni
ngtorun,
becauseIam gonnakillyou,andIam gonna
makei tsl
owsoIsav orit.Nxl
a.
Ihungupandhur l
edthephonet ot
hewallwi
th
ascream!God,t
hismanmademesomad!I
wonderedwhathedidthatmademymot her
fi
nall
ydeci
deshehadt oleave?Want
edt
omake
Tafadzwaanot
herLubalashe?
*
***
***
***
**
KARTEL
WhenIwokeup, Ronwasseat i
ngwi t
hmy
famil
yhav
ingtea.MysisterBopakiwasint
he
kit
chenmaki
ngsomej uiceforhersel
f.
BOPAKI:Ify
ouwannaki
l
lher
,It
otal
l
y
under
stand.
KARTEL:
Kil
lwho,
why
?
BOPAKI
:Oh,
Ifor
gety
oubar
elyFacebook.
ItookmyphoneoutandIhadnot
if
icat
ions
taggedonsomepost.
Sht
.
I
fLubasawt
his…
Boi
pel
owal
kedi
nlooki
ngdownsheepi
shl
y.
BOI
PELO:
Kgat
hi,
I…
KARTEL:Iam gonnawhoopthatst
upi
dass.
Whydon’
ty ouknowhowt ostayi
nachil
d’s
pl
ace?Nxla?
BOI
PELO:KanaIwasj
ust
…
KARTEL:DoIl
ookl i
keIgi
veashtabouty
our
expl
anat
ionsr
ightnow?
BOIPELO:Gapemossheisall
postedupwit
h
thatguymoFacebook,
bathobarebajol
a.
Shehel
dupapi
ctur
eofLubaandDol
l
ainsome
hospi
tal
room.
BOPAKI:Bathong,ngwanyanakeyodoesn’
t
knowhowt oshutt hehel
lup.Youar
eachild
Boipel
o,mindyourbooksandmay bethoseC’s
canbecomebet ter
.
Ij
ustwalkedt
otheli
vingr
oom andgr
eet
edmy
par
entsasIpassed.
MME:
Comebackandseatdownt
hismoment
.
KARTEL:
Mme,
Ihav
eanemer
gency
.
MME: Yoney aLubay oowagagoogot wengo
nalebannababangweebi l
eot et
sel ebonemo
diFacebooktsalona?YesBoi showedme.
Ebil
egatwerragwekemor uti
waker eketsedi
hatse… baat hai
wabany anabakereket seo,
batsenadibata.
.It
’snotthatyoulov
eher ,she
probabl
ydidthosethingsforyou.
BOPAKI:Mme, t
hat’
senough.Lubal
ashei
sa
wonderf
ulgi
rlwhohasbeenwi t
hKgathi
thr
oughtheworstofti
mes.Gohandleyour
busi
nessbr
o,mmagoIwi
l
lhandl
eher
.
MME:Tsamaaee,
Pat
ti
e,st
ayngwanakakego
bone.
*
***
***
***
**
Seshasati
nthebedroom sadl
yasMi
no
walkedi
nandkissedher
.
MONK:
Babe,
don’
twor
ryaboutt
hisr
ubbi
sh.
SESHA:Iam beingsuspect
edoftouchi
nga
chi
ldi
nappr
opr i
atel
y,Monk.Thatmakesme
si
cktomystomach
MONK:Ican’tbel
i
evePuni
ewoulddothi
s!And
youwon’
tletmegoslapt
heshtouti
fher
.
SESHA:Thenthatj
ustlooksli
kewearetr
yingto
i
nti
midateheri
ntosi
lence.Letthepol
i
cecatch
heri
nherli
es.
Shelookedawaysadly.
.Shehadsomuch
wantedtobeinvol
vedandhelpMonkrai
sehi
s
chi
ld,butnowsheknewalreadyi
twasjut
gonnabet
oouncomfor
tabl
ebecauseshewi
l
l
bescar
edofanot
hert
acti
cbythemother
*
***
***
***
**
Neelopar
kedthecarandwheel
edRuei
ntot
he
hospit
alt
othephysi
other
api
st.
RUE:
Ijustdon’
twannagety
ourhopeup…
NEELO:Let’
sjusttr
y… andknowt hatIam
i
nsist
ingonthisonlybecauseIknowhowbadly
youwannawal k… nnaIli
veyouanywayy ou
come.
RUE:Justdon’
tbedi
sappoi
ntedi
fitdoesn’
t
work.
NEELO:Let
’sst
ayposi
ti
ve.Ah,
her
eist
he
doct
or.
Asexycurv
y,ver
yat
hlet
icwomani
nwor
kout
gearwal
kedin.
Neel
otr
iednott
onot
iceRuechecki
ngoutt
he
woman’
sass.
Menwi
l
lbemen,
right
?
*
***
***
***
***
LUBA
Kart
elwal kedi
njustaft
erDoll
alef
t.Iwassti
lli
n
bedlookingattheonlyphot
oofmymot herI
had,sobbing.
KARTEL:So,
yousawt heposts… Isweart
hat
pi
ctur
eisoutofcont
ext,Luba.
ME:
It’
sok…
KARTEL:No,it
’anotok… y
oupr obabl
ythi
nkI
am cheat
ingorsomethi
ng.I’
m not.
LUBA:
Kartel
,whydidn’
tyoutel
lmey
ouwer
e
goi
ngwit
hRont oyourparent
s?
KARTEL:
Itoldy
ouIwasgonnagoseemy
par
entsf
ortheweekend.
ME:Thati
snott
hesameas‘ Iam t
aki
ngmyex
wi
thmet omyparent
sfort
heweekend’
KARTEL:Don’
t.Don’
tf*
*ki
ngst
artwheny
ou
wereal
loverDoll
a.
Isi
ghedheav
il
yasat
earr
andownmycheek.
ME:
It’
sok,
Kar
tel
.Justt
ell
me,
doy
ouwantRon?
KARTEL:
No.Imov
edon.Il
ovey
ou.
ME:Di
dy ou?Moveon?Isawyoutwo,
theot
her
day
.Atthehiv
e,i
nthecorr
idor
s…
KARTEL:Luba,
itwasn’
t… Idi
dn’
tki
ssher
,you
sawthat
,ri
ght… Iwal
kedaway.
ME: Thatdoesnotmat
terKar
tel
,youcan’
tbe
t
hati nt
imatewi
thanot
herwoman, l
etal
one
yourex.
KARTEL:
Youar
ereadi
ngt
oomuchi
ntot
his.
ME: May beIam.Butnnat otaKartel
,Ican’
ttake
t
hatki ndofboundryl
essfriendshi
p.Iam
l
earningsomet hi
ngaboutmy sel
fin
r
elati
onships..Il
ovefi
ercel
yanddeepl y.
KARTEL:
AndIl
ovet
hatabouty
ou.
ME: No, Kartel
,youdon’ t.Youlovethecutepart
ofitonly.Iam jealousandi nsecureandwant
youal l
tomy self
.Andi tscaresme… Ir eal
ize
thewhol eDol l
asi t
uati
on… i twasmet ryi
ngto
provetomy selfthatIdon’tneedy ou…andI
fai
led.BecauseIchokedwhenIsawherwi th
youlikethat.Thinkingy oucheatedonme. ..I
wantedt okill… eit
herher … ormyself…
KARTEL:
Babe,
kana…
ME: obvi
ouslyyourfami l
yhavetheirmakot i
…I
heardyourmom ont hebackgroundwhenI
call
ed.… sawy oursist
er’sposts… Idon’tknow
thetypeofwomenIam, Iam only19Ihav ethe
resti
fmyl i
fetofigureitall
out.ButIknowt he
typeIdon’
twannabe.Theonewhoov erstays
herwelcome.
KARTEL:
Whatdoest
hatev
enmeanLuba?
ME:Iunderst
andyoursituat
ion,
Kartel
.The
womany oulovel
eftyou.Youlosthopeand
mov edon,andthenshecomesbackwhileyou
arealr
eadywithme.Youfeelt
rappedbecause
youdon’twannahurtme…
KARTEL: Thati ssuchbul l
sht!Youknowwhat ,
yes,Roni sstil
lintome.Yes, Ilovedheronce
uponat i
me, andshehur tme.Imour nedthe
rel
ati
onshi pandIgotov ert
hat .ThenImety ou
andf oundt heki ndoflovethatIdi dn’
teven
knowexi sts.IfeelforRon,beingi nlovewitha
manwhol ov esanot herwoman, butIcanonly
dosomuchf orher ,myheartiswi thanother.
ME:
Whyar
eyoul
yi
ngt
oyour
sel
f?
KARTEL:Cany ouf*
*ki
ngstopt
ell
ingmehowI
feel
?Damn!Whyt hehell
doesevery
onet hi
nk
theyknowbett
erthanmewhatIwant ,
it’
s
gett
ingannoy
ing.
ME: Anyway,mylif
eisabouttochangebi
gti
me,
Kart
el.Imightnotevenbearound… mymother
passedand…
KARTEL:
What
?Wai
t,what
?
ME:
Yea…
KARTEL:OhmyGod, Luba… I
’m sosorr
y…
ser
iousl
y?AndhearIam bother
ingyou… ohmy
God…
ME:Justl etmesaymypi ece,please.My
mot herwant edmet otakeTaf adzwa.Ihav eno
l
egal r
ighttoher ,andbei ngunder21, Iknowf or
sur etheywi l
l nevergivemeguar dianship.
Moseswi l
lnev erall
owt hat… andIcan’ tl
eave
hert here.Eveni fIkil
lMises, mybr other
Mi chael wi
llchimeaf termeanddemandt aki
ng
Fadzwa.AndIj ustdon’thav eiti
nmet otake
outmybabybr other
… besi des,Iam t i
redofall
thiskill
ingandv i
olence.Ijustwantt ot akemy
sisterandr aisehei npeace.
Iwipedat
earandmov
edawaywhenhet
ri
edt
o
hugme.
ME:
Iam aboutt
ogoont
her
unwi
thaf
our
monthsol
d,Kar
tel
.Youhaveafamil
y.Fadzwa
i
sall
Ihave,mybrot
hersar
ethei
rfat
her’
ssons.
KARTEL:
Youhav
eme,
babe… wecan…
ME:No, Kar
tel
.Ican’
taskyout
odothat.I
’
llbe
goneforgood.Ican’
tasky
outoabandonyour
fami
lyforev
er.
KARTEL:
Youdi
dn’
task…
ME: You’
donlyendupr esentingmeand
Fadzwa..Yourfamil
ymeanst heworldtoyou.
Wehav etosayourgoodby es.Maybeitwil
lgi
ve
youachancet oresol
veyourfeeli
ngsforRon.
KARTEL:
Luba,
don’
tdot
his…
ME: Eveni
fbysomemir
acleMosesgivesme
Fadzwa,I’
l
lhav
eababytocaref
or,andnoti
me
atallt
obecompeti
ngwit
hthechil
dhood
sweethear
t.
KARTEL:
Youneverhav
etocompet
e..Il
ove
you…onl
yyou.
ME: Ij
ustwannabeal oner i
ghtnow,youknow.I
feel
shttyaboutnotf orcingmymom t oleave…
notgetti
ngtohert oosoon, somethi
ng.Ishoul
d
havedonesomet hing, damnit!If
eel
weakand
l
ostandal one…Ijust…
Hejustcameandsatbesi
deme,huggi
ngme
qui
etl
yasIcri
ed.
Istoodupandwipedmytear
s,ki
ssedhis
for
ehead andstar
tedt
owalkaway.Hehel dmy
handandlookeduptobl
inkt
hetearshedidn’
t
wannaletfal
l
.
ME:I’
m gonnastayinahot
eltoday.Tomorr
ow
I’
l
lhust
leuptravel
documents.Thencomehere
andpackup.I’
ll
getFadzwainthedayoft
he
wake
Hi
svoi
cebr
okewhenhespokenext
.
KARTEL:
Letmecomewi
thy
ou.Wecanr
aise
hert
oget
her
.
IshookmyheadasIf
orcedmy
sel
fsome
st
rengt
hIdi
dn’
thav
e.
ME:
Ican’
tdot
hatt
oyou…
KARTEL:
Iwantt
o…
ME: No.Thenextfewday sI
’l
lbetyi
ngupsome
thi
ngs…thesalon,baker
y…it’
sonlyf ai
rthat
youkeepthem.Mymoneyf r
om theheistisi
n
bit
coinandtr
ading,I
’l
lcashoutwhereverI
sett
le.
KARTEL:
Luba,
please… don’
tleav
eme.
TearsrandownmyfaceasIwal
kedaway.I
neverknewsomet
hingasmundaneaswalki
ng
awaycodbesopainful
.
Butwhatchoi
cedidIhave?Ihadtoget
Tafadzwaandgi
veherthechil
dhoodInev
er
had.Iwashermothernow.
Kart
elst
oodatthedoorasmycarr
ever
sedout,
andt
hist
imehewasl ett
ingt
het
ear
sfal
lfr
eel
y
ashewatchedmeleave.
*
***
***
*
LI
KE,
COMMENT,
SHARE
ATHUG’
SLOVE36

Icheckedintoahotelandlai
dinbedcr yi
ng.
Thiswast hemomentIneededKar t
elthemost,
andIwasj ustf
eel
ingsohur tbyhim.Thathe
wouldtrytotur
nthisonme…t hathedidn’
tthi
nk
i
twaswr ongofhi
mt obringRont ohisparent
s’
placewhilehewaswithme?
MaybeIwasov
err
eact
ing,
butt
hisdi
dn’
tseat
wel
lwit
hme.
Ihadnoideawher
eIwasgonnast ar
twi
th
anyt
hing.HowIwasgonnagetFadzwa,
wher
eI
wasgonnago…ev er
ythi
ng.
May
beDol
l
awoul
dcomet
hrough?
It
ookoutmyphoneandcal
l
edhi
m.
DOLLA:
Myl
ady
…howar
eyou?CanIcomesee
y
ou,
wher
eisKar
tel
?
ME:
Weuhm…webr
okeup.
DOLLA:I
’
m sosor
ry.Wher
e,ar
eyou?CanI
comeseeyou?
ME:Ir eall
yjustwannabeal oneri
ghtnow.
Doll
a,Ineedt ogetaway .Takemysi st
erand
getaway …Idon’ tknowwher et
oev enstar
t…
youknowpeopl e…may beyoucould…y ouknow.
Pull
strings?
DOLLA:ButLuba,
isal
ifeontherunwhaty ou
want?It
oldyouI’
dhel
py ouf
ightforcust
ody.
ME:Webot
hknowI
’
m nev
ergonnageti
t…
pl
ease,
Dol
l
a…
ME:Ican’
tletyoudothi
s,Luba…y
oucan’
tli
ve
asafugit
ive,
it’
snol
if
e.
Ij
usthungupandignoredhi
scal
ledaft
er.Thi
s
wastheonlyway.Maybetomor
rowIcouldask
myfather
.Kart
elwasforsur
enotgonnahelp,
notafterIdumpedhi
m andhewasundert
he
i
mpr essionIwasmessi
ngwit
hDoll
aor
whatever.
Iwastooti
redt
ot hi
nkabouti
t.Igoti
nbedand
cr
iedmysel
ftosleep.
*
***
***
***
***
*
KARTEL
Man,
Icoul
dn’
tbel
i
evethiswashappeni
ng.I
wasl
osi
ngmyqueenjustli
ket
hat.
Ihonestl
ymeantnohar m atallt
akingRont o
mypar ents,Ij
ustthoughtitwouldcheerherup.
Ifel
tbadf orher,
howhermom wast oher,and
aboutherst i
ll
beinginlovewithme.Butmy
heartbelongedtosomeoner i
ghtnow.
SomeoneIhav ehurtbecauseIalwayshavet o
begoddamnsuper manandsav eevery
one.
Worsesti
ll
,someonewhoIknewwoul dhavet
o
l
eavesti
ll
.IfLubawast otakecar
eofFadzwa,
sheneededtodisappear.AndIhadf
amilyher
e,
Icoul
dn’
tjustdi
sappear
,mypar
ent
swoul
dbot
h
dieofaheartat
tack.
Itookoutmyphoneandstar
tedcal
li
ngup.The
bestthi
ngIcandoismakesuresheisset
,and
therear
epeoplewhocanhel
phersettl
ewhere
shewasgoing.
Theydosayi
fyoulov
esomethi
ng,
setitf
ree,
andifi
t’
smeantt
obe, i
twi
l
lcomeback.
May beMoseswi l
lhaveacaracci dentanddi e,
andt hebr othercanmi raculouslyaftergett
ing
thr
eat ened,dropkidnappi ngcase, andsince
Lubai stheoneov ereighteen,shewoul d
becomet hedef aul
tguar dian,thenshecan
comeback.Butwi thoutLuba’ spermi ssi
on,I
can’
tmov eagai nstherpeopl e,evenMoseswho
deserv edit…ifLubawant edhimt akenout ,she
wouldhav etoldmet o.
Therewasaknockatt
hedoor
,andwhenI
opened,
Hal
imawalkedin.
KARTEL:
Whati
sitnow?
HALI
MA:Dol
lawentt
oher
…att
hehot
el.Isaw
hi
m got
her
e.
KARTEL:
And?
Sheundidherwrapdr
essanddr oppeditt
othe
fl
oor
,standi
ngtherei
njustherl
i
ngerieand
heel
s.
HALI
MA: Imissy
ou,
Kart
el…i
fLubawantst
obe
wi
thDolla,l
ether
…youhaveme.Youknowhow
If
eelaboutyou…
Shecameov erandstart
edkissi
ngme…Il
et
her
…j ustst
oodther
easshepul l
edmyshi
rtof
f,
ki
sseddownmyabs, unzi
ppedmypant
sand
pul
ledthem down.
WasLubaf
**ki
ngDol
l
ari
ghtnow?
If
eltt
hewetnessofHal
i
ma’smouthenv
elope
me…hermout hmovi
ngupanddownmyshaft
asshemoaned…
Di
dDol
l
ahav
ehernaked?
Thethoughtofhi
shandsal
lov
erhermademe
soangry…
Mybodywasgoingthroughthemoti
onsasI
hear
dHali
mamoan, l
eaningbackt
oswallow
moreofmyload…butmymi ndwasfar…
Hali
mastoodupandpul
l
edmyhandt
othe
bedroom.
Icoul
dn’
tdot
his.
KARTEL:
I’
m sor
ry…y
ouneedt
oleav
e.
HALI
MA:
Butbabe…
KARTEL:Isai
dleav
e,Hal
i
ma.Iam not
i
nter
ested.
Ipi
ckedupherdr essandputi
tonforher
,then
pushedherout
,lockingt
hedoor.
*
***
***
***
***
**
Ronwal
kedi
ntoherhomeandcoul
dseeEa
comi
nginwithNi
kit
awhowascar
ryi
ngawhol
e
l
otofshoppi
ngbags.
Whatevert
hehellthatbichwasupto,Eawas
gonnaendupget t
inghur t
.Shehadbeen
posti
nghim onhersocialmedia,
all
udi
ngthey
weretoget
herandsht ,
andhehadbeendoi ng
thesame.
Shesighedt hinki
ngaboutherownsoci almedia
debacle.Thev ir
alpoststil
lhadn’
tdieddown,
nowitwascaughtbet weenpeoplecall
inghera
snakeandt hosegoi ngafterLuba.Someone
hadtoldt hatsheandKar telweretoget
herfir
st,
andanot herhadshar edapi ct
ureofRonand
Lubatoget heratt heDev i
l’
spool.Peoplewere
havi
ngabal l ofatimemaki ngtheirl
if
eaci r
cus,
every
onehav i
ngat heoryofwhatwasgoi ngon,
whowaswr ong, whowasr i
ght.
Hel
l,shedi
dn’
tev
enknowi
fany
onewaswr
ong
her
e.
I
twasn’ therfaul
tKar
tel
tookhertohisf
amily
.
Plustheywer eki
ndofherfamil
yanyway,t
hey
rai
sedher .Andcoul
dhebebl amedfort
hem
l
ikingher?
I
tsuredidf
eelgoodt
obearoundthem…seei
ng
howthi
ngscouldgo…herof
fi
cial
l
ybecomi
ng
par
tofthefamil
y…
No,
Kar
tel
waswi
thLuba…
Buthehadbeenpissedaf
terseei
ngt
hatpict
ure
wit
hDoll
a,so,whoknewwhatwasupr i
ghtnow?
ShewavedatEaandwalkedofft
oKar
tel
’
s
pl
ace,
meetingahal
f-
dressedHal
imal
eavi
ng.
Sheopenedt
hedoorandwal
kedi
n.
RON:
Wow…ar en’
tyoumanofthe
moment
?!Thi
rdl
adyint
hemix,
huh?
KARTEL:
Ili
ter
all
yam noti
nthemood!
RON:
Youok?
KARTEL:
Lubadumpedme.
RON:Sht
,dude…Iam sosorr
y.I
t’
snotbecause
oft
hiswhol
esoci
almediathi
ng,i
sit
?
KARTEL:
Par
tl
y…
RON:
I’
m sor
ry.
KARTEL;
Youhav
enot
hingt
obesor
ryabout
…
RON:Butsi
nceshemadeherchoi ce…whati
f
wegaveoursel
vesanot
herchance?
KARTEL:Ican’
tthi
nkaboutthatri
ghtnow, Ron.
I’
mjustamess…Ineedadi stract
ion,andI
cl
eanedoutall
theproductIhad.Ijustwanna
sl
eep,i
fyoudon’tmind.
Ronsi
ghedandwal
kedof
f,Kar
tel
goi
ngbackt
o
maki
nghiscal
l
s.
*
***
***
***
**
LUBA
Int
hemor ni
ngIwal
kedint
omyf
ather
’sof
fi
ce
andfoundhi
sdaught
er.
HER:
CanIhel
pyou?
ME:
CanIseeMmi
l
il
i?
HER:Hei
snoti
n…hei
soutoft
hecount
ry.
Leav
eamessage.
ME:
No,
it’
sok.
HER:
Sui
tyour
sel
f.
Iwaswal
ki
ngoutwhenshecal
l
edback.
HER: Luba,Iknowt hisisunfai
rtoy ou, butyour
presenceishur t
ingmymot her,y
ouar ea
permanentr eminderofmyf at
her’
si nfi
deliti
es,
andit’sj
usthardf orher,youknow.Theyhav e
beenhav i
ngpr oblemssi nceyoucamei nt
ot he
pi
cture.Youseem l ikeadecentgirl,notahome
wreckerli
key ourmot her,soIdon’tthinky ou
wannacausepr oblemsbet weenanel der l
y
couple.I
fIwasy ou,I’
dlimitmypresencei nhis
l
ife,f
orthesakeofpeace.Justt exthim or
somet hi
ngwheny ouneedmoneyorwhat ev er
.
Wow.
Ididn’
tevenhavetheenergy
,Ijustwalkedout
withnoideawhatIwasgonnadonow.Idr ove
backtothehotel
andjustgotinbed,soaking
thepil
l
owswi t
hmyt ear
s.
*
***
***
***
***
***
***
***
***
*
LUBA
Intheev eni
ng,Il
aidi
nmyr oom,notknowing
whereIwoul devenstar
t,Moseswoul dbeon
thelookoutformeathishouse,andwi l
l
probablyhavepeoplewatchingFadzwa.And
wheredoIev engett
raveldocuments,wheredo
Igo?
Ther
ewasaknockandKar
tel
stoodatt
hedoor
whenIopened.
ME:
Kar
tel
…
KARTEL:Iam notheret
otrychangey
ourmind
becauseIunder
stand.Youneedtoprot
ect
Fadzwa…andmaybef
indy
oursel
f.Youar
e
young,
Luba.I
’
dbesel
fi
shtonotall
owyouthat
.
ME:
Howdi
dyouf
indme?
KARTEL:(chuckli
ng)Iknowy ou.Pl
usal
i
ttl
e
fl
i
rti
ngwit
ht herecept
ioni
st…
Ij
ustthr
ewmyhandsar
oundhi
m andj
ust
huggedhim,
cry
ing.
ME:Idon’tevenknowwher
etost
art
,wher
edoI
go?Ijustfeelsol
ost…
KARTEL:
Ispoket
osomepeopl
e.Her
e…
Hehandedmeanenv el
opet hathadapasspor t
forme,namedTi t
oseSibanda, thenhehadone
forFadzwa,namedEll
enSibanda.Ther ewas
alsoabirt
hcert
ifi
cat
enami ngt hefatheras
Kgathal
oMoseki.Permissi
onl etter
sf rom hi
m
formet otaket
hebabyoutoft hecount r
yand
all
.
ME:
Whendi
dyou…how…t
hephot
os…
KARTEL:YousentmesomeofFadzwa’ s
phot
os,andIhaveplentyofyours.Iknowaguy
whoknowsal i
tt
lephotoshop,agedherthree
monthsbecausethephotosIhadwaswhen
shewasamont hold.
Iwi
pedt
ear
sandchuckl
ed.
ME:
Exact
lyhowmany‘
guy
s’doy
ouknow?
KARTEL:
(laughi
ng)Al
ot…Iwasahi
tman,
Luba
ME:
What
?
KARTEL: Sht…Inevert ol
dyout hat,di
dI.Ifwe
evergetachanceatt hisagain,wesoneedt o
i
mpr oveourcommuni cati
on.Yea.Ihav eki
l
led
forhir
e.Anyway ,
ont hatnote,Ialsoknow
anotherguy.Hisnamei sAusti
n,in
Mozambi que.Owesmeaf avour.Him andhis
wifeAcaiwillr
eceiv
ey ou,organizean
apartmentandhelpy ousetabankaccountand
may besetupabusi ness.
ME:
Why
…whywoul
dyouhel
pmel
eav
eyou?
KARTEL:
(laughi
ng)I
’
m ani
diot
?
LUBA:
Youar
ethebesthumani
tyhast
oof
fer
.
KARTEL: (l
aughing)Thenhumani tyisdoomed.I
foundoutaboutt hefuner
alar rangement s.You
willat
tendthefuneral
,hecan’ tstopy ou
enteri
ngthegrav ey
ard,i
t’
snothi s.I
’
llgr
ab
Fadzwawhi leyouareatthef uner al
,andy ou
willmeetmeatt heairpor
t.I’
l
l gowi thyouguy s
upt otheGaboroneairport
.
LUBA:
Idon’
tknowwhatt
osay
…
KARTEL: Sayy ou’l
lbehappy …sayy ou’
lll
ive
yourli
feandt akethebestcar eofy our
self
.
Andnomat terhowy ouviewi t
,youwer enever
i
ncompet i
ti
onwi thanyone,andIf eelhorr
ibl
e
thatImadey oufeelt
hatway .Ron’sfeeli
ngs
don’tr
efl
ectmi ne.Whatev erIfel
tforherwas
gonethemomentImety ou.
LUBA:Igetj
eal
ous…oft
her
elat
ionshi
pyou
havewit
hher.
KARTEL: Andi t’
smyf ault.Ididn’tprotectyour
securi
tyandpeaceasmywoman.Hur tsthatI
don’tgetachanceatadoov er,butitiswhatit
i
s.Iunderst and.Iwon’ tcomeaf teryouor
contactyouunl essy out ellmet o,I’
l
l keepmy
contactsthesame.Iwanty outohav ethe
spacey oudeser ve,andi fafterthat,youdecide
youwantme, Iwill
beecst ati
ctogi vethis
anothertr
y .Ibetterheadof f
.
Hesai
dashewal
kedt
owar
dst
hedoor
.
Ihel
dhi
shandandpul
l
edhim back,
tear
s
str
eami
ngdownmyface.
Heheldmeandcuddl
edmet
ohi
schest
,
ki
ssi
ngmyhead.
Il
ookedupathi
m andIcoul
dseet
hehur
tinhi
s
ey
es.
ME:
Arey
ougoi
ngt
obeok?
Heshookhi
sheadandl
ookedupt
obl
i
nkaway
hi
stear
s.
KARTEL:
Iwon’
t,
butIunder
stand.
ME:
Stayt
heni
ghtwi
thme…
KARTEL:
Luba,
Idon’
tthi
nk…
ME:
Please…Ineedi
t…needy
ou.
Hehuggedmet i
ghterandkissedthetopofmy
head…t i
ppingmychi nupt olookint
omyt ear
stai
nedey es…hisfingercaressedmycheek,
overmyl i
ps…goi ngdownmyneckandmov i
ng
mybr ai
dst othesideashebur i
edhi
sf acein
thecrookofmyneck, taki
ngadeepi nhale.
KARTEL:I
’v
ealwayslovedhowy ousmell
…
wit
houtper
fumeandal lt
hat.I
t’
samazi
ng.God,
howam Isupposedgiv
et hi
sup?Givey
ouup?
Hi
sfacecameupagai nandhef r
amedmyf ace
wi
thhishandandleaneddowncl aimingmyl i
ps
i
nthemostpassionate,soft
est,y
etsaddest
ki
ssIhaveeverhad,pouri
nghissorrowinthat
ki
ssashebroughthishanddownandci r
cled
mywaist,
holdi
ngmet i
ghteragai
nsthisbody.
KARTEL:Idon’
tknowhowt
odot
his,
Luba,
how
tol
etyougo.
Ifelthi
stearwetmyshoulderashekissed
downmycl av
icl
e,pushi
ngthefli
msyst r
ing
strapnegli
geeoffmyshoulderandki
ssedther
e,
hi
shandscar essi
ngme….
{
EXPLI
CIT}
*
***
***
***
*
LI
KE,
COMMENT,
SHARE

ATHUG'
S
ATHUG’
SLOVE:
37
LUBA
IwaswokenupbyKar
tel
pul
li
ngmecloserand
pushi
ngint
ome,hi
smovementsodel
i
cious,
makingmemoan…
Igotf
lashbacksofl
astni
ghtandj
ustbl
ushed,
moani
ngashehel
dmet
ohi
schest
.
Whenwewer edoneweshoweredandhetook
meforbreakf
ast
.Wesattal
ki
ngasheheldmy
handacr
ossthetabl
e.
KARTEL:HowaboutItakecareofMoses…I
’
ll
makei
tlookli
keam acci
dent…theny
ouwon’t
hav
etoleave.
ME: Moseshasei ghtothersibli
ngswhohat e
mej ustasmuch.Besi des,atleastmybr others
sti
l
l haveoneparent,thea*sholestheyar e,I
don’twantthem t
ol osebot hparents,t
heyar e
only17and13.Thi sistheonl yway, mylove.
Aft
erweate,
wewenttothemal
lwher
ewe
boughtaf
ewbabyt
hingsandt
henwenthome.
*
***
***
***
***
LaterKar
tel
wentoutandIsatinthebedroom
resear
chi
ngtheplaceIwasgonnastay.I
t
l
ookednice,beachandal
l.Thepeopl
ewho
wouldbewaitingformehadevensentpi
ctur
es
oft
hefurni
shedapar
tmentt
hatev
enhada
compl
etenurser
y.
I
fIwasn’tri
ppi
ngoutmywholeheartand
l
eavi
ngitinBotswana,
I’
dbeexci
ted.
Dol
l
acal
l
edandIsi
ghed,
picki
ngup.
ME:
Whatdoy
ouwant
,si
ncey
ouwon’
thel
pme?
DOLLA:Luba,t
rytounder
stand… li
feasa
fugi
ti
ve… i
tsnotgood.Wewillf
ightforcust
ody
.
ME:
Itdoesn’
tmat
terany
way
.Iam l
eav
ing.
DOLLA:Youcan’ tj
usttakeachi l
dandl eav
e,
youneedbir
t hcert
if
icates,passport
s,
per
missi
onl ett
ersfrom theparents… and
wherewil
lyougo?
ME:
Nonofy
ourconcer
n.
DOLLA:
Kart
el.Obv
iousl
y.
.It
houghty
out
wo
br
okeup?
ME:
Agai
n,noneofy
ourbussi
ness.
DOLLA:atl
eastt
ell
mewhen, soIcansay
goodby
e…whendoy oul
eav
e?
ME:
Thi
sSat
urdayaf
tert
hef
uner
al.
DOLLA:
Wil
lIseey
oubef
orey
ougo?
ME:
No… Dol
l
a,Ihav
etogo.
Ihungupwithasi gh,
thenwenttothekit
chen
andstart
edcookingupast or
mf ormyman.I
packedupandfrozeal otofi
t,hewil
lbesort
ed
foratl
eastt
woweeks.
*
***
***
***
***
Doll
ahungupandst artedthinkingonwher e
Kartwouldsendher .Hehadt i
esinNi geri
a,but
hedidn’tseehim sendingLubat othosewol ves.
Whower ehi
sotherassov i
ates?Let ’
ssee… Kao
wasinGabor one,sowasMi dnight,tooclose…
Thomaswasher e…ahhh, Austin.Happi l
y
marriedfamil
yman, higherchanceofhi m
l
eavingLubaalone.Hi swifewasani celit
tl
e
chi
ppywhodi dn’ttakenononsense…i twasthe
per
fectpl
an.
Hestar
tedresear
chi
ngfl
ight
sthatl
eav
efor
MaputothecomingSat
urday.
Onl
yone.Awesome.
Hesmi
l
edashet
ookhi
sphoneoutandmadea
cal
l
.
*
***
***
***
***
*
OnSatur
dayIwokeupear l
yandgotdr
essedi
n
al
ongblackdressandaheadscarf
.Imadeus
br
eakf
ast,andasIheadedtothef
uner
alatt
he
gr
avey
ard,Kart
elheadedhome.
Moseswoul dnotbr
ingaf
ourmonthsol
dtot
he
gr
av ey
ard,
oneofhismist
resseswi
ll
be
watchi
ngherathome.
Iparkedatadistanceandwal kedtherestoft
he
way,watchi
ngast hecrowdarriv
ed.Istoodat
thebackandlistenedast heytal
kedaboutmy
mother’
slif
e.Lies,all
li
es.Howhappyshewas
asthi
sSat
an’
swi
fe.Bul
l
sht
.Thef
**kerki
l
led
her
!
Iwatchedast heyloweredmymot heri
nthe
ground.Whenpeopl ewentar oundputt
ingsoil
i
nt hegrave,Ididtoo.ThenIgotinmycarand
drovetotheai r
portchangingtojeansandat op
i
nt hetoi
lets.Iwentoutsi
deandsawKar t
el’
s
car.Ir
anov ertoit
.
Hehadn’tnoti
cedmypr esence,andIstoodat
thewindowwat chi
nghim.Hehel dFadzwaso
gentl
yinthosebigarms,thebabynestledso
welli
nthecrookofhishands,slowlydozingof
f
asKartelhummedt oherwhi l
efeedingherthe
bott
le.
Tearsf
il
ledmyeyes,t
hinki
ngaboutt
hebabywe
l
ost.Hewouldhavebeenanamazingfat
her
.
Iknockedonthewindowandhel
ooked,
then
smiledandopened.
ME:
Youar
egonnabeagr
eatdad.
KARTEL:
Ifi
t’
snotwi
thy
ou,
Idon’
twanti
t.
ME:Ican’
tbel
i
evey
oudi
dit
…yougother
.Shal
l
we?
HehandedmeFadz waandt ookherbasketand
di
aperbag,
thenwewal kedintot
heair
port,
wheret
hefli
ghtwasleavingtoGabor
one.
I
’
dnev
erev
enbeeni
naf
li
ght
,Iwassoner
vous.
Kart
elheldFadzwaandal
somyhand,ki
ssi
ngi
t
andreassur
ingmeIwasgonnabefi
ne.
Whenwearri
vedinGabor
one,weonl
ywai
teda
bi
tbef
oreourfl
i
ghtwascall
ed.
Kart
elwal
kedustosecur i
tycheck,
wehad
checkedi
never
ythingsoIcouldonlyhav
e
Fadzwaandherdiaperbag.
Kar
tel
huggedmeandki
ssedmyf
orehead.
KARTEL:
I’
m notgonnacr
y.
ME:
(sni
ff
li
ng)Meei
ther
…
KARTEL:Il
oveyou,Luba… Iwil
lfor
everbe
wai
ti
ngforthatcal
l
.Goodl uck.
Hekissedmeandwalkedawayqui
ckl
y.Icoul
d
t
ell
hedi dn’
twantt
obreak.
Iwal
kedi
ntot
hepl
ane… t
ookmyseat
…
Thenther
ewassomecommot
ion,
andpol
i
ce
off
icer
swalkedi
n…
*
***
***
***
***
Kar t
elgotinthecaroneofhi sfr
iendshadlef
t
forhim attheairpor
t,anddroveoff,st
oppi
ngat
thesideoft heroadandallowedhimselfto
totall
ybreakdown.
Howt
hehel
lwashegonmadot
his?
Thi
shur
t,man.
Thi
shur
treal
bad.
Hewantedsomucht ocal
lsomeofthedealers
andgetsjustal
i
ttl
ebi
tofsomethi
ng… justa
l
it
tl
ebittotaket
hepainawayf
orawhile.
Hewasact
ual
l
yaboutt
o,whenacal
lcamei
n.
KARTEL:
Hel
l
o?
‘
YousaidifIev
erneededhelpandr
ightnowI
am j
ustsoscar
ed,Idon’
tknowwhattodo…’
KARTEL:
Kesego?
KESEGO:
Yes.
KARTEL:
What
’swr
ong?
KESEGO:Iborr
owedmoneyf rom loansharks
whenKyli
ewassi ck,
nowtheyar eharassi
ngme
andbeat
ingmebecauseIcan’ tpayback,can’
t
youpl
easejusttal
ktothem t
ogi vememor e
ti
me?
KARTEL:Uhm…sur
e… sendmet
hedet
ail
sof
thi
sloanshar
k.
Hehungupwi t
hasmi l
e.Someonetogobeat
t
heshtoutofandtakeallhi
sfr
ust
rati
onson.
Muchbett
erthandrugs.
Het
urnedt
hemusi
cupandhi
ttheA1back
home.
*
***
***
***
*
Dol
l
asati
nhi
sbedr
oom l
ooki
ngathi
sphone.
Theof
fi
cerwi
l
lcal
lany
timenow.
Lubahadfinall
ybrokenupwit
hKartel
,which
meantDoll
af i
nall
yhadhischanceatahappil
y
everaf
terwithhissoulmat
e… hewasn’tgonna
l
osehertosome…baby …
Thepol i
cewi l
lcatchher
, Doll
awill
sweepi nand
sav etheday,gethertotell
them Kartel
gav eher
thef or
geddocument sinexchangef orher
freedom…Kar telgoesaway ,babywhatever
goest oitsdaddy,andhepl aystheshoulderto
l
eanonf orLuba.
Hi
sphonerangandhesmi
l
ed,
seei
ngt
hepol
i
ce
of
fi
cer
’snumber.
DOLLA:
Jazzy
,myman.I
sitdone?
OFFI
CER:
I’
m af
rai
dther
ehasbeenapr
obl
em…
*
***
***
***
**
LI
KE,
COMMENT,
SHARE
ATHUG’
SLOVE:
38
Il
ookedupatt
heof
fi
cer
sast
hest
oodnextt
o
me.
OFFI
CER:
Cany
oucomewi
thuspl
ease?
ME:
Why
?
OFFI
CER: Don’
tmakethishar
dfory
ou.You
knowthatbabyisnoty
ours,MsMoses.
ME:
Moses?It
hinkyouhavethewrongper
son.
Myl
astnamei
sSibanda.Ti
toseSi
banda.
It
ookoutmypasspor
ttoshowhi
m,buthej
ust
wavedmeoff
.
OFFI
CER:Thatchi
ldhasbeenr
eportedmissi
ng.
Andyouhavebeenpoint
edasmainsuspect.Lo
andbehol
dhereyouare,wi
thf
orgedpapers
andthemissi
ngbaby.
Oneoftheoff
icer
stookFadzwaf
rom me,whi
le
theot
hertwocarr
iedmeoutwhil
eIscreamed
andki
cked.
ME:Please…pl ease,youdon’tunderstand.That
mani samonst erhecan’ tr
aiseher…hei sa
pedophi
le!Het ouchedme, andletsomemeni n
hi
scongr egat
iondoi ttoo…hemusthav edone
somethingtoFadzwabecausemymot her
wantedtoleavewi thhim…andheki lledher…
Theywer en’
tli
steningandjustkeptdr
agging
mewhi l
eanot herdroveoffwithFadzwa.Iwas
takentothestationandputinacellwhil
et hey
fi
ll
edupsomepaperwor kandmadecal l
s.For
several
;hoursnotasi ngl
epersoncamet ome.
*
***
***
***
***
***
***
***
**
Dol
l
alookedatt
hephoneast
heguyspoke.
DOLLA:
Whatpr
obl
em?
OFFI
CER:Wecan’tgetherof
f,can’
tcl
eart
he
ki
dnappi
ngchar
ges.Thecasehasbeengiv
ento
det
ecti
veLegacy
.Legacyisoneoft
hesegoody
twoshoesyoucan’
tbuy.
DOLLA:Ev
ery
onehasapr
ice,
giv
emehi
s
cont
act
s.
OFFICER: Idon’thav ehisper sonal number , j
ust
hisoffi
ce.AndIt hinkhei scol l
aborat i
ngwi th
DISorsomeot herpeopl e,theyhav ebeen
fl
aggingKar t
elandhi sfriendsThomasand
Midnightfordrugsandmoneyl aunder i
ng,
weapons, andawhol elotoft hings.Theyar e
gonnat r
yandusehert oatl eastgett oKar tel
,
thenmay beKar telwill
leadt hem t oMi dnight
andThomas.Pl ust heoldmanwant snot hi
ng
butherinpr i
son, heispressi ngki dnappi ngand
endangeringami norcharges.
Sht
…sht !Thiswasnotsupposedtobet hi
sway.
Thechil
dwassupposedt obehandedbackt o
hi
sparent,andthepol
iceoffi
cer
si nhi
spocket
makingwhat ev
ersi
ll
ychargesdisappear…
DOLLA:Sht
…sht…i sn’
tther
eawayshecancut
adeal
?Givethem Kart
el?
OFFICER:Therewasanofferofareduced
sentencei
fshegavethem Kart
el.Shei
snot
tal
ki
ngatall.
DOLLA:
Sht
!I’
m comi
ngt
her
e.I
’
llgethert
otal
k.
Hehunguppani cki
ng.Sht.Healway sl
aughed
atKartel
’sobsessiv
eplanningtendencies.He
alwayspridedhi
msel fi
nbeingablet odowhat
hewant edwhenhewant edit
,butthiswas
clear
lyoneofthet i
meswher ehis“justgof or
i
t”personali
tywaswor ki
ngagainsthim.How
thehellwashegonnagetLubaoutoft hisnow?
*
***
***
***
***
***
**
Hour
slater,
Isatint
heinter
rogationroom when
aguyprobablyi
nhisfor
ti
eswal kedin.
HIM:Det
ecti
veLegacyMonthe.I
’
llj
ustlety
ou
knowevery
thi
ngy ousayher
eisonrecordand
wil
lbeusedincourt
.Tel
lmehowy ougotthe
chi
l
d.
ME: Iwentt
othefuneral
,Ir
ealizedmyfather
didn’
thaveher
,soitmeanthismi st
resshadher.
Idashedhome,grabbedher,andmadear unf
or
i
t.
HIM:Yout
ookafli
ghtf
rom Fr
anci
stownwi
th
Kgat
haloMoseki
.
ME:
Ah,yes.Myex.Itol
dhim myf
athergav
e
methebaby.Heaccompani
edmetoGaborone.
HI
M:Wher
edi
dyougett
hef
orgeddocument
s?
ME:
From mycont
act
s.
HI
M:Whoar
eyourcont
act
s?
ME: (
laughi
ng)Your
eall
ythi
nkI’
m gonnatel
l
youthat.Youknowhowthestr
eetswork,
man.I
sni
tch,Ibecomeapari
ahandat ar
get
.So,nope.
Nottell
ingyou.
HI
M: So,
areyoutel
li
ngmeKar
tel
hadnoi
deaat
al
lyouwereki
dnappi
ngababy
?
ME:Nope…l
ikeIsai
d,It
oldhi
m myf
atherdi
dn’
t
wantt
hebur
denofanewbaby .
HI
M:Andwhatexcusedi
dyougi
vef
ort
rav
eli
ng
wi
thsuchasmal
lbaby?
ME:
Vacat
ion?
HI
M:MsMoses,
thi
sisn’
tagame.
ME:(
laughi
ng)Igotconf
used,
wit
hal
lthese
t
wentyquesti
ons.
HIM;Youar
efaci
nguptosi
xyear
sf or
ki
dnappi
ngandfor
ger
y,soy
oubetterst
artco-
oper
ati
ng.
ME:
IthoughtIwas.
HI
M: Giv
emeKar t
el,andIcannegoti
atey
oua
r
educedsent
ence,atleastj
ustayearasyouar
e
afi
rst
-t
imeoff
ender.
ME:
Giv
eyouKar
tel
how?
HI
M:Hi
sdr
ugoper
ati
ons?
ME: Kart
elhasdrugoperati
ons?OhmyGod!
Waitsemen!You’dthinkyouknowaper son…so
eneoj amadiadi dr
ugskwannaasampol el
ele,
I’
m busyslavi
nginasalonwhenIcoul dbe
spendingmyday sshoppinganddrinki
ngmuay
thai
’
sl i
keaproperdrugLord’sgi
rl
fr
iend?
HI
M:Lubal
ashe,
thi
sisnotagame.
ME:Youseem tobet heoneplayi
ngblame
game.I
fKartel
hasdr ugoperati
ons,hei
sdar
n
goodathi
dingthem becauseIneversawany
.
HI
M:Fi
ne,notl
ongagoKart
elwasbr
oke.How
i
sheal
lofasuddenri
ch?
ME: Hegotaloanfr om hi
sfri
ends,Thomas
Khumalo,andVlaslavMokgadi.Youknow, the
Khumaloheir,t
heyr i
chasf *
*k,andIdon’tneed
totel
lyouofthekindofmoneyMi dni
ghtcomes
fr
om.Aboutt hr
eemi l
.Heopenedasal onfor
meandst art
edhismov i
ngcompanywi t
hhis
fr
iendPatr
onell
aMpof u.Pat
ronell
ahasbeen
wor kingasawai tressi nUKt hepastt hreey ears,
ear ningpounds, baby ,pounds!Per sonally,I
thinkshehadasugardaddyt oo, becauseshe
camebackl oaded.Theyputt hemoney
toget her , andst ar tedup.Al sowenti ntobitcoin
andt radi ng, andy ouknowt hatshtcanboom.
Kar tel i
scur rent lymaki ngaboutP20000aday
from hi sI B’sint r adi ng,that’sjustUSD2000, and
hewasn’ tev enconsi deredamazi ng.That ’
s
bef orewegeti ntohi sbi tcoin.Youcanseet he
papert rai landal l ify ouaskni cel
y .Hewasabl e
tost ar tsomet hingf orhisf r
iends, thegl ass
company , andgott hem i ntotradingandbi tcoin
too.Theyhav en’ tbeenassuccessf ulashim at
bitcoinandt rading, butt heymakesomecoi n
too.Henceourcomeup.Honest l
y ,youneedt o
wai ttor eadt heaut obiogr aphyl i
keev eryone
else.
HI
M: Whatwast
hel
oanf
or?Fr
om Kar
tel
’
s
f
ri
ends?
ME:Tostartabusi
ness,Duh.Somepeopl
e
don’
tli
keseei
ngthei
rfri
endssuff
er.
HI
M:Whynow,
whynotbef
ore?
ME: Tr
ust
…t heyhadjustst
art
edget
ti
ngt
o
knowhim anddidn’
tknowifhewasawort
hy
fr
iend.
HI
M;Youhav
eal
ltheanswer
s,don’
tyou?
ME: Ionl
yhavethetruth,of
fi
cer
.Youar etryi
ng
toinci
temetolieandi mpli
cat
eani nnocent
man.Anof f
ense,no?I ’
l
lmakesuret omention
thattomylawyer.Talki
ngaboutthat,It
hinkI
am owedacall?
HI
M:Iwasn’
ttr
yingt
omakey
oul
i
e.
ME:
Myl
awy
erwi
l
ldet
ermi
net
hat
.Mycal
l
?
*
***
***
***
***
***
***
*
IdrovetheA1inaboutt
hreeandahalfhoursor
so.Spinnyhadal
readyf
oundmet helocat
ionof
thatl
oanshark.Hewasakasi doughboy
whosefamilywasmi ddl
eclass,butl
ookedri
ch
i
nthekasi.Hispar
entshadmov edtothef
arm,
soheli
vedaloneinthesortabighouse,wi
tha
pi
mpedoutcarpar kedoutsi
de
Iknockedandhecamet
oopen,
andsmi
l
ed
l
ookingatme.
HIM:Kartel
,myman…wenamonnaIadmi r
e
you.Yougiveusal
lkasi boy
stry
ingt
ocomeup
hope.Lookatyou,
businessmanandall.To
whatdoIowet hepleasureofy
ourvi
sit
?
Igrabbedhi
m bytheneckandhi
thi
shead
againstt
hedoorf
rame.
KARTEL:
Ther
eisnopleasur
e,mot
her
f**
ker
.
Youmessedwi
thmine.
HI
M:What
?I…Iwoul
dnev
er…
KARTEL:
KesegoMor
gan?Ri
ngabel
l
?It
hought
so.
HI
M:Pl
ease,
Kar
tel
,Ihadnoi
deashewas
y
ours…pl
ease,
I’
dnev
erdi
srespecty
oul
i
ke
t
hat
…
Ipunchedhim agai
n.Hepul
ledaknif
e,butI
twi
stedhishandback,al
mostbreaki
ngit
,
makinghim dr
ophisknif
e.
Itr
ippedhim andwhenhefell
,Ir
ainedmyf i
sts
downonhi ml i
keheowedme.Al lt
hestress
andfrust
rati
onsIfel
t…al
ltheanger.WhenI
fi
nall
ystopped,hi
sfacewasabloddymess,
andhewaspant i
ngandguggl
ingblood.
Ipushedmyguni
nhi
smout
h.
KARTEL:Consideryourdebtpaid.Youev er
evencomenearKesegoorKy li
eagain,best
beli
eveI
’m gonnaenjoypeeli
ngy ourskinwhil
e
youareal
ive,f
u*ker
.Preyingondesper ate
women.Whatki ndofmanhi tsawoman?Nx l
a!
Iwal
kedwenti nt
ohisbat
hroom andwashed
myhandsandf ace,
thendrovet
oKesego’s
pl
ace.Iknockedandsheopened,l
ett
ingme
i
ntoherr
ent
edoner
oom.
KARTEL:Ipai
dDuma.Hewon’
tbebot
her
ing
youanymore…
KESEGO:Ok,Icanpayy
oubackmonthl
y,Ican
onl
yaff
ordaboutP200amonthand…
KARTEL:
Youdon’
towemeany
thi
ng.
KESEGO:Real
l
y?OhmyGod,t
hanky
ou!Thank
you!HowcanIev
err
epayy
ou?
Shesai
dasshest
art
edunbut
toni
nghershi
rt
.
KARTEL:
Stop,
stop!Youdon’
tneedt
odot
hat
.
KESEGO:
Kart
el…pl
ease…Il
i
key
ou…si
ncet
hat
daywemet…
ME:(
laughi
ng)WhenIpul
ledagunonyou?
What
,dangermakesyouwetorsomet
hing?
KESEGO:(bl
ushing)Kinda…weonl
yseemen
l
ikeyouonTV, andifmostwomenarehonest
abouti
t,i
tssuchat ur
non.
Ismi
l
edandr
aisedaney
ebr
ow.
KARTEL:
Menl
i
keme?
KESEGO: Big,strong,
tall
,darkandhandsome…
puremuscle, nomkhambai nsi ght,bi
garms
l
ikethat,si
xpecs, gunwielding, dominant
alphaswhot ellpeopl
ewhatt odoandpeopl e
obey.It’
ssohot .AndIhav en’tev enbeenwit
h
anyonesinceIhadKy l
ie…IthoughtIj ustl
ost
thaturgeunti
l Imetyou…
KARTEL:
Kyl
i
elooksatl
eastf
ive!
KESEGO;(l
aughi
ng)Six,
almostsev
enr
eal
l
y,
count
ingpr
egnancy.
KARTEL:
Sht
,youar
epr
act
ical
l
yav
irgi
nnow…
why?
KESEGO: Igav
emyv i
rgini
tyt
osomeonewhoI
thoughtwasaniceguy.Amonthl
aterIf
ound
outjusthowwrongIwas.
KARTEL:
Soy
ouar
etel
l
ingmey
ouonl
yhadsex
oncei
nyourl
i
fe?
KESEGO:
Yes…
KARTEL:
Wher
eist
hedeadbeatnow?
KESEGO: Henev erevenseenKy li
e,herant he
momentIt oldhim Iwaspr egnant
.Idon’tev en
knowwher ehei s,andhavenoener gytolook
forhim.Mymot herhelpedmet akecareof
Kyli
eandIf i
nishedmydi pl
omaandgotaj ob.
Myl ucktur
nedandIwont hatHondaFi tfr
om a
l
uckydr aw,andbecauseofi t,Imetyou.
KARTEL:
Andy
ouj
ustl
ovemenwhoal
mostki
l
l
you.
KESEGO:
Notmen…man.
Shesatonmyl apandst art
edkissingme,
tr
yingtotakemytshir
toff.Thi
sgi r
l wasn’tl
yi
ng
whenshesai dt
hebabydaddywasherf i
rstand
onetime,wasshe?Shewasawkwar dand
honestl
yabadkisserandhadnoi deawhatshe
wasdoing…abitshyaboutittoo,butshewas
deter
mi nedt ogett
hisdone.Whatthehell.She
wasn’tbadl ooki
ngatall
,sli
mt hi
ck,dar
kski n,
myt ype…sheal soworenomake- up,wasa
simplegirl
,andjustbyherlook,y
oucouldt ell
shewasn’ toneofthoseslayqueensthatlook
ataguyandseeabank.Shej usthadat hing
forbadboy s.
AndLubawasgone.Idi dn’tknowi fshewas
comi ngback…al l Ihadgoi ngwashopi ngfora
call
somet i
mesi nf uture,whi chcouldbet wo
yearsfrom now.Iwasst i
l
lr awandhur ti
ng,
beatingupt hatloanshar khadbeena
dist
ractionforami nute.NowIwasbackt o
feel
ingl i
keshtagai n.Icoul dgot oRonand
handlei tt
hebestwayherandIknowhow, but
that
’sjustunfairbecauseshei sinl
oveandIam
not,thatwouldjustgi veherf alsehope…and
well
, Nikit
aappar entl
ywaswi t
hEa…
Ohwell
…shewasoff
eri
ng,andIneeded
somet
hingt
ogetl
osti
nforabit
,becauseI
di
dn’
twantt
ospendt
heni
ghtcr
yingl
i
keal
i
ttl
e
bi
ch.
KARTEL:Doyouhav econdoms?Becausei
fI
makeoutwit
hy ou,t
hisendsoneway,I’
m
gonnaf*
*kyou.All
night…
Shebl
ushedandl
ookeddown.
KESEGO: Ther
e…t
her
eisat
uck-
shopnextdoor
,
theysel
lthem…
IhandedheraP200
KARTEL:Now, beagoodgirlandr
unovert
here
andgetadozenf orme.I
ftheyhavesomebeer
andcigar
ett
e,getmesomet oo.Anddoyou
happentohaveaskippi
ngrope?
KESEGO:
Huh?
KARTEL:Skippi
ngr
ope?I’
m gonnat
iey
out
othe
bedaf**
ky ou.Doyouhaveone?
KESEGO:
I…Ido…
KARTEL:
Good.Andgetmeal
lthesi
l
kscar
ves
y
ouhavebecauseIneedt
ogagandbl
i
ndf
old
y
ou.Qui
ckl
ynow.
*
***
***
***
***
***
LI
KE,
COMMENT,
SHARE
ATHUG’
SLOVE:
39

Itr
iedKart
el’
snumberagai
n,andi
twasn’
tgoi
ng
thr
ough.Sigh
Iwascontempl
ati
ngbetweencal
li
ngmyfather
orDoll
a,whenanoff
icercametotel
lmeIhad
avisi
tor
.
Iwastakentotheint
err
ogat
ionr
oom wher
e
Doll
asat,andthemomenthesawmehecame
overandhuggedme.
ME:
Dol
l
a?Howdi
dyou…
DOLLA:Connect
ions.Ar
eyouok?Di
dyoueat
?
Di
danyonehurtyou?
ME:(
laughi
ng)Cal
m down,I
’mfine… I
’
m
wor
ri
edaboutFadzwa… butI
’m ok.
DOLLA:WearegonnagetyououtofthisLuba.
Ri
ghtnowtheyar
eof f
eri
ngreducedsentence
asl
ongasyougivethem Kar
tel
…
ME: Idon’
tknowhowtogiv
et hem Kar
tel
becauseIwasnotawareofthethi
ngstheyar
e
accusinghi
m of.
DOLLA:
Luba…
ME:Nnatot
aIhaveneverseendr
ugsaround
Kar
tel
orevenanysignhewassell
ingt
hem.
DOLLA:
Youar
ewi
l
li
ngt
odot
imef
ort
hatman?
ME: Dotimef orhi
m how?Whatdi dhedo?Nna
Itr
iedtorescuemysi sterf
rom amonsterwho
i
sgonnamol esther,
butifthat
’swhatt
hestate
encourages,thenl
etthem sendmet oj
ail
,ke
taareng.
*
***
***
***
***
KARTEL
Bymor ni
ngwhenIwokeup, Kesegowasst
il
l
passedout,pr
oper
lyexhaust
ed.Wehadonly
sl
eptjustt
wohoursearli
eranyway.
IknowIhadpushedherhar dandexper i
mented
toomuchwi t
hherpainthreshol
d,butal
lthose
multi
pleor
gesmsallnightlongmadeupf orit
,
andshesleptawel
lsat i
atedli
tt
ledol
l.
Iqui
etl
ysnuckoutanddr
ovebackhome,ont
he
wayewall
eti
ngherP5000andtext
ingher
.
‘
Don’ tgetmewr ong,thi
smoneyi snottopay
forany t
hingasIwast heonegi v
ingal
lthe
pleasureanyways.It
’sjustali
ttl
esomething
thatwillhopef
ull
yhelpy ougetbackontrack
andnotbor rowfrom loansharksagai
n.Iwill
callyouforournextsession.
’
Igothomeandshower
edandj
ustsl
ept
.
*
***
***
***
*
Monkwal
kedinwi
thhi
ssonandt
ri
edhandi
ng
hi
mtoSesha.
MONK: MrManiswithustoday.Ihavetor
ush
toworktocheckshipmentstoseeift
heysent
enoughtamper
edglass.I
’l
lcomepickyouguys
uplat
er.
SESHA:
Uhm,
not
hanky
ou…
MONK:
Huh?
SESHA:Monk,
nnarraIdon’
twannabeaccused
ofhurt
ingy
ourchi
l
d.
MONK:
Aker
ePuni
edr
oppedt
hechar
ges.
SESHA:Onlybecauset
heoff
icert
hreateneda
l
iedet
ectortest
s,l
eenehej
usthadaf eeli
ng
shewaslyi
ng.
MONK:So,
youwannat
akeoutPuni
e’
sli
eson
myson?
SESHA:
No,
Ijustwantt
oav
oidf
utur
eissues.
MONK:
So,
howar
ewegoi
ngt
odot
his,
Sesha?
Bet
oget
herwhi
l
eyoudon’
tint
eractwi
thmyson?
SESHA: Igotaccusedodmol est
ingachi
ld,
Monk!Don’ ty
ouseehowbi gthi
sis?Aer
ra,nna,
Idon’twanttroubl
e.I
’m gonnagocheckon
Neelo.
Shewal
kedoffandhesighedwi
thdef
eat
,then
l
oadedthebabybackint
hecaranddr
ovetohis
babymama’shouse.
From out
sidehecoul
dhearhertr
adi
ngi
nsul
ts
withsomeoneinthei
rhouse.Hecal
l
edandshe
cameoutinabit.
MONK: Puni
e,myschedul
ejustchanged,
can
youkeephim unt
ilt
heaf
ter
noon.
PUNI
E:Keephi
m kaekekobi
wa?
Hermothercameout
sidet
hrowi
nghercl
othes
andsui
tcasetot
hegr
ound.
MOTHER: Iam t
ir
edofyouPuni
e,t
saa
ser
athanasesagagoandgof i
ndyourmot
her
whoi
sn’
ttoxi
c.
Shepi
ckedhercl
othesdowny
ell
i
ngback.
PUNIE:ShallIqui
etl
ylety
ousquanderwhatdad
l
eftusony oursil
l
yfir
echurchpast
ors!Ae
mama,keagana!
MOTHER:
Iwi
l
lspendmymoneyasIl
i
ke.
PUNIE:
It’
snoty ourmoney
!Youneverworkeda
dayi
ny ourl
if
e!Ar emymoney,oraaoat saa
kae,
kanalegalethep**
sywasforsal
e,papana
duel
a?
MONK:Puni
e!Kant
ewenawhenwi
l
lyoul
ear
n
t
oshutt
hef**kup?
MOTHER: Youarenotcomi ngintomyhouse
anymore.Youdon’tli
vehereanymor e.Odir
wa
kegojolalemadimonebannabal ekana,what
ki
ndofper sonal
way swearsblackblackand
hasthosekindsoftatt
oosifi
tsnotSat ani
sm.
Takethi
st hi
ngofyoursoutofmyy ardle
ngwanay owagagwe.Nxl a.
Shebangedthedoorandi
gnor
edasPuni
e
keptknocki
ng.
Puni
est
art
edcr
yingt
alki
ngabouthermot
her
.
PUNIE:Monkgogi,IknowgatweIam at roubl
e
maker,heweePunieganamai tseo,kebua
that
a,butIhaveyoungersi
bli
ngs,andwear e
suff
eri
ng.Peopleseethi
sbighouse, owaii
,re
l
alakatlal
a,onlyBobo’
stsabanahelps,mme
papaat l
ogetsemadi.Monk,wherewi l
lIgonow?
Ihavenoone.
MONK:Why,
becauseyouburntal
l br
idgeswi
th
ev
ery
onewhoconsider
edyouaf r
iend?
PUNI
E:Kanawenay oudon’
tunderstandhowi
t
i
sbei
ngraisedbysomeonewhoi stoxic.
MONK:
Iwasr
aisedi
nanor
phanage.
PUNI E:
Butstil
l…bei
ngmeanandt oxi
cisal
lI
knowbecauseofmymot her..
.IknowIam the
reasonwebr okeup,Monkgogi,
youknowI
nevercaredaboutmoney,other
wisewhywould
Iendedupdat
ingandhavi
ngachi
ldwit
h
someoneli
ke…you.Backt
henatl
east
.
MONK: Ahh,ther
ey ougoagai
n..Beli
tt
li
ngme
andacti
nglikeIam beneat
hyou,thatyoudi
d
meaf avourbyf**ki
ngme…
PUNI
E:IknowIhur
tyou…
MONK:Youtr
iedt
oabortmychi
l
dbecausey
ou
sai
dyoudon’
twannabi
rt
hanuglychi
l
d…
PUNIE:I
’m wor
kingonmy sel
f…Monk,weowe
ourbabyabett
erli
fethanwehad,and…
MONK: No…honestlyyouaret
ootoxicandtoo
broken,Punie.It
ri
eddeali
ngwit
hallthat,
I
fai
led.Notgoingthrought
hatfi
reagain.
Any way,Ihavetoheadout…
PUNIE:
Jaanongwher
eshoul
dIgokangwana,
Monkgogi
?
MONK:
(si
ghi
ng)Come,
I’
ll
dropy
ousomewher
e.
Hedr
ovet
othehi
veandi
nfor
medRon,
then
dr
oppedherof
finhi
sdr
oom t
her
e.
MONK: Thi
sisjustfort
oday
,Puni
e,int
he
eveni
ngnnaI’
lltakemysonhome,fi
ndapl
ace
togobythen.
*
***
***
***
*
WhenIwokeup, Ihadamissedcal
lsf
rom
somelandl
ine.Whocoul
dthatbe.Ohwell
,I
wasnotint
erest
ed.
Thi
ngshadbeenawkwardbet
weenEaandI
,so
Iwasgoi
ngtocheckonhim.
IknockedandNi
ki
tacamet
oopen,
wear
inghi
s
t-
shir
t.
KARTEL:
Thehel
lar
eyoudoi
ngher
e?
NIKI
TA: Wher
eyoufai
ledt
oseewhatIgem I
am,othermenactual
l
ydo.
KARTEL:
Whatareyoupl
ayi
ngat
,Ni
ki
ta?What
doyouwantwi
thEa?
Eawal
kedoutoft
her
oom andst
oodl
ooki
ngat
hi
m.
EA:Becausei
t’
simpossi
bleforhert
oact
ual
l
y
j
ustwannabewi t
hme, r
ight
?
KARTEL:
Inev
ersai
dthat
.
NI
KITA:
Oookay,
I’
m gonnagofi
nishpai
nti
ng
mynail
swhil
eyouboystal
k.
Shewal
kedof
fandcl
osedt
hebedr
oom door
.
KARTEL:
Shei
susi
ngy
ou.
EA:
Andwhatbusi
nessofy
our
sist
hat
?
KARTEL:EanemonnawhatdidIdo?Howis
thi
spassi
veaggr
essi
veshthel
pingany
one?If
youhaveshtt
osaytome,beamanaboutit
andsayit
.
EA:Yea,f
**koffKar
tel
.It
’st
ir
ingl
i
vingi
nyour
shadow.Getthehel
loutofmyhouse.
KARTEL: F*
*kyou,I’
m notgoi
nganywayunt
il
youtellmewhatt hehell
thi
sshti
sabout.I
’l
l
beatitouti
fyouifIhaveto.
Myphoner
ang,
itwasSesha.
KARTEL:
Sesh,
wassupgi
rl
.
SESHA:Lubajustcal
ledme,aret
heygot
st
oppedattheairpor
tmaabane,shespentt
he
ni
ghti
nacell,andDollai
str
yingt
ogetherbail
.
KARTEL:
Sht
…sht… ok,
thanksSesha.She
musthav
ebeent
ryi
ngtocallme.
Ihungupandr
ant
omycar
,cal
l
ingmycl
eaner
.
KARTEL:Tom, Ineedagoodl awy er
…y ea.
Somehowshegoti nter
cept
ed..Idon’t
under
stand,
man, i
twassolid… thosepasspor
t
werebyaguyi ntheimmi gr
ati
on, ever
ythi
ng
waslegi
t…y ea,thanksman.Ok.
Whenwehungup,Ical
ledt
hel
awy
er,
whosai
d
shewasi
nGaborone.
Idr
ovet
hereasfastasIcoul
d,goingstr
aight
tot
hepol
icest
ati
onwhenIar r
ivedinGaborone.
Dol
l
awast
her
ewi
thal
awy
er.
KARTEL:
Thef
**kar
eyoudoi
ngher
e?
DOLLA:Bei
ngther
eforLubasi
ncey
oucan’
t
evenpi
ckuphercall
s.
KARTEL:
F* *koff
.Igoti
tfr
om here.Of
fi
cer,
can
IseeMsLubalasheMoses,Iam herewit
hher
l
egalr
epresentat
ion.
OFFICER:Ithoughtwealr
eadyspoketoher
l
egalrepr
esentati
on? Her
eistheoff
icer
handli
ngit
.
OFFI
CER: Bai
li
ssetatP5000,andshecan’t
l
eavethecountr
y.Hercasesistr
ansf
erredto
Fr
ancist
ownasi t
’sbei
nghandledbydetect
ive
Monthewjoisbasesther
e,andthemajori
tyof
i
tisbasedther
e.
Wehadtowaitforaboutt
wohourswhil
ethe
pol
i
cehandledsomepaperwork,
andthenLuba
wasrel
easedonbail
.
Asshecameout
,bot
hDollaandIr
ushedtoher
.
Shehuggedmef
ir
st,
thenhuggedDol
la.
KARTEL:
Babe,
Iam sosor
ry…I
’
m sosor
ry.
LUBA:It’
sok… Ij
ustwannatakeagoodbath
andrest… canwego?Doll
a,thankyousomuch.
It
’sablessi
ngyoucamewheny oudi
d.
DOLLA:
Any
thi
ngf
ory
ou,
myl
ady
.
It
ookherhandandl
edhert
othecar
,dr
ivi
ngt
o
ahot
el.
KARTEL:Luba,
Iam sosorry
… Ihadmyphone
onfl
ightmodeto… uhm… rest.Idi
dn’
tgety
our
cal
l
,Iwouldhavecomerightaway.
LUBA:
Iknowbabe… Iknow…
KARTEL:
Howar
eyou?Di
dany
onebot
hery
ou?
LUBA:
No,I’
mf i
ne… t
heyt ookFadzwabackt
o
hi
m,babe… If
ail
edher… Ifai
ledher
…
Ihuggedhert
ight
erandki
ssesherheadasshe
sobbed.
KARTEL:
Youdi
dn’
tfail
heratal
l
…y oudi
dy our
best
…now,wi
ll
youletmehandl
ethi
sforyou,
myway
?
LUBA: I
fMosesj ustdies,
wewi l
lbethefi
rst
suspect… andstil
l,
nobodyisgivi
ngmecust ody
ofachildIkidnapped.AndIam pret
tycer
tain
I’
m gonnadot imeeitherway.
KARTEL:
Dol
l
asaidt
heyoff
eredyouadeali
f
yougi
vemetot
hem.Goforit
,tel
lthem…
LUBA:Andachievewhatwit
hthat?Theyar e
gunni
ngforyoubigti
meandi fIgiv
ey outo
them,t
heywilll
ockyouawayforav er
ylong
ti
me.AndIwi l
lst
il
ldoti
me.Bothofusl ocked
up,wholooksaft
erourbusi
nesses?
KARTEL:
Ican’
thav
eyougoi
ngt
ojai
l
.
LUBA:It
’saguar anteeIam goingto,babe.Let’
s
j
ustacceptthat.Butmycasei ssenti
ment al
…
nur
sessawmewi ththebodyi fmymot her.
.I
wil
lal
sot el
lwhatMosesdi dtome, t
heabuse
heputmet hrough… I’l
ldon’tcar
eiftheybeli
eve,
butI’
l
lmaket hem seeal lIwantedwast osave
mysist
erfrom suffer
ingt
hesameor deal
.That
l
awyerreckonsImayendupdoi ng18mont hs
tot
woy ears,becauseIst
il
lki
dnappedachil
d
andfor
gedpaper s.
KARTEL:
Thenl
et’
srun…
LUBA:Nopoint
,whenIcoul
djustser
vethat
l
it
tlet
ime,andt
henwearefreeandgetourl
ives
backontr
ack.
KARTEL:
Luba,
Ican’
thav
eyoul
ockedup… I
can’
t…
LUBA:I
’
llbef
ine,
Ipr
omi
se…Ipr
imi
sey
ou,
my
ki
ng…
Shesai
dassheki
ssesme…
KARTEL:I
’
mj ustsoconfused… l
ike,ev
ery
thi
ng
wasgood,wentwellwi
thsecuri
tychecks… i
t’
s
l
iket
heyalr
eadyknewy ouwerethere.Onl
yyou
andIandknew whenyouwer eleavi
ng…
LUBA:
Iki
ndofment
ionedi
ttoDol
l
a,buthe
woul
dn’
t…
KARTEL:Luba!Dol
l
aisaf**
kingsel
fi
shbr
at!
Youneedtostoptr
ust
inghi
m, whydi
dyoueven
cal
lhi
m?
LUBA:
Idi
dn’
t…but
KARTEL:
So,
hedusheknowt
ocome?F*
*k.I
t
washim!
LUBA:
Hehadsomeconnect
ionsandt
heyt
old
hi
m.
KARTEL: Becausepoli
ceoff
icer
stel
lhi
m about
random girl
sarr
ests,
huh?Nobodyreal
l
yknows
aboutDolla’
sbonerforyou,
sowhywouldthey
tel
lhim?Dol l
acall
edthecopsonyou.
LUBA:Thatmakesnosense,
whywoul
dDol
l
a
wantt
ogetmear rest
ed?
KARTEL:Iknowy
ouar esmar
terthanthat
!He
want
sy ouandwi
llst
opatnothi
ngt ogetyou.
LUBA:
Andhowdoesget
ti
ngmear
rest
ed
achievethat
?Youar enotmaki nganysense.I
knowy ouhateDolla,butall
heev erdidwastry
tohelpexpeditedthi
ngsf ormybai l
,andmake
sureatleastIwasaloneImycel l,
wheny ou
wher eGodknowswher e,
whi l
eItri
edsev er
al
ti
mest ocontactyou!
*
***
***
***
**
LI
KE,
COMMENT,
SHARE
ATHUG’
SLOVE40
LUBA
Wel
aidi
nthehot
elr
oom wi
thKar
tel
sti
l
lsul
ki
ng.
ME:
Babe?Ar
eyouok?
KARTEL:
Whatdoy
out
hink?
ME:
KanaIwasnoti
nsi
nuat
ing….
KARTEL:Whatdon’
tyougetaboutDol la,Luba?
Heisanepit
omeofselfishness.Everheadof
LedimoLedi
mo?Thesel fi
shbastardwho
evacuat
edawholesett
lementt oopenhis
factor
y?Stol
esomeancestrallandfr
om some
people?That
’swhorai
sedDol l
a.Heisusedto
taki
ngwhathewants,ever
yoneel sebe
screwed.Bel
iev
esheisenti
tledtowhatevert
he
hellheset
shishear
ton.
ME: Kanakegor eitj
ustdoesn’
tmakesensefor
histosendmet opri
sonifhewantsmethat
much?Li ke,whatwouldhavebeenhi
sgame
plan?Nekesar ey ouarewrong,I
’
mjusttr
ying
tounderstand.
KARTEL: Thehellam Isupposedtoknowwhat
thatpsychothinks,Luba?Al
lIknowi sDollais
behindthis,
andy oukeepeatingupev er
ything
het hr
owsaty oulikeheisGod,babegirl
,youare
gonnagethur t
.Thatasshasnopr obl
em
throwingpeopleunderthebuseither.
ME: Fi
rstofal
l
,nobodyi
sthr
owinganyt
hingat
me,andIdon’tbel
iev
einGod,sof*
*koffwit
h
al
lthat.
KARTEL:Youaresof
**ki
ngdi
srespect
ful
.Iam
tr
yingt
olookoutf
ory
ouhere,
geez!
ME:Askingwherey ouwherewhenIneededy ou
i
sdisrespect
ful
?Letmeguess, al
readyhit
ti
ng
Ron’
sboot yl
ikeapinat
anotfivemi nut
esaft
erI
l
eft,
huh?What ,y
ousendy ourunclestoher
famil
ytoo?SheletsyoudothefreakyshtI’
m
notdownwi t
h?
KARTEL: F**kyou.I’
m goi
ngoutforsomeai r
sothatyoucangett hatmout
htogetherbefor
eI
washitwi thsoapy
.Ma2000bat senyastr
ess
wai
tse,nxla.
*
***
***
***
***
**
Monkparkedatt hehiveandwal kedi n.Punie
wasonthef l
oorpl ayi
ngwi ththeirson, pushing
atoycar
.Hor r
ibleper sonshewas, shecoul dbe
anamazingmot herwhenshewant edtobe.
Whichhonestl
ywasmostt i
me.Wher egirl
s
wouldberoami ngt hestreet
sdr essedup,
l
eavi
ngthei
rsnottynosedlitt
lekidshungry,
Puni
ewasusuallyhomet akingcareofherchil
d.
Herbi
ggestf
aultasamot herwast hatshe
al
waysusedthechildagainsthim.
Hehadbeenhor rif
iedwhenhet houghshehad
hurtt
heirchil
dtofabri
cateachargeagainst
Sesha,buttheboyhadt ol
dhim ofhowhef el
l
onamet alpipetheywereplay
ingonanhehur t
hi
speepee.
So,Puniehadjustt
akenadvant
ageofthe
si
tuat
ion.Whichwasar el
i
efbecausetheidea
ofanyonehurti
nghiski
dmadehi m murderous.
Puni
elookedupandsmi
l
ed.
PUNI
E:Hey
…
MONK:
Hey
…Iboughty
ouguy
ssomet
hingt
o
eat
.
PUNI
E:Thanks…
Hi
ssonr
anov
ert
ohi
m andhepi
ckedhi
m up
andki
ssedhi
m,gi
vi
nghi
m anewt
oycar
.
MONK:I
’
llt
akehi
m af
terhei
sdoneeat
ing.
Wher
edoIdropy
ouoff?
PUNIE:Monk…CanIstayhere,
justf
oramont h?
Ij
ustgotaccept
edinthi
str
anscri
pti
onwebsite
andIwil
lbesentvi
deostotr
anscri
be,ear
ning
perj
ob.Gatwemini
mum Icanmakeamont his
USD300,whichi
saboutP3000,andwitht
hat,I
canbeabletogetmysel
faplaceandtakemy
si
bli
ngs.Pl
ease…
MONK:
No.
PUNI E:Monkgogi,don’
tbel
iket
his.Youwant
meoutont hestreet
s?WantBobot ogr
owup
withoutamot herwhenIgetki
ll
edoutther
e
then,huh?Fine.Dropmeofharenkeng,I
’l
l
sleepmowai t
ingroom.
MONK:Youknowt
hatmani
pul
ati
veshtdon’
t
wor
konme.
PUNI
E:Whohast
imef
ormani
pul
ati
on?Iam
t
ir
edofbegging.I
’
mj ustt
ir
edofthi
sli
feofpai
n,
Monkgogi
.Justdropmeatthebusrank.
Shestart
edpacki
ngupt
het
hingsshehad
takenout.
MONK: (
sighi
ng)Letmet alktoSesha.I
’m not
promisi
ngany thi
ng,youhav eal
ready
antagoni
zedher ,butl
etmet al
ktoher.Andif
sheagrees,it
’sforamont honly
.
PUNI
E:(
smi
l
ing)I
t’
sal
lIask.Thanky
ou.

*
***
***
***
**
KARTEL
Somet imesLubacanbeser i
ousl
yannoy ingand
disrespectful
.Seri
ousl
y,didsheneedtosayal l
thatsht ?Especial
l
yatamomentwher eIwas
soont heedgeandwor ri
edbecauseIhadno
i
deahowIwasgoi ngt
ogetheroutoft his
situati
onherbi gmouthlandedherin?Like,di
d
sheneedtogorunni
nghermout
htoDol
l
a
aboutourpl
ans?
Istoodatt hesi
deofthehotelandli
tupa
ci
gar et
te.Somesecuri
tyoff
icertr
iedtotel
lmeI
couldn’
tsmoket her
e.Ij
ustfli
ppedhim andkept
ati
tasImadecal l
s.
KARTEL:
Tom,
tel
lmey
ouhav
esomet
hingf
or
me,man.
HI
M:I
’m wor
ri
edman.Thi
sLegacyguyseems
t
obegunni
ngforbot
hyouandI.
KARTEL:
Shal
lIt
akecar
eofhi
m?
HIM:It
hinkitr
unsdeep.Anot
heroneofhi
m wi
l
l
j
ustpop,andtheywi
llhaveacaset
ohoundus
on.
KARTEL:
YouknowIdon’
tleav
etr
ail
s.
HI
M:Sti
l
l…t
oodanger
ous.Wedon’
tknowwho
wear
edeal
i
ngwit
h.
KARTEL:
Soam Isupposedt
of*
*ki
ngl
etmygi
rl
got
opr
ison?
HIM: Theproblem i sthekidnappingchar ge,
theyaregunhoonhumant r
afficki
ng,and
kidnappi
ngisacl osecall
…i fyoucangett hat
oldgeezertodr opi tandsaidhegav eher
permissi
on, t
hef orgerycanbenegl i
gibly
becauseIhav esomesmal lti
mepeopl eshecan
putitonandsayt heymadei t,andthef actt
hat
sheisaf i
rstti
me, shecangett hi
ngssetasi de
anddonot i
me, butwi ththekidnapping
charge…nnaI ’
dj usttakehi m out.I
fyouneed
someonet odoi tf oryou,I’
mf reethisev eni
ng.
KARTEL:
Shewon’
tletme…
HIM:Yourpr
obl
em ist
hatthatl
it
tl
egir
lhasy our
bal
lsbubbl
ewrapped,
inherschool
bag,nextto
hercr
ayons.
KARTEL:(l
aughing)F**
kyou,t
alkwhenGenie
gi
vesyoursback.I’
m gonnagotothatof
fi
cer
’s.
Tr
ytofindoutifIcangetanyt
hingtohol
dhim
t
o.I
’
llcal
lyou,
bruh.Ta.
Ihungupasansmscamei n.Av
ideoofaki
dat
Acker
mans,buy
ingcl
othes
‘
Kyli
esayst
hanks.I
t’
sherbi
rt
hday
.Whi
chone
shoul
dsheget
?’
Thehel
lwaswr
ongwi
tht
hisgi
rl
?
‘
TFwrongwit
hyou,don’
tsendKy
li
e’
spi
ctur
es
andv
ideost
orandom men.’
‘
Idon’
t.I
twasj
usty
ou’
‘
Don’
texpl
ainst
upi
d.‘
‘
Eer
ra’
‘
Getherbot
hthedr
esses,
andadol
l
,andcake’
‘
Eerra.Shedoesn’
tli
kedol
l
s,shel
i
kes
di
nosaurs.
’
‘
Adinothen.Don’ttextmeagai
nunl
essi
t’
sa
l
i
fe-
or-
deaththing.’
Ir
ereadt
heconv
ersat
ionwi
thachuckl
e.Iwas
sonotusedtosubservi
entgir
ls,
allt
hewomenI
haveeverbeenwit
haretrai
lbl
azingdrama
queens.Ron,Ni
ki
ta,Hal
ima,June,Luba.Iguess
youcansayIhaveat y
pe.OrdoI ?
Igotinthecaranddr ov etoamal l
,get
ti
ngus
somedi nnertakeouts,andt henasan
aft
erthought,gotinShopr i
teandwentabout
fi
ndingat oydinosaur.Ifoundasetthatr
oar
ed
andmov ed,f
orP200andboughti t.
*
***
***
***
*
Seshafi
nishedhercl
ient
’shai
rwhenMonk
walkedi
n, handi
nghersomechocol
ate.
SESHA:Don’
tbecompl
aini
ngwhenIgetf
at.
MONK:(
laughing)YouknowIl
ovesomemeat
onmygi
rl,how’sthi
ngs?
SESHA:WithoutLuba,
it’
salot.Hopef
ull
ysheis
comingback.Somethi
ngt el
l
smet hi
sisnota
soci
alvi
sit
?
MONK:
(si
ghi
ng)Youknowmet
oowel
l
SESHA:
Outwi
thi
t.What
’sgoi
ngon.
MONK: Thi
smeansabsolutel
ynot hi
ng,but
whenIwenttodropBoboof f
,IfoundPunie
thr
ownoutandhadnopl acetogo.Iwasi na
hurr
y,soIdr
oppedheroffatthehivebecauseI
neededhert
owat chBobo.
SESHA:
And?
MONK: Sheneedsapl
ace,
forj
ustamont
h,she
hasgot
tenajobofsomesort
…sheisget
ti
ng
sor
tedout.
SESHA:Whatdoyouexpectmetosay ,
Monkgogi
?Huh?Whatoutcomedidy oupi
ctur
e
whenyoucametomewi ththi
snonsense?
MONK:So,howdoIhandl
ethi
s?Mov
eBoboi
n
wi
thusandgetamaid?
SESHA:SothatshecansayIam mol
est
ingher
chi
ldagai
n?
MONK: Sowhatt
hehel
ldoyouwantmet
odo,
Sesha,
leav
emysonhomeless?
SESHA:Dowhaty
ouwantt
hen,
Monk,
it’
syou
house.
MONK: Nope.Youarenotpull
i
ngt hatshtonme.
It
sy ourhousetoo,andwhythehellwouldIbe
askingyouifyouropini
onwasn’tnecessary
.
Youdon’ twantBobo,andyoudon’twantme
providi
nghim wit
hapl acet
ostay,sogivemea
soluti
onee.
SESHA: (
sighi
ng)Fine,l
etherst
ayatthehi
ve,
butthisi
stempor ar
y,Monk.Youhaveno
responsi
bil
it
yt owar
dsher,shecanf
indherown
accommodat ion.
*
***
***
***
***
***
**
KARTEL
Thenextdaywedr ov
etoFranci
stown.Iwas
sti
l
lannoyedatLubasayi
ngDoll
awast heref
or
herandIwasn’
t.Li
ke,howwasthisgir
lnot
seei
ngwhatal
unat
icsnakeDol
l
awas?
Iwasatal
oss.IknewIcoul
dn’
tlethergoto
pri
son,
soIhadtocomeupwi t
hotherways.
Afewquest ionsaround,
andIhadf ound
detecti
veMont he’
shome.Ididquickworkof
thealarm sy
stem andwalkedinsi
de.Asbori
ng
asthemanl ooked.
Basicever
y t
hing,
simplegreysofas,bl
ackglass
coff
eetable,mountedTV, spi
ckspanclean
ki
tchen,
bedmadei nthebedroom, sui
ts
arr
angedaccor di
ngtocolor.Whataf r
eak.
Nothi
nginhisdrawers….Butyoucouldtel
lthe
mandi dcomefrom somesor tofmoney.Which
meantthiswholecopt hi
ngwasactuall
ya
passi
on.Bummer ,hecouldn’
tbebought.No
famil
ypictur
eseit
her,andhehadnotwor na
ri
ng.
Andhedi
dn’
tlookl
i
keaguyy
oucoul
dthr
eat
en
ei
ther
.
F*
*k
Thi
swasadeadend.Ihadt
otr
ymyl
astr
esor
t.
Idr
oveofft
othesett
lementLubagrewupin.
Par
kedatadist
anceandwalkedin,
sli
ppi
nginto
Moseshouse.
TheSOBwassi t
ti
ngonthecouchhol
dinga
Bibl
e,andIsomuchwantedt
oknockhim
upsi
dewi t
hit
.
*
***
***
***
***
**
LUBA
Af
terKar
telt
oldmehewasheadi
ngout
,Ial
so
dr
oveouttoDoll
a’
spl
ace.
Hecamet
oopenf
ormewi
thasmi
l
e.
DOLLA:
I’
m sohappyyouar
ebackhomesafe.I
hav
ethebestl
awyer
sworki
ngonyourcase…
ME:
That
’sni
ce.Ar
en’
tIal
uckygi
rlt
ohav
eyou.
DOLLA:
Ihopeonedayy
ouwi
l
lreal
i
zei
t.I
’
ddo
any
thi
ngf
ory
ou,
Luba.
Hesai dashecar essedmyf aceandleanedin
tokissme.Ipushedhi m onthesof
aand
straddledhim,watchinghim car
essmyf ace,
I
startedkissi
ngdownhi m neckandhemoaned,
closinghiseyesandgi vi
ngintothepl
easure.
Menaresoeasy,y’
all
.Oneki
ssandt
heydr
op
al
lthei
rguar
d,t
otal
lyvul
ner
able.
Ipul
l
edt
hegunandpoi
ntedi
tathi
sjunk.
ME:Evenift
hat‘any
thing’
iscondemni
ngafour
-
month-
oldtoli
vi
ngwi t
hapervert
edmonst
er,
huh?
Hi
sey
espoppedopeni
nal
arm.
DOLLA:
Huh?What
?
ME: Youhadmearrestedbecauseyoucouldn’
t
standtoseemeleave.Justhadtohav eme,my
babysist
erbescr
ewed.Butt hedealwentsout
h
andnowIam goingtoj ai
landmysisteri
s
gonnagetabusedandmol ested.TosayIam
heartbr
okenisanunder statement.Iam dead
i
nsidethinki
ngofmysi stergoi ngthr
oughwhat
Iwentthrough,al
lbecausey ouareaselfi
sh
l
it
tlepri
ck.Guesswhat ?Iam nott heonlyone
l
eav i
ng,baby…
*
***
***
***
***
***
***
LI
KE,
COMMENT,
SHARE

ATHUG’
SLOVE:
41
KARTEL
Icl
ear
edmyt
hroatandMosest
urnedt
olookat
me.
Hestar
tedtoscr
eam i
nalar
m,butIr
aisedmy
gunandputmyf i
ngert
omymout htoshush
hi
m.
Heclampedhispi
ehol
eshutandl
ookedatme,
hi
sfearobvi
ous.
ME: So,
thi
siswhatisgonnahappen.Youar e
gonnadroptheki
dnappingcharges.Tel
lthem
ther
ewasaf amil
ymisunderstandi
ng.Andt hen
youaregonnagiv
ethebabyt oLuba.
MOSES:
Yout
hinky
ouscar
eme,
thug?
KARTEL:Ishoul
d.ButIam try
ingt
oturnovera
newleaf,
begoodwi t
htheguyupstai
rsyada
yada,
youknow,soIwi l
ltr
ymybestnottoend
upkil
li
ngyou.Aslongasy oudowhatIwant.
MOSES: Ifyoucouldkil
lme, y
ouwoul dhav
e
alr
eady.Youcan’ t
,canyou.Thewhorehassaid
notto,hasn’
tshe?Nomat t
erwhat,deepdownI
am theonlyfathersheeverknew,andshecan’
t
bri
ngher sel
ftogetherpuppylooseonher
fat
her.
Kart
elsmackedhi
m wit
hthebacki
fthegun,
andtheol
dermanscreamedinpai
n.
KARTEL: Don’
tcal
lherawhore,andifyouever
callmeapuppyagain,I
’l
lsl
ashyourtummy
openandpul l
outyourent
rai
lswhil
ey oust
il
l
breath.
Themanshudderedatthenonchalantl
ookon
myf acef
aceasItal
kedaboutdoingsucha
gri
mt hi
ng.
MOSES:Evenifyoukil
lme,youthi
nkthe
char
gesgoaway ?Itonl
yfuel
sitbecauseshe
hasever
yreasontocomeaf t
erme.
KARTEL: Look,onemi
ll
ionpulatodropthe
charges.I
’l
levengeti
tcleanedforyouandint
o
yourbankaccount.Noquestionsasked.
MOSES:Idon’
tneedyourmoney,
Satan.That
whor
eisgonnaroti
njail
li
keshedeserves.
KARTEL:Whatupsetsy ousomuchabouther,
Moses?Thefactthatdespit
etheyearsof
physi
cal
,mentalandsexualabuseyouputher
thr
ough,y
oufailtobreakher?Thatshest
il
l
seest hemonst eryouareanddoesnotshower
youwi thador ati
onliketherestofy our
brai
nwashedf l
ock?Shei sprobablyt hefi
rst
persony ouf ail
edtobr ai
nwashorbr eak,and
thatjusteatsaty ourlit
tl
eego.Letmet el
lyou
somet hing,thatgirli
sar ock.Sendhert ojail
,
sheisgonnacomeoutst ronger.Wewi l
lmeet
again,Moses. .AndIam sogonnaenj oy
tort
uringy ouf ordaysbeforeIkill
you.
Iwal
kedof
fdef
eat
ed.
Howonear
thwasIgonnakeepLubaoutofj
ail
?
Ididn’tfeell
ikegoinghomeandcomi ngt
oher
withdi sappoint
ments.AsIgotinthecar,
I
noticedapl ast
icbagint
hefloorofthecarat
theback.
Ah,
thedi
noset
.
Idr
oveov
ert
oKesego’
spl
acet
odel
i
veri
t.
*
***
***
***
**
Monkwal kedi
ntothehiveandpl
acedthefew
grocer
ybagsont heki
tchenet
teasPunie
cooked.
MONK:
1mont
h.
PUNIE:
Thanky
ou.I
’
mjustser
vingdi
nner
.Joi
n
us.
MONK:
No…
PUNIE:Ok… nnakoorehelaIthoughtitsbest
Bobogrowi ngupseei
ngunit
ybet weenhis
par
ents,notgonnankarewear efighti
ng
j
aanong.Legalekanalej
olaleboi nsecur
e.
Havi
ngdi nnerwi
thyoursonisasin.
MONK:
Cany
ouf
**ki
ngst
op?
PUNI
E:Iwasj
ustsay
ing.
MONK:Fi
ne,
I’
ll
eatt
hedamndi
nner
.Ar
gg.
Wher
eismyboy.
PUNI
E:Maki
ngwi
recar
swi
thSpi
nnyout
side.
Hewentout
sideandf
oundt
het
eenageboy
playi
ngwi t
hhisson.Hesmi l
edlookingatt he
concentrat
edSpi nnyasheexplai
nedt othe
toddlerhowtobendt hewireandt i
eittogether.
Het houghtofhowl uckyhewast hathefinall
y
hadaf amily,
hissonhaduncl esl
ikethesewho
taughthim al
ltheseli
ttl
ethi
ngs.
Puni
ewatchedhi
mt hr
ought
hewi
ndow,
then
smil
edasherphoner
ang.
PUNI E:Heygi r
l…y ea… owai i… hahahaha… y ea,
heiswi thusr i
ghtnow.Wat shamekawena,
Ludo, Idat edthisguyat samaaka
phathaphat haehedi l
eng,asenangasenang.
Nowheownsacompanyandhasahouseand
dri
vesaf ancycarandy out hinkIam gonnaj ust
l
etgo?Ae.Monkkebaby daddyy amet hemma,
retswakgakal a.Gapet hatgi r
l galemogegor e
oiketshet sadi point
sbyj ustr eject
ingBobo.I f
youwannagetonMonk’ sbadsi de,justgofor
hisson… y esgirl.Nnyaaaker eeneshet hi
nks
dihipst seletsagagwet sedi kanakanai sallit
takestokeepaman?Nnar aamot saa.The
simplewayisj ustkeepbeingthebestmother
ever,whil
epushi ngthatgi
rlt
or ej
ecti
ngBobo
mor e.Thatr
elationshi
pwon’tlast
,youwil
lsee.
*
***
***
***
***
*
LUBA
Ipushedt
hegunagai
nstDol
l
a,buthej
ust
l
aughed.
DOLLA:
Sht
,that
’shotasf
**k…Il
oveagut
sy
gi
rl
.
ME:
Yout
hinkI
’
mf*
*ki
ngpl
ayi
ng?
DOLLA:(
smili
ng)Qui
etthecont
rar
y..Youarea
femal
eversi
onofme,andIknowI’dshoot…
ME:Theny oushoul
dknowit
’sbuah-
bye
mother*
*ker.Doyoureal
l
yhaveahardonr
ight
now,yousicksht
.
DOLLA:
(laughi
ng)Dyingatthehandsofmy
l
oveasherp*ssyisr
ightovermyd* *
kwhil
eshe
i
sbeingal
lbal
l
syandbr
ave?Notabadwayt
o
goatal
l.
Ipushedt
hegunhar
derandhewi
nced.
DOLLA: Sweeti
e,Iputthefir
stguny ourli
tt
le
boyfr
iendeverfi
redinhishand.Showedhi m
howt ofi
reit
.Me?Myf athershovedonei nmy
mouthwhenIwasei ght,becauseIsti
leP30
fr
om him.Gunsdon’ tscareme.Al so,youdo
know Icandisarmy ouinhalfasecond?Ihad
plent
ychancesalready,butthi
sisjustsosexy.
ME: Well
,youshoul
dhav
etakent
hose
chances… notti
me’
sup.
Isai
dandpul
l
edt
het
ri
ggerback.
All
ofasuddenthedoorbur
stopenandabunch
ofkidsr
ani
n,fol
lowedbyacurv
ycolor
ed
woman.
Iwassti
ll
str
addl
i
ngDol
l
a,wi
tht
hegunathi
s
cr
otch.
‘
Daddy
,daddy
,I’
mint
hebeaut
ypageant
’
‘
Daddy
,Imadedebat
eteam’
‘
Daddy
,myf oot
ball
teai
sgoingtothef
inal
s,
y
ouwillcometothematch,
right
?’
‘
’
Igot96%’
Sht
!
IfIrel
easedmyfi
nger,t
hegunwasgonnago
off.AndIwasnotgonnatr
aumat
izeabunchi
f
kidsbecauset
hei
rdaddywasanass.
Butdamn,hol
dingmyfi
ngerther
ehurt
,andt he
ki
dswererunni
ngri
ghttowardsDol
l
a.Ina
minut
etheyweregonnalauncht
hemselv
esat
hi
m andsomeonecouldgetshotbymistake.
Itur
nedthegunawayfr
om him andbur
ri
editin
thesofacushi
on,
thesi
l
encerplustheother
cushi
onsabsorbi
ngmuchofthenoisefr
om the
shot.
‘
Whatwast
hatnoi
se,
Daddy
?Whoi
sthi
s?’
DOLLA:(l
aughing)Ohsweeti
ethatnoi
sewas
becausedaddyletoutonebi
gtoot…
Theyalll
aughedandstart
edcoveri
ngt
heir
nosesashegr abbedoneandstart
edt
ickl
i
ng
her,
giv
ingallf
iveofthem hugs.
Att
hispoi
ntIhaddismount
edDoll
aand
managedtoconcealt
hegunandputi
tbacki
n
myhandbag.
DOLLA:Whydon’ty
ouguysgoandtakeoffy
our
uni
for
msandt henwecanmakelunchtoget
her
?
Thekidsr
anof
flaughi
ngandpl
ayi
ngwi
theach
other
.
Thel
adywaslooki
ngatmewit
hherhands
cr
ossedov
erherchest
,uni
mpr
essed.
HER:
Whatar
eyousupposedt
obe?
ME:Iknowwhatyouare.Dumb,
ift
hehuman
f
orm beat
syoutograsp.
HER:
Youar
enothi
sty
pe.Toodar
k.Hel
oves
‘
em l
i
ghtski
nned.
ME:
I’
m sogut
ted.Myl
i
fei
sov
er.
HER: Youar ethesnackoft hemomentt hen?
Don’tfeelspecial
,sweet ie,t
hismanhasa
harem.Seet hoseki ds?That ’
sjustfi
veoutof
hi
sei ght.Ihavetwo, theotherthreearefr
om
hi
sot herwoman, andt herearetwootherbaby
mamas, onewi t
ht wo, andanot herwi
thone.
PlusdumbassHal ima.
ME: Soundsl
ikeyouneedtofi
ndyourwort
h,
sugar.I
fyouaresti
l
linsul
ti
nggi
rl
soversuch
tr
ash?Shame.
HER:Wait
,Ihaveseeny
ousomewhere.Your
ar
eKartel
’sbi
ch,t
heonehegotacarfor
?You
wasall
postedupwithmymaninthehospit
al
wasn’
tyou?
ME: ‘
Wer en’
t’
.Andyoual
readyt
oldmeyoudog
don’thavealeash,
sowhyar ey
ouacti
ng
surpri
sed.Anyway,I
’mmaheadout.
Shepul
l
edmebackbyt
hebr
aidsandsl
apped
me.
What
!
Thi
sbi
chhasadeat
hwi
sh,
doesn’
tshe?
Ipunchedherstr
aighti
nthenose,
andi
tsent
herfl
ail
ingback.
Shecamebackatmewi thafuryIwasreadyto
reci
procat
e,butDol
l
agrabbedherandpull
ed
herbackbeforewewentati
t.
DOLLA: Junie,Juni
e!Damn,li
lmamie,saveall
thatheatforthebedroom damn.Luba,getout
ofhere… tbcwi thourl
it
tl
edeal,
hey.
Hesai
dwi
thawi
nk.
HER: Thehel
litwil
lbe,ai
ntnot
hingget
ti
ng
conti
nuedwiththatbich,
Damon.IswearIwi
l
l
ki
llher.
ME:
Sweethear
t,cal
m down..Ihav
eamanwho
I
’mj
ustt
heonet o… youcankeepKing
Sol
omonov
erher
e.
HER: EneKar tel
?Youar easdumbasy oulook
i
fy outhinkKar t
elaintf*
*kingaroundony ou.
Heardbot hRonandNi kit
aar eintown,howi s
thatworkingoutf oryou?(laughi
ng).Same
What saAppgr oup,youandI … harem member s.
AtleastI’m notindenial
.
DOLLA: Juni
e!Damn!Luba,go,now.Myki ds
areintheotherf*
*ki
ngroom anddon’tneedto
hearal
l t
his,i
fyoubi
chesdon’tqui
t,I
’
mmabeat
bothyourdumbasses.Nxla.
Iwalkedoutbangingt
hedoor,andasIgoti
n
mycar ,
Icoul
dseet hr
oughthewindowashe
huggerandkissedher
.
*
***
***
***
***
***
KARTEL
Iknockedandsawherl
ookthr
oughthecur
tai
n
befor
eheopenedwithabi
gsmi l
e.
KESEGO:
Hey
…
KARTEL: Hey… ahh,t
hismustbeMsKyli
e.A
l
itt
lebir
dietol
dmei twasyourbi
rt
hday
yestar
day.
KYLI
E:(
laughi
ng)Bi
rdi
esdon’
ttal
k,si
l
ly.
KESEGO:
Kyl
i
e!
KARTEL:(l
aughing)Cuthersomesl
ack.Ok,
li
’l
smart
y-pant
s..Yourmommyt ol
dme.
KYLI
E:Wehav
ecakel
eftov
er.
KARTEL:
Real
l
y?CanIhav
esome?
KYLI
E:Canwegi
vehi
m,mommy
?
KESEGO:Iwasj
ustaboutt
oservedi
nner
,wil
l
youbeeati
ngwi
thus?Pap,spi
nachandwoers.
KARTEL: Actuall
yladi
es,t
hanksforyour
kindness,butI’
mi nahurr
y.Ijustwantedto
dropthisoff.Happybir
thdayMsKy l
ie.Theysay
theyroarandwal k.
Thelit
tl
egi r
lsquealedindeli
ghtandjumpedup
anddown, frant
icall
ytryi
ngtoopenthe
packaging.Kart
el openeditf
orherandshowed
herwher etopresst omakethem roar
.
Herpur
ejoywassobeaut
if
ul.
Ismi l
ed,thinkingoft hebabywel ost.Wasi ta
girl
oraboy ?I fshewasagi rl
,wouldshehad
beenadai ntylitt
lepri
ncessorar oughneckl i
ke
msKy li
eher e?God, Ihopet oGodIgott hat
chanceagai nbecauseaf amilywasal lIever
want ed.Andnowt hatIcouldaf f
or dtohav e
one?Hadahomet or ai
seonei n?Andawoman
Iloveandwant edonewi t
h?I’
dbeent hi
nking
aboutt hatal ot.Especiall
ythatdaywi th
Fadzwa.Andi tsuckedt hatal
lthi
smi ghthave
tobepost ponedi fhedi dn’
tfi
ndawayt o
preventLubagoi ngt ojail
.
Igotacal
lfr
om mymom andIpi
ckedup.
KARTEL:
Mme.
.
MME:
Oit
haaoreosi
etser
uri
?
KARTEL:
Maa?
MME: Iwantyoutobri
ngthatLubapersonof
your
sheretonightsoshecanspendthe
weekendhereandgettomeetourfami l
y.
*
***
***
***
LI
KE,
COMMENT,
SHARE
ATHUG’
SLOVE41

WhenIgothome, Ist
art
edmakingdi
nner,
then
sathav
ingaglassofwinewhenSeshaknocked
andwalkedi
n,upset.
ME:
Dol
l
,what
’swr
ong?
SESHA:Ahh,kant
ennaam Ij
ustunl
uckyi
n
rel
ati
onshi
psnemma?
ME:
Whatdi
dhedo?
SESHA:
Mov
edbabymamai
ntohi
sroom att
he
hi
ve
ME:
Why
?
SESHA:Gat
weor ogi
l
emmagweandgot
thr
ownout…Idon’
tseewhyt
hat
’shi
spr
obl
em.
Areheweemyson.
ME:
Whydi
dn’
tyouj
ustt
aket
hechi
l
din?
SESHA:SotheycansayImol
est
edhi
m agai
n?
Nothanky
ou?
ME: Sesha,don’tyouseewhatt hisgir
lisdoi
ng?
Allt
hisisjusttomakei tlookli
key ouare
rej
ecti
ngMonk’ schild,andnothingismore
i
mpor tanttothatmanl ikehi
schi l
d.Sheis
goi
ngt ouset hatchil
dt orui
nwhaty ouhave.
SESHA:
Ijust
…
ME:No,doll
,wedon’tcr
y…nope.Thi si
syour
homehoney ,
areyougonnaletsomebaby
mamabr eakwhatyouarebuil
ding?No…
SESHA:
Hei
seat
ingr
ightoutofherhand.
ME: Twocanplay,sweet
ie.WenashowMonk
thathi
schildi
swelcome, i
nfact,
mov ehimi n.
Getamai d.Hi
tthatbi
chwer esheleastexpect
i
t.Sheisgonnapokey outomakey oukickthe
kidout.Don’
t.
SESHA:
Idon’
tknow,
babe…
ME:I
’mt el
l
ingy ou.ThatPunieisaleech.Don’t
gi
vehi
m ev enasmal lroom t
oburrowi ntoyour
home,sugar.Bathong,whereisNel
i?
SESHA:Aker
esheisbei
ngf
ull
timenur
senow.
Ahh,wai
tseNeel
o.
ME: Don’tj
udgemef r
iend,butnnat otaIdon’ t
thi
nkNel iodirasentl
e,shegav eupev er y
thing
tobeaman’ scaregiver
…shehasnot hingto
hersel
f.Idon’tknowmuchaboutr elationships,
butmonnay oucan’ttr
ust.Ihavehear doft oo
manywomenwhomadei tallabouttheman
andgotbur nt.
SESHA:
Nnammaket
shabagor
e!Hav
inga
manasyourev
ery
thi
ng?Ahhh!Iwassohappy
wheny
ouoffer
edmeanactivepar
tnershi
pat
t
hesal
on.NowIhavesomethi
ngthat’
smine.
LUBA: KanammeIof f
eredheratt
hebaker
y,
andshesaidsheistoobusytaki
ngcareof
Rue…ahh.Whycan’tshegethim anur
seka
theycanaffor
dit
?
SESHA:NnaItol
dherthataboar
eRuei
sher
man,heisherr
esponsi
bil
it
y.
*
***
***
***
***
***
Ruewheeledaroundhi
schairanddirect
edthe
decorat
orsonwhathewanted.Ithadtakena
l
ottogetNeelooutoft
hehouse, buthehad
fi
nall
ymanaged.
Hel ookedoveratt hetabl
ef ortwosetup,the
pri
vatechefhehadhi redfort henighti
nthe
ki
tchen……t hedi
ffuserwi t
hlav ender…att
he
bathroom t
hetubt hatwillbef i
ll
edupwithoil
s
andbat hbombsandal lt
hegoodt hi
ngsNiki
ta
hadrecommended,forl
ateraf
terdi
nner
.And
fi
nal
ly,t
hel
itt
lev
elvetboxinhi
shand.God,he
hopedNeli
li
kedit
.
Thatgir
lwasagem, shedeservedeveryt
hing.
Shehadaccept edhim whenhehadnot hing,
andsti
llacceptedhim whenheishalfaman
l
ikehewas.Andi nst
eadofhir
ingsomemai d,
shetookcar eofhim wi
thsuchfait
hful
nessand
dedi
cati
on, gaveherever
ysingledaytohim.
Hehadfi
nal
lygott
enNeelo’
syoungersi
stert
o
dr
agheroutforaspadayandhairandmakeup.
Amessagecamei
nfr
om t
hesi
ster
,say
ingt
hey
wer
earri
vi
ng.
Hefixedhistieandorderedt
hepeoplet
oget
outofsight
, l
eaveforthewai
tresswhowoul
d
beservi
ngt hem.
Helookedatthetaxil
ight
s,t
henNeel
ogett
ing
outasthetaxipassedonwit
hhissi
ster
.
ThedooropenedandNeel
owal
kedi
nlooki
ng
amazi
nginar eddr
essthatfl
att
eredhercurv
es
sowel
l.Shehadlostalotofwei
ght,pr
obably
fr
om t
hestressal
lthatti
mewhenhewasi na
coma.
Shehadonnewl
ybr
aidedhai
randhermakeup
wasdone.
RUE:
Wel
comehome,
myl
ove.
NEELO:
(smi
l
ing)OhmyGod,
Ruben,
whati
sal
l
t
his?
RUE:Ijustwantedt
odosomet
hingni
cef
ory
ou.
Seatdown, l
et’
seat
.
Ittookal otofeff
ort
,buthemanagedt opul la
chairforher,t
hatsmil
esuchasat i
sfactory
reward.Hecal l
edfort
hewai t
resstobringtheir
start
er.Thehadl i
ghtt
alkoverthecoursesof
themeal ,andhewassoexci t
edforthel astpar
t
ofit.
Aft
erthedesser
t,hewheel
edhi
msel
fcl
oseto
herseat
.God,shewasgonnabesosur
pri
sed,
hehadnott
oldherhecoul
d.
I
tsti
ll
hurtabit
,buthepushedhi
mselfupand
of
fthechai
r,st
andingupinfr
ontofher
.
NEELO:
Ruben…ohmyGod,
whatar
eyou…oh
myGod…
Tearsofj
oyrandownhercheeksatseei
nghi
m
stand,
andmandidthatmotiv
atehi
m!Hewas
gonnawalkagai
n.Fort
hiswoman,hewas
gonnawalkagai
nandbet hemanNeelo
deserv
ed.
RUE:(smil
ing)Myphysi
otherapi
stsay
swear e
makingprogress…Iam al
l
owedaf ewmi nut
es
onmyf eetnow.Whichisall
Ineedfortoday
anyway.
Neel
ocov
eredherhandwi
thhermout
hast
ear
s
r
andownhercheeks.
Hesai
dasheusedthedi
ningtabl
etopush
hi
msel
ftooneknee,
andheldoutther
ingt
oher
.
RUE: Neel oTshenolo…y ouar et hebestt hing
thateverhappenedt ome.Ev enwi thmyf ri
ends,
whot rulyIseeasmybr ot hers,Iwasusedt o
beingal one.Theny oucameandt aughtmet hat
Ineedn’ tbealoneany mor e.Atmydar kest
moment ,y
ouconst antlyandf ai
thf ull
ystayedby
mysi de, andwhenIdi dn’tbelieveIdeser v
elov e,
youlov edmeev erhar der,fi
ercer ,purer.Itotal
ly
don’tdeser veyou,buty ouhav et aughtmehope
enoughf ormet ohopet haty ou’dagr eet o
makemet hemostbl essedmanal iveandbe
mywi fe?
NEELO:OhmyGod…Rue…ohmyGod.Yes…
Yes.
.Iwil
l
…
Heslippedt
heri
ngonherfi
ngerandthen
pushedhimsel
fupandbackonthewheelchai
r,
pul
li
ngheronhislapandki
ssi
ngher.
*
***
***
***
***
**
LUBA
Kar
tel
arr
ivedal
i
ttl
eaf
terSeshal
eft
,looki
ng
def
eat
ed.
ME:
Any
thi
ng?
Heshookhi
sheadsadl
y.
KARTEL:Luba,
Ipr
omi
seIwon’
tlety
ougot
o
pr
ison.
ME:Ihav
eal
readymademypeace,l
ove.Don’
t
wor
rysomuch,we’
ll
beok.Letmegetyour
f
ood.
Iwashedhi
shandsandbroughthi
sdi
nner
.He
si
ghedheavi
lyandl
ookedatme.
KARTEL:
Whatdoyouthi
nkaboutv
isi
ti
ngmy
par
entsf
ort
heweekend?
ME:
What
?I…uhm…
KARTEL:It
hinki
twil
lbegoodforusal
l.I
t’
snot
sol
ate,sowecanjustdr
ivet
herenow.Pl
ease?
ME:(si
gh)Thi
sisabadidea.Wear
ebot
hnotat
ourbest
,buti
fyoui
nsi
st.
KARTEL:
Thanky
ou…
ME:
I’
ll
gopack.
Iwenttothebedroom,havi
ngabadf eeli
ng
aboutthi
s.Mostoftheri
dewasqui et,
butaswe
reached,
Kart
elreachedoverandheldmyhand.
KARTEL:
They
’l
ll
ovey
ou…comeon.
Het
ookourbagandwal
kedi
n.
I
maginemyshockasInot
icedRonseat
ing
t
her
el aughi
ngwi
tht
hem,Whatthehel
lwasthi
s?
*
***
***
***
***
***
**
Whenshelef tLuba’
shouse,Seshawenthome
andmadedi nner,t
hengotdoll
edup, wai
tingfor
Monk.Shewasgonnaapol ogiesaboutBobo
andsuggestt heymovehi
mi n.Itwashard,but
sheknewshehadt o.
Butwher
ethehel
lwasMonk?
Di
nnerhadgot
tencoldbynow,andhewasnot
pi
cki
nguphisphone.Shegoti
nhercarand
drov
eov ert
ot hehiv
e.That’
swherehehadsai
d
hewouldbeput ti
ngPunieup,andshedi
dnot
tr
ustthatgi
rlonebit
.
Shewal
kedinandasshestoodi
nthefoy
er,
she
coul
dhearMonklaughi
ngi
ntheroom.
Shewentov
erandknocked,
thenopenedthe
door
.Monkwaswatchi
ngamov iewit
hhisson
asPuni
ewashedthedi
shes.
MONK:
Babe…
SESHA: Hey…IwaspassingbyandthoughtI
shouldpassbyhereandgetBobo’s
measurements.Iam or
deri
ngsalonthi
ngsfrom
abroad,soIt
houghtIshoul
dorderhim wi
nter
cl
othes.
Monkl
ookedatherandsmi
l
edpr
oudl
y.
MONK:
That
’ssoni
ceofy
oubabe…
SESHA:Ijust
…Igotupsetaboutt
hatwhol
e
caset
hing,buthonest
ly,
I’
dfr
eaktooi
nmychi
l
d
camef rom aweekendwi thpeopleandhand
suchani nj
ury.Puni
ewasj ustbeingagood
mot her.Iholdnothi
ngagai nsther.I
fwear eto
co-parentourson, weallneedt ogetalong.In
fact,Ithoughtaswehav eamor establehome,
may beBobocanmov einwi thusuntil
Puniei s
mor est abl
e?Iwilli
nter
viewamai dtomorrow,
andal soenrollhi
m atthatEnglishMedi um day
carenearourpl ace.
Monksqueezedherhand,
smi
l
inghappi
l
y.
MONK: That
’smygirl
…t hanky
ousomuch
Sesha,t
hankyou.Youhavenoideahowhappy
thatmakesme.Thankyou.
WhenMonkwasn’
tlooki
ng,
Seshal
ookedata
f
umingPuni
eandwinkedwit
hasmil
e.
*
***
***
***
***
***
**
LUBA
Iwal
kedinhol
dingKart
el’
shand,
andheledme
togr
eethi
sparents,
shaki
ngthei
rhands.
KARTEL:Mme,
ntat
e,t
hisi
sLubal
ashe.Luba,
myparent
s.
MME:
Gat
wel
obal
aeng?
KARTEL:
Mme,
ser
iousl
y?
MME:
Gakeaut
waaker
e…
BOPAKI
:Youheardhimverywel
l,
stopi
t.When
di
dyoubecomethispet
typer
son?
MME: WhatdidItel
lyou,Kgathal
o?Thisgi
rl
i
nsul
tsme, kanowt hatshethi
nkssheisa
woman,pregnantandgetti
ngmar ri
ed,
shehas
st
art
edinsult
ingme.
BOPAKI:I
’m notinsul
ti
ngyou,
karesoftl
i
fe
changespeople.Legal
ent
ekedidi
male.
Thesi
sterst
oodupandhuggedme.
BOPAKI:Welcomedoll,ebi
l
ewecangeta
chancetotal
kaboutmybabyshower .You
knowPat t
ie,
andprobablyt
wit
terf
ingershere,i
s
Boipel
o,andourbr
otherKgodi
so,orjustKodi.
ME:
Nicet
omeety
oual
l
.
Kodist
oodupandshookmyhandswit
hawar m
smil
e,Boi
pel
omur mur
edsomethi
ngt
hatwas
pr
obablyacuss,
andRonsmil
edandwaved.
FATHER:Welcome,wel
comemydear
.We
hear
dalotaboutyou.
MME:Notreal
l
y,y
ouwereasecr
ettous,j
ust
spr
ungonusnnareset
ser
elabi
legosel
e.
BOPAKI:Thisi
senough,
mme.Akerei
f
Kgathal
otakeshi
swomanandnevercomes
backhomey ouar
etheonewhowil
lbehurt
agai
n?Stopit.
KARTEL:
Ron?Canwet
alk,
out
side?
Ronfol
lowedhim outandBopaki
tookmeto
Kar
tel
’sroom,wit
hKodi car
ryi
ngmybagforme.
*
***
***
***
***
***
***
***
***
KARTEL
Whatt
hehel
lwasmymot
herpl
ayi
ngather
e?I
knewshecal
l
edRon,
thenwhatcal
lLubaher
e?
Ical
l
edRonout
sideandwewentt
otal
k.
RON: IswearIhadnoideayouwerecoming.
Shecalledmesay i
ngtheymissedme.Iwas
fr
ee,soIcame.IthoughtLubawasgone?
KARTEL:Complicati
ons.Anyway,Ron,t
hisis
notgonnawork.Shewi l
lj
ustbepitt
ingyou
agai
nstLuba.Ihatetosaythi
s,butyouneedto
l
eave.
RON:
Wow…ser
iousl
y?
KARTEL:
Fort
hesakeofpeace.
RON:
Fine….
Shewal
kedbacki
ntot
hehouseandl
ookedat
mme.
RON: Mme,It
hinkIhavet
oleav
e,Kgat
hi
doesn’
twantmemaki nghi
sguest
uncomfor
tabl
e.
MME:
Butt
hisi
smyhomeandy
ouar
emy
guest
.Kanammajaanongy
ouarecomi
ngto
tel
lmewhotohav
eandnothaveinmyhouse?
Shesai
d,l
ooki
ngatLuba.
KARTEL:
Mme!
LUBA: No,
it’
sok.Shecanstay…it’si
mport
ant
thatIgett
oknowmymot her-i
n-l
awandallher
fri
endswell
,sincewearepracti
call
yfami
l
ynow.
BOI
PELO:
(mur
mur
ing)Noty
et.
KARTEL:Yea, youcanf
orgety
ourdat
a
subscr
ipt
ionf ort
hemonthunti
lyouf
indy
our
manners,rude.
BOI
PELO:
ButIneeddat
afor
…
KARTEL:Youshouldhavet
houghtaboutt
hat
befor
eyouwererudetothewomankind
enoughtosubscr
ibedat
aforyoueverymont
h
evenaft
erwhatyoudid.
MME:Thaaka,
elegor
ewhyisthatgir
ltheone
usi
ngyourmoney
?Thesecul
tgir
lskanagatwe
t
heyar
egi
ven…
KARTEL: Canyoual lj
uststop?Ntate,
howar e
youokwi thmmeandBoi pelobeingsorudeto
thewomanIi ntendt omarry?Andmme, isthat
theSpir
itofChristyoualwayspreach?Howar e
younicetothewhol ewor l
dandsomeant o
yourdaughter
-i
n- l
aw?
MME:
Shei
snot
…
KARTEL: Iam sorr
yy ouhady ourideasabout
whoIshoul dbewi t
h, butthispreciousPat t
ieof
yoursupandl ef
twhenIneededhert obet here,
andt hiswomany ouar eant agoni
zingbef ore
youev engett oknow?Shef edme, clot
hedme
andt ookcar eofmef r om herownpocketwhen
Ihadnot hing.WhenIf el
tthewor l
dwas
crushingdownonme, whenIhadament al
breakdownandt heonl ywayoutIsawwas
death?Guesswhowast heretopickupt he
pieces?Tol dmeandmademebel ieveIcould
bemor e.Yoursoni sher er i
ghtnow, notjust
affl
uence, butli
teral
lyalive,becauseoft hi
s
woman.Andhonest l
y,ifyoucar eaboutmy
happiness, you’
dknowI ’mi nlov ewi t
h
Lubalashe, Iam goingt omar r
yher .AndPat ti
e
i
sj ustaf r
iendtome, forcingany thingmore
thant hatwouldl eavememi serable.Luba,l
et’
s
gor est.Now.
Generall
ytomyf ami l
y ,
Iam aqui et,
softperson
whonev erev enraisest heirvoice,soyoucould
hereapi ndr opfrom t hesi l
encet hatfol
lowed
myout burst.Iwasj ustsot ir
edt hough;Iwas
ti
redandf rust r
atedandj ustwant edtogoout
thereandshootsomet hing.ThewomanIl ove
wasgoi ngt opr i
sonandIhadnowayof
stoppi
ngi t
, andt heyt hrowt hissht?Nxla!
*
***
***
***
***
***
***
***
**
6MONTHSLATER……
ATHUG’
SLOVE:
42
LUBA
Todaywasmysent
enci
ngandIwasjust
resi
gnedt
othef
actt
hatIwasgonnadoti
me.
Kartel
wassoheartbr
okenbyi
tashesaton
thosebenchesl
i
steni
ngthr
oughout
.
Iendedupget t
ing6y earsaltogetherforthe
kidnappingandt heforgery,withthree
suspended, soIwasgonnado3y earsonl y.
Mosesl ookedupatmedi ssatisf
ied,because
thissatanhadhopedt hey’
dt akemyl i
feawayor
somet hing.AsIwast akenaway ,IsawKar tel
seatingthereli
kehewasgonnabur stinto
sadness.Hewast ryi
ngsohar dtohol dhistears.
Monk, RonandRuewer ewithhi mf orsupport.I
sawNeel oandSeshaseat ingt ogether,hol
ding
handsast heybothsobbed.
Isowi
shIcouldbet
herewithmybabeand
makeever
ythi
ngal
ri
ghtforhi
m.
Butatl
eastshehadthansnakeRonal
loveri
t.
Si
ncethatti
meathisparent
s’si
xmonthsago,
herandIbar
elyt
alked,
Ihat
etwof
acedpeopl
e.
Ihadonl ywentbackt oKar t
el’
sparentsonce
afterthefi
rstvisit
,andev enthoughnowshe
washi dingitf
rom Kar tel,
hiswitchmot herwas
sti
llbeingacompl et
ebi chtome.What ev er.
Whenshef oundoutIwasf aci
ngpr i
sont i
me,
shecal l
edmeandy appedonabouthowIwas
dragginghersondowni nlif
e,howKar t
el wasa
businessmanandcoul dn’tbeassociatedwi th
j
ailbir
ds.Girl
,yoursoni sanex- hit
man,r obber,
andanex- drugl or
d.Shutup.
*
***
***
***
KARTEL
Il
it
eral
lyfel
tmyhear
tshat
terast
hey
announcedthet
imeLubawastoser
ve.
Ifel
tli
kesuchafai
l
ure… howcouldIl
etmy
womangot opri
son?Iam supposedt
oprot
ect
her,
damnit.
Icoul
dfeel
thet
ear
satt
hebr
inkofmyey
esas
shewastakenaway.F**ki
ngDol
la,
man!I
swearIwasgonnaki
llt
hatsonofabich.
Myboy sdecidedtotakemef oradrinkto
rel
iev
est r
ess,andtheyl
it
eral
lyhadtodr agt
o
theclub.Al
lIwantedwasgohomeandcr ymy
eyesoutuntilLubacameback.Iknowt hat
makesmesoundl ikeap*ssy
, butt
hishurtman.
Thishurtbi
gt i
me.
Isatdrowningmy selfonbeeraf t
eranother
whileRuewasonawal kingcanehejust
recent
lygotgraduatedt o,andhewast akingf
ull
advantageofhisnewmobi l
it
y,upinthedance
fl
oorwi t
htwobar el
ydr essedgirl
sgyrati
ngall
overhim.Ronsatbesi desmesmoki ngbubbly,
andMonkwasont heot herside.
MONK:
You’
vehadenough,
Mist
er
Hesai
dasIt
ri
edt
ogetanot
herbeer
.
KARTEL:
F**
kof
f,Monk.
MONK:
Sti
l
lnotl
ett
ingy
ouhav
eanymor
e.I
’
m
t
aki
ngy
ouhome.
KARTEL:
Whatar
eyou,
myf
ather
?
MONK: (l
aughi
ng)Youcancal lmedaddyi fi
t
wil
lhel
py ousleepatnight
,pri
ncess.ButIam
notl
ett
ingyougoal coholi
c.Lubaneedsyouto
bestr
ong.I’
llt
akeyouhome.
RON:
It’
scool
.I’
l
ltakehi
m.
MONK:
Yousur
e?Hei
spr
ett
ysl
oshed.
RON:
Icanhandl
eKar
tel
…
KARTEL:Atleastshei
smor
efunt
haty
ou,
bor
ing.Let
’sgo,Ron.
MONK: Nomorealcohol
forhi
m,ifhegi
vesyou
gr
ipe,
callmesoIcanpunchtheshtout
tahi
m.
I
’l
lwalkyout
othecar.
*
***
***
***
Iwalkedint
owhatwast
obemyhomef
ort
he
nextthr
eeyear
s.
Checkedmybed,
andt
heni
twast
imef
ormeal
s.
Abulky
,bi
gchest
edladyappr
oachedmeand
t
ouchedmycheek.
HER:
Sooocute… lookatthosesweetli
ps…
mhhthoseboobs.Kar
teli
sal uckybast
ard.
Damn.
Every
bodyneedsaKarteli
nthei
rli
fe,
youknow.
Ihadbeensoscaredaboutgangsgett
ingmein
here,
butitl
ookedli
kemymanhadal readygot
i
tsorted.
ME:
(smi
l
ing)Hi
,I
’m Luba…
HER: Aflower .Fit
ti
ng.I’m Duiker.Iheardmy
boyKar tmadei tbi
g, kegrootmannow.Ial way
s
knewt hatonewasgonnamakei t.Onething
aboutKar tel
,thatonehasbr ains…v er
y
calcul
ativeandnev ertakesasi nglestep
withoutapl an…Iknewhewasgonnacomeout
tops.Youpi ckedar ealone,gir
ly.
ME:
Thanks…
HER:Hecamet oseeme, l
astweek.Hewas
real
gener
ousbringi
ngstuf
fhere.Butespeci
all
y
tomykidsbackhome…onest art
edform one
andhegothimtheunif
orms…
ME:
That
’sni
ce…whatar
eyoui
nher
efor
.
HER:Sweetfl
ower,y
oudon’tasksuch
quest
ionsar
oundhere.Wear eal
li
nnocent.
Kartt
oldmey ouar
ewr ongf
ull
yaccused?
ME: Notreal
l
y.Idi
dtakemysister.Ihadt o,my
fat
h…t hemanwhor ai
sedmei sdev i
lincarnat
e,
all
Iwantedwast okeephersafe…
HER: Whydidn’
tKar tjusticehi
m?Any way,Iam
disappoi
nted… myboychoseasof tgirl
,he
needsahar dassqueen, agir
lli
keRon.Yea,
that’
sabadassr ightthere.Sheknowshowt o
l
ookoutf orherselffi
rst.Typagir
lyouthrowt o
thewolvesandshecomesoutl eadingthepack.
Ijustl
ovethatgirl
.
Oh,
great
.Anot
hermemberoft
heRonf
ancl
ub.
ME:
Yout
hinkI
’
m sof
t?
HER: (
laughing)Bich,Iknowy ouaresoftj
ust
l
ooki ngaty ou.Thet ypetof**kshtupandgo
cryaty ourbigbadboy fr
iendaboutit
.Icanjust
tel
l.Socanev erybichinhere,
lookathowt hey
arest ari
ngaty ou.Andmanywi ll
makeapl ay
fory ou,everyoneherewant stobeabov e
someone, everyonewant stomakesomeone
theirli
ttl
ebich.
Soft?Me?Iwantedsomucht otel
lhert
of**
k
off,
butIwasnottry
ingtogetabeatdownon
myv er
yfi
rstday
.SoIjustsatdownandatemy
food.
HER: Youareluckyyougotme.Ihav eonemor e
year,t
hatgivesyoutimetogetupont hefood
chain,buty
ouhav etodoi tony ourownifyou
aregonnastill
haverespectafterI’
m gone.…
hereyouhav etogetrespectandcr eat
efear…
onthewardenstoo.Otherwise,y
oubecomea
pl
ayground.Don’
tworrythough,we’l
lmakea
badbichoutofyouhoney …Tellmethough,
whatdoIgetforlooki
ngoutf oryou?
ME:
IthoughtKar
tel
…
HER:MydealwithKarti
smydealwit
hhim.You
can’
tbeseat
ingwait
ingforamantotakecar
e
ofyousweet
ie.Howisyourheadgame?
ME:
Huh?
HER:
Hav
eyouev
ergav
eaf
emal
ehead?
ME:
No…I
’
m st
rai
ght
….
HER:( laughi
ng)Str
aight
,huh?Strai
ghenough
togot hreeyearswit
houtanythi
ng?IknowI’
m
not…Ilikegetti
nghead.Tsagorewenao
strai
ght,younevergaveheadwatwatgakedi
tsene.Firstt
imeforever
ythi
ng…
ME:IbetKart
elwouldn’
tli
keyoumessi
ng
ar
oundliket
hat.Yousai
dy ouhadki
dsonthe
out
side,
huh.
.
Sheslappedmesohar dIli
ter
all
ysawstar
s.
Thengrabbedmyneckandsmashedmyf ace
onthetable.Nobodycame.Notevent
he
wardens.
HER:Don’
tyouev er,ev
erthreatenmyki
ds,bi
ch.
Ketaagobolaa,Kartelwi
l
l carr
yabodyoutof
her
e,nxl
a.Apologise!
Aboutf
ourothergi
rlsmov edi
nreadyt
otake
meoutifIdefi
edtheirl
i
ttl
equeenbee.
ME:
I’
m sor
ry…
HER: Good,good…noof fensetaken.AndKart
el
bett
ernothearaboutt hi
s,orelseyourli
fei
n
hereisgonnabehel l
.Ithi
nky ouandIare
gonnabef r
iends,sweetflower.Youhaveafir
e
i
ny ou.I’
l
lcomet oyourcel l
lat
er.
*
***
***
***
***
Neel
olai
dinbedl
ooki
ngatherphone.Cl
ubs
j
ustweren’
therthi
ng,andshehaddeclined
whenRueinvi
tedher,
sayingtheyweretaking
Kart
eloutt
ocheerhim up.Besi
des,shehad
beensoupsetaboutt
hewhol eLubathing,she
j
ustwantedtocomehomeandcr yi
tout .
Li
fewassounfai
r…Lubawast hesweet est
,
ki
ndestper
sonsheevermet…andshewas
goi
ngtopri
sonfordoi
ngtherightthi
ng?For
wanti
ngsosaveapoorinnocentli
ttl
ebaby?
I
tmadeherfeel
almostgui
l
tyaboutherli
fe.
Nextweekwashermagadicer
emony,andsoon
t
hewedding.
Shewentt othebat hroom andbr ushedher
teeth,thenpulledoutt heli
tt
leboxshehad
placedi nfr
ontofRue’ sshavingkitsohecan
seei ti
nt hemor ni
ng.Shelookedatt hetwo
l
ittl
el i
neswithasmi le,r
ubbinghert ummy .She
l
aughedt hi
nkingofl astmont hwhenRuehad
wokenupwi thamor ningwood.Hehad
screamedandj umpedupanddownl ikehewon
t
hel
ott
ery
…t hendi
dn’
tletherl
eav
ethehouse
f
ort
hewholeday.
Ever
ythi
ngwasgoingsowel
lwi
thherl
i
fe.Ev
en
hermotherwasst
art
ingt
oactl
i
keshewasher
mother
*
***
***
***
***
**
RonhalfdraggedKar
telintot
hehouseandto
thebedroom,taki
ngoffhisshoesandput
ti
ng
himinbed.
KARTEL:
Stay
…Idon’
twannabeal
one.
RON:
Youar
edr
unk…
KARTEL: Youknowwhathel psmecopewhenI
am hur
ting.Weed,boozeandf *
*ki
ng.The
boozefail
ed,weedisjustmargi
nal
lyhel
ping…
doyouhav eanythi
ngstronger
?Iknowy oukept
some…
RON:
Kar
tel
…
KARTEL:
Comeon,
Ron,
thi
sist
heki
nda
emergencyy
oust
ashedf
or.I
’
m dy
ingi
nsi
de…I
needtobenumb…
RON:
H,E,
ordope?
KARTEL:
Now,
that
’smygi
rl
.Hi
tmewi
tht
hatE.
Shetooktwopi
l
lsf
rom herpur
seandputt
hei
n
hert
ongue.
Helaughedandcamet okissher
,taki
ngoneof
thepil
lsintohi
smout handwenttogetsome
vodkaint hefr
idge,
washingthepi
llwi
ththedry
vodka,thenpoursomeonRon’ smouthast hey
bothlaughed.
Hegrabbedherbyt
hebrai
dsandpull
edher
agai
nsthisbody
,ki
ssi
ngherneck…
*
***
***
***
***
***
***
***
LI
KE,
COMMENT,
SHARE
ATHUG’
SLOVE43
LUBA
Af
terDui
kerleft
,Il
aidi
nmybedundermy
bl
anket
,sobbingqui
etl
y.
Thatwas…
t
raumati
c.Hav
ingherbushyp*
ssyal
lupi
nmy
f
ace.God!
Butwhatt
hehel
lcoul
dIdo?
Int
hemorningIwast
hefi
rsti
ntheshowers,
andIbr
ushedmyteet
hunti
lmygumsf el
traw.
Ifel
tatmyf
orehead,
andtherewasabump
fr
om bei
ngsmashedontothetabl
eyest
arday
.
Icoul
dcryaboutt
hisandbeherl i
tt
lebi
cht hat
sheprot
ect
s,orIcouldassertmysel
fandki ng
upinthi
smotherf
**ker,
sinceshewasalready
queen.
ButifIwastogonnabet oppingthefoodchai
n,
Ican’taf
for
dtobemer ightnow..Impulsi
ve,
quicktoact
ion.IhadnofallbackifImessed
t
hingsupi
nher
e.
Nah,Ihadt
odoaKar
tel
.WWKD?WhatWoul
d
Kar
telDo?
St
udyev eryone,l
earnthei
rstr
engt
hsand
weaknesses.Thenthat’
swhenIcanbeme.
Manipul
atethehelloutofthei
rweaknessesf
or
mybenefit
.
Dur
ingbr
eakf
ast
,Iwal
kedov
ert
oDui
kerwi
tha
smi
le.
ME:
Heyhot
stuf
f…
Shelookedatmei nsur pri
se.Pr obablyhad
expectedmet obebowi ngtoherl iketheothers.
Plus,IthinkIhadalreadyf oundherweakness.
Thiswasawomannotusedt obei ng
compl ement edonherl ooks.Al lthismascul i
ne
energyandbul ly
ingpr obablyst eamsf r om
i
nsecur i
ty.Shehadaccept edshewasn’ tgood
l
ooking, soshehadt ober oughandmascul i
ne
tobeont op.Look,saywhat ev erf eministsht
youwant ,butever
ywomanwantstobemade
tofeelbeauti
ful
.Anddamnit
,mysuper
poweri
s
mymout h.Ir
eal
lycantal
kmywayaround
everyt
hing.
Iwentov
erandwhi
sper
edi
nherear
.
ME: (
whisperi
ng)y
oushoul dletmesuf
focat
e
onthosejugstoni
ght.Gir
l,damn.Howdosome
gi
rlsgetthi
smucht atasandwegetbarel
y
enough?
Shel
aughedandl
ookedatme.
DUI
KER:
Ithoughty
ouwer
e‘st
rai
ght
’.
ME:Let’
sjustsayIgotenli
ght
enedlastni
ght
.
Somegirl
sjusthavethatgoodsht
…t hat
honey
pot…
Isai
dasIli
ckedmyl i
ps.AndIcoul
dhav
e
swornsheblushed.
ME:Byt
heway,doyouneedany
thi
ng?Karthas
awayar
oundandcangetussomesht.Heis
bri
ngi
ngmetoi
let
ryandal
l.Icoul
dhavehi
m
thr
owinat
hingortwoint
hereforyou.
DUI
KER:
Arey
ousucki
ngupt
ome?
MW:
Sucki
ngup,
sucki
ngon…Il
ovesucki
ng…
DUICKER:
(laughi
ng)youar
eanast ybich.You
knowthat
?Imi ghthav
emisjudgedyou…
IlaughedandwinkedatherasIfocusedonmy
food,veryawar
ethatshewasstaringatme,
as
shet r
iedtohi
dethatbl
ush.
*
***
***
***
*
KARTEL
Iwokeupwi
thRonnakedbesi
deme.
Ohsht
.
Shewokeupandst
ret
ched,
smi
l
ingatme.
KARTEL:Ron… look,thi
sshoul
dn’
thave
happened.Iwasjustsof**
keduplastni
ght
…
RON:
Ser
iousl
y?
KARTEL:
YouknowIl
oveLuba… Ij
ust
… can
thi
sst
aybet
weenus?
RIN:Youknowwhat,
Kart?F**
kyou,man.You
alwaysdothi
s.Al
ways.AndIam t
hedummy
thatal
waysfal
lsf
ori
t.
KARTEL:
I’
m sor
ry…
RON:
F**
kyou…
Shesai
dasshest
art
edput
ti
nghercl
otheson.
KARTEL:Ron,
canwepleaset
alkaboutt
his?
YouknowIcareabouty
ou…
Shegrabbedthev odkabot
tl
efr
om t
henight
standandhurledi
tatme.Iduckedt
otheside
andhearditshatt
er.
KARTEL:
Ron,
please…
RON:I’
m done,Kar
tel
.Iam donebeingyour
f*
*ki
ngcrutchandthenbei
nglefthighanddr y.
Yourantonaboutmejustl
eav i
ng,butyouev er
wonderedwhy?Ihadtocompet ewithbichass
Ni
kit
aandHalima… andnev
erf
eltl
i
keIwas
madepri
ori
ty.
KARTEL:Yea?Howdidyouthi
nkIf
eltknowi
ng
youweref**
kingBozaev
eryni
ght
?
RON: Il
it
eral
l
yhadto.Tosur
vive… any
way
,why
am Iargui
ngwit
hyou?I’
m done.
KARTEL:
Ron…
Shef
li
ppedmeandwal
kedof
f.
*
***
***
***
*
NeelowokeupassheheardRuet
iptoei
n,not
doingagoodj
obofi
tashiscanet
appedthe
fl
oor.
RUE: Goodmor ningbabe… Iuhm… Ispentt he
ni
ghtwi thKart
el.Hewasi nbadshape.Poor
guy… wej ustdrankandchill
ed,nnagor at
a
boroko,Ipassesoutont hesofa.Ij
ustwokeup
andcamehome, Idi
dn’
twantt owakey ou.
Babet hemmamakemebr eakf
ast,Ihaveto
headt
otheof
fi
ce.
Sheranofftothetoi
letandthr
ewupbef orehe
coul
dev enfi
nishhi
ssentence,thesmellof
boozethatwasalloverhim makingher
nauseous.
Hecameoverandr
ubbedherback,
handi
ngher
atoot
hbr
ushwhenshewasdone.
RUE:
Arey
ouokbabe?
NEELO:
I’
m pr
egnant
.
RUE:
Huh?
NEELO:
Wear
ehav
ingababy
..
RUE:
Oh…
NEELO:Oh?It
ell
touIam pr
egnantand‘
oh’
is
al
lyouhavet
osay?
RUE:Ij
ust
…it’
sjustsosudden,
babe.Iwant
ed
ustoenj
oyourmarri
agefi
rst
.Maybewecould
ter
…
NEELO:Don’
t.Don’
tyoudar
efini
shthat
sent
ence,
Reuben.Don’
tyoudare.
RUE:I
’m sor
ry…i t
’sjust
… no,y
ouar
eright.Thi
s
i
sagoodt hi
ng..Ababy … wow…soyou’l
l
managethatbreakfast?
NEEL:
I’
m notf
eel
ingwell
,Reuben.Legal
e,I
’
ll
makesomethi
ngsimpl
e.
Hegotint
heshower
,andwhenhecameout
,he
hadandsms.
‘
takemet
obr
eakf
ast
,daddy
’
Hesmil
edandqui
cklydr
esses,r
unni
ngpast
Nr
elowhowasputt
ingbreakf
astont
hetabl
e.
NEELO:
Breakf
ast
…
RUE:I
’
m sorr
ybabe… somet
hingcameup.I
havet
orush.
*
***
***
***
*
Iwentt
othev
isi
tat
ionr
oom,
andKar
tel
sat
ther
e.
KARTEL:
Babe… ohmyGod,
whathappened?
ME:Iknowhowt
hissounds,
butIact
ual
l
yreal
l
y
di
dfall
.
KARTEL:
Luba…
ME:
Ser
iousl
y…If
ell
.Howar
eyouhol
dingup?
KARTEL:
Youar
etheonei
nher
e,Ishoul
dask
you.
ME:Meh,f
indingmyplace…wearegonnaget
t
hrought
his,babe.
.Ti
mewi l
lj
ustf
ly.
KARTEL:
Imi ssyoual
ready…thathouseisso
damnquiet
,babe… di
dy oumeetDuiker
?
ME:
Yup…ni
cegi
rl
.Il
i
keher
.
Hepushedabagt owardsmeandIl ooked
i
nside.Alotofsnacks,chocol
ate,
Oreos,then
toi
l
etry,
tampons,perfume,andinthereIsawa
phonewithachargerandheadsets.
KARTEL:Nosocialmedia,
Luba…Itssowecan
keepi
nintouch.Idon’
tneedtotel
lyout
okeep
i
toutofsight,doI?Iregist
eredyouforan
onli
nebusinessmanagementdi ploma,youcan
passtimewiththat,
ittakestwoandahal f
years.
ME:
Awww,
thanksbae… ar
eyouok?Youl
ook…
KARTEL:Justhungov er
…itwashar
d…seei
ng
youbetakenawayl i
kethat
…sotheboyt
ook
meoutfordrinks.
Wet al
kedforabi t
,andthenhehuggedmeas
theti
metol eavearri
ved.Isawhi m shake
handswithawar den,andIjustknewhesl i
pped
hersomemoneyt olookawayasIt ookmybi g
bagofgoodi esi
n.Insurethoseoutsidehad
beencompensat edtoo,other
wisehewoul dn’
t
havebeenabl etobringthem.In.
*
***
***
***
Ni
ki
tasati
nEa’
shousewi
thhersi
ster
.
NI
KITA:(l
aughi
ng)Theannoy
ingli
tt
leti
ckgot
t
hreeyear
s… Kart
elmustbedevast
ated,Iam
gonnagoconsol
ehi
m.
NAOMI :
AndEa?Heseemst
obeget
ti
ng
ser
iousabouty
ou,
Nikki
.
NIKI
TA:That ,
darl
ing,
isnotmypr
oblem.Kar
tel
i
sallsi
ngle,andIhavetomakemymov enow…
heisvul
nerableandgonnaneedashoul
dert
o
l
eanon
NAOMI:P*ssyt
ori
deon,
youmean?Eai
sani
ce
guyNi
kki…
NI
KITA:
Soy
ouwantmet
oset
tl
e?
NAOMI:Idon’
tev
engetwhatyouwantwi
ththi
s
Kar
tel
ofy our
swhenhel
it
eral
l
ypaysyoudust.
NI
KITA:
(bl
ushi
ng)Youwoul
dn’
tunder
stand.
NAOMI:
Ihaven’
tseenEaoutwit
hothergi
rl
sin
awhi
l
e… whydon’tyougi
vet
hisatr
ywithhim
NI
KITA:IwantKar
tel
.Tal
kingaboutt
hat
… Ea
wantedtogoonadate… canyougoonmy
pl
ace,babe?
NAOMI:Agai
n?St
opplay
ingthi
smanf
oraf
ool
,
Ni
kki
,hereal
l
ydoesl
i
key ou.
NIKI
TA:Hei sbooooooori
ng.Justdoit?Please?
IhaveapartyIam at
tendi
ng,buthei sall‘
we
needtogettoknoweachot herbett
er’l
ike,dude,
Idon’
twannasitinsomer estaur
antli
steningto
someguyy ap.
Naomishookherheadandwentt
othe
bedr
oom togetdr
essed.
*
***
***
***
Eahadbeensmokingoutsideinthemorning
whenhesawRoncomi ngoutofKar tel
’
splace.
Whenwasthisgi
rlgonnalearnthatKatt
elwas
nev
ergonnabehers?
I
tbr okehisheartbev
ausehewasj ustgonna
hurtheragain.Andheknewithurther
whenev erhecomest ohert
henjustdropsher
l
iket hat
.
Any
way
s,hewasdonewai
ti
ngf
orher
.Hewas
tr
yingt
omaket hi
sthingwithNikit
awor k,
but
shewasallmixedsignals.Onedayshewas
suchapleasantgir
l,t
henextoffish.Todaythey
weregoingforadateandhewasgonnadeci de
i
fhewaskeepi ngthisgoingorcalli
ngitqui
ts.
Hewal
kedi
ntothebedr
oom andshewasal
l
dol
l
edupdr
essed.
EA:
Youl
ookbeaut
if
ul.
NAOMI
:(smi
l
ing)Thanky
ou…
Hecameov erandki
ssedher,
thenhel
dher
hands,
looki
nginhereyes.
EA:Ni
kki
… canwegi v
ethisarealtr
y?Like,you
ar
eanamazinggirlmostoftheti
me… wehav e
somuchfun… andIseeaf ut
ureforus.Please,
gi
veusarealchance…
Hi
ssincer
it
ybrokeherhear
t.Shecoul
dn’
tdo
t
hisanymore.
.Shej
ustcoul
dn’t.
NAOMI
:Eagi
l
we…f
ort
hepastt
hrewmont
hs,
mostofy
ourdat
eswer
ewi
thme.
EA:
Ofcour
se…
NAOMI:No…Iam Naomi…andIam t
heone
you’
vebeenspendi
ngt
imewit
h…
EA:No… no… Ni
kkiandI
… weareget
ti
ng
ser
iousandsheuhm… shewoul
dn’
t…
NAOMI :Ni
ki
tacanbar
elyst
andyouandshe
onlygotwi
thyoutomakeKart
elj
eal
ous…Il
ike
you…
EA:
Getout
…
NAOMI:Ea,pl
ease…Ihat
edly
ingt
oyou,
li
key
ou
sai
d,wegetal
ongsowell…
EA:Out
!Now!Gett
hehel
louti
fmyhouse
bef
oreIshooty
ou,
youst
upidbi
ch.
Naomiranoutandgoti
nthecarshebought
Ni
kit
a,dri
vi
ngoffasEastoodatthedoor
menaci
ng.
Hescr
eamedi
nangerandst
ormedt
othe
bedr
oom, t
aki
ngoutatt
hrowi
ngi
nthey
ardal
l
ofNi
kit
a’sthi
ngs.
*
***
***
***
**
LUBA
Aft
erKar tell
eft
,Iwentbacktomycellandout
myt hingsin,t
henwenttoDuiker
’scelland
handedhersomet oi
let
ryandsnacks,
thena
fewf orsomeofhergoons.
ThenIf
oundaboutt
hreemor egir
lst
hatIgav
e
somethi
ngst
o,andevenhelpedonewitha
fi
ght
.Gott
acr
eatemyownl oyals.
AtnightDui
kercamet omycel lagai
n.Ihadto
dowhatIhadt odo… atleastshehadshav ed.
Aft
ersheleft
,Igotundercoversandtextedwith
Kart
el.
‘
babe,
Iam worr
iedsickabouty
ou… Iknowyou
sai
dyouf
ell
,butissomeonebother
ingyou?
’
‘
IswearI
’
m cool .Babe,
wear
egonnaneed
totalkaboutsomet hi
ng.Youar eamanandy ou
got… needs.Thi sisprobabl ydumb, butIam
notexpect ingy outowai tthreeyears.Asl onga
youunder st andtheyareonl yprovidi
ngwhatI
can’tprovider i
ghtnow, whi chissex.Not hi
ng
beyondt hat .Anddef i
nit
elynotRonorPl asti
c
Fantastic.SomeoneI ’
llneverknowabout
becauseIdon’ ttrustmy sel
fnottoki ll
them
whenIcomeout .’
‘
Babe…pleasedon’
tsayshtl
i
ket
his.Youwant
metocheat ’
‘
Let’snotpret
endthisisn’
tourreal
i
ty…j ust…
promisenoment alconnecti
onswheny oudoi t
..
Nodat es,
nospendingt i
me.Youdon’thav eto
respondtothi
s.Wy dri
tenow? ’
Hi
sresponsewasav
ideocal
l
.
Iputt
heheadset
sonandanswer
ed,
stay
ing
si
lent
.
Hewasnakedi
nthatbed,
all
bigand
magnifi
cent
.Icoul
dseehehadj
ustshower
ed
becauseIcoul
dseewaterdr
opl
etsandt
he
towelonthebed.
Hest art
edtost r
okehimself,goi
nghar
derand
fasterunti
lhecameal loverhisl
owerabdomen,
asIwat ched.Damn… howwasIgonnal i
vefor
threeyearswithoutal
lthat?
Isai
dgoodni
ghtandt
hent
ext
edSesha
‘
heybabe… gotmyphone.I
’m gonnaneeda
pr
egnancyt
est,pl
easedon’
ttel
lKart
elyet
.’
*
***
***
***
**
LI
KE,
COMMENT,
SHARE
ATHUG’
SLOVE:
44

Iwal
kedint
othevi
sit
ingr
oom andSesha
smil
edatmehappi
ly.
SESHA:Gir
l,howar
eyoulooki
nglessaf
fect
ed
byal
lthi
sthanIam?Ibeencryi
ngmyey esnon
st
op,
andIknowi
tshows.
ME:(l
aughing)youadaptandconquer
,
sweethear
t.Venivi
divi
cit
ypethi
ng.What
wouldcryi
nggetme?
SESHA:
Butify
ouare…ohmyGod,Luba…how
wil
l…wi
llt
heyl
ety
oukeept
hebabyIhere?
ME:Idon’tknow.I
fIam…thenIj
ustadaptt
o
t
hattoo.Yougotthethi
ng?
Shepushedi
ttowar
dsmeandIsl
i
ppedi
tinmy
pocket
.
*
***
***
**
KARTEL
Igoti
ntheoffi
ceandNi
ki
tawalkedin,
herski
rt
soshort
,youcoul
dseeal
lhersoul
.
NIKI
TA:Icametoy
ourpl
acet
heot
herday
…
youwer
en’ti
n.
KARTEL:
Whatdi
dyouwant
?
NI
KITA:Eat
hrewmeout
.Ineededapl
ace…
KARTEL:
Yoursi
sterl
i
ter
all
yli
vesi
nthesame
ar
ea.
NIKITA:
Whywoul dIwanttobewi t
hthattwo
ti
mingbich?Butenoughofthat.Icameto
checkony ou… wi
thever
ythi
ngt hat’
s
happeni
ngwi t
hLuba… howar ey ouhol
dingup?
KARTEL:Niki
ta.Gett
hehel
loutofmyoff
ice,
andputyourclawsaway
.I’
m noti
nter
est
ed.I
neverwi
l
l be.
Isai
dasIpushedheroutandcl
osedmydoor
.
Monkwal
kedi
nandsatont
het
abl
e.
MONK: (
laughi
ng)Iseet
hepot
tapot
tyi
s
al
readysi
nkinghercl
aws?
KARTEL:
(laughi
ng)Shecanf
**kof
f.
MONK:
Howi
sLubadoi
ng?
KARTEL:
Shedi
dn’twanttoseemetoday
.She
washavi
ngaheadache,
soshetol
dmenott o
come.
MONK:
Shegoti
naf
ight
.
KARTEL:No, shedi
dn’
t.Ihav
esomepeopl
e
l
ookingoutforhersot
hatherti
mether
e
doesn’
taff
ecthermuch.
MONK: Theonlyreasonshewi ll
refusetosee
yououtoftheblueisbecauseshei sprobabl
y
brui
sed.Andpri
sonchangesy ou, nomatter
what.Youneedtober eadyforthat…t hr
ee
year
sisalongtime,theLubat hatcomesout
mightnotbetheLubat hatwentin.
KARTEL:Nah… shehasprot
ecti
on,shehasno
reasont
ogeti
ntoanyhardshi
pinthere.
MONK:Youprobl
em ist
haty
our
efuset
osee
t
hatt
hatgi
rli
saforce…
KARTEL:
IknowLubai
snoav
eragegi
rl
…
MONK:Yetyousodesperatel
ywanthert
obe
t
hel
it
tl
efloweryoupr
otect.Whichi
swhyy our
shtwi
thRonf
ail
edt
oo.
KARTEL:
Ronl
eftme!
MONK: Butshewasunhappywit
hyoualways
want
ingtoplayhersuper
her
o,wasn’
tshe?
KARTEL:
SoIshoul
dn’
ttakecar
eofpeopl
eI
car
eabout?
MONK: Il
i
kesof tgir
lsthatneedmypr ot
ecti
on
andlovethei
deaofhav i
ngabi gbadman
l
ookingoverthem,soIgotone.Whydoy ou
alwaysgoforal i
oness?Girl
sliket
hat,youdon’
t
tame.Andonlyaf ewmencanhandl ethatt
ype
ofwoman.
KARTEL:
Kant
ewhatar
eweev
enar
gui
ngabout
?
MONK: I’
mjustsayi
ngmanageyour
expect
ati
ons.Lubawil
lcomeoutdi
ff
erent
.
KARTEL:
What
ever
.Andt
hat
’st
hreey
ear
saway
any
way.
MONK:
Any
way
… Ron.
KARTEL:OhmyGod.Ihav
esomuchwor
k,
pl
easeleav
emealone.
MONK: Youknowhowshei s.Shei sdesper
ate
forl
ovebecauseofhersi
tuat i
onwi thher
mother.Andy ouwer
ethefirstpersontoshow
heranykindness,
soshehasconv i
ncedhersel
f
youarewhatsheneeds.Stopf eedingthat
.
KARTEL:
Dude,Iwasdr
unkandhi
gh!Oft
het
wo,
shewasmoresober
.
MONK: Buty oual waysdot his, man.Youal ways
giveherf al
sehope, t
hatgirlisbr oken… andy ou
areonlyt eari
ngherapar tmor e..Shei samess
ri
ghtnow.Ipassedbyherpl aceandshewas
highashel l.Ithi
nkshei sgonnadi pagain.And
i
tsy ourfault.Shewasget t
ingher selftoget
her.
Andsi ncey ouar ewonderingwhyEai smadat
you,hesawy oukissheratt hehi ve, andyou
knowhowEaf eelsaboutRon.So, yea,youhave
alotofshty ouneedt oclean.Eai sathomei f
youdeci det omanupandf i
xy ourmess.
HewalkedoutandIr
ubbedmyf
acewi
tha
heav
ysigh.
Whyi
sev
ery
thi
ngal
way
smyf
aul
t?
Ipi
ckedupmycarkey
sanddr
ovet
oEa’
shome.
Iknockedandwhenhedi
dn’
topen,
Ipi
ckedt
he
doorandwalkedi
n.
Hewasont
hesof
aget
ti
nghi
ghanddr
inki
ng.
KARTEL:
Soooo… If
**kupal
ot.
EA:
Yout
hink?Thef
**ky
ouwanther
e?
KARTEL:Bro,whendidwegethere?Toapoi nt
wher
emont hsgowi thoutust
alki
ng?Ihear
d
youweren’
ttoopleasedwithRonandI?
EA:Toopleased,Kar
tel
?Toopleased?Allthe
f*
*ki
ngt i
me,sincewewer eki
ds.Iwatchedher
pi
neafteryou,andyoualwaysputherinthe
backbench…
KARTEL:
Ilov
edher,y
ouknowthat
…youknow
howmuchIhurtwhenshel
eft
.
EA:
YouknowIam i
ntoher
…youhavea
woman,
andyoust
il
lpl
ayRonl
i
kethat
…
KARTEL:Thatsupposed‘ki
ss’
yousaw… didn’
t
happen.Westoppedbeforeweevenki
sses.
EA:SoIguessshewascomi ngfr
om your
houseearl
ymorningtheotherdaybecausey
ou
twospenttheni
ghtreadi
ngt hebi
ble?
KARTEL:I
t’
snotfai
rthaty
oubl
amemef
orRon
pay
ingyoudust
.
EA:Thebr
ocode,
Kar
tel
!YouknowI
’
mint
othat
and…
KARTEL: Becausegoingaftermyexi stotall
y
notbreakingthebrocode.Man, f**kyou.I
actual
lyhavenothingtoapologiestoy ouabout.
IcankissRonorsowhat everallIwant,sheisa
consenti
ngadul t
,andwhat ’
sbet weenmeand
herisnoneofy oubusiness.Ifyouwantherso
much, manupandt el
lher,becauseshei si
nto
you.
*
***
***
***
***
Isati
nthecour
tyar
dplai
ti
ngDuiker
’shai
r,
thi
nki
ngaboutt
hosetwolit
tl
eli
nes.
Whynow.Why
,why
,why
!
Iwasterri
fi
ed.Ij
ustfoundoutIam pregnantin
pri
son.Whowoul dn’
tbescar ed?Whatwil
lbeof
mybaby ,Ihav
enomot herandmymot herin
l
awhat esme.
Therati
onal
thingwil
lbet
ogetsomeonet ofi
nd
meal i
tt
lepi
ll
.Seshawoul
dtrytotalkmeoutof
i
t,butul
ti
matel
yshewouldunderstandanddoit
.
ButIj
ustcoul
dn’
tdothattoKartel
.Iwoul
dn’tbe
abl
etolookatmysel
f,notaf
terIki
ll
edhisfi
rst
chi
ld,
andhewassobr okenaboutitt
hatti
me.
Whatt
odo,
whatt
odo.
Ihav
et okeepthi
shushhushunt i
lIabsol
utel
y
can’
t.BecausewhatIhavealr
eadynoti
cedhere
washowmuchofv ultur
esthegir
lswere.They
snif
faweaknessandt
heyar
egonnat
rycomi
ng
foryou.
Ifi
nishedpl
ait
ingDui
cker
’shai
randl
ookedat
hersmi l
i
ng.
ME:
Alr
ight
!Gi
rl
,youbeenhol
dingout
…cuut
e.
Somegirlf
rom acr
ossf
rom usmadeaf
ace,
thenl
aughed.
HER:Honey,not
hingcanmakebushbuckov
er
t
herelookbeaut
if
ul.
Ok?
ME:
What
’sherdeal
?
DUICKER:Somefamil
yfr
iendofhersisa
wardenandismeanashell
.Sherunsthisplace
l
ikeweareherki
ds.Youtouchthi
sbich,that
wardenmakesyourl
if
eal i
vi
nghell
.Ignoreher.
Ismi
l
edt
omy
sel
f,t
hinki
ngofapl
an.
Thi
swashowIasser
tmy
sel
f.
Icoul
dseei
tal
lal
ready
.
Yea,
thi
swasgonnabegr
eat
.
ME:
Wel
l
,nobodyt
alkst
omygi
rll
i
ket
hat
.
Istoodupandwentov ert
ot hatbi
ch,sl
appi
ng
herhar d.Shet
riedt
ocomeatme, butIgaveher
apr operbeatdownbef
orethewardens
separatedus.
Herfamilyfr
iendorwhat everpersonally
grabbedmeanddr aggedmet oasol i
taryroom,
pushingmeagai nstt hewallandt ri
edt oslap
me.Icamer ightbackatherandt asseledtothe
fl
oorwiththatbich.Shehadot hershol dme
downasshehi tmer epeatedlyandspeweda
wholelotofthreats.Stupidbich.Didn’tknow
shewaspl ayi
ngr i
ghti nt
omyhands.
Shef i
nal
l
yleftmeinsoli
tar
y,andIsatt
her
e,
text
ingDetect
iveKgar
e.
‘
heyol
dbuddy.Ni
cet ohearf
rom me,
right
?… I
needaf
avor
.Bestrespond.
’
‘
F**kof f
.Youplayedmet henjustbrokeour
dealsayingyouweregoinglegitwhil
ey ou
owedmemoney ,
nowy ouareinjai
l,youwant
myhel p?Icoul
dexposey ourli
tt
leboyfr
iend.
’
‘
Iowey ouj ackshi
t,y
oucan’ tblamemet hatI
choseal egitl
if
e.I
nsteadofsel li
ngdr ugs.And
goahead.ExposeKar t
el.Hecandoj ailtime.
Cany ou?RememberIhav ethatvideooft he
dealwemadei nmysal on?Howy oul etmesel l
drugsandIgav ey
ouacut …thepapert railof
themoneyIt r
ansfer
redt oyou?Orhowy ouset
upthatIndiantobeki l
l
ed?Checkmat e.Oh, and
thi
sone’
Iat
tachedavi
deoofhi
ssoncr
yingandsay
ing
hetouchedhi
m.
‘
Luba,
thati
snott
rue,
hei
sly
ing.‘
‘
Ift
hiscameout
,honey,y
ouwill
loseevery
thi
ng.
Andbefor
eyouthi
nkyoucanhavemet aken
car
eofinher
e,t
herearecopi
esthatcomeoutif
anythingatal lhappenst ome.Whi chi swhyy ou
wannapr ot ectme.Ther eist hiswar den,
Kgosi mot ho.Abusi vesht ,shej ustbeatt hehel l
outofmeandmakest hepl acel i
keherf riend’s
l
itt
lepl ayground.Thei sallowedt oabuseus,
whichIam sur eisagainstt hel aw.Iwanty outo
comeandt ellherther
ei sani nvesti
gationon
herbecausey ougotananony moust i
pofhow
shei sv eryabusi ve.Thatshemaydot i
mef or
abusingpr isoners,yaday ada.Scar ethel i
feout
ofher .Bef orey ouleave,tellher‘ r
egardsf rom
Luba’.Iwanti tdonebyt omor row.Ory ourl it
tl
e
wander i
ngf i
ngerssecretget sexposed, wife
l
eav es, fr
iendsl eave,j
obgoes, reputati
on
rui
ned. .youknow…‘
‘
Idi
dn’
ttouchmyson’
‘
WhatdoIcar
e?Geti
tdone’
Apar tofmefeltsi
cktomystomachwith
my self
.Di
dIletthi
sbeatdownhappenbecause
IperhapshopeIwouldmiscar
ry?
I
t’
snosecretIr
eal
lydon’
twantachil
dri
ghtnow,
i
tsnotconduci
ve…butthatIwoul
dputmysel
f
i
nharm’
swayi nhopeababywoulddie?
No,
thatcoul
dn’
tpossi
blybei
t…
*
***
***
**
Thenext
day
,af
ter
noont
ime,
Kgar
esentmean
sms.
‘
Done.Shei
sshaken’
IlaughedasIwal
kedtotheworkshop.Isaw
thatwardenandcor
neredher
.
ME: Heysweet i
e… I ’m gladwer anintoeach
other.Iguessy ouhadachatwi t
hmyf ri
end?
Mhhh…hecanl i
terallyfi
ndany t
hingItellhim he
foundony ou,andj ustli
ket hat
.Yourjobwi ll
be
gone.Youbecomeoneofusher e… andhowdo
yout hi
nkt heseladi esaregonnat r
eatyouwhen
youdon’ thav etgat‘ warden’power?Ev eryone
willwantrev engef orwhaty oudi dtothem.Al so,
youwannar isky ourchildren’sl
ivel
ihoodon
somet roublemakerbi ch?Andal lthatisbef or
eI
getmyboy fr
iendt opayy ourkidsal i
ttl
ev i
sit.
See,Iam notl i
kemanyoft hegi r
lsher eonpet ty
cri
mes, becausel etsfacei t,mostoft hewomen
herearen’thardcorecr iminals,atwor stis
snatchthievesandbr eakingandent eri
ng.Me
ontheot herhand. .
.let’sleaveitt here.LikeI
wassay ing.Myboy fr
iendcoul dpr obablyv i
sit
yourkids.Youpr obabl ydon’ tknowabouthi m
becauseIdoubty our unont hoseci rcles,but
askaroundaboutKar tel.Si
mpl y ,
hei saguyy ou
don’twannabeont hewr ongsi deof .
HER:
I’m sor
ryaboutyest
arday
.Ican’
tlosemy
j
ob… Itakecar
eifall
myf amil
y…
Me: Thenbestremembert hat ..Hereishow
thisi
sgonnawor k.Youtellthatfr i
endofyours
thatshebowst ome.Andy ou?Baby ,y
ouare
mybi ch,y
ouear nedy ourspotl ayingyourhands
onme.Isayj ump, youdon’tf **kingaskhow
high,youjump.Andy out el
l yourlitt
leworkmate
t
hatanybodyf*
*kswit
hme,theygonnabeona
j
obhuntreal
soon.Goonnow,att
agirl
.
Isai
dandsl
appedherboot
yasshewal
ked
away.
*
***
***
**
KARTEL
Aft
erEa’spl
ace,Iwentt
oRon’ splace.If
ound
herinbedcryi
ng,andIl
aidbesidesherand
cuddledher
.
KARTEL:
Icoul
dnev
eri
ntent
ional
l
yhur
tyou.
RON:
Andy
out
hinkt
hatmakesadi
ff
erence?
KARTEL:NowIr eali
zet hat.Ron, I
’m sorr
y.You
ar
eanamazi nggirl,andanymanwoul dbeso
l
uckytogetachancewi t
hy ou.Thet hi
ngi s,I
am i
nlovewithLuba… shecompl etesmei n
waysIneverthoughtpossi ble,whil
ey ouandI
woul
ddestroyeachot her,andy ouknowt hat..
Wearetoosimi l
ar.AndIt hinkitsonlyfairwe
setboundar
iessowedon’
thur
teachot
her
agai
n.
RON:
I’
mleav
ing…
KARTEL:
Pat
ti
e,pl
ease…
RON:Ther
eisnothi
ngheref
orme,Kgat
hi.I
camebackmeaningitt
obeapitst
op,t
hathad
l
astedt
oolongandcausesmetoomuchpain.
KARTEL:
Wher
ewi
l
lyougo?
RON:
It’
sbesty
oudon’
tknow.
KARTEL:
Ron…
RON:It’
sbestthi
sway .Buymeoutinthe
company.Rentthi
shouseoutformeandi fy
ou
want,
buyi tt
oo… Ishouldbegonewit
hina
week,soifyoudon’
tmi nd,
Ineedtopack.
*
***
***
***
***
Wesateat
ingwhent
hatgi
rlIbeatupy
est
arday
wal
keduptous.
HER:(
laughi
ng)Iguessyoulear
ntyourpl
ace
now,
sweet i
e?Youdon’tmesswithme…
Ispot
tedt
hatwar
denandsmi
l
ed.
ME:Mot
tywee,
comeher
esweet
hear
t.Qui
ckl
y
now.
Shewal kedov erlookingscar ed.Ialmostfel
t
bad.Shei sjustagirlwhogotaj obinpri
son,
andt gepsuedopowerwentt oherhead… she
startedfeeli
ngher sel
fal i
ttl
etoomuchand
abusedt hepowershet houghtshehad.Shei s
notsomebadassshet r
iedtopor tr
aywithher
falsepower .Butthenagai n,t
hatbichhitme,so
f**kher.
ME: Bona, Mot
ty,t
ellthatwhor
eissheev er
speakst omeagain, Iwil
lsl
apherbl
ind.Andif
sheev errunshermout haboutmygirl
?Yea,we
aregonnahav eapr oblem.
Isai
d,put
ti
ngmyhandar
oundDui
ker
.
Toheri
tseemedani
cegest
ureatt
hemoment
,
mestandi
ngupforher,
butwhatbett
erwayto
cl
imbtothev
erytopofthefoodchai
nthant
o
decl
aret
hequeenyourbich?
WARDEN: Bot
lhethemmast opcausi
ngt
roubl
e..
Justst
ayawayfrom Luba…
ME:
Andmygi
rl
?
WARDEN:Anddon’
tant
agoni
zeherf
ri
ends,
pl
ease.
ME:ThanksMot
ty…that’
ssosweetofyou.
Tsaa,
agonkokel
etsaseswaal
ait
iaka.
Ihandedhermypl
atewi
thasmi
l
e.
Ev
eryonewasjustst
ari
ngatmeasIgotmy
pl
atebackandwentoneati
ng.
ME:
What
?
DUI
KER:
Howdi
dyou…?Shej
ust
…you?
ME: Youwererightt
hefi
rstti
me, l
ove.You
underest
imatedme.Iloveitwhenpeopledo
that
,becauseitmakesthem neverseeme
coming.Butwenayouaremygi
rlaker
e
beauti
ful
,soal
lisf
orgot
ten.
Ineededtokeephercloseincaseanyonetr
ies
tooverst
epatanypoint.Ineedesmybull
dog
readytobit
e.
Yea,t
hiswasn’tgonnabesobadaf teral
l
.Three
year
smi ghtactual
lygojustfine.Exceptfort
his
wholebabything,ofcourse.Letmesl eeponit
anddecidetomor r
owwhatIdowi t
hi t
.
*
***
***
***
*
LI
KE,
COMMENT,
SHARE
ATHUG’
SLOVE:
45

6Mont
hsl
ater
…
KARTEL
Isatint
heli
vi
ngroom eat
inglastni
ght’
sleft
oversasIwasaboutt
ogov isi
tLuba.There
wasaknock,andcanyouimaginemysur pri
se
whenIsawEa.
Thel
astt
imewet
alkedwast
hatt
imesi
x
mont
hsago.
EA:
Youcant
otal
l
ytel
lmet
of*
*kof
f…
KARTEL:
Whywoul dIdothat
?Nnakeja
malat
samist
er,
letmegrabyouaspoon.
EA:I’
m good…any
way
…theol
dmanf
inal
l
y
hanged.
KARTEL:
Sht
,man… howar
eyouhol
dingup?
EA:If
eell
i
keatr
ait
ort
omymot herandsi
ster
…
whyam If
eel
i
ngsadabouthi
m dyi
ng?
KARTEL:Hewasy ourf
ather
…nomat
terwhat
hedi
d,youfeel
thatsht
.
Awkwar
dsi
l
ence.
EA:Look,
Kar
t,y
ouwereri
ght.Ihav
eno
busi
nessgoi
ngaft
ermybro’
sex.Ex’s,
incl
udi
ng
Niki
ta…
KARTEL:
Boy,
don’tsweati
t,gat
wemat
hea
basi
manegai
lane.(
laughi
ng)…
EA: Butonaser
iousnote.Iwaswrong.Iwas
wrongtobemadaty ouformakingoutwith
yourexwhoIwasn’tevendati
ng.
KARTEL:
Wear
egood,
bro.Nohar
dfeel
i
ngs.
EA:
It’
sjust
… Ronmakesmehappy
…
KARTEL: Bro,canIspeakhonestl
y?Roni sthe
Kartelt
oy ourstor
y.Thewayy ouaccusemeof
tr
eatingherisexactl
yhowshehasal way s
tr
eatedy ou.Yeashelovesyou,butIdon’tknow
i
fitsenought owannabewi thyou… may be
sett
le,yea…Andshewi llbehappywiththat…
butitwillst
il
lbesett
li
ng.
EA:
Sht
… wheny
ouputi
tthatway
…
KARTEL: Pl
usy ouwantthingsRonhasno
i
nterestin.Kids,marr
iage… all
that.Sheisnot
i
nterested..Unti
lRonheals,shewillal
waysbe
i
nf l
i
ght, shewillal
waysbechasi ngwhatever
shei
srunni
ngaf
ter
.
EA:
Wher
eisshenow?
KARTEL:
Whot hehel
lknows?Thegi
rlknows
howtodi
sappear.
Awkwar
dsi
l
ence…
EA:Imi
ghthavehadsomet
hinggoodst
art
ing,
butImessedi
tup…
KARTEL:
Forr
eal
?Whathappened?
EA:(laughi
ng)Women!Ah, womenar e
somet hi
ngelset hemonna.NnaIt houghtIwas
dati
ngNi ki
ta,eneshekeptsendi nghert win
sist
er… Istartthi
nkingae, maybethereis
somet hi
ngbey ondt hesur facekathisgir
l…she
j
ustgotme, wegotal ongsowel l…thenIf i
nd
outit
sbeenNaomi allalong.Iwasmor ehur tby
herthanNikita.Like,weal l
knowNi ki
tais
shall
ow… butt hegi rlIlaughedwithandt oldher
mydr eamsandmyf ears… andshej ustsat
ther
epl ayi
ngmef oraf ool?
KARTEL:
So,yatsamaajang?Sheal
way
s
seemedl
ikeanokgir
l,t
hatNaomi.
EA:Igotmad…threat
enedt
oshoother…she
tr
iedtoapol
ogiseafewti
mes.Ii
gnored.Now
shehasstopped.
KARTEL:Youst
il
lthi
nki
t’
swor
thi
ttoshoot
yourshot
?
EA:Yea.
.Iam ti
redofhook-ups,
Kart…Idon’
t
wannabethatdsingl
emanwhopl ay
edaround
toomuch… andthatgi
rlgotme…
KARTEL:
Let’shav
eabraai
…t hi
sweekend.I
’
ll
makesureshecomes,
thenyoucangi
veitago.
*
***
***
***
***
*
LUBA
WhenIsaidIwaskeepi
ngthi
spr
egnancyt
hing
hushhush,Ir
eal
l
ymeantit
.Sohushhushthat
evenKart
eldi
dn’
tknow.
Fi
rstIwasj
ustundeci
dedonwhet
herIwas
kippingi
tornot …thensecondmont hIdeci des
toregist
eri t
, wit
ht hewar denswhoknew
swor ntosecr ecyabouti t.Andi tjustwenton
thatway .NowIwasat25weeksandsor tof
starti
ngtoshowj ustat adbi t.Mybumpwas
quietsmal l
.IguessIam j ustoneoft hose
l
uckyoneswhodi dn’tspendt heirday sthrowing
upt hei
rgut sandf eelingsick.Iact ual
lywor ked
outandwasj ustnor mal.NowIr eall
ydosee
whysomewomencannotknowt heyar e
pregnantunt ilt
heygav ebirt
h.Hadi tnotbeen
formymi ssingper iod,I
’dhav enothav e
suspected.
Iwal
kedi
ntothev
isi
ti
ngr
oom andsatdown
acr
ossKar
tel
.
KARTEL:
Alr
ight
,al
ri
ght
.Iseey
ouget
ti
ngal
i
l
thi
ckupi
nhere…
ME:(l
aughi
ng)Boy
,shutup.Butonaser
ious
not
e,babe…wehavetotal
k.
KARTEL:
And,
Ifeel
ner
vous…whatdi
dIdo.
ME: (
laughing)Yout el
lme…I ’m ki
dding.Youdid
nothi
ngwr ong.Ijust…pleaset r
ytounder st
and
thi
s.Ididn’
twanty outowor r
ybecauseIknew
youwoul dbewor ryi
ngy oursel
fsickthewhol e
ti
me, andIcouldn’tputthatony ou.Youar e
alr
eadyst r
uggli
ngwi thmebei nginhere.
KARTEL:
Youar
en’
tmaki
ngsense…
ME:I
’m pr
egnant
… 25weeks… si
xmont
hs
pr
egnant.
Hewasj
ustst
ari
ngatme,
thest
art
edl
aughi
ng.
KARTEL:
Yougotme.ForamomentthoughI
act
ual
lyt
houghty
ouwereser
ious.
Ipushedmycar
dtowar
dshi
m… andhest
art
ed
readi
ng.
KARTEL:
Whatt
hef
**k,
Luba!Whydi
dn’
tyout
ell
me?
ME:
LikeIsai
d,y
ou’
dwor
ry,
whi
chwoul
djust
makemewor ryaboutyou,andincreasestr
ess,
andstressisnotgoodforpregnancy.PlusI
knewy ou’
dmakeaf ussandt hi
smi ghtcome
outify
oudi d,
andIneededi tt
ost ayunder
wrapsuntil
Ihavenochoi ce.
KARTEL:OhmyGod… ohmyGod… li
ke… sht,
babe… arey
ousayi
nginj
ustt
hreemont
hsI ’
m
gonnabeadaddy
?
ME:Yup… andweneedt omakearrangement
s
fort
hat.It
houghtabouti
t,t
hisi
snoplacef
ora
baby…
KARTEL:
Obv
iousl
y.Mymom woul
d…
ME:Idon’
twantt
hatwi
tchany
wher
enearmy
chi
l
d..
KARTEL:
Luba…
ME:Youknowshewil
lref
use,anyway.Sheis
wai
ti
ngforgr
andki
dsfr
om her‘real
’makoti
.But
i
fyoumust,t
ry.
KARTEL:
May
bemysi
ster
…
Bopaki’
ssonisonlyfourmonths…aski
ngher
tohel
pwillbeunfai
r.So,y
ouwillgetamai
d.
Seshawil
lhelpwhereshecan,butgetamaid
andthenworkfrom home.Bef
oreweknowi t
,
I’
l
lbebackhome.
*
***
***
***
Seshapickeduptoy
saroundthef
loorasshe
gotdr
essed.Shecal
ledf
orherhel
perwho
camerunning
SESHA: Bathong,Mmando, pickupaf t
erthe
chi
ld,please!Andchangehi sdi apers,nnakana
Idon’tunderstandwhyt hi
sgi rlhasn’tpotty
tr
ainedherchi l
dyet,
whenhei salmostt hree.
Wher eismyhandbag?Isweari twasj usthere,
whereisi t
?Iam runni
ngl at
e,Ihav ea
meet i
ng…Bobo!OhmyGod!OhmyGod, he
wroteinmypasspor t,Iam travelli
ngi ntwo
daystime!
Shepickedupthecont
ent
sifherhandbags
fr
om aroundthel
it
tl
eboyandtookherspoi
led
passport
.
Thi
swashar
d.
Bobowasnotaneasychi l
d.Hekicked,bit
,hi
t…
andthrewthewor sttantr
ums.Shewasdamn
nearsurehehadADHDorsomet hing,butboth
MonkandPuni einsistedhewasf ine… andshe
wasatt heendofherwi tswithhi
m.
Monkcamef r
om t
hebedr
oom andpi
ckedup
t
hechi
ld,
kissi
nghim.
MONK:Aobat
hing,
whyl
ethi
m seatonadi
rt
y
di
aper
.
SESHA: Heshoul dnotevenbeondi aper
sat
thisage.Hewr oteonmypasspor tandIhaveto
travelt
oChinaf orstockintwodays… ri
ghtnow
Iam runninglat
ef orameet i
ngwithsomeDubai
oilandclaysupplier
swhoar elooki
ngtobe
exclusi
vewithus.Ijustreachedoutandthey
actual
lyresponded,andnowi
tsact
uall
y
happeningandt her
earesomanythi
ngsandI
can’tf
indmydamnkey s!
Monkhuggedherandki
ssedhershoul
der
.
MONK:Cal
m down,
babe…
SESHA: Calm down?Doy ouunderstandthe
magnitudeoft his?Wegett hi
sexclusiveri
ghts
fort
hecount r
y ,andwecanbepr oducing
premium massageoi l
s,f
acecreams, all
that
!
Butitwon’thappeni fIdon’
tfi
ndmykey s!
MONK:
Breat
h… br
eat
h.Cal
m down…br
eat
h…
Bobocamer unningtowardsthem and
squeezedhi
sor angejui
ce,spi
ll
ingital
lov
erher
.
Shescr
eamedinashri
ekt
hatscar
edt
heboy
whoranandcl
ungtohi
sdad.
Feeli
nggui
lt
y,shet
ri
edtot
akehi
m,buthe
wouldn’
tcometoher,
maki
ngherbreakdown
cry
ing.
Monkcal
ledthehel
perandhandedhert
hechi
l
d,
t
henledacry
ingSeshabacktothebedr
oom…
SESHA:(
sobbi
ng)Ican’
tdot
his,
Monk… I
can’
t…
MONK:
Can’
tdowhat
?
SESHA: All
ofit,runningabusi ness, mother
ing
him, expanding… Iam ahai r
dresser ,
forGod
sake.Al lt
hesemeet ingsandl awy er
sand
signingsht… Iam dr owni ng.Iwantt obea
goodst epmot herbuthei ssoso, so,
exhaust i
ng.Iam sor ry,buthei svery
exhaust i
ng…wehav en’thadsexi nthreeweeks
now, webar elytalkbecauseIhav etobr i
ng
wor kfrom home…Iam j ustsot i
red… am I
wr ongtobeambi t
iousandwantmor e… oh,
therear emykey s.Ithi
nkIhav eani roned
slacks
Shesai
d,changingt
osomecream col
our
ed
sl
acks,
thenkissedMonkandranofft
ohercar
.
*
***
***
***
KARTEL
Iwaspi ssedatLuba.ButIunderst
ood.Hel
l
,I
wasl osi
ngmymi ndri
ghtnowt hi
nki
ngofher
pregnantandinpr i
son.Wi
llsheandmybabybe
ok?
AtleastIonlyhadthreemonthsofthi
stodr
ive
myselfinsanewith.Shehadspar
edme
becausesheknowswhatanov ert
hinkIam.
Betweenmydri
vebackfrom pri
sontothemal
l
topickupapi
zza,
Ihadalreadywatchedsi
x
vi
deosaboutpr
egnancyandnewbor n.
Iwassoscar
ed,Idi
dn’
twantsomest
ranger
abusi
ngmychil
d…
Ipickedupt hepizzaandasIwascomingout
,I
saw Kesegowal ki
ngoutofShopr
it
e,ona
seemi ngl
yintensecall
.
Iwal
kedov
ergoherandshewav
ed.Whent
he
cal
lwasfi
nal
lyov
er,
shel
ookedl
i
keshewas
aboutt
ocry.
ME:
Youok?
KESEGO:Ij
ustgol
aidoff
.Thecompanyi
s
faci
ngf
inanci
ali
ssues,
sotheyar
edownsizi
ng.
KARTEL:
I’
m sor
ryaboutt
hat
..
Hey
… wai
t.
Ihadnotseent hi
sgir
lsincethatti
mewhenI
wentt odropt
hedinosaur.ButIjustfel
tli
keshe
wassomeoneIcoul dbecomf or
tablehaving
aroundmychild,andsheseemedt obeagood
mot her.
KARTEL:
Howmuchwer
etheypay
ingy
ou?
KESEGO:
P5000
KARTEL:
Howwoul
dyoul
i
ket
oear
nmor
ethan
that
?
KESEGO:Ri
ght… becausehi
ghl
ypay
ingj
obsar
e
j
ustli
nedup.
KARTEL:IHav
eat
woy
earcont
ract
.P8500a
months
KESEGO:
Doi
ng?
KARTEL: Motheri
nganew-born.Iam sureyou
readthenewspapersaboutmygi rl
fri
end..Wel
l,
wear eexpecti
ngandsheisduei nt
hree
months,andsheobviousl
ycan’tcareforthe
baby.Ineedsomeonet of
il
lin.
KESEGO:
OhmyGod,
arey
ouser
ious?
KARTEL: Iam…her eist
he‘alit
tl
eweir
d’part
.I
j
ustr eadthatbr
eastmil
kisbest,andi
fpossi
ble,
getev endonormil
ksot hebabycanhave
breastmil
k.Iwantthebestformychil
d.
KESEGO:
But
… howwi
l
lI…
KARTEL: SoIf oundoutt hattherearetablet
s
thatonecant aket oinducel actat
ionwithout
havinggivenbirth.I
fy out akethatcont
ract,you
willhav
et obreastfeedt hebaby .Whichmeans
youwi l
lneedtost arttakingthepi l
ls
i
mmedi atelyasy ouneedt otakethem f orat
l
eastt hreemont hsbef oretheycanwor k.Your
j
obwi llsolelybet akingcar eofthebaby .Iwill
getcleaningcompani estocomet wi ceaweek,
andgetameal deli
veryser vi
ce,
tomakesur e
yourdietisheal thywhi leyouarebreast feedi
ng
mychi ld.Livein,andy oucanbringKy li
e.All
bil
l
st akencar eof ,yourear ni
ngisjustfory ou.
Ofcour sey ouwi llneedt opassallmedi cal
examst odot his,andy ouhavetobesi ngle
becauseIam nothav i
ngy oumessi ngar ound
withsomeguyt hencomi ngt omybaby .What
doy ousay ?
*
***
***
***
*
3Mont
hsLat
er…
*
***
***
***
*
LI
KE,
COMMENT,
SHARE
ATHUG’
SLOVE:46
KARTEL
Ij
ustwasn’
tcomf or
tabl
ebri
nginganother
womanintoLuba’shome,soIsetupKesegoin
Ron’
shouse,whichwasjustnextdoortous.
Wehadj
ustfi
nishedmaki
ngupKy
li
e’
sroom
andt
hebaby
’snurser
y.
Iwassoexci
tedtomeetmydaughter
,Icoul
dn’
t
bel
iev
ewehadj ustt
womoreweeks.
Iwal
kedovert
oEa’shouseandfoundhi
min
thel
i
vingr
oom asNaomibroughtinbr
eakf
ast
.
ME:Eagi
l
we!Myman, wathokomel
wawaitse…
whowouldhav
ethoughtt
hisgir
lwasdomesti
c.
NAOMI :
(laughing)Mysi
steri
st heslayqueen.
Sameface, notsameperson,puhleaz!I
sKessy
i
n?Iwasaboutt ogotoherandt al
kabout
Neel
o’sbabyshower .
KARTEL:
Yup…
NAOMI
:Shal
lIser
vey
oubr
eakf
astt
oo?
KARTEL:Nah…Ial
readyat
e.IswearKesegoi
s
tr
yingt
omakemef atorsomethi
ng.
Naomi
wal
kedof
fandEal
ookedathi
m,smi
l
ing.
KARTEL:(l
aughi
ng)Jaanongwenakeeng?O
nti
bil
eeng?Youhaveacrushonmeor
somethi
ng?
EA:
(laughing)Youarenotmyt
ype,
pret
ty.I
t’
s
j
ust
…t hi
sisbeauti
ful
…
KARTEL:
Iknowr
ight
…I’
m qui
ett
hel
ooker
…
EA:Aintnobodytal
ki
ngaboutyourfugl
yface…
i
t’sj
ust…t hepastt
hreemonths… Iseealotof
yourf
atherinyou.
KARTEL:
Notacompl
i
ment
.
EA:Verymuchi s…therei
snomani nthewor ldI
havemor erespectforthanyourfather.
.Kind,
l
oving,verygrounded,andcontent…Ialway s
aspir
edt obelikehim.Happy.Hencemanywi l
l
descri
bemeashappygol ucky.Eaoi t
hatela
monateandheisajokester.Youalways
seemedtheopposi
teofy ourdad.Restl
ess.
.
Wanti
ngmore…barelytakingti
met oenjoyt
he
moment… Kesego,
shegr oundsy ou…
ME:Yea,
that’
sjustnottr
ue,becauseKesegoi
s
mynanny,sheisdoingnothi
ngelseforme.
EA:Sheisasimplegirl
whodoesn’twantmuch,
andit
srubbingoffonyou.Youhardl
yevert
alk
aboutbui
ldi
ngempi r
esorexpandi
ngthe
busi
nesstoothercountri
esandsuch…
KARTEL:
So,
Ilostmyambi
ti
ont
hen.Gr
eat
…
EA:Youarelessrest
less… andIl
i
keit.Iwor
ry
aboutRue.Foramarriesmanexpect
ingachild
i
naweek… ai sh…
KARTEL:
Ihear
dMonksayinghehasn’
tbeen
showi
ngupatwor
kregul
arly
?
EA:Idon’
tknowwhatReubeni
sdoing,
andI
don’
tli
keit
.Neel
odeser
vesbet
ter
.
KARTEL:(
sigh)I
’
lltr
ytotalkt
ohim.Ibet
ter
l
eave.I
’
m beingdraggedtobabyshoppi
ng.
EA:
(smi
l
ing)Shegr
oundsy
ou…
KARTEL:
F**
kof
f,Eagi
l
we,
orIwi
l
lgr
oundy
our
face.
*
***
***
***
*
LUBA
Isatint
hecourtyardwhenDuikerandtwoof
hercroni
es,NomsaandCy nt
hia,myloverupi
n
here.Whatam Isaying,
Iwasmessingwi t
hall
thr
ee,Duiker
,Cynthi
aandNomsa.
What?Doy ouknowjusthowhornypregnancy
get
sy ou?Besi
des,
Ireadorgasmsripenthe
cer
vixandcanspeedsuplabor
.
Theycameov
erdr
aggi
ngsomegi
rl
.
CYNTHIA:That’
sthebi
chwhohasbeent al
king
smackaboutyou… saysshedoesn’
tgetwhy
peopl
ewoul dbebowingt
osomepr egnantbich,
i
nst
eadofki
cki
ngy
ourass.
ME: Kant
emmekeengbat
hobal
eborumol
ane?
Mma, whyar
eyoucomi
ngatmekesagore
sepe?
HER:
Ijust
…
Isl
appedheracrosst
hemout hbef
oreshe
coul
devenfi
nishhersent
ence.
ME:Speakup?War eonthumol
elangke
i
ti
dimal
etse?Youthi
nkthi
smakesmeweak?
Youthi
nkIwon’tf
**kyouupbecauseofthi
s
bel
ly
?
Ipunchedheronthegut,andwhenshekeel
ed
over,Ist
raddl
edherandsatontopofher
,
rai
ningfi
stsonherface.
ME:Talki
ngsmackaboutmewheny oudon’t
evenknowme.Bich,youarenewi
nhere.Lear
n
therul
esandbehave,
nxla.
Theguar
dswal
kedov
erandImov
edback,
r
aisi
ngmyhands.
ME: Sheatt
ackedme.Imagi
neattacki
nga
pregnantwoman.Sheneedsti
meouti nsol
it
ary
.
Bytheway ,
Mot t
y,Lone,
Seshatookcareofyou
guys,ri
ght
?
WARDEN:
Shedi
d…
ME: Youguysaredoingsuchagreatjobtaki
ng
careofusalli
nhere.Iam gr
atef
ul.ButIthi
nk
MsLadyher eneedsalessoninmanners,
otherwi
sesheendangersourpeaceful‘
home’.
Theydr aggedthegirlaway ,
andIknewt hey
weregonnabeatherassandl ockherupi n
soli
tarywit
houtfoodfoet onight.Il
ooked
aroundjustincaseany oneelsewasf eel
ing
brave.Ever
yonemi ndedt hei
rbusiness.Good.
Letmetelly
out hebestwayt okeeppeople
danci
ngtoyourt une.Fearandrewar
d.Fir
st
makethem feary ou…butnotenoughtohate
youbecausethent heycanbandagainsty
ou.
Whent heyf eary ou,
throwt hem somecr umbs…
oli
vebranchsor tofthi
ng.Makepeace.Butt hey
wil
lsti
l
l knowwhaty ouar ecapableof.Plus…
i
ncrimi
nat et hem insomeway .Ihavehad
Seshagi vet hewardensP2000eachf r
om time
toti
me.Theyaccept edit.Usedit.Aka,t
hey
accept
edbr i
bes.So, Ihadt hatonthem.And
nowIhadt hem eat i
ngrightoutofmyhand.
*
***
***
***
**
Kesegowal
kedaroundGameStor
eswi
thKar
tel
pushi
ngatr
oll
ey,
Ky l
iei
nsi
de.
KESEGO: It
hinkthediapersIhavestockedup
enough,andt heclot
hes, ohmyGod, Kart,
look
atthis… ohmyGod, i
sn’titt
hepret
tiestdr
ess?
Shecancomef r
om thehospital
inthis…what
doy outhink?
KYLI
E:I
t’
spi
nk….booooooor
ing!
KARTEL:(l
aughing)Iagr
eewit
hMsThing.Pink
forgi
rl
sissotypical
.Whatwouldy
oupick,
Ky ?
KYLI
E:Howabout
…thi
sone?
KESEGO:
Dinosaurov
eral
l
s?
KARTEL:(l
aughing)Ky
li
eismyspiri
tanimal
.
Ebi
lether
eisamat chi
ngbiggi
rlone,y
oucan
matchherKyli
e.
Hesaidasheputt
heclot
hesi
nthetrol
l
ey,
Kesegol
aughi
ngandshaki
ngherhead.
KESEGO: Ok,letmecheckmyl i
st… wearejust
l
eftwithabathnett owashherin… ah,and
presentforNeelo’
sbabyshower…It hi
nkthi
s
setwi l
lbegreat… wearedone.
KARTEL&KYLI
E:Fi
nal
l
y!
KESEGO:(
laughi
ng)Youtwoar
ebor
ing… I
shoul
dhavebroughtNaomi
…
KYLI
E:Canweeatnow?
KARTEL:Yespl
ease… uhm… Kesego,
rememberwehavetogother
eaf t
erlunch…
KESEGO:
Yea,
Naomi
wil
lwat
chKy
li
e.I
’
m
ner
vous.
KARTEL:Nothi
ngtobenervousabout,
shej
ust
wantstomeetyouandmakesur eyouaret
he
bestper
sonforthej
ob.Rememberwhatwe
tal
kedabout
?
KESEGO:Yes,
yes…Iwon’
tment
ion
br
eastf
eedi
ng.
*
***
***
***
*
LUBA
Igoti
nthewai
tingr
oom andKar
tel
satt
her
e
wit
hsomegirl
.
Iwasn’tpleasedwi t
hthefactt
hatshehadmy
chocolateskintoneandmysl i
mt hi
ckbody,aka
Kart
el’
st ype.Couldn’
tshebesomev ol
uptuous
l
ightskinthatwoul dnott
urnmymanon!Ar g!
No,Luba,
don’
tst
artwi
tht
hatsht
.Shei
sjusta
nanny.
Isatdownandshesmi
l
edandshookmyhand.
KARTEL:Babe,
thi
sisKesego…Kesego,
my
woman,Luba.
KESEGO:
Nicet
omeety
ou.
ME:
Arey
ouf
**ki
ngmyman?
KARTEL:
Luba!
KESEGO:
What
?Nooo!Iam not
.
ME:(
laughi
ng)I’
m ki
ddi
ng,gi
rl
.Youal
ri
ght
.Tel
l
me,
howdoy ouknowKart
el?
KESEGO:
Heuhm… hehi
j
ackedmeatgunpoi
nt.
KARTEL:(
laughi
ng)Ineededacar
,Ronwas
i
njur
ed.
ME:
Andt
hen?
KESEGO: AfterIt ookthem tothehospi t
al,
he
paidmef orit.Iwassosur pr
isedbyt hat
generosit
y.Iwonder edabouthi m,thensawy ou
guysv i
deoeley akoloi
.Yout woaresocut e
toget
her.ThenImethi mthreemont hsback.I
wasjustlaidof ffrom work.Iaskedifhis
companywashiri
ngasIhadseenin
newspaperst
hatheownsProMover
s,andhas
stakesatGl
assI
nc.That
’swhenheoff
eredme
thisj
ob.
ME:
Iheary
ouhav
eachi
l
d?
KESEGO: Kyli
eissix…Ihopeit
’sokifIbr
ingher
along.Sheisprett
yselfsuf
fi
cient
,soshewon’t
takemyat t
entionfrom t
hebaby.
ME:Sure… ok.Kartelsay
shewat chedy oufor
thepastt
hreemont hsandi sconv i
ncedy ouare
theri
ghtperson.Itr
usthisinst
incts.Youhav e
beenmov edinthehousef oramont hnow,ri
ght?
Howar eyousettl
ingin?
KESEGO:
Yes…i
t’
sver
ycomf
ort
abl
e.
ME:Havey
ouboughtever
ythi
ng?Kart
elke
monna,
hedoesn’
tknowthesethi
ngs.
KESEGO:
Yes,
Iboughtev
ery
thi
ng…
LUBA:
Seshabr
oughtbackt
hosegl
assbot
tl
es
fr
om UK.Iwantmybabyst
ri
ctl
yusinggl
ass
bott
lesandsi
l
icont
eat
s,nopl
asti
c.
KESEGO:
Eemma,
shegav
ethem t
ome.
ME:Boughtenoughfor
mul
a?Idon’
twantmy
babygoi
nghungry.
KESEGO:
Shewon’
tgohungr
y.
ME: Great!Seemsl i
kewehav eever
ythi
ng
covered.Youwi l
ltakeherst
raightf
rom t
he
hospital
,Iam nothav i
ngmybabycomet oa
pri
son.
KESEGO:
OK
ME:Lastt
hing… sweeti
e,ifyouabusemybaby
orev
enneglecther… Iwil
lki
llyourchi
l
dand
makeyouwat ch.Under
stood?
Il
ovedthatshehadnopani
cwhenshe
answer
ed.
KESEGO:
Thatdoesn’tbothermebecauseI
coul
dneverabuseachil
d.Ilov
echil
dren.Your
babyi
ssaf
ewi
thme.
Wesai dourgoodby
es, andasIwalkedbackto
theroom.Ifel
tthef
irstcont
ract
ionandheldon
tothewallastwoguardsrushedtome,Kartel
comingbacktoo.
ME:I
’
m sureIam goi
ngi
ntol
abor
,Ihav
ebeen
f
eel
i
ngthesedull
painsf
oradaynow…
Thingsgotbusyastheystar
tedmov
ingar
ound,
arr
angingsecur
etranspor
tasIwast
akent
o
thehospit
al.
Unfortunat
elyasapri
soneryoudon’
tgeta
choiceofhospit
al,
soIcouldn’
tgopri
vat
e.
Twohour slater,IwastakentoNy angabgwe
hospit
al,wherethewar densapologi
zedabout
havi
ngt oshacklemet ot hebedasperpr ot
ocol
.
Itol
dthem itwasnobi gdeal,
Iunderstood.
.
Andiftheydidn’tshackleme,thenurseswill
havequestion’s.
*
***
***
***
KARTEL
Thewar densonlyletmeseeLubaast hey
broughtherin,
andmyhear tbroke,watching
them shackl
ehert othehospitalbed.Thenthey
saiditwasupt othehospit
al,andt hehospit
al
didn’
tall
owmei nthebir
thi
ngr oom.
Ipacedthecorri
dorsf
orhour
s,wait
ing.Luba
couldn’
tevencomeoutorwalkaboutli
keother
l
adiesinlaborasshewasshackl
edtothebed.
Kesegowenttogetuslunch,
thendinner
,
bri
ngingt
hingsf
orLuba,andpassedthem t
oa
nurse.
Af
tereat
ingdi
nner
,wesatst
il
lwai
ti
ng.
KESEGO:
Shel
ooksl
i
keast
ronggi
rl
.Shewi
l
lbe
fi
ne.
KARTEL:
Ijust… Ir
eadsomanyt
hingst
hat
coul
ddowr ongi
nbirt
h…
KESEGO:
Orev
ery
thi
ngcoul
dgowel
l
… wantt
o
pr
ayabouti
t?
KARTEL:
Lubai
sat
hei
st…
KESEGO:Butyouar
enot…come,l
etsgeti
nthe
carandpray
,themidwi
fesai
dshewasonly
6cm di
lat
ed.
If
oll
owedhertothecarandshehel
dmyhands,
cl
osi
nghereyes…
ME:
Ihav
en’
tpr
ayedi
nawhi
l
e.Cany
oudoi
t?
KESEGO: Ok… letspray .Heav enl
yf at
her,You
havechosent hisdayast hedayt hebabywi llbe
born.Thanky ouforbringingLubat ot hispoint
i
nt i
meandf oryourperf ectplanforthehour s
ahead.Eachmomentaheadofusi sbeing
cradl
edinYourgoodhands.Hel pthenew
parentstonotbeanxi ous.Remov ef r
om them a
heartoffearandreplacei twithYourpeacet hat
surpassesallunderst
andi ng.Pleaseal l
owLuba
tohaveendur ancethatcomesf r
om y ou,and
keephersaf e.Watchov erthebabyandal l
ow
hertobebor nundert hebestofci rcumst ances.
MayYourwi l
lbedone, Lord.GiveLubaasense
ofcalm andpurposeasshegoest hroughl abor
anddeliver
y.Iknowt hatphy si
cal paincan
overwhelm her,butbewi t
hher ,Lord.Hel pust o
cli
ngtoYouandl ookf orwardt othej oyahead
whenweseet hel i
ttl
ebabyf orthef ir
sttime.
Giveskil
landwi sdom t othedoct ors, nurses,
andstaffthatwillbet aki
ngcar eofhert oday .
All
owt hem tobeki ndandhel pful
.Thanky ou
forthi
snewl if
et hatyouhav eblessedourl iv
es
with.I
ny ouwet rust,andiny ourmi ghtyname, I
pronouncesthisdone.Amen.
KARTEL:Amen…Thanky
ouThatmakesme
feel
bet
ter.
Shesmil
edandsqueezedmyhandwithasmil
e,
andeventual
lyl
eftt
ogohomebecauseshe
hadl
eftKyli
ewit
hNaomi.
*
***
***
***
***
LUBA
Thebabyf inal
l
yarriv
edi nt heearl
yhoursofthe
morning,andwhenev erythingwasdone,Iwas
movedt otherecoveryr oom whichwaspr i
vate.
Ihadaf eeli
ngKartelwoul dhavetouchedhands
tomaket hishappen,orI ’
Idbewi t
hthecrown
outthere.Agai
nIhadt obeshackl edt
othebed.
Kar
tel
camei
nast
hebabyl
aidIt
hecott
hing.
ME:
Hey
…
KARTEL:
Hey
…
Hewentov
eratt
hebabyandt
ookal
ook.
ME:Healt
hy4kgbiggi
rl
,tenf
inger
stentoes,
st
ri
ngheart,
perf
ectsi
ghtandhear
ing… t
hose
werethedoctor
’swor
ds.
KARTEL:
W areblessed.Shei
ssobeaut
if
ul…
shel
ooksli
keyourmot her
ME:(laughi
ng)shelooksl
i
keapotat
oatthi
s
poi
nt.Nurseadvisedmenott
obreast
feedher
toavoi
dni
ppl
econf
usi
onsi
nceshewi
l
lbe
bott
lef
ed.
Hecameoverandhuggedme,
kissi
ngmy
shoul
der
.
KARTEL:
Howar
eyouf
eel
i
ng?
ME:Iam abouttogivemynewborntoanother
womantor ai
se.Idon’twannaf
eelr
ightnow.
KARTEL:
WhatcanIdot
ohel
p?
ME:I’
l
lbef
ine.
.Makesurethatwomant akes
car
eofmybaby,pl
ease.Loveherenoughfor
bot
hofus.
KARTEL:Thatgoeswi
thoutsayi
ng.Yousai
d
you’
l
lknowhernamewheny ouseeher
…
ME:Danai
…t oloveeachother.Danai
Dawn
Moseki
.Iwanthertocarr
yy ourname,
itwi
llbe
acol
ddayinhellbef
oreIgiveherMoses’
slast
name.
KARTEL:
Alr
ightbabe… I
’
llhandl
eit
…I’
l
lgodo
t
hepaper
wor
k.
ME:Unf
ortunat
ely,
Ihavetobet akenri
ghtback
t
othepri
son,gatweIwillr
ecoverinthepr
ison
i
nfi
rmar
y…sot hi
sgirlneedstocomenow.
Icall
edKesegoandshesai
dshewasjust
parki
ng.Sherani
nwitht
hebabybag.
ME:CanI… uhm… canIf
eedherj
ustonce?
Youthi
nkyoucanmakemeabot t
le?
KESEGO:
Sur
e.I
’
llgoaskf
orwar
m wat
er.
Kesegowentout
sideandcamebackwi
tha
bott
le.
Ihel
dthebabyandf
edherwi
tht
ear
srunni
ng
downmycheeks.
ME: Danai,
pleaseknowt hatmamal ovesy ou
moret hanherownl i
fe.Thereisnothingmor eI
wantthant ocuddleyouev er
ysingl
emoment ,
butIcannev erbr
ingy outothatfi
lt
hypl ace.Out
hereyourdaddywi l
lmakesur eyougett hebeat
ofev
ery
thi
ng.Youar
emyl
i
fe,
pri
ncess…
Iki
ssedherf
oreheadastheguar
dsl
ookedat
melij
eIwaswastingti
me.
Isi
ghedandst
oodup,hol
dingher
.Tear
sran
downmycheeksasIhandedhert
oKesego.
ME:(sobbi
ng)Please… Ibegy
ou, womant
o
woman…mot hert
omot her…takecar
eofmy
chi
l
d… please.
At
earr
andownhercheekt
oo.
KESEGO: Icanonl yi
magi newhaty ouar egoing
thr
ough.Idon’tthinkIwoul dev erbeasst rong
astogot hroughthis,andfort hat, It
hinkyou
areamazing.Igivey oumywor d,onmy
daughter’
slif
e… Danai willbelov edlikeshei s
myv eryown.Shewi l
lbecar edf orwi t
ht ot
al
dedicat
ion,notbecauseit’sajob, butbecauseI
alr
eadyloveherlikemyown.Whowoul dn’
t,
l
ookatt hatface.
ME:
(smi
l
ing)Shei
sacut
ie,
isn’
tshe.
Il
ookedatherholdi
ngmyDanai,l
ookingdown
atherwit
hsuchadot i
ngsmi
le.Anditgaveme
somecomf or
tinknowingmybabywasi ngood
hands.
*
***
***
***
*
LI
KE,
COMMENT,
SHARE
ATHUG’
SLOVE47

Il
it
eral
lyf
eltmyheartshat
teraswedrov
eaway
fr
om thehospi
tal
.Icr
iedal
l t
hewaybackto
pri
son.
Ikeptt
ryingtoconsolemysel
fthatmybaby
wasgonnabef ine,buthowwasshegonnabe
fi
newithouthermot her
?
Ifai
ledFadzwa,nowIwasf
ail
i
ngDanai
.God,
do
Ieverdoanythi
nggood?
Ij
ustwant
edtobealonetoday,andt
hankGodI
wastobeint
heinf
ir
mar yonrecover
y,andno
oneelsewasi
l
l,soIwasal
oneandcr
iedmy
eyesout.
Itr
iedtocallKart
el,buthewasn’tpickingup.I
fel
taloneevenmor et hanever
.Ididn’twantto
worrySesha,Icantellsheisunderal otof
str
essev eni
fshei sdoingpuremagi cwi t
hthe
business.
*
***
***
***
***
KARTEL
Wehadcomehomewi thDanai abouttwodays
ago.Icamefrom wor
kandwentt oKesego’
s
bedroom.Ist
oodatthedoorwat chi
ngheras
shewasn’tawar
eofmypr esence.
ShelookedatDanai
sodoti
ngasshebr
eastf
ed
herandhummedat unet
oherwit
hasmile.
ME:
Youar
eanat
ural
…
KESEGO:Oh…hey…pri
ncessDani
ejustwoke
up….Youst
il
lhav
en’thel
dher.
KARTEL:I
’
m scared…myhandsaretoobi
g,
whati
fIhurther
…whati
fIdropher…
KESEGO:I’
llshowyou.Come.Seather e,agai
nst
thehar
dboardl i
ket
hat… ah-haah!Nowhook
yourar
ml i
ket hi
s…theideaistosupporther
neckbecauseshecan’tholditupyet…
awesome…
Sheputt
hebabyonmyhands,
andIwas
act
ual
lyl
egi
tshaki
ng…
KARTEL:(
pani
cki
ng)Kesego,
takeher
…take
her
…I’l
ldr
opher…pl
ease…
Shejustmassagedmyshoul
derandspoke
sof
tl
ybesidesme…
KESEGO:Youwon’t
…shei sv erysafet
hewayI
puther
…andyoumaynotr eali
zeit,
butIam
watchi
ngli
keahawk.Ifevenf orasecondIfeel
l
ikesheisi
ndanger
,I’
l
l swoopi n.
KARTEL:
I’
veneverhel
dababy …mynephewi
s
si
xmonthsandIonlyeverpl
ayedwi
thhim
whi
lesomeonehel
dhim…I’dneverf
orgi
ve
mysel
fisDanai
gothur
tbecauseI…
KESEGO:Shewon’tgethurt
.Youareagreat
fat
heral
ready
.Letherholdyourf
inger
…
Iputmypi
nkyfi
ngeronthebaby’
sli
tt
lehand
andshecl
osedthehandaroundmyfinger
…
damn…Iwaschokingwit
hemot i
ons.
KESEGO: man,t
heywerenotki
ddingwhent
hey
sai
dthesesuppl
ementswill
aff
ectmemuch
l
ikepr
egnancyhormones.Gotmeall
emoti
onal…youguysaresocute.
KARTEL:Someti
mesIcan’
tbel
i
evei
t’
sreal
…
l
ike… I
’
m afat
her…
KESEGO: Yesy ouare.Andsofaranamazi
ng
one.Icanjustseet hel
oveinyourey
es.Byt
he
way,IspoketoBopaki aboutdoi
nganewborn
photoshootforher.Youshouldj
oini
n.
*
***
***
***
Seshasati
nherof
fi
cet
alki
ngt
oMonkont
he
phone.
MONK: Yea,babe,
soIthi
nkIwi
l
lspendanot
her
ni
ghthere,t
heyareshowi
ngmenewt emper
ed
gl
assmat er
ial
.
SESHA:Babe,boRuel
eEabagot
siet
sa,
you
workhar
dest…
MONK:Eaisneverser
iousaboutany
thi
ng,and
Rue’
swif
eisdueanyday ,
sohehast ost
ay
home…
SESHA:Youknowyouar
emaki
nganexcusef
or
hi
m, Ruei
str
ash.
MONK:Facti
s,i
fIdon’
tst
epup,
thi
sbusi
ness
wi
ll
tank.
SESHA:
Buyt
hem out
…wecanaf
for
dit
.
MONK:Theyar
emybuddi
es…Icoul
dnev
erso
t
hatt
othem.
SESHA:
Andt
hat
’swhyy
ourbusi
nesswi
l
lnev
er
r
eachi
tsf
ull
pot
ent
ial
.
MONK:Arnoandt
hesebusi
nesssemi
nar
syou
at
tendmakey
oumean.
SESHA: Ij
a, ebil
eIsecur edaspotatasuper
exclusi
veladi esretr
eat.Topbusinessladi
esba
dimul t
imillionai
re.Kebuakawomenwho
wheny out alkaboutt hecountry’
seconomy,
thei
rnamesmakesaf eature,
esengthese
i
nfluencerst sasocialmedi a.
MONK:
Soundsbi
gdeal
…
SESHA: I
tis…thisonei
snotev
enadv
ert
isesat
al
l,pr
ivat
ei nv
iteonl
y.
MONK:
Damn,
howdi
dyougetaspot
?
SESHA:Oneofthem comestomysalonandwe
tal
kedandshegavemet hepr
ivat
einv
ite.
MONK:Howi
sthedeal
yadiessent
ial
oil
s
goi
ng?
SESHA:
Iwast
hinki
ngt
hosemi
ghtbet
oo
excl
usiv
e,soweareext
endi
ngtheranget
o
i
ncludeshampoos,
condi
ti
oner
s,andbody
butt
ers.
MONK: It
houghtyousaidyouwerealreadytoo
st
ret
chedanddidn’twantt
hebigextension?
SESHA:Ichangedmymi
nd,
it’
sagoodi
deat
o
addhai
rcarel
ine.
MONK:
Ist
haty
ouorAr
not
alki
ng?
SESHA:Heisanamazingmentor
,lookwher
e
weareheaded,
from ahumbl
esalon
MONK:Heisaf*
*ki
ngslavedr
iver
,that
’swhat
hei
s.Hei
salwayspushi
ngyou.
SESHA:
BecauseIcan’
thav
eideasodmyown.
Wow.
MONK: No,no.Gaker ialo.I
’m soproudofyou
babe.Howy ourosetot hisbossladyrol
eand
tookitbythehor ns… byt heway,don’tf
orgett
o
pickupBobof rom school .
SESHA:
Iwon’
t…l
ovey
ou.
MONK: Takeabreaksomet
imes,
love.Youhav
e
aspa,l
etthegi
rl
sgiveyouamassageanda
spaday.
SESHA:
Breakissomethingthatdoesn’
texi
st
former
ightnow.Iam atthecuspofsomething
big,
mylove.Got
tago.Loveyou.
*
***
***
***
*
Neelobouncedi nthemedi ci
nalballi
n
frust
rat i
on.Shehaddr unkal ltheraspberr
yleaf
tea,takenwal ksev eryday ,
atedatesan
pineapples… ev ery
t hi
ngt hatwassuggest edto
bringinlanour.Stil
l nothing.Shewassoov er
thispregnancy ,andal itt
lejealousthatLuba
hadal readygivenbi rt
handshewasst il
lhere.
Ruehadleftl
astni
ghtsay
inghewasgoi
ngon
busi
nesswithMonk,andshewasn’
tbel
i
evi
nga
wordofit
.
Shepi
ckedupherphoneandcal
l
edSesha.
SESHA:Heybabymama…notbusywi
thy
our
best
ies?
NEELO:Iwouldn’
tbebusywit
hotherpeopl
eif
yougavemeev enfi
veminut
es.Nowy ouar
eall
busi
nessladytoobusyf
oeevery
one.
SESHA:
Notf
air
…
NEELO:
Butt
rue…
SESHA:Youar
eal
way
swi
tht
hosebi
ches
anyway
.
NEELO:KesegoandNaomiaregoodpeopl
e,
youar
ejustnotgi
vi
ngthem achance.
SESHA: Iam notgivi
ngt hatsnakeany t
hing,she
i
st r
yingt ostealLuba’sli
fe,andnobodybuti s
seei
ngi t.Youar eall
buddybuddywi thher,ebil
e
l
eitebat saLuba, mxi
m.Ihat et hatKesegogirl
.
Theot heronei sNiki
ta’stwin,soIdon’tli
keher
bydef ault
.
NEELO:
Youwi
l
lbeatt
hebabyshower
,ri
ght
?
Thi
sSat
urday
,remember
?
SESHA:
Thi
sSat
urday
?Ei
sh… babe…t
her
eis
thi
s…
NEELO: I
tdoesn’
tevenmatter
,Iam usedt
oyou
nevermakingti
meforfr
iends.IsMonkina
businesstr
ipt
oDurban?
SESHA:Yes,
andsor
ryl
ove,
buthei
snotwi
th
Rue.Hewental
one.
Neel
ohungupwithtear
srol
li
ngdownherface.
Shet
riedhi
sphoneagai
n,anditwaspi
ckedup.
NEELO:Babe?
‘
Babe?Bi
ch,
whoi
syou?
’
NEELO:Ruben’
swi
fe,whoarey
ouandwhatar
e
youdoi
ngwithmyhusband’
sphone?
‘
Sis,
calm downandst ayyourpregnantass
home,stopnaggingourman, hewaswi thyou
thewhol
eofl astweekakere.I
t’
smyt urnnow.
Thephonewentdeadandwhenshet
ri
ed
cal
l
ingagai
n,i
twasof
f.
*
***
***
*
Seshawasabouttopickupherhandbaggo
homefort
heeveningwhentheguywhowas
i
nvesti
ngwal
kedin.
SESHA:
Arno… It
houghty
oul
eftt
own…
HIM:Ishoul
dhav e… somethi
ngpoppedup.
NowIwannadi scusstherangeweareworki
ng
on.It
hinkyoushouldexpandit.
SESHA:
Wear
eal
readyaddi
ngqui
etanumber
of…
HI
M:I
twi
l
lbegood,
trustme…
Hesai
dashesethi
slapt
opdownandopened
i
t.
SESHA:
ButIwasj
ustaboutt
o…
ARNO: Thiswi
llj
ustt
akeami nut
e.Youare
cr
eati
ngabi grange,
Sesha,
notjustali
tt
leone
st
orething… t
hekindofmoneywear eputt
ing
i
n…Ihaveaf
ewi
deasaboutwhatel
secanbe
done…
SESHA:
But
…
HIM:Youar east oryIam gonnaenjoytel
li
ng,
Sesha… yourzeal andyourloveforhandwork…
youaregoingf ar
.Lookatpaget hree… oh,by
theway,Isignedy ouuptospeakatabusi ness
seminartoinspir
ey oungBatswanai nbusi
ness.
SESHA:
Arno,
Idon’
tthi
nk…
HIM: Itwill
begoodf ormybr and,andIneed
goodf ormybr and,Ijustpar t
neredwitha
diamondcompanyt hat ’
sl ooki
ngt ol
easeland
forteny ears,andyoumygi rl
,aremybr owni
e
points.Iinvestinay oungMot swanawhoi s
creati
ngj oboppor t
uni t
iesf oryoungBatswana.
Makesur ey oument i
onmesev eralt
imesin
yourspeechatt hesemi nar.Al
l t
hatwomen
empower mentandhowIsuppor twomensht .
Anddol l,wegot tat
al kabouty ourwardrobe.
Youcan’
tbelooki
nglikeahair
dressernow.You
areabusi
nesswoman.Ihav earr
angedf oran
i
mageconsultant
,andgotyouapr operoffi
ce,
nott
histi
nyhovel
.
*
***
***
***
*
KARTEL
LaterintheeveningIsatlookingatt
heCCTVI
hadhi ddeni
nt hathouse.Youcouldneverbe
safe,Ihaveseenhor r
if
icvideosofnanni
es
abusingbabies.
Istartedfr om thev erydaywebr oughtDani e
home, andal lt
hev i
deoshowedmewasav ery
l
ov i
ngmot her,
br eastfeedi
ng, changingdiapers,
ti
pt oeingar oundsoshedi dn’
twaket hebaby ,
eversogent lycleaningt heumbi li
calstump, as
shegent l
ysangandt alkedtot hecryingbaby .
Pumpi ngmi lk,
waki ngupsev eralti
mesani ght
tobr eastfeed.
Ishoul
dbepay
ingt
hisgi
rlsomuchmor
e,
t
aki
ngcar
eofanewbor
nisnochi
l
d’spl
ay.
Ir
ememberedIhadnotinf
ormedmypar
ent
sof
Dani
e’
sbi
rt
hy et
.Ir
eluct
antl
ycal
ledmymot
her
.
MME:
Waewmal
atsi
awat
ura?
KARTEL:Hel
lomme…Ij ustwantedt
olety
ou
knowwehavebeenblessedwithababygi
rl,
shear
ri
vedthreeday
sback.
MME:
Ehe… so,
shei
sinpr
ison?Thebaby
?
KARTEL:
No,
wedeci
dedi
t’
sbet
tershei
swi
th
me.
MME: Bri
ngherherethen… whatsoyouknow
aboutcari
ngforababywheny oucan’
teven
hol
dy ournephew?
KARTEL:
Ifoundananny
.
MME: Aker
ewabonai fyouhadfoundagood
Chri
sti
anwomanwhol ovesandrespect
syou,
submitst
oy ouasGodintended,
youwouldn’
t
behir
ingpeoplet
ocareforyourchi
ld.
KARTEL:
Cany
ounot
?
MME: Youneedawi feKgathal
o, l
ehaoka
i
ngadi sa.Patt
iekeyoontsholotse,shejust
disappeared.Findawif
erraat eagot huseto
raisethatchi
ld.Comegetusi nthemor ning,
I
willspendaf ewdays.
OhGod.
ThewayIdidn’
twanttostr
essKesegori
ght
now.Butr
efusi
ngtobri
ngmypar ent
stocome
seemydaughterwil
lst
artabar
rageofdramaI
hadnoenergyfor
.
*
***
***
**
WhenSesha’
smeeti
ngf
inal
l
yfi
nished,
itwas
ar
oundtenatni
ght
.
Nowadaysshewaswor
king16hour
saday
mostday
s…
Howshemi ssescomingtoworkandpl
ating
hai
r,l
i
steni
ngtothejui
cydet
ail
’
sofpeople’s
l
ivesasshedidthei
rhai
rsandnai
l
s.Thenwent
homeandslept
.
Shehadf i
rstmetAr noatalocal
smal l
busi
nessessemi nar.Shehadbeenfeeli
ngat
oddsandov er
whel med,looki
ngfort
ipsonhow
tokeepthebusinessaf l
oat.
Thei nternationall
ysuccessf ulbusinessman
hadgav easmal ltalk,atlunchshehad
mast eredt hecour aget ospeakt ohim andask
foradv iceonherbusi nessst r
uggles.Hehad
l
istened, andt henv olunteer
edt oment orher.
Notonl yhadhenev eroncebeeni nappropri
ate,
butt hebusi nesswasgr owinglikewi l
dfi
resince
hest artedment or
ingher .Shest i
l
lcouldn’t
beli
ev et heywer eaboutt ostartmaki ngalineof
haircareandspaoi l
s, wi
thhisinvestment.This
wasgood.
Butwhyt
hehel
ldi
dshef
eel
trappedmor
ethan
ever
?
Itf
eltlikewhenshewaswi t
hherexallover
again.Likeherli
fedi
dn’tbelongtoher
.Likeshe
wasj ustapr opt
oserveaman’ spurpose.And
shedi dn’tknowhowtosaynot ohi
m… notthat
hegav eherachancet o… thiswasnevergonna
end,wasi t
?
Shef el
tasharppaininherchestthattravelled
toherlefthand,
envelopedbytheintensef ear
thatthi
swasgonnagoonf oreverandev er
again.Havingnovoice…bei
ngsomeone’ st oy…
Memori
esofherboy
fri
endhi
tt
ingherf
looded
hermi
nd.
‘
Usel
ess…st
upi
d… bi
ch’
Heheartwasthumpi
ngsohar
d,hebody
shaki
ng… herear
sri
ngi
ng.
Shecov eredherearswithherhands,shaki
ng
herheadandmut ter
ing‘no’
repeatedl
yasan
i
ntensef earover
whel medher.Shesatina
cornerhuggingherkneesandr ockingbackand
f
ort
h,shaki
ng.
Itwasnevergonnaend… i
twasjustl
ikeher
ex… thi
sti
mei twi
ll
kil
lherf
orsure.
Hephonest
artedtovi
brat
erepeat
edl
y.She
wentt
oitst
il
lshaki
ng.
SESHA:
Monk… Monk… I
…
MONK:
Sesha,
ify
oudon’
twantmysonobue
t
hemma.
SESHA:
Huh?
MONK:Kar
tel
pickedhi
m up.Whydi
dyousay
youwi
l
lwhenyouknewy oudi
dn’
twantt
o?
Hehungupwi
thacur
se.
Ohsht
.
Theki
d.Shefor
gottheki
d.God,
whatwas
goi
ngonwithher?
*
***
***
***
**
LI
KE,
COMMENT,
SHARE
ATHUG’
SLOVE48
KARTEL
If
oundKesegoser
vingupt
hef
oodi
ntopl
ates.
KARTEL:ThereasonIgotamealdel
i
very
ser
vicei
ssothatyoudon’tbot
herwi
thal
lthi
s.
KESEGO:Idi
dn’
twannagi
vey
ouf
oodi
n
di
sposabl
econt
ainer
s.
KARTEL:Il
i
ter
all
ydon’
tcar
eaboutt
hat
.Asl
ong
asIeat
.
KEAEGO:Itj
ustdoesn’
tsi
tri
ghtwit
hme.Letme
washyourhands.Goseatdown.
IshookmyheadandlaughedasIsatdown.
Whywouldsomeonewantt ogi
vethemsel
ves
extr
aworkl
iket
his?
Shecametowashmyhandswi t
hwarm wat
er
andgavemeaclot
h,t
henbroughtt
hefoodf
or
me.Wesateat
ingandchat
ti
ng.
KARTEL:
So,
mymot
herwant
stocomespenda
f
ewday
sher
eandseeDani
e.Youdon’
tmi
nd?
KESEGO:
I’
mli
ter
all
yjusther
etot
akecar
eof
Dani
e.
KARTEL:Don’
tputi
tthatway
…youok?Shecan
bedi
ffi
cul
t…
KESEGO:
Ihav
eat
hickski
n.Don’
twor
ryabout
me.
KARTEL:
Cool
…I’
l
lpi
ckt
hem upi
nthemor
ning.
*
***
***
***
***
**
LUBA
Iswearbei
ngherewasgonnadr ivemeto
madness.Al
lIkeptt
hinkingaboutwasal
lthose
vi
deosofnanni
esslappingandthrowi
ngbabies
about
.
Itr
iedtodistractmy sel
fwi t
hworkfrom my
onli
nedi pl
oma, butthatjustwasn’
tforme.I
don’tl
ikestudy i
ng.Alit
tl
et oimpat
ientand
i
mpul siv
ef orthat.Somostoft hedaysIstay
ed
i
nbedandcr iedsomuch.Ihadoncer eadabout
postpar
tum depression,andasIgotwor se
eachday,Iwasst arti
ngtowonderi fithas
anyt
hingdot owi t
hit.Whet herIhad
postpar
tum depression.Butitwasn’tli
keI
coul
dwal t
zi ntoatherapistoff
iceandask.And
nooneisgonnabot herfortherapi
stsfora
pri
sonerunlessitscourtordered.
SoIbecamemyownt herapist.Readingonl
ine
onhowt ohelpmy self… exer cisedandall
.But
onethingtheykeptr epeat i
ngwasf i
ndi
ng
purpose.Somethingt hatexci tedy ouandmade
youwantt ogetupev eryday .
Ij
ustcoul
dn’
tfi
ndt
hatthi
ng.Thi
nki
ngofmy
daught
eronl
ymadethi
ngsworse.
Iwasstil
llay
ingdowni nthei
nfi
r marybedwhen
oneofthewar denswalkedover.Thatonethey
hadsaidrunstheprisonli
keherpersonal
pl
ayground,butendedupbeingmybi ch.
WARDEN:
Luba…canwet
alk?
ME:What!Ireal
lyhav
enoti
mef
orbul
l
shtr
ight
now… t
hef *
* kdoyouwant
?
HER:Iknowy ouhav enor easont o,butIdon’t
knowwher eelsetogo.Ihav eloandebt s,Ieven
oweloanshar ks.Nemmay outhinky oucan
borr
owmeP50000?Mychi l
dissi ck…
somet hi
ngsomet hi
ngov ari
escy sts,gatwethey
arebi
g, thewhol esurger
yt odoitgat wei sP90
000pr i
vate…kogov er
nmenthospi talt
heygave
heranappoi ntmentwi t
hadoct orsi xmont hs
fr
om now… t hat’
snotevent hesur gery,j
ust
appointment.
ME:Ihav
emyownpr
obl
ems,
sweet
hear
t,f
**k
of
f…
WARDEN: Luba,pl
ease….Iknowyouhavethe
money,t
hatspaofy ourswasinthenewsabout
somebigproducts…andbakery… pl
ease.She
i
sonly13…shecanbar el
ymov ewhenshegets
herperi
od,anditlasts2weeks… ot herdays
sheisjusti
nsomuchpai n,itsaffecti
ngher
schoolwork,shehatesschool becauseshei s
i
nsomuchpai n,andal sotheper iodisheavy,
shehasaccidentsandot herslaughather …
everymonthshei smi ssi
ngalmostt woweeks
ofschool… sheisjustachild,Luba, y
ouarea
mother…please.
ME:EvenifIgiveyout
heP50000, doy ouhave
theP40000t omake90?Andt herear eother
cost
sf orr
ecovery
,mydear.Andt her
emaybe
needforli
fel
ongmedicat
ion.So,don’tpin90as
thegol
dennumbery ouneed.That’sj
usta
mini
mum.
WARDEN:I
’
llbor
rowf
rom sev
eral
fami
l
yand
f
ri
ends.
ME: Assumi
ngtheyhavetogi
veyou.Andhow
ar
ey ougonnapayusall
,yousai
dyouare
al
readyheavi
lyi
ndebt.
Shej
ustsatt
her
esobbi
ng.
Ah.
Pur
pose…
Ismi
l
edt
hinki
ngt
omy
sel
f.
ME:Imayhaveawayofhelpi
ngyougetthe
money,
cleary
ourdebt
,andhavemore.
Sheper
kedup…
ME:I’
m gonnabef
rankher
e.Baki
ngcokeand
sel
l
ing….
WARDEN:
What
?No!
ME: Whot hehellchecksaprisonf
orbaking
drugs?Plus,Ihavesomepol iceof
ficer
swho
will
beont hel
ookout .I
’
llarr
angethewhole
thi
ng,allyouhav etodoislookawayandmake
sureothersdot o.
WARDEN:
Nooo…
ME:
Nopr
obl
em… wheny
ourchi
l
dhassuf
fer
ed
enough,
you’l
lcomebackt
ome.Idon’
tneed
themoney,Iam r
iski
ngmy
sel
ftr
yingt
ohelp.
WARDEN:
Wewi
l
lgetcaught
.
ME:Wewon’ t.Twoy ears.Thetwoy earsl
ef tof
mebeinghere, wedot his.AndIpromisey ouat
l
easthalfamil.Insavingsbyendofi tal
l.
..plus
someonewhowi ll
cleani tf
oryou,hel
pitgeti n
hourbankaccountwi thnoquestions.
WARDEN:
Ahh,
Luba,
nnaI
’
m scar
ed.
ME:
Taket
imet
othi
nkabouti
t.
*
***
***
***
**
KARTEL
Thenextmor
ning,
Ibr
oughtmypar
ent
sin.
Kesegohadfi
xedt
hem ar
oom, andIwas
putt
ingt
hei
rbagawaywhenIheardmme
tal
ki
ngtoher.
MME: El
egorewhatar
eyouri
ntent
ions.O
nnet
segothokomel
abanababasadiba
bangwej
aana?I
sthi
sal
lyouwanti
nli
fe?
KESEGO: Nny aamma… Iam anaccount antby
professi
on.Kgathal
oisav erydearfri
endf or
mine.Whenhet ol
dmehewashav i
ngachi l
d
andt hemot herwasunavai
labl
e,Idecidedt o
help,asmyol dcompanyhadj ustclosesdown.
Idecidedinsteadoff
indi
nganewj ob,Iwillhel
p
forabitfi
rst.
MME:
Iheary
ouhav
eachi
l
d?
KESEGO’
Yes,
Kyl
i
eissi
x.
MME: Youdon’
tlookol
denought ohaveasix-
year-
old,
whi
chmeansy ouhadherv er
yyoung.
TotagatwewhyisKgat
haloat
tractedtowomen
withnomoral
s?
KESEGO: Iwaseight
eenandstupid.If
eltl
ikeI
wastheonlyonenothav i
ngsex,andIthoughti
t
mademebor i
ng.IchosetodoitonceandIgot
pr
egnant.Thatwasami stake,
yes,butKyl
ie
i
sn’t
,sheisthebestthi
ngtoeverhappentome.
MME:
Wher
eist
hef
ather
?
KESEGO: HeranwhenIt ol
dhi m.WhenKy li
e
tur
nedtwo,Iaskedhimt ogiveuphi spar
ental
ri
ghtsandhehappilydid…legall
yhei sno
l
ongerherfat
her,Kyli
eismi nealone.Inever
heardfr
om hi
m sincethen.
MME: Youshoul
dhavewai
ted,
thati
swhythe
Bi
blesaysyoushoul
dwai
tformarri
age…
KESEGO:
Eemma…
MME: Sowher
eismygr
anddaught
er,
letme
seeher…
*
***
***
**
ThenextdayKesegowal
kedi
ntoNeelo’
shome
wher
eNaomi wasdoingl
astminut
ethi
ngswi
th
Neel
o’ssi
ster
.
NAOMI
:Mot
set
si,
ngwanaokae?
KESEGO:Kar
t’
smotheri
svi
siti
ng,
shesaidshe
wil
lwat
chherforaf
ewhours.Anyt
hingIcando
t
ohel
p?
NAOMI:
Wearedone,wecat
eredaker
e,hel
p
wi
tht
hedécor
… so,t
hemom, huh?Howisshe.
KESEGO:I
jo… i
t’
sbeenoneinter
viewaf t
er
anot
her…t
hatoldladywal
apisa,please!
Seshaar
ri
vedst
il
li
nabusi
nesssui
t.
NAOMI:Ther
eisadr
esscode,
hel
l
o.Fl
oral
maxi
dr
ess.
SESHA:
Cal
myourt
it
s,I
’
llgochange.
Shewat
chedKesegopi
ckupacal
lfr
om Kar
tel
.
KESEGO: HeyKart… haha,aor ra,buisaDanie
sentl
e,Iknowforsureitdoesn’tsmel l
…haha,
wenal eKyl
iegalenamai tseo.…no, don’twake
herup, y
oudon’twakeasleepi ngbaby .I
’
ll
changeherwhenshewakes. ..callmewhenshe
doessoIcanf eedher… ok, anythingjustcall
me...Icancomebacki t
sjustt wohomes
away …no,Ij
ustfeelsobadf orleav i
ngher ,
she
i
ssol
i
ttl
e…al
ri
ght
… by
e.
Shehungupsmi
l
ing.
SESHA:
,(mi
micki
ngher)‘
HeyKar
t’
.Bi
ch,
that
manhasawomanalready.
Kesegoj
ustsi
ghedandl
ookedaway
.
SESHA: Andsheisnotyourbaby…don’
tget
att
ached,Lubaiscomingout.Youar
ejust
temporaryhel
p.
NAOMI :
Andy ouarejustbit
terwi
thyourl
i
fe.
Li
ke,ser
iousl
y,whyarey ousuchabull
y.
Kesegoneverbother
sy ou…
SESHA:Exceptshedoes.Sheistr
yingtost
eal
myfri
end’
sman.Shei saplacehol
derjustl
i
ke
you.
NAOMI
:F*
*ky
ou…
SESHA:I
fRondecidestocomebackatany
poi
ntandgiv
eEaachance, y
oucansaybuah-
buahtoyoul
itt
lehappi
l
yeveraf
tersweet
hear
t.
Wher
eisNel
i
…
Shegotint
hehouseandf
oundNeel
oget
ti
ng
hermakeupdone.
SESHA:
Aww, babey
oul
ookl
i
keapr
incess…
l
ookatyou…
NEELO:
Youcame…
SESHA:Ofcour
se,
Idid,hun.Anyt
hingf
ory
ou.
Wait
,someonewantstosayhi.
Shev
ideocal
l
edLuba.
LUBA:
Heeeeeey,babymama.OhmyGod,
you
l
ooksobeaut
iful
.
NEELO:Iam l
it
eral
l
ysooverthi
spr egnancy
.
Whydoy ouget39weeksandIget40+!Notf ai
r!
Wait
,howareyoucall
i
ng,ar
en’tyou…
LUBA:(l
aughing)Don’
tworryabouti
t,j
ustf
ocus
ondeli
veryourboysafel
y,sweet
heart
.Howare
thi
ngs?
NEELO:
(sadl
y)Youknow… l
i
fe.
LUBA:Babygir
l,don’
tdot hat
,don’
taccepta
si
tuat
ionthat’
smaki ngy ousad.IfRueisbeing
anass,l
eave,sweetie.Wecanhel pyousetup.
Thebakeryissti
llav
ailableand…
NEELO:Ij
ustwannastayhomeandraisemy
chi
l
d,Luba.Besi
des… RueandIar
efine.
SESHA:Youar
enotf
ine,
hei
scheat
ingony
ou,
sweet
ie.
NEELO:Youcan’
tthr
owaroundaccusat
ionsl
i
ke
t
hat.Haveyouev
ercaughthi
m cheat
ingonme?
SESHA:Fakebusi
nesstr
ips,
Fridayhei
sgonea
boaSundayeveni
ng?Ifi
tquacksli
keaduck…
NEELO:Thisismybabyshower
,it
ssupposed
t
obeahappyday ,i
fyouwannabedramatic,
youcanleave.
SESHA:
Wow!Howam It
hebadguyf
or…
LUBA:Ladies,ladi
es!Cal
m.Down.Sesha,i
fNel
i
sayssheisfine,whoarewetotel
lhersheis
not
?Justknowwear
eher
eify
ouev
erneed
any
thi
ng,Nels.
*
***
***
***
Out
side,
Naomi andKesegower
efi
xi
ngdécor
,
whi
letal
king.
NAOMI
:Thatgi
rli
rr
it
atesme.Seshawai
pona…
KESEGO: Sheisonei ft
hosesuccessfulgir
ls
whoar ealwaysunhappywi t
hthemselvesno
matterhowmucht heywin,sotheydeci
det o
bul
lyothers.Hermani salwaysatourplace,o
j
adinnerkoobecausemadam i stoobusyand
maidneai legaeforaf uner
al.
NAOMI
:Maidwatengl
eeneoboroko,
keenga
samoj
elemonnaataaabaka!
TheysawPuni
egett
ingoutofat
axi
todr
opher
sonoffwi
thMonk.
Whenshecameout
,Naomi
cal
l
edher
.
NAOMI
:Puni
ewee,
emaha.
Shecameov
er.
NAOMI:Wai
tsewenamma,
howdoy oul
eave
ngwanal
eawomanwhocanfor
getheratday
car
e?
PUNI
E:What
!
NAOMI
:Kesego,
tel
lher
.
KESEGO:
Kart
elhadt
ogopickhi
m upsi
nce
Monkwasawayonbusi
ness.
NAOMI :NnaSeshaisn’tthetypeofwomanI ’
d
wantraisi
ngmychi l
d.Weal lseeBoboisaliv
ely
boy,butshegetssofrustrat
edwithhim nnaI
getscaredgoretsat
silengweshewi l
ll
oseit
andhurtthatpoorboy.
PUNIE:
KetaarengnemmakaMonktook
cust
odykannaIhavenohomeorj
ob…
NAOMI
:Ev
enenehel
aMonki
snothappy
.
KESEGO:Ihear
dhimtal
ktoKar
tel
,hesai
dhe
feel
sli
kehehastomakeanappoi
ntmentt
osee
hi
swoman.
NAOMI :
I’
m notsayi
nganythi
ng,butsis,
get
yourman.Monki sl
onely
,heneedsy ouright
now,andBobodeservesawholefamily,not
somebarelyt
herestepmother.
PUNIE:Monkdoesn’
twantme…heeventhr
ew
meoutoft hehi
vewhensometr
ansl
ati
onjobI
haddidn’
tpanout
.
NAOMI :
Becauseoftheki
ndofwomany ouput
for
th.Mymothert
aughtmysist
erandIthaty
ou
cangetanymany ouwantyouj
ustgot
tabethe
womanhewant s.
KESEGO: IhearhowMonkspeakt oKartel
.He
l
ikest hekindofwomenwhor ecogni
zeshim as
man, nottrytocompete….Hel ov
esawoman
whocant akecareofhischi
l
d, hewantsmore
kids,butitdoesn’
tlookli
kemadam isreadyto
settl
el i
kethat.
NAOMI
:Monki
sbasi
cal
l
yav
ail
abl
e,asNaomi
.
AsIwassay i
ng,bewhatheneedsandwants.
Learntoli
sten,Puni
e.Behumbleandshow
respectandafteral
lthat
,cometel
lmeMonk
doesn’twantyou.
PUNI
E:(
sigh)Iwi
l
ltr
y…
*
***
***
***
*
Thenextdaythatwar
denMot
tywal
kedback
i
ntotheinf
ir
mar y
.
MOTTY:
Luba,
whati
fwegetcaught
?
ME:Wej
ustmakesur
ewedon’
t.Tr
ustme,
Igot
t
his.
Shener
vousl
ybi
therf
inger
nai
l
s.
MOTTY:
WhatdoIdo?
Thassmygi
rl
…It
houghtt
omy
sel
fwi
thasmi
l
e.
ME: Choosethr
eeother
swardensandt
hen
col
lectsomethi
ngdamningonthem…
somethingbad,t
hatcoul
drui
nthem.Dr
uguse,
embez zl
ing,
abusi
ngpri
soner
s…ithast
obeso
badweknowt
heycanst
ayi
nli
ne.
MOTTY:
Howam Iev
ensupposedt
odot
hat
?
ME:Youar eabiggi
rl
,youcanf
igur
eitout.Get
i
trecordedandpassitt
ome.Thenapproach
t
hem.Gett hem t
oagreetol
ooktheotherway.
I
’l
lhandlether
est.
Shewasqui
etf
orabi
t.
MOTTY:
I’
ll
try
.
ME:
Notgoodenough.
MOTTY:
I’
ll
doi
t.
Me:Goodgi
rl
,andr
ememberwhatIhav
eon
youaker
edar
li
ng…don’
ttr
ytof
**kmeov er
.
Shenoddedandl
eft
.
Ihaveallthecontactofthesupplier
sofr aw
materi
alsandbuy ersthatusedt obuyfrom
Kart
el…t hatpartIwassur eitwassorted.I
havecookedwi thRuebef ore,andIknewhow
now.So,sor t
edtheretoo.
Imessagesoneoft
hecont
act
s.
‘
Lubaf
rom Fr
anci
stown.Your
emember
?’
‘
Yea,
Kar
t’
sbi
ch’
‘
That’
sdone.Anddon’
tevercal
lmeabi ch
agai
n.Anyway,I
’
mindependentnow.Yourtea
pl
antat
ionst
il
loper
ati
onal
?’
‘
Ainty
ousupposedt
obei
npr
ison?
’
‘
Boy,mindy ourbusi
ness.Igotmoney
.You
hav
et ealeaves?AndpleasekeepKar
toutof
mybusiness.Yougottea?Wehav edonedeal
s
bef
ore,youknowI ’
m good.‘
‘
Youarel
ockedup,howdoIknowy
ouar
enot
wor
kingwi
ththecops?
’
‘
CosIhav ealottoloseandcan’taf
fordy ouand
yourpeoplecomingafterme.Man,y ouknowI
didn’
tgodownf orthat
.AndI’m def
init
elynorat
.
Butifyoudon’twannadobusinesswi t
hme,
cool.Igotopt
ions,
gavey oudi
bsbecauseI
al
way
sfel
tyouandIgotonwel
l
…
HewassomeTanzani ansonofat eaplant
ati
on
ownerwhogr ewcocawithint
hetea.I’
dmet
him afewtimeswhenweboughtst ufff
orour
product.HewasbasedinGaborone,handl
i
ng
theexportoft
eafr
om theirpl
ant
ati
on.’
‘
Hol
dup…letmespeaktomybr
other
.Yousay
y
ouandKartar
edone?
‘
Boy,y
out r
yingt
oshooty
ourshotatawoman
i
npri
son?Getmeagooddeal,thenyouandI
wi
ll
talk.
’
Af
tert
alki
ngt
ohi
m Ical
ldet
ect
iveKgar
e.
KGARE:
Whatnow?
ME:
I’
m gonnapayy
ou,
li
kewehadagr
eed.
KGARE:
F**
kof
f,y
oupl
ayedme…
ME: Iwasapawn,youknowKart
elwaspulli
ng
thestri
ngs,
hesai
dwest op,
whatelsecoul
dI
do?ButIam goi
ngsolonow,andI’
m gonnapay
y
oubeengoodt
ome,
andy
oudeser
vei
t.
KGARE:
Youcan’
tdosht
,youar
einpr
ison.
ME:
Youunder
est
imat
eme,
That
’sni
ce?
KGARE: Iftherei
sonemistakeI’
dnevermake
again,Luba,isunder
est
imateyou.Youare
poison.
ME: (
laughing)Butyouli
ketofl
ir
twithdeath,
don’
ty ou.Thatpoisonj
ustseemssoat t
racti
ve,
hey?P25000ev er
ymont h,
ally
ouhav etodois
l
ookoutf ormypeople,
andifeveryt
heycome
onther adar,di
ver
t.
KGARE:Youbrokemyt r
ustwheny
ouj ust
cancel
l
edourdealLuba…so,wewil
lsee.
Hesai
dandhungup.
Ahh,
justtwomor
epeopl
e.Idi
all
edanot
her
number.
ME:
HeySpi
nny
…
SPI
NNY:
Luba?
ME:Notevenasinglev
isi
t?Col
d,man.Col
d.
ButIgeti
t,i
t’
snotl
ikewewerereal
l
yfri
ends.
SPI
NNY:
Comeon,
it’
snotl
i
ket
hat
.Wor
kandal
l
.
ME:
Howi
sthatwor
kingoutf
ory
ou?
SPI
NNY:
It’
sreal
l
ygood…
ME:P3500,
right
?Goodsal
ary
,isn’
tit
?Imean,
it
coul
dbebett
er.HowisEst
her?
SPI
NNY:
Shei
sgood.Wear
eact
ual
l
yexpect
ing.
ME:Whaaat
?Congr
atul
ati
ons!That
’ssogood,
man.
SPI
NNY:
Iknowt
hisi
sn’
tasoci
alcal
l
.
ME:AndIknowy oukeptal
lthoset
hingsKart
el
t
oldyout
ot oss…theonesRueusedt obake
wi
th…
SPI
NNY:
What
?I…
ME:Don’tbot
hertr
yingtodenyit
.Andyou
wer
en’twrong,maybeyouwill
starty
ourown
thi
ngandtheycancomeinhandy…Imean,
aft
eral
ltheydi
dleav
eyouinthedustwhent
hey
wentup.
SPI
NNY:
Idon’
tthi
nkl
i
ket
hat
…Ij
ust
…
ME:Theseguyshaveneverbeenfai
ronyou…
l
ookatthei
rli
vesnow…andl ookatyou,
a
st
upi
djobearningP3500.Withachi
ldonthe
way.
SPI
NNY:Kar
tel
hasbeengoodtome,gav
emea
j
ob,apl
acet
ostay
,andevengavememycan.
ME:Karteljustboughthi ssecondluxur
ycar ,
andyouf eelhim givi
ngy ouausedHondaFi tis
something?Anddon’ tgetmest ar
tedont he
househebui ltforhi
spar ent
s.Youar egratef
ul
tobestayingi saglorif
iedhostely
oudon’ teven
own?Youhav eachi l
dont heway .
SPI
NNY:
Whatdoy
ouwant
,Luba?
ME:Tooff
eryouachancetobossupl
ikethey
di
d.Ihav
et hemoney
,thecust
omers,
the
products.Justdel
ivert
hoseit
emsataspeci f
ic
l
ocationIwi l
lgi
veyou,someonewil
lpickthem
up,andt heninabouttwoweeks,
Iwill
giveyou
somepr oductsandcontactst
odeli
verto.
SPI
NNY:
ButKar
tel
sai
dwewer
eout
,gonel
egi
t.
ME:IknowforsureKar
teldoesn’
tspeakf
orme.
Hecanbeoutallhewants,I
’m goi
ngbackin.
Doeshespeakforyou?
SPI
NNY:
No…
ME: I’
llsendyouthel
ocati
ont ol
eavethose
thi
ngs.Thi si
sgonnabegood, Spi
nny.Also,
don’ttellKar
tel
aboutt
his,Idon’
tneedhim
tri
pping.
Ok,nowt helastperson…thisoneKartelwas
gonnat r
ipaboutthemost ,butweneeda
cl
eaner,andKar t
el’
scleanerwasn’tgonnacuti
t.
He’djustgorunningbacktoKar t
el.
RememberwhenItol
dyouIgotkickedoutof
pri
vat
eschool
becauseIwascaughtgett
ing
hi
ghi
nthesci
encel
abwi
thmyt
henboy
fri
end?
Hav en’
ttal
kedt ohi
minabi t,
butIknew
thr
oughFacebookt hathewasi nITfort
he
bankingsectororsomething,andf
rom hi
s
posts,Icoul
dt el
lhewasjustasnaughtyandan
adrenali
nejunkieasever
.
It
ypedaFacebooksmessaget
ohi
m.
‘
HiDr
ew…’
Hi
sresponsewasi
mmedi
ate.
‘
Heybadgi
rl
…’
Man, If
eltl
ikeQueenoftheSouth’sTheresa
Mendozaal lupi
nhere.Yea,pur
poser eal
ly
snapsoneoutofdepression.Ti
mewi l
lgofast
withthi
s.AndBeforeIknowit,I
’
llbebackwi t
h
mydaught erandman,andwewi llli
vehappil
y
everaft
er.
*
***
***
***
***
***
***
*
LI
KE,
COMMENT,
SHARE
ATHUG’
SLOVE49
Kesegosatont hebedroom breast
feeding
Danie.Kar
tel’
sparentshadbeenov erher efora
weeknow, andboywasshet i
red…Thatwoman
wasal way
sexpect i
nghertoslaveabout .She
di
dn’teatfoodfrom mealdeli
veryservi
ces, so
Kesegohadt ocook,shealwayswant edt ea…
Andall
Kesegowantedwassl
eep.Daniewasa
dar
li
ng,butshesl
eptt
wo-
houri
nter
valsand
wokeupf oraf
eed.
Kar
tel
’
smom wal
kedi
n.
Sht
.
Shehadt
houghttheol
dwomanwassti
l
l
sl
eepi
ng,
orelseshe’
dhav
elocked.
MME: Oh,don’tl
ooksopanicked,
yourbr
east
s
j
usttol
dmey ouwerebreast
feedi
ng.WhatI
don’
tunderst
andi s,
how?
KESEGO:
Ther
ear
epi
l
lst
hatmakest
hebody
pr
oducemi
l
k.Youar
enotangr
ywi
thme?
MME: Whywoul dIbe?Thisisgreat.I
tisnot
new…howdoy out hi
nkbabieswhosemot her
di
edatbirthwer efedbeforeformula?They
wouldfi
ndmot setsii
nthevill
ageandshewoul d
hel
p.Wetnur seshav ealwaysbeenat hing…
andbreastf
eedi ngismorethanjustmi l
k,achil
d
needtofeelthatcloseness,i
tsgoodf orthem.
Shesati
nsi
l
encef
orawhi
l
e.
MME: ImadeKy l
ieherl
unchbox.Hei
,that
personcantal
k,shesawmywhi t
ehairand
askedifIdy
edit.
KESEGO:
I’
m sor
ry,
she…
MME: (l
aughi
ng)Sor
ryforwhat
?Ithasbeen
yearssi
nceIhadachil
dtal
kmyearof f
,andit
’s
r
efreshi
ng.
KESEGO:
Oh…
MME:
Andi
t’
sgoodshehasKgat
hal
oinherl
i
fe,
agir
lneedsaf
atherf
igur
e,orel
seennadi
l
odi
sel
ehela.
God,howwassheev
enexpect
edt
orepl
yto
t
hat?
MME: Whydoy ounotwantt odatemyson.Is
henothoodenoughf oryou?Youaretheone
whohadachi l
dasat eenager,
soIdon’tget
howyouthinkyoucant ur
ndownan
accompl
ishedmanlikehim.Ee, war
ewhydon’ t
youwanthim?
KESEGO:
It’
snotl
i
ket
hatbet
weenus.
MME: Myeyesdonotlie.Iseehowyoutwoare
t
ogether
.Heisverygoodwi thKyl
i
e.Ky
li
eneeds
afat
her,
Danieneedsamot her
.
KESEGO:
Hei
swi
thLuba.
MME:Wher eisshe, thatLubaofyour
s?Doy ou
seeherher
e?BecauseIdon’ t
.Don’
tspeakto
meaboutthatjail
bir
dt hatt
hrewherchil
daway.
Thatgi
rlwi
llnevermar rymyson.Never!If
eeli
n
mybloody oucanbet hegood, Bibl
ical
wi f
eGod
i
ntendedforhim,evenifyouhadachi l
dout si
de
marri
age.Wagommonnakaer ragwey omo
rat
angamot hokomelathewayKgat hil
oves
andtakescareofKy l
i
e?Gi r
l,don’tbestupid.
*
***
***
***
*
LUBA
Thingswer egoi
ngsomuchbet t
erthanI
expected.Inaweek,wehadal r
eadyreceived
thecoca,andtodaySpinnydeli
veredthe
equipment.Mottyhadtakenthem totheold
sideatthebackwhereitwasal wayslocked.
ThenIhadSeshagi vehermoneyt obuyt herest
oftheingredi
ent
s.Soonwewi l
lbeinbusiness.
Iwenttothev
isi
ti
ngr
oom andDr
ewsatt
her
e
smil
ing.
DREW:Badgirl
!Howdoy oualway
smanaget
o
gety
oursel
finsucht
rouble?
ME:
(laughi
ng)I
t’
sat
alent
…yout
hinky
oucan
dowhatIasked?
DREW: Gir
l,whoyouthi
nky ouaret
alki
ngto?Of
course,
Ican.Questi
onthough,whereareyou
gett
ingit
,thati
tneedsacleaner
.
ME:
Not
hingnast
yli
kehur
ti
ngpeopl
eandsht
…
DREW: Meh,whatdoIcare?Ifi
t’
smakingme
money,then.Hel
lyeah… man,Imissedy
ouso
much,Luba!RememberMr sEverr
ett’
sFr
ench
cl
ass?
ME:(
laughi
ng)‘
TheVoul
ez-
vouscoucheravec
moi
’saga…sht…wereal
lyt
urntupthatschool
,
man!
DREW:Andthedayy out
oldMannyouwer
e
gonnagetasexchangej
ustsohecoul
dsuck
yourd*
*k.
ME:
Youendeduppunchi
nghim whenhet
ri
ed
t
ocomeontometooaggressi
vel
y…
DREW:
YouknowIal
way
sgoty
ourback…man,
Imissedyou,shawty.Wewasabaaaadt eam…
thenyoujustwentaway …neverf
eltsobadi
n
myl i
fe…nocall
,nothing…youhurtme,man.
ME:I
twasn’
tbychoice,
Drew…myf at
hertook
myphoneandstuckmei naboar
dingschool
.
Hetookmyhandandwestayedl
i
kethat,
caughti
nthemoment
.Il
ookedupheari
nga
thr
oatcl
ear.
KARTEL:Ithoughtpr
isonerswer
en’
tsupposed
tobeal
ltouchywithpeople.
Ihadn’
tev
enseenhi
m comi
ng.
ME:
Oh…Kar
tel
…
KARTEL:
Yes.Kar
tel
,yourboy
fri
endandbaby
daddy
?whoisthi
s?
DREW: Babydaddy
?Luuhasababy
?Maaaan,
that
’swii
il
d!
KARTEL:Shutup,
Li’
lI
diot
.Iwastal
ki
ngtoher
.
Whoisthi
sandwhyi sheholdi
ngyoul
iket
hat
.
ME:Oh,Dr
ew?Myoldfr
iend,
hewaschecki
ng
onsomeoneandsawmeandstoppedt
osayhi.
KARTEL:
Whatki
ndoff
ri
end?
ME:
Excusey
ou?
KARTEL:
Whatki
ndoff
ri
endi
sDr
ew?
ME:Onet
hatIwentt
oschool
wit
h,what
’swi
th
you?
KARTEL:Andwenawhatwerey oudoi
ngher
e?I
knowSeshacameinyest
erday,andIcamet
he
daybef
ore,wewer
enotcomi ngtoday.
DREW:Yo,
dude,
chi
l
l.Wewasj
ustt
alki
ng,
no
bi
ggi
e.
KARTEL: Man,shutthethef
**kup,
I’
m not
talki
ngtoyou.Luba,Isai
dwhywereyouinthe
visit
ingr
oom ift
herewasnobodycoming?
ME:WhythehelldoIneedtojusti
fywhyIam in
apri
sonvisi
ti
ngroom?Seriousl
y,ni
gga,cal
m
down.Iam i
njai
l
.Ili
ter
all
ycannotmessar ound.
Dr
ew,
youcanl
eav
e.We’
l
ltal
k.
KARTEL:
Noy
ouwon’
t.
Hel
aughedandshookhi
shead,
thenwal
kedof
f.
ME:
War
ewhatar
eyout
ri
ppi
ngaboutwena?
KARTEL:That’
syourl
i
ttl
eex-
boyf
riend.Theone
youwerebeingabadli
tt
let
hingi
nschool wi
th.
ME: Fi
rstofal
l
,howdoy ouknowi tshi
m?It ol
d
youIhadaboy fr
iendi
nschool,nevert
oldyoua
nameorgav eyoupict
ures.Youlookedint
ohim,
didn’
tyou?
KARTEL: (
laughi
ng)Bopaki’sboyfr
iend’s
daughtergoest ot hesameschool.Af ewy ears
behindy ou,butapparent
lyyouhadar eputat
ion.
Ij
usthadt osayLubaandshet ol
dmey ouwer e
a‘badbi ch’andherinspi
rati
on.Andal soyou
andDr ewwer ea‘swoon’and‘couplegoals’,
what everthatmeans.Sheistwelve!
ME:
(laughi
ng)OhmyGod,
youwei
rdst
alker
!
KARTEL:What !Iwantedtoseet
heonlyother
guyyouevercaredabout.Goodt
hingheis
someli
tt
leshtIdon’thavetoworr
yabout.
ME:
Thenwhyar
eyoumad?
KARTEL(l
aughi
ng)Hewashol di
ngyourhand,
l
ooki
ngatyouallgoogl
yeyed…Itol
dyouI’m
i
rr
ati
onal
whenitcomest oyou.
ME: (
laughi
ng)Let obol
awakedipel
oboKar
tel
.
Justhandholding?Someniggascat
cht
hei
r
bi
chinbedwi thanotherni
gga.
KARTEL:
Beent
her
e…
ME:(
laughi
ng)Lowblow..
.anditwasnotabed,
j
ustacouch,andIwoul
dhav estoppedi
t.
KARTEL:What ev
er,Idi
dn’tcomeheret
ot al
k
aboutyoubeingali
ttl
etramp.Ser
iousl
y,what
thatki
ddoinghere?
ME:(hol
dingl
aught
er)Heknowssomeonewho
cansneakhiminsohecanatleastgi
veme
head.
KARTEL:
Luba.
Sai
dbothasathr
eadandapleaf
ormet
ost
op.
Idolov
epushi
nghisbut
tons.
ME:(
laughi
ng)Rel
axr
elax,
I’
mf*
*ki
ngwi
thy
ou.
Howareyou?
KARTEL:
Imi
ssy
ou…
Hesai
dashet
ookmyhandandki
ssedi
t.
ME:Seehowfastt
hepastni
nemont
hswent
?
SoonI’
l
lbehome,mylov
e…howismybaby?
KARTEL:Shei
sgr
owi
ngsowel
l
.Kesegosent
youphot
os?
ME:Yea.Shei
sreal
lyasweet
hear
t,i
sn’
tshe?
Shemakesmeal otl
esspar
anoi
d.
KARTEL:
Shereal
lydoescar
eforDani
eli
keher
own.Imi
ssholdi
ngyou…
ME:
Itol
dyou,
gooutandgetsomep*
*sy
.It
old
youIunder
stand.Asl
ongast
herear
eno
emoti
onalatt
achment
.Wannaknowsomet
hing?
KARTEL:
(laughi
ng)If
eel
li
keIdon’
t,
butgoon.
ME:
Imessedar
oundwi
thgi
rl
sinher
e.
KARTEL:
Whi
chone?
IwinkedatCynt
hiawhowasatt
heot
herend
tal
kingtohersi
ster
.
KARTEL:
F**
k, shei
shot.Youshoul
dWhat
sApp
cal
lmeandletmewatch.
ME:(l
aughi
ng)Perv
…whatI’
m sayi
ngi
s,do
whatyougott
ado.All
thi
saggr
essi
oni
sasi gn
ofl
ackofp**sy.
Hej
ustshookhi
sheadandl
aughed.
*
***
***
***
***
Neel
olai
dinthehospi
tal
bedholdi
ngSesha’
s
handasanot
hercontr
act
ionhi
t.
NEELO:
Sesha,
wher
ethehel
li
sReuben?
SESHA: IaskedMonk,heisnotatt
heoff
ice…
butIjustspoketoyourmama,shewasgetti
ng
i
nat axi,shewil
lbehereanyminut
e.I
’
m here
toobaby …
NEELO:(
sobbing)Idon’twannagivebi
rth
wit
houtmyhusband, Sesha…pleasetr
yhis
numberagai
n.
Neel
o’smot
herwal
kedi
n….
MOTHER: Ah-ah,Neli,t
earsf
orwhatinsucha
bl
essedday ?Ifi
nall
ybecomeagr andmother
andwenay ouarecrying?Kanammaot shaba
di
thabi
(chuckli
ng)That ’
swhatbei
ngawoman
meansmami e,
enjoy.DumelaSesha…
SESHA:
Dumel
ang,
letmest
epout
sidef
ora
bi
t…
Shewentout
sideandNeel
o’smothersat
besi
dest
hebed,holdi
ngherhand.
MOTHER:
Nel
i
,whati
swr
ong?
NEELO:Mme,Ithi
nkIam done,
Ijustcan’
ttake
i
tanymore,
Reubenischeat
ingonme…
MOTHER:Therewegoagain…y
ouqui
tt
ing
whent
hingsgetal
it
tl
ehard…
NEELO:
Whati
sthatev
ensupposedt
omean?
MOTHER:Youalwaysgiveupgoodchances,
Neel
o.Youweresupposedtobemyst archil
d
whogetsagoodli
fe…didwellatschool
andal l
.
Youfat
herdi
esandyoujustgi
v eupandy oufai
l.
NEELO: Arey
oureal
lymadatmebecauseIgot
depressedwhenmyf at
herwaski
ll
edbythi
eves
i
nf r
ontofmeduringexams?Seri
ousl
y?
MOTHER:Youwer eastarstudent
!Youwere
supposedtohaveabet
terli
fe,
yougavei
taway
onthatrubbi
sh,
depr
essionkedil
otsamakgoa!
NEELO:Mama,papadi
edinfr
ontofme!Gut
ted
byaknif
e,Iwat
chedbl
oodoozefr
om hi
sneck
andstomach…l
ifel
eav
inghi
m…
MOTHER: Excuses, y
oucoul dhav
epassedi f
youdi dnotspendal ldayscryi
ngandsulking
i
nst eadofstudying.Mat hat
aagagoNeel oy ou
thinkyouar eunique,thatkewenahel
aonnang
l
emat hat
a.Shoul dIhav egi
venupandlety ou
andy oursister
sst ar
vebecausemyhusband
died?Huh?
NEELO:
Iwasgr
iev
ing,
mama…
MOTHER: Whatdidthatchange,di
dhecome
backbecauseyouletyour
selffai
l?
NEELO: I
sthi
swhyy outreatedmesobadly?
BecauseyouthinkIl
etmy selff
ail
?Mother
,my
daddied…thatIevenwroteexamsi samir
acl
e.
MOTHER: Buty ousee,Godal way
smeanta
goodli
feforyou.Youmar r
iedaweal
thyman
whotakesgoodcar eofy ouandus…andy ou
wanttogiveitup.Yout hinkyouaret
hef i
rst
womant ogot hroughahar dti
meinmar r
iage?
Wakeup, l
it
tl
egi rl
.Marriagegasemat shameko,
yousaidforbett
erforworse.Womanupand
stopthatsi
ll
i
nessaboutdivorce.Ruedoesn’t
beatyou,heisactuall
yverykindtoyou,gi
ves
youhisbankcardstokeep, gaveyouthi
sgood
l
ife.Sowhatifhehasal i
tt
lefunhereandthere.
NEELO:
Getout
.Now!Getout
!
MOTHER: Mxi
m,wenawar eIhav
etimefor
yourt
ant
rums,Neel
o?Layonthebed,l
etme
massageyoumma,itwi
llhel
pwitht
hepain.
*
***
***
***
***
***
***
***
**
KARTEL
Ial
mostl osti
twalki
ngintothatvisi
torroom
andsawt hatl
itt
leshthol
dingmygi rll
ikethat
.
Partofmewant edtofoll
owhi m andbeathim
upjustbecause.
No,no…Iam nott
hatper
sonany
mor
e.Law
abi
dingci
ti
zenandal
l.
NowIcoul
dn’
tgett
hati
mageofLubaandt
hat
l
it
tlechocol atebeaut yshehadpoi ntedoutal l
overeachot her,andhel l
othereli
ttl
eKar t
…
di
dn’ tthinkyouwer est i
lli
naction.Ichuckledat
my selfasIhadt orearrangemypant sbecause
damn,j ustthethoughtofmygi rlwit
hanot her
gi
rl mademeal lsort
sofhar d.Pervy,Iknow,but
whatmanhasn’ thadaf ant
asyofat hreesome
witht heirgi
rlandanot herhotgirl
?
Ont hatnote,Ij
ustreal
izedIhadnothadsex
sincethatnightwithRonal mosttenmont hs
ago.Damn.LongestIev erwentwi t
hout.Ijust
couldn’
tbringmy selft
ogof **ksomer andom,
though,evenifIhadper missi
on.
Iwenthomeandf oundKesegohangi
ngthe
baby’
sclot
hesattheback.Shewasweari
ngan
i
tty-
bit
tydr
essthatcl
ungtohersobeaut
iful
l
y,
andshewasl ooki
ngatthewoodenpegswitha
naughtysmil
e.
KARTEL:(smi
l
ing)Sur
elypegscan’
tbet
hat
i
nter
esti
ng.Whatgotyouall
smili
ng?
KESEGO:(bl
ushi
ng)Inev
erknewt
heycoul
dbe
so….ver
sati
l
e…
Shesai
d,bi
ti
ngherl
owerl
i
pwi
thadr
eamy
l
ook…
KESEGO:NowIsometi
meswonderwhatother
househol
dit
emshav
emoreunconvent
ional
uses…
KARTEL:
Shal
lweexpl
ore….
Shel
ookeddownwi
thabl
ush…
KESEGO:
Dani
e…
KARTEL:Mmei sthereandaroundt
histi
me
Dani
esleepsforaboutfourhour
severyday
.We
canmakef ourhour
swor k.
Look,Ihaveonl
ybeenbannedf r
om Ronand
Niki
ta,ot
herwi
seIhavepermissionaslongas
ther
eisnoemot i
onalconnect
ion.Ipurel
y
wananf *
*kthi
sgir
l.Noemot i
onal connect
ion
atal
l.
MostlybecauseshehasthatLubabodyand
melanin,
andshel et
smei ndul
gedinfant
asies
Lubaflat
soutturnsdown.Noemot ional
connecti
on.Justraw,har
dcoref*
*ki
ng,noteven
makinglove.
It
ookherhand,
leadi
nghert
owar
dst
hegat
e.
KESEGO:
Wai
t,l
etmet
ell
yourmot
her
…
Sher
ani
nsi
deandIhear
dhert
alkt
omme.
KESEGO:Isi
toki
fIgohel
pKgathiwi
th
somethi
ngthi
ssi
de?I
fDaniewakesup,j
ustcal
l
me.
MME: (
smi
li
ng)Runal
ong,Ihavebeenar
ound
babi
esbef
ore,
Icanhandl
eit.
Shecameout,butIj
ustcoul
dn’tbr
ingmysel
fto
takehert
oLuba’
shouse,soIwentbackther
e
andpickedupaduffel
bagwi t
hthi
ngsIbought
alongti
meagobutLubanev erwantedt
ouse,
thenweheadedtothehiv
e.
*
***
***
***
***
***
***
LI
KE,
COMMENT,
SHARE
ATHUG’
SLOVE:
50
1YearLat
er
Thi
soperat
ionIhadrunni
ngwasgoi ngsowel l.
Wehadestabli
shedanexporttoothercountr
ies
andKgarewaseasil
ymakingithappen,withhis
pol
icecont
acts.
Ihaveamassedsomuchmoney ,
ourgr owi
ng
busi
nessdidn’
tneedi nvest
orstoexpand.
Seshawasmaki ngmagi cwiththemoneyout
ther
e.Shewasl earni
ngsomuchf rom he
mentor,
andgr owingthebusinessl i
kecrazy.I
wassopr oudofmygi rl
,heari
nghername
amongleadingbusinesswomenwasamazi ng.
OurSpahadgonecount rywi
denow.Wehad
openedi nKasaneandMaun,t
henarelaxati
on
resor
tjustoutsi
deGabor
one,whi
chincluded
every
thingfrom ader
matol
ogi
st,
physi
otherapi
st,di
etician,chir
opractor,anda
masseuses.Plusofcour sethehairdressers
andmakeupar tist
s.Ihadseent hev i
deo, andit
wasaquai ntl
it
tlepar adisetheri
chcamet o
rel
axin.Andofcour set herewasourski ncar
e
andshampool ines.
Ipumpedi nthemoney ,
andSeshamanagedt
he
business.Asfarassheknew,Iwasdoi
ng
bit
coininther
e,andreal
lygoodati
t.
Imissesherbadlythough.Shealway
s
messagedandemai l
edtoupdatemeonev er
y
stepofthebusiness,butshewasusual l
yso
busyshehardlyevercamet oseemej ustas
fr
iends.
SodidKart
elact
uall
y,t
helastt
imehewasher e
wasaweekago, butworkwasbusy,andIgoti
t.
Justonemoreyearnow.ThenIwil
lbehome
wit
hmyl ov
edones.
Iwal
kedi
ntot
hev
isi
troom andsatt
her
ewi
tha
smi
l
e.
ME:(l
aughing)Youl
uckyol
dbastar
d,y
ouev
en
hav
eat an.HowwasMaur i
ti
us?
KGARE:Amazi
ng,yougott
agot her
e.Theroom
yougotf
orus,
Ifel
tli
keroyal
ty…themissus
can’
tst
opsmil
ing.
ME:Itol
dyoual
i
ttl
ehol
idaycanal
way
s
br
ight
enawoman’smood.
KGARE:
Thanky
ou,
Luba.
ME:Itakecar
eoft
hosewhotakecar
eofme.
ButIt
oldyouwecan’
tbeseenher
etoget
her
.
KGARE: Relax… t
hisi
sjustsmokeandmi rr
ors.
Therewassomeonewhor ecent l
ymenti
oned
Kart
el,j
ustcasuall
y…from thet i
mewhenhe
wasar unner.Ofcour
seIdiverteditf
rom hi
m
sothatitdoesnotendupaf fecti
ngyou.
ME:Ir
eall
yappreci
atey
oul
ooki
ngoutf
orme
andminel
ikethat…
KGARE: Ok,
Ibett
ergo.Thanksf
orthehol
iday
.I
l
ikeourworkingrel
ati
onshi
pnow.Mutual
respect
.MerryChri
stmas.
Mutualr
espect
.Thefool
.IfheknewIwas
gonnaburnhi
mt ot
hegroundwhenInolonger
neededhi
m.
ME:(smil
ing)Ofcour
se.Somucheasi
er.Mer
ry
Chr
istmas,det
ecti
ve.
Afterhel
eft
,Iwentbackt
omycell,
prepar
ing
formysecondChrist
masinj
ail
,whi
chwasj ust
afewdaysawaynow.
*
***
***
*
Kart
elwalkedinf
rom t
hewor koutandgotint
he
ki
tchenasKesegowasmaki ngbreakfast
.She
cameov erandki
ssedhischeek.
KESEGO:
Justi
nti
mef
ory
ourbr
eakf
ast
…
KARTEL:Youareamazi
ng,youknowt
hat
?How
doyoutakecar
eofusalll
i
kethis.
KESEGO:(l
aughi
ng)Easywheny ouhaveameal
del
iv
eryser
viceandcl
eaner
st hatcometwi
cea
week,pl
usawashingmachine.
KARTEL: St
il
l…youareamazing.Oh,and
thanksfort
heprotei
nshake.Youser
iousl
y
don’tneedtowakeupthatearl
ytofi
xmeone.
KESEGO:Iwasupfeedi
ngMsDani e,andIl
ost
mysleep,
soIfi
gur
edImi ghtaswell
doit.
KARTEL:
Thanks.
KESEGO:Oh,byt hewaymmecal l
edtoremind
ustheyarehavi
ngaf ami
lyreuni
onfor
Chri
stmas.Sheinvit
edKyl
ieandI,andwant
s
met omakesurey oucometoo.
KARTEL:I
fyouwannagosuityoursel
f.You
knowIhat
ethosepeopl
e,Iam notgoi
ng.
KESEGO:Theyar
eyouruncl
es,
aunt
sand
cousi
ns.
KARTEL:
Itol
dyouhowt
heyt
reat
edus…
KESEGO:Andy ouaresti
llal
l
owi ngthem to
occupyspaceinyourheadrentfree.Theydon’
t
deservet
hat.Don’
tgoifyoudon’ twant.But
don’tl
ett
hem upsetyouli
kethis.
KARTEL:It
’sjust
…Idon’tgeti
t,Kese!Howare
myparentsassociat
ingwit
hpeoplewhot r
eat
ed
usl
ikethat?
KESEGO: Theoldergenerati
onbelievesbl
oodis
ever
ything,
theydon’tunderstandtheconcept
ofcutt
ingouttoxicpeople.Iam notsayi
ngy ou
arewronghatingthem.
KARTEL:
Buty
oual
way
ssi
dewi
thmme.
KESEGO: Notsi
de.Butshei sol
dand
somet i
meswej ustneedtoappeaseher.Iwi
ll
takethekidsandmakeanexcusef oryouifyou
real
lycan’tgo.Shewi l
lbehurti
fwedon’tshow
up,allsheistry
ingtodoi smakea
reconcil
iati
onandunitethefamil
y.
KARTEL:
What
ever
.
KESEGO:Don’tstr
essy our
sel
faboutall
thi
s.
Youhavethatimportantmeeti
ngtopit
ch
prov
idi
ngglassforthatnew gatedcommunit
y.
KARTEL:
Iam f
reaki
ngner
vous… t
hisi
sabi
g
deal
.
KESEGO:Ihatet
heyst
il
lmakeyoudothisev
en
fort
hegl
asscompany.Youhav
ey ourown
companytorun.
KARTEL:Li
ter
all
yonlyMonkisputti
ngisthe
workatt
heglassfactory
.Eaisfor
everpl
ayful
,
andRueIdon’tevenknowwhat ’
sgoingon.I
putmymoneyi nthatcompany,
Ican’tl
eti
ttank.
KESEGO:CanIjustsayy
ouwerebor nfort
his?
Youali
teral
l
yshowingdustal
lthesepeopl
e
wit
hfancydegr
ees.
KART:(l
aughing)Iknowhunger
… pushesmet
o
neverwannagobackt her
e,t
hat
’swhyIput
ext
raenergy.
*
***
***
**
Seshasati
nheroff
icer
ubbingherfacewi
tha
heavysi
ghwhenrecept
ioncal
led.
SESHA:
Isai
dhol
dmycal
l
s.
RECEPTI
ON:
Shesay
sshei
syourmot
her
.
SESHA:
Letherup…
Seshastar
tedsmil
i
ngbef
oret
heol
derv
ersi
on
ofher’
sradi
antsmil
ewal
kedi
n.
SESHA:
Mama!
Sher
ushedt
ohughermot
her
.
MAMA:Sesi
wame!Myonlybaby
!Ohmygi
rl
!
HowIhav
emi ssedy
ouso.
SESHA:
Imi
ssedy
out
oomama.
MAMA: Thenwhydidn’
tyoucomeseeme,
pr
incess?Ithasbeenthr
eemonths!
SESHA:
(looki
ngdown)I
thasbeenabi
thect
ic,
mama
MAMA:
Imi
sst
hoseday
sweusedt
oseatunder
t
hetr
eewhil
eyoupl
ait
edmyhai
randpai
nted
mynai
ls.
SESHA:Itol
dthegi
rl
satt
heresor
ttogi
vey
oua
ful
lspaanyt
imeyouwant
ed.
MAMA: I
t’snotaboutthoset hings,Sesha,
I
don’
tcareaboutanyoft hat!It
’sthetimewe
usedtospendtogether.Byt hi
st i
meweusuall
y
haveourlit
tl
eChrist
mast r
eedecor ated…
rememberhowIboughti t
?
SESHA:
Yousav
edal
lyearf
ori
t.
MAMA: Becausey ouhaveal
wayshadfancy
t
ast
emydear .YouwantedaChri
stmastreel
ike
t
hekidsonourol dsecondhandTV.
SESHA:I
tcoul
dn’
thavebeeneasyonahust
li
ng
sal
ary
.Yousol
dlit
tl
ethi
ngs.
MAMA: (
laughing)Isoldevery
thi
ng.
Tupperwar e?Beenthere.Amway?Inside!Gol
d
chai
ns,thel eat
herjacket
,usedcl
othes…I ’
ddo
anyt
hingf ormybabyt ohav easweetlif
e.
SESHA:(smi
li
ng)Youreall
ydid…Ial
waystel
l
peopl
ethatl
i
kemyhi ps,Igetmyworket
hic
fr
om mymama.
MAMA:God,
Imissyousomuch,
mygirl
.How
wast
heUS?So,
y oufi
nal
l
ysawsnow,
hey?
SESHA: (
laughing)Idid.Di
dn’tgavemucht i
me
toseetheplace, Arnohadacoupl eof
meetingsarrangedf orme,soIcanseer esor
ts
thatr
esembl eour sandgetinspi
rati
on.
MAMA:
Idon’
tli
ket
hatAr
noonebi
t.
SESHA:
Don’
tst
art
…
MAMA: Okay.Ok!Hey,r
ememberhow we
wouldwatchHomeAl oneandIwoul
dmakeus
hotchocol
ateandputmarshmall
owsjustl
i
kei
n
TV?
SheheldupaSpargrocer
ybagwi
that
inofhot
chocol
ateandmarshmall
ows.
MAMA:
Itst
hreeday
sbef
oreChr
ist
mas,
andI
wi
lldragyououtofherekickingandscr
eaming
i
fIhav et
o,buty
ouarecomi nghome.Youneed
abreak,y
ouconstant
lylookt i
red.
SESHA:
I’
mfi
ne…
MAMA: Sesi,y
ouarenotfine…wher
eismyfr
ee
spir
itgi
rlwi
thpinkhai
r?Youdon’
tevenl
ookl
ike
you.
SESHA:AreyouupsetIoutgr
ewaphase?Iam
abusi
nesswoman, mama!Leadi ngbusi
ness
woman,that’
swhattheysayinnewspapers.
Howarey ounothappyaboutthat.
MAMA: Sesha,
Iam sohappyfori
t,butbaby
,
l
if
eispassingyouby… howaboutdati
ng?
Marr
iage,ki
ds?
SESHA:
Mama!
Ar
nopeekedi
n.
ARNO:
Your
eady
?
SESHA:
Yes,
yes,
justmi
nut
e…
ARNO:Ok,
I’
ll
wai
tint
hecar
…wedon’
twanna
bel
ate.
Hewal
kedof
f.
MAMA:
Idon’
tli
ket
hatman.
SESHA: Mama,Ipr omi
setocomehome
tonight
,andwecandr i
nkmarshmal
l
owhot
chocolateandbakemapaki
waandmakesewn
coloursforChr
ist
mas.
MAMA:
Youpr
omi
se?
SESHA:
Pinkyswear
…
NANA: That’
smygi rl
… ok,gobeastar
.Iam
sureyourfat
heristurni
ngonhisgr
ave..Hi
s
pri
ncess‘cor
poraterat?
’.
SESHA:(l
aughi
ng)Weweresupposedtotr
avel
theworl
dandhewill
playt
heguit
arandIwill
singandweweregonnabethebestbandever.
*
***
***
***
*
Monksati
nthei
rli
vi
ngr
oom wai
ti
ngwi
thabox
ofdecorat i
ons.Seshahadsaidt heyweregonna
gi
v eBoboaf ancyChrist
mas,likeSesha’
s
mot herusedt odoforherwhenshegr ewup.
Monknev erevenhav emuchofaChr i
stmas.
Therewasnev erenoughany t
hinginthe
orphanage, sohedidn’tevenrememberget t
ing
newcl othesforChristmas.
Sotechni
call
y,t
hiswashisf
irstChr
ist
mast oo.
AndSeshahadsai dshe’
dbr
inghermot herover
andint
roduceKartel
.
Hewassoexci
tedt
ofi
nal
l
ymeetgett
omeet
her
.
Byeveni
nghehadgivenup.Shewassti
llnot
back.Nocal
l
s,andnotansweri
ngherphone.
Ar
ound7pm shecal
l
ed.
MONK:
Sesha,
wher
ear
eyou.
SESHA: Baby… somet
hingcameup,andIhav
e
toaddressiti
mmediatel
y.Ihav
etogotot
he
fact
ory
…
MONK:
OnChr
ist
masev
e…
SESHA:KanaIdi
dn’
tpl
ant
his,
Monk… Idon’
t
thi
nkI
’l
lbebackbyt
omorr
ow…
MONK:
Butt
omor
rowi
sChr
ist
masand…
SESHA: Iam r
eall
ysorry
,babe…butther
eisa
probl
em.Wi t
htheshipments,andonceIsor
tit
Ihavetogot oZambiatocheckonthe
warehousethereandthen…
MONK:
Can’
tyoudoi
tanot
herday
?
SESHA:No,
ifIdon’
thandl
eitnow,
itcoul
d
causeusal
otofprobl
em and…
MONK:
Fine,
Sesha…
Therewasaknockatt
hedoorandPuni
e
walkedi
n.
MONK:
Puni
e….
PUNIE:
Ibr
oughtBobo’sChri
stmasclot
hes…I
knowyouprobabl
yboughthi
m bett
erones,
but
Ij
ustwant
edt obuyhi
ssomething.
MONK:Iappr
eci
atei
t.Your
eal
l
yhav
ebeen
t
ryi
ng.
PUNIE:(
smili
ng)Thanks… Ibett
erheadoff,
mamai sal
lowingmet otakemysibli
ngsfor
Chr
istmassinceshewi l
lbeatsomeal l
night
pr
ayer.Wearegoingallsevencol
ours
Chr
istmas…
MONK:
Canwecome?
PUNI
E:ToourChr
ist
mas?
MONK:
Yea,
BoboandI
.
PUNIE:(
smil
ing)Imean,y
ea… ofcourse.Of
cour
se.Thekidswil
lbesohappytoseeBobo.
*
***
***
***
OnChr i
stmasdayKar t
elparkedthecarand
walkedint
ohi sparentsbusyhomeas
Chri
stmasf esti
vi
ti
eswenton.Hewentt oopen
thedoorforKesego, andhelpedherunfoldthe
str
oll
erasshet ookDani efr
om thestrol
ler
.
KARTEL:
MsLady
,ar
eyouok?Youar
equi
et?
KYLI
E:Whoar
eal
lthesepeopl
e?
KARTEL:
Wedon’tl
i
ket
hem,
youdon’
thav
eto
beni
cetothem.
KESEGO:
Kar
tel
!
KARTEL:I
’m notgonnateachhert
obefake.We
don’
tli
kethem.Here,t
akemyi Padandwatch
Sofi
atheFir
st.
Kar
tel
’
smot
herwal
kedov
ert
othem.
MME:Iam glady oucame.Thanky ouf
or
maki
nghim, Kese… Mmamosadi ,putt
hatt
hing
awayandgreetyourfamil
y.Kesego,whydi
d
youl
etherwearpant ssoshort
,she…
KARTEL:Isseven,l
eaveheral
one,
andshe
doesn’
thavetogreetanyone.
MME: Ij
o…come,Kese…l
etmeintr
oduceyout
o
thefamil
y.Thi
sismma-Leni
,myyounger
sist
er…mmaLeni,t
hisi
sKesego
MMALENI :Keenengwet
si y
arona?(ul
ulat
ing)
Welcomemydear.Yosekgoanyaney
oley o
nangleKgat
hal
o,kewantha?
MME:
Yes,
thati
sKy
li
e.
MMALENI :
KegoreKgathal
oor eiti
mahela
ngwanaaboannakanakanahel ar esamoi t
se
l
egomoi t
se… ntekebonewapor emay a
sekgoa… ohhh,
batho,
sefreshnyanajang.
Kesegolookeduncomf or
tabl
yasthelady
pi
nchedDani e’
scheek.Shehatedr
andom
peopl
etouchingDanie,peopl
ecarr
iedgems
andall
.
Kar
tel
not
icedi
tandwal
kedov
er.
KARTEL:Canyounott
ouchher?Shei
sonlya
yearol
dandherimmunesyst
em isj
ustbui
l
ding.
MMALENI:Ij
oo,keyoommamonnawagago
waomana,nnanekerekegomothuseo
dumedi
sebontsal
aomoleobat
waele.Gat
we
ngwanawalonagaatshwar
we?
KESEGO:
I… uhm…Ihav
ehandsani
ti
zer
…
MME:NnyathemmaLeni,
baraagorent
sea
sat
soga,
let
sgocheckonthesal
ads.
Mmet
ookmmaLeni
away
.
Kar
tel
whi
sper
edi
nherear
.
KARTEL:YouseewhyIdi
dn’twantyoutocome?
Iknewyou’
dbeuncomfor
table,
withever
yone
all
overDani
e.
KESEGO:(
Whi sper
ing)Thanksfort
hesave… I
al
mosttol
dhert of*,kof
fwithherbeet
root
cover
edhands.
KARTEL:
(laughi
ng)Youshoul
dhav
e…
Somecousi
ncameov
er.
HER:Heydarli
ng,
I’m Mosetsana…aww, you
havet
ogivemet i
psmma, howdi dyoujustgi
ve
bi
rt
hay earagoandy ouarealreadysosli
m?
Nnakanaweightlossyampal ela.
KARTEL:
May
best
opshov
ingf
oodony
our
mout
hal
lthet
ime!
KESEGO:
Kar
tel
!
KARTEL: (l
aughi
ng)What,yout
oldmet omake
conversat
ion.Whatthehel
list
hatkiddoi
ng?
Hef *
*kingtookKyli
e’st
ab…giveitbacky
ou
l
itt
lesht…Ky !Ky
… punchhimli
keIshowedyou.
KESEGO: Kar
tel
!Ij
a…t
akeDanieandseatov
er
there,
letMosetsanai
ntr
oducemearoundandI
will
gety ouandKyaplate.
Shel
eftwi
tht
hecousi
n,andhi
ssi
sterwal
ked
ov
er.
BOPAKI
:Whatar
eyoudoi
ng?
KARTEL:
Seat
ingdown?
BOPAKI: YouhaveKesegoall
overl
ikesheis
yourwif
e!Sheisanicegirl
andall
,butisthi
s
appropr
iatw?Bri
ngi
ngher t
ofamil
yev ent
s?
KGATHALO:Mmeinvit
edher
,andIdon’
tsee
what
’swrongwi
thhercomi
ngover?Hermom
wenttosomechur chcr usade,itwoul
dhave
beenjustherandKy l
ie.PlusIdidn’
twanther
toofarfr
om Danie,sheget sfussywhenshe
can’
tseeKesegof orlong.
BOPAKI:Mmei spret
endi
ngKyli
eisy
ourfi
rst
bor
n,andthatKesegoisDani
e’
smother
.
KARTEL:WhendidIst
artbei
ngr
esponsi
blef
or
mme’sacti
ons?
BOPAKI
:Doy
ouhav
efeel
i
ngsf
ort
hisgi
rl
?
KARTEL:
YouknowIonl
ylov
eonewoman.
BOPAKI:Thenwhyareyoust
ri
ngi
ngalongt
he
poorgi
rl
,play
inghappyf
amil
yandal
l
?
KARTEL:Wear
enotplayi
nghappyfamily.What
doypuwantmetodoBopaki,t
reatKesego
badl
ytoshowt
hatIl
ov eonl
yLuba?
BOPAKI :
Iwasaty ourhousel
astweek
remember ?Youtwoarejustt
oocomfort
abl
e
witheachother
..Idon’
tevenneedt
oaskifyou
aresleepi
ngwit
hherbecauseever
yonecansee
ther
ei sadeepi
nti
macybetweenyoutwo.
KARTEL:Ah,buty
oudi
dal
way
shav
eawi
l
d
i
maginat
ion.Si
s.
BOPAKI:Lubawillki
l
lher!Atleasthavethe
decencytobreakupwithLuba, notsecr
etl
y
haveanotherwomanbr east
feedherbaby .You
arenotfai
ronbothwomen.
KARTEL:Youar
emar r
iedtoamanwhoy ou
knowverywel
li
sinlovewithanotherwoman.
Youarebei
ngunfai
rtoyoursel
f.
BOPAKI
:Wow…
KARTEL:Sorry
…Ijust…thi
ngsarenotalways
blackandwhit
e.Il
oveLubawithallmyheart
.
ButIli
kethemanIam withKesego.Shebri
ngs
thegoodkindofbesti
nme.Themanmyf ather
i
spr oudof.
BOPAKI:
Ifeel
li
kesuchasnake,butIal
soli
ke
themanyouarewi
thKese.
.WithLuba,ther
eis
alwayssomecr i
mi nalact
ivit
ies,evenifyou
don’tt
ell
meabouti t
.Iknow.Y’ alldidn’
tjust
becomer i
choutofnowher e.It
’sthesame
reasonIwasnev erteam youandPat ti
ealso.
Nowbecauset hereisnocr imei nyourlif
e,you
aremorer el
axed,l
essont heedge, happi
er…
KARTEL:
Ilov
eLuba.
BOPAKI:Idon’
tdoubti
t.Buty
ouar eamuch
bett
ermannow.Ev enEasaysso,andt hatman
knowsyoubest.Hehasbeeny ourfr
iendsince
youweresix!
KARTEL:ButLubahasgoneclean,j
ustli
keme,
so,t
hismany ouar
eli
kingsomuchwi ll
alway
s
bethesamewhenLubacomesoutandwear e
backtoget
her.Nomoreli
feofcri
me.
BOPAKI
:AndKesego?
KARTEL:Kesegoknewallalongthatt
her
eis
Luba,t
hatIlov
eonlyLuba.Itol
dhernotto
catchf
eeli
ngs,andsheagreedtothat
.Weare
j
ustkeepi
ngeachot
hercompanyunt
ilLuba
comesout.
*
***
***
***
**
LI
KE,
COMMENT,
SHARE

ATHUG’
SLOVE51

LUBA
Kar
telhadnotcometoseemeafterChr
ist
mas,
hehadmessagedthathewentt
oseehis
par
ents,sot
hat’
scool
.
NowIwasj
ustel
evenmont
hsawayf
rom goi
ng
home.
Iwenttothevi
sit
or’
sroom, andSpi
nnysatt
here
l
ookingli
kesomeAmer icangangst
erwit
hall
thosebi
gchains.
ME:
Spi
ns!Howi
sthebabyandEst
her
?
SPINNY:Theyar
egood… Isecur
edanew
cl
ient
… bigti
me,hehasathi
nginSAandwant
s
someonewhosellspur
eatourpri
ces.
ME:Spi
nny
,Isai
dIwi
l
lvetnewcl
i
ent
s.Thi
sis
r
isky
.
SPI
NNY: Heisl
ooki
ngt
ospendP250ki
none
pur
chaseLuba.
ME: Spi
nny..I
fitsoundst
oogoodt
obet
rue,
it
usuall
yis…
SPINNY:Youar ejustli
keKart,y
oudon’tall
ow
anyonebutyourselftomakedeci si
ons.Just
l
iketheol
dcr ew,Ifeelinv
isi
ble.
ME:Becauset
heyarest
upiddeci
sions,
Spi
nny
.
Andinv
isi
blei
sthewhol
eidea!
SPI
NNY:
Ihav
etogo.
ME:Don’ty
oudar
etr
ytomakethatdeal
,Spinny
.
Spi
nny!Spi
nny
!Comebackher
ethisminut
e!
*
***
***
***
*
Kesegosati
nthebedroom packi
ngthei
r
cl
otheswhenKart
el’
smotherwalkedin.
MME:
Ao,
alr
eadypacki
ngonnewy
ear
’sday
?
KESEGO:MmeIwi
shwecouldst
ayl
onger
,but
Kgat
hihast
ogobackt
owork…
MME: Iunder
stand.I
ja,
kanamoloi
yol
ewat
swa
ngwagao.Wheni sshecomingout
?
KESEGO:
Nov
ember
MME:
Jaanongwhatar
eyougoi
ngt
odoabout
i
t?
KESEGO:WhatcanIdomme.Ihav ebeenthe
bestwomanIcanbe,buthest
il
ltalksabout
her.
MME: No… heischanged.Hel i
vesthi
sli
fewi
th
you.Ithi
nkitsj
ustguil
tofmov i
ngonwhenshe
i
sinthere.Youcan’
tletthatgi
rlcomeand
dest
royyourfamil
y.
KESEGO:
WhatcanIdo,
mme?
MME: Youhav
eelevenmonthst
ostandupfor
yourfamily
.Haveyoureadt
hatst
oryofLot
’s
daughters?
KESEGO:
Iam notf
ami
l
iarwi
thi
t.
MME: Mydear,
youmustready
ourBi
blemore.
Lel
wapalethai
wakaModimo.Geti
nspi
rat
ion
fr
om Genesi
s19:30-
38.
ShewalkedoutandKesegot
ookherphoneand
Googl
edt heBi
blever
se.
OhmyGod… whatt
hehell
?Di
dthatwoman
j
ustt
ell
hert
o… ohGod!
Butwhynotthough?Kartwasal
way
sso
i
nsist
entonusingrubber
…
*
***
***
***
*
Monkparkedi
nfr
ontofPunie’
srent
edroom
andwal
kedtot
hebedroom wit
hhisson.
TheyknockedandPuni
ecameoutwr
appedi
na
t
owel
.
PUNIE:Oh, heyguys.Iwasj
ustbathi
ng.Letme
getdressed,andyoucancomei n.
Shecameoutaf ewminut
esl
aterandt
heygot
i
nside,bot
hlay
ingont
hebedasPunieser
ved
food.
PUNIE:Lonalenj
elal
unchyakamoso,
Ihav
e
cookedextr
asoIcouldeatt
omorr
ow.
MONK:(l
aughi
ng)Bat
ho,
mot hokeyoorat
a
di
j
o!Tshakwamomonnar esul
etl
ala.
Hesaidashealsosnat
chedt
hemeatf
rom her
pl
ateandatei
t.
PUNIE:
(laughing)Monkgogi!Andy
ouwi nder
whythi
sonei sar ascal
.Kantel
asotegane
bat
hokogal onalennaletsil
egonjel
akwano
j
aana?
MONK: Isuckatcooking,y
ouknowt hat
,and
ourhel
perobonel esoleoverChr
ist
mas
hol
i
day
s,ar
eenegaboe.
PUNIE:(
laughi
ng)Baokestor
ythebomai
d.
Jaanongmmewal wapagaaapeee?
MONK:
I’
m nott
alki
ngaboutSeshat
oyou.
PUNIE:Basadibabanangledipr
ior
it
y,baba
i
tsengsebasebat l
ang.RonaboPuniere
nnel
wagohi swakedipit
sahel
a.
MONK:
Cany
oust
op.
PUNIE:Sorr
y… Ij
ust… Ienvyher.Shehasav ery
happyrel
ati
onshi
p,sheiswinninginbusiness…
fi
ndsti
met otakecareoftou… gir
lhasitall
.
Maranna… aish…Ipayrentbyhustli
ngupgi gs
onUpwor kandFiver
r.Nowondery ouleftme
forher
.
MONK:Youl
eftme.Anddon’
ttal
kdownon
your
sel
f
PUNIE:I
’
m nottal
ki
ngdown,Iam t
ell
ingthe
tr
uth.Myli
fei
sastruggl
eaf
tert
heother,
Ihave
not
hingt
oget
her
…
MONK: Thatisnott r
ue, y
ouareanamazi ng
mother… andy ouhavegr ownsomucht hi
s
pastyear
,gaosat holeolemmadi thapa,y
ou
evengaveupt hosefriendsify
oursthatwerei
ll
advi
singyou.BeingaroundNaomi andKese
hasmadeaposi t
ivechangeony ou.
PUNI
E:Younot
iced?
MONK:AndIappr
eci
atei
t…Boboisdoi
ngso
muchbet
ter
…Iseetheef
for
tyouputwi
thhi
m.
PUNIE:
Ihav
ebeenreadi
ngonl
ineandtry
ingto
appl
ywhatt
heysay
… Ithi
nk… It
hinkhereal
l
y
hasADHD…
MONK:Ithi
nksot
oo… l
etst
alkt
ohi
s
paedi
atr
ici
an
PUNIE:(sadl
y)Iam suchaf**kup,ev
enl i
ter
all
y
j
ustmaki ngababy,If*
*kupatit…whatifIam
notcapableofgiv
inghimthebestchanceat
l
if
e…whati fhegetsbull
iedatschoolbecause
hei
sdi
ff
erentand…
Hei
mpul
siv
elyhuggedher
.
MONK:Hey,
hey
… notear
s… heisaperf
ect
l
it
tl
eboy,
ADHDornot
…j ustl
ookathi
m.
Theybothl
ookedatthesleepi
ngboyand
smil
ed,asMinkreachedovert
owipePuni
e’
s
tear
s…
Hetr
acedhisf
ingerdownhischeekbonet
oher
j
aw,uptoherl
ip…tippi
ngherchi
nupand
l
oomedint
oherey esforamoment…
Thenhepul
l
edbackanst
oodup.
MONK:
Iuhm… Igot
tal
eav
e.
Hespedof
ftohi
scarf
eel
i
nghor
ri
ble.
Sure,Seshawasalwaysbusyandinthef
ew
ti
mest heyhadsex,nowadaysshewassoti
red
she’djustl
ayt
here.Thepastthr
eeweekshe
j
uststoppedbotheri
ng.
Buthest
il
labsol
utel
yhadnor
ightt
otouch
Puni
eli
ket
hat
.
*
***
***
***
Spinnywalkedtotheagreedplacewi t
haf ul
l
backpack.Hehadt woboy swatchinghisback,
andhewassur et
hisdealwasgoi ngthrough.
Hewaswal ki
ngoutofherewitbP250000.
Hehadt
wosil
encedgunshot
s… sht
,sht
….The
boy
shecamewith…
Thentwopeopl
ewal
kedoutoft
heshadows.
Onewas…Ron.
RON:What?Spi
nny?Whatareyoudoingher
e?
Sht
!Whatareyoudoi
nghere?Don,Iknowthis
ki
d,wecan’
touthi
m,heisli
kefamil
yand…
Pop,
pop.
Spi
nnywentdowncrushi
ngl
i
keabagof
pot
atoesasRonscr
eamed.
Theguygott
hebackpackandmov
edaway
…
‘
Youcomi
ng?
’
RON: F**kyou,youpieceofsht ,y
oushothi m!
Youcouldhavejusttakenthepr oduct
!Spi nny
!
Spinny
!Youkill
edhi m!Youkil
ledhi m,Ibrought
thi
skidintoal
lthis,
andy ouki
lledhim!Spi nny!
Youwer esupposedt ohavegonel egi
t,damnut !
Sheoutt
edhergun,butt
heguyduckedbehi
nda
bui
ldi
ngandranoff
.
Shecheckedf
orapul
se… none.
Shesobbedov erhi
sbodyashi sphoner ang
wit
hanunsav ednumber.Shepi ckeduphopi ng
i
twaswhoev erhadSpinnyrunningagain.
Becauseshewasgonnaki l
lthatpersont he
samewaySpi nnywastakenout .
‘
Spi
nny,don’
tyoudar
egodot
hatdeal
,Idon’
t
f
eelgoodabouti
t…’
Luba?
*
***
***
***
Kar
tel
andKy
li
edr
aggedt
hebagsi
nsi
dewhi
l
e
Kesegocar
ri
edDani
ein.
KYLI
E:Ur
g,f
inal
l
yhome!
KARTEL:
Youcansayt
hatagai
n.
KESEGO:
Enoughofbot
hofy
ou,
itwasj
usta
week.
KARTEL:
Sev
enday
stool
ongi
fyouaskme.
KESEGO:Canyoutwostopwhini
ng?MsLady
,
goshower,
itsal
mostyourbedti
me.
Ky
li
ewentof
ftot
hebat
hroom.
KARTEL:Iwast hi
nki
ng…may beweshoul d
movehertothatschoolBopaki’
sstepdaughter
goesto…sheisv er
ysmartandt al
ented.They
havekar
ateclassesandFrench.Shelives
l
anguages.
KESEGO:
Whatisthepoi
nt,
Iwoul
dnev
erbe
abl
etoaf
for
ditaf
terwar
ds…
KARTEL:
Whydoy ouassumethatwhenour
agr
eementends,
Iwil
lj
ustcutyout
woout?We
wil
lalwaysbef r
iends,andIwannapayfor
Kyli
e’
sprivat
eschool until
shefi
nishesf
orm
fi
ve.Iwil
lputiti
nwr it
ing.I
tst
oshowgr ati
tude
athowy ouloveDanie.
KESEGO:OhmyGod,
Kar
t…y
oudon’
tneedt
o
dothi
s.
KARTEL: Iwantto.
.Sheissuchanamazi ngkid,
shemademeconf i
dentasafather… and
Kesego,thewayy oulovemydaught er…it
sjust
beyond.Don’tgetoff
ended,butforsometimeI
hadCCTV.
KESEGO:
What
!
KARTEL:
I’
m sosor
ry… butIwaspar
anoi
d…
KESEGO:
YouthoughtI
’
dev
erhur
tDani
e?I
’
dlay
downmylif
eforher
!
KARTEL: AndIknowthat.Eventual
lyIj
ustkept
them becauseIenj
oywat chi
ngy oubea
mother…y ouareamazingatt hi
s…
KESEGO:
Iam of
fendedKgat
hal
o.CCTV!
Hepul
l
edhercl
oserandki
ssedher
.
KARTEL:I
’
m sosor ry…li
keIsaid,justt
hefir
st
fewdaysi
swhenIuset hem forsurvei
l
lance.
ThenIwasj ustenj
oyingtheview,thel
ovein
yourey
es,yousingi
ngt oher…any way,
tomorr
owwegor egi
sterKyatt henewschool.
Shesi
ghedandwentt
oputDaniedown,t
hen
wentonl
i
nesear
chi
ng‘ov
ulat
ionki
tBot
swana’
.
*
***
***
***
LI
KE,
COMMENT,
SHARE
ATHUG’
SLOVE52
Iwalkedi
ntot
hev
isi
ti
ngr
oom andRonsat
ther
e.
ME:
Oh,
lookwhatt
hewi
ndbl
ewi
n.
RON:
YougotSpi
nnyki
l
led.
ME:
OhmyGod…Spi
nnyi
sdead?OhmyGod…
RON: Yea,
becausey
ouareaf
oolwhobi
tmor
e
thanshecoul
dchew,nowhei
sdead!
ME: Spinnywasagr ownmanwhomadehi s
owndeci si
ons!Plus, i
fy oupeopledi
dn’t
sidelinehim,hewoul dhav eaff
ordedtoful
l
yget
outl i
ket her
estify’all.Butwhatdidhegetfrom
allthewor kheputi n?AP3500j obandsome
shittyHondaf i
t.F**kal ly’
all
.Youpushedhimt o
runni ngagai
n.
RON:Hewasout,y
oubi
ch.Hewasoutandy
ou
dr
aggedhi
m backi
n.
ME:
How?I
’
minpr
ison.
RON:Iknowitwasyou,Luba.Yougothi
m ki
l
led!
Andyouhavemet oanswerto.Thatwasa
goodki
dand…hehasaki d…
ME: Youfeel
ingguil
tybecauseyoubroughthi
m
i
nt hi
s?Technical
lyyoubroughtmeintoo,so
whateverIam doingiswhatyoutaughtme,you
backstabbi
ngbich!
RON:
(laughi
ng)Backst
abbi
ngbi
ch?
ME:Yeah,
youj
ustwantmyboy
fri
end,
busy
pl
ayi
ngmakoti
withhi
smom.
RON: Youar estupidify
out hinkthatwhat
happened.Iam nott hetwoki dswhitepicket
fencetype,andt hat’
sal
lKar teverwanted.A
pri
m, properli
tt
le‘yessir
’ty
pawomant hatyou,
sweetie,ar
en’teither
.
ME:
Youdon’
tknowany
thi
ngaboutKar
tandI
.
RON: Iknowy ouandIaregonnahavea
problem wheny oucomeoutofhere.Andyou
betterdor i
ghtbySpi
nny’
schil
d,y
ouar ethe
reasonhi sfat
heri
sdead,andhewasagood
father.Unli
keyou.
ME:Youtr
yingt
osaysomet
hingaboutmeasa
par
ent?
RON: Yougaveupyourdaught
er,youmiser
abl
e
bich.Sheneedsy
ou,andyoujustgaveheraway
l
ikesheissomeparcel?
ME:Goproj
ectyourmommyi ssuessomewher
e
el
se,st
upi
d.Idi
dn’tgi
veawaymychi l
d.
Iwal
kedbackt
omycel
lst
il
ldi
gest
ingwhatshe
j
ustt
oldme.
Spi
nnywasdead.
Ofcour
seitwasn’
tmuchdisr
upti
ontomy
oper
ati
on,
Ihaveotherr
unner
s.Butdamn.
Spi
nnywasgoneman!IfcourseEst
herandt
he
ki
dwill
begreat
lycompensat
ed.
*
***
***
***
*
KARTEL
Rondr
oppedbyt
heof
fi
cel
ater
.
KARTEL:
Ah,
andshereappear
sagain.How
l
ongdowehaveunt
ily
oudisappearagai
n?
RON:(l
aughi
ng)Ni
cet
oseey
out
oo,
asshol
e.
Spi
nnyi
sdead.
KARTEL:
What
?Ron,
don’
tpl
ayl
i
ket
hat
.
RON:Whoi
spl
aying.Hegotgunneddown
doi
ngadel
i
ver
y.Isawit.
KARTEL: No, no,no!IknowIshouldhav e
checkedhim becausehest ar
tedpoppingallof
asudden, butIwassobusywi thLubai nt
he
pen,thebaby ,t
wobusi nesses…sht!Thatwasa
goodkid,man.Whowasheev enrunningfor?I
am gonnaf indthatpersonandhav eawor d
wit
ht hem formessi ngwithmyf amil
y.Doy ou
knowwhoi tis?
RON:Idon’
tknow.Anyway,weneedtogi
vehim
aproperf
uneral
,thenI
’
llser
vej
usti
cetothe
guywhooffedhim.
KARTEL:
Asshoul
dbe.Makehi
m hur
t.
RON:
Don’
tIal
way
s?Let
sgot
alkt
oEst
her
.
*
***
***
***
**
Naomi wal
kedint
othesi
tti
ngroom andser
ved
Eabreakf
ast,
leav
ingacatal
ogueof
engagementri
ngsnexttothe t
ray
.
Eacamei
ntopl
essandki
ssedher
.
EA:
Heybeaut
if
ul.Thi
ssmel
l
sdel
i
cious.
NAOMI :
Hopey ouli
keit.Imissedcooki
ngfor
youoverthi
sChri
stmashol i
day.Mamaand
Nikki
areonsomegr eendetoxorwhateversht
,
sotheywereli
ter
all
ynoteatingfood,j
ust
dri
nki
ngspinach.
EA:
Yourmamai
sser
iousl
yaMI
LF.
NAOMI
:(l
aughi
ng)Ea!I
ja.
EA:Shelookssameagewi
tht
het
woofy
ou!
Dressesthesamet
oo.
NAOMI
:Iknow… embar
rassi
ng.
Shesighedindisappoint
mentashecont
inued
toeatwithoutevenglanci
ngatt
heri
ng
cat
alogue.
*
***
***
**
Seshal
aidherheadont
hetabl
esleepi
ng.She
j
umpstartl
edwhenshefel
tahandonher
shoul
der
.
SESHA:Oh… babe… whatar
eyou… Iwas
about
…
MONK:
It’
smor
ning.
SESHA:
Oh,
sht
..Imusthav
edozedof
f…sor
ry.
MONK:
I’
mtaki
ngy
ouhome.
SESHA’
No,
Monk,
I…
MONK:Sesha,
youpani
cattacksaregetti
ng
wor
se.Youfor
gett
oeat,y
oubar el
ysleep.
SESHA:Ij
ustneedtogetpastthesenextweek,
andIpr
omisethingswi
llbebacktonormal.
MONK:
Idon’tev
enknowwhatt hatl
ooksl
i
ke
any
mor
e.Sesha,Ibar
elyseey
ou…
SESHA:
Ipr
omi
se…j
ustonemor
eweek…
MONK:
Iuhm… Spi
nnyi
slat
e…
SESHA:Spinny… Spi
nny
… oh,thatboy
.Shem,
whathappened?Oh,sht
!Ihav
eameet ingat9
am.Ihavetogoqui
ckl
yshowerandchange….I
thi
nkIhaveasui
tfr
om thedrycl
eanersher
e,
andIhavemymakeup.Gott
arun,babe.
Sheranof
fandheshookhi
sheadsadl
y,asa
cal
lcamein.
MONK:
Puni
e?
PUNIE:I’
m onat
axitot
heschool
,gatweBobo
bi
tngwanawabat homoelenggoreheis
bl
eeding.
MONK:
I’
ll
meety
out
her
e.
*
***
***
***
*
MonkparkedandranovertoPuni
ewhowas
hol
dingBobowhil
esobbing.
Hetookhimfrom herandputhi
sar
m ar
ound
hershoul
der
.
PUNIE:Monk, Idon’tknowhowtodothi
s…Ifeel
l
ikeIam fail
ing,It
rymybestbuthej
ustget
s
worse… Ijust…
MONK: Hey,
hey… don’
tcry
..Iknowhowhar d
youtry.Wearegonnagetthroughthi
s,ok?
Tomor rowweseeDrAnaandwewi l
lgethi
s
diagnosedandgettheri
ghthelp…Punie,l
ookat
me…l ookme.Youar enotf
aili
nginanyway,
don’tcry,
ok…
Hewi
pedhert
ear
sandl
edhert
othecar
.
MONK: Youguysseather eandI’
llsett
lethis
withthekid’
sparents.Howaboutaf terthiswe
gof orafamil
ypicni
c, huh?Thatgardent here
sell
spicnicbasket
st oo,wecanbuyonet her
e,
andaf t
erthatIcanlookafterhi
m andy ougo
foraspaday ,mhhh?Howaboutt hat?
Puni
esobbedqui
etl
yandnodded,t
henMonk
wentbackt
otal
ktotheki
d’spar
ents.
*
***
***
***
*
*
**10Mont
hsLat
er*
**
*
***
***
***
LI
KE,
COMMENT,
SHARE
ATHUG’
SLOVE53
Iwassoexci
teditwascr
azy
.Justt
womor
e
weeksbef
oreIgetout
.
Iwasfi
nal
l
yput
ti
ngmypl
aninmoti
onasI
tal
kedt
omybabeont
hephone.
KARTEL:
Ican’
tbel
i
evei
ntwoweeksIwi
l
lhav
e
youi
nmyarms.
ME:
Ineedonel
i
ttl
efav
or,
babe…
KARTEL:
Yea?
ME:Ineedyout
ogetsomeLSD,
andbi
tbybi
t,
getsometoMoses…
KARTEL:
Luba…
ME:
Please…
KARTEL:YouknowIam t
ryingtost
ayaway
fr
om t
hatworl
d…canwej ustli
vecl
eannow?
ME:
Mypl
andependsont
his,
please,
babe…
KARTEL:
Gett
ingoutmeantful
lygoi
ngoutLuba,
i
fwekeepgoi
ngbackandf ort
h…
ME:
Argg,
gosi
ameee…
Ihungupannoy
edathim.Especial
lythathi
s
vi
sit
shadgonedowntoonceev erytwoweeks
bynow,andhekeptt
ell
i
ngmehewasbusy .
Oh,
what
ever
,wewer
egonnabet
oget
hersoon.
Butmyplanst
il
lhadt
ogoon.Iwonder
edwho
wasgonnahel
pme.
Nottherestofthecrew,theybowt oKartel
…
Spi
nnywasgone, Iwantnothingbutrev
engeto
dowi t
hDolla,
andKgar edoesn’treal
l
yknow
pl
acest ogetstuf
fli
kethis,corr
uptpoli
ce
off
icerornot.
Oneper
son.
Oneper
sonwhowi
l
ldoi
toutofemot
ions.
Idi
all
edhernumber
.
RON:
What
?
ME: Therei
salitt
legi
rlwhoneedsamot her…
hernamei sFadzwa,sheisj
ustfouryearsold
andr i
ghtnowshei swit
haculti
stabusiv
e
pedophil
e.Ihavenootherchanceofgetting
her…
RON:
Andi
t’
smypr
obl
em because?
ME: Age5.Theear l
i
estmemor yofit
.My
fat
her’
sf i
ngersinmyvagina… hesaidIwasnot
avir
ginbecauseIwast hedev i
l
’swi
fe,t
hatIhad
aspiri
thusbandwhowassat anandcameto
meatni ght……hesaidmyt ruenamewasLili
th…
andhehadt obeatt
hedemonsoutofme…
Damni
t,Idi
dn’
twantt
ocr
y,butt
hosebad,
bad
memori
es…
Ihadt
ogetFadzwa.
ME: Ihadnoone.Yourmotherl
eftyou,my
motherwast her
eanddidnothi
ng…webot h
knowhowi tsli
ketogrowupwithoutamot her
,
becauseminewasj ustapi
eceoffurni
tur
e…
Fadzwahasamot herwhowant stodor i
ghtby
her… butt heywon’tletme… hel pme.Notf or
my sel
f,butt osaveanot herlit
tl
egirlf
rom
growingupwi t
hself-
hat el i
keyouandIdo.
From beingmol estedandwhi ppedwi t
hahippo
hi
dewhi pandhumi li
at edinf r
ontof
congregation,andgrowi nguphatinghersel
f.
Don’tbet hewomany ourmot heri
sand
abandonachi l
dwheny oucanhelp…
RON:
(si
ghi
ng)Whatdoy
ouwant
?
ME: LSD.Andforyoutosl
ipsomet omyMoses
i
nt henexttwoweeks.Bi
tbybit,asoft
enasy
ou
can.You’dhavetokeepsneaki
ngintothe
compound.
RON:
Youar
easki
ngt
oomuch.
LUBA:
Iwi
shIdi
dn’
thav
eto.
RON:
Whatar
eyouupt
o,Lubal
ashe?
ME:MakingsureFadzwadoesn’tgothr
ough
whatIwentt
hrough.Pleasesayyouwil
lhel
p…
pl
ease,
Ron,
forTaf
adzwa.
RON: Youraiset
hatli
ttl
egirl
wi t
hlove,
Luba.
Younev erl
etherfeelunwanted.Younev er
chooseamanov erher,ev
eni fi
tsKart
el…ifit
comesdownt oherorhim,youchooseherand
yourdaughter…bethebestdamnmot herthere
everwas.Promiseme.
ME:
Onmyl
i
fe.Ipr
omi
se.
RON:
I’
ll
doi
t.
*
***
***
***
*
Monkcameint
other oom wi
thasuit
caseand
f
oundSeshaonherlaptopworki
ng.Hecl
osed
t
helapt
opandsatnexttoher.
SESHA:
Monk,
bat
hong…Ihav
e…
MONK:
Thi
sisn’
twor
kingoutf
orme.
SESHA:
Huh?
MONK: Ihav
etri
edtobepati
ent,
under
standi
ng…ever
ythi
ng.Butal
lIgetbacki
s
bei
ngt
reat
edl
i
keIdon’
tmat
teri
nyourl
i
fe.
SESHA:
Monk,
youknowI
…
MONK:Busyr i
ghtnow,i
fyoudon’
tdoi tthe
worl
dwill
stop,heweehewee…Iunderstand.So
It
hinki
tsbestIgiv
eyouyourspace.
SESHA:Whatar
eyousayi
ng?Areyoubreaki
ng
upwit
hme?Monk, y
ouarebei
ngunfai
r,you
knowIlov
eyouwit
hallmyhear
tand…
MONK: I
t’
salmostayearnowsi ncey ou
promisedtointr
oducemet oy ourmot her
…the
Facebookblogsarecall
ingyouandAr noa
couple,andcanyoublamet hem, becauseyou
arealwaysrunni
ngaftertheman.
SESHA:
Iswearther
eisnot
hinggoi
ngon
bet
weenArnoandI…Iswearit
…
MONK: Ibeencheati
ngony ou…t hi
spastmonth.
Itwasjusttwicesofar,butIam sorr
yabouti
t.I
shouldhav ebrokenupwithyoufirst
.NowI’
m
doingtherightthi
ng.I
t’
sov er
…
SESHA:
(sobbi
ng)Monk,
youcan’
tdot
his…
MONK: Threey earsnow, Sesha.Threey earsof
beingignoredandpushedasi de,andItri
edt o
beunder st
andi ng.Tobepat ient.Buteveryone
hasal imit
.I’m sorry
,it
’sjustnotwor ki
ngf orme.
I
’l
lbecr ashingsomewher esoy oucanmov e
i
ntooneofy ourpr oper
tiesfreely.Takeallthe
ti
mey ouneed, justl
etmeknowwheny ouhav e
vacatedthepl ace.
*
***
***
***
***
***

Iwashonestlydi
sappoi
ntedatLubawantingt
o
gobackt omessingwit
hdrugs,Idon’
twant
backi
nt hatworl
d,andIcer
tai
nlydon’
twanther
neari
t.LookatwhathappenedtoSpinny
.
Withnoonet
ogeti
tforher
,she’
dhaveno
choicet
ogi
veuponwhateverwasonhermi
nd.
IwalkedhomeandKesegosati
nherbedr
oom,
sobbing.
KARTEL:
Hey
,hey
… what
’swr
ong?
Sheheldapregnancytestt
omeandkeptcr
ying.
Ihuggedherandkissesherhead.
KARTEL:
Hey
… don’
tcr
y… don’
tcr
y…
KESEGO:Kart
el,
yourgi
rl
fr
iendi
scomi
ngout
andIam pr
egnantwit
hyourchi
l
d!
KARTEL:Wewi
l
lfi
ndawayt
odeal
wit
hthi
s…
don’
tcr
y…
KESEGO:
Ihav
etwof
ather
lesski
ds…I
…
KARTEL: Neit
herKyli
eort hisbabyare
father
less…pleasedon’tcryKese… stressi
s
notgoodf orthebaby,especiall
yinear
ly
pregnancy.Ialr
eadyl
ostonet ooearl
y…
please…
KESEGO:
Ijust
…
KARTEL:TodayIwentt
ostar
tthepr
ocessof
changi
ngthenamesonthi
shousetoyou…
KESEGO:
Idon’
tneedy
ourmoney
,Kgat
hal
o…
KARTEL: Iknow… buti
twil
lbesomucheasi er
formet ofathermyki
dswiththem j
ustnext
door… andy ouwil
lal
waysbeDanie’smot her,
shewil
l bemuchhappierwit
hhersisterand
brot
herjustnextdoor
…y ouseehow
i
nseparablesheandherKyyii
are?
Shechuckl
edasIpul
l
edhercl
oserandki
sses
her
.
KESEGO:
Brot
her
,huh?
KARTEL:Yup,
Iknowhei
saboy
…wear
egonna
beok,don’
tworr
y.
Sht
.Lubawasgonnaki
l
lme.Shewassogonna
ki
ll
me.Damn!
*
***
***
***
*
Eawalkedi
ntoKar
tel
’
sof
fi
ceandsatont
he
tabl
e.
EA:
IsRonbackagai
n?
KARTEL:
Ihav
en’
tseenhersi
nceshel
eftaf
ter
Spi
nny
’sf
uner
al.
EA:
Ithi
nkIsawhery
est
arday
.
KARTEL:Whot
hehel
lknowswi
tht
hatgi
rl
?She
i
sfli
ght
yashel
l.
EA:
Lubai
scomi
ngouti
naweek…
KARTEL:
Yea.
EA:YouandKesear
ejustsohappy
…youar
ea
bet
termanwit
hher.
KARTEL:
Shei
spr
egnant
…
EA:
Sht
,ift
hatnotasi
gn,
Idon’
tknowwhati
s.
KARTEL:
Ilov
eLuba.
EA:Yourloyalt
yt oheriscuteandall,
butKar t
,
youhaveaf ami l
y,man!Like,yougotabeaut i
ful
,
wellmannered, l
ovelymothertoyourkidswho
youknowy oul ove.Yourfamil
ylovehert oo.IfI
wereyouI’djustraiseDaniewithKeselikey ou
beendoing.Like,yourfamil
yloveher,sheget s
onwellwithev er
yonebutMonk’ sstuckup
bi
ch…
KARTEL:
Tal
ki
ngaboutt
hat
…
EA:Ithinkheisgonnagobackt
oPunie,
Iknow
forsurehe’sbeenhit
ti
ngt
hatonther
egular
.
*
***
***
***
*
Monkpar kedthecari nfrontofthehousehe
hadboughtov eray earago, andletPuni
estay
i
n.Itwasasi mplythree-bedroom house,but
Puniewashappywi thit
,andhehadbeenat
easyknowinghi ssonwasi nagood
nei
ghborhood, si
ncehehadl ethim moveback
wit
hPunief ul
ltime.
Shemanagedhim better
,andtheyhadagr
eed
shewouldnotwork,andhegav eherasal
ary
everymonthsoshecouldfocusonBobo.
Raisi
ngandADHDchi l
dont heauti
sm
spectr
um wasafull
-t
imejoboni t
sown.
Hewal kedi
ntothehouseandsawherint
he
ki
tchen,hesnuckinbehi
ndherandki
ssedher
neck.
PUNIE:Youar
ebrave,
don’ty
ouknownott
o
sneakonakasigi
rl
?Ialmostst
abbedy
ouwit
h
thi
sknif
e.
MONK: (
laughi
ng)Sayst
hegir
lwhoshr
ieksat
thesi
ghtofaspider
.Man,i
tsmel
lsamazingi
n
here.
PUNIE:Ci
nnamonroll
s.Foundt
hereci
peonl
i
ne.
Her
e, t
rysome,
theseoneshavecool
ed.
Shesai
dasshef
edhi
m.
MONK: Mhhh,
gir
l,damn…t
hishi
tri
ghti
nthe
soul
.Howismyboy ?
PUNI
E:Sl
eepi
ng.Heate,weplayed,
andhet
ir
ed
hi
msel
fout,
soIbathedhim andputhi
mtobed.
MONK:
Damn,Iwant
edt
oputhi
mtobed.
Any
way,
I’
ll
dobr
eakf
ast
.
PUNI
E:Andsui
tcase?
MONK:
I’
m mov
ingi
n…
PUNI
E:Oh…
MONK:
Iuhm…Ibr
okeupwi
thSesha.
PUNI
E:Whatdoest
hatmeanf
orus,
Monkgogi
?
MONK:
(si
ghi
ng)Iwannagi
veusachance…
PUNIE:Iam notyourl
i
ttl
ereboundbecause
yourgi
rl
fri
endisbusyplayi
ngbosslady.
MONK: No, arealchance.I thasnot hingtodo
withSesha,andev erythi
ngt odowi thy ou.I
’ve
watchedy outhesepastt woy ear sbecomenot
j
ustanamazi ngmot her,butanamazi ng
womanandf ri
end…y ouhav elear nttomanage
thewayy ouspeak, youar erespect ful,and
alwaystheretoli
sten.Youar et hety peof
womanIwantasawi fe,Punie…butofcour seI
knowwewi l
lneedt or e-
establishour
rel
ati
onshipagain,buty eah…t hi swomany ou
havebecome?Youar ewhatIwant .
Shehuggedhi
m sobbi
nghappi
l
y.
MONK:
Alr
ight
,yousai
dyouhav
eat
hing?
PUNI
E:(
sighi
ng)Babyshowery
agaDodo.
MONK:It
houghty
ouwer
enol
ongerf
ri
ends
wi
tht
hem?
PUNI E:Idon’twanti
ttobesaidheweet hey
weret hereformybabyshowerwhenIwas
pregnantwithBobo,nowIdon’tcomet ot hei
rs.
TruthisIout gr
ewthem.Allt
heytalkabouti s
thei
rt r
ashybabydaddiesanddrinki
ng.
MONK: Il
ikeyournewf
ri
ends…Neeloand
Naomireall
yhaveagoodimpactonyou…now
youar
eawoman.
Shebl
ushedasheki
ssedher
.
PUNI
E:Cal
lmeaft
eranhouror
ether
eisan
emer
gencywi
thBobo?
MONK:
(laughi
ng)Ok,
wil
ldo.Gohav
efun.
*
***
***
***
***
***
Ther
ewasj
ustaweekl
eftnowbef
oreIcoul
d
gohome.
Ihadgotthedrugsequipmentcl
ear
edandt
he
pri
sonoperat
ionclosed.
Idon’
tknowi fIcansayf ull
ycl
osed,becauseI
hadgottenSeshatobuymeaf i
eldwhereIhad
sental
lthethingsthere.AndIhadnottoldany
ofthebuyer
sIwasst opping.
Any way
,wecancr
osst
hatbr
idgewhenwe
reachit
.
Mot
tywal
kedi
ntomycel
landsatont
hebed.
MOTTY:
Youcal
l
edme?
ME: Babegirl
,hav
eInotalway sbeenther
efor
you?Di dn’
tIsetyouup,nowy ouhaveabut
butcherythat’
sdoingwell
,ri
ght?Yourdaught
er
goest opriv
atedoctor
snowandhercondi ti
on
i
sbei ngmanaged, no?
MOTTY:
Yes…
ME:
WhatIam aboutt
oaskofy
oui
sreal
craz
y.
Andscar
y.ButIpr
omi
seIwi
l
lowey
ou.
MOTTY:
Any
thi
ngf
ory
ou.
ME:Ineedyoutol
endmey ouruni
for
m and
t
akemypl acef
ort
hreehours.
MOTTY:
Luba…
ME: Iam notst
upi
d,i
fIrunwit
honeweekl ef
t,
thatjustmeansmoreti
mewhenIgetcaught.I
j
ustneedt odosomethi
ng,andIneedpr
isonas
analibi.
MOTTY:
But
…
ME: Ihavefakedasickness;I
’l
lbeinthe
i
nfir
mar y.Nobodybotherschecki
ngt here,
so
youjuststaycover
edupi nbed,andint he
unl
ikelychanceanyonecomes, youjustpress
thi
sr ecor
ding.
Ipr
essedar
ecor
dingofmesay
ing‘
F**
kof
f’
l
oudly
.
Nobodybot
her
smebey
ondt
hat
,they
’dj
ust
l
eav
emealoneandletmer
est
.Soshewi
l
lnot
bef
oundouther
e.
*
***
***
***
*
Puniesatl
ooki
ngboredandgoi
ngthr
oughher
phoneatthebabyshower
.Herf
ri
endcameover
wit
habeer .
FRI
END:
Choma,
oshapo?Youar
equi
et.
PUNI
E:Somet
imesy
ouj
ustneedpeaceofmi
nd.
FRI
END:
Yourf
ancyf
ri
endst
aughty
out
hat
?
PUNI
E:Mxi
m
FRI
END:
Ibr
oughty
ouabeer
.
PUNI
E:Inol
ongerdr
inkal
cohol
FRI
END:Wena?Nolongerdr
ink?Hee!Ladi
es,
l
ist
ent
othi
s.YouhavechangedwaitsePuni
e.
PUNIE:Mxim.Kanalonamot
hohasat holea
hasogaalwaysdr
unkandtwerki
ngli
keaf ool
,
youstar
tthi
srubbi
sh.Whati
swr ongwit
h
changi
nganyway
?Peopl egr
ow.Ihavegr
ow,
andthi
sisj
ustnolongermyscene.
ShewentbacktoFacebook,looki
ngatKart
el’
s
phot
os,annoyedshedi
dn’tseeKesego’s
phot
os,butther
ewereLuba’s.
FRIEND:I
joo,
sorr
ymma.Wai t
,letmeseet
hat
gi
rl…oneofyourbour
gief
ri
ends?Iknowher
fr
om somewhere…
PUNIE:
Theyoncehadav
iral
videoar
ekel
waa
Merckeboyf
ri
end…
FRIENDS:Yes…keene.Thatgi
rloncecamet o
mygr andmothert
obuysomeher bsfor
abort
ion…dit
salatsagagomma.Lef ancyhel
a,
mmel edi
radil
o.
PUNI
E:Wai
t…war
eng?
FRIEND: Ir
ememberherbecausekehant seke
rekammet hi
sist
hegirl
from thevideoya
Mer c.Theonewhoownst hathighclasssalon.
PUNI
E:Ar
eyousur
e?
FRIEND:Iam.Iwasshockedbecausewhy
wouldsheneedtoaborti
fmonnaomor at
amo
amor ekel
angdikol
oit
sagotura?Orwasn’the
thedaddy?s
PUNI
E:Thanky
ou.Got
tago.
Shewal
kedof
fwi
thasmi
l
e,cal
l
ingKesego.
PUNI
E:Youar
egonnal
oveme,
fri
end.
KESEGO:
Alr
eadydo,
butI
’
mli
steni
ng.
PUNI
E:If
oundawayt
osol
vey
ourl
i
ttl
epr
obl
em.
KESE:
Probl
em?
PUNIE:
Luba…y
ousai
dhewasst
il
lal
labout
her
…
KESEGO: (
sighi
ng)Ev
enaft
erIt
oldhi
m Iwas
pregnant
,hesaidwewil
ll
iv
enextdooryada
yada.
PUNI
E:Yousai
dtheyl
ostababysomet
imes
back…andhei
sst
rongl
yagai
nstabor
ti
onand
al
l…
KESEGO:
Yes?
PUNIE: Mmeny anadidanabor ti
onkadi t
hare
tsaSet swana.Kar thatesdit
haret saSetswana,
hewasr aisedChristi
an, Monktoldmet hat.And
i
tsoundsl ikeheisstronglyagainstaborti
on
from whaty ousay.Thathewashur tabout
l
osingt hatbaby ?Herei syourti
ckettogetr i
dof
Lubaf orgood.Youknowwhenshei snotinthe
pict
ure, youandKar tareperfect.Gety ouman
sweethear t.Dibsonthemai dofhonor .Bythe
way ,
Monkbr okeupwi thbosslady ,
andmov ed
i
n.
*
***
***
***
***
Ikeptmyheadl owandgoti
nMott
y’scar
,
dri
vingoffwi
thoutany
onepayi
ngmuch
att
ention.
Man,
itf
eltsowei
rdt
obeouther
e.Ipar
ked
Mott
y’scaratamal l
andRonmetmewi t
h
l
eggi
ngs,bootsandahoodi
e,pl
usabackpack
ofwhatIaskedfor
RON:
Iwi
shIwasawar
eofwhat
’sgoi
ngon.
ME:Righti
ngawrong,
andgett
ingr
idofa
pedophi
le.St
il
lgi
vi
ngmethatr
ide?
RON: (
laughing)Youar egonnaki ll
him,aren’t
you?Yousneakybi ch!Ital
lmakessensenow.
TheLSD…t hisl i
tt
lesneakout ?Youar egonna
fakehi
ssui cide!F**k,y
ouar egood.Tip.I
fy ou
arehanginghi m,mindt heheight.Whateveris
usedtotiethenoose, mustmat chhisheight.
ME:
Gott
ipsf
orpi
l
ls?
RON:Hand, mi
ndwhathandhewoul dusual
ly
usetotakeapil
l.Anddon’tfor
gett
ol eav
ehis
fi
nger
print
sonthegl assusedandthepil
lbot
tl
e,
sohavehim hol
dt hem.
ME:IwishIcoul
dmakei tv
iol
ent
.I’
dli
ket
ostab
hi
m andwatchhim scr
eam.Butt
oservemy
pur
pose,
Ican’
t.
RON: Pi
ty.Comeon.I’
l
ldropyouoff
.Don’thav
e
yourphoneonyou,youdon’twanti
ttr
aced
backther
e.
ME:
Thanks…
RON:
I’
m doi
ngi
tfort
heki
d… andLuba?
ME:
Yea?
RON:I’
m sor
ryt
hathappenedt
oyou.Youdi
dn’
t
deser
vethat
.
At
earr
andownmycheekandIl
eti
t.
ME:Sametoy
ou.Thanksf
ort
his.I
’
llnev
er
f
orgeti
t.
*
***
**
LI
KE,
COMMENT,
SHARE
ATHUG’
SLOVE:
54
Ronstoppedatthesi
deoftheroadandpul
l
ed
herbi
ketostashunderabush.
ME:
Andt
hen?
RON: I
’
m comi ngwith…Luba,
ifyoumessthi
s
upevenasi ngleminut
e,achi
ldgrowsupwit
ha
pedophil
e.Ihavetomakesureyouexecut
eit
perf
ectl
y.
ME:(smi
l
ing)Ididal
way
sthi
nkwemadea
pr
ett
ymeant eam.
RON:
YougotSpi
nnyki
l
led!
ME: SpinnygotSpinnyki
ll
ed.Itol
dhimthatdeal
soundedf i
shy,buthewast oogreedy
!Sof**k
him.Iam donef eel
ingsor
ryforshtIam not
responsibl
efor.Youwannaf i
ghtmeaboutit,
I’
mf reeinaweek.
Ronl
aughedandshookherhead.
ME: Besi
des,i
fyouwer er
eal
l
ymadaboutit,
you’
dhav etol
dKartbynow.AndIam pr
ett
y
surehestil
ldoesn’
tknow.
RON:
What
ever
.
ME:
I’
m cur
ious,
whydi
dn’
tyout
ell
him?
RON:BecauseIwasgonnawhi
pyourass,
andI
di
dn’
twanthiminter
fer
ing.
ME:
Yether
eyouar
e,hel
pingme.
RON:IwishwhenIwasaki d,
Ihadsomeone
whofoughtf ormeashar dasy ouarefi
ghti
ng
fory
oursister…thereissomethingnobl
eabout
whatyouaredoi ng.Ican’
tbemadatsomeone
whodoest hat…comeon…wher ewil
lhebe?
ME:Inhi
smeditat
ionr
oom wher
eheclaimshe
t
alkstoGod.Nobodyi
sall
owedtoi
nter
ruptf
or
f
ourhours,
thi
siswhyIchoset
hist
ime.
RON:
Great
,what
’st
hepl
an.
ME:
Let
sgoi
n.
*
***
***
***
***
*
Kesegosatwi
thNaomi
,tal
ki
ng.
KESEGO:Idon’
twanttobeonetotel
lhi
m
becauseIdon’
twanti
ttoseem l
i
keIam tr
ying
t
ocomebet
weenhi
m andher
.
NAOMI:Imi
ghthaveanidea…I
’l
ltel
lEa,
andI
knowhewil
ltel
lKar
t…haveyouseenNeliy
et?
KESEGO:Ij
ustsawherenter
ingMonk’
shome.
Maybetoconsol
ebossladyaft
ershegot
dumped.
NAOMI:Idon’tunderst
andthei
rfri
endshi
p.She
al
wayscriestousaboutherloserhusband,
but
whenthatbichcall
s,shegoesrunni
ng?
KESEGO: Itj
ustl
ooksli
keorapel
abot sal
aja
teng.Seshaisnevert
heref
oranyone.Akere
sheispregnantgapeeneNeelo…
NAOMI:Reall
y?I
st hatgi
rlst
upidorsomethi
ng?
Howdoesshekeeppoppi ngbabiesfort
hatfar
bl
obthatdoesnothingbutcheatonher?
KESEGO:Puni
ewast el
l
ingmet hatMonki
s
gonnabuyhi
m outsoonbecausebareheis
j
ustpul
li
ngthecompanydown.
NAOMI:(
laughi
ng)Sheisfr
iendswi
thar
ich
l
ady,
Seshawi l
lsor
therout
.
*
***
***
***
***
***
**
Webot hputont hegl
ovesandcov eredourhai
r
wi
thtightswimmi ngcaps.Ronsaiditwasso
wedidn’tr
iskl
eav i
nghairtr
aces.ThenIputon
t
heblackfull
-f
acemaskandt heblackwings
t
hatcouldbeclippedonwi t
hsuspenders.
Ronpickedthedoorandwesl i
ppedin.The
perv
ertwasinamatsur r
oundedt ycandl
es,hi
s
eyesclosed,
inameditat
iveposit
ion.
Rongrabbedhimfrom thebackandtackl
ed
himtotheground,
chokinghim andsi
gnal
ing
formetogivehimthelsd.
Iputthelsdinhisopenmouthashet r
iedto
catchabr eat
h,t
henRonpouredthewat er
bottl
einhismout handpi
nchedhisnosesohe
wasf or
cedt oswall
ow.
Thenshest
ayedt
her
epi
nni
nghi
m down,
wit
ha
gunt
ohi
shead.
RON:TryanyshtandIendy
ourmi
ser
abl
eli
fe,
per
ver
t.
Helai
dt hereshaki
ng,andyoucan’
timaginet
he
sat
isf
actionIgotfr
om seei
nghimthere,scar
ed
andhelpless.Li
keIhadbeenmosttimeswhen
heabusedme.
RON:Cool
,theLSDi
sgonnast
artt
aki
ngef
fect
.
What
’snext
.
Ipressedther ecor
derandstart
edplayi
ngthat
‘
hallel
ujah’
soundef fect
.Heusedt opl
ayit
whenhepuni shedus,sayi
ngit
’stheangel
son
hi
ssi de,pr
aisinghisgoodworkofdisci
pli
ne.
Quot i
ngtheBi bl
eaboutspari
ngtherodand
spoili
ngthechi l
d.
Icoul
dtel
lthehal
luci
nati
onswer estar
ti
ng,
he
waslooki
ngaroundwithglassyeyes.
MOSES:Angel
s…Ihearangel
s…t
hesoundof
angel
s.
Hel
ookedaboutl
i
keacr
azyper
son.
MOSES:Isi
tyourLor
d?Iam y
ourhumbl
e
ser
vant
…
ME:
I’
m gonnagethi
mtor
ecor
daconf
essi
on.
RON: Ah,yes…choiceofdrugunderst
andabl
e
now.Hallucinat
ionsandsuscept
ibl
eto
suggesti
ons.
Ronseathim upandIslappedhi
m hard,
then
pull
edhisfaceuptolookatmecoveredinthat
blackmask.Ist
oodinf r
ontofhi
m andunfurl
ed
theblackpl
asti
cwings.
MOSES:Areyouanangel
?Youlookl
i
kean
angel
ofdeat
h…y ouar
epret
ty…
ME:Iam t
heangel
ofdeat
h,dearol
dMoses…I
hav
ecomef ory
ou.
MOSES: (
sobbi
ng)No…no…I
’
m notr
eady
…no…
Ican’
tgo…
ME:
Buty
ouhav
eto,
dear
,youhav
etogo… and
y
ouar
enotgoi
ngt
othepear
lygat
es.
MOSES: No!No!Ichasedoutdemonsi
nthe
Lord’
sname…Ipr ayedforpeopl
eandf
ought
thedevi
l
.
ME:Uh-uh,
Moses…y outookadv
ant
ageofyour
posi
ti
on…youabused,i
nsult
edandki
ll
ed…
MOSES:
But
…itwasi
ntheLor
d’sname…
ME:Noitwasnot.I
twasforyoursel
fi
sh,
per
vert
edgai
ns.Wehav et
ogonow.Orwecan
worksomet
hingoutandIcanjustl
eave.
Hegotonhi
skneescr
yingandbeggi
ng.
MOSES:Pl
ease…anythi
ng…pl
ease…Iam not
r
eadytogo.Iwi
l
lrepent
…
ME: Iwantyout orecordamessagewi thyour
phone.Iwanty outot al
kabouthowy ou
sexuall
y,phy
sicall
y, andemoti
onall
yabused
Lubalasheandhermot her
.Howy oukil
ledher
mother.Andlastly
, Iwantyoutosaythatyou
hadgivenLubal
ashepermissi
ontotake
Tafadzwa,t
henrepor
tedthebabymissingjust
tospit
eher.Youdothat
,andIwon’ttakeyou.
MOSES:
Butshe…Lubal
ashei
sthedev
il
’swi
fe!
Shei
sLi
li
th!
ME: Youcansayt hattoo.Buty ouhav etosay
everyt
hing…onemi stake,andwehav etogo.
Especial
lyremembert hatpartaboutgivi
ngher
permissiontotakethechild.Wheny ouaredone,
youtakeallthosesleepi
ngpi l
lsofyoursand
thenstopthev i
deo.
MOSES:
Theypi
l
l…t
hey
…
ME: Ihaveanoint
edt hem.Theyar
ethevery
breathofanangel now,thati
showwest opyou
fr
om going.ButonlyifyoudowhatItol
dy ou.
Repeatwhaty ouhav etodo.
MOSES: Ihav
et orecordamessageonhowI
f
oughtthedemonandhowIhadnochoi cebut
t
okil
lhermot her.ThenhowIgaveher
permissi
ont ot
akethebabyandt
henIreported
her.Aft
erthanIhav
et ot
akemypil
lsandt hen
stopthevideo.
ME:Goodboy,
Moses,doi
twel
l
,andIwon’
t
t
akeyou.Now,st
art
.
Wemov edt
othesideofther
oom wher
eev
en
ourshadowswouldn’
tshow.
Hest art
edthevideo,r
ecordinghimsel
fashe
cri
edandr eachedaroundlikehewastriy
ingt
o
touchsomet hi
nginvi
sibl
e.Pr obabl
yhi
s
hall
ucinati
ons.
MOSES: Theangel camef orme…t heangel of
death…Ihavet otel
l t
hetruthandshewi l
lspare
me.Ifoughtthedemonsi nceshecamei ntoour
l
ives.Lubal
asheist hewifeofthedev i
l.Ishould
havekill
edherwhenshewasababy …butIt r
ied
tofi
xher …totort
uret hedemonoutofher ,
becauseIthoughtshewasj ustpossessed.I
hadtodoi ti
nany waypossi bl
e.Beather ,
put
herim awel lf
oramont h,triedtor emov eher
sexual powert hroughherv agina…t hr ough
wor dsandpr ayers…y oupeopl edon’ t
under stand, t
hisisast r
ongdemon, Lilith
herself.Butshewasn’ tpossessed, ev er yt
hing
fai
led, becauseshei stheact ualLili
th.She
fi
nallylefttof i
ndherhusbandt hedev i
l.Ijust
thankedt heLordf orremov ingev il
f rom my
househol d.Ev enthoughIwaswor ri
edaboutt he
wor l
d.Butt henthatstupi dwomant riedt osteal
mydaught erandgoaf t
ert hisdemon, because
thedemonhadpoi sonedmywi fe…It riedto
reasonwi thher,butthedemon’ scont rolwas
toost rong…Ihadnochoi ce…Ihadt ost opher…
Ihadt ost ophert opr otectmydaught er,evenif
i
tmeantIhadt okill
mywi f
e.Thent hedemon
tookmydaught erstil
l…no, Igav eher
permi ssiont otakeher ,thenIr epor tedt hebaby
missingt ospi teher.Nowt heangel wi llspare
me, Ihav econf essed.Theangel wil
l spar eme.
Hetookabot t
leofsl
eepi
ngpil
lsandt
hrew
ev
erythi
nginhismouth,t
henwasheditdown
wi
thwat er
,befor
estoppi
ngthevi
deo.
MOSES:Idi
ditangel,wasi
tgood?DidIdo
good?Nowyouwillspareme…spareme
angel
…
ME: Onlastt
hing.Youneedt
oposti
tony
our
Facebookpage.
Het ookhisphoneandupl oadedthevideo
beforehest ar
tedfoamingi nthemout handf el
l
totheside.Icheckedthephone, andithad
uploaded.RonandIsl i
ppedoutandr anthrough
theforestandbackt ohisbike,andsher ode
l
ikethewi nd,backtoFrancistown.Igotinthe
carandchangedi ntoprisonuniform,thendrove
backt opri
sononMot t
y’scar.
*
***
***
***
***
*
Isati
nthebarhav
ingabeer
,wait
ingforEaand
Monk,whensomeguycamet oseatatmytabl
e.
KARTEL:Youar
enotwel
come…Iam donewi
th
yourki
nd.
HIM: Mykind?Dude,youcan’tl
ookdownona
deal
erwheny ouareapr oducer.Kart
,Iwasone
ofyourtopcustomers,whydidn’tyoutel
lme
youwer eback?Youalwayshadt hegoodstuff
atgreatpri
ces.Iwannabuyf r
om youagain.
KARTEL:Itol
dyou,
I’
m done…Ihav
ebeenout
fort
hreeyear
snow.
HIM:Man, whatdidIdothatmadeyounotsel
l
tome,youknowIai ntnosnit
ch?Iknowyou
beensel
lingtothatguyi
nGC, hetol
dmehe
wasbuyingfrom yourcr
ew.
KARTEL:Wear eout!Thef**
kpartofthatdon’
t
youunder
stand?Gett hehel
lawayfr
om me
befor
eyouarerealsorry,
nxl
a!
Theguyrai
sedhi
shandsi
nsur
renderand
backedoff
.
Ah,
sooneoft
heseazzhol
eshaddeci
dedt
orun
asi
deoper
ati
on?
MonkandEawer ealwayssobusyatwor k,and
Iwaswiththem mostt i
me…andwhatt hehel l
di
dtheyknowaboutcooki ng.Onl yRueand
Lubausedtocook, andLubawasi npri
son.
Besi
des,Lubawant edoutasmuchasIdi d.So
RuewaswhoSpi nnywasr unningforwhenhe
gotki
ll
ed?Nxla!Ididn’
tevent hinkRuehadthe
smart
st ogoforitli
kethat.
Idownedmybeeranddroveofft
oRue’
s
favor
it
edri
nki
ngspot
,text
ingEaandMonkt
o
cancelont
heway.
*
***
***
***
***
***
***
*
Iparkedthecarandwalkeddowntheent r
ance
keepingmyheaddown, walki
ngasquicklyas
possibl
etowardsthecel
ls.Myheartwas
thumpingsohardastwowar densbehi
ndme
tri
edtocallontome,butIwalkedqui
cklyint
o
theinfi
rmary.
Mot
tywasl
i
ter
all
yonherkneespr
ayi
ng.
Whenshesawme,shejumpedatmeand
huggedmewit
hrel
i
ef.
MOTTY:
Youmadei
t,y
oumadei
t!
ME:
Qui
ck,
changedar
li
ng…someonei
scomi
ng.
Isai
dasIgotoutofheruni
for
m andstart
ed
putt
ingmineonassheputher
son.Oneoft he
seni
orswalkedi
nwhil
ewewer esti
l
lfi
xingour
cl
othes.
Shewasaheav ysetwomanwi thsaltand
pepperhairthatmadeherf acel ookev enmor e
roundandunappeal i
ng.Shewasi nherlate
fi
fti
es,andbar elyshowedupt owor k.Ithi
nkI
haveseenheronl yaroundtwentytimessi nceI
gotherthreey earsago,andshenev ercamet o
thecel
ls.Shewoul dcomet otheinfirmaryonce
i
nawhi l
etost ealsomepainkill
ers,bandages,
andplasters.Everyonecall
edhermat ron
because,duh, shelookedmatronly.
HER:
Whatt
hehel
li
sgoi
ngonher
e?
MOTTY:
I…I
…
ME: (
laughi
ng)Comeonmat r
on…Iknowyou
areoldandall
,butyouhav
eheardofsex,r
ight
?
F**ki
ng?Mighthavebeenlongsi
nceyougot
any,but…
HER:Motabaseo,
areyousl
eepi
ngwitha
pri
soner
?Doy ouknowyouwil
lgeti
nalotof
tr
oublef
orthi
s?
MOTTY: Butweal lmakemi stake,matron.Like
wheny out ookhomef oodfortheprisoners
fr
om theki tchen?Thatdet ecti
v eKgaresaidhe
waslooki ngintous…whenhecomesnext ,y
ou
coul
dment i
ont hatIam humanandIsl ipped
andwasi nappropr i
atewithapr i
soner,andI
coul
dment i
ony out ookthefood.Everymont h.
Andhowy oudon’ tshowupt owor kal otand
wealljustdon’ ttalkaboutitbecausewear e
afr
aidofbei ngsi deli
nesincey ouareourseni or
?
Sht
,Iwassopr oudofherIact
ual
l
ypat
tedher
ontheback.That’
smygirl
.
HER: Iwi
l
lover
lookthisonet
imesinceyouhave
beenagoodempl oyeewhokeepsorder.But
stayawayfr
om thisone,Mot
abaseo.Youcan
j
ustseesheistroubl
e.
Shesai
dasherki
tt
enheel
scl
i
ckedawayl
oudl
y.
ME:(l
aughi
ng)Youcangetsometooifyou
want,mat
ron…comel i
ckmyphusil
i
kea
l
oll
ypop…I’
mt ol
ditt
astesl
i
kevani
ll
aice
cr
eam…
Mot
tysmackedmeont
heback.
MOTTY:
Luba!I
ja!
Webothsi
ghedwi
thr
eli
efwhenshewasoutof
si
ght
.
ME:
Damn!Thatwasexcel
l
ent
,sweet
ie.
MOTTY:(
laughi
ng)Ihangar
oundyouenought
o
pi
ckupathingort
wo.Man,Iam sogoi
ngto
missy
ouinher
e,butIam gl
ady
ouf
inal
l
ygo
hometoy
ourdaughter
.
*
***
***
***
***
**
IfoundRueattheclubsurr
oundedbyskimpy
dressedli
tt
lehoestwer
kingonhisl
ap,andice
boys,hangi
ngtohisever
yword.
RUE:Guys,guy
s…now,
thi
sisar
eal
boss.My
fr
iendKart
…
Somelit
tlet
hingwit
hatopthatbar
elycovered
herni
polest
riedtogyr
ateonme.Ijustpushed
heraway.
KARTEL:
Wear
egoi
ngf
orawal
k,Rue.Now.
RUE:
ButI
…
KARTEL:
Now!
Igrabbedhim bythehandandhewalkedaft
er
meandi ntothecar.Idr
oveout
sidet
hecityand
stoppedinaforest,
pull
i
ngagunonhi m.
KARTEL:
Youhav
ebeensel
l
ing.Idon’
tcar
e
whatyoudowit
hy ourl
i
fe,butgoi
ngback
endanger
susal
l!Wheny ougetcaught
,itcan
l
inkusbackt
oyou.
RUE:
What
?
KARTEL:Don’
t!Don’
tf*
*ki
ngt
ryi
t,man!Iknow
youbeensel
li
ng!
RUE:What?Sel
l
ingtowho?Kar
tel
,pl
easeput
thegundown…please…
Hesai
d,shaki
ng.
KARTEL:Wherearey
our unni
ngtheoper
ati
on?
I
tendsnow,anddon’ty
oudar et
rydenyi
t.
Spi
nnywasrunningf
oryou!
RUE: Iswear,man.Ididn’tev
enknowt he
contactofthebuy er
s,youkeptthem t
o
yourself
…Spi nny
,Idon’tknowwhohewas
runningfor
,butheconst antl
yvi
sit
edthe
women’ sprison.
KARTEL:
Wat
chy
ourwor
ds!Wat
chy
ourf
**ki
ng
wor
ds!Whatareyoutr
yingtoinsi
nuat
e,huh?
Wat
chhowt hef*
*kyout al
kaboutmygirl
!
RUE:Theonlyot
herpersonwhoknewhowt o
cookwasLuba,Itaughthermysel
f.Shewoul
d
havehadaccesstothebuyersandrawmater
ial
suppl
ier
sfr
om you…
KARTEL:Speakdi
rtonhernameonemor
eti
me!
F**
kingt
ryit
!
Isai
dasIcockedt
hegun.
RUE:(shaki
ng)I
twasn’tme,man…itwasn’tme.
I
fIwassel l
i
ngbri
cks,wouldIbesoheavi
lyin
debtsli
keIam?Itwasn’tme.Maybei
twasn’t
her,
butItwasn’
tmeeither…
MyphonerangandIsi
ghedandpi
ckedup,
seei
ngEa’
snumber.
ME:
What
?
EA:Okmoody
.Man…wegott
atalk…Naomijust
tol
dmesomethi
ngy
ouneedtoknow.Passby
myhousef
orabeer
.
*
***
***
***
***
***
***
*
LI
KE,
COMMENT,
SHARE
ATHUG’
SLOVE55
Aweekl ater
,theint
ernetwasst i
ll
abuzzwit
h
ProphetMoses’ sui
cide.Iwaswai ti
ngtobe
processedoutwhendet ecti
velegacy,
the
azzholewhoputmei njail,
walkedin.
HI
M:Awor
d?
ME:Realisedyouf**
kedupandar
rest
edan
i
nnocentperson,nowyouar
ecomingto
apol
ogise?
HIM:Innocentandy oudon’
tbel
ongi
nthesame
sent
ence,Lubalashe.
ME:Soyouar
eher
ebecausey
ouhav
eacr
ush
onme?
HIM:Don’
tfl
att
eryoursel
f.Iwannaunder
stand
somethi
ng.I
fyourfat
hergavey ouper
missi
on
t
otakey
oursi
ster
,whyt
hef
akedocument
s.
ME: Myf atherwasav erydi stur
bedmanwho
hatedmeal ot.Isawt hev ideohepost ed,and
thatwasmyr ealit
y.Beingcal l
edademonand
allt
hat..Hewasal way sf i
ndi ngnewway st o
hurtme.Ihav ef ri
endsi nt hechur ch,Igr
ewup
there,
duh.Someonel etmeknowhowhewas
braggingabouthav i
ngf inallycorneredme.That
Iwasgoi ngt ojail
forkidnappi ng,andIdidn’t
evendoi t.Ipanicked.Reachedt omycont act
s
andgotf akedocument sandwasgonnar un.
HI
M:Whydi
dn’
tyout
ell
met
hisbef
ore.
ME: Dude,Iwas19.Whatt hehelldi
dIknow?I
wasscar edandf eel
i
ngbetrayedbymyown
fat
her.Also,Ihadheardsomewher ethati
fyou
aretoodiffi
cult
,yougethardersent
ences.SoI
wentwithwhaty outoldme, t
hatIkidnapped
thebaby.
HI
M:Youar
ely
ingt
hroughy
ourt
eet
h.
ME: Andy ouf**
kedupandnowt hatthepubl ic
i
sshowi ngsy mpathytot hepoorli
ttl
egirlwho
wast ort
uredforyearsbyherf at
her,thenfailed
byt heBot swanajusti
cesy st
em andl ockedup
fornot hi
ng, y
ouar etr
yingtocoverup.Rel ax,
dude.Ihav enointer
estinsuingany one.Ijust
wantt obeclearedofthesefabri
cated
kidnappi ngchargessot hatt
hisnightmarewi l
l
beov er.
Thewardenondut
yhandedmemyrel
ease
paper
sandIwasfreet
oheadout
.
Idi
dn’
tevenbothersayi
nggoodby
etot
he
det
ect
ive,Ij
ustwalkedout
.
Ihadspental
lnightt
ryi
ngtocallKart
eland
al
somessagedhi mtotel
lhimthetimeIwas
l
eaving,
buthehadnotresponded.
Iwalkedoutsi
dethegateandconsi
der
ed
wait
ingforMottytoknockof
fandgi
vemea
ri
deintotown,whenabikebl
ewdustal
lover
meandst
oodt
her
e.
Ronhandedmeaspar
ehel
met
.
RON:
Needar
ide?
ME:God,whatdoyouhaveagai
nstcar
s?Must
youuset
hisdeat
h-t
rap?
RON:
(laughi
ng)Bi
kesar
emor
efun.Hopon.
ME:Onl
ybecauseIl
it
eral
lyhav
enochoi
ce.
.
Whatar
eyoudoinghere?
RON:Darl
ing,youhaveonef r
iend,andIsawher
onTV speakingatsomeev entinMaun.Andfor
somereasons,Kartdi
dn’
tlookl i
kehewas
comi
ngt opickyouupwhenIsawhi m,sohereI
am.Whereto?
ME: Uhm…myspapl ease.Iwoul
dloveani ce
rel
axingbathandmassage,getmyhairdone
andal l
befor
eIseemybaby .Joi
nme?
RON:Notonet
osaynot
opamper
ing,
sohel
l
yea.
ImessagedSeshaandshemessagedbackt
hat
thegi
rl
swill
bewaiti
ngformewhenIgettot
he
spa.
*
***
***
***
KARTEL
IwassomadIcoul
dn’
ttr
ustmy
sel
fwi
tht
alki
ng
toLubaj
usty
et.
Thatbi
chusedsomewi
tchyshtt
oki
l
lmychi
l
d?
Shef**
kingkil
ledmychi
ldandthenhadt
he
audaci
tyoffaketear
swhil
esheli
edtome.
Ii
gnoredhercal
l
s.Kesegocameover
,
massagingmyshoul
derandhandedmea
cognac.
KESEGO:Pennyforyourt
hought
s?Youbeen
l
ookingdi
str
acted.
KARTEL:
Eat
oldmesomet
hing…
Ther
ewasal
ongawkwar
dsi
l
ence.
KESEGO:Youdon’
thav
etot
alkabouti
tify
ou
don’
twantto.
KARTEL: Lubaabortedmychild.Shewentt
o
somet r
aditi
onaldoctorandabortedmychi
ld…
thatt
imeIt houghtwemi scar
ri
ed.Sheabor
ted.
KESEGO:
OhmyGod… babe…I
’
m sosor
ry.
KARTEL:Ser
iousl
y,whatki
ndofhear
tl
essshtis
that
!Itwasmychil
dtoo,shehadnori
ghtt
aking
i
tsli
fe.
Shehuggedmeandki
ssedmyshoul
der
.
KESEGO:
I’
m sor
ry…
ThedooropenedandLubast oodt herelooking
l
ikeaf i
lm st
arvi
xeninthatgreenishsequi ned
l
ongdr esswithathi
ghhighslit
,wear ingsome
i
mpossi bl
yhighheel
s,newweav ewi thher
signat
uregreenhi
ghli
ghts,andhercl eavageall
sortsofgood,makeupdonet oper fecti
on.
*
***
***
***
*
LUBA
Wepassedbysomeexcl usivebouti
queSesha
recommended, andRonhelpedmebuyanew
dressandshoesasIhadnocar dormoneywi t
h
me, thenwewentt othespawhereIhadal lthe
wor ksdone,massage,fl
owerpetalbath,bi
ki
ni
l
aser … Imean,Igott
agetthatki
ttyreadyfora
poundi ng,
andy’al
lknowmymancangoal l
night.
WhenIwasal
ldone,
Rondr
oppedmeof
fat
home.
ME:
Kar
t’
scari
spar
kedaty
ourpl
ace.
RON: Nah,
Isol
dthatt
oKart.Thenannyl
i
ves
ther
enow.Gott
ago.Holl
aifyouneedanythi
ng.
ME:
Thanks.
SherodeoffandIst
rut
tedmystuffi
ntot
he
nextyar
d,f
indi
ngthedoorunl
ocked.
Iopenedi
t,andt
her
ewasKesegohuggi
ng
Kar
tel
from t
heback,
kissi
nghi
sshoul
der
.
ME:Whatt
hehell
?Bi
ch,
didn’
tIt
ell
youIwi
l
lgut
youi
fyoumessedwi
thmyman?
KARTEL:Youhaveanerv
ecominghert
hrowi
ng
atant
rum af
terwhaty
oudid.
ME:Excuseme,youaretheoneouther
e
pl
ayi
nghousewiththenanny.Whatt
hehel
li
s
goi
ngon,Kart
el?
KARTEL:
Kesego,
taket
heki
dsandv
isi
tPuni
e
orsomet
hing.
Ali
ttl
egi
rlaboutni
necameoutcar
ryi
ngmy
Danai
… mustbeKyli
e.
KYLI
E:Mommy
,wehear
dyel
l
ing?Ev
ery
thi
ngok?
KARTEL:
Takey
oursi
stert
othecar
,Ky
li
e.
ME:Bringherher
e… mybaby… ohmyGod,
my
Dede!Loolathowbi
gsheis.
Ir
eachedforherbutshewi
ggl
eddownandr
an,
hi
dingbehi
ndKesego.
Shepi
ckedherupandDanai
hel
dti
ghtt
oher
.
ME:
Handmemybaby
.
KESEGO:Shedoesn’
tknowy ou,Luba.Ican’
t
j
usthandhert
osomest ranger.Lethergett
o
know
ME:
Giv
ememybaby
.Now
KARTEL:
Gett
hehel
loutofher
ewi
tht
hatsht
!
Itr
iedtogr
abherf
rom Kesegobutshecr
eamed
andt ol
dher‘
mama’t
onotl et‘
thewoman’t
ake
her.
Thathur
tsomuch,
tear
srol
l
eddownmyf
ace.
MybabythoughtIwassomer
andom woman,
andwasscaredofme.
Itr
iedt
ogetheragai
n,butKart
elv
iol
ent
lypul
l
ed
meaway .Wi
thmyheels,i
tsentmehurt
li
ng
backandfal
l
ingonmyazz.
KESEGO:NnaakelweLuba.
.All
Icareabouti
s
Dani
e’shappi
ness.Iwi
l
lneverr
efuseyou
accesstoher
,butlethercomet
oyoui
nher
ownt er
ms.Vi
situsandspendti
mewit
hus,l
et
hergetusedt
oy ou.
KARTEL:Thehel
lshewill
!Shecangomother
thebabysheki
ll
ed.Isai
dgotothedamncar,
Kesego!
Sheranoutt
ot hecar
,hol
dingDanai
andcal
l
ing
forKyl
i
etofol
low.Ihear
dthecarpul
lof
fand
dri
veaway.
ME:
Baby
,what
’sgoi
ngon…Idon’
tunder
stand…
Hepushedmehar
dagai
nstt
hewal
landchoked
me.
KARTEL:
Didyouthi
nkIwouldn’
tf*
*ki
ngf
ind
outt
hatyouabor
tedmychi
ld?
ME:
Whatt
hehel
lar
eyout
alki
ngabout
?
KARTEL:Areyoudenyi
ngthaty
ouwentto
someoldladyinsomevil
l
ageandgotsome
wit
chyshttokil
lmybaby?Idar
edar
ey out
o
denyi
t.
ME:
(gaggi
ng)Kar
tel
,Ican’
tbr
eat
h… pl
ease.
Hewaspull
edbackbytheshoul
derandmet
wi
thapunchontheface.
RON:
Whatt
hef
**kar
eyoudoi
ng!
Hel
etgoofmeandl
ookedatRon.
KARTEL:
Stayoutoft
his,
thi
sbi
chki
l
ledmy
baby
.
RON:
What
?
ME: Isweari
tsnotl
ikethatatall
… Ili
ed… when
youcaughtmewi t
hDol l
a… Ithoughtitwast
he
onlywaytosavemyl i
fe.
.Ili
edsay i
ngIwas
pregnant
.
KARTEL:
Youwer
epr
egnant
!
ME: Ididn’tknowIwas… Ionlywenttoget
thoseher bstofakeami scar
ri
agesoyoudon’
t
getmadatme.( cr
ying)IswearIdi
dn’
tknowI
waspr egnant .
KARTEL:YouthinkIam st
upi
d?Youknew.Why
woul
dy ousayitifyoudi
dn’
tknow?Youknew!
Youpi
eceofsht ,I
’l
l
…
Rongoti
nbet
weenusandpul
l
edagunonhi
m.
RON: Backthef*
*kup.Whatwi l
lyourdadsayif
heheardyouwer eputt
inghandsonawoman?
Whatar eyougonnafeeltomorr
owknowi ngyou
puthandsonher?
KARTEL:
Sheabor
tedmychi
l
d!
RON:Andshehadever
yr i
ghtt
o.Herf
**ki
ng
body
.Ifshewant
stodelet
eabunchofcell
s
fr
om i
t?Herchoi
ce!
ME:(
sobbing)IswearIdi
dn’
tdoi
tonpur
pose.I
di
dn’
tknow…
KARTEL:Shutup!Youarel
ying!Youki
ll
edmy
chil
dandwentont omockmewi t
hyourfake
tear
swhil
eImour nedt
helossofmybaby …
ThedooropenedandKesegowal
kedbacki
n
wi
tht
heki
dsbehi
ndher
.
KESEGO:Wef orgotDani
e’
steddyandshewas
fussywi
thouti
t.Whatthehel
l,ohmyGod…
KARTEL:
Ron,putt
hatshtawaybeforeyou
scar
emykids…I’
m chi
l
l,I
’m chi
l
l.Puti
taway.
KYLI
E:Uncl
eKar
t,i
sev
ery
thi
ngok?
KARTEL:Wearegood, pri
ncess.Youknowhow
youandHeathersometimesdon’tagr eeon
thi
ngs?Yea,
myf ri
endsandIwer ej usthavi
ng
anargument
.Butt heywerejustleaving.
ME:Justgi
vememybaby,Kar
tel
…letmet
ake
mybaby,andIwi
l
lleav
e.
KYLI
E:Whyisshecalli
ngDanieherbaby?Danie
i
smommy ’
sbaby,Isawhergivi
nghermi l
k
fr
om herbr
east
s,andwel ear
ntatschoolthat
humansaremammal sandwhent heyhave
babi
estheygi
veitmilkfr
om t
heirbr
easts.
ME:
Excuseme,
what
?Youbi
ch!Youdi
dwhat
?
Isl
appedhersohar
dandgr
abbedDani
efr
om
her
.
Shecr
iedandr
eachedoutt
oKesego,
andt
hat
j
ustbr
okemyheartsomuch.
Kart
elgr
abbedherf
rom meandhandedhert
o
Kesego.
KARTEL: Yousnatchmybabyl i
kethatagain
andI’
llbeattheshtoutofyou.Youtry
ingtokil
l
herli
keyoudi dt
heotherone?Kesego, damnit
,
takethekidstothebedroom.Ky…go, now.
Ky
li
etookDani
eandr
ant
othebedr
oom.
ME:(yel
li
ng)Sheismychild!Sheismine,
andI
am t
akingher.Andyou!Youbreastf
edmychil
d?
It
rust
edy ou,
Kesego…
Iwentatheragain,punchi
ngheronthe
stomachandt r
yingtowrestl
eherdownsoI
couldbeatherconnivi
ngazzproper
.
KARTEL:
Whatt
hef
**ki
swr
ongwi
thy
ou!Do
youj
usthavetheurgetoki
l
lallmykids?Iswear
i
fyouhurtt
hebaby ,Iwi
l
lki
lly
ou,Luba..Kese,
gal
ldoct
orCullandmakeanappointmentto
seei
fshehurtyouandthebaby.
ME: Baby?Shei spregnant?Youknowwhat ?I
don’tevencare,justgivememychi l
dandIwil
l
l
eave..Please… Kartel… gi
veme.Mybaby …you
havealreadybrokemyhear t
,don’
ttakemychil
d
too.Kesegopl ease… y ouareamot her
..
I
magi neifsomeonet ookyourchi
l
daway .
Iknel
tsownbeggi
ngasIl
ookedupather
.
ME:Pl
ease,
Kesego,
justl
etmetakemybaby
,
I
’l
l
lnev
erbothery
ouguysagai
n.
KESEGO: (sobbing)KanannaLubaIam not
refusing,Ijust
…Dani egetsupsetwhenIam not
around, andsheget sanxiet
ywi t
hstr
angers.I
careaboutherbeati nt
erestsaboveyour
feeli
ngs.Andwhat ’
sbestr i
ghtnowisforherto
bear oundpeopl esheknowssi nceyoustormed
i
nher
eandupsetherandscar
edher.I
twi
llbe
t
imebef
oreshewil
levenl
etyouhol
dher…
KARTEL:
It’
sti
mef
ory
out
oleav
e.
ME:Iam notl
eavi
ngwi
thoutmybaby
.Shei
s
mi
ne!Sheismine!
RON:Comeon, Kart
,justl
ethertakeherbaby
…
thi
sisnotf
air
,thechil
dishers.
Kartelj
ustgr
abbedmebytheweaveand
draggedmeoutasRonyell
edforhi
mt ost
op.
Het hr
ewmeoutandlockedthedoor
.
Istoodupandbangedoni
tagai
n,yel
l
ingf
or
himt oopenandgi
vememybaby.
RON: Comeon… y ouj
ustcameoutofj ail
,and
youaret r
yingtogetcustodyofTafadzwaaf ter
youareclearedofkidnappi
ngcharges.Asi mple
publ
icdisturbancecal
lbyoneoftheKar ensin
theneighbourhoodcanruinever
ythi
ngf oryou.
ME:
(cr
ying)Butmybaby
,Ron… mychi
l
d… I
di
dn’
tev
engett
ohol
dherori
ntr
oducemy
sel
f…
RON:Idon’tknowwhatt hehelli
supwi thKar t
el.
Heisveryfi
rm onhisantiabort
ionsht,that’
s
whyhei st
rippi
ng.Lethim cal
m down, andt hen
tal
ktohim calml
y.Dothingsther i
ghtway .The
bestt
hingyoucandor ightnowi sleav
e… come
on.
ME:
But
…Ij
ust
…
RON:
All
ingoodt
ime… comeon.
ME:
Idon’
tevenhaveanywaytogo… Seshai
sin
MaunandIdon’
thavekeys.
RON: Ihav eahot elsui
te.Come.Byt heway,I
actuallycamebackt ogiveyouyourphone,you
forgotitonmyt r
unk.Luba,getyourself
togetherandl et
sgo, damnit!Up,now!Youdon’t
hav etheluxuryofament al
breakdown,you
hav etwoki dstofightf
or.
*
***
***
***
LI
KE,
COMMENT,
SHARE
ATHUG’
SLOVE56
Iwalkedintothesui
teandlai
donthebed
star
ingattheceil
ingwhil
eRontookoutablunt
andlitup.Shelai
dbesi
desmeandbl ewthe
smokeup.
RON:
Youar
egonnabeal
ri
ght
,gi
rl
y.
ME:How, howt hef
**kam Igonnabeal r
ight,
I
can’
tbreathe.Myheartphy
sical
lyhurt
s… Ijust
wanttodie,atl
easttomaket hi
spainstop.
Shehel
dthebl
untupatme.
RON:Notper
manent,
Iknow,
buti
tcangi
vey
ou
ali
tt
lebi
tofr
epr
iev
e.
Itooki
tfr
om herandhadalongdr
ag,exhal
i
ng
thesmokeandwatcheditdi
ssi
pat
eintheai
r,
muchli
kemyl i
fewasdoing.
ME:YouknowIcouldhavedoneonl
ysi
x
months.Thef
inal
dealLegacyt
ri
edt
ostr
ike
was6monthsformetogi
vet
hem insonKart.I
coul
dhavef*
*ki
ngdonesi
xmonths,butIhel
d
upfort
hatmanandhedoest
his?
RON: (
laughing)That
’swhaty ougetf orplaying
Jesus.Whyt hehel
ldoy outhinkyouneedt o
savegrownazzpeopl e?Don’tev erputaper son
sohighupt hatyou’
llsacri
fi
cey oursel
fforthem.
Peopleuse, hur
tanddisappoint.Theonlyone
yougotisy ou.Passtheblunt.
It
ookanot
herdr
agandhandedi
ttoher
.
ME:That
’snoli
fe…li
vingt
rusti
ngnoone?Not
openi
ngyour
selfuptoanyone?
RON:Trust
ing?Openingup?Howi sthat
wor
kingoutforyou,pri
ncess?(
laughi
ng)
ME: Idon’
tneedy
ourshtri
ghtnowRon.I
t
hurt
s…howdoIev enhandlet
his?Howdoyou
handlepai
n?
RON: (
laughi
ng)Me?Irun.Ij
ustpackupand
rest
artsomewhereel
se.
ME:
Ican’
texact
lydot
hat
,now,
canI
?
RON:IfIcan’
trun,
Igethi
ghandf
**kr
andom
peopl
e…
ME:(l
aughi
ng)Youar
easel
f-
dest
ruct
ivet
rash,
youknowthat
?
RON: (l
aughi
ng)andyouarethesil
lybichy
ou
tradedti
mewi t
hherbabyforaman.Idon’t
thinkIcoul
devertopyourl
evelofstupi
d.
ME:Real
l
yrubbi
ngt
hesal
tinmywound,
aren’
t
you?
RON: Wantmet ocr ywi t
hy ouandeatawhol e
bucketofi cecr eam wear ingmat chingpink
pajamas?F* *ky ou.Yourwor ldisgoi ngtit
sup,
yougot tafindbackt hatthickskin.Fi ndthatgirl
whowasmol ested,raped, beaten,emot ionall
y
destroyed,andbasi call
ygr ewupal one,yetshe
refusedtodi e.Ref usedtogi veup…gother sel
f
outoft hatsituationandt hr iv
ed.Findt hatrose
thatgrewf rom concr ete…
ME:
(sni
ff
li
ng)Thewhat
?
RON:
‘Di
dyouhearaboutt
her
oset
hatgr
ew
f
rom acr
acki
ntheconcr
ete?
Pr
ovi
ngnat
ure’
slawi
swr
ong
I
tlear
nedt
owal
kwi
thouthav
ingf
eet
.
Funnyi
tseems,
butbykeepi
ngi
tsdr
eams,
i
tlear
nedt
obr
eat
hef
reshai
r.
Longl
i
vet
her
oset
hatgr
ewf
rom concr
ete
whennooneel
seev
ercar
ed.

Sher
eachedhert
humbandwi
pedmyt
ear
.
RON: It
’suhm…it’
sapoem byTupac…al way s
remindedmeofy ou.Withwhaty oubeen
through..
.Youweresupposedt obeeitherthe
kidwhobr okeandbecameaf r
agil
ecultdr one
whodoeswhatshei stold,orjustki
ll
your self
…
butnoty ou.Yougotyourselfthehel
loutof
ther
eandy out
hri
ved.Thefir
stt
imeyoutrul
y
tol
dmey ourst
oryful
ly…itwasaft
erwehad
j
ustbeenambushedbyt hoseguysdoi
nga
deli
ver
y,andbr
okeintosomepeople’
sshackto
shower…
Il
aughed,
remember
ingt
hatday
.
RON: Laterthatnightwhenwewer esafeina
hotelroom anddr unk, y
outoldmey ourli
fe
story
,andt hefir
stt houghtIhadwas…t hi
swas
whoPacwast al
kingabout .Thi
sistherosethat
grewf rom concrete.Funny,howyourname
real
lymeansar ose, doesn’
tit
?
Sheranherf
ingerupmyf ace,
thent
urnedmy
facet
oherandgentlyki
ssedme.
RON:So,yea…wheny outhinkit
salltoomuch?
Wheny oufeel
li
key ouj
ustwannadi e?
Remembery ouaretherosethatgrewfrom
concr
ete…ruvarakakur
akubv akonkrei
ti
,i
sit
?
Iwi
pedt
het
ear
sandl
aughed.
ME:Notexact
ly,
butcl
ose…howdoy
ouknow
t
hatbut
cheredShona?
RON:
(Laughi
ng)OneofmybooswhenIwasi
n
S.
AwasShona.Alr
ight
,gi
rl
,got
osl
eep.
ME:
Thanky
ou…If
eel
ali
tt
lebet
ter
.
RON:
GladIcoul
dhel
p.
ME:
Ron?
RON:
Yea?
ME:
IthinkIwannat
ryyourmet
hodsj
ustf
or
t
oni
ght.Gethi
ghandf*
*k
RON: (
laughi
ng)Iam ahor
ri
bleinfl
uence.You
coul
dl i
ter
all
yli
ghtsomecandlesandmedi tate
orsomeshtandi twoul
dbemuchheal t
hierfor
you,butheyify
ouwannadoi tthesel
f-
dest
ructiv
eway …whoam Itostandagainst
you?s
Shepul
l
edhershi
rtof
fasshest
raddl
edme.
{
EXPLI
CIT}
*
***
***
***
***
***
***
***
*
KARTEL
Iwasst
il
lsomadatt
hedr
amaLubat
hrew.
Daniewassoupsetshewoul donl
ysleepon
Kesego’
sarms,whenshetriedtoputherdown
tobed,t
hepoorli
tt
let
hingscreamedf or
Kesegotonotl
etthebadladytakeher.
KARTEL:
Shegonnabeok?
KESEGO: Yea,Dani
ehasneverseenviol
enceor
evenwitnessedrai
sedvoi
ces.I
twasashockt o
her.I
’
llsl
eepinherroom f
ortoni
ght.Areyouok?
KARTEL:I
’
llbeok.Ican’
tbel
i
eveshe’
dpul
lso
muchdrama.
KESEGO:It
shonest lyj
ustabig
misunder
standing.Youhavenorightdenyi
ng
hertoseeDanie,butIalsoref
usetojustdump
mybabywi thsomeoneshedoesn’ tknow.If
Lubawantst oknowDani e,
sheshouldhave
vi
sit
ati
ons.Super
vised,
unti
l
,andi
f,Dani
eis
evercomfor
tabl
ewi t
hher.
KARTEL:
Sheslappedy
ouandy
ouar
est
andi
ng
i
nhercorner
?
KESEGO; I
’m not,
butIam amother,
ifanyone
tr
iedtotakeawayeitherKy,
Danieorthi
snew
onefrom me, Iwi
llf
ight
.SoIunder
standher.Al
l
Iam sayi
ngisshewentaboutitwrong.
KARTEL:Shekill
edmychild.Andisdeal
ing
dr
ugs.Spinnygotkil
l
edrunningforher
.Tel
lme,
doyouwannal eaveDani
ewi thadrugdeal
er…
KESEGO: I
…Ididn’
tknowthat…y ouhaveto
keepherawayfrom myki
ds, Kartel
.That
womancannev erhaveDanieifsheisthat
personyousaysheis.
KARTEL:Don’
twor
ry,
I’
ll
makesur
esheget
sthe
message.
*
***
***
***
***
***
***
***
Seshafi
nishedherkni
ght
lyf
acer
outi
neand
scrol
l
eddownherphoneasshelai
dinthehot
el
room.
Col
d…empt
y.That
’showshef
elt
.
Ofcour se,thatwi
tchhadpost
edsomecutesy
pictureofher,MonkandBoboalli
nmatchi
ng
pajamas, capti
oned‘att
heendoft
heday,
fami l
yiswhatmat ter
s.’
Ohf**
kof f
.Thatwasobv
iousl
yaj
abatSesha,
wasn’
tit
.
Shehooveredov
erMonk’sname,
want
ingso
desper
atel
ytoheart
hisv
oice.
Shedial
edhi
snumber
,li
steni
ngt
other
ing,
ring,
ri
ng…
MONK:
Sesha?
Shesatt
her
etongueti
ed…whydi
dshecal
l
?Oh
God,whydi
dshedothi
stoher
sel
f.
MONK:
Youhav
etost
opdoi
ngt
hissht
,whyar
e
youcall
ingmeandsayingnothi
ng.Pul
lthi
sone
mor et
imeandI’
m gonnablockyou.Iwantedto
partongoodt
erms,buthereyouarewithall
thi
sdrama.
Theli
newentdead,
andshef
eltalumponher
thr
oatashott
earsr
andownhercheek…
Thissurel
ycouldn’
tbeit…itj
ustcoul
dn’tbe
over.Shewasjusttr
yingtomakesur ethey
weref i
nanci
all
yset
,howcouldMonkl eaveher
forsomethingshewasdoingf orbot
hoft hem?
‘
Yourpr obl
em isthaty ouhol
dontoolong,my
l
it
tleSesi…justdon’tknowwhent ogi
veup…’
herfatherhadtol
dherwhenshehadnotwon
anotherpageantbecauseherbodywasabi t
bi
ggert hanthesti
ckt hingi
rl
sshecompeted
wit
h.
Hehaddiedt
henextday
,andshegav
eup
pageant
s…
No,
shewasn’
tgonnahol
dont
ool
ong,
that
’s
whatshedi
donherl
astr
elat
ionshi
ps.Hel
don
ev
enwhenithur
ther
…
Shelookedatthecor nerseei
ngherlatest
acqui
sit
ion…Al ocalhandmadeguitarshehad
boughtjustt
odaybecausei tl
ookedlikeoneher
fat
herusedtopl ay
.
Shegrabbeditandstar
tedplayi
ngandsi
nging
NateRuess’‘
NothingWithoutLove’
ast
ears
rol
l
eddownherf ace.
Anotif
icati
oncameonherphone.Shehadbeen
nominatedforbusi
nesswomanofthey
earin
theUnder30category…shewaspr
obably
gonnawi ni
ttoo
Howcoul
donepartofherl
i
febesot
oget
her
yett
heot
herwassuchamess?
Shescreamedinpainli
steni
ngtothewordof
thesongassheplayeditinYout
ube,smashing
thegui
taronthewallandkepthi
tti
ngitunt
ili
n
wasallspl
int
ersandwires,t
hensanktoher
f
eet,
sit
ti
nginacornerhuggi
ngherkneesand
r
ocki
ngbackandforthasshecr
ied,shaki
ngi
n
v
iol
entsobs.
Herhear
twasbeat
ingt
oohard…toofast
…the
ai
rwasclosi
ngi
nonher…shecouldn’
t
br
eathe…ohGod…shewasdrowning.
SHESHA: (
screami
ng)hel
pme…helpme…hel p
me,somebodyhelpme!Ican’
tbr
eathe…Iam
suf
focat
ing,someonepl
ease…pl
ease…
Itfel
tli
kefor
everasshest
oodtherescr
eaming
andshakingbefor
esheheardasingl
esign
therewashelpcoming,
Thehot
elmanagementopenedandAr
nor
ani
n.
ARNO: I
t’sok,
itsok…Igott
his…Igother,
y ou
canleave.Yousawuscomingt oget
her
,didn’
t
you?I’
m withher.
Thehot
elst
affl
eftandhepickedherupandput
heront
hebed,cover
ingherupwithablanket
.
SESHA:
Arno,
Ican’
tbr
eat
he…Ican’
t…I
…
ARNO: I
t’
soksweeti
e…it
’sok.YouknowArno
gotyou…aslongasIam wi
thyou,youar
eok…
youareok…sayit
,youar
eok…
SESHA:
I’
m ok…
ARNO:That
’smygi r
l…youareok…y ouareok…
whydon’
tyoutakeanotherofyourhappypi
ll
s
soyoucanfeelbet
ter…hereyougo…
*
***
***
***
***
***
***
***
***
**
Iwokeupinthemorni
ngandRonsatinthe
armchairf
ull
ydr
essedinal
lbl
ack,
incl
udingher
boots,
smokingabl
unt.
ME:
Shoul
dn’
tyoueatf
ir
st?
RON:
(laughi
ng)t
hiscount
sasf
ood.
Shebl
ewthesmokei
nmyf aceandIthr
ewa
pi
ll
owatherf
ace,
makingherl
augh.
ME:
Yoursui
tcasei
spacked.
RON:Iam l
eav
ing…Ionl
ycamebackbecause
youcal
led.
ME:Youwer
en’
tinFr
anci
stownwhenIcal
l
ed
you?
RON:Nah…Il
eftaft
erSpi
nny’
sfuner
al,andfl
ew
backi
nadaybeforeyoucal
l
ed,tohandlesome
busi
nessi
nGaborone.
ME:
Wher
ewer
eyout
her
estoft
het
ime?
RON:
Nami
bia.Peacef
ulashel
l
.
ME:Soooo,l
astni
ght
,huh?Wasi
toneoft
hose
‘
thi
sstaysbet
weenus’
?
Shel
aughedandpassedmeabl
unt
.
RON: Room i
spaidfort
womor edays…shoul
d
giv
eSeshat i
metocomebackorsendy outhe
keys.Idi
dn’
twannaleavewit
houtsayi
ng
goodbye…breaki
ngthepatt
ernandall
.So
goodbye,r
osethatgrewfr
om concr
ete…
ME:
Why
?Whymusty
oul
eav
e?
RON: Toomuchconf l
ictofi
nterest
.Karti
smy
bestfri
endandhashel dmedownmor ethan
anyoneev erdi
d.Ican’tpayhim backbytaki
ng
hi
m on, butIal
sor ef
uset ostandforwhatheis
doingtoy oubecauseit’
sf**kedup.Hehasno
ri
ghtkeepi ngy
ourchildawayf rom y
ou.
ME:
Icoul
dreal
l
yusey
ourhel
p…
RON: Don’
tdothat,
Luba.Iam notthetypeof
persontorel
yon,andIli
keitthatway.Haven’
t
youheard?I’
mfli
ghty…youbeenhur tsomuch, I
don’twannaaddtothatbymaki ngyouthi
nkI
couldbether
eforyou.I’
m arunner…eventual
l
y
I’
l
lrunagain,
andyou’l
lbehurt.
Shest
oodupandpi
ckeduphersui
tcase.
At
earr
oll
eddownmyf
ace.
ME:
Pleasest
ay…I
’
m scar
ed…al
one……
RON:I’
mjustacal
lawayify
ouneedsomeone
tohel
pyouhandl
esht.Butyoudon’
tneedme,
l
itt
ler
ose.
Sheti
ppedmeheardupandki
ssedme,t
hen
wheel
edherbagoutandwal
kedaway
.
Whatt
hehelldoIdonow?Howam Isupposed
t
ohandlet
his?
Ical
l
edmyf
ather
…
HI
M:Luba?Isthaty
oumybabygi r
l?Isawthat
man’
svideo,
andIwishhecouldhavesur
vived
hi
ssui
cidesoIcoul
dtearhi
m upli
mbt oli
mb.
ME:
Ineedy
ourhel
p…
*
***
***
***
***
***
***
*
After
wardsspeakingt omydad,Idrov
ebackt o
ourhome.Ipickedt hedoorandgotinsi
de,
whereIhadabat handchangedi nt
omycl ot
hes,
thenpackedabag.Il ookedatt
hehousenext
dooranditdi
dn’tl
ookl iket
heywerehome.
Igotmycarkey
sfr
om t
het
abl
eanddr
ovet
o
ProMov
ers.
Kar
tel
wasj
ustwal
ki
ngi
nfr
om ameet
ing.
ME:Youei
thertakemet oyourof
fi
ceandwe
t
alk,
orIr
aisehellr
ighther
e.
KARTEL:
(si
ghi
ng)Comeon.Fol
l
owme.
Thecompanyhadgrownsomuch, t
heynow
ownedtwofl
oorsont hebui
l
ding,
andhadmuch
morest
affandoff
ices.
ME:Youexpanded…
KARTEL:
Addedcouri
erandcol
dlogi
sti
c.What
doyouwant
,Luba?
ME:
Mychi
l
d
KARTEL: YouknowIam nevergonnagivehert
o
you,ri
ght?Notwhenyoukil
l
edone, andyouare
sti
lldeal
i
ng.Kesegowantstowor koutan
agreement.
ME:
Kesegodoesn’
tgetav
ote,
shei
sthenanny
.
KARTEL:Sheisthewomanwhowast her
e
whenDaniecutherfi
rstt
eet
h.Whenshecri
ed
atni
ghtf
rom thepai
n…whenshesaidherfi
rst
wor
d,t
ookherf
ir
stst
ep.
ME:Yea?YouknowwhereIwas?Sav
ingy
our
azzf
rom t
wentytol
i
fe!
KARTEL: Youdon’tgett
omartyryour
self
,
darl
i
ng.Al so,weall
knowyouhavezero
maternalinst
inct
s.Notonl
ydidyoukil
lmychil
d,
didyouseehowy ouwerepul
l
ingDaniearound
l
ikear agdoll
?
ME:Youdon’
tev
enwantt
oli
stent
omysi
deof
t
hestor
y!
KARTEL: Theonlysidethatmattersiswher e
youki l
ledmychild!Andwentont or unadrug
business, i
npri
son!Endangeringev eryt
hingI
buil
t…andy ousayy oucareaboutDani e?Ever
thoughtofherwheny ouwer ebusypl ayi
ng
QueenofTheNor t
hEast ?Amot herexcitedto
seet heirchi
ldwouldnev erdothi
ngst hatri
sked
herbei ngawayforthechi l
devenmor e.
ME:
Iwantmychi
l
d,Kar
tel
.
KARTEL:
Iwantmychi
l
dtoo,
theoney
ouki
l
led.
ME:Kar
tel
,di
dyouev
enshowmychi
l
dmy
phot
os?
KARTEL:Sheistwoandahal f
,sheknows
peopl
ethatarearoundher,
notpeopl
eshesees
i
nphotos,andwer en’
tyout
heonewhodidn’
t
wanttovi
deocallher?
ME:Youletanot
herwomanbr
eastf
eedmychi
l
d!
Shecal
l
shermama, andyoul
ether
!
KARTEL: Yea,shepickedthatf r
om Ky l
i
e
becausechildr
enlearnli
ket hat,theycopywhat
theyseeandhear ,WhatwasIsupposedt odo,
beatherwithast i
ckandt el
l herthat
’snotyour
mot her
?Andf orgi
vemef orwant ingthebest
formychi l
dsomuchIdeci dedshewoul dhave
breastmil
kinsteadofformula.Nxl a.
ME:Thi
shasnot hingt
odowit
hmeorwhatI
di
d.Youjustwantedanout
.
KARTEL:
Youknowt
hat
’snott
rue…
ME: Tellmethen, Kart
el.Iftherewasn’tallt
his,
whatwoul dhav ebeeny ourgamepl anthen?I
mean, yournannygi r
lf
riendi spregnant,andits
obviousyouhav eadamnwhol efamily
,so
wher ewouldIhav efit
,Kar t
el?Huh?Wher e?You
arejustusingthistogetr i
dofme.AndIam
readytobegot tenridof,justgivememychi ld.
KARTEL:
Thisisr
edundant
.Getoutofmyof
fi
ce.
Ihav
eactual
worktodo.
ME:Iam t
akingmychi
l
d,Kart
el…ev
eni
fit
meansputt
ingyouont
hegrave…
KARTEL:
(laughi
ng)ohhh,
soooscar
y!
ME:
Don’
tsayIdi
dn’
twar
nyou.
KARTEL:That
’sador
able.Whatar
eyougonna
do,
runtoyourli
tt
lel
overwhoputyoui
nprison?
Oh,wai
t,r
untodaddy?
ME:What’
sadorablei
syout hi
nki
ngIneeda
mantohandl
emybusi ness.Watchyour
sel
f,my
l
ove…yourworstenemyistheoneyou
under
est
imat
e.
Ismiledathim andwalkedoutsideandtomy
car,
calli
ngar ealest
ateagenttosetaviewi
ng
appointmentforthehouse,asIdrovebackt
o
myhomev il
l
aget oseeFadzwa.
ATHUG’
SLOVE57

Iarri
vedatthehomest
eadwhentheywere
prepari
ngforafuner
al.Somey
ounggir
lheld
Fadzwa…
Onegi
rlwhousedtobemyonlyf
ri
endwhenI
l
iv
edinthi
shel
lhol
ewalkedov
ert
ome.
HER:
Luba!
ME:
Una!Hey
,gi
rl
…
HER:Ineverknewwhatt heprophetwasdoing
toyou…ofcour sepeoplear er
unningsmear
campaignssayingit
slies,theoldmanlosthis
mindanddidn’tknowwhathewassay i
ng.
ME: Ii
gnorethoselostsheep.Brai
nwashed
peoplecannev erbel
iev
et hei
rgodsoneart
h
canbeatfault,evenwhent heyheari
tfr
om the
person’
sveryownmout h.Whoisthathol
ding
Fadzwa?
HER:
Magat
alena.Pr
ophetMi
chael
’
sfi
ancée.
ME:
Wai
t,what
?
HER: Heisgetti
ngmar r
iedmonthend.Hehas
beenr unni
ngthechurchwi t
hyourfat
herfora
yearnow, andhetookov erl
astweekaft
er
prophetMosesst ar
tedbeingli
kehewasl osi
ng
hismind.
ME:Mi
chaelis21!Andshedoesn’
tlookaday
ov
ersi
xteen!
HER: Sheiseight
eenandherpar
entsar
einthe
church,t
heyconsent,
youcanmar r
yat18ift
he
parentsagreetoit
.
ME:
Wher
eisMi
chael
now?
Shepointedmet othehouse.Iwentov erand
tr
iedt
ot akeFadzwaf r
om thegi
rl,butshemade
afussandmybr othercameout .
MI
CHAEL:
Whatar
eyoudoi
ngher
e,sat
an!
ME:
Aft
ernoont
oyout
oo,
Mikey
.
MI
CHAEL:
Youhav
enor
ightbei
ngher
e.
ME:
IjustwantFadzwa…
MICHAEL:
Andy outhi
nkIwi
ll
lety
outakemy
si
ster
?Corr
uptherandmakeherl
ikey
ou?
ME:Idon’
thaveti
meforthi
srubbish,
Michael
,
gety
ourgir
ltopackabagforFadzwa…
MICHAEL:Iknowyouhadeverythi
ngtodowi t
h
whathappenedt
omyf at
her.It
’snotcleary
et,
butIknowit
…spir
it
ual
ly,
itsbei
ngt ol
dt ome.
ME:OhmyGod,
youdr
ankhiscool
-aidsomuch
youar
enowmaki
ngi
ttoo?Iam t
akingFadzwa.
MICHAEL:Tonder
ai…gett
woothermenand
comeescortt
hisdemonfr
om myproper
ty.
ME:
(laughi
ng)Yourpr
oper
ty?Hewasmyf
ather
t
oo,
soI …
MICHAEL:Fat
herstr
uckyouoffthewil
lthe
momentyoustol
efrom hi
m andwentto
suppor
tagangst
er.Yougetnothi
ng.Tonderai
!
Threeguyshol
dingst
ickswal
kedov
erand
draggedmetomycar .
HIM:Idon’
twanttohur
tyou,Luba…buty
ouare
tr
espassi
ng,andt
heprophetsayst
ogetyou
out.
ME: OhmyGod!Tonder ai
!Wi
lly
oupeoplest
op
wit
ht hi
sprophetbul
lsht
?Youweregrownmen
beforet
hatboycouldwipehi
sazzproper
!God!
Ihatechur
chpeople!
Igotinmycaranddrov
eoff,t
hinki
ngofwhat
Ronsaid.Idi
dn’
twantt
ojeopardi
zemycustody
appl
icat
ion.
Speaki
ngoft
hat
,Imetalawyerwhosai
dI
st
oodagoodchanceofget
ti
ngcustody
.
*
***
***
***
***
***
***
**
Ar
nostoodonthehotel
groundssmoki
nga
ci
gar
ett
eandtalki
ngonthephone.
ARNO: Ipromisey ou, man.Myf iancéeowns
thatlandandwegoti t
.No… wear eget t
ing
mar r
iedt hi
sweekendi ncommuni t
yof
property…IknowIl ostusal lthemoneyi nthat
l
astdeal ,butIhadt hi
sl andsur vey edandi t
’s
thereal deal,
man.Herf atherwasMozambi can
buthewasasi mpl etonwhoabandonedhi s
count r
yandwentt oS.At ot rybeamusi cian.He
endedupi nBotswana… y ea… hi smot heri ssti
ll
ali
ve,butol dandst illl
ooki ngforherson… Ibet
she’dbet hril
l
edf oragr anddaught er…y ea, I
hadaDNAt estdoneandshei s100%t he
granddaught er…y ea,oldl adywi llbesohappy
foragr anddaught er…somuchsoshewi l
l
awardherandhernewhusbandt heirf
ieldand
i
tshuge… Iam t elli
ngy ouman, weaboutt oget
backup… weaboutt ober ich-r
ich.Nah, she
hangstomyev erywor d… Ihelpedhercut eli
tt
le
busi
nessbl oom.Yea, itschumpchangef r
om
whatIwi l
lgainfr
om t hatlandwhenshesi gnsit
over… shewi l
lsi
gnitov er
,Iam sureofit.I
usedsomeoft hemoneyf rom herbusinessto
paythegeol ogi
sts… nah, I
’m notheart
less,she
wil
lsti
llberichwiththisbusiness… alr
ight,see
you,man.
Hehungup, t
henst
ompedthecigaret
tebut
t
andwalkedbacki
n,aski
ngi
fthei
rroom.Servi
ce
wasready.
Hewentbacki
nSesha’
sroom.
ARNO: Sesha?Wakeup… Ior
der
edr
oom
ser
vice…
SESHA:
(rubbi
ngherey
es)Hmm?
ARNO: Youhavetoeatsomethi
ng.Sesha,
Iam
worr
ied.Aboutyou… y
ouareoverworkedand
l
ooksot ir
ed… t
hepanicatt
ack
SESHA:
Please,
noty
out
oo…
ARNO:
Iam ser
ious,
you…
SESHA:I
’mjustgoi
ngt
hrought
hings,
… my
boyf
ri
endlef
tme.
ARNO: What?Oh,myGod,Iam sosorr
y…you
knowwhaty ouneed?Abreak!Andyeswecan
affor
dtotakeone,ev
ery
thingi
sstabl
e.How
aboutyoucomebackwi t
hmet otheUSandwe
hitupVegas?
SESHA:
Damn,
thatsoundssogood!
ARNO:
Itwi
l
lbe… wecant
akeabr
eak.
SESHA:
Ok…andAr
no?
ARNO:
Yea?
SESHA:Thankyou…youareseri
ousl
ythemost
amazingper
son… yousacr
if
iceti
meformy
busi
nessandhelpmesomuchandIdon’ tev
en
payyou.
ARNO:
Ijustl
oveseei
ngy
ouwi
n…
Hesai
d,smi
l
ing,
looki
ngather
.
SESHA: Youar eanobl eman.Ot hermeni nyour
positionwouldhav et akenadv ant ageofmylack
ofknowl edgewhenIst art
edout , butinst
ead
yout aughtmemor et hanev encl assrooms
teach.Iam ev engivingpeopl epoi ntersand
seeingt hem workfirtheirbusinesses.Andy ou
areal waysprofessi
onal .
ARNO: Ihav etobe… Idon’
twantyoutothi
nkI
haveulteri
ormot i
ves.Ir
eal
lyj
ustwanttosee
youwin, Sesha.Youdeserv
eit
.So,Vegas?Yes?
SESHA:Youknowwhat?F**
kit,y
es!Yes!Do
youhaveany
moreofthosepi
ll
s?Ihavea
migr
aine.
Hepull
edapi l
lpacketf
rom hi
spi
cketand
handedherone.
SESHA:Youshouldjustgivemey ourdoctor’
s
namesoIcangetapr escript
ion.Thesehelpme
cal
m down.Ok,Vegas.Ijustneedtogosee
Lubafort
omorrow,thenwecango.
*
***
***
***
KARTEL
ThenextdaywhileIsati
nmyof fi
ce,
Iwas
not
if
iedthatLubahadfil
edforsol
ecust
ody,
andgiv
enacust odyhear
ingdate.
Thisgi
rli
ssi
ll
yifshet
hinksIwi
ll
justl
ether
takemychil
dwhenshekill
edonealr
eady.
Ihadtonipt
hisi
nthebudbef
orei
twent
anyway.
Itookmyphoneanddi
all
edanumberInever
hadtousesi
nceIdi
dbusinessf
orhi
mlastyear
.
ME:
MrKhumal
o…i
t’
sKgat
hal
o.Thomas’
fri
end.
HIM:Yes, y
es,ofcourseIknowy ou.Ioweyou
great
ly.Thatpol
it
ici
anwoul dhaveruinedt
hings
forme.Yousav edmybusi nesses.Iam
supposingyouarecalli
ngtocashin?
ME:Iam.Themot herofmychi
ldandIareno
l
ongert
ogether
,andsheappli
edforcust
ody.
Shecan’thav
ethat
.Atbestsuper
vised
vi
sit
ati
on.
HI
M: Somethingsosmal
l?Thatshouldn’
tbea
pr
obl
em atall…Ihaveaf
ewf r
iendswhocan
makeithappen.Sendmethedetai
ls.
ME:
Iwi
l
l.Thanky
ou,
sir
.Hav
eal
ovel
yday
.
*
***
***
***
***
***
***
***
LUBA
Aweeklat
erImetwi
thmylawyerwhot
oldme
shewasn’
ttaki
ngmycaseany
more.
ME:
ButI
…
HER:Iam sor
ry,Iam j
ustswamped.Yourcase
wi
llr
equir
emor etimethanIhav
e.
ME:
Why
?
HER:Basical
l
y,youcannothav
eacust odycase
ri
ghtnowbecauseyoujustcameoutofpr i
son.
Youshouldn’
thaveevenbeengivenadate.
Yourcasewaskidnappi
ng,whichincl
udes
endangeri
ngaminor
,youcan’
tbeeasi
l
ygi
ven
custodyofachi
l
dbecauseofthat
…
ME:
Theyar
ecl
ear
ingt
hatcase…
HER: May bey oucanappl yagainwheni ts
cleared,butfornowy ouneedt ostaycl earof
crimef oratl
eastsi xmont hs,haveapr oofof
residenceaddr ess,andpr oofofi ncome, all
postpr i
sontime.Thef atheristhel ogical
caretakerri
ghtnowasnotonl yishea
respectedbusi nessman, hei salsov erystable,
hasnocr i
minal recor
d, andhasast ablel i
fe
partnerwhohasbeent hepr imarycar etakerof
thechild.
ME:
But
…
HER:Theylookatwhatisbestf
orthechi
l
d,Ms
Moses,andrightnowi
tsnotyou.I
’
m sorr
y.I
hav
etogo.
Iscr
eamedsomuchpeopl
eint
her
est
aur
ant
l
ookedatme.
OhmyGod!WasKar tel
real
lygoingthi
sdir
ty
j
usttospi
temeforsomethingIdidn’
teven
knowIwasdoi
ngwheni thappened?
Istor
medt ohisof
ficesteamingfr
om theears,
andIdi dn’tev
enbot herwit
hrecept
ion,bur
sti
ng
ri
ghtinsidetheoff
iceandslappedhim.
KARTEL:
Mhhh,
that
’shot
…
Hesaidasherubbedhi
scheekwi
than
annoy
ingl
eer.
ME:Howcoldcanyoube,youbastar
d!Iknow
youbl
ockedmycustodyappl
icat
ion.
KARTEL:Youover
est
imatemycapabil
i
ty,l
it
tle
fl
ower.Howdoesoneevengoaboutdoingthat?
Idon’
thavet
hatki
ndofpower…
ME: Don’tyouev enseewhaty ouaredoing?
Thisrubbishofy oursi
sblocki
ngmef r
om
taki
ngFadzwat oo,andthatpoorbabyneedst o
getoutoft hathouse.Michaelisj
ustasbadas
Moses.Kar tel
,please… pl
easedon’tdothis.
KARTEL: Youaretheonewhomessedwi t
hall
that,beingdramati
cwantingcustodyy
oudon’
t
deser v
e.Itol
dy ouIam notgi
vingyoumychi
ld
afteryoukill
edtheother
.
ME: Kart
el,kantewhatar eyoupunishingmefor,
nerra,sentesent e?Isi
ttheguil
tthatyoufeel
becausey oupl ayedmewhenal lIeverdi
dwas
l
ovey ou?Doy out hi
nkabusingmel i
kethi
swill
makey ouf eellessli
kesht?
KARTEL:
Youki
l
ledmychi
l
d.
ME:Andal
lthi
sisgonnabr
ingbackt
hechi
l
d?
Mxi
m.
Ipushedt
heglassofwatert
hatwasonthe
tabl
eandsenti
tsplashi
ngal
loverhi
m,hi
s
l
aptopandhispapers.
KARTEL:
Luba!Whatt
hef
**i
swr
ongwi
thy
ou?
ME:
Mybaby
dadyi
sanazzhol
e,t
hat
’swhat
!
Ipul
l
edaf
ramedcer
ti
fi
cat
efr
om t
hewal
land
smasheditdown, t
henpickedupthecer
ti
fi
cate
andtor
eittopiece.ThenIwentforsomeglass
awar
dandsmashedi tdown.
Her anovert
omeandImov edawayand
grabbedanotheraward,
smashi
ngitdownas
tearsrandownmyf ace.
Iseriouslydi
dn’
tmeant ogopsy cho,butIwas
hurti
ngsobad… notonl ywashekeepi ngmy
daught erawayfr
om me, butnowhehad
blockedmef rom l
egal
lytakingFadzwaforat
l
eastsi xmonths… andthisjusthur
tsobadly.
Itf
eltgoodt ohurthim backev eninthemost
i
nsignif
icantway s,breakinghi
sthingsashe
chasedmear oundt ryingnottoraisehi
svoice,
l
ikehisstaffcouldn’thearallt
hiscommot i
on…
Hef
inal
l
ygr
abbedmeandshookmev
iol
ent
ly.
KARTEL: Cal
m down!Calmthef**
kdown, what
thehel
liswrongwithyou!Cal
m down,don’
t
bri
ngthatwhil
ewomanscor nedshti
ntomy
of
fi
ce.
ME: Womanscorned?Womanscor ned?You
thi
nkIam somewomanscor ned?Sweeti
e,
thosearecut
equotesforwhitegir
lsonTumblr
.
Iam notscor
ned.Iam pi
ssed!
KARTEL:
Getoutofmyof
fi
ce,
now.
Ifl
ippedhim andwalkedoutinfrust
rat
ion..My
fat
herwasanaf fl
uentman, butnotaff
luentor
power f
ulint
helevelofthepeopleKart
elhas
kil
l
edf or,
soIwasr oyal
l
yf *
*ked!
AndnowIhavef**ki
ngMichaeltodealwi
thtwo?
Ineededabl
untandsomer estbecauser
ight
now Iwasboi
li
ngwithanger.
Ther
ewasonl
yonewayIwasget
ti
ngmybaby
.
Ther
eisnocust
odybat
tl
ewhenachi
l
dhasonl
y
onepar
ent
.
Ismil
easaplanformulat
ed.ThenIst
arted
Googl
ing‘
unt
raceablepoi
sons’and‘
poisonst
o
mi
michear
tat
tack’
.
Sorr
yDede,buty
oudadi
sanazzhol
eandhe
hastogo.
*
***
***
***
WhenIgotbackatt
hehot
el,
Iwasst
il
lsoangr
y
IsatonFacebooklookingatsomebusiness
awardspage.Mygi r
lwasnomi nat
edinsome
categor
y,butsowast hi
spieceofshtKart
el,
whoappar entl
ywoninthecategor
yoffastest
growingbusinessl
astyear
.
Theyhadasharppictur
eoft
hegood-l
ooki
ng
sonofawitchandsomesweetcapti
onli
kehe
wasnotatotalsnake.
‘
Owneroft hefastgrowingLogi sti
candCouri
er
company,ProMov er
s,Kgat haloMosekiisone
shi
ningexampleofper severanceandhar dwork.
Aft
erhedidn’tdowel li
nhisBGCSEexam and
ci
rcumstancesathomedi dn’tall
owhimt ogo
anyfur
therwithhisstudies,hespentyears
wor ki
ngoddj obt osuppor thisail
i
ngpar ents.
Hewasi ntr
oducedt oCr yptocurr
encyandFor ex
Tradingbyaf r
iendwhol oanedhi m moneyt o
i
nv est,andhef oundhimsel fanaturalatit
,
quicklyearni
ngenought opayuphi sloanand
starthisbusiness.Whi l
eget t
inghisbusiness
fr
om t heground, heal
somanagedt ogetan
onlineassociatedegreei nBusiness
Management ,andsev eralothershortcourse
businessrelatedcerti
ficati
ons.’
Il
ookedati
twi
thasmi
l
eandcomment
ed.
‘
Per
sev
erance,
yousay
?Thi
sone?Real
l
y?’
Afewminutesl
ater
,someoner
espondedt
omy
comment.
‘
Gir
l,spi
l
l…what
’sdoi
ng?
’
Ir
epl
i
edback.
‘
Funnyhowhecoul
dn’
twaitt
of*
*kthenanny
t
hemomentIwentaway.Per
sev
erancei
ndeed.
’
Ialr
eadyhadawholelotoffr
iendrequest
sfrom
theMosesv i
deo,
butwithi
nmi nut
es,myfri
ends
l
imitwasmaxedaspeopl efl
ockedtomypr ofi
l
e
tosearchf
ormoredrama.
Iwentl
i
veonFacebook.
ME: So, anyway …y es, Iam t hegi r
lfrom the
Mercv ideot hatwentv i
ral y
ear sback.Iam al so
ProphetMoses’ daught er.Iseem.Toal way sbe
i
nv i
ral v ideossomehow.( nerv ouslaugh)You
heardal lthethingsMosessai d.Iwontwast e
ti
mer epeat ingany thi
ng, watcht hev ideomy
l
atef atherpost ed…butbasi cally,
Iwasgr ossly
abusedsexual ly,physically,andment al
l
yf rom
whenIwasf ive.Imanagedt ogetaway ,but
Mosesj usthadt ot hrowi nonel astoneand
fr
amedmef orkidnappi ng, whi chsawmegoi ng
toprisonf or3y ears,att het enderageoft wenty.
Justamont haftergoi ngt opr ison,IfoundoutI
waspr egnant … myboy friendKgat hal oMoseki
andIagr eedpr i
sonwasnopl aceforachi ld.
Letmet el
l youaboutt hi sman, Kgathalo.When
Imethi m, hewasunempl oyedandIhadj ust
startedaj obatasal on.Wel i
vedi nar entedone
room i nMonar ch, andhust ledt ogether.Most
day sIhel dusdown, andi fhei sanhonestman,
hewi l
l t
alkaboutt hepar tIpl ayedi nhis
success, thesamewayhepl ayedagr eatpar ti
n
mi ne.Any way ,backt ot hest or y…Iwas
pregnantandi npr i
son.Sowef oundananny ,
Kesego.OnFacebookoi pitsaKessyA.Fr ankl i
n.
Hebr oughthert opr i
sonandImetherandshe
wassoni ce, Iwasconv i
ncedshewast he
womant ocar ef ormydaught er.Soshecame
tot hehospi t
al whenIgav ebi r
thandt ookt he
babyhomehour safter .Shehadal readymov ed
i
nt omypl acewi thKgat hal oMoseki andher
youngdaught er.Thr oughoutmyt i
mei nprison,I
wasv eryhappy ,myboy friendcamet oseeme
often, andhewoul dt ellmeaboutmydaught er
andIwashappy .LastweekIwasr eleasedandI
wal kedi nt oacompl et ef ami ly.Ifi
ndoutt hat
Kesegohasbeenbr east feedi ngmychi ld,my
daught ercal l
sher‘ mommy ’
, mydaught erhas
noi deawhoIam atal l
,theynev erevenshowed
herasi ngl ephot oofme, andKesegoi s
pregnant .Iam hear tbroken, butl i
fe,ri
ght?Wa
nyesamj olo, whoam It ot hinkI ’
dbespar ed?So
allIaskedf orwast ot akemybaby …nope, they
refusedt ogi vememybaby , i
tendedupi nan
alt
er ationt hatledt oKgat haloMoseki getti
ng
phy sicalwi thme…byt hat ,Imeanhechoked
me.Idon’ tknowwhatwoul dhav ehappenedi fa
fri
endofmi nehadnotwal kedi n.Itri
edt ogot o
cour t,butKgat haloMoseki isacl osef ri
endof
ThomasKhumal oandVl adsl avMokgadi ,for
thosewhomaynotknow, Thomasi sthe
grandsonofGaamangweKhumal o, t
hel ocal
busi nessmagnat ewi thal otofpol i
ti
cal
affi
liations.AndVl adslavi st hesonofAmar yll
is
Mokgadi , alsoapower ful busi nesswomanwi th
alotofpol it
icalaffil
iations.Iam not
i
nsi nuat i
ngany thing, butr ightnowIam bei ng
toldstuf flikeIcan’ tgetcust odyaf terbei ngi n
j
ail,Ineedsi xmont hsofst ayingawayf rom
crimeandchecki ngi nwithacasewor ker ,yada
yada, Ineedt osubmi tsixmont hspaysl i
psand
anaddr essIst ayedatf orsi xmont hsaf t
er
prisonbef oreIcanappl yforcust ody .Any body
everwentt hrought hatforcust ody ?Iam j ust
say i
ngi thel pst obef ri
endsl ebanabadi
tycoon…Iam abusi nessowner ,y’all,Ihav e
money ,Icanbuyahouser ightnow…mybaby
willneverbei nneed, butnooo, Ihav et ogo
throughal lthisdrama.Idi dn’thav eanypr ior
s
besidest hesest agedki dnappi ngchar ges, and
event hosef orgerychar ges, Iwi llleav ey ’allt
o
guesswhogotmet hefakepasspor ts.Iam not
acr i
mi nal ,whyar emychar gest hatwer e
supposedt obedr opped, notdr opped, when
Mosesconf essedhef ramedme?
Ithr
ewinsometear
sinther
e,l
ookedtot
all
y
ashen,
andwit
hinaminutet
hevideowasata
t
housandshar
esandgoi
ngup.Fiveminut
es
l
aterwewereatf
ourt
housandshares!
IknowIleftawhol elotofthingsi
ntherethat
couldhurtKar
telrealbad,butIcan’
tsayanyof
i
twithoutimpli
catingmy sel
fandRon, whohas
beensof art
heonl ypersonwhohel pedme.So,
yea,themostofitwasst ayingburr
ied.
Iwentbacktomysearchofpoi
sons,
thenhit
backacontactwhoconfi
rmedhecouldgeti
t,
buti
twouldbecostl
y.It
oldhi
mt opr
oceedand
geti
t.
*
***
***
**
LI
KE,
COMMENT,
SHARE
ATHUG’
SLOVE58

KARTEL
Il
ookedatt
hev
ideoagai
n,shtscar
ed.
Whatwast
hisi
diotdoi
ng,
namedr
oppi
ng
peopl
eli
ket
hat
.
F*
*k!
Myphoner
angi
nabi
tandIgotachi
l
ldownt
he
spi
ne.
I
’
dmuchr
athert
alkt
ool
dmanKhumal
o.
ME:
MrsMokgadi
…
HER:
Kar
tel
…
KGATHALO:
Maa?
HER:Kgathalowee!Kgathal
o!Idon’tl
i
kemy
namedr oppedmol er
olengl
adikatsekel
e
kanakana.Idon’
tli
kebeingi
nvolvedonchi
ldi
sh
drama.
KGATHALO: Iapologise,
Mr sMokgadi ..Shei
s
nothreatatall,sheknowsnot hing,
Iswearto
you.Shei sj
ustast upid,
bit
terbaby mamawho
thoughtshewasdoi ngsomethi ngbig.Ihave
myPRt eam workingont hi
srightnow.
HER:
Ify
ousayso.Wai
tsegor
ehaor
ogi
l
e
mogolooikopamai
tshwar
elokaabot
tl
eof
cokeaker
e?
KARTEL:
Eemma…
HER:Iwil
lsendy oudetai
lsforajobthatneeds
yourpar
ti
cularskil
l
sets…doi tf
ormeandImay
overl
ookthi
simpudentl i
tt
legir
l’
sdrama.
KARTEL:Thankyou.Iwill
bedoneassoonasI
gett
hedetail
s.AndIpromiseshewi
ll
neverdo
somethi
ngli
kethisagain.
Ihungupandt
hrewar
oundabunchi
ff-
bombs.
F**kingLuba,man!Nowdr aggingmebacki nto
thewor l
dIdon’ twannabei nany more.Godonl y
knowswhatpar tofmysoul oldmanKhumal o
wil
l demandf ormet ocov erLuba’ sstupidit
y.
Becauseot herwisetheywoul dmakeherr egret
themomentshemadet hatstupi ddecisionto
golivewithsuchr ubbish.AndIcan’ thav ethat
happen.Can’thav ethelikesoft hem afterher.
Thedet
ail
scamei
nabi
tandIt
ookl
i
ttl
e
comfor
tinknowingt
heguywasarealpi
eceof
shtwhodeserv
edwhatIwasgonnadotohim.
*
***
***
**
LUBA
Seshacalledt
henextdayandwemetfor
coffee,
thenshet
ookmet otheof
fi
ceand
i
ntroducedmearound.
Wespentt hewholedaydoi ngthat,t
heninthe
eveningwenttohernewpl aceshehadj ust
boughtthatwasneighbourt omine,i
nsome
bourgienei
ghbour
hood, i
nt rueSeshastyl
e.
Shehadhi
redpeopl
etomov ei
nherst
uffand
tr
ansf
erev
eryt
hingher
e,al
lshehadt
odowas
walki
n.
Imi
ghtconsi
derdoi
ngt
hatt
oo.
Wesatonherbedtalki
ngaswegav eour
sel
ves
aspanightandat
eicecream f
rom t
he
cont
ainer
.
SESHA:Soo,whatdoy
out
hink?Thecompany
?
Ihopey
oul i
ke.
ME:Imean,
gir
l,damn!Idon’
tknowwhatt
o
ev
ensay!Wow!
SESHA:IwishIcoul
dtakeal
lthecr
edit
,but
Arnohasbeensuchanasset
.Andwi t
houtpay
.
ME:Usual
lyi
fitsoundstoogoodtobetr
ue,
iti
s.
Nobodydoessuchbigthingsf
orf
ree.
SESHA:Heisl
it
erall
yoneoft heexcept
ions.
Arnoi
salr
eadywealthy,sonotaft
ermoney .
Andhehasnevermadeamov eonmeev en
oncei
nthethr
eey earsIhaveknownhim.
ME: I
’mjustsaying,Ihav eabadf eeli
ngabout
hi
m, andmyi ntuiti
onisal waysright,gankeke
bi
helamot hohelahel a.Ijustcan’tsettlemy
mindwi t
hthisAr noguy ,andInev erev enmet
hi
m… l egal
ennaIam ascept icbecauseofmy
background.Idon’tbelievepeopleev erj ustdo
good.Buty ouwer eraisedbymma- Sesi,and
shei
sthebestdamm per
sonal
i
ve,
hencey
ou
al
waysseegoodinpeopl
e.
SESHA:Iknow,
I’
mlucky
…mymom i
sreal
l
yan
angel
.
ME:Shecamet oseemeagai
n… aweekbefor
e
Iwasrel
eased.Shewasr
eal
lyhur
tbyl
astyear
’s
Chri
stmas,Sesha…
SESHA:
Kanamama…
ME: No.Shehasev er
yrighttobeupset,you
havet hebestdamnmom i nthewor l
dwho
doesn’taskforanyt
hingbutChrist
mashol i
day
s,
andy oucan’tgi
veherthat?Justshowingup?
Sheinv i
tedmet ot
hisyear’
sChrist
masand
wantsmet obri
ngDannieandFadzwa.You
bett
ercomet hi
sti
me.
SESHA:
Aomma, youar
emaki
ngi
tsoundsl
i
ke
i
twasdeli
ber
ate.
ME:Itdoesn’
tmatt
ert
oherSesha… 365daysin
ayearandsheaskedf
ort
wospecialdays!Two!
Legal
eretaabona,
yousai
dthi
ngsar
egonna
getbet
teraker
e.
SESHA:Ipr
omise.Iam ev
engoi
ngf
oraVegas
hol
idayt
omorr
ow.
ME:
Now,
that
’sgoodnews!
SESHA:So,aboutwor
k…Iwashopi
ngy
ouwi
l
l
comeinasCOO?
ME: Babe, IknowIneedt opullmywei ght
aroundt herenowt hatIam out
,butpl easegiv
e
mej ustaf ewmont hst oset
tl
eper sonal
mat tersf ir
st?ThenIwi l
lli
ketotakeaatl east
ay earwor kingvari
ousdepar t
ment sto
under standt hebusinessandseehowIcan
contribut e,becauser i
ghtnowIr eall
ydon’t
knowmuch.Andmyl if
eisamess.
SESHA:Shem…wai t
sekanaKesegokentj
a.I
feel
sohorri
blet
hatthi
swentonri
ghtundermy
nose.
ME:
Youhadal
oti
nyourpl
atebabe,
don’
tfeel
bad.
*
***
***
***
**
Neel
osatint
heli
vi
ngr
oom,hersonpl
ayi
ngon
t
hecarpet
,whenRuewal
kedin.
RUE:
Heybabe.
.
NEELO:It
ri
edt
obuygr
ocer
iest
oday
.Thecar
d
decl
i
ned.
RUE:
Ao,
may
bechi
pisdamaged.
NEELO:Don’
t.Don’ty
oudareli
etome, t
her
eis
nomoneyinthere.Nei
theri
sthereanyi
nour
sav
ings,
Rene’sschooli
snotpaid.
RUE:
Babe,
Ipr
omi
seIwi
l
lfi
xthi
s…I
..
.
NEELO:How?Byselli
ngMonkyourshares?And
t
henwhat,Reuben?What
?Youjusttakethe
moneyandchowi twi
thy
ourhoesagain?
RUE:Babe,
IpromiseIwi
l
l f
ixt
his…Ihav ea
way…Iwon’tdi
sappoi
ntyouagain.Babe,ke
kopaLuba’
snumber.
*
***
***
***
***
ThenexttwodaysIspentar
rangingmyhouse
thewayIli
kedasSeshahadalreadybought
fur
nit
ureaccor
dingt
owhatIwant ed.
IsnoopedKesego’ sFacebookandf oundout
whatDedel i
ked, andt
hencalledthatgir
lto
haveherf i
ndoutwhatFadzwal i
ked.ThenIhad
someonecomedomur al
sinthei
rbedrooms,
Moanaf orFadzwaandPeppaPi dforDede.I
orderedthefurni
turet
omat chit,
andIwas
feel
ingawhol elotopti
misti
c.
Mycont actcall
edmeandsaidhegotmyst uf f
,
tomeethi minNzanomall
.Idrovetherequickl
y
andtheexchangewasv er
yquick.Hegav emea
smallpackagewi t
hasmallbl
ackunmar ked
glassbottl
e.Igavehi
mthemoney ,andwewent
ourseparateway s
Nowthei
nsonhowIwasgonnagi
vet
hist
o
Kar
tel
.
Hi
sprotei
nshakes?Hehasthem bef
orehe
wor
ksoutIcouldsl
ipi
nthehouseandslipi
tin
t
here.
No,lessl
ikel
ybecausehemakest
hem and
guzzlest
hem upont hespot
.
Ah,hi
scoffeei
ntheof
fice.Hegaveup
ci
garett
eswhenDedewasbor n,
buttookup
guzzl
ingupcof
feeal
lday.
Tomor
rowt
hen.
*
***
***
***
**
Idi
dn’
treal
l
yhaveaplanonhowIwasgonna
goaboutwit
hthewholespi
kedcof
fee…
Wai
t…t
hecl
eaner
s.
Theyjustwentaboutcl eani
ngandempty
ing
binsi
nt hewholeoff i
ceandnooneasked
questi
on.Itwaslikepeopledidn’
tev
ennoti
ce
thei
rpresence.Perfect.
AndIhav
eseent
hem br
ingKar
tel
him cof
fee!
Iwentthroughmystashofwi
gs,f
indi
ngtheol
d
pl
asticoneIhadonceuponati
meandIkeptit
becauseitwasmyfirstwi
gev
erandIfel
tso
proudofit.
Thenextmorni
ngIsnuckint
oProMover
s
stor
ageandstol
eaunifor
m,changedi
ntoi
t,
andstar
tedmakingacoff
ee.
Kar
tel
wasanearl
yri
ser,
alwaysintheof
fi
ceby
7am… goodt
imetoser
vehim spi
kedcoff
ee.
Hi
sP.Awal
kedi
nandspokef
rom behi
ndme.
HER: Cany oupeopl
eseriousl
ybeanysl ower?
MrMoseki hasameetingat8am, andheneeds
hiscoffee.Lonalal
api
sawai t
se,hejustneeds
tomov et hecof
feemachinetohi
sof fi
ce.Heela,
ousi,
kof i
,chopchop.
Iopenedmybot tl
eandempt ieditinthecup,
mixi
ngitwiththestr
ong,bitt
er ,
black,nosugar
coff
eejustthewayKar t
ell
ikesi t
,probabl
y
becauseitmatcheshisheart.Butitwassucha
goodchoiceasi
tmaskedt
hebel
l
adonna’
s
bi
tter
ness.
ME:
Her
e,ma’
am.
Ipushedt
het
rayt
owar
dsherwi
thoutl
ooki
ngat
her,
andshet
ooki
tandwal
kedoutwit
hahuff
.
ThanksMsSourpops.Sav
edmet hehust
leof
try
ingt
onotbeseenbyKar t
elwhenIdel
i
vered
thecof
fee.
Isnuckoutandint
othet
oil
etswher
eIhadl
eft
myclothes,
changi
ngandgoingof
ftomycar
.
*
***
***
***
KARTEL
Ihadhandl
edMrsM andoldmanGaamangwe,
butthemedi
awassti
llabuzzwi
thLuba’
sdr
ama.
Ni
ki
tawal
kedi
nwi
thal
argef
il
e.
NI
KITA:
Youmemor
isedt
hescr
ipt
?
KARTEL:
Idi
d…
NIKI
TA: Al
ri
ght
…l etmef i
xthebackgr
ound…
youraccol
adeshere…pict
ureoffamil
yinvi
ew…
ahaa,l
etmesettheringli
ghts.
KARTEL:
Light
s?
NIKI TA: Diml i
ghtmakesany onelookugl y
,
sweet i
e, andpeopl earemor el i
kelyt obel i
ev e
goodl ookingpeopl e.Rememberpr isonbae
wasUS?Thatbl ueey esguy ?Thewor l
dwasso
takenbyhi slooksnobodywast alkingaboutt he
factt hathei sacr iminal
.Poi ntis,yougot talook
hot .Youal readyhav ethatst unningbutal oof
hotbusi nessmani mage, wecapi taliseont hat.
Ont hatnot e, l
oosent hetie,undot opbut t
on…
l
oset hebl azer ,buthangi tont hechai r…r ollup
sleev es,nott oy ourelbows, that’st ocasual ,
j
ust ,hal f
wayy ourupperar m, l
etmedoi tfor
you… t here!Wewant‘ businessmanbusyi nthe
mi ddleoft heday ’.Toomuchf ormal al
ienates
youf r
om v i
ewer s.
KARTEL:
Youser
iousl
yknowy
ousht
.
NIKI
TA:(l
aughi
ng)WhichiswhyIam y
ourhead
ofPR.Ok,one,
two… r
oll
ing.
KARTEL: Ibel i
evey ouhav eallseent hev ideo.I
hav ebeenaccusedofser i
ouscr imes.For gery,
andal soassaul tonawoman.Iusual l
ydon’ tdo
this, butIhadt ocomeoutandaddr esst his,asI
don’ twantt ogivet hei mpr essioneitherof
thosecr imesar eok.Ihav eal argeplatformt hat
i
nspi resmanyy oungmenwhocomesf r
om
not hingl i
keIdi d.Theyl ookupt ome.Not
quel li
ngt heseki ndofaccusat ionmaygi ve
them t heimpr essionIdi di torIam not
bot her edbysuchgr aveaccusat ions.Ineither
condoneorwoul dev ercommi tei t
heroft hose
crimes, inrespectt omycount ry,andt owomen.
Iur geal lofy outost ayawayf rom crime.Iwi ll
l
iket osayIam gr at
ef ulforthepar tMsMoses
play edonmebei ngwher eam r i
ghtnow.But
MsMoseshadadi ffi
cultchildhoodasy ousaw
herf at her’
sconf essi on,andi taffectedher
ment
alwell
bei
nggr
eatl
y.Yes,
wehav eachi
ld
t
oget
her,
butwespl
itshor
tl
yaftermyDanai
wasbor
n.
Ipi
ckedupanew-
bor
npict
ureofDanai
and
l
ookedati
twit
hasmil
e.
KARTEL: Danai ismyl ife,andMsMosesandI
didn’tseeey etoey eonaf ewt hi
ngsper t
aining
Danai ,henceourspl i
t.Shei sst il
l t
hemot herof
mychi ld,soIv i
sit
edherconst ant l
yinprison
anddi dmybestt okeepherspi ri
tsup.Ms
FranklinandIar elong-timef r
iends, andour
relati
onshi ponlyst ar
tedaf termybr eak-
upwi t
h
MsMoses.Yes, t
herewasabi tofa
commot i
onwher eMsMosescamet omy
houset hedayshewasr el
easedf r
om pr i
son.
Shedemandedt oleav ewi t
ht hechi l
d.At wo
andhal fy earsoldwhohasnev erseenhersi nce
birth.Av erysensitivechi l
dwhowas
uncomf ortablewithMsMoses.Ir efused,
becauseIhadt oputt hebesti nterestofmy
chil
dathear t.MsMosesdi dnotreceiv
ethis
well,
andwentont oattackmypr egnant
gir
lfr
iend,andalmosthur tDanaitry
ingto
wrestleheroutofourar ms.Iforgiv
eher
behav i
our,becauseofherissues.AndIam
doingmybestt ogetherthebestofr el
evant
tr
eatment sav ai
l
able.
Ni
ki
taendedt
hev
ideoandgav
eat
humbsup.
NI
KITA:I
’l
lhavethi
supbyl
unch.Youoweme
di
nnerf
orthis.
KARTEL:Ido… t
hanksNi
kki
.Let
’sdoadr
ink
toni
ght
?
MyP.Awal kedinwit
hmyhotcof f
eeandputit
onmytable.Il
aidbackonthechai
randtooka
ver
ywell
deservedlongsi
pofthestrongcof
fee.
*
***
***
***
*
LI
KE,
COMMENT,
SHARE
ATHUG’
SLOVE:
59
KARTEL
Thedoorofmyof
fi
ceopenedandmyP.Ar
an
backi
n.
HER:
Your8am i
sher
e.
ME:It
’snotev
en8.
..
youknowwhat
,ri
ghtbehi
nd
you.
Ipi
ckedupmyf
il
eandwal
kedbehi
ndher
.
Themeet ingwaslonganddr aggy ,andIwas
j
ustsot i
redandf eel
ingali
ttl
esi ck.AsI
enter
edthemeet i
ngr oom,Iregrettednot
guzzl
ingupmycof f
eethatIhadbar el
ydrunk
befor
eIgoti nher
e.Iwasjustf eeli
ngof f
thr
oughoutt hemeeti
ng.Icouldn’ttell
whatwas
wrong.
AsIsatdown,Ist
art
edf eeli
ngfai
nt… mychest
const
ri
cti
ng…,
myt hroatclosi
ng.
Ihel
dontothet
abl
e,butadi
zzi
nesssweptme
downandIwentcr
ushi
ngli
keasackof
pot
atoesasNi
ki
taandmyP.
Acamer
unni
ngi
n.
*
***
***
***
*
LUBA
Icont
inuedcl
eani
ngupandarrangi
ngmy
housewhenIgotacal
lfr
om Reuben.
ME:
What
?
RUE:
Heey
,gi
rl
…
ME:Nowy oucal
lme.Youcoul
dnotv
isi
tmei
n
pr
isonev
enonce?
RUE:Luba,
youknowIgotpar
aly
zedwai
stdown
and…
ME:Youwererecov
eredbyt
heti
meIwenti
n.
Gett
othepoint
.Whatdoyouwant?
RUE:Iknowyouy
ouar
esell
i
ngagain,
Iwanti
n.
Icoul
dhelpy
oumakemorevar
ient
s.
ME:Idon’
tknowwhaty
ouar
etal
ki
ngabout
..
By
e.
Ihungupannoyed.Af
terwhatNeel
odidf
orthi
s
fool,
hewastheoneplayi
ngherl
ikehewas
doing.
Butt
henbir
dsofaf
eather
,lookatwhatt
he
Sat
anherbowstoi
sdoingtome.
Ohwell.Thegoodnewsshoul
dhi
tthei
nter
net
soon,
andt heIwi
ll
havemybaby.
I
twi
llbehardbutshewil
ladapt
.Ki
dsar
e
r
esi
l
ientandadaptqui
ckl
y.
*
***
***
***
Seshawokeupwithamassi
veheadacheas
Arnolai
dbesi
deher,
bot
hnaked.
Hoysht ,
whathappened?Allsher emembered
wast hem meet
ingAr no’
sfr
iendsi nVegas,
goingforameal.Thensomedr inks.Therestof
thenightwasbl
urry.
Shewrappedhersel
fupwi
tht
hebedsheetand
l
ookedaroundthemessyr
oom.Shehadabl ue
hairt
iear
oundherwr
ist
,aweddi
ngvei
lwason
thefl
oor,
andsheworesomecheapri
ngonher
fi
nger.
Plust
her
ewer
eobv
iousl
yusedcondomsont
he
fl
oor.
Amar
ri
agecer
ti
fi
cat
eont
het
abl
e.
SESHA:
Ohno… ohnonono!Ar
no!Ar
no!
Hejumpedoutofbed,
star
tl
ed,
thenscr
eamed
andcover
edhisd**
kwithhi
shandswhenhe
sawher.
ARNO:
What
’swr
ong?What
’swr
ong!
SESHA:OhmyGod!Ar no,howdr
unkdi
dweget
l
astni
ght?It
hink… It
hinkwegotmar
ri
ed.
ARNO:
Whaaat
!What
!Ohsht
…
SESHA:
Wecangett
hisannul
l
ed,
right
?Ri
ght
?
ARNO: Yea,
butf
ir
stIneedbreakf
ast,
Iam
st
arvi
ng… thenwehavetogoseemyf atheri
n
Tonopah,myhometown.I
t’
sjustnear
by .
.
SESHA:Ikeepfor
getti
ngyourbiofat
herisfrom
thi
ssi
deoft heworl
d.Ok…letseatfi
rst
.I’
ll
go
shower
.
*
***
***
*
KARTEL
Iwokeupinahospit
alr
oom connectedtoa
heartr
atemoni
tor
.Kesegosatbymysi de
holdi
ngmyhand,wit
hDaniesl
eepingonherlap.
KESEGO:
Youscar
edme!
KARTEL:
Ao?Sor
ry…di
dtheysaywhati
tis?
Adoctorwal
kedinatt
hatmoment.Hechecked
myvit
alsandthenl
ookedatme.
DR:
Thi
smakesnosense…
KARTEL:What
,doc?
DR:Idi
dyourful
lheal
thychecklastweekfor
yourmesi
calai
dupgrade,andyouwerehealt
hy
asastal
li
on.Yestar
daywheny oucamehere
youwerehavi
ngami l
dheartatt
ack.Nowhours
l
atery
ouhav
est
abi
l
ized.Doy
out
akeany
st
eroi
ds?
KARTEL:Haveyouev
erseenasi
gnifst
eroi
ds
i
nmybl oodwor
k?Youaremydoct
or.
HIM:No.Ihaven’
t.That’
swhyi tdoesn’
tmake
sense.I
tsli
keyougotaspi keofav er
yhigh
dosesteroi
dsshotstr
aighttotheheart… but
youhavenot r
acesofthose.Thereisnoreason
youshouldbehavingahear tat
tack.
KARTEL:Howwouldaper
sonsi
mul
ateahear
t
at
tack?Cant
hatbedone?
HIM: Imean,avariet
yofmedi cat
ions,butwe
wouldhav egott
ent r
aces… Ihaveheardofa
mixtureofbell
adonnasapt hatbreaksdownto
fat
s, maki
ngunt r
aceable.Youthi
nky ouwere
poisoned?
KARTEL:Nah… pr
obabl
yjustoneoft
hose
thi
ngs,
eydoc?So,howam Ilooki
ngnow?
HI
M:Youar
efi
ne.Ihav
epr
escr
ibedmedi
cat
ion
j
ustt
ohelpifther earehi
ghpalpitat
ions,but
y
ourheartdidn’tsuff
eranydamage.I ’
lll
eave
y
ourprescr
iptionatthefrontdesk.
Hel
eftandKesegol
ookedatmescar
ed.
KESEGO:It
’sherKar
tel
,thatwomantr
iest
oki
l
l
you.Whati
fshecomesaf tert
heki
dsnext
?
KARTEL:
Shewoul
dn’
tdar
e.
Imessagest
hesecur
it
yatthegat
eandgav
e
hi
m Luba’
snumberpl
ates.
‘
Checkt
hegat
eCCTVf
ort
hatcarcomi
ngand
l
eavi
ng’
*
***
***
***
**
LUBA
Man,Iwassoanxi
ous..Ihadnothear
danyt
hing
aboutKar
tel
’
sdeat
hy et.Bymorni
ngst i
l
l
nothi
ngatal
l.
Kart
elbarel
yeverpost
sonFacebook,buthe
hadjustpost
edapi ct
ureofhi
mselfwit
h
Kesego,Ky
li
eandDanieatt
hebreakf
astt
abl
e,
capti
oned‘
Fourbecomesfi
ve’
Sonofabasket
.
Howwashenotdead?
Whati
fheknewi
twasme?
Howwoul
dheknowt
hough?No,
hedoesn’
t
know.
OhGod,whatifsomeinnocentper
sondr
unkhi
s
cof
feeandtheyarenowdead?
Iwasner vousal
lday ,Icoul
dbarel
yeatmy
dinner.Isati
nmyl i
vi
ngr oom r
unni
nga
thousandscenari
osinmyheadwhent hedoor
ofmyl ivi
ngroom burstopenandKart
elwal
ked
i
n, l
ivi
d.
KARTEL:Iknowitwasy ou,y
ousickbi
ch.You
tr
iedt
okillme.Youf**
kingtt
iesy
otakeme
awayfr
om myki ds!
ME:
Iwhat
?Howwoul
dIev
en…IswearIdi
dno
sucht
hing.
KARTEL: IhaveCCTVofcar sthatentermy
premisessowecanmoni torcompanyv ehicle
usage,youstupidbich.Yourcarwast her et he
morningIwaspoi soned.Ihonest l
ydidn’tthink
youwoul df**
kingtakeitthisfar!
ME:
Idi
dn’
ttr
ytoki
l
lyou.
KARTEL:Wasn’ti
tenought
hatyoukil
l
edmy
chi
ld?Nowy ouwanttomaketheothers
fat
herl
ess?
Itr
iedtorunbuthetr
ippedme,
sendi
ngme
hurtl
i
ngontothesof
a.
Hepinnedmetothesofaandt apedmymouth
wit
hducttape,
thenboundmyhandst omy
back,andmylegstoget
her,
draggingme
outsi
debythehai
r,andt
hrewmei nhiscar
tr
unk.
Ihavenev
erbeent
hisscar
edinmyl
i
fe.Not
evenwhenMoseswastort
uri
ngme.
Hewasgonnaki l
lme.OhGod… ohGod!My
baby… andFadzwa… whowoul dlookafter
them.AtleastIknewthatwit
chreal
lylov
ed
Danie,
shewasn’ tpr
etendi
ng.PoorFadzwa…
whowi l
ll
ookoutf orhernow?
Ther i
dewasl ong,
andt henheparkedatwhatI
recognizedashisparentsf
arm whenhetook
meoutoft hecart
runk.
Hehadupdatedt
hefar
m alot
,newbuil
ding
st
ruct
uresandkr
aal
sthatwerest
il
lempty.
Hewalkedal
lthewayt otheback,
wit
hme
t
hrownoverhi
sshoul der
,mymout ht
apedshut
,
myhandsandf eetbound.
It
ri
edtoscream mylungsoutbutmyvoicewas
amerewhisperbecauseoft
heducttape.
Hest
oppedatawel
landputmedown.
Il
ookedathi
m wi
thpl
eadi
ngey
es,
buthe
i
gnoredme.
Thi
swastheKart
elDol
l
atol
dmeIshoul
dfear
.
TheoneIknewDoll
awasaf
rai
dof
.Thecol
d
bl
oodedki
ll
erwi
thnomercy
.
Hewentbackt
ohiscarandcamebackwi
tha
f
lashl
i
ght
,andalar
gefi
shingnet
.
Heputmeont
hefishi
ngnet,
thenst
arted
undoi
ngt
hebi
ndi
ng,removi
ngtheducttapet
oo.
ME:Kartelpl
ease… pl
ease… youknowIam
deat
hlyscaredofwell
s,youknowwhatMoses
di
dtome…hest uckmeint her
eand…Kart
el
pl
ease…
Iwentonmykneesandbegged,buti
twasl
i
ke
hedidn’
tev
enknowmeashepushedmedown
andpull
edthef
ishi
ngnetcl
osed.
Iscr
eamedunt
ilmyt
hroatbur
nt
Itri
edtofightmywayoutoft
henetashe
start
edloweringmedowntheemptywel
lunt
ilI
reachedthebottom.
Theheavyl
idwasr
epl
acedandi
tbecame
dar
kness.
Hadhel
eft
?
Iwasgonnadieinher
e..OhGod!Mythroathur
t
fr
om scr
eamingsomuch, butIscr
eamedeven
moreastheropefel
ldownbesidesme.
Icl
awedthesmoothcementedwallsandtri
ed
tomakemywaybackupi nallt
hatdarkness…
andofcour
senothi
ngcameofi tbutbreaki
ng
mygelmanicur
e.
It
ri
edtot
hrowt
her
opeup,
buthol
ditont
o
what
?
Thenauseat hathitmewhenIt houghtof
myselfwasti
ngawayi nher
e..
.hunger,
st
arvati
on.
..eventuall
ymybodyr ott
ing.

Iwwasshaki
ngwi
thf
earasIknel
tont
hef
loi
r
andt
hrewup.
Ihadt
ogetoutofher
e.
TheonlywayIwasget ti
ngoutofher
ewaswit
h
out
sidehelp.ButnoonebesidesKar
tel
knewI
washere.Ididn'
tevenhavemyphone.

Astupi
d,st
upi
dpartofmewaskeepingme
sanewit
hthet
houghtthathewoul
dn’
tleav
eme
heret
odie…
Kart
elwoul
dn’tr
eal
lyhur
tme.Hewi
l
lbeback…
ri
ght?Hewi
llbeback.Ri
ght
?
*
***
***
***
LI
KE,
COMMENT,
SHARE
ATHUG’
SLOVE60

KARTEL
Ipacedinfr
ontoft
hewel
lconst
ant
lyl
ooki
ngat
mywat ch.
Anhour
.Justl
eav
eheri
nther
eforanhour
.
Ok,
maybeIwentt
oof
art
hist
ime,
butshet
ri
ed
t
okil
lme!
Iam ki
ndofj
ust
if
iedher
e!
Justanhour
.
Il
ookedatmywat
chagai
n.
I
thadonl
ybeen18f
**ki
ngmi
nut
es!
Ipacedaboutnerv
ousl
y.She’
dbesoscar
ed.
Whatifshepassesout
?
F*
*ki
t.
Ipushedt
hel
i
dopenandl
eaneddown.
KARTEL:
Luba… Luba…
Shi
t!
Shedi
dpassout
.
F**ki
ngazzhol
e,st
upi
dazzbich,
y ouknowwel
l
s
ter
rif
iesher
!Howhear
tlessareyou?
Igott
heropeladderf
rom mycarandusedthe
ropet
oti
eitroat r
eeattheends,
thendr
opped
i
tdowninsi
de,goingi
n.
Poort
hinghadt
hrownupal
lov
erher
sel
f.
Shewasst
il
linshock,
shaki
ngsobadlyand
mumbli
ng‘
Idon’
twannadie,Idon’
twannadi
e…
thewor
ms… t
hewor ms’
Ihadtoti
ehertomybackwi t
htherope,t
hen
cli
mbedbackoutandcarr
iedhert
othecar,
thendrov
ebacktoherhouseli
kecr
azy.Igot
herint
otheshowerandwashedher,
then
changedheri
ntoherpaj
amasandputheri n
bed.
Iwentt
othekit
chen,
findi
ngachamomi
l
etea.I
madeheracupandhelditforher
.
KARTEL:Comeon,Luba… comeon…j
usta
l
it
tl
esip… yougoti
t…that
’sagoodgi
rl
.
Shesippedsl
owl
yforaboutanhour
,gent
ly
comingbacktoconsci
ousness.
Whenshenoti
cedi
twasme,
sil
entt
ear
sran
downherf
ace.
LUBA:Youusedmywor
stf
earagai
nstme,
Kart
el…
KARTEL:(sof
tl
y)Iwi
shIcoul
dtakei
tback.I
'
m
f*
*kedup.
LUBA:
Whydoy
ouhat
emesomuch?
KARTEL:
Idon’
t…
LUBA:Isweart
oGod, Idi
dn’
tint
ent
ionall
yabort
yourchi
l
d.Ihavesuchabadheadache..Ihav
e
mymi gr
ainet
ablet
sinthebat
hroom cupboards.
Iwentt
ogetthem andsomewat erandhanded
i
ttoher.Shet
ookthetabl
etsandIputbackthe
gl
ass.
KARTEL:Li
eback, I
’
llgi
vey
ouamassage,
I
foundt
helavenderoil
.
Shel
aidonherst
omachandImassagedher
.
LUBA:
Thatwast
raumat
ic.Bei
ngi
nthewel
l
.
KARTEL:Somehowsor
ryf
eel
sli
keani
nsul
tto
you… Iwentt
oofar
.
LUBA:
Icannev
erf
orgi
vey
ouf
ort
hat
…
KARTEL: Ideserveasmuch.Inevermeantfor
thi
ngstogot hisfar.Iwashur
t,am hurtt
hatyou
wouldnotonl yabort,butl
i
eabouti
t,fakeal
l
thathur
t.
LUBA: Idi
dn’ tf akeany thing.Ihav enowayof
showi ngy out hatt ruth… butt hepaint hatI
kil
ledmyf irstchi ldwi llforev erl
ivewi t
hme,
evenifi twasuni ntent i
onal …i thurt,Kartel.Itis
myf aul t
,yes.I fonl yIhadn’ tgoneoutwi thDol la.
IfonlyIhadn’ tlethi mi n.Ifonl yIhadn’tt oldt hat
l
ie… somanyr egret s.Woul di thavebeenaboy
oragi rl?Iev encal culatedwhatt hebi rthday
wouldhav ebeen…andt hef actthatIfeary ou
somuchIhav et of abricatesuchel abor ate
l
ies… andt odayshowedmemyf earsar ev ali
d.
HadInotl iedaboutbei ngpr egnantt hatni ght ,
you’dhav eshotme.
KARTEL:
Icoul
dnev
eri
ntent
ional
l
yhur
tyou.
LUBA:
Youputmeinawell
!Theonet
hingy
ou
knowter
ri
fi
est
hel
i
feoutofme.
KARTEL:
Itwasj
ust18mi
nut
es.
LUBA:Yea,
welli
tfel
tli
keanet er
nit
y!Andi
t
coul
dhavebeenasplitsecondanditwoul
dst
il
l
bewrong.
KARTEL:
Andpoi
soni
ngmei
snotwr
ong?
LUBA:Whopushedmether
e,pr
aytel
l
?Ibeg
you,
Kart
el,
justgi
vememybabyandhel
pme
getmysi
ster.
KARTEL:Af
terthehecti
cdayt odayhasbeen,I
don’
tthi
nknowi sthebestti
met otal
k.Rest
,my
l
ove.AndIdeservewhateverIhavecoming.
LUBA:
I’
m donef
ight
ing.Pl
easel
eav
e.
*
***
***
***
*
LUBA
AsIlai
donthatbed,wat
chingthi
sman
pani
ckedt
odeathashehel dacupof
chamomil
etomyl i
ps,If
inal
lygotanepi
phany
.
NotonlydidIknow,butIhadaccesst
othi
s
man’sgreatestweakness.
Karteli
susedtofightsbi
ggert hananythingI
couldeverbri
ng.Tryingt
of i
ghthimi nhisown
termsisstupi
d,i
tslikefi
ghti
ngal ionwitha
toothpi
ck.Butbyhit
t i
ngtherightspot,
doy ou
knowanantcanki llanelephant?
Thi
sli
onhast
hebi
ggestweakspot
.Me.
Thi
ssi cksonofabichcanf*
*kwi
thmeallhe
wantsbecauseheknowshecancontr
oli
t.He
wil
lstopitfr
om goi
ngtoofar
.
Canhereall
ytakemebei
nghur
twher
ehecan’
t
cont
rol
it?
WhenItoldhi
mt oleav
e,hel
inger
edaround
aski
ngifIwasgonnabeok,butfi
nal
l
y
rel
uct
antl
ylef
t.
Ical
l
edmyguyagai
n.
ME:Doy ouhavesomethi
ngthati
snottoxi
c,
butcangetsomeoneil
lforashor
tper
iodof
ti
me?Like24hours?
HI
M:Whatar
eyouupt
o,Luba?
ME:
Doy
ouknowofsuchat
hingornot
?
HI
M:Di
sul
fi
ram wi
thal
cohol
coul
ddot
hat
.
ME:
Whatar
ethesy
mpt
oms.
HIM: Nausea,vomit
ing,fever,weakerpulse,
di
zziness,thr
obbingheadache, chestand
abdomi naldi
scomfort,
andf eeli
nglikeasevere
hangover-l
i
kesy mptomsamongot hers.I
tal
l
fi
zzl
esoutwi thi
n12-24hr s.
ME:
Longt
erm ef
fect
s?
HIM:None,ef
fect
sar
eimmedi
ateandcanl
ast
upto24hrs.
ME:
Iwanti
t.
HI
M:(
Laughi
ng)Ok…
*
***
***
***
*
KARTEL
Icoul
dn’
tfeel
mor
eli
keshti
fIt
ri
ed.Whatt
he
hel
l.
Ser
iousl
y.
Ihituponeoft hedeal
ersIusedtoprovi
debri
ck
toandboughtasmal l
packet,
thensatonthe
car,put
ti
ngt hepowderont hedashboar
dand
usedmycr editcar
dtocut,befor
eIinhal
eda
fatli
ne.
Bevauseri
ghtnowIcoul
dn'
tki
vewi
thmy
sel
fon
whatIdid.
WhyohwhydidIt
hinkusi
ngherwor
stf
earhad
anysenset
oit
?
Yes,Iwashurtshe’
dact
uallywantmedead, but
whatIdidtoherwasstr
aightuptor
ture…I
tor
turedt
hewomanIl ovebecauseIcan’tget
overthefactthatsheishuman.Shemadea
mistakewhenshewas19.Idi dn’tbeli
ev eall
thatbull
shtaboutitwasnotintentional.Who
thehellhasanaccidentalabor
tion?Abor tioni
n
i
tselfmeansadeci sionwasmadet ot erminat
e
thatli
fe.Maybet hethoughtofmot herhoodat
suchay oungagescar edher…butIwast oo
bli
ndedbymyhur ttothi
nkaboutt hat.
Istil
lcan’tj
ustgi
veherDani
e.Theresol
uti
oni n
herv oicewhenshetoldmeshecouldnev er
forgiveme… Iknewtherewasnohopef orus.
Whi chmeansev ent
ual
lyshewil
lmov eon.And
Ijustcan’thavemychil
drai
sedbyanotherman.
*
***
***
*
Kesegosatupi
nbedwai t
ing.Kar
tel
hadj
ustup
andjustr
anoutwi
thoutanotherwor
d.
Nowi
twas4am whenhef
inal
l
ycamehome
KESEGO:
Wher
ear
eyouf
rom?
KARTEL:
Emer
gencyatt
heof
fi
ce.
KESEGO:
Whathappened?
KARTEL:Oneofthecol
dt ransport
ati
ont
rucks
hadi
ssues.Babe,i
tsl
ate.Letssleep.
Shecouldsmellthel
avenderoi
lonhim,but
didn’
twanttocausedrama,soshejust
foll
owedhimtobed.
*
***
***
***
*
LUBA
Afewday slat
er,Idi
dmymakeuptoperf
ect
ion,
sl
ippedint
omysi lkwi
thr
obeandsatonmy
bedcall
i
ngKar t
el.
KARTEL:
What
?
ME:Cometomypl
ace,
Iwantt
osaymyf
inal
goodby
e.
KARTEL:
Wher
ear
eyougoi
ng?
ME:I
’m beat
…Ican’
tdot
hisany
mor
e.Goodby
e,
Kgat
hal
o.
Ihungupandsmi l
edtomy sel
f,t
henputey
e
dropsonmyey es,t
ookt hepil
lwit
haglassof
vodka,andhi
dthepillpacket.
Anymi
nut
esnow.
Wit
hint
wentymi
nutes,Ihear
dabangingknock
bef
oret
hedoorwaspickedandhest
ormedin
yel
l
ingmyname.
Iwasstart
ingt
ofeelt
heef
fect
softhe
medicat
ion,wi
thmymuscl
esspasmsandmy
hear
tthumpinghar
d.
Herani
ntothebedr
oom andknel
tbesi
det
he
bedwer
eIlaid.
Heputhishandonmyfor
eheadasIwas
bur
ningupandmuscl
esspasms.
KARTEL:Luba,whatdi
dy oudo!Whatdidy
ou
doyoustupi
d,stupi
dgir
l!OhmyGod…
hospi
tal
…weneedt ogot othehospi
tal
.
ME:
(sl
urr
ing)Hospi
tal
won’
tbeanyusei
fthey
don’tknowwhatpoisonIused,andIwon:
ttel
l
them.Ialr
eadyhaveanantidot
e.
KARTEL:
Wher
eisi
t…t
ell
mewher
eandIwi
l
l
geti
t…
ME: Mychi l
di smyl i
fe,Kartel.Shei swhathel d
met oget herinpr i
son.HerandFadzwa.Idon’ t
seeapoi ntofl i
vi
ngi ftheyar etakenawayf rom
me.Ify oucar eaboutmyl if
el ikey ouar e
pret
endi ngt orightnow, youwi l
lgetmecust ody
ofboth…t hispoisonwi l
lkil
l mewi thi
n12
hours… wi t
hin,notintwelvehour s.Itmaybe
earl
y.Soi fyouwantmet otaket heant idot
e
andlive… getmet hatcustodyqui ckly
.
KARTEL:Lubapl
easedon’
tdot
his… pl
ease…
pl
ease…
Hewentonhi skneesbegging.Man,IwishIhad
thestr
engtht
ot akeapict
ur eri
ghtnow
becausehi
spr i
dehasneverallowedthi
smant o
beg,evenwhenhehadnot hing.
KARTEL:Lubaplease,
justt
aket
heant
idot
e… I
wil
lgogetthecustody
…
ME:Cust
odyfi
rst
…y ouhavepower
ful
all
i
es.
Youcangeti
tdonequi
ckl
y.
Nowtear
swereact
uall
yrol
l
ingdownhi
sface
asmybodywasheati
ngupandIgotweaker
.
Howdoesi
tfeel
tobehel
pless,
mot
hef
**ker
?
KARTEL:
please…
Hest
oodupandst
art
edcal
l
ing.
KARTEL: Mr
sM?Yea… Ineedafavor… Ineed
custodyofmychi
l
dgi vent
ohermother
…no
ma’am…Iam notplay
inggames… pl
ease.
HER:
Kar
tel
?Ar
eyou… ar
eyoucr
ying?
KARTEL:
Please… pl
easeMr
sM…
HER:Beggi
ngandcry
ing?Whatki
ndofgi
rlcan
el
ici
tsuchf
oryou,
mydearboy?
KARTEL:
Please… cust
odyofDanai
Dawn
Moseki ,
tohermother
,Lubal
asheMoses.And
thatofTafadzwaMoses,tohersi
ster
,
LubalasheMoses.Herki
dnapingchar
geswil
l
needt obeexpungedt
oo.
HER:
That
’sabi
gask…
KARTEL:Iwil
lowey
ouaf
avor
.Anyf
avor
,no
quest
ions.
HER:
Ohhh,
andanev
enbi
ggergi
ve…
KARTEL:Ihav
el esst
hat12hour
s,ma’
am.The
qui
ckert
hebetter…
HER:
Lesst han12hour
s?Mydearboy
,of
fi
ces
ar
eclosed.That
’sj
usti
mpossi
ble.
KARTEL: I
fanyonecandoi mpossibl
e,i
tsy ou.
Please… Iam beggi
ng.Youcanpul l
str
ings.Ok,
I’
l
l upmygi v
e.I’
ll
beindebtedtoyouforli
fe.You
cancallonmeanyt ime,foranyj
ob.
HER:
Now,thatIl
i
ke.Ihaveaf
ewpeopl
ewho
owemeenoughtodeserv
ebei
ngwokenupat
8pm… I
’
llcal
lyoui
ntwohour
s.
Ar
ound11pm shecal ledsayi
ngthepapers
wer
eemailed,andtomorrowIjusthav
etopick
upthephysical
ones.Michaelwil
lbenot
if
ied
i
nthemorningbyal awyert
hatIhadcust
ody.
KARTEL:Ther
eyougo… wher
eist
heant
idot
e?
Takei
t,t
akein.
Ipull
edoutasmallbr
owngl
assvi
alt
hathad
onlywat
erinsi
de,
anddownedi
t.
Iwantedtol
aughasheexhal
edi
nrel
i
efandr
an
overandhuggedme.
KARTEL:
Youar
eok,
youar
eok…
ME:Tryhavet
hecust
odyrever
sed,
Kar
tel
…thi
s
t
imetherewon’
tbeanyanti
dot
e.
KARTEL:
Don’
tsayt
hat
…
ME:Taki
ngmyki
dsawayi
sjustl
i
keki
l
li
ngme,
soy
eah.
*
***
***
***
*
Twoday sl aterIpi
ckedFadzwaupand
watchedMi chaelf
oamingandthrowi
ngthe
biggesttantrum… butIwasgivencust
ody,
what
thehellwashegonnado?
ThenKar
tel
camet
odr
opof
fDani
ewi
thher
bags…
KARTEL:
Iwi
l
lpi
ckheruponFr
iday
.
ME:Wouldn’tkeepy ourchil
dawayf
rom y
ou,
dar
li
ng.Unl
ikeot herpeople.
KARTEL: Luba… anyway,Igott
ago.Idon’thav
e
thehearttowatchthescreamingthat
’sabout
tofoll
ow,oryourdisappoi
ntmentwheny ou
real
izeyouarewayi noveryourhead.
Hegotinhi
scaranddr
oveoff,andcueDani
e
screami
ngherl
ungsof
fforhermommyand
daddy.
*
***
***
***
*
LI
KE,
COMMENT,
SHAR
ATHUG’
SLOVE61
KARTEL
Keaegowasst il
lsulki
ngaboutDaniegoingto
st
aywi thLuba.Shehadcr i
edal
lnightabouti
t,
gi
v enthesil
enttr
eatment,nowwehad
progressestoscreamingatme.
KESEGO:Ij
ustdon’
tseehowyout
houghtt
hat
wasagoodidea!Gi
vingmybabyt
othat
unst
abl
epsycho.
KARTEL:
Shei
shermot
her
.
KESEGO:Shegavebir
thtoher.Ther
eisa
di
ffer
ence.Youneedtogetherback,y
ouknow
howshegetswhenIam notaround.
KARTEL:
Lubagotcust
ody
…Ican’
ttakeher
.
KESEGO:It
houghty
ousai
dshewoul
dn’
tget
cust
ody.
KARTEL:
Idon’tknowhowshegotit
,ok,
butshe
di
d.Andther
eisnothi
ngIcandoabouti
t!We
j
usthav
etohopef
ort
hebest
.
KESEGO: Idon’
twanttohopef ort hebest
.
Daniewil
l betr
aumati
zed!Iam goi ngther
eand
youaretakingme.Nxla..Ngwany anayokant
e
keengokar eotat
enat hatayaana.
*
***
***
***
*
LUBA
Iwokeupt henextdayandcheckedont hegirl
s.
Danaihadcr i
edher sel
ftosleep,butFadzwa
j
uststayedquiet l
y…shewasav eryshy,scared
chi
ld.Shedidn’ttouchanything,
ormov eunt i
l
shewast oldto..WhenIbat hedherlastnightI
not
icedal otofscar sonherbackandt hi
ghs.
I
thadtakenever
ythi
ngi
nmenott
obr
eakdown
i
nfrontofher
.
Shewasawakeandjustl
aidonthebedey ei
ng
theMoanast
uff
edtoyonthechaircur
iously
.
ME:
It’
syour
sify
ouwanti
t.Takei
t.
Shelookedatmesuspi ci
ousl
yandmov
ed
towardsitcaut
iousl
y.
Shepickeditup,huggedit,
andwentbackt o
thebedholdingit
.Whennoonescol dedher
…
noonet ookitawayfrom herorbeather…she
l
ookedal mostshocked.
Iheldbacktear
sthatthr
eatenedt
ospil
l
.No
fouryearol
dshouldhavethismuchf
ear.
Shelookedatmewi
thashysmi
l
edandIsmi
l
ed
back.
ME:Ever
ythi
nginhereisy
ours,babygi
rl
.You
cant
akeitwheneveryouwant,
ok?
Shenoddedshy
ly…
Thensurpri
sedmewhenshel
ookedupwi
tht
he
ti
niestbi
tofbr
aver
y.
FADZWA:
Youar
eani
cel
ady
…notl
i
kemama…
Mamawasr ef
err
ingt
oMoses’
hohemar
ri
ed
af
terheki
l
ledmymot her
.
ME:
Thatwomanisnoty ourmot
her
,dear
.Your
mot
herwasanangel
,that’
swhyshehadtogo
t
oGod.
Iam at
hei
st,
butt
hewhol
eGodst
uffi
swhat
sheknows.
FADZWA: Mamausedt osaymymot
heri
sdead
becauseIam soannoy
ing.
Not
etosel
f.Gomaket
hatbi
chsuf
fer
.
ME: Sheisly
ing.Ourmamahadtogot oheaven
becausethat’
swhereangel
sstay.Andshewas
anangel.Icouldbeyourmamaifyouwant…
Shesmi
l
edbr
ight
ly.
FADZWA: Yesplease,
thanky
ouv
erymuch.
Soo,Idon’
thavetogoback?
ME:
Noti
fyoudon’
twantt
o.
FADZWA:
Idon’t
.Iwanttost
ayher
ewi
thy
ou,
youar
eni
ce.CanIcal
lyoumama?
ME:
I’
dlov
ethatv
erymuch.Doy
ouwantt
o
makepancakeswi
thme?
Danaistart
edscreami
nginherr
oom andIwent
ther
e,Tafadzwacomingaft
erme.Shest
oodat
thedoorcuriousl
y.
ME:Youcancomei
nFadzwa.Thi
sisDani
e,she
i
syoursi
ster
DANI
E:Iwanthome!Iwantmama!
ME:
Youar
ehome,
baby
,Iam y
ourmommy
.
DANI
E:(
Yel
l
ing)Iwantmama!
TherewasaknockatthemaindoorandIwent
toopen.KesegoandKar
telst
oodther
e,wi
th
herl
ookingli
keshehadbeencry
ing.
ME:
Thef
**kdoy
ouwant
KESEGO:
Language!Mxi
m.
Danaicamerunni
ngthr
oughandthr
ewhersel
f
atKesego,
whopickedherupandki
ssedher.
KESEGO:
Ther
eismama’
sbi
ggi
rl
!Ther
eismy
bi
ggi
rl
!
DANI
E:Iwanthome!IwantKy
yii
!
KESEGO:Kyyi
ihadt
ogot oschool
,youwil
lsee
herwhenshecomesback!Daddybrought
breakf
ast
,whydon’
tyoutakeyourfr
iendand
gowi t
hdaddyt
othekit
chenandeat?
DANIE:
Okmama.(ToTaf
adzwa)Come,l
etsgo
eat
!Thi
sismymamaandmydaddy .Mama
say
swehavetoeat
.
Kar
tel
wal
kedof
ftot
heki
tchenwi
tht
heki
ds.
KESEGO:
Icamet
omakeadeal
…
ME:
Not
hanky
ou…
KESEGO: Youjustcameoutofpr i
sonandy ou
areadjust
ingtobeingoutsi
de.Youjustwent
thr
oughamessypubl icbr
eak-
upandl ostyour
fat
her.Youareallaloneandyouknownot hing
ofbeingamot her.Youhavenoonet oteach
you.Thesekidsareinthei
rfor
mat i
veyears,
howy ouparentcanhav ealastingeffect.So,
hereismydeal .Letthem bothstaywi thusand
youcancomeseet hem any t
ime, andhav e
them onweekendst o.Letthem getusedt oyou
i
namor estableenvir
onment ,
andoncet heyare
ready,y
oucant akethem.Youal r
eadyhav e
custody,soit
snotlikerekaganakabone.
ME:
Nicespeechandal
l
,butno.
KESEGO:
Youar
ebei
ngsel
fi
sh,
Luba.
ME:andy
ouar et
respassi
ng,seei
nghowy
ou
ar
enotwelcomehere.Getout.
KESEGO:
Luba,
I…
ME:Out!Yout
oo, Kar
tel
.Getout
.Anddon’
t
comebackhere,howisshegonnaadj
ustwhen
y’
al
lkeepcominghere.
*
***
***
***
**
Seshawokeupinthehouseandf
oundAr
no
makingbr
eakf
ast.
Theyhadbeenhereforaweeknow,hi
sf at
her
hadneededhelpwit
hthefenceatt
heranch,
thenabunchofotherthi
ngs,andnowthey
weresti
l
lhere
SESHA:Ar
no,
whenar
ewegonnadot
he
annul
ment
?
ARNO: Thereisnorushwewi l
ldoitbef or
ewe
l
eavef oeBotswana.Seatandtrythi
sf resh
baconmydadj ustmade!ThenIwannat ake
yousomewher e… ahotspring.Art
ifi
cialhot
spri
ng.Ithoughtwecouldaddonet ot heresor
t.
Noot herspahasahotspr i
ng.Trythi
s.
Hefedhert
hebacon,thenpul
ledthechai
rfor
hert
oseatdown,ser
vingherbreakf
ast
.
*
***
***
**
Neel
ost
oodint
hemiddl
eoft
heki
tchenl
ooki
ng
att
heempt
ycupboar
ds.
Ruewasplay
ingwi
ththei
rsoni
ntheli
vi
ng
room,
theboycompl
aini
ngofhunger
Ruewal
kedwentt
otheki
tchen.
RUE:Babybogol
oharechekemmaMoni
ca?
Maybeshehassomet
hingtoeat
.
NEELO:
Youwantmet ogobegf
orf
oodf
rom
myunempl
oyed,
elder
lymom?
RUE:Jaanongr
etaadi
raj
angnemma?Wear
e
st
arv
ing.
NEELO: KegorehowdoyoufeelReuben,y
ou
fr
iendsyoustart
edwit
hareri
chmenwi thalot
ofassets,
wenay ouar
ebrokebecauseyouran
afterwomen.
RUE:I
’m nott
hef
ir
stper
sontofai
li
nbusi
ness.
I
tsnotsoeasywenawar ewomen.
NEELO: Youspentreckl
essl
yonwomenand
nevershowedupf orwork!Rene,
putony
our
shoes,l
etsgo.
RUE:
Wher
ear
eyougoi
ng?
NEELO:
Mxi
m…
*
***
***
***
**
Daniethrew anothertant
rum forabi
taft
er
theyl
eft.Fadzwagav eherahugandsharedher
Moanast uf
fedtoy,andsoontheywere
giggl
ingandmaki ngcookieswi
thmeinthe
kit
chen.
Iam notnaïv
eenought oexpectasmoot h
sai
li
ngwi t
hthekids,butnomat t
erifIt
akeher
noworaf t
erthr
eey earsofknowingme,
tr
ansit
ioni
nghertolivewithmeisgonnabea
str
uggleforabi
t.Betternowwhenshei s
youngerandadaptablethanwhensheisol der
.
Neel
oar
ri
vedwit
hhersonwhoj
oinedt
hegi
rl
s
pl
ayi
ngi
nthei
rpl
ayr
oom.
NEELO:
How ar
etheyset
tl
ing?
ME:Fadzwamucheasi erbecauseIthi
nkshei s
happi
ertogetoutofther
e.Danieissti
l
l ater
ror,
buthavi
ngachildheragearoundishelpingso
much,shefol
lowsFadzwaar oundandwant sto
dowhatFadzwai sdoing.ButIam taking
Fadzwatoachildther
apistbecauseIsuspect
atthever
yleastphysi
calandemot i
onal abuse…
Iam notr
uli
ngoutsexual,butIhaven’tseen
si
gnsofitsofar…
Asi
ngl
etearr
oll
eddownmycheekasIspoke.
NEELO:
OhmyGod,
Luba…
Iwi
pedt
het
earawayandsmi
l
ed.
ME:I’
m ok.What
ev erthecase,
sheisastrong
gi
rl
.Shewill
surv
ive,I’
l
l makesureofi
t.Babe,
ar
eyouok?
Shebrokedowncr
yingandIhuggedherunt
il
shecalmeddown.
ME:
Rue?
Shej
ustnoddedandsatt
her
ebi
ti
nghernai
l
s.
ME:
Ify
ouwannat
alk,
I’
dlov
etol
i
sten.
Shewassil
entf
orsomet
imebef
oreshespoke,
sobbi
ng.
NEELO: Yestar
dayItri
edt obuygrocer
ies..The
carddecli
ne.Icheckedoursav i
ngsandi t
s
empty…Monk’ sgirl
fri
endtoldmeRuesol d
Monkhi sshares…buthedoesnothav eev ena
si
ngletheber i
ghtnow…Luba, Ihadnothingt o
giv
emychi l
dforbreakfast(
sobbing)
ME:OhmyGod,babe… whydi
dn’
tyousayso?
Gi
vemeasecond.
Iwenttothekitchenandfi
xedasandwich,
frui
tsandorangejuicef
orRene,
andthensome
forNeelot
oo.
Theyat
equickl
yandRenewentbackt
opl
ayi
ng
wit
htheot
hers.
NEELO:(sobbi
ng)whatam Igonnado,
Luba?I
am pr
egnant… Ij
ustf
oundoutRuesoldthe
houseandwehav eti
l
lmonthend…
ME:Babe,yourj
obatt
hebaker
yissti
l
lavail
abl
e.
I
thasn’tgr
ownmuchbecauseSeshawas
f
ocusingonthesal
on,
buti
tssti
ll
prof
it
ableand
Iwast hi
nki
ngofartisanalbreadandcooki es,
cakepops,cheese,charcuteri
eboards, and
cakedécor.Youaregoodatcakemaki ng,I
couldpit
chintoint
roduceal lthat…andIhav e
thathouseinAreaAt hatKartelhadboughtme
whenImov edoutoft hehive.Ibeenr enti
ngitto
somedudeodi ngalo,soIam t hrowinghim out.
Youcanusei tr
entfree.
NEELO:
(cr
ying)Doy
our
eal
l
ymeant
hat
?
LUBA: Ofcourse,whatar
ef r
iendsfor?I’
llget
saataneebar engKgathalotosendoneofhi s
mov i
ngtrucksbat egogohudusat omor r
ow.
Justgetawayf rom t
hatman, heishurt
ingy ou
ebil
eobopame… y ouhavegiventoomuchof
yoursel
ftohim.Timet ofocusony our
self.Pega
div
orceandr estar
tyourl
ife.
Idi
dn’tmisshowqui etshegotwhenItal
ked
aboutdi
vorce,butwhatever
.Maybeshejust
enj
oyssuffer
ing.Herli
fe.
*
***
***
***
I
ntheeveni
ngItookNeelogr
oceryshoppi
ng.I
l
oanedherP15000andthenwenttodropthem
home.
Thegirl
shadtir
edthemsel
vesoutplayingand
runni
ngaroundSparasweshopped, sowhen
wegothomeIj ustbat
hedthem andMs
Drama’sbedti
metantr
umswer eminimal.
Fadzwaasexpectedwasaperfectangel,and
theywereasl
eepby7:30pm.
Around8:
30pm therewasaknockatthedoor
andIwenttoopenf orKar
tel
whostoodther
ein
atuxedo,
withEsther.
ME:
Ok,
whatnow?
KGATHALO:Wearegonnast
eal
something.
Document
s.Atapar
tyi
nsomeverydangerous
peopl
e’
shouse.
ME:Andnnaket
senamokaeonwher
eyout
wo
ar
egoing?
KGATHALO:Oh,
Estheri
sher
etowat
cht
he
ki
ds.Youar
ecomingwit
hme.
ME:
Yea,
not
hanks.
KGATHALO:
Est
hergeti
nandgetcomf
ydar
li
ng.
Est
herl
ookedatmeandIshr
ugged,
soshe
wenti
t.
ME:
Iam notgoi
ngany
wher
ewi
thy
ou
KGATHALO: No, darl
ing.
.Youdef i
nit
elyare.I
am int hisposi t
ionIam becausey ouarean
azzhol ewhol ef
tmenochoi cebutt obar t
ermy
freedom.Nowmynewmast erscamecal l
ing
andy ouar egonnahel pme.Putonaf ancy
dress, dollup… somet hi
ngdemur ebutsexy …
theol dpervwear egonnar obl ikesthem soft
andi nnocent .Youar egonnaf l
irtandt alkyour
wayt ot hepasswor dofhissaf e.Butdon’ t
wor r
y ,notonlycany outalky ourwayt hrough
any t
hing, t
heol dper vhasloosel ipswhenhe
hashadabeerort wo,andisi nt hecompanyof
apr
ett
yandchar
mingwoman.
ME:Ist
ill
don’tseet
hepar
twher
eanyoft
hisi
s
mybusiness.
ME:Sincewearebart
eri
ngwithourl
i
vesl
ike
youdid,i
fIdon’
tgett
hesedocument
s,meh
casescenari
o,MrsM ki
l
lsme…
ME:Sti
ll
notmypr
obl
em.Imaypr
obabl
yhi
gh
f
iveherfori
t.
KARTEL:
Wor stcasescenat
io,
shegoesaf
ter
Dani
etoteachmeal esson.
ME:
Youar
ebl
uff
ing.
ME:Am I
?Wannat akethatchance?Thoughso.
Getpr
ett
y,sweet
heart
.
IgroanedasIwentt othebedroom andhe
foll
owedmet here,
goingthroughmycl osetand
picki
ngupadr essforme.
*
***
***
**
LI
KE,
COMMENT,
SHARE
ATHUG’
SLOVE62

Kart
el pi
ckedsomeboringdinnerdr
essthat
wasv erydemureandconservati
ve,
buthugged
mejustr i
ghtandact
ual
lylookedsexyi
nav ery
subt
lyway .
Iputi
tonandgotmyhairandmakeupdone,
andKart
elsatont
hebedlooki
ngatme.
Heli
ckedhi
sli
pswi
thasmi
l
e,andIr
oll
edmy
ey
es.
ME:
What
?
KARTEL:
Youar
ehotasf
**k
ME: Andyouarethedummyt hatl
ostal
lthi
s.
Youareactuall
ystupi
d,youknowthat
?Let’
sget
thi
sov erwi
th.Whatisthegameplan?
KARTEL:Thehousei
stwostorey
s.Ineedyou
tosomehowgethimtotakeyouupst
airst
ohis
bedroom.Ther
ewill
beaguardmakingsure
theguestsst ayint hegroundf l
oor,sotheonly
wayupi swi thhim.Onceupst air
s,Ineedy outo
gethimt oopenhi ssafeandy ouhav etosee
hispasswor d.Thendi stracthi
m asIsendi na
drone,youopent hesafeandt aket hose
document sandputt hem onaf il
eI’ll
attachto
thedrone,thennot ifymeandI ’
l
lsendt hedrone
back.Absolut el
ynov i
olenceorwewi l
lget
caught.
ME:
Howam Isupposedt
odoal
lthat
,Kar
tel
.
KARTEL:Youarethequeenofspuroft he
momentplansandquickthi
nking.
..Ineed
weekstoexecut
eaplanright
.Yout hi
nkwecan
dothi
s?
Hmmm,
letmesee.
ME:Wearegonnaneedtoarr
iveseparat
ely
.
Andt
hissi
ll
ydressi
snotgonnawor k.
KARTEL:
Hel
i
kes…
ME:
Ever
ymanl
i
kesabadgi
rl
.Notbadi
nthese
sl
ayqueensense.Butawomanwhol i
ves
out
sidesoci
etalboundar
ies.Fr
ee,
notcar
ing
whatanyonethi
nks.
Ipickedoutthatgr
eensequi neddressIhad
wor nthef
ir
stdayIcameoutofpr i
son.The
sexylongonewi t
hat hi
ghhighsl it
.TheoneI
hadboughttowearf orhim afterhedidn’
teven
showupt opickmef rom pr
ison.
Theazzhol
e.
Iputont
hedr
essandt
henmyr
edsol
eheel
son.
KARTEL:
wel
ldamn…
ME: Shutup.So,l
ikeIwassay
ing.Wearr
ive
separatel
y,wi
llt
herebeanyprobl
em wi
th
gett
ingin?
KARTEL:
No.Noguestl
i
st.
ME:Good.Iam gonnagoi nandfli
rtwi
thhi
m.
Comeinabitafterandmakeapl ayformein
fr
ontofhi
m.DoIhav el
axati
ves,
letmecheck?I
boughtabunchoft
hingsforthef
ir
staidki
t…
l
etmegocheck… ahhh,inst
antonestoo.
Perf
ect.
KARTEL:
(laughi
ng)Laxat
ives?Iknowt
hat
pr
ett
yheadisupt osomething.
*
***
***
***
Wear ri
vedatthehouseandtherewer epeople
dressedinal
lsort
soffancyeveningatti
re.Alot
ofwhitesandIndi
ans.I
twassobor i
ngandhad
noAf r
icanvi
beatall
.Buttheni
tbelongedt o
somewhi temanwhom wewer esteali
ng
document sf
rom.
Isawhi m act
ingal
l‘
comehi t
her,noIam al
oof
’,
withal
l t
hewomeni ntheparty,
manyf l
ocki
ng
tohim andhekeptdismissi
ngthem totur
nand
tal
ktomen.
Iwal
kedov
erandsmi
l
edathi
m
ME: Ihav
eseenyousomewher
e…y ouev
er
spentanyti
meinBul
awayo?No,noHarr
yhad
anedget
ohi
m,ofcour
sey
ouar
enothi
m.
Iwal
kedof
fandtal
kedtosomeotherguyand
i
gnor
edthehostf
orabett
erpar
tofthehour.
MaybeIov
eresti
matedthi
spl
anandhewon’
t
f
all
fori
t…may beIshoul
d…
If
eltsomeonehol
dmyhandf
rom t
heback.
HI
M:So,
yout
hinkIam notedgy
,huh?
So,Iwasn’twrongafterall.Abratnotusedt o
bei
ngi gnor
ed.Sil
lymenl i
kehi m whogr ewup
wit
hev eryt
hingarealwaysy earningfort hat
whichtheycan’thave.Evenifit’
sagi rlnot
i
mpr essedbytheirmoneyorper ceiv
edst at
us.
Youbecomeaconquestt heyjusthav etoat t
ain.
Andhewaspl
ayi
ngr
ighti
ntomypl
an.
ME:
Huh?
HI
M:Yousai
dIcan’
tbey
ourHar
rybecausehe
i
sedgy
.
ME:
Oh.Di
dyouf
eel
insul
tedbyt
hat
?Sor
ry.
Isaiddismi
ssi
vel
yandt
urnedt
otal
ktosome
otherguy.
HIM:Areyouoneofmyempl
oyees?Ihav
e
neverseeny
oubefor
e.
ME: Nope.Butwedidsomeworkfory
ouand
yourpeoplei
nvi
tedourcompany
.Congrat
son
t
heuhm…t hi
s…
Icoul
dn’
tevenr
ememberwhathewas
cel
ebrat
ing.
ME:Ohhh,l
ookey,myexjustwal
kedin.Tal
k
aboutamandingo.Thatmancanhammeragir
l
l
ikeacar
penterwithonanail
.
HI
M:Doy
oual
way
stal
kthi
sway
?
HI
M:Doesi
tof
fendy
oursensi
ti
veear
s?
HI
M:Myear
sar
enotf
**ki
ngsensi
ti
ve.
ME: Car
efultheredarl
ing.Theni
ghtissti
ll
too
youngforyout obreakyoudail
ycussingquot
a.
Nicechatt
ing,butifIam gonnagetnail
ed
toni
ght
,Igott
agomakesmal l
talkwit
hmyex
andwhatnot.Per
sonal
l
y,Iwouldpref
ert
ojust
takehi
mt ohi
scarandri
dehiml i
keamustang.
HI
M: Him?That
’syourex?Apawnwi t
hal i
tt
le
t
uckshoporwhateveri
tishedoes?Imethima
f
ewt i
mesatMrsMokgadi ’
sevent
s.Theguyis
anobody.Now,
ifyouwannatalkaboutpower…
ME: Idon’
t.Ihav
eenoughofmyownmoneyt
o
neverwantamanf ort
hat.Il
i
keamanwi
tha
senseofdangerandabigd**k…
Iwi
nkedatKar
tel
andhewal
kedov
er.
KARTEL:Baby
!Fancyr
unni
ngi
ntoy
ouher
e…
Evan,
sheiswit
hyou?
HI
M:Shei
s.
KARTEL: Howdi dyoumanaget ogetthi
sone?
Sheisonef eist
ything.Ispentyear
stryi
ngto
tameher ,andsti
ll
shedr oppedmel i
keahot
potato.Youlookamazi ngdarl
ing…Evan,you
don’tter
ri
blymindifIstealherawayfora
moment
,doy
ou?
HIM:Asamatteroffact
,Idomi
nd…shei
smy
guestandweweretalki
ng.
KARTEL:Comenow, even…j
ustami nut
e,
besi
des,t
hisgi
rlai
ntonman’sgi
rl
,toowild…
babydol
l
,aword?
HI
M:Isai
dno!Shei
sst
il
ltal
ki
ngt
ome.
Ial
mostl
aughedbecauseheact
ual
l
ypout
ed.
ME: Ohhh,t
wobul l
s,fi
ghti
ngf
orli
tt
leol
eme?
Howdel i
ghtf
ul.Letmemakey ouawager
boys…whoev erimpressesmethemostbyend
ofnight
,getstof**kme.
Ismil
edandwalkedof
fleav
ingt
hem t
othei
r
l
itt
lest
andof
f.
Aboutthi
rt
ymi nut
esl
ater
.Ifel
tahandonmy
waistandItur
nedtoseeEvan.
ME:
Oh…Ev
an,
wasi
t?
HI
M:Yes…shal
lIgi
vey
ouat
ouroft
hehouse?
ME: Nah.
.,
lookslikeeveryot
herr
ichperson’
s
house.Uni
mpr essed.Ili
keedgymen,Evan.
Yourcompetit
ionalreadyhasapointf
orward
becausehehasagun…
HI
M:Ihav
ethr
ee…
ME:
Right
…mhh.
HI
M:(
chuckl
i
ng)Youdon’
tbel
i
eveme?
ME:
Nope…
HI
M:Youf
asci
nat
eme,
Ms?
ME:
Luba…
HI
M:Et
hni
c…whatdoesi
tmean?
ME: ThatIam notanotheroneoft
he‘ et
hnic’
gir
lstosati
sfyyourjunglef
ever
.Ionlytal
kedt o
youbecausey ouremindmeofsomeone…but
thesimil
ari
tywithhim endsatl
ooks.Now, Evan,
l
etmedr inkyourfreechampagneinpeace.
HIM:Uhm…howaboutIshowy
oumyguns…
yousai
dyoul
ikeguns.
ME:Evan,i
fyouhavethr
eeguns,
Iwi
l
lf*
*ky
ou
r
ightt
hereandthen.
HI
M:(
chuckl
i
ng)I
nthatcase,
shal
lwe?
ME:
Wher
eto?
HIM:Mygunshappentobeinmysaf eupst
air
s,
i
nmybedr oom.Conv
enient,
basedonthe
stat
ementyouj
ustmade,huh?Seetheguns,
theymakegoodonyourpromise?
ME:
Tal
kischeap,
Evan.
Hetookmyhandandki
ssedit
,maki
ngsur
e
Kar
telsaw,
thenl
edmeupstai
rs.
Igr
abbedtwochampagnegl
assesf
rom a
wai
tressont
heway.
Weenteredt
hemassiv
ebedr
oom andhewent
ov
ertothesafet
hatwasi
nacloset
.
ItookIstoodatasmall
dist
ance,butinvi
ew,
pret
endi
ngt obeonmyphone,butallIdi
dwas
usethecameratozoom t
ohishandsand
wat
chedashepunchedthecodeandopened
t
hesafe,
pul
li
ngoutthr
eeguns.
Iquickl
ythr
ewalaxati
veofhi
sdrink.It
ooka
sipfrom mi
nesoithadali
pst
ickstaint
o
recogni
seitwi
th.
Ipr
etendgaspedatt
hesi
ght
,act
ingal
l
del
i
ghtedbytheguns.
ME: Hmmm, soyoudohavesomeedgeaf
terall
,
Evan… l
etmetouchthem…andunzi
pmydr ess,
wouldyou?
Icaressedhi
m gunswi t
hasmi l
ethenhanded
them backanddroppedmydr essofmy
shouldertot
hef l
oor,
steppingoutofit
,and
standingi
nfrontofhiminjustheelsandmy
l
ingeri
e.
Hel
ookedatme,
li
cki
nghi
sli
ps.
ME: Ibett
ercrankthewindowsopenbecause
i
t’sabouttobest eamyinhere.I
’
m gonnablow
yourshts,Evan.Here,
cheerstothebestni
ght
ofy
ourl
i
fe.
Hetookt
hegl
assandgul
pedqui
ckl
y,eagert
o
geti
nmypant
ies.
Weputthegl
assesasi
deandhecameov
erand
ki
ssedme.
ME:
Uh-
uh,
Evan.Thi
sismyshow.Dr
oppant
s.
Heobey edandIwentonmykneesi nfrontof
him,prayi
ngthel
axat
ivekicksi nquick.Wasn’t
thi
sshtsupposedtobequi ck?Ohwel l
.I
reachedmyhandandst ar
tedj erki
nghi m of
f,
mov i
ngupanddown…
Halfwaythrough,Icoul
dnoticehisfacestart
ing
togetred,clenchi
nghisbut
tandgener all
y
uncomf or
table.Aminutel
aterher anofft
ot he
toi
letandIdoubtheev enmadei ttothetoil
et
seat.
It
ext
edKar
tel
‘Now’
ME:
Youoki
nther
e,Ev
an?
HIM:
I…uhh…Ithi
nkthatl
obst
erIat
ewasbad…
uhm…I’
m sosorr
y…
Thedr onesl i
dinthrought hewindowandI
tal
kedt oEv antocov eri
tssi l
enthum.It i
ptoed
tothecl osetandenteredt hecodeintothesaf e,
hummi ngasongt ocov eritscli
ckasitopened.
Iquicklyretr
ievedtheenv elopewrit
tenA.
Mokgadi ,putitonthedr onepocket,thentexted
Kartel
.‘Done’ ThedronebuzzedoutandIf inall
y
exhaled.
ME: Evan.Thi
sisi
nsul
ti
ng.Igi
veyouhead,
and
yourresponseist
ogosht?I’
mleavi
ng.
HI
M:I
’
mreal
l
ysor
ry…Ij
ust
…
What
everhesai
dwascov
eredbyawhol
elotof
l
oudfar
ts…
ME:
Ican’
tbel
i
evet
his!By
eEv
an.
Iwal
kedoutanddownst
air
swi
thmyhands
empt
yandtheguardsawme.
ME: Cany oubelieveIgav
ehi
m headandher
an
tothet oi
lettosht?Andit
ssmel
lytoo!
Disrespectful
!
Theguar
dchuckl
edasIwal
keddownt
hest
air
s.
Kar
telsl
ippedbackint
othepar
tyandwehung
ar
oundforabitthenImadesuret
heguar
dsaw
meleavewithhi
m.
Wegoti
nthecarandKar
tel
drov
eof
f.
KARTEL: Sht
, wepull
edoff.Weactual
lypull
edi
t
off
.Forami nut et
hereIwasgetti
ngreadyto
shootsomet hingandpunchfacestogetyou
outofthere
ME:(l
aughing)Noteveryt
hinghast
obevi
olent
,
Neander
thal.Sht
,thatwassuchanadr
enal
ine
r
ush!
KARTEL:Tel
lmeaboutit
!Iam l
it
eral
l
ybuzzed
ri
ghtnow.Andadr
enal
inealway
sgoesstr
aight
tomylit
tl
eguy.
Hesai
d,l
ooki
ngdownatt
hebul
geonhi
spant
s.
ME:
Ther
eisnot
hingl
i
ttl
eaboutt
hatguy
…
KARTEL:(l
aughing)Onthatwager…yousai
d
whoeveri
mpressesy outhemostgetstonai
l
youtoni
ght…consideri
ngmycompet i
ti
onisup
i
nhisbedroom shit
ti
ngupast or
m, I
’
dsayIwon.
ME:
Youwi
sh…
KARTEL:Ido…besi
des,Ihav
eafeeli
ngthi
s
dresswasboughtt
oenduponaf l
oor
somewhere,wi
thusall
hotandbother
ed…
Hesaidashedroveof
ftheroad,i
ntothesi
de
andpastsomebushesint
oaf or
est.He
stoppedt
hereandl
ookedatmewi thasmil
e.
KARTEL:
So…shatwedot
hef
**ki
ng?
LUBA:
I’dbecomeanunandgi
veupsexbef
ore
If*
*kyou.
KARTEL:(
laughing)Youknowal
lyougot
tasay
i
sno,babydoll
.I’
m wait
ing?Hmm?
Hesaidhol
dingmygazewhil
esimul
taneousl
y
l
ooki
ngatmyl i
psandmycleavagel
i
keIwas
t
helastpi
eceofst
eak,andt
hismanlovessteak.
KARTEL:
All
yougot
tasayi
sno.
Heleanedinandtuckedmyweavebehi
ndmy
ear
,whisperi
ng‘
SayNo, Luba’
Hesai
dandni
bbl
edmyearl
obe.
Mybl oodrushedt hroughmyent irebodyasI
fel
thiswarm br eathonmyneck.Bef oreIcoul d
comebackt omysenses, Ifel
thishand
wrappingaroundmyneck.Het urnedmyhead
towardshim andki ssedcr ushedhi sl
ipsi nt
o
minewi t
haf everishpassi on,hotandf erocious,
thekissknockingt hebreat houtofbot hofus.
Mybodyt urnedi t
selftof acehim andki ssed
him backashepushedt hecarseatbackand
recl
inedit
,thenknel tbetweenmyl egs, pushing
myt hongtot heside…
{
EXPLI
CIT}
*
***
***
***
***
***
***
***
*
Webot hlaidbackont heseatssti
ll
panting,hi
s
pecsast i
ckymess.Her eachedt
ot hebackand
tooksomebabywi pes,kneeli
ngdownt oclean
betweenmyl egs,thenfixedmythongand
cleanedhimselfanddrov eoff
,st
oppinginfront
ofmyhouse.
ME: Thi
smeansnothing,
Kar
tel
.Idon’
twantyou
back,Iwon’
ttakey
ouback.Youareahear
tl
ess
d**k.Pl
usyouandI,wearet
oxi
ctoeachother.
KARTEL:Iagr
ee.Bytheway,headsup.Iam
proposi
ngtoKesegotomor
row, Igott
hepl
ace
bookedandall
.
ME:
Itmustsucksomucht
obey
ou.
KARTEL:I’
m marry
ingawomanIl ove,
whois
sweet,
lovi
ngandrespectful
,andIgettof*
*k
myhotashel l
exthatI’
mi nl
ovewi t
h?I’
dsay
thi
ngsarepret
typeachy,act
uall
y.
ME:
Imeant
hei
mpost
ersy
ndr
omey
oumust
have.Pretendi
ngy
ouarethisstr
aightl
ace
corpor
ateguywhoenjoysthiswhitepi
cket
fencesht.I
KARTEL:Whatgotyousoupset,
thatIam
get
ti
ngmarri
ed?Besides,
nobodyhasawhit
e
pi
cketf
enceinBotswana.
ME:Whatever,scr
eenwall
t hen…pr
etendi
ng
youar
ethisfakegrass,
screenwall
familyman.
KARTEL:
Whosai
dIam pr
etendi
ng?
ME:Aslongasy
ouar
ely
ingt
oher
,youar
e
pr
etendi
ng.
KARTEL:
Whatam Il
yi
ngabout
?
ME:Doessheknowyouar eadr
ugl
ordanda
hi
tman?Doessheknowy ouhav
ekil
l
edmore
peopl
ethanshehasf
**ked?
KARTEL:
That'
smypastandi
thasnot
hingt
o
dowit
hher.
ME:
See?Ly
ing!Youar
esi
l
lyi
fyout
hinkIwi
l
l
ev
erbeupsetaboutyourstupi
d,l
oveless,
pr
etendmarri
age.Iact
uall
ypityyou.Youli
vet
o
pl
easeyourbi
chofamot her…
KARTEL:
Wat
chi
t.Don’
tcal
lmymot
hert
hat
.
ME: Sheisabi ch.There,
Isai
ditagain.What
areyougonnado, thr
owmei ntoawel lagai
n?
Youar eabullyandy ourmotherisabichanda
fakeChri
stian.Ishouldhavesoldyouout ,
you
sonofabi ch.
KARTEL:Iam war
ningy
ou,
don’
ttal
kaboutmy
motherl
i
kethat.
ME:Orwhat
?Orwhat,
youcowar
d.Youare
gonnahi
tme?F*
*ki
ngdoit
!Doit
,mother
f**
ker
,
doit
!
IsaidasIpunchedhimrepeat
edl
yall
overhi
s
body,andhejustputuphi
shandstoshi
eldhi
s
face.
ME:Doit
!Imightj
usttel
lKesegoabouttoni
ght
,
butt
hedesper
atebichwil
lsti
l
lstaybecauseal
l
shecar esaboutisyourmonst erd**kandbei ng
Mr sMoseki ,
so,whyev enbother.Boysreall
ydo
picktheirmother
,don’tthey
?Yourt wof aced,
connivingazzhol
egirl
fri
endist heexactrepl
ica
ofy ourbichmother
.
KARTEL:
F**
kyou,
getoutofmycar
.
ME: F*
*ky ouri
ghtback.Thisist
helastti
meI
doyouanysol i
d,youpieceofsht.Ipr
efer
KesegopickingupDede, soIdon’
tgettosee
yourugly
,stupidf
ace.
Igotoutandbangedthedoorl
oudl
y,wal
ki
ng
backtomyhousewi t
hhottear
srunni
ngdown
mycheeks.
Stupid,stupid,
stupidLulabashe.F**
kingst
upid
bich,whatt hehellwasIt hi
nking?WasIeven
thinki
ng, orwasIjustdazzledbyhismandingo
toal l
owmy sel
ftobef *
*kedi nacarandtold
thathei smar r
yinganotherwomanr ightaf
ter?
Stupid.Stupid!
*
***
***
***
***
***
***
**
LI
KE,
COMMENT,
SHARE
ATHUG’
SLOVE:
63
KARTEL
Ifel
tabsolut
elyhor
ri
bleaboutwhatwentdown
withLuba,butf*
*kher.Thatgir
ldoesn’
tgi
vea
shtaboutme.Sheact uall
ytr
iedtokil
lme!Li
ke,
wentthroughwithi
t!
Andwhatwaswit
hallt
hatshtabouthowshe
doesn’
twantmeandnevert
aki
ngmeback?
I
fitwasmeantt
ohur
tme,
itabsol
utel
ydi
d.
AndIknowIactedjuv
enile,
butmaturi
tyi
sthe
l
astt
hingi
nyourmindwhent heper
sonyou
l
ovethemostsaysshtli
kethat.
Ihadhopedt
hattonightwoul
dremindherjust
howgreatwear
et ogether
.Ofcour
se,Icould
havepul
ledt
hejobonmyowneasi ly,
butIjust
wantedti
mewit
hhersoshecanseehowgr eat
wearetogether
.Andf
**k,
ift
hatwasn’
tthe
hot
testsexever…
Iactuall
ythoughtIhadmanagedt oremindher
webel ongtoget her
,soIcoul
dapologiesand
wecoul dstartov er
.Butshej
usthadt osaythat
sht.I
thurt.Seriouslyhur
t…andIdecidedto
ret
aliat
ewi t
ht hatli
ttl
e‘I
’
m proposi
ng’sht.
Iwentofft
othehi
veandshowered,
then
changedbackt
othecl
othesIhadworntowor
k,
andheadedbackhome.
No…Ihadt osett
let
histonight
.Hadtomake
Lubaseethatwebelongt oget
her
.Ihi
taU-t
urn
fi
veminut
esf r
om home, anddrov
ebacktoher
pl
ace.
Ipickedthedoorandqui ckl
yenter
edthe
securit
yalar
mcodebef or
eitwentoff
.Igotit
ri
ght,ofcourse,becauseshewasgonnause
hermama’ sbirt
hdaybecauseDanie’swouldbe
tooobv i
ous.
*
***
***
***
**
LUBA
IguessIhadcri
edmyselft
osl
eepbecauseI
wokeupt osomeonehuggi
ngmefrom behi
nd,
ki
ssingmyneck.
Iknowt
hatscentany
way
.
ME:
Whatdoy
ouwant
,sat
an.
KARTEL:
Ili
ed…t
her
eisnoengagement
,ther
e
i
snobookedany
thi
ng,
it’
sal
lali
e…
ME:
Why
?
KARTEL:Yousai
dallthosethi
ngsaboutnot
want
ingmeandnev ergoingtotakemeback,
mebeingtoxi
candall
… Howdoy outhi
nkthat
mademef eel
?Icanhurttoo,Luba…
ME:Arey
oureal
l
ysurpri
sedIwoul
dsaythat
Kar
tel
?Arey
ousurpr
ised?Aft
erever
ythi
ngyou
di
dtome?
KARTEL:
Luba,
IknowIwr
ongedy
ou…
ME:Wronged?Youbr okemyheart
,azzhol
e!
Youweremywor ld,mysafepl
ace…theone
per
sonIthoughtalwayshadmyback…
KARTEL:
Ist
il
ldo,
andal
way
swi
l
l…
ME:F**kyou,
youdon’
t.Howcany
ouhav
emy
backonlyt
ostabakni
feonit
!
KARTEL:Toer ri
stobehuman.If **
kedup…
outofhurtandfeel
i
ngbetrayed,Imessed
ever
ythi
ngup.AndI ’
m sor
ry…pleaseforgi
veme.
ME: No,youpunishedmebecausey ouf**ked
up.Thiswasnev eraboutwhatIdid.Itwasjust
aquickexitfr
om beingaccountableforyour
acti
ons.Forthefactthatyoubrokeus…got
someot herchickpregnantanddidn’
tknowhow
tohandleital
l.
KARTEL:
Itwasnotsupposedt
obet
hisway
…
shewasjustt
emporar
y…
ME:
Yety
oul
etherbr
east
feedmychi
l
d.
KARTEL:IthoughtIwasdoingagoodthing.
Theysaybreastmil
kist
hebestLuba,wecan
st
artover…I’
llbr
eakupwithKesegothe
momentIgethome.Il oveyouLuba.Withall
myheart.Weloveeachother.Whydenyit?
Don’
tIdeserveasecondchance?
ME: No!Noy oudon’t
.Youdeser vesht !You
deservetowatchmeheal andgr owandmeeta
realmanandgetmar r
iedandhav emyhappi l
y
everafter
.Youdeservetoknowev erydayof
yourli
fethatyouwouldneverhadt ohi dewho
youarewi t
hme.Thaty oupastwoul dal waysbe
acceptwithoutj
udgement,thatyoucoul dhave
experi
encedat r
ueandpur ekindofl ove.And
youdeservethecold,l
ovel
essmar ri
agey ouare
gonnabest uckin.Nowgett hehelloutofmy
houseandst aythef**
koutofmyl if
ebef or
eI
shootyou.
KARTEL:
Ican’
t… Luba… Ican’
tjustl
eav
e.We
hav
etoworkthi
ngsoutand…
Iwenttothecl
osetwhereIkeptmygun,
tooki
t
andcockedit
,poi
nti
ngittohim.
ME: Getoutofmyhouse, Kartel
.Now.And
pleasedon’trui
nt hatmessofar el
ati
onshi
py ou
havethinki
ngmay beitwil
lconvincemet otake
youbackbecauseInev erwil
l.Iforgi
veyoufor
everyt
hing,butthereisnogoingbackf orus.I’
m
sorry.
KARTEL:
Youdon’
tmeant
hat
.
ME: I
’m afr
aidIdo.Andi
fy oureall
ylovemelike
yousayy oudo,youwil
lrespectmywi shesand
stayawayf r
om me.Now, please…getthef*
*k
outofmyhouse.
*
***
***
***
***
**
Seshalookedupfr
om herl
apt
opasAr
no
workedonhisbesi
deher.
SESHA:Ar
no,
wear el
eavi
ngforBot
swanain
twoday
s…wer eal
l
yneedtoannult
hismar
ri
age.
Arnostoodupandcameov
er,
car
essi
ngher
face.
ARNO:
Whati
fwegav
eitat
ry?
SESHA:
Gav
ewhatat
ry?
ARNO: Themarri
age.Sesha,y
oucan’tdenythat
ther
eissomechemi st
rybetweenus…Itriedfor
alongtimet
odenywhatIf eelfory
ou…butI
can’
tanymore.Il
oveyou,Sesha.
SESHA:
Arno…
Hecameov erandcar
essedherf
ace,
then
ki
ssedher
.
ARNO:Youar
ethi
samazi
ng, sweet
,lov
ing
woman.Whowoul
dn’
tfal
lforyou?
SESHA:
Wenev
erev
endat
ed.
SESHA:Wespentmor et i
mewi t
heachother
thanmostcoupl
eddoi nthepastthr
eeyears.I
knowwhatyoubeent hrough,
youknowmypast
too.Wewentouttogethermorethanmost
couples.Iknowy ouandy ouknowme.It ri
edto
showy ouhowIf eelbydoi ngt
hingsforyou,
beingthereforyou,butIshoul
dhav ejustt
old
you.Sesha,Ilov
e…God, Il
oveyousomuch…
Hepul
l
edhercl
oser
,ki
ssi
ngher
.
*
***
***
***
***
*
Kar
telgothomear ound3am,
andf
oundKesego
st
il
li
nbed, cr
ying.
KESEGO:Youwerewi
thher
,wer
en’
tyou?You
werewit
hLuba!
KARTEL:What?Noo,Iwenttothehiv
et ocheck
ontheguysandwejusttal
kedanddr ank.You
canaskEsther
;shesawmet here.
KESEGO:
Andwoul
dithav
ehur
ttot
ell
me?
KARTEL:Idi
dn’
tmeanf
ori
ttot
aket
hatl
ong.
I
’m sor
ry.
KESEGO:
ThisisnotgoodKartel
.Youdri
nking
wit
hsomeli
ttl
eboysunti
lthi
slate?Youarea
r
espect
edbusi
nessman.
KARTEL:Sor
ry…sor
ry…won’
tdoi
tagai
n.Can
wesleep?
Hetookoffhisclot
hesandlai
ddownonthe
bedandshel ai
dbesideshi
m,car
essi
nghis
chest,
herhandgoingdownpasthiswai
st,
taki
nghim onherhands.
Hepul
ledherhandsawayandputt
hem onher
si
des.
KARTEL:
Nott
oni
ght
.I’
mjust
…I’
mti
red.
*
***
***
***
***
***
***
***
***
*
LUBA
ThankstoKart
el’
sacti
ons,agai
n,af
teralong
ti
me,Ihadthenight
maresback.Drywell
sand
menbeatingmeup…pi nni
ngmedown…
Ibl
i
nkedawayt
het
ear
sthatt
hreat
enedt
ofal
l
.
Yea,
notgonnaf
ocusont
hat
.
Ir
ubbedmyey
esandcheckedt
het
ime.6AM.
Iwentouttot
hebackyar
dandst
art
edworki
ng
out
,thenshower
ed,t
henwokeupthegi
rl
s.
Fadzwawasonlyf ouryearsold,butshewasso
i
ntuit
iveandhel
pful.Iguessshenot i
cedIwasa
bi
thurtwhenDaniest i
llaskedforher‘mama’
.
FADZWA:HeyDede, howabout…mymamabe
yourmamatoo,t
heny oucanhavet
wo.Twoi
s
alway
sbet
terbecauseit
smor e.
DANI
E:I
sit
?
FADZWA:Yea,see,i
fIgi
veyoujustone
st
rawber
ryl
ikethi
s,i
tsgood,r
ight
?HowaboutI
gi
veyouanother
?
DANI
E:Ihav
emor
e!
FADZWA:
Yes!Soy
oucanhav
emor
emamas
al
so!
DANIE:
Yeay!Iwantmor
emamas!(
shel
ooked
atme)Wil
lyoubemymamatoo?
ME:
Awww,
baby
,Iwoul
dll
ovet
o!Thanky
ou!
Shegav emeonest rawber r
yandgav eanot her
toFadzwa, t
henpi ckedanot herforher self
.The
mor ningwentmuchbet teraft
er.ThenIbat hed
them andweheadedt oseeat herapi stfor
Fadzwa.Shewassl owl ycomingoutofhershel l,
butIwasnotgonnadel udemy selfintot hi
nki
ng
what everwasdonet oherwoul djustbe
forgotten.Clearl
ythepoort hingwasabused,
seeingal lt
hescar s,andhowf earfulshewas,
andi twouldt akeal otoflove,butpr ofessi
onal
helpt oo,t
oundoi tal l
.
*
***
***
***
***
*
Kesegocameoutoft hehospit
alforherpost-
natalvi
sit
.ShehadnotsmelledLuba’sper
fume
onKar t
ellastni
ght
,andhehadswor nhewi l
l
noti
fyherf r
om nowonifhewasgonnabel ate.
Soshewasnotgonnast r
esshersel
fwithall
that.
Kart
ell
ovedher
.Hechoseher.Hecoul
dhav e
deci
dedtogowithLubadespi
teev
eryt
hing,
but
hechosetobewithher
.
Shewalkedt
othepar ki
nglot,andsawLuba
get
ti
nginhercarwiththekids.Shewal
kedover
andhuggedDanie.
KESEGO;Isshei
l
l?Shoul
dwebeworr
ied?I
knewgiv
inghert
oyouwasamist
ake!Whatdi
d
youdotoher?
LUBA:Kesego,
ifthechi
l
dissi
ck,
woul
dn’
tI
havet
oldyou?Ij
a.
Sheputt
heki
dsi
nthei
rcarseatandcl
osedt
he
door
.
Whenshewasgoi ngar
oundtothedriver
’sseat
,
Kesegoheldherhandt
ostopher.Lubapull
edit
backroughl
y.
KESEGO: Don’
tthinkIwi
ll
justl
ety
oucomeand
rui
nmyf amily
,Luba.MymanandIarehappy
…
heishappierwit
hme, hechosemewhenhe
coul
dhav
echoseny
oui
fher
eal
l
ywant
edy
ou.
LUBA:
(laughi
ng)Di
dhe,
real
l
y?Choosey
ou?
KESEGO:Heiswit
hme,i
sn’
the?Kar
tel
isnot
l
ikeyou,
Luba.Youar
eaj
ail
bir
dwho…
ME:Youmett heguywhenhecar
jackedy
ouat
gunpoi
nt.St
opbeingnaï
ve!
KESEGO:Hewaspr obabl
ycl
eani
ngupPatt
ie’
s
mess,t
hatgi
rli
strouble,
whoknowswhatshe
di
dtogether
selfshot?
ME:(laughi
ng)I
gnoranceisreal
l
ybl
i
ss,
isn’
t.Ok
Kesego,haveaniceli
fe.Bye.
KESEGO:Ialr
eadydohaveaniceli
fe.Alovi
ng
soontobehusband,ahappyfami
ly,heal
thy
ki
ds,myin-
lawsareamazing…don’
tt hi
nkI’
ll
j
ustlety
ouruinit
.IknowyouwantKar t
elback.
LUBA:Onkgat hatotant
seore‘
rui
nmyf ami
ly
’,
l
ikeyoudidn’
tstealnotj
ustmyman,butmy
chi
ldtoo.
KESEGO: Ohwell
,hecouldhavechosenyou
wheny oucameoutifthat
’sreal
lywhathe
wanted.Buther
ewear e…hei ssti
l
lwit
hme.
LUBA:Shem,somewomenr eall
youther
e
competi
ngonwhoat r
ashsatanofaman
wants,
whilesomeofusar erakingi
nmoney
wit
hacompanyt hat’
sinmyownname.So,
enj
oybeingpicked,sweet
ie.
KESEGO: Youknow, thebeaut i
fult
hingabouta
wall
fl
oweri sthatnobodyev ernoti
cesit.Don’t
underest
imat eme,Luba.Imaynev erhavebeen
topri
sonlikey ou…butdon’tunderesti
mat eme.
Iwil
ldoany thingt
opr ot
ectmyf amil
y,andyou’
ll
neverseemecomi ng.
ME: (clappinghands)Poet i
c,poetic.Didy ou
readt hatinameme?Now, ifwear ebei ng
poetic, hereisthethi
ngaboutr oses, ever
y one
i
sal way ssodazzledbyt heirbeaut y
, youfor get
theyhav ethorns.I
’m notjustapr ettyface.Ibi t
e
sweet iepie.Remembert hatnextt imey out hink
ofappr
oachi
ngmewi t
ht hi
ssht
.Il
eftt
hat
pi
eceofshtf
oryouakere.
Shegotinsi
dethecaranddr
oveof
f,l
eav
ing
Kesegostandi
ngther
e.
*
***
***
***
***
***
***
***
***
*
LI
KE,
COMMENT,
SHARE
ATHUG’
SLOVE64

Ontheweekendmymot hersai
dtheywant
edto
t
alktome,soIwenthome.Isatwitht
hem and
mmestart
ed.
MNE: KanaKesegor
ecent
lytol
dmewear
e
expecti
nganot
hergr
andchi
ld.
KARTEL:
Eemma…
MME:
Jaanong?
KARTEL:
Got
ewaj
ang?
MME:
Wear
eaChr
ist
ianf
ami
l
yandshei
sa
Chri
sti
angi
rl
…itisnotr
ightt
hatbabi
esbebor
n
outofwedl
ock.
KARTEL:
Eemma…
FATHER:Whatyourmotheri
ssay
ingi
s,or
e
romalengmonnaobeil
engwanaabat
hokant
lo?
KARTEL:
Soon…
MME:Sooniswhen?Kgat
hal
o,whatdoyou
wantr
eal
ly
?Youcanaffor
dtomarry;
youhavea
goodwoman… whatdoyouwant
?
KARTEL:
Atl
eastgi
vemeachancet
opr
opose,
ao!
MME: Proposalyar
onaisgoi ngtoherfamily
.
Ronawear ereadykana.Hopefull
yatleastwe
wouldhavepaidmagadi bythetimeshegi v
es
bi
rth.Wewi l
lbewaiti
ngf oryourcal
lanyday
now.
*
***
***
***
**
LUBA
Sesha’smothercamet ovi
sitontheweekend.
Shewassohappyt oseethegir
ls,andi
twasso
refr
eshingwatchi
ngthem pl
aywi t
hher,
putti
ng
thei
rli
ttl
ebutt
erfl
yhairpi
nsonher .
Af
terl
uncht
heynappedandIsatt
alki
ngt
oher
.
MMA-
SESHA:
So,
howi
sli
fenow?
ME: Ah,I
’
mj ustt
ryi
ngmybest.Mma- Sesha,
whatifIam abadmother?Idon’
tevenknow
whatagoodmot herdoes.Whati
fIam not
enoughforthem?
MMA- SESHA: Everygoodmot herasks
themselvesthosequestions.Itshowsy oucare
andwantt obet hebestforthem.Andi fyouask
me, al
lIseearev er
yhappyki ds,clean,fed,
and
mostimpor t
antly,l
oved.Iam v er
ypr oudofyou,
mygi r
l.
ME:
Thanky
ou…
MMA-SESHA:ButIam wor
ri
edaboutyou…
Wher
eistheLubaImet?Thehappyfr
eespir
it
?
Youar
enothappy
.
Idon’
tev
enknowwhyt
hatmademet
earup.
ME:
Ijust
…al
othasbeenhappeni
ng.
MMA- SESHA: Youmeant hedr amawi thrr
agwe-
Dede?Eel ennakenal eFacebook, Isawwhat
youtwohav epost ed.Ngwanaka, tswahelamo
monnengy ole.Amanwhol ov esyouwill
nev er
tr
eatyoul i
ket hat.Whaty out oldmeabouthi m
i
mpr egnati
nganot hergi
rl,andwhathesai d
aboutyoubei ngment al
l
yi l
l…amanwhol oves
youwillnevert r
eaty oul
iket hat.
Oh,i
fonlyyouknewt
hatt
hosear
ejustt
het
ip
oft
heiceberg.
ME:
Eemma
MMA- SESHA: Ial
sosawthepastor’svi
deo.You
havebeent hr
oughalot,
mydear .Lonakana
youareluckyyouhaveprof
essionalsandcan
aff
ordit
.Arey ouseei
ngaprofessionalt
oget
thr
oughwhathappenedt oyou?
Tearsj
ustst
reameddownmyf
aceandshe
huggedme.
MMASESHA: Yousaidy ouar esendi ngFadzwa,
butIt hinky ouneedt oseesomeonet oo.And
don’tsayy oudon’t,Luba.Whaty ousur v
ived…it
cannotbeeasy .Andy ouar enol ongeral one,
mygi rl.Someday s,dropt hegi rl
sof fwi thme
andt akecar eofyourself.Got ot hatf ancyspa
ofyour sandgetamassage, orsl eepi nand
stayinbedwi t
hagl assofwi ne.LeanwhoLuba
i
sasawoman, beforey oucanev enthinkof
dati
ngagai n.Mosadi y osai kitsengomot hoho
gotshamekwa.Wheny ouknowy ourself,i
ts
easyt odr awt heli
ne.
Ij
ustsattherecry
ing,
becauseInev
erhadthi
s.
Amot hertogiv
emel i
feadvi
cesandjustt
o
hel
pmeout .
*
***
***
***
***
***
***
*
SeshaandAr
noar
ri
vedi
nGabor
one,
Arno
t
aki
ngherhandandki
ssi
ngi
tast
heywentt
o
t
hehot
el.
SESHA:
Mymot
heri
sli
ter
all
ygonnaki
l
lme.
ARNO: (
laughing)Wewi lldoittheri
ghtwaytoo.
Iwi
llcomet oapol ogi
ze.Byt heway,Iknowhow
muchy oumi ssyourfather,soIdidsome
di
ggi
ng, andIt hi
nkIfoundy ourgrandmotheri
n
Mozambi que.
SESHA:
What
?OhmyGod…
ARNO: Idi
daDNAt esti
nsecr
et,
andshei
syour
pat
ernalgrandmot
her.
SESHA:
OhmyGod…y
ouar
egoi
ngt
omakeme
cr
y…
ARNO:
May
bewewi
l
lgomeethernextweek?
SESHA;Iwoul
dloveto!OhmyGod,Arno!Papa
usedt
ot el
lmeabouther,
hel
ovedhersomuch!
OhmyGod!Thanky ou…
ARNO:
Ijustwannaseey
ouhappy
…it
smydut
y
any
way
,asy
ourhusband,
MrsNor
thman.
Shel
aughedandl
aidherheadonhi
sshoul
der
ashecuddl
edher
.
*
***
***
***
***
***
***
***
LUBA
I
nthemor
ningKar
tel
wal
kedi
ntopi
ckDede.
KARTEL:
Iwant
edt
otal
kaboutFadzwa.
ME:
Yea?
KARTEL:Idon’
twanthertof
eel
leftout…so
whenItakeDanie,
ifi
tsokwi
thyou,I’
dli
kefor
hert
ocomet oo…
Ihadbeenworr
iedaboutherfeeli
nglef
tout
wit
hDedegoingtoseeKartel
ev eryweekend
andal
l.
ME:
That
’sv
eryni
ceofy
ou,
but
…
KARTEL:Youknowshewill
nev erbeathar
m.
Faul
tKesegowit
hanyt
hing,butshe
wholeheart
edlyl
oveskids,evenr
andom ki
dson
thestr
eet,sheal
waystriestohel
pthem.She
agreesit
sbestforFadzwa.
ME: Ireall
yunderstand,Kartel
.Butshei
sonly
getti
ngt oknowme, andIdon’twantto
overwhelm her.Dedei sjustgoi
ngbacktoher
otherfamily.ForTafadzwa, i
twil
lbenew
peopletogetusedt o,andshegetsnervous
aroundnewpeopl e.
KARTEL:Iunderst
and.Youareagr eatmother
.
Anyti
mey ouneedmet otakehertoo,youonly
everhav
et opackherbagalongsi
deDanie’s.
ME:
Thanks
Awkwar
dsi
l
ence.
KARTEL:
Mmecal
ledmey est
erday
.Theywant
metobemar
ri
edbefor
ethebabyisborn.
ME:Cany ounottel
lmeaboutyourpersonal
li
fe?
BecauseIam ser
iousl
ynoti
nter
ested.Dede!
Yourdadishere…
KARTEL:
Luba,Idon’
twantust
obel
i
ket
his,
eveni
fwearenottoget
her
.
ME: Thisisall
youget,Kar
tel.Somemenget
crazybabymamaswhobr eakt hei
rcar
windowsandy ouar
ecompl aini
ngbecauseour
babymamaj ustwantstol
eav eyoualoneand
beleftalone?Herei
sDanie’sbag…ahh, t
herei
s
mybi ggirl
.Givemamaaki ssybeforeyougo
offwithdaddy.
Sheki
ssedmeandthenrantoKar t
el.Helooked
atmeonemoreti
meandIj ustsattherewit
h
myhandsfol
dedunt
ilhel
eft.
ME:
Come,
Fadzwa,
let
sgov
isi
tboRene.
*
***
***
***
***
***
***
***
Neelofi
nishedgett
ingthehousetoget
herwhen
Ruecameoutofat axi
,drunk.Hehadbeen
missi
ngforaweeknow, andshehadseenhim
i
nthebackgr oundofsomegi rl
sphot
osata
part
yinMaun.
RUE:Thisisthehouse?Notbad…Iam gi
vi
ng
thosepeoplethekeysfort
hathouset
omorr
ow.
NEELO:
Wher
eisy
ourcar
,Reuben?
RUE:
Ah,
aker
ebabyweagr
eedt
osel
li
t…
NEELO:Ok,so,hav
ey ou?Wher ei
sthemoney ?
Yousoldyourshar
es,Ididn’
tseeasingl
ethebe
ofit
,wareki
santo,nothi
ng.Mycar,nope.Now
yourcar
…oi ponaodirasentl
eReuben?
REU:Babe,It
hinkIhav
eapr
obl
em…Iam an
al
coholi
c…
NEELO:Yourpr
obl
em i
schasi
ngaft
erever
y
ski
rty
ousee.Andbagonwaaftert
hatt
hey
don’
tgiv
eyouti
meofday.
REUBEN:Themoneyi
sgone,Neel
o.Howisyou
yel
l
ingatmegonnabr
ingi
tback.Canyouf
ix
measandwich?
NEELO:
Nxl
a…
Shei
gnor
edhi
m andwal
kedof
fangr
il
y.
*
***
***
***
***
***
***
**
Puni
earr
ivedatKesego’shouseandfoundher
andNaomi al
readyhav
ingsomej ui
ce.
NAOMI:So,Iwasassisti
ngtheProMov er
sIT
wit
hsomest uf
fearl
i
er …gottogetinKartel
’
s
comput
er,andguesswhathesear ched?
KESEGO:
God,
notpor
npl
ease…
PUNIE:
(laughing)Gi
rl
,weal
lknowy
out
woar
e
i
ntosomef reakysht
…
NAOMI :
(laughing)Yea,
thattoo…but
engagementrings!Heistry
ingtogetyouar
ock,
gi
rl!
PUNIE:
OhmyGod,I’m soexci
tedforyou,
babe…gapewenay
ouar esolucky
, y
ouhavea
mother
-i
n-l
awwholovesyou!Okaemadam?
KESEGO:(si
ghing)Thatgi
rlorat
adilothebat
ho.
Kehaamphef ormelamopar ki
nglotatthe
hospi
tal
ar eheweeeneshehasmoney .Wait
se
Lubaor atadil
obatho,
whenshei
sjustan
uneducatedjai
lbi
rd.
PUNIE:Youshoul
dhav esl
appedher,
boLuba
babatadicl
aphelaotshwanaleenet
salayeo
yagagweobar engSesha.WhereisNeelo?
NAOMI :Wit
hher‘f
ri
ends’
.Shewasaskingmeif
Ithi
nksheshoulddiv
orceRue.Ahh,nnawhat
am Isupposedt
otellher
,kasheknowsReuis
tr
ash?Neelokanaokareosematasometimes.
*
***
***
***
***
***
***
*
LUBA
Iparkedmycari nfr
ontofmyol dhouseIhave
j
ustloanedt oNeel
o.Seshawasal sopar
king
alsoandwewal kedintoget
her.Fadzwawent
toplaywit
hRenei ntheback,andwesatinthe
l
ivingroom havi
ngadrink.
Ruegotoutoft
hebedroom t
ogot
othet
oul
et,
thenbacki
nthebedr
oom.
ME:Neel
o,It
houghtmov
ingher
emeansget
ti
ng
awayf
rom Reuben.
NEELO:
Hei
smyhusband,
Luba.
ME:
Het
ret
asy
oul
i
kesht
!
NEELO:Everycoupl
ehasitspr
oblems…and
l
enyaloi
snotlikedat
ingkanaLuba.You
wouldn’
tunderst
and,youar
enotmar r
ied.
ME: Ij
o, eemmadoasy ouplease…may behe
hasn’thurty ouenough,youwi l
ll
eavewhenit
startsbeinghar daker
e.Onot hernews…Ihave
fi
nishedt hatplanfort
hebaker y,whatwewil
l
addandal l.Iwannagetasocialmedia
mar keter,andalsopackagedcookies.
SESHA: (
laughi
ng)OhmyGod,l
adi
es,kant
ega
l
ebonemydesper at
eat
tempt
stoshowoffmy
ri
ngjaana?
Webot hlookedather,r
eali
zi
ngshehasbeen
putt
ingherhandont hetabl
e,herf
ace,
ever
y where.
ME:What?Idi
dn’
tev
enknowy
ouwer
edat
ing
any
one!
NEELO:Exact
ly!Seshamma!Howcoul
dyou
nott
ell
usy ouhadsomeone?
SESHA:(smil
ing)Idi
dn’
t…Imean…i
t’
s
compl
icated.
ME: I
fit
’scompl
icat
ed,i
tdoesn’
tsoundl
i
key
ou
shouldbemarry
inghim.
NEELO: Andthat
’snotev
enanengagementr
ing,
Sesha!That’
saweddingring!
ME:
OhmyGod!OhmyGod, Sesha,don’
ttel
l
meyouf
**ki
ngmarri
edsomerandoinVegas!
MmaSeshawil
lki
l
lyou!
SESHA:
Lekanj
udgeri
fIdi
d?
NEELO:Sesha!Iknowy
oudi
dn’
t.Ij
ustknow
youdi
dn’t
!
Seshal
ookedatherr
ingsmi
l
ingdr
eami
l
y.
SESHA:
Doy
oubel
i
evei
nfat
e?
ME:Ishi
sd**kiscal
ledfat
e?Becauset
hat’st
he
onl
yexpl
anati
ontothismadness.Youwere
di
ckmati
sed.Whoist hi
smyst
erymanev en?
SESHA:
Arno
ME&NEELO:
Seshano!
SESHA:Kanayouguy sdon’
tknowhi
ml i
keIdo.
Arnoisagentl
eman…hei ssosweet
.Youcan’
t
beli
evewhathejustdi
d…hefoundmypater
nal
grandma,andgotmei nt
ouch.
ME:
Hei
sashadypi
eceofsht
.
SESHA: Andwhatdidhedot odeservethat
?
Babe,yourbaby-
daddywentonlineandcall
ed
youment al
.Andyou,Imeany ourhusbandisan
act
ualpieceofsht.Idon’
tgetwhyy ouguysare
comingatAr nol
esamoi tse.
NEELO:
Ijo,
sor
rymma.
ME: NnaIam notapol
ogizi
ngforany
thi
ng.Just
becauseIhadababywi t
hSatandoesn’
tmeanI
havet
okeepquietandlety
our
uiny
ourl
i
fe.
Thatmani
sjustnotri
ght.
SESHA: Youhav
eneverev
enmethi
m.Youhav
e
noreasontohatehi
m.
ME: Heiscont
rol
li
ngyou,
andthat
’sreason
enough.Andtheone-
ti
memma- Seshasawhim,
shesayshedidn’
tevengr
eether
…
SESHA:Hewasinahurry;
hedidn’
tevensee
her
.Iam l
eav
ingifIhav
etoseathereand
def
endmymar r
iagetoyoutwoespeci
all
y.
*
***
***
***
***
***
**
Afterdroppingtheki
dshomewi thKesego,
Kartelwentt ot
heoffi
cetofini
shoffsomewor
k.
Aroundsi xheheardfoot
stepsassomeone
walkedin.
Hewentoutofhisoffi
ceandf oundNi
ki
tai
n
shor
ts,
justseat
ingatherdesk.
KARTEL:
Ithoughtsl
ayqueensar
eoutpar
tyi
ng
onSat
urday
sni
ght
s.
NIKITA:(
laughing)Notwheny ouare27,dar li
ng.
Thereareyoungerhot t
erst
uffinthemar ket,
andsinceIdi dn’
tmanagetosnagmy sel
far ich
oldhusbandbef oreIgotol
d,Iunfor
tunately
havetodot hegoodol d9to5.Andsomet i
mes
taki
ngwor khome.ButIcan’tworkt her
e, not
withmymot heryappi
ngeveryfi
veseconds.
KARTEL:Withyoursal
ary
,youshouldbeableto
aff
ordanicehouseofyourown,butIguess
Peruvi
anweavesandLoubouti
nheelsarejusta
bett
erinv
estment.
NI
KITA:(
laughi
ng)Final
lyaper
sonwhoget
sit
.
Whatar
ey oudoinghere?
KARTEL:Wor
k…IhavesomevodkaandIj
ust
or
deredapi
zzai
fyouwannaj
oinme.
NIKI
TA:Thi
scoul
dbeanokdayaft
erall
…but
youl
ookli
kedeat
h.Pennyf
ory
ourthought
s?
KARTEL:
Mypar
ent
sar
eannoy
ing,
andal
so,
I
can’
tgett
heonet
hingIr
eal
l
ywant
.So,
Ifeel
l
ikesht
…
Shewalkedovertohim,pul
li
ngoffhersweat
er
andbikershor
tsoff
,standi
nginf
rontofhi
m
nakedjusti
nheels.
NI
KITA:
Yout
hinkt
hiscoul
dper
kyouup?
KARTEL:
Welldamn…at
urnofdayIj
ustdi
dn’
t
seecomi
ng…
NIKITA:
Funny,Idi
dn’
tseecummi
nginmyday
todayei
ther
…andGodknowsIcoulduseone…
orsever
algoodones.
KARTEL:(
laughi
ng)Oh,
it’
sdef
ini
tel
yont
he
l
ineupnow
Hesaidashepul ledof
fhist-
shi
rtandpull
ed
hertohim, ki
ssi
ngherwhil
epinni
ngheragainst
thebigglasswindowthatwentfl
oortocei
li
ng.
NIKI
TA:Kar
tel
,thi
swi
ndow….Theshut
ter
sar
e
open.
KARTEL:Thi
rdfl
oor
,noteasyforany
onet osee
anyt
hingupher
e,pl
usthi
ssideoftowni s
emptyatthi
sti
meonweekend…besi des,who
car
eswhosees?
NI
KITA:
(laughi
ng)Andther
eisarusht
othat
,
mmmmh, t
hatf
eelssogood,mhhh…
Shemoanedasshehear dhispant
sfal
li
ngto
thefloor
,andt herustl
eofacondom wrapper
whilehekissedherfrom theback,
herbody
pressedagainstthewindow.
*
***
***
***
***
***
***
***
LI
KE,
COMMENT,
SHARE
ATHUG’
SLOVE65
Seshapar
kedhercarandwal
kedi
ntoher
mother
’shouse.
MMA-SESHA:Sesi
wame!Imissedyousomuch
mybaby,howwasmahatshesbur
g?
SESHA:
Itwasl
ovel
y,Iam t
aki
ngy
out
her
esoon.
MMA- SESHA: Bat
hong,Sesit
hesennele
i
thwesadi r
ing,l
eitodi
saleny
alokana,
ringe
ei
thekel
wanggaer wal
wemomonwanengwa
l
enyalo,kebati
.
SESHA:
Idi
dn’
tbuyi
tformy
sel
f.
MMA-SESHA:Youboughti
t,f
ri
endboughti
t,
samethi
ng.
SESHA:
Howabouthusband?
MMASESHA:
Whosehusband?
SESHA: Mamat
hemmadon’
tgetangr
y…i
tjust
happened.
MMASESHA:
Whathappened?
SESHA:
ArnoandIar
emar
ri
ed.
MMASESHA: Mar
ri
ageoraaj
ang?Idon’
t
r
ememberrecei
vi
ngmagadiorgi
vi
ngyouaway
.
SESHA:
Wear
egonnadoal
lthat
…
MMASESHA:
Idi
dn’
tev
enknowy
ouwer
ewi
th
hi
m.YouknewIwoul dneveragreetoyou
marryi
ngt
hatcontr
oll
i
ngman, that’
swhyy ou
wentanddi
ditinsecr
et.Gaoitir
elesent
e
Sesha.
SESHA:Kanamamay
oudon’
tknowhi
m.Hei
s
awonderf
ulman.
MMASESHA: (
sigh)Ahh,Iguessther
eis
nothi
ngIcansaysi nceit
salreadydone.
Jaanongi
nt heirwaybadi r
ajang,bataatago
bata,
kanajang?Ahh, nnamadi ameagana
tot
akamonnay ol
e.Butyouhavemybl essi
ng
ngwanakaifthat’swhatmakesy ouhappy.
*
***
***
**
ThenextdayKesegolai
donthebedaf
ter
chur
chwhenPuni et
extedher
.
‘
obonev
ideo?
’
Fol
l
owedbyaWhat
sAppv
ideo.
Sheopenedi
tandcoul
dseet
hebi
gyel
l
ow
l
etter
sof‘Pr
oMov ers’i
nfr
ont,
thent
hevi
deo
ti
l
teduptoat hi
rdfloorwi
ndowwhereawoman
waspinnedagainstthewi
ndowandaman
dri
ll
edherfr
om theback.
Thevideohadbeent akenfrom t
heroadt he
off
iceov erl
ooked,soitwasnotclearfr
om
downt here,youcouldn’
treall
yseethefaces,
j
usttheout li
neofthebodies.
Onlyonemanwi t
hthatphysiquei
nthatoff
ice.
Hesigni
ficant
lytoweredeventhetal
lermen
whowor kedintheoffi
ce,andthosebroad
shoul
derswereaneasyt ellt
oo.
Andt
hatcur
lyweav
e,t
all
,sl
i
m butcur
vy…
Theki dswerewithLuba,Kart
elwaspicki
ng
them uplat
er.Shegotdressesandgotinher
car,
drivi
ngtoLuba’splace.
*
***
***
***
*
KARTEL
Sht
.
Thatvi
deo.Whatthehell
wit
htoday
’speopl
e,
al
waysrecor
dingever
ythi
ng?
Kesegowi
l
lpr
obabl
yseei
t,andIdon’
tneedher
drama.
Ical
ledupafri
endofTom’s,whosel
l
s
expensi
veengagementr
ings.
Iwenttohispl
aceandlookedatt
heri
ngs,t
hen
boughtoneandhadhi
m datether
ecei
ptto
yest
arday.
ThenImadereservat
iont
osomeundert
he
st
arsfancyr
estaur
ant.
Abigshinyrockandal
i
ttl
eromanceal
way
s
f
ixeseveryt
hing,
ey?
*
***
***
***
**
Il
aidonthesofal
ooki
ngatt
het
rendi
ngv
ideo
andlaughed.
Becausei
twasat
hir
dfl
oorbui
l
ding,
thef
aces
werenotv i
siblef
rom thegroundwher ethe
persontookt hevi
deof r
om, butIknewthat
buil
dingandknewonl yoneper sont
hat
fr
eakishl
ytallandbroadshoul dersl
iket
hat
workingther
e.AndIcoul dprettymuchtakea
guesswhot hegirlwas.
Somuchf
or‘
hechoseme’
Il
aughedandcont
inuedcl
eaningmyhouse.
Thi
swasallnoneofmybusiness.Theki
ds
werenappi
ngandIwasputti
ngawaythei
rtoys.
Ther
ewasaknockont
hedoor
.
Iwentt
oopenwi
thasi
ghwhenIsawKesego.
ME:
(l
aughi
ng)I
twasn’
tme,
leav
emeal
one.
Kesegosl
appedmesohar
dacrosstheface
befor
eIcoul
devenf
ini
sht
hesentence.
ME:Girl
,youar
eluckyyouarepregnant,
orI’
d
wipethefl
oorwit
hy ou.
.Neverputhandsonme
agai
n,gakeratentwa,butIwhoopass.
KESEGO: Ee,
akereolegwane,j
ail
bir
d.Don’ty
ou
haveshameLuba?Thatl acewi
gist heoneyou
haveon,Icansee.Andyourbody.
ME: Heel
ang, Iam nott heonlyonewhowear s
l
ongcur l
ylacewi gs!Andy es,
it’
sthesameone.
Rapunzelboughti tfr
om mysal onanditwas
i
nstall
edbysamegi r
l,andAndFYI ,bodymeans
nothi
ng,Kartelhasat y pe,dar
li
ng..Hedoesn’t
f**
kanygi r
lunlessshei sdarkskinned,
tall
,sl
i
m
thi
ck… me, Ron,Ni ki
ta, y
ou…hehasat ype.
KESEGO:
It’
syou!Iknowi
t!
LUBA:Evenifit
’sme,gat
wewhatgoesaround
comesaroundakere?(l
aughi
ng)Pay
back’
sa
bi
ch,babegi
rl.
KESEGO:Youar
eshamel
ess.Themanhasa
fami
ly.
ME: Li
kehehasagi r
lf
ri
endandakidwhenyou
sl
eptwithhi
m?Gol eashyourdogotswemogo
nna.Iwasnowher
enearKar t
elmaabane,
neke
l
ekogaNeel ounti
lmi
dni
ght.
.Iam onl
y
explai
ningmy
selft
oyoubecauseonthomol
a
pelo.
KESEGO:Sweethear
t,Iam t
heonehechose,
ke
wenaothomolangpelo.
ME: (Laughibg)Sansteatsi
legogocheatergo
regor ehek!Kartelt
otaenekelebelet
ekapelo
yagagwey ot l
hengwanay ol
ewagammagwe.
Kooregagagwekeaddi cti
on.OnlyIcant
ame
thatho,andev enthenhecheatswhenIam not
around.So,enjoy.
Iclosedthedooronherf acelaughi
ngand
i
gnor edherasshekeptbangingoni t.
Eventuall
yIj
ustpressesthepanicbuttonandi
n
tenmi nut
esthesecuri
tyoffi
cerarr
ived.
*
***
***
***
Neel
owalkedtot
heATM machi
net
ocash,
not
f
indi
nghercar
d.
God,
no…
No!
Reubenhadgoneoutl
astnightwhi
l
eshewas
chi
ll
ingwi
thLubaandSesha.
No,
hewouldn’
tdothi
s..St
eal
from her
?Take
f
rom hi
sownchil
d?
Sheai
ghedandwakedof
f,t
aki
ngat
axi
home
wit
hherl
astmoney.
Whatwasshegonnado?
Shest
art
eddiali
ngNaomi’
snumber.Thegirl
wassomef r
eelanceI
Tpersonwhomadel oads
ofmoney,
she’dhaveatl
eastaP1000tospare.
NAOMI
:HeyNel
i
NEELO:Heygir
l… what’
sup?NemmaIneeda
favor
.IneedaP1000,Iwil
lpayi
tbackmont
h
end…
NAOMI
:Owai
i
,nnaIdon’
thav
eany
thi
ngatal
l
.
NEELO:AommaNaomi
.Iknowy
ouhav
e
money.
NAOMI :
Ijo,
tel
lmewher
eitiseemmasoIcan
geti
t.NnaIhavenomoney.Iam sosorrybabe.
KeengosakopeboLubaorSesha, aker
ethey
areri
ch.
NEELO:
Ahh,
goshapomma.
Shehungupfeel
i
ngdef
eat
ed.Whatwasshe
supposedt
odonow?
Shetr
iedKesegoandPuni
e.Nol
uckt
her
e
ei
ther
.
ShewenthomeandgotonFacebook,
put
ting
mostofhercl
othes,
bags,
andshoesf
orsale.
*
***
***
***
**
Kesegoarri
vedhomefuming.Thatbi
chr
eal
l
y
cal
ledthesecur
it
yinher
?
Kart
elwalkedinandcametoseatnextt
oher,
ki
ssingherhand.Shepul
l
edi
tback,fumi
ng.
KARTEL:Isweari
twasn’
tme.
..Iwasn’
tatt
he
of
fi
cethatti
me.
KESEGO: Youareal
iar
,Kgat
hal
o.Youar
eali
ar.
Iam notgonnali
vemylif
ecompeti
ngwi
tht
hat
gir
l.Iam l
eavi
ng!
KARTEL: Nnyaammant seobat agotsamaa.I
t
wasn’tme.Callt
hisnumberandaskwher eI
was.ThisguyimportsCar t
ierr
ingsandIwasat
hishousetochoose.ThenIwentt obooka
rest
aurant,
Iwasplanningasur pri
se.Obvi
ousl
y
myef f
ortswerewasted.
Heputt
her
ingont
het
abl
eandwal
kedof
fto
t
hebedr
oom.
*
***
***
***
*
Kar
tel
lai
dinbedonhi
sphonewhenNi
ki
tasent
somenudes.
Her
epl
i
edwi
tha
‘ .Butnev
erdothi
sagai
nthough.
Myfi
ancéehasaccesstomyphoneandIhat
e
whensheisupset
.Seeyatomor
row’
Hedelet
edthephotosandconti
nuedpl
aying
hisFant
asyFoot
ballwhenKesegocamein,wit
h
theri
ngonherfi
nger,andasmil
e.
KESEGO:WhatwasIsupposedtothi
nk,
the
vi
deolookssuspi
ciousl
yli
key
ou.
KARTEL:
Ah,
bel
i
evewhaty
ouwantee.
KESEGO:
Youknowwhat ,Iam over
react
ing.
Nothi
ngiscl
ear
,itcoul
dbeanyone.
Kar
tel
pul
l
edhercl
oserandki
ssedher
.
KARTEL:
Now,
that
’smyl
ady
.YouknowIl
ove
you.
KESEGO:
Also,
Imayhav
etot
all
ylosti
ton
Luba…
KARTEL: Kesego!Whyt
hehel
ldoyouli
ke
harassi
ngLubawhensheli
ter
all
yneverbot
her
s
you?Arg!
KESEGO:I’
m sor
ry… Ithoughtitwasherand
you.Ij
ust
… canwebl amei tonpregnancy
hormones?Andwest
il
lhav
ether
est
aur
ant
booki
ngandall
?
KARTEL:
Wedo.
KESEGO:Awesome, t
omorrow wewi
l
lgo
cel
ebrat
etheengagement
.
Shet ookapi
ctur
eofherhandwit
hthe
engagementr
ingandthenmessagedLuba.
“
onl
yyoucant
amehi
m,i
sit
? ”
ShefumedasanhourpassedandLubahad
j
ustbluet
ickedherwi
thoutr
espondi
ng.
*
***
***
***
*
LI
KE,
COMMENT,
SHARE
ATHUG’
SLOVE66

Il
ookedatKesego’
smessageandjustr
oll
ed
myey es.Thi
sgi
rli
sdramat
ic,
whatdoesher
engagementhavetodowit
hme?Am I
supposedtofeel
jeal
ouswhenavi
deoofher
manf *
*kinganot
herwomanisdoi
ngther
ounds?
Women, shem.
SomeonehadpostedtheKartelv
ideoon
Facebookandpeopl
ewerelegitt
hinki
ngi
twas
Kesego,
Theadvant
ageofsl
eepi
ngwi
thwomenwho
fav
orIguess.
Al
lcomment swereli
ke‘I
fmywifedoesn’
tshow
uptoworkforali
tt
lesessi
onwhenIhaveto
workweekends,
Idon’twanti
t.
’
Thevideowast akendownbyFacebookIguess,
butsoonKesego’ sengagementpi
ctur
ewas
tr
ending.Asimplepictur
eofherhandwitht
he
ri
ng.Kartelshar
eittohispage,
capti
oned.
‘
Lockedi tdown.’
Andthecomment
swer
eonhy
perki
ssass
mode.
‘
Wow,
that
’sar
ock!Damn’
‘
Seewhatbei
ngfr
eakyget
syouladi
es?Letyour
manhiti
twit
hyoupi
nnedagai
nstawindow
somet
imes…’
‘
Thi
scoul
dbeus,
butwenao‘
ti
mal
eboner
e
r
obal
eSol
omon’
‘
Ifindul
gingi
nexhibi
ti
oni
sm i
swhati
ttakes
ronarekasenyalwe,i
tcoul
dnev
erbeme.But
congrat
shun’
‘
Ithoughtt
heywer
emar
ri
ed…’
‘
Bat
ho,
MrMoseki
andf
iancéear
ejustgoal
s’
‘
Bro,
y ouar
eset
ti
ngt
hebart
oohi
gh.Lookat
t
hatrock’
Ha.I
fonl
yy’
al
lknew.
Iwastemptedtocommentt
hati
twasn’
tev
en
her
,butIdi
dn’t
.
Ni
ki
tacomment
edwi
thl
aughi
ngemoj
i
s.
Ohwel
l
,thi
swasnol
ongermybusi
ness.
Kar
telpi
ckedupt
hekidsandIdidmyf
aci
aland
j
ustrest
edwit
haglassofwine.
Therewasal oudknockatthedoorandIl ooked
throught hecurt
ain,
seei
ngtheguynextdoor .
Hewasagood- l
ookingmanwhokeptt o
himself.I’
dneverseenawifeoragirl
friend,but
therewasachubbywel l
-manner
edlitt
legirlof
aroundt enorelevenwhoalwaysgreetedme.
Iopenedandt
hemanst
oodt
her
ener
vousl
y.
ME:
Hey
HI
M:Hey
…Ineedy
ourhel
p…
St
rai
ghtt
othepoi
ntt
hen.Ok
ME:
Yea?
Awkwar
dsi
l
ence.
Mor
eawkwar
dsi
l
ence.
ME: I
’
dbemuchbet
terhel
pifIknewwhaty
ou
needed.
HI
M:I
t’
smydaught
er…sheuhm…she…
Icaughtt
hedr
if
tandbr
okeoutl
aughi
ng.
ME:(l
aughi
ng)Wow, menaresti
l
lawkward
aboutaperi
od?Herf i
rst
?NnammeIuse
tamponsandIcan’tstar
tngwanakadit
ampon.
Letmerunov ert
otheshops.
Idrovet oSparandboughtsev er
alpacketsof
pads, j
ustforthecomingmont hstoo.Idon’
t
thi
nkdaddi oisgonnabemaki ngstorerunsfor
that.Thensomechocol ate.WhenIgotbackI
tooksomebat hbombs, scent
edcandles,
essentialoi
lsandpainki
ller
sandwentt othei
r
house.
Thepoorl
i
ttl
ethi
ngl
aidi
nbedsobbi
ng,
cov
ered
i
natowel.
ME: No,l
i
ttl
emama, thi
sisnot
hingt
ocr yabout.
Iknowit’
sscary,buttherei
sabsol
utel
ynothing
wrongwithyou.Thisisasignyouaregrowing
heal
thy.Wecelebrategrowi
ngup.Howol dare
y
ou?
HER:
Ten.
ME:Shem, soyoung.Ibettheyhavenottaught
t
hisyeti
nschool.Well,t
hishappenstomost
women,dear.Ij
usthadmi nelastweek.Thisi
s
j
ustyourbodygrowingup.
Itookhert othebat hroom anddr ewherabat h
withbat hbombsandessent i
al oi
l,wedr ank
spar klingapplejui
ceandat etoomuch
chocol at
eandIhadat alkwi t
hherabout
menst ruati
onandsel f-
caredur ingt heperiod,
showi ngherhowt ousepads.Ichangedher
bedsheet sputfreshonesandl itscent ed
candl esi nherroom soshecoul drel axasIt ol
d
herst or i
esofwhenIgotmyf irstper iodand
ti
mesIhadacci dent s.Finall
yshef ellasl
eepa
happyl it
tl
eladyconf identaboutt hisnew
dev elopment .Icamet othel i
vingroom andher
fathersatt herewat chingt el
evision.
HIM:Thanky
ousomuch,
howmuchdoIowe
you?
ME:
For
?
HI
M:All
theset
hings,
whaty
ouspent
,andy
our
t
ime?
ME: Nohoney
,it
sanunsai
drul
eamongwomen
toalway
shelpusheri
ntowomanhoodanyl
i
ttl
e
gir
lwhoneedsit
.Youdon’
toweme.
HI
M:I
’
m Pal
alani
.
ME:
Luba
PALALANI
:Youmustt
hinkIam at
err
ibl
e
fat
her
…
ME:
Whywoul
dIt
hinkt
hat
?
PALALANI
:Ididn’
tknowhowt
ocar
eforher
whensheneededme.
ME: Nah,Ibl
amesoci et
y.Wedon’tteachmen
aboutthesethi
ngs,l
iketheyar
en’tgoingtobe
fat
herssomeday .I
fit
’snotanint
rusion,wher
e
i
shermot
her
?
PALALANI:Sheranoffwit
hawhi t
emanwhen
Phalanawasjustayearol
d.Justdr
oppedher
offatmymot her
’sandnevercameback.
ME:
So,
it’
sjustbeent
het
woofy
ou?
PALALANI:
Notreal
l
y.Mymot
hert
ookcar
eof
herwhenIwasaway…
ME:
Away
?Youar
eanabsent
eedadt
hen?Men.
PALALANI:
Ok, bef
orey
ougoal
lfemi
nistonme,
Ihadnochoice!
ME:Pr
aytel
l,
whatcankeepyouawayf
rom
bei
ngafat
hertoy
ourchil
d?
PALALANI
:Pr
ison.
ME:
Pri
son?
Ok,
fir
stofal
l,
wearestayi
ngawayf
rom t
hugs,
sor
unaway ,
Lubal
ashe.
PALALANI
:Idi
dni
nei
nRi
ker
s.Justcameout
l
astmonthandcamehome, anddecidedIwas
gonnagiv
ethisparenthoodt hingago,soIwent
andtookherfr
om mypar ents.Theydecidedto
goonami nihol
idayfortheiranniver
sary,so
theyar
eintheBahamasr ightnow.
ME:
Richki
d,huh…
PALALANI:(
laughi
ng)Iwon’
tli
e,y
es.Igr
ewup
i
naffl
uence.
ME:AnAmer
icanpr
isoni
fIam notwr
ong.For
what
?
Run,
bish,
run
HIM:(l
aughing)Not hi
ngex
cit
ing.
Embezzlement .Myco-wor
kerandIthoughtwe
weresmart,steali
ngmoneyfrom t
he
congl
omer at
ewewor kedf
or.Wewentabout
fi
veyearsatitbeforewewerecaught.
Ok,
may
benotr
eal
l
yat
hug.Butst
il
l.Nope.
ME:
Whatwer
eyoudoi
ngi
nAmer
icaany
way
?
PALALANI :Iwenttost udyther e.I
mpr essed
somecompanydur ingani nternshi
p, andthey
hiredme.Iam inFinance, wi
t hanIT
background.I’
m goodatwhatIdo, soIclimbed
rankrealfast
.Mycowor kerandIwer eli
vinga
highli
feofexoticgi
r l
sandweekendsi nCabo.
Weear nedbigandwer ealway sbrokef r
om our
l
ifesty
le,sowedecidedt osuppl ement .
Embezzle.DisappointedIam notar ealcrimi
nal
?
ME: Whywoul dIbe?Any way,I
’
vehadmyf i
l
lof
those.AndI’mjustnotlooki
ngingeneral
.Just
forfulldi
scl
osure,
Ijustcameoutthreeweeks
agot oo.
PALALANI
:Cameoutof
?
ME:
(laughi
ng)Pr
ison…di
dthr
ee.
PALALANI:
What?Youar
ely
ing!Whatdi
da
pr
ett
ygir
lli
key
oudo?
ME:Onlyt
ri
edtosavemysist
erfr
om our
per
ver
tedfat
her
.Inabbedher
,for
gedpaper
s
andwasaboutt
obeont
hel
am whenIgot
caught
.
PALALANI:(
exhal
e)Iknewy ouwerea
sweet
heart
…y ouar
etoopr ett
yandtoo
femi
ninet
obeacr i
minal.
Ij
ustchuckl
edandst
oodupt
oleav
e.
ME:
Ibet
tergo.
PALALANI
:Atleastl
etmet
akey
out
odi
nnert
o
sayt
hankyou.
ME: Sweeti
e,Icomewit
ht woki
ds,al
otof
anger,anxi
ety
,apri
sonrecor
d,andaj
ealous
hi
tmanf orababydaddy.Youdon’
twantthose
problems.
*
***
***
***
***
***
***
***
***
Seshal
aidonAr
no’
schestashepl
ayedwi
th
herhai
r.
ARNO:Justlett
hem getachancetoknowme.I
under
stand,
peopleal
waysthinksuccessf
ul
menared*
*ks.They
’l
ll
ikemewhent
heygett
o
knowme.
SESHA: Ij
ustwi
shtheysawhowamazi ngy ou
are!Mamawant syoutopaymagadiatleast.
Yourstepfat
herisl
ocal
,sotheyknowhowi t
goes.
ARNO:Yea…i t’
sjust, babe… Ijusti
nvest
edin
thi
soilbusinesst hat’sgonnamakeusmul ti
-
mil
li
onaires.Likeint hehundr edsofmill
i
ons.I
wentalli
n, andIam sur eit
’sgonnagowel l
…I
hadthelandt estedandal l
…doy out
hinkwe
canwaitay earf
ort hebusi nesstobepicki
ng
up?
SESHA:Ij
ustthi
nkifwedoi
tnowmay
bemama
wil
lbepl
acatedali
ttl
e…
ARNO: Iunderstand.AndIhatetodot hi
sbabe,
butdoy outhinkyoucanfrontmeP500ksoI
cantakecareoft hiswhol
ebr i
depricethi
ng
then?Thisproject!I
t’
soi
l,baby,oi
l
!So, moneyi
s
nev
ergoi
ngt
obeawor
ryf
orus.
SESHA: Ok…myf amil
ywon’ ttakemoneybr i
de
pri
ce,theysayit
sembar r
assing,l
ikesell
ing
yourchil
d.So,youbet
tergobuyf inecows, my
unclecanbebrutalwheninspecting.Andyou
needt ohaveahousetoshowmyuncl eyou
haveapl acef
ormet oli
ve.Andy ouhav etobuy
severali
temstheywil
lrequest…
ARNO:Alr
ight
,howaboutwemakei
tP800K
l
oanthen?
SESHA:
Alr
ight
.
ARNO:Awesome.Iboughtust i
cket
sto
Mozambi
quetoseey ourgrandmother
,Ibetshe
wil
ll
ovet
obeattheweddi ng.
SESHA:Iwantaweddingofthey
earbabe.You
knowIam bour
giel
ikethat
.
ARNO:
Any
thi
ngf
ory
oumyangel
.
*
***
***
***
***
***
***
***
Reubenwokeupwi tht
hetwogi r
lhehadbeen
party
ingwit
hhavi
ngorderedroom ser
viceand
theysateat
ingal
lthef
ancyfood.
Theyall
wenttoshoweralongsideasteamy
thr
eesome,bef
oretheygotdressedforcheck
out.
Hewentt
othecount
ert
oset
tl
ethebi
l
l.
RECEPTIONI
ST:Herei
sthef
inalbi
l
l.That
wouldbeP13000,
incl
udi
ngall
theroom
ser
vice.
Sht
,healr
eadyspentt
heP9000f
rom t
heP15
000onthecar
d.
REUBEN:
Oh,
ok,
giv
emeasecond.
Hestoodaroundthinki
ngast
hegi
rl
slookedat
hi
m withi
mpat i
ence.
GI
RL:
Ist
her
eapr
obl
em,
Rue?
RUE:Probl
em?No,no…Ijust
.Ibr
oughtmy
per
rycashcar
d.Idon’
tkeepmuchonit.SoIam
t
ryi
ngt
ogetmybusinessassoci
atetot
ransf
er
memoref
orm abusi
nessaccount.
Hewal
kedt
othesi
deandcal
l
edNeel
o.
NEELO:
What
?
RUE:
Nel
i
,nemmacany
out
ransf
ermeP10000?
NEELO:(l
aughing)Ar
ey oumakingajoke?P10
000kemot saakae,akereyoustol
emycar d?
Don’
ttel
lmey ouspentallt
hemoneyi nther
e,
Reuben!
RUE:Can’
tyouborr
owfrom SeshaorLuba?
Pl
ease…Iwill
getarr
est
ed(hesaidinawhisper
)
NEELO:
Thenmay
bet
hat
’swhaty
ouneed.
Shehungupandbl
ockedhi
m.
Helookedaroundnervousl
yandcall
edsomeof
theguyshealwaysparti
edwit
h.Noneofthem
wereanyhelpeventhoughhewast heone
alwaysbuyi
ngandpay i
ngforever
ythi
ng.Now
theycan’
tcometogetherandmakeupP7000t o
bai
lhi
m out
?
Hehadnott
alkedtohi
sot
herfr
iendsinsucha
l
ongti
me…hedi dn’
tev
enknowifthey
’deven
wantt
otal
ktohim.
Monk.
Heshoul
dcal
lMonk,
theyal
way
shadbeen
cl
ose.
RUE:
Hey
,Monk?
PUNIE:Whatdoyouwantwithmyman?Idon’ t
wantMonkhav i
nganyt
hingtodowithyou
Reuben.Youarenotaman,andIdon’twant
youinf
luenci
nghim.
Shealsohungupandwhenhet r
iedcal
li
ng
agai
n,itwasn’
tgoi
ngt
hrough.Eadidn’
teven
pi
ckup.
Andthelastt
imehespoketoKart
el,he
accusedLubaofbei
ngadrugdealer
,andKart
el
waspissedwitht
hat
.Butwhatot
herchoicedi
d
hehav
e?
Hel
i
stenedner
vousl
yast
hephoner
ang.
KARTEL:
Yea?
RUE:
Heybi
gman,
dint
shang?
KARTEL:
Ay,
nix…l
i
fehel
amel
ait
i.What
’sgood?
RUE:Ei
sh,t
hemonnaIhav easi
tuat
iony
ana.I
needP7000,possi
blyt
en.
KARTEL:Di
dn’
tyouj
ustmakebi
gsel
l
ingy
our
shar
estoMonk?
RUE:Yea….Ei
sh…got
hat
aMi
ster
… so,
wil
lyou
beableto?
KARTEL: Andhowdoy ouplanonpayingme
back,Rue?Iknowyouarebr oke…y
ourwifej
ust
cal
ledtoborrowmoneyf r
om mywi f
e.Youdon’
t
work,shedoesn’
twork.Sohowwi l
lyoupayme?
RUE:
Comeon, Kar
t…P7000i
snot
hingt
oyou…
wearebr
o’s.
KARTEL: I
fIl
iv
edbyt hatment al
ity
,I’
dbe
exactl
ywhereyouare.Myf atherwaspoor
becausehewasal wayshelpingout‘bro’
s’.That
aintgonnabeme,myman.Idon’ tseeaway
youcanpayme, youhav enoasset sIcant ake
i
fIam notpaidback…so, yea.It
’sanof orme.
Hehungupandatt
hispoi
ntRuewasatt
he
ver
geoft
ears.
GIRL:
Arey ouseri
ouslyfail
ingtosettl
eaP13
000bil
l,
Reuben?Nxl a,t
hesef akeri
chguys
mothoat shel
akadikoloto.Atleastgi
veustaxi
moneyrrannar ei
tsamael e.
RUE:
Wai
t,Ij
ust
…I…
Therecepti
oni
str
oll
edherey
esandcal
l
ed
secur
it
y,thent
hepoli
ce.
*
***
***
***
***
***
***
*
LUBA
OnMondayasIwasdr
oppi
ngFazdwaand
Dani
eof ftodaycar
eandKi nder
gart
en,Isaw
Kart
eldroppingKyl
ieoffasthepri
vateschool
st
artedallt
hewayf rom daycar
etosenior.
KARTEL:
Hey
…
ME:
Hey
…
KARTEL:
Howi
ssheadj
ust
ing,
Fadzwa?
ME:
Real
l
ywel
l
…shei
sver
yresi
l
ient
.
KARTEL:
Takesaf
tery
ou…
Hesai
dwi
thasmi
l
e.Ihat
ethati
tmademe
bl
ush.
KARTEL:Iguessbynowy
ouwoul
dhav
ehear
dI
am get
ti
ngmar r
ied.
ME:
(laughi
ng)Di
dIev
er…
KARTEL:
Yea,
Ipr
oposed.
ME:
Congr
ats…
KARTEL:
Iwil
lbegetti
ngmarr
iedinsi
xmonths,
wewanttogetmarr
iedbef
orethebabyi
sborn.
Myuncl
esar
egoi
ngt
oaskherf
ami
l
ytomor
row.
ME: Bat ho!Jangl eny alolalonal entogel e!Ba
bangwedansendel adi ri
ngkaha, jaanol ewena
ohaomphacal endary alenyalo.Whatam I ,
yourweddi ngpl anner?Kanabogol oify ouwant
met obei nv olvedsomuch, mphangposi t
ionee,
mmadi tselaj aana, kanakgadi ,l
ehael ef l
ower
girlkakehaookar eleampat a!Ao!Hal e
nnet segont shusumet saleny al
oj aanannake
l
ekagoi ketshamogol ona!Ahh( Enjoyy our
weddi ngandl eavemeal one.Somear ebusy
sendi ngmer ingpictures,nowy ouar eal so
givingmet heweddi ngcalendar ?Atl eastgi ve
mear olei nt heweddi ngifyouwantme
i
nv olvedsomuch, Icoul devenbeaf lowergi r
l
sincey oual l seem t owantme.Whyar ey ou
forcingy ourweddi ngonmewhenIam t ryi
ngto
distancemy selffrom y oupeopl e?)
*
***
***
***
***
***
***
*
Af
terdr
oppi
ngKy
li
eatschool
,Kar
tel
headedt
o
theoffi
ce.Ashewalkedi
n,henot
icedev
ery
one
star
ingathim,gi
ggl
i
ng.
KARTEL:(l
aughi
ng)Iwasn’
tme,andi
fy’
alldon’
t
st
opstari
ngatmel i
kethat
,youar
eal
lfi
red.
Now,getbacktowork.
Heworkedforabit
,thenKesegoar
ri
ved
br
ingi
nghimlunch.
SinceLuba’sli
verantlastt
imedroppingnames,
andtalkedabouther,Kesegohadgai nedso
muchFacebookf r
iends.Andyester
daywhen
shepost edherengagementr i
ng,i
twasr i
ddl
ed
withcomment sli
ke.‘wasthisaft
erhewas
hammer ingyouagainstthewindow?’
Soshehaddecidedtogowi
thit
,gotal
onger
curl
ylaceweav
eliket
heoneonthevi
deo,and
showedupattheoffi
ceoni
t.
Shewhi sper
ednotr
eall
ybecauseitwasat
earshotandcl
ear
lymeantt
obe‘ acci
dent
all
y’
overhear
d.
KESEGO:Mhhh,
whendoest
hispl
acecl
earout
?
Thefunwecoul
dhav
e.
Kar
tel
laughedandki
ssedherneck.
KARTEL:
Byei
ghti
tshoul
dhav
ecl
ear
ed.
Thewhol
eof
fi
cel
aughedandsomeoney
ell
ed.
‘
Thi
sti
mear
oundatl
eastcl
oset
heshut
ter
s.’
‘
Shem,youguy
sar
esocut
e,Iwantawi
fel
i
ke
y
oursboss’
KARTEL:(l
aughi
ng)Al
lofy
ouperv
saref i
red,
babe,
let
’sgotomyoffi
ce,
it’
smorepr
ivate.
Nikit
ahuffedandwentt ostandexactlywhere
theyhadbeent hatday
,leaningagainstthe
glassthesamewayhehadpi nnedherthere,
makingsur eKesegosaw.
Kesegostor
medof
ftoKar
tel
’
sof
fi
ce,
closi
ng
thedoor
.
KESEGO:(whi
speri
ng)I
t’
sthatho,
isn’
tit
!It
’s
thatNi
ki
ta?Iwantherf
ir
ed!
Kar
tel
huggedherandki
ssedherneck.
KARTEL: Iwouldn’tknowwhoi twasmyl ove,I
wasn’tthere.AndIcan’tfi
repeopl
ewithout
reason.I’
dgetint roubl
ewitht
helaw.How
aboutIwr apthisupher eandwegomat ernit
y
andbabyshoppi ng?
KESEGO:
Aww,
you’
dcomewi
thme?
KARTEL;Ofcour
se…Ionlywannamakey ou
happy,
don’
tyouknow?Waitunti
lyoufi
ndout
aboutt
hebabymoonandpushpr esent
.Orcrap,
meandkeepingsecr
ets…
KESEGO:Youar
etaki
ngmef
orababymoon?
Awww,babe…
KARTEL:Youcouldusesomespoil
ingand
pamperi
ngforawholeweekbecauseinafew
monthswewi l
lbebacktot
henosleephell
whenthatboygetsher
e.
KESEGO:Awww….Whyam Isoblessed?You
ar
ethebest.Andy
ouar
eri
ght,y
ousuckat
keepi
ngsecret
s…nowy ourui
nedmysur
pri
ses.
ButIam soexci
ted.Thanksbabe.
*
***
***
***
***
***
***
***
*
LI
KE,
COMMENT,
SHARE
ATHUG’
SLOVE:
67
Thenexteveni
ngIwasmakingdinnerwhen
ther
ewasaknockatthedoor.Iwenttoopen
andPalal
aniandhi
sdaught
erstoodther
e.
ME:
Pal
alani
,Phal
ana….Comei
n.
PALALANI:JustLani
please,
andMsl adyher
e
goesbyLana.Wewant edtothanky
ou.Sowe
boughtf
lowers.
ME:aww,thati
ssosweet.Youdi
dn’
thav
eto.
Howdidschoolgo,
Lana?
PHALANA:Ihadalit
tl
eaccident
,butIdi
dli
ke
youtol
dmeandputmyj erseyaroundmywaist
,
andIhadaspareski
rtandpantypackedinmy
bag,
soIwenttochangeandnobodynot i
ced.
ME:Goodgir
l…remembert ochangeever
yfour
hour
stomini
mizeaccident
.Goplaywitht
he
gi
rl
sovert
here,
Iam abouttoservedi
nner
.
PALALANI
:Phew!Atl
eastwedon’
thav
etoeat
pi
zzaagai
n.HowcanIhelp?
ME:Idoubty
ouhav
eanyki
tchenski
l
ls,
richboy
,
sost
ayoutofmyway.
LANI:(l
aughi
ng)Guil
ty…butIwannal
ear
n.For
Lana.Thanksforhel
pingwi
thherbyt
heway.
ME:
Nopr
obl
em.Howi
sitgoi
ng?Par
ent
ing?
LANI:(
sighi
ng)Shef
oundoutIwasinprison,
andnowt hi
nksIam t
hisevi
lper
son.Sheisn’
t
gi
vingmeachanceatal l
.
ME: Canyoublameher,Palal
ani
?Youwere
missinginherl
if
enineoutofherteny
ear
sof
bei
ngal i
ve.Youarel
it
eral
lyastr
anger
.
LANI
:Butshei
smydaught
er…
ME:
Shei
sherownper
son,
andf
orci
ngi
tcan
causemorehar
m.Trustme,Iknow.Iwasjust
l
uckymineisl
it
tl
e,sost
il
lver
yadaptabl
e.Just
showherwhoyouareasapersonandlether
cometoyou.
LANI
:Shewon’
tev
ent
alkt
ome.
ME:
(si
gh)Icoul
dtr
ytot
alkt
oher
.
LANI
:Pl
ease?Shel
i
kesy
oual
ot.
ME: Alr
ight,
butyouhavetohel
pmeunder st
and
all
thesef i
nancethi
ngs.NnaIl
ike
understandi
ngeverypartofmybusi
ness,
but
thi
sisal l
Greektome.
LANI:(
laughi
ng)Youareaski
ngsomeonewho
j
ustdidnineyear
sforembezzl
ementt
odoyour
fi
nances?
ME:Mhh,Iwasn’
tki
ddingwhenIsai
dmybaby
daddyi
sahit
man,sugar.AndIgetf
reeser
vice.
LANI
:(l
aughing)Damn… butIdon’
ttendto
st
ealf
rom peopleIl
ike,
soyouaresafe.
Wesatandate,thenthegirl
ssleptandIlet
Lanacrushi
ntheirbedr
oom.Ibr oughtmy
l
aptopandopenedaspr eadsheet,showi
ngLani
ourcompany’
sthings.
Hewasatitforal
mostt
wohour
s,qui
etl
ygoi
ng
t
hroughi
tall
.
LANI
:Somet
hingi
snotaddi
ngupher
e.
Me:
Huh?
LANI:Thisisnotev
enagoodcov erupofthe
embez zl
ementjob,butsomeonehasbeen
ri
ppingthecompanyof fbi
gti
me.Youaresti
ll
doingreal
lygood… butsomeoneissti
ll
steal
ingfrom y
ou.
*
***
***
***
**
Arnopar
kedt
hei
rrent
edcarandwal
ked
towar
dsabighouse
Andwomancameoutwal
ki
ngwi
thacane,
a
gi
rlsuppor
ti
ngher
.
GRANDA:
Ohy oul
ookj
ustli
kehi
m.MyAdi
a…
youl
ookj
ustl
i
keyourf
ather
…
ShehuggedSeshahappi
l
y.
GRANMA:Youhav
ehi
sgol
denv
oicet
oo.Ihav
e
beenwai
ti
ngt
omeety
ou.
SESHA: Nicet
omeetyou.Gr
andma,t
hisi
smy
husband,ArnoNor
thman.Heist
heonewho
connectedus.
GRANDMA: Thankyou,t
hankyou…myboy .God
bl
essyou.Comein.Ihopeyouarespendi
ngat
l
eastt
woweeks.
*
***
***
***
*
Anot
herhourpassedasLanipr
int
edand
hi
ghl
ightedal
ltheembezzl
ement,
howmuch
wastaken,wherei
twent.
Idi
dn’
tevenhav
etot
hinkf
urt
her
.Ial
ready
knewwho.
Ij
ustf
eltbadf
orSesha.Andherphonewasn’
t
goi
ngt
hroughasshewasi
nMozambi
que.
Ther
ewasaknockandIwentt
oopen.
Kar
telst
oodatt
hedoorwi
thagr
ocer
ybag.
KARTEL:
Ibr
oughtt
hegi
rl
smopako.
HesawLanilayi
ngont
hecar
petashe
cont
inuedworki
ng.
KARTEL:
Whatt
hef**
kLuba,y
ouar
eal
ready
br
ingi
ngmenar
oundtheki
ds?
ME:
Cany
ouj
ustnot
?Pl
ease?
KARTEL:CanIj
ustnotwhat
?Howlonghav
e
youknownhim?Howdoy ouknowhei
snot
someperv?
LANI :Oh,hi
.Youmustbet hebabydaddy .AndI
feelyouman, Iwouldtri
ptoo,i
fIf oundsome
random manar oundmyki ds.ButIjustwanna
l
ety ouknowt hatIhaventevenreallybeen
aroundt heki
ds,theybeenintheirroom, andI
washer ewor ki
ng.
KARTEL:
Shutup.Andgett
hef
**koutofher
e.
ME: (l
aughung)heel
ang,monyadiosebet
ejang
batho!Whydoy outhi
nkyoucanthrowoutmy
guests?Awhol eengagedman.
KARTEL:Dude,youseri
ousl
ydon’
twannado
thi
swit
hmer ightnow.Isai
dgetout
.
Hesaidashetookoffhi
sfor
mal
jacketand
f
oldedhi
ssleeves.
ME:Kart
el!MustIgofightKesego,huh?Orall
t
heotherho’syouf*,k?Youar egetti
ng
mar
riedbutIcan’
tevenspendanev eningwi
th
aman?
KARTEL:
Notar
oundmydaught
er!Mi
sterIsai
d
l
eave.
LANI :
(laughi
ng)Cal
m downbigguy.Someone
i
sst eali
ngfrom y
ourgi
rl
.Sav
et hatener
gyfor
them.
KARTEL:
What
?
LANI: Seeal l
theset hi
ngsIhighli
ghted?
Transact i
onst hatwenttoaof fshor
eaccount.
It
’shiddenundert hebusinesswholesale
purchases, butit’
sapr i
vatetr
ansaction.They
arenoti ntendingtobankrupt,butst
ill
,theyar
e
steal
ing.
KARTEL:
So,
your
eal
l
ywer
ewor
king?
LANI:(
laughi
ng)Yea,
thetuni
ngheroutl
i
kea
di
alup’
sgonnahappenlat
ertoni
ght…
Kart
elmadet
opunchhi
m butLubast
eppedi
n
fr
ontofhi
m.
LUBA:
Kar
tel
!St
op…
LANI:
(laughi
ng)Yea,gonnahaveher
scr
eami ngmynameandy ell
i
ng‘ harder
’in
Kal
anga… gapewej usthavethatbigger,
thicker
good-
good.
ME: Pal
alani
!Cany ounotantagonizethi
s
psycho?Hewi l
ll
iteral
l
ybreaky ourneck,and
that
’snotafigur
eofspeech,heact uall
ycan.I
haveseenhim doit
.Kar
tel
,cal
mt hef**
kdown.
Breat
he.Iam notsl
eepi
ngwithPalal
ani
,cal
m
down.
KARTEL: I
’
m chi
l
l,I’
m chi
l
l.Now,pr
ett
yboi,
star
t
tal
king,
whoissteali
ngfr
om Luba?Seshawoul
d
never…
ME: Ofcoursenot.Butthatcontroll
ingt wit
Arno… andIam notsur e,butIhaveaf eeli
nghe
hasSeshahookedonsomet hing.Isawt wi
ce
al
readyhert aki
ngsomet hingIam notf ami l
iar
with,say
sitssomepi l
lsAr nogotherf orher
panicatt
acks.
KARTEL: Iknewtherewasar
easonIdi
dn’tl
i
ke
thatl
i
ttl
esht …youknowwhat,
Monk’sgonna
kil
lhi
mi fhehurtthatgi
rl
.
*
***
***
***
Puni
eser
veddi
nnerandsatt
alki
ngwi
thMonk.
PUNIE:Kesegowastell
i
ngmeKart
’suncl
es
wenttoaskforherhandtoday
.
MONK:
Yea…
PUNIE:I
tmakessenset hattheygetmarri
ed
nowthattheyar
ehavingababyt oget
her
…
gapesheisagoodwoman.I t
’snotmanythat
wouldl
oveaman’ schil
dlikeKesel ov
esDanie.
MONK:
(smi
l
ing)Babe,
youwannagetmar
ri
ed?
PUNIE:What?That’
snotwhatIwassuggest ing!
Iwasjustsayi
ng.It
’sjust
… no,Imean,weare
noti
ncompet it
ion,Iam j
usthappyforKesego.
MONK:Exact
ly… wedon’
twannar
usht
hings
aker
e…
PUNI
E:(
looki
ngdown)Yea… noneedt
orush.
Hi
sphoner
angandhepi
ckedi
tup.
MONK:
Kar
t?
KARTEL: Man,t
hingsaremessedupr i
ghtnot
.It
l
ookslikethatl
i
lshtArnobeensteal
ingfr
om
thegi
rl
s… andhepossi bl
ygotSeshahookedon
something.
MONK:
What
?Sht
,wher
eisSesha?I
ssheok?
KARTEL:Gat
weMozambi
quewi
thhi
m.Meet
meatthehi
ve.
Hehungupandpi
ckeduphi
scarkey
.
PUNI
E:Wher
eto?
MONK:
Kar
twant
stot
alksomet
hingov
er.
PUNI
E:I
sitaboutSesha?
MONK:
It’
snotwhaty
out
hink.Ihav
etogo.
Heki
sseshercheekandr
anof
fasPuni
e
wat
chedangri
l
y.
Whywasher unningof
fforwhat
everSeshagot
her
sel
finv
olv
edi n?
*
***
***
***
LI
KE,
COMMENT,
SHARE
ATHUG’
SLOVE67
Iwassowor ri
edforSesha.Bei
ngi
nawhol
e
othercount
rywit
hthatman…
Icoul
dn’
tri
skhi
mfi
ndi
ngoutandhur
ti
ngher
.
Butwehadt
ogetherbackher
e.
KARTEL:
Your
eachedSeshay
et?
ME:Idon’
twannari
skhim gett
ingat
ipoff
.
Whatifhehur
tsher?Imighthaveapl
an.Giv
e
meami nut
e.
It
ookmyphoneandcal
l
edmma-
Sesha.
MMA-SESHA:Mygi
rl
… whenar
emygr
andki
ds
comi
ngtoseeme?
ME: Iam dr
oppi
ngthem of
fthi
sweekend.Mma
Sesha,It
hinkSeshai
sintr
ouble.
MMASESHA:
Troubl
e?Ohmypoorbaby
.Isshe
ok?
ME:Witht
hehelpofafr
iend,
IfoundoutAr
no
hasbeenst
eal
inglar
geamountsofmoney.
MMASESHA:
Iknewi
t!Thatani
mal
!
ME:
Ican’
ttel
lhert
hatbecauseIdon’
twantt
o
al
arm him andr i
skhim hur
tingherwhi l
ethey
areoutthere.Iam gonnatellheryouareinthe
hospit
al,i
ncaseshecal lsyou,tel
lherassuch
andaskhert ocomehomei mmedi at
ely.I
’
llt
ell
heryouhadast r
oke.
MMASESHA:
Luba,
shoul
dn’
twebegoi
ngt
o
t
hepol
i
ce?
ME: No,becausei
twil
lal
arm hi
m… pl
ease,
promisemey ouwon’tgotot
hepol
iceunti
lwe
haveSeshabackhere.
MMASESHA:
Ok
WhenIhungup,
IFacebookedSesha.
‘
babe,
Ibeentryi
ngtor
eachyou,mmaSesha
hadastr
okeandinhospi
tal
.Pl
easer
espond
i
mmediatel
y,andcomehome.’
*
***
***
***
Seshasatwi
thhergr
andmot
hert
alki
ng.
GRANDMA:
Hav
eIseeny
ourhusbandbef
ore?
SESHA:
Idoubtgr
anny
… hel
i
vesi
nBot
swana.
GRANDMA: Theseoldeyes… IwouldswearI
sawhim once,
wasi tatmylawyer’
soffi
ce?
Maybejusti
npassing,orsomeonewhol ooks
l
ikehim.Anyway,
tellmemor eaboutyou.How
didyoumeethim?
SESHA: (smi li
ng)Suchaf unnyst ory.Outof
nowher eIgoti nvitedtothi sbusinesssemi nar,
theywer einv i
ti
ngsmal l
busi nessownerandhe
wasspeaki ngthere.Aftert hesemi narhewas
chatt
inguppeopl eandgi v i
ngadv i
se.Hecame
tosayhi ,wet alked,andj ustclicked… thenf or
thepastt hreey earshewashel pingmegr ow
thebusinessf rom onesmal lsalont onotjust
sixsalons, butalsothreer esortspas, andal ine
ofhaircar eandhai rextensions.
GRANDMA:
Oh… heseemsl
i
keagoodman.
SESHA:
Her
eal
l
yis.
GRANDMA:
Butbecar
eful
mydear
.Ther
eisno
sucht
hingasf
reelunch.
.Hewashel
pingso
muchandwhatdidheget?
SESHA:(
laughi
ng)Turnsouthewasinlovewit
h
meallal
ong,butshyt
ot el
lme,sohethought
hi
sactofgoodnesswill
showmehel i
kedme.
GRANDMA: Youmustcomewi t
hmet omorr
ow,
mylawyerwant
edmet ocomet al
kaboutmy
wi
ll
,IguessImayhavetoupdatei
ttoonowthat
mygrandchi
ldi
shere!
*
***
***
***
Ar
nosatout
sideanswer
ingt
hephone.
ARNO: Whatdoy oumeansomeonet
ri
edt
o
accesstheaccounts?
‘
Naomi setupanal gor
ithm thattri
psift
hey
wereaccessedany wherebesi desbymeorher ,
andIthinktheyareontoy ou.Shesay syour
cashtransferwaslousy.Andt hattwhoeverthey
haveaccessingourshtai n’
tmuchi fahacker.
Hemightknowmoney ,butwheni tcomest o
hacking,heiadealingwithabeast.Shealsogot
i
nhercomms, theyaretry
ingtogetSesha
home.Naomi deletedthemessages… Ar no,
we
areseatingonbi l
li
ons,wecan’tl
oset hi
s.We
cannol ongerjustwaitfortheol
dwomant o
givehertheland.
ARNO:
Whatar
eyousuggest
ing?
‘
Trevori
sherlawy er
,ri
ght
.Hecanchangeher
wil
ltogi
vethatlandtothegi
rl
.Thentakecar
e
oftheol
dwoman. ’
ARNO:Damon,whatthehell
doyoumean‘ t
ake
car
e’?Nobodywassupposedtogethur
t.
‘
Youar ebr
oke,
y oudon’thavet
hatluxur
yof
‘
nobodywassupposedt ogethurt
’,
andIspent
alotofmoneyreplaci
ngmyar t
,soIwantthi
s
t
oo.Dowhatneedsdoi ng.’
ARNO:
Whati
fSeshadoesn’
tgi
vei
ttome?
‘
whocar
es,
takecar
eofher
?’
ARNO: Excuseyou?Shedoesnotgethur
t,or
thewhil
et hi
ngisoff
.Icanj
ustdr
ughergain
unti
li
tsalldone.
’
‘
Ok,what
ever
.Doi
t.Asl
ongaswegett
hat
l
and.
’
*
***
***
***
*
Monkarr
ivedatLuba’
spl
aceandf
oundKar
tel
t
here.
MONK:Pl
easet
ell
mewehav
emanagedt
o
r
eachher
?
KARTEL:
Lubat
ri
ed… not
hingsof
ar.
LANI
:Icanhel
p…
KARTEL:
Youst
il
lher
e?
LANI:Dude,wegetit
,youcantotal
lypunchmy
l
ightsout,
butIhaveusefulski
l
lsyoumight
need,andIonl
ywannahel pLuba.
Anot
hercarpar
kedandEaar
ri
vedwi
thNaomi
.
KARTEL:
Naomi
,whatcany
oudoaboutt
his?
NAOMI:OhmyGod,
whoi
sthi
sidi
ot,
hel
i
ter
all
y
t
ippedhi
m of
f.
LANI:Par
donme, mystrongsuitisf
inance.And
heisobvi
ouslyworki
ngwi t
hanI Tbeast
becauseheli
ter
all
ycreat
edsomanybi gtrai
l
s
themoneytrail
stopsexist
ingatsomepoi nt
NAOMI :Yup,themoneyi sgone.Itwas
tr
ansfer
redaf ewt i
mes, bouncedinaf
ew
account
s, t
henat rai
llostwhenitwascashed
out.Whatevertheytookisgone.
KARTEL:
So,
ther
eisnowayofr
etr
iev
ingi
t?
NAOMI
:I’
m af
rai
dnot
.
MONK: Sht
,howaboutSesha?Lubamessages
her
,butshehasn’
tresponded.
NAOMI:Ihav
enoidea,I
’
llkeept
ryi
ngt
ogeti
n
hercommsandgethertocomeback.
*
***
***
***
ThenextdayArnodr
oveSeshaandt
heol
d
womant othel
awyer
’sof
fi
ce.
Hesatl
i
steni
ngt
otheoldwomantal
kabouther
wi
ll
andwhatshewoul
dliket
ogi
veSesha.
Sht.Thel
andwasn’
tinsi
debecauseshedi
dn’
t
thi
nkitwasofanyv
alue.
Shewasbei
nggi
venat
owel
fact
oryandt
he
house.
Whent
heyl
eft
,thel
awy
ert
ext
edhi
m.
‘
l
andaddedt
owi
l
l.Takecarofhert
oni
ght
’
Hespentthewholedaynerv
ous,buti
nthe
eveninghehadadrinkwi
thSeshaandthe
helperwhi
letheol
dwomannapped.
Heslippedpi
ll
sineachofthei
rdri
nks,
and
watchedastheybothgotdrowsyandwentt
o
bed.
Hewenttot
heoldwoman’ sbedr
oom,inj
ect
ing
somet
hingonherchestandwatchedastheol
d
womangaspedcl utchi
ngherchest,the
screamsf r
om herfr
ail
bodybarel
ythere,
not
thatthegir
lscoul
dhearher,
passesoutof
sleepingpi
ll
sastheywere.
Hecheckedherpulseandwhenhewas
sati
sfi
edshewasdead,wentbacktothei
r
bedroom andsl
eptbesi
desapassedout
sl
eepingSesha.
*
***
***
***
**
Seshawokeupt ot
hehel
perscreami
ng.She
putonhergownandruntotheoldwoman’s
bedroom wher
ethehel
perwasscreaming.
HER:
Shehasnopul
se… herski
n… ohmyGod…
ohmyGod.
Sesharanovert
ohergrandmother
,tr
yingt
o
shakeherawakeasshecried.
Arnocameandhuggedher
,pul
l
ingheraway
fr
om thebody
.
ARNO:Shei
sgonebabe,
shei
sgone… I
’
m so
sor
ry…
Het
ookherbacktothebedroom andi
nstr
ucted
t
hehel
pert
ocalladoctort
ocerti
fyherdead.
*
***
***
***
***
Earl
ynextmor
ningKar
tel
showedupatmy
houseagai
n.
KARTEL:
YougotSeshay
et?
ME: Ij
ustdi
d.Hergr
andmapassed,
soIdi
dn’
t
havetheheartt
otel
lherwhenshei
sgoi
ng
thr
oughsomuch.
KARTEL:Monkwil
lbehappytoknowshei
snot
hur
t… Imean,
despi
teever
ythi
ng.
Theki
dscamefrom t
hebedr
oom andDanai
ran
tohi
m andhehuggedher
.
Fadzwast
oodbackshy
ly.
KARTEL:
comeher
e,Fadzwa.
Shewal
kedov
ercaut
iousl
y.
KARTEL:Iwoul
dliket
obef r
iendsifyouwant
?I
am Dani
edaddy,andIcanbey ourdaddyt
ooif
youwant.
Howcar efulhewaswi t
htheli
tt
legi
rl
,how
respect
fulhewasofherspaceanddi
dn’tr
ush
her,j
ustholdi
nghi
sbighandout…makingher
underst
andshehadachoice.
Thi
smanmayhav emanyf aul
ts,butItelly
ou,
Kar
tel
ist
hebestdamnf at
herthereis.Iteared
upwhenFadzwagavehim abigsmi l
e,then
wal
kedovert
ohim,standi
ngbesidesDani e.
Isenttheki
dsbackt
othebat
hroom t
obr
ush
thei
rteet
h.
ME:Thedramay
oupul
l
edwi
thLani
yest
arday
wasn’
tcut
e.
KARTEL:
Iwasn’
ttr
yingt
obecut
e.
ME:
(si
ghi
ng)Kar
t,babe… y
ougot
tagi
vei
tup.
Youaregetti
ngmar r
ied.Iwi
llst
artdat
ingt
oo
event
uall
y,andIcan’
thav ey
oudoi ngt
hecrazy
exsht.
KARTEL:YouknowIlov
eyou,
Luba… I
’
dbe
marr
yingyoui
fyou’
dhaveme…
ME:AndyouknowwhyIcan’
thav
eyou,
Kar
tel
.
Toomuchhashappened.
KARTEL:Youknowwhatfrust
rat
esmeabout
you?Youdon’
tevenf
**ki
ngdenylov
ingme.
ME:
Whywoul
dI?I
’
m notal
i
ar.
KARTEL:
Yea,
justaf
**ki
ngcowar
d.
ME:Ok.
KARTEL:
Imean, Ihurty
ou,
youhur
tme,
why
can’
twejustst
artover
ME: Li
fedon’tworkliket
hat,unfor
tunatel
y.Go
homeKar t
el.Lovey ourf
iancéeandrespecther,
stopmakingheral aughi
ngst ock…thisishow
weendupbei ngcall
edcrazy,mothoagodi ra
j
aakaomodi rajaana,her
eprofessi
ngy ourl
ove
toanother
,f**kiganother
,whil
eshei s
pregnantwit
hy ourchil
dandyourunclesare
tal
kingtoherfamily?Youhavedecidedt omarr
y
her,nowbeamanashowherr espect,andstay
outofmybusi ness.
*
***
***
**
LI
KE,
COMMENT,
SHARE
ATHUG’
SLOVE68
Naomi sati
nDoll
a’
sstudyast
heyt
alkedt
o
ArnoandTrevoronZoom.
TREVOR:SoIfi
xedthepaper
s,i
tallbel
ongsto
Seshanow.Yourmove,Ar
no.Gethertosigni
t
over.
ARNO: Guy
s,aslongaswel eav
eherbusi ness
be.Sheworkedforthat
; shedeser
v estokeepit.
AndIwannacompensat ebackthemoneyI
ski
mmedaf terwesellthelandwithoil.The
i
ntenti
onwasnev ertoharm herbusiness,j
ust
taketheland.That
’smoremoneythanwecan
i
magi ne,sowedon’tneedany
thi
ngfrom her
business.
DOLLA:Nobodycar esaboutyougi
rl
fr
iend’
s
l
itt
lesal
on,Arno.AllIwannaknowi
showdi d
youtwogetladyNaomi t
ocomeback!Ithough
shewast eam kasi
squadnow.
NAOMI :(l
aughing)Thatasswaspl ayi
ngmef or
secondf i
ddl
e.Me?Cany oui magi
ne?Icoul
d
writeNASAandessayr ightnowandt heywould
begmet ocomewor kfort hem.AndIlookl
ike
thi
s!Lookatall t
hesecur ves,hmm?Howwoul d
turnall
thisaway ?PlusIsav edhimfrom Ni
kki
usinghim,andhet oldhisboy sNi
kkii
sbett
er
thanmei nbed.Ser i
ously,somemendon’ t
knowagoodt hingwhent heyhaveit
.
DOLLA:
Damn…
NAOMI:
Ifoundoutt
hatnotonl
ydidhehookup
wi
tht
hatdumbbichRonafterSpi
nny’
sfuner
eal
,
hewast extingherabouthowt heybel onged
togetherandhewasj ustwi t
hmebecausehe
couldn’thav eher .Ofcour se,Iinterceptedt he
messages, theynev erreachedher .ButIam st il
l
pissed.Ilov edthatguy .Debasedmy self
hangingwi tht hosedul lgirl
sandpl ayingper fect
suburbanwi fe.AndEai srecklessandl ov esto
spend.He’ dbewher eRuei snowi fIdi dn’thave
him.Hej ustbuy sthingsbecauseYOLO, but
doesn’tthinkofmaki ngmor e.Igav ehi m money
becauseIl ov edhi m.Ikepthi m af l
oatsohe
neverwentbr oke…Andhewoul dn’
tev engi ve
mear i
ng, thenhehast heaudaci tyt osayI ’
m
secondchoi ceandmysi sterisbet terthanme?
DOLLA: NowbabyItol
dy outhosebr
ainsand
thatbootywastoogoodtobebeggingtobe
l
ov ed.Andanybodywhothi
nksslayqueenis
bettert
hanyouinanyt
hingisdumb.Calm down.
TREVOR: Thisisj
ustli
ket
hegoodol
ddays.Al
l
fourofus,l
isteni
ngtoNaomiwhi
neabouther
t
err
ibl
echoi
ceinmen,Damonassuringhershe
i
sisthei
sh,
li
kethegi
rldon’
tal
readyknow.
NAOMI :(l
aughi
ng)ScrewyouTr ev
or…am I
wrongt owantal ov
inghusbandandkids?You
don’tknowhowhar ditisbei
ngasuper i
orbeing,
wit
hal lthesesmartsandthi
slooks.Younever
meetanequal ,
andwheny oujustset
tl
e,they
thi
nkt heycanplayyou.
ARNO:(l
aughi
ng)If
eelyoubaby…butSesha,
man.Thatgi
rli
ssmart
,sheli
stens,
sheis
sweet
… andshehasthatboot
y …
DOLLA: Arno,don’
tgosoftofusnow.Do
somethingaboutthatboneryouar egett
ingf
or
thegir
l.Sheisajobli
keanyot her.Wegetour
moneyf i
rst.I
fyouwannagogr ov
el andbegher
totakeyoubackaf t
er,t
hat’
sony ou.
ARNO:I’
m not
…I ’
mjustsay
ing.Idon’
twant
Seshahur
torherbusi
nessharmed.Youknow
sheact
uall
ystoodupformewhenmydad
star
tedhissht
?St
rai
ghtuptol
dhimtoshutthe
fckup,t
hathehadnoideahowhar
dworkingI
was.
NAOMI
:(l
aughi
ng)Bi
chst
upi
dthen…
ARNO:Sheanydiff
erentf
rom y
ou?Youwere
gi
vingt
hatfool
moneyt obuyhiscar
sand
spendl
ikeaball
er.
NAOMI
:Fcky
ou,
Arnol
d.
DOLLA:Enough!Theyar
eal
readyi nt
othe
embezzlement
…andIknowt hosehotheads,
theyar
egonnatrycomeaft
erAr no.
ARNO:
(laughi
ng)Iwi
shaf
ool
woul
d.
NAOMI :Don’tunderesti
matethoseguys.Kart
el
i
sapl anner,
hedoesn’ tmovewi t
houtknowing
hi
sopponent ,sowhenhecomesaf teryou,he
willbesur
ewhathei scomingafter
.Ineedto
stayinwit
hthem soweknowwhatt heyare
doing.Whent helandisall
sol
dandwegotout
money ,Ar
nocangobackt otheUSandget
her
sel
fali
’l
swampbi
chorsomethi
ng.They’l
l
nev
erevenknowt
her
estofuswerei
nvolved.
*
***
***
***
***
***
**
Kesegowalkedupt
hestair
softheoff
icei
nthe
eveni
ng.I
twaspret
tymuchempt y,
butKar
tel
hadsaidhewaswalki
nglate.
Sheent er
edthemai nareawheret
heotherssat,
whichwasempt y,thenmov edontoNi
kit
a’s
off
ice.Itwasopenandherl apt
opwasstil
lther
e,
notlocked.Shequietl
ysatdownandwent
thr
oughNi ki
ta’
slaptop.
Mostl
yitwaswor k,
andshehadt
ogobackt
oa
l
otofolderf
il
es.Butnot
hing.
Herphonewaslocked,
butsher emembered
Naomiinpassi
ngmentioninghow‘sil
l
ypeople
werewhenitcomestopasswor ds,
using
bi
rt
hdaysandtimeofbirt
h’
Shedi
dn’tknowt hei
rti
meofbir
th,
butboth
NaomiandNi ki
tahadmatchi
ngtatt
oothat
Naomi
hassai
ditwast
hei
rbi
rt
hdat
einbar
code.
Nowal
lshehadt
odowasf
indaphot
o…
Shewentt hr
oughherlaptopandsawonet hat
showedthecodewel l
,thenfoundacode
scanneronli
ne,cr
oppedthepictur
eand
scannedthecode,smil
ingasshesawt he
number.Itunl
ockedNikit
a’sphone.
ShewenttoNiki
ta’
sal
bum,fi
ndi
ngseveral
nudesandvi
deosofNiki
tamast
urbat
ing.Many
ofwhichwer
esenttoKart
el.
Whatdoy
ouknow…
I
fthegi
rll
i
kesexhi
bit
ioni
sm somuch…
Shesmi l
edassheupl oadedthepictur
esand
videostoNi ki
ta’
sFacebook,thenchanged
Nikit
a’spasswor d,becauseNaomi wasri
ght
,
thesil
lygir
l usedthesamepasswor dforher
Facebookt oo.
Shesentt
hepi
ctur
esandv
ideost
oal
lof
Ni
ki
ta’
sWhatsAppcont
act
stoo,i
ncl
udi
ng
Ni
ki
ta’
spar
entsandco-
worker
s.
Shehear
dNiki
ta’sheelscl
i
ckont hefl
ooras
shecameback,giggl
i
ng,Kart
elbehindher
.
Kesegoduckedint
othef
loort
oceili
ng
cupboardandcoul
dseethem t
hrought
hedoor
shutt
ers.
KARTEL:
Comeon,
Niks,
I’
ll
bequi
ck…
NIKITA:(l
aughing)Ihaveworkandmypost
graduatethesi
swena.Ija.Icametoshowyou
thecampai gnIam workingon,notgety
our
d**kjumping.
KARTEL:
(laughi
ng)Tool
ate…l
ookwhaty
ou
di
d…
Hecl osedheroff
iceandlockedit
,thentookher
handandr ubbeditupanddownhi scrotch,
turni
ngheraroundandbendi ngheroverthe
tableashepushedherskirtupandsl i
dher
pantytotheside,thent
ookacondom outofhi s
wal
l
etanddr
oppedhi
spant
s.
*
***
***
***
***
***
***
***
***
***
***
***
**
LUBA
Ihadj
ustdroppedtheki
dstoSesha’
smot her
,
whototal
l
yneededcheeri
ngup,asworr
iedas
shewasforSesha.Herf
li
ghtwasthenextday
togosupportSesha,
andIwascomingwithher.
SonowIsatwit
hnotmuchtodo.Westi
ll
had
noplanonhowtodeal
wit
hthi
sArnobaster
d.I
wentonsoci
almedi
atopasst
ime.
Ha,
Facebookati
tagain.Thi
sti
mealotof
Ni
ki
ta’
snudes,onherownFacebookpr
ofi
l
e.
HadtobeKesego,i
tjusthadt
obe.Man,
Idi
dn’
t
t
hinkshehadi
tinher.
Doesitmakemebadf orlaughingatthi
s?I
t’
s
notl
ikeRapunzel
doesn’tdeservei
t,Godonl
y
knowshowmuchshewoul dhav emocked
KesegoaboutKart
el’
sinfi
deli
ti
es.
Iguessevery
onehasl
imit
sthen.BecauseMs
wallf
lowerwasnol
ongerobser
vingbutstr
iki
ng
hard.
Ther
ewasaknockatt
hedoorandIopenedfor
Lani
wit
habi
gboxofpizzaandsomebeer.
ME:
Heyy
ou…
LANI:Iknowyoutooktheki
dstothei
r
grandmother
,andLanaisatasl
eepoverwi
tha
fr
iend…
ME:Youbri
ngpi
zzaandbeer.Youar
emy
f
avori
teper
sonr
ightnow.Comein.
Hecamei
nandwesatt
alki
ng.
LANI
:Kant
ewar
ewhyar
eyounotdat
ing?
ME:
Idon’
twantt
o?
LANI
:Sor
onahar
egobat
ajaana?
ME: (
laughing)Youaresofor
war
d.Andthati
s
yourownpr oblem,Iam t
aki
ngal
ongbreak
f
rom dating.
LANI
:Yourbabydaddyst
il
lwant
syouback.
ME:
Tel
lmesomet
hingIdon’
tknow.
LANI:
Ther
eissomuchheatandchemist
ry
bet
weenyoutwo,
ebi
leketshabat
otrymy
l
uck…
ME:Mmekanaheaty
atsi
dihal
a,chemi
str
yya
hel
a.
LANI
:(l
aughi
ng)Or
aagor
ekei
teke?
ME:
(laughi
ng)Notatal
l
LANI
:Isawt
hel
i
vev
ideoy
oumade,
andonehe
di
dtoo…
ME:(l
aughi
ng)Iwashurti
ngthatti
me.Itookit
down,butt
heinter
netnev
erforget
s,r
ight
?
Somepeoplealr
eadyhaditsavedandsharedi
t
agai
n…
LANI
:Isawt
heoney
ourf
athermade…
ME:
Idon’
tneedy
ourpi
ty…
LANI:Iam notpit
yingyouLuba,butam Inot
all
owedtof eel
badf oryou?Whatyouwent
thr
ough…
ME:
Ithi
nky
oushoul
dleav
e…
LANI:ComeonLuba…Idon’tfeelpi
tyfory
ou…
ok,
buty ouwentthr
oughhel
lsinceyouwerea
chi
ld,
andIjustthi
nk…
ME:
(yel
l
ing)Leav
e!Anddon’
tcomeback.
LANI
:No.
Iwental
lupi
nhi
sface.
ME:
Isai
d.Leav
e!Getout
.
LANI:AndIsaidno.Areyougonnamakeme?
Doyout hi
nkthi
sishealt
hy?Buryi
ngi
n
ever
ythi
ngthathurtyou?
ME:
Yout
hinky
ouknowme?
LANI:Idon’t
,butI
’dli
keto.AndI’
dli
ketosee
youheal t
oo,youareanamazingpersonwho
deser
v estr
uehappiness.Bur
yingi
tinsi
dei
snot
gonnahelp.Ihear
dthatwomanmma- Sesha
askingify
ouareseeingather
api
sty
et…y ou
aren’t
.
ME:
Getoutofmyhouse.
LANI
:Youdeser
vet
oheal
andbehappy
…
Iwentofftomybedr oom andtookmygun,
cameoutwi thitpointi
ngtohim.Hedidn’
teven
fl
inch,j
ustgotclosertomeunt i
litwasdi
rect
ly
pointedtohi
shear t
.
LANI:Shootifyoumust …goahead, ifit’
swhat
cari
nggetsme…y oucan’tcany ou?Iam not
j
udgingorpushi ng,Luba…Ijustwanty outo
openupt osomeone, i
tdoesn’thavet obeme.
Youcarryalotofhur t,
andwear enev ergonna
getourhappilyeverafterifyourpastisstil
l
hurt
ingyou.
Ihadnotevenreal
i
zedthathehaddi
sar
medme
andputtheguntothesi
de.
Her
eachedhi
shandandcar
essedmyf
ace.
LANI
:Icar
e…Luba…goddamni
t,Ido!
Heleanedinandhi
sli
psbr
ushedmi
nei
nthe
sl
i
ghtesttouch.
LANI:Icare…tel
lmenott o,shootmefori
t.But
Icar
e,andIseet hisgoi
ngsomewher efar
…y ou
aret
het ypeofgirl
Icoul
df all
inlov
ewith.
Hesai
dlooki
ngi
ntomyey
es.
Iwasannoy
edmyv
oiceshookwhenIspoke.
ME:Youdon’
tknowme…Lani
.Ihav
edoneal
ot
ofhor
ri
blet
hings…
LANI:Andy oudon’tknowmeei t
her…Iwasn’
t
j
ustinRikers.Iwasinthemaxsecurit
ysi
deofit
,
andtheydon’tputpeoplether
efor
embez zl
ement .Ihav
eapasttoo,Luba…butI
wantaf ut
ure…wi thyou.
Thisti
metheki
sswasdeeper
,mor
e
passi
onat
e…
*
***
***
***
***
***
***
***
Kesegof i
nal
lycameoutoft hecupboar d
sobbingwhent heyhadl ef
ttoKar t
el’
soff i
ce.As
shetipt oedoutside,shecouldseet hem
workingov ersomet hingatKar t
el’sdesktop,
wit
hNi kitaseatingonhi sl
ap, pointi
ngat
somet hingonthecomput er,whil
eherbr aest
wasoutandKar telwassuckingoni t,
hishand
caressingherthigh.
Sher
ant
othecarandsati
nsi
decr
ying.
Thi
swasnother
.Thi
swasnotheratall
,what
ki
ndofwomanwasKart
elt
urni
ngherinto?
Shefel
tbadaboutwhatshedi dt
oNiki
ta,but
shehadjustbeensoangrywitht
hatgi
rl
’s
subt
lejabstomakessureKesegoknewshe
wassleepi
ngwi t
hherhusband.
ShewasaChr i
sti
anwoman,goddamnit,
she
wassupposedtotur
ntheot
hercheek.Fixher
homefrom t
heinsi
de.
Butshewasj
ustsot
ir
edoft
aki
ngev
ery
thi
ng
l
ayi
ngdown.
*
***
***
***
***
Around9pm,Nikitafi
nal
lygotdr
essedand
packedherbri
efcase,t
henheadeddowntoher
car,seei
ngKart
elgetinthi
scartoo.
Sheputherbri
efcasei
nthecarandt
hen
checkedherphone.
Shehad62cal
l
sfrom hermother
,13fr
om her
fat
her
,manymorefr
om fri
endsandfamil
y.
Whatnow?
ShehadsomanyWhat sAppmessagest
oo.She
openedonefrom hermotherandal
mosthada
heartat
tack.
Whatthehel
l.Whatt
heactual
hel
l
.Al
lher
nudesandexpl
ici
tvi
deos…
Shetri
edt
ogoonFacebook,butshewas
l
oggedout,andi
twassay
ingherpasswor
dwas
wrong.
Shewentintoherburneraccountandchecked
hermainaccount.Thankfull
yFacebookhad
del
etedthosebynow, butitlookedl
ikeplent
y
peoplesawthem, andmanyhadsav edthem.
Shecal
l
edhersi
ster
.
NAOMI
:Heysi
s…
NIKI
TA:Youarepat
heti
c,y
ouknow?St
il
lmad
aboutt
hatsi
l
lyguyyouhavet
opaytobewi
th
you?
NAOMI:Bett
erthansell
ingmy
sel
ftooldment
o
buyawig.Butatleastt
ell
mewhatyouar
emad
about
?
NIKITA:Don’tact!Don’tf
**kingacty oupatheti
c
bich.Youar et
heonl yonewhowoul dknowmy
passwor d.I
fyouhadsomet hingt osaytome,
whydi dn’ty
oujustfacemei nst eadofthis
chil
dishsht?Youst olemyboy f
riendandIletit
go,sowhatdoy ouwant ?Whatwast hi
sfor?
NAOMI
:Il
i
ter
all
yhav
enot
imef
ory
our
tant
rums,Ni
ki
ta.Iam wor
kingbi
ggerthi
ngs.Wa
rewhatthef
**kiswrongnow?Arg,i
tsal
way s
somethi
ngwithyou.
NIKITA:Youdon’
twannapl aydi
rt
ywithmeke
sagor esepeNaomi,becauseIcangof i
lt
hy.
Whydi dyoupostmynudes?St i
l
lblamingme
forEanotlovi
ngyou?
NAOMI :(l
aughing)What ?Theypostedyour
nudes?Itoldyout ostopf *
*ki
ngpeople’
smen
akere?Icantrygett hem offt
heint
ernetf
oryou,
butIcan’tdoany t
hingaboutthosesavedto
pri
vatephones.Damn, who’dyoupissoff
?
(l
aughing).Butatleastyourbodyisbangi
ng,
babe,soy ouhavenot hi
ngt obeashamedof.
*
***
***
***
***
***
***
***
LI
KE,
COMMENT,
SHARE
ATHUG’
SLOVE69
Kar
tel
walkedintothei
rhouseandKesegosat
i
nthebedroom cry
ing.
Hewentov
ert
oherandhuggedher
.
KARTEL:
I’
m sor
ry…
KESEGO:
(sni
ff
li
ng)About
?
KARTEL:WhatIhavepushedyouto.Youar
ean
amazingwoman,Kesego…kind,
lovi
ng…all
you
wanti
sahappil
yeverafter
…andnowl ookwhat
Iam t
urni
ngyouint
o.
KESEGO:
Whatar
eyout
alki
ngabout
?
KARTEL:TherearecamerasatProMover
s
ent
rance.Don’tworr
y.Nobodywil
lev
erknowi
t
wasyou,Iscrubbedthecameras.
KESEGO: (
sobbi
ng)Ihadtowatchyouf
**k
anotherwoman,Kar
tel
.Iwasinther
e.I
nthat
off
ice.
KARTEL:I’
m sorr
y…IkeepsayingIlov
ey ou,
whydoIhur tt
heonesIsayIlovethemost ?
Thiscan’
tgoon,Kesego.AndaslongasIam
l
yingtomy sel
f…Iam gonnakeephurti
ngy ou.
Youareanamazingwoman, Kesego.ButIam
i
nlovewithLubaandIgetfr
ustrat
edt hatIcan’
t
haveher
,soIcheat…Niki
tawasn’ttheonly
one…
KESEGO:Butyouwil
lst
op,r
ight
?Ri
ght
…I
for
giv
eyou,l
et’
sstar
tover
.
KARTEL:Idon’
twanttoli
etoyouanymore,
Kesego…Ican’tpromi
seIwi
llst
op.So,
the
honorabl
ethi
ngt odoi
stosetyoufr
ee…
KESEGO: What
?No!Whati st
hateven
supposedtomean,youruncl
eswenttoaskf
or
myhandi nmarr
iage.
KARTEL: Iwill
gocancel itmysel
f.Iam sosorr
y,
Kesego,butthereisnobodywhodeser ves
bet
terthany ouinthisentir
eworld.AndIam not
bet
ter,Kesego.Iam api eceofsht.Iwatcheda
mandot histomysi ster,andsheisashel l
of
whoshei s,becauseshel oveshi
mt oomuchto
l
eave…nowshel ivesinpain.I
’m notgonnado
thattoy ou,Icaretoomuch…Iwi llpayafitt
ing
childmai nt
enancef orKyandthenewbaby ,and
asor tofali
monyt oy ousoy ouneverloseyour
l
ifestyl
e.Daniewi l
lgot ohermotherli
keshei s
already,andlikeIhav ewi
thLuba,wewi ll
hav ea
custodyagr eement ,wher
eIhaveKy eandt he
babyf ortheweekend.
KESEGO:Youarebei
ngsel
fi
sh,
Kar
tel
!Theki
ds
deser
veafamil
y.
KARTEL: Thekidsdeserveaheal t
hy,happy
mother.Youcar ebar
elysleep.Youarel osi
ng
weight
,andt hi
s,now?Wheny ouarepr egnant?
It
’snothealt
hy.Youarelosingy our
selfKesego,
andIam notwor thyoulosingyoursel
fov er.
KESEGO:
Youar
egoi
ngbackt
oher
?Luba?
KARTEL:No…l
ikey
ou,Ihavehurthert
oomuch
andIcar
etoomuchtokeepdoingthatt
oher
.
KESEGO:No.No.Yougott empt
edandyou
messedup.Iunder
stand.Youareagoodman.
Youl
ovemychi
l
dli
key
ourown.
KARTEL:
Shei
smi
ne…f
ather
hoodi
smor
ethan
bl
ood.
KESEGO:Yousee?Whatmanwoul dcommitt
o
payi
ngexpensi
veashell
maintenancet
oachil
d
hehasnoresponsi
bil
i
tyof?Youaregoodman,
Kart
el!
KARTEL:Iam ahi
tmanf
orhi
re,
adr
ugl
ord,
and
athi
ef.
KESEGO:
Noy
ouar
enot
.
KARTEL: Idon’
tev enknowt henumberof
peopl
eIhav ekil
led.Youknowwhy ?BecauseI
don’
tf**kingcare.Theywerejustbodi
esto
tr
ansactwi t
h.Theydie,Igetmoney.My
busi
nesswasbui l
tondr ugandrobber
y
money…
KESGEO:(cry
ing)Whyar
eyoul
yi
ng?Arethese
l
iessupposedtomakemenotl
oveyou?
KARTEL: Iam notl yi
ng, Kesego.It ri
edt oplaya
partthatsatisfiedev eryone, thatev eryone
wantedmet obe, andIwasmi serable.That ’s
whyIhur tthepeopl eIcar eabout …y ou, Luba…
eventuall
ymyki dst ooifIkeepl yi
ngl i
ket his.Ky
usest heinternet ,i
twon’ tbesol ongbef oreshe
knowshowt oby passpar ental controls,orget
accesst osoci al medi af rom f r
iendsi nschool ,
andwhoknowswhatscandal Iwillbei nvolved
i
nt hen?I’l
luhm…I ’l
l getmyt hingst omor r
ow.I
boughtahouseatTat iRi verawhi leback.Iwi ll
mov einther e.Thi shousenextdoorwoul dbe
toomuchf ory out oseemeev eryday ,soIwi ll
sellt
hatone…I fy oudon’ twantt hisone.Ican
selli
tandbuyanot herfory ou.
KESEGO: Kar
telno…no…t hi
sisnotit
.Youare
l
yingbecauseyouthi
nkIwi l
lhat
ey ouandlet
yougo.Iseethr
oughy ou.Youarelyi
ng.Youare
agoodman…
Hej
ustshookhi
sheadandwal
kedout
.
Sheranaf
terhi
m andhel
dont
ohi
m ashet
ri
ed
tol
ead.
KESEGO: No!Idon’
tknowwhyy
ouarely
ing…
butIam notlet
ti
ngyougiv
euponus.
*
***
***
***
***
***
***
***
*
Arnocameintothehousewer
eSeshal
aidon
thebedcr
ying.
ARNO:Don’
tworrybabe.I
’
llhandl
eev
ery
thi
ng
fory
ou…youjustrest
.
SESHA:(
sobbi
ng)MamaandLubawi
l
lar
ri
veon
Fri
day
.Canyoupickt
hem up?
ARNO: Oh…Idi dn’
tknow.Ofcour se,Iwi
ll
.By
theway ,babe.Ihavepeoplewil
lingt obuyland
aroundher e.Butit
’sacompetit
ionbecause
therei
sot herland.Yourgr
andmot herl
eftyou
thatfi
eld…
SESHA:Seri
ousl
ybabe?Ser
iousl
y?I
sthi
sthe
ti
meforall
that?
ARNO: It
’sjust…t hesepeopl ebabe.Theyar e
aboutt osi gnupadeal onanot herfi
eld
tomor row.SoIt oldthem Icoul dgetthem land
atabet t
erdeal .Ifyoudon’ tsellnow.Thet axes
ont helandar ehigh…y ouwi l
l bepayingmor e
towar dsitt hanitswor t
h…t hesoi li
snotgood,
that’
swhyy ourgrandmot herst oppedploughing,
shet oldme.Buti thasbeeni nherfami l
y
forever,theybeent r
yingandi tcostthem mor e
thatitgav e.Shewashopi ngy ousel li
t,andI
sawpeopl ewi ll
i
ngt obuyi tforUSD4mi l.
SESHA:
That
’sP40mi
l
li
on.
ARNO: Abigf**
kingdeal
,ri
ght
!Butwehav et o
gomeett hem t
omorrowandstealthedealthey
areabouttomake.Getthi
ngssignedupquickly.
Iam sorr
yit’
shappeni
ngatthi
st i
me,butit
’s
busi
nessbabe.Yourgranmawoul dwantyout o
doythi
s,shewouldn’
twanttheburdenony ou.
SESHA:Canweevendot
hat
?Thewi
l
lhasn’
t
evenbeenr
ead.
ARNO: Whenshet alkedt ome, itl
ookedl i
ke
mostt hingsjustgot oyou.So, nobodyr eallyt
o
challengeyouf orit.Ifwemi sst hi
schance
babe…t hisisanexpensewedon’ tneed.But
def i
nit
elyasaleweneed.Wecanexpandt he
relaxati
onresortintoot hercount r
ieswi t
ht hat
kindofmoney .May beev entakeay earof fand
enjoymar ri
age…hmm?Woul dn’tt
hatbeni ce?
Justupandnor esponsi bil
i
tiesf oray ear?
SESHA:
(smi
l
ing)Thatsoundsl
i
keheav
en.
ARNO:
Itdoes.So,
shal
lIsetupameet
ing?
SESHA:
(si
ghi
ng)Ok…wewi
l
lmeett
hem and
sel
l.
*
***
***
***
***
***
***
***
Lateri
ntheeveni
ng,Ar
nosati
nTr
evor
’sof
fi
ce
tal
kingtohi
screw.
ARNO: Whatthehel
lwasIsupposedtodo?Of
cour
se,IgaveherUSD4mil
.Theyarewil
li
ngto
buythelandforUSD400milwit
hallt
hatoil
in
ther
e,USD4mi
li
snot
hing.Ij
ust
…shedeser
ves
somethi
ng.
DOLLA:Couldn’
tyouhav
etol
dheri
twasUSD2
mil
atleast
?
ARNO:Youarebeinggr
eedy.Fi
ne,I
’l
lgi
veher
fr
om mycut
.Wegoquar ter
s,100foreachofus,
andI
’l
lgi
vehertheUSD4mi lf
rom mycut.
DOLLA:
Finewi
thme.
TREVOR:Yup,y
ouaret
heonewhogav
eaway
thef
ourmilanyway
.
NAOMI :Youguysared*
*ks,
wewill
all
giv
e1
milfr
om ourcutandmakefour
,soweget99
each.Andthat
’sonthat
.
TREVOR:
What
ever
.Fi
ne.
DOLLA:Fi
ne,fi
ne.Ladyev
ilhasspoken.Tr
evor
,
youhav
eev er
ythi
ngready?
TREVOR:Ihav
ealreadysetupacompany,so
basi
cal
l
y,shesel
l
st helandtoourcompanyf
or
USD4mi l
,andwesell
itt
otheAmer i
cans.
Ever
ythingbythebook.Mypeoplefr
om my
companywi llmeetwi
thherandArnotomorr
ow
andofferherUSD4mi lf
ortheland.
*
***
***
***
***
***
***
**
Iwokeupcuddledt
oLani
’
schest
,heki
ssedhe
andjustsatt
her
esmil
i
ng.
Youknowwhat ,soIsleptwi
thhim aft
er
knowinghi
mj ustforafewdays.ButIwai t
ed
monthswithKartelandhesti
l
lf**kedmeov er
.
Lanii
shot,Iwantedtogetsome,soIdi d.I
don’
tcare.
Wewentt omakebr
eakfastt
ogether
,then
madeloveint
heshoweragain,
anditwasaful
l
hourbef
oreweweredecent.
Ther
ewasaknockandIwentt
oopent
oKar
tel
wholookedamess.
ME:
Youok?
KARTEL:I
’l
ll
iv
e.Any
thingf
rom Seshay
et?She
won’
ttakeMonk’
scall
s.
ME: Notyet,weareleavi
ngintwodaysforher
grandma’sfuneral
,soIwill
tal
ktoherwhenwe
getther
e.Isthatwhyy ouareher
e?Thiscoul
d
havebeenacal l
, y
oudidn’
thavetocomehere.
KARTEL:
Uhm…y
ea…sur
e.
Hesawatopl
essLani
comi
ngf
rom t
he
bedr
oom.
KARTEL:
Youwi
thhi
m now?
ME:
Andwhati
fIam?
KARTEL:Goodluck.Ihopehetreatsyoubetter
andbet
ternothurtmykids.I
’
llpickthem up
bef
oreyouleaveforMozambique.
ME:Thanksf
ortaki
ngFadzwatoo.Ar
eyou
sur
eyouareok?Nof i
ght
ing?
KARTEL:Iuhm…Ipushedar
eal
lygood
someonetothi
ngsshewoul
dneverev
erdoi
f
shedidn’
tgetmixedupwi t
hme.Let’
ssayher
acti
onsmademer eal
izehowtoxi
cIam.Iuhm,
Igott
ago.I’
llj
ustcall
nextti
me.OnceSeshai
s
back,wecanallfi
gureoutwhattodowit
hthe
Arnoguy.
Hetippedhishatandwalkedbackt
ohiscar.I
fel
tsosadf orhi
m, hewasn’
thi
susual
arrogant
sel
ftoday,andthatmademesad.
LANI
:Youst
il
lwanthi
m.
ME:
Kar
tel
?Godno.
LANI:Good…Igot
tagopi
ckupLanaf
rom my
si
ster
.
Heki
ssedmeandt
henwentbackt
ohi
shouse.
*
***
***
***
***
***
***
Pal
alanigoti
nthi
shouseandki
ckedt
hedust
bi
nwi t
hannoyance.
Whythehel
ldi
dshelookatthatmanli
kethat
?
Shesai
dhehurthebadl
y.Sheshoul
ddespise
hi
m.
Inst
ead,hereyesl
i
teral
l
yl i
tupwhenshesaw
Kartel
.Thatwassupposedt obeforhi
m.Her
eyesweresupposedtolightupforhi
m, not
Kartel
.
I
t’
stoosoonLani .Toosoon.You’l
lmakeher
f
orgetKartel
…treathersogood…hereyeswil
l
l
i
ghtupf oryou,
andonl yyou.Soon.
Butwhatisshedoesn’t
?Whati
fshecouldn’
t
getoverKar
tel
,becauseet
hemanjustcan’t
stayaway?
Wait.Kar
tel
wasabl
etomov
eonwhenshewas
nothere.
That’i
t.Kart
elhadtogo.Hehadt ogetali
fe
sentenceorsomething.Laniwouldmakesur e
ofit
.I twasn’
tli
keKartelwasinnocentanyway,
hewi l
ldeserv
ewhatev erLanidi
shed.Kart
elhad
togosoLubacanl ov ePalal
aniful
ly
.
Pal
alani
smi
l
edt
ohi
msel
fashegoti
nhi
scar
whi
stl
i
ng.Yup.Kar
tel
hast
ogo
*
***
***
***
***
***
**
LI
KE,
COMMENT.SHARE
ATHUG’
SLOVE70
SeshaandArnowal
kedoutoft
hemeet
ing
hol
dinghands.
SESHA:
So,
that
’si
t?Ihav
eP40mi
l
?
ARNO: (
laughi
ng)Youareamul t
i-
mill
ionai
re,
babe.Thepaperworkwil
lbefi
nali
sedintwo
weeks,andbecauseit
’sabigcooperati
on,they
i
ntendtosettl
ethewholesum.So,intwo
weeksy oushal
lhaveP40mi l
inthebank,doll.
SESHA:Istil
lcan’
tbeliev
eitwai
tse.P40mil.
Mycompanyi sonlywor t
hP3mi l
,andIam onl
y
aco- owner
,andthat3mi li
snetworth,
not
l
iqui
dcash.P40mi lreser
ve!Wow!Iwannaspoil
you.Takeyoutothatholi
daywetalkedabout
.
ARNO:
Nah,
it’
smydut
ytospoi
lyou,
babe.
Sesha,
Ihav
eaconf
essi
on.
SESHA:
Yea?
ARNO: (
sigh)Firstofall
,Ireal
lywanty out o
knowIlovey ou,andIrespecty ousomuch.You
areafastlearnerandv er
ygoodi nbusiness.
Youhaveabsor bedf r
om mei nthepasty ears
morethananydegr eecanev ergiveyou,
besi
des,exper i
enceisthebestt eacherafteral
l.
SESHA:
Aww,
babe…
ARNO:Thereisnoeasywayt osayt
his.SoIam
gonnagostrai
ghttoit.Aft
erIinv
est
edall my
moneyinthatoi
lproject… If
acedabitof
fi
nanci
aldi
ffi
cul
ty.Sesha,Iski
mmedabi tfr
om
thecompany.
SESHA:
What
?
ARNO: Thecompanyi sinnowher
enearany
fi
nanci
al probl
ems,Imadesureofthat
.Ij
ust
tookalit
tletocovermyneeds.Al
linal
lP400
000.Buttheoildealpai
doff,
soIam payi
ng
backwi
thi
nter
estnextweek.
SESHA:
Youst
olef
rom meAr
nol
d?
ARNO:Ireal
lythoughtitwouldbeeasierifIj
ust
usedandreplaceditbeforeyoufoundout.
Sesha,
Iwouldnev erwannahur tyou…youknow
howhardIhav eworkedt hi
spastthreeyearst
o
makeyourdreamscomet r
ue.
SESHA:
Thatdoesn’
tmeany
oucanst
eal
from
me.
ARNO:Iknow… Ifeel
horri
ble.Ishoul
dbe
pr
otect
ingyou.AndhereIam hurti
ngyou.I
’
m
sosorr
y.
SESHA:
Sor
rydoesn’
tchangeat
hing!
ARNO: WhichiswhyIam payingitbackwith
i
nterest
,thenchangeourmarriagetooutof
communi tyofpr
opertysoIhavenoclaimt o
yourassets,i
ncl
udingthecompanyandt heP40
mil.And100%st ay
ingawayfrom thebusiness,
revokeal
l myaccess.Youhaveaf i
nanceteam
andhavel
earntalotf
rom me… youdon’
tneed
me.ButIwil
lalwaysbeavai
labl
eforadv
iceif
youneedi
t.
Shej
ustl
ookedathi
m angr
il
y.
ARNO: Aboutus… IknowIhur
tyoudoi
ngthi
s,
butSesha,Il
oveyou… canwetrywor
kingon
ourmarri
age?
SESHA: Iwantnupt
ial
s.Noal
i
monyifwe
di
vorce.Nothi
ng.AndIwantt
hatmoneypai
d
backwithint
erest
.
ARNO:Idon’
tli
kethatyouar
eev ent
hinki
ngof
di
vor
ce,butyes,
Iwill
doanythi
ngtoshowy ou
howsorr
yIam.
*
***
***
**
Kar
tel
satinhi
sof
fi
cewor
kingasKesego
wal
kedin.
KESEGO:
Hey
…
KARTEL:
Kesego…
KESEGO: Ibr
oughtyousomelunch.Iknowhow
hardyouworkwheny ouhaveabig
present
ati
on.Youforgett
oeat
.
KARTEl
;Thanks,
butKesego,
Ithi
nki
t’
sbesti
f
wedon’
t…
KESEGO: Iam notaccept i
ngy ournonsense,
Kgathal
o.Wehav eaf amily,
andt hemanIf el
lin
l
ovewi t
hwoul dneverbai lonfami l
ybecause
thi
ngsareal i
tt
lehar d.Iam gonnagoseea
weddingplannerthenIhav etomeetwi thmy
motheraboutmagadi ceremony ,becauseyour
uncl
eswant edtogopayi tassoonaspossi ble,
seei
ngIam nowt hreemont hspregnant .
KARTEL:
Kesego…
KESEGO: IWhatsAppedy
out uxedo’s,let’
ssee
theoneyouwantandwecangeti tcustom
made.PickKyli
eupf r
om school.Ishouldbe
backaround7pm.
Sheputt
hef
oodbasketont
het
abl
e,ki
ssed
hi
m andwal
kedof
f.
Kart
elr
ubbedhisf
acewithaheavysi
gh.What
thehel
ldoyoudoinsuchasi
tuat
ion?
*
***
***
***
***
***
***
Iwokeupcuddl
edt
oPal
alani
,whowaski
ssi
ng
myneck.
LANI
:Imadebr
eakf
ast
,mypr
incess…
Hekissedandtookmyhand, l
eadi
ngmetot
he
ki
tchenwherehehadat abl
esetandan
amazingspreadofbr
eakfast
.
ME:
Ithoughty
oucoul
dn’
tcook?
LANI:
(laughi
ng)Er
m,yea…butmyparents’
hel
percan.Andshecandel
iv
ertoo.Seat
,letme
ser
veyou.
ME:
Mhhh,
agi
rlcoul
dgetusedt
othi
s…
LANI:Youbet
ter,
becauseIi
ntendt
omakethi
s
yourl
ifefr
om nowon.Spoi
lyouandmakey
ou
smil
eev er
ysi
ngleday.
Wespentt her estofthedayi nourpyj
amas
tal
king,watchingmov ies,makinglov
eand
tal
kingsomemor e.God,Ireal
lycoul
dgetused
tothis.Hopefull
yhi smom isnotabich,butI
am notholdingmybr eath.
ThenextdayKar
telpi
ckedupthekidsf rom
mma-Sesha,
andthenLanidrov
emma- Sesha
andIt
oGaboronetocatchourfl
ightt
oMaput o.
*
***
***
***
***
***
***
***
Af
terdroppi
ngLubaandmma-Seshaoffatt
he
ai
rpor
t,Lani
wentofft
oseehi
sbrother
.
HI
M:Whatasur
pri
se…y
ouknowwher
eIl
i
ve.
LANI:
Don’
tgetexci
ted,
I’
m her
eonl
ybecauseI
needsomet
hing.
HIM:Don’
tyoual
way
s,babybr
other
.Whatdo
youwant?
LANI:
HowdoIgetsomeoneinpri
son?Iknow,
gett
hem t
ocommitcr
imetheycan’
tgetoutof
.
Butwhatcr
imewoul
ddo?Theguyi
sal
readya
cr
iminal
.
HIM:(
laughi
ng)Letmeguess,thi
shad
somet
hingtodowi t
hagir
l,doesn’
tit
?
LANI
:F*
*kof
f…how?
HIM:Yousai
dhei
sacr
iminal
,whatdidhedo
andhowlongdoy
ouwanthim gone?
LANI:Iam sur
edr
ugs,andIt
hinktenyears
shoul
dbegood…she’dhaveforgot
tenhim by
then.
HIM:Thengethi
m bust
edondrugs,duh.Set
hi
m upandmakesur ei
t’
snotcorr
uptcopswho
busthi
m,other
wisehewil
lj
ustpayhiswayout.
*
***
***
***
***
**
Ithadbeentwoweekssi nceSesha’
s
grandmother
’sfuner
al.Shehadstayedaf
urt
her
weektosettl
ethingsbackther
e,andnowshe
andArnower ef
inall
yback.Ihadnothadthe
heartt
otellherthere,
seei
nghowbusyshewas
aboutthefuneral,
thatwehardl
yevental
ked,
andhowhear tbrokenshewasaboutlosi
ngher
grandmotherwhenshehadj ustmether.
Wesataf
terdi
nnerhav
ingadr
inkandt
alki
ng.
ME:Babe,t
hisi
shardt
osaybecauseyouseem
tocar
eabouthi
m… butIneedt
otelly
ou
somethi
ngaboutAr
no.
SESHA:Thathet
ookP400000f
rom t
he
company?
ME:
Youknew?
SESHA: (
sadsmile)Ofcour
se.I
twastooffset
taxes,
gaaai sagope,youcanseet
hemoneyi s
deposit
edback.Butkemokgalemetsebecause
taxevasi
onisacr i
me.Andhenolongerhas
accesstothefi
nances.
ME:
ButSesha,
Idon’
tthi
nk…
SESHA:
Luba,
doy
ouknowhowt
oreadf
inance
st
atement
sofabusi
ness?BecauseIdo.
LUBA:
Ihadsomeonel
ooki
ntoi
tandhesai
d…
SESHA: ThatArnotookP400000.Whi chIt old
youIwasawar eof
.Andi thasbeenputbacki n
theaccount,haveyourpersonlooki
ntot hat
sinceourcompanyf i
nancesarepubli
cr ecords
now.Youwi l
l f
indt
hemoneybacki nthere.
ME:Iwasj
ustworr
iedSesha,
andify
ouhad
t
oldmethathedi
dthatIwoul
dn’
thavebeen.
SESHA: Aker eitwasy purchoi cetot akeyour
ti
meandnotbei nvolvedy et?Gapebusi ness
document s, especiall
yfinanci al
,areconf i
denti
al.
Youcan’ tjustsowt hem tor andom.Youcan’ t
dosuchshtLuba.Howdoy ouknowt hat
persony oujustgav eouri nformationt o
wouldn’tsteal fr
om us?Ar nobui l
tt hi
scompany .
From onesal ontowhati tistoday.Wi thnopay .
Hei snottheenemyher e…Ij ustsoldmy
grandma’ slandf orP40mi l
,andAr nodoesn’ t
wantasi
ngl
ethebeofi
t
ME:Real
ly…Idon’
tbel
i
evet
hatsl
eaze
woul
dn’t
…
SESHA:Andwhyi sheasl eaze,Luba?Huh?Do
youknowhim?Youar ejustbeingabichand
j
udgingsomeonebasedon… what ?Whatdo
youknowaboutAr nothatgivesyouar i
ghtt
o
sayanyt
hingabouthim?
LUBA:
Am Iwr
ongt
owor
ryabouty
ou?
SESHA: Wejustchangedourmar ri
agecontr
act
tooutofcommuni tyofpropert
y,soevenifwe
div
orce,hegetsnothingf
rom me.Hei sbuyi
ng
andfull
ypayingahouseinmyname.Doest hat
soundli
keamanusi ngmef ormoney?
ME:
Hesoundst
oogoodt
obet
rue.
SESHA:MathataagagoLubakegor
eyouhave
al
readyj
udgedmyhusbandbefor
eyouevengot
achancetoknowhim.
ME:
Ijustt
hink…
SESHA: Youmethi mf orwhat ,f
iveminutesat
thefuneral
!Imean, yourbabydaddyi sKartel
!I
don’
tev enneedt oknowhi mt oknowt hat
peopledon’tjustr
isefrom nothingtosuch
wealthwithoutsomeshadei nvolv
ed.Butdo
youhearmej udgi
ng?Youdon’ tknowAr no.
Weren’tyoutheonecr yingthatKartel
’
sf amil
yis
j
udgingy ouwi t
houtknowingy ou?
LUBA:
Ijo,
sor
rymma.
SESHA: Anyway,busi
nesswise,
Ar nowillj
ust
advicef r
om thesidenow,hewon’ tevencome
totheof fi
ce,hehashisownbusi nessesto
handleany way.Hewon’ thaveaccesst o
anythinginourbusiness,j
ustsoy oucanfeel
safe,sinceyouthinkheisthedev i
lsomuch.
*
***
***
***
Ar
nosathav
ingadr
inkwi
thDol
l
a,Naomi
,and
Tr
evor
.
NAOMI :
Sot hemoneyisfull
yin,people.They
pai
dthefinal200milt
oTr evor
’scompany .I
di
stri
but
edi tt
oyouraccounts99eachi ntotal
,
Seshahasbeenpaidfull
y,usd4mi l…
DOLLA:Cheers!Tomil
li
ons.Andt oArno
makingt
hisfastert
hanwet houghti
twouldbe.
ARNO: WhenIfoundouttheyknewaboutthe
embez zl
ement
,Iwassur ewewer egonnalose
thi
s,soIcoul
dn’tseatwait
ingfortheol
dgeezer
tokickit
.Hadtofasttr
ackt hepr
ocess.
TREVOR: Weshoul
dhav
egonet
hisr
out
eint
he
fi
rstpl
ace.
DOLLA:Itneededt
ogothi
sway .Forhert
o
tr
ustAr
noenoughtonotquest
ionhisadvi
ce.
TREVOR:Butgoodf astt
hinki
ngand
i
mpr ov
isi
ng,myman.Themar ri
ageandt
hepi
l
ls
weren’
tevennecessaryaft
erall
.
ARNO: Ihat
edt
hepi
ll
sforher
,theymadeher
ti
redandunabl
etot
hinkst
rai
ght.Shewas
alway
spar
anoi
dandhav
ingpani
cat
tacksf
rom
them.
NAOMI :
Duh.Thatwasthei
rwholepurpose.For
hertodoubthermental
sanit
ysoyout odothe
thi
nki
ngforher,
andital
lwentsmoothly
.
ARNO: Yeah.I’
mjustgladit
’sdone.Ihat
ed
them f
orher.Butdon’tcal
lmymar ri
age
unnecessary
,Trevor
.
TREVOR:(
laughi
ng)Youcan’tser
iousl
ybe
i
ntendi
ngt
okeept hatf
açade.
ARNO:Whosai
dit
’saf
açade?Iact
ual
l
ylov
e
Sesha…
NAOMI:
(laughi
ng)Hai
,men!Lov
eyouandr
ob
you?
ARNO: Youar
ejustbi
tt
ery
oucan’
tkeepaman.
Seshamakesmehappy …wear
egonnahavea
greatl
i
fe.
NAOMI
:Howr
omant
ic,
afai
ryt
alebasedonl
i
es
andst
eal
i
ng.
DOLLA: Enough,Naomi.Thei
mport
antquesti
on
i
s,iseveryt
hingsett
lednow?Canweconsider
thi
sjobclosed?
ARNO: Yup.Ther ei
snocl osefamilyl
eftin
Mozambi que,boththeol dwomanandherl at
e
husbandwer eandonl ychil
d,andtheyonlyhad
Sesha’sfather
.So,nobodywi thcl
aimto, or
eveninterest
edinthef ateoft
helandast hey
beli
eveitiscursed,t
hat ’
swhyitdidn’
tproduce
crop.So,nodr amathere,andnoreasonf or
Seshatogobackt oMozambi que.Shegav ethe
housetot hehelperwhowasv er
yclosetot he
ol
dwoman.
DOLLA:
Good
ARNO:Ialr
eadystar
tedinvesti
ngmymoney .
Someofusl i
kest
ay i
ngrich,notblowingup
moneyonsill
yart
.ButIam takingay earoffto
takemyladytoarehab,
thenwej ustspend
ti
meonal onghoney
moonandIj
ustwanna
spoi
lher
…
NAOMI
:Gui
l
tyconsci
ence?
ARNO: F**kof fNaomi.Ihavenothingt
of eel
guil
tyabout.Thel andwastherenotbeingused.
Theythoughti twascursed!AndSeshai sgonna
spendther estofherli
febeinglovedproperand
appreci
atedt hewayshedeser ves.
DOLLA:Hey,P40milandalovi
nghusbandi
sa
heckofadealfr
om somethi
ngshewouldnever
evenknownshehadifitwasn’
tforAr
no.
TREVOR:Plustheoldl
adydidn’
tevengi veitt
o
her
,shethoughti
twascursedanddi dn’twant
tol
eavethecursetohergr
anddaught er
, soshe
wasdonati
ngittotheci
tyasawast elandor
somethi
ng.
DOLLA:Yousee,
Seshadi
dn’
tcomeouthal
f
badatal
l.
*
***
***
***
*
Lat
eri
ntheeveningSeshalai
dinbedwi
thAr
no
ashepl
ayedwithherhair
.
SESHA:
Ihadaf
ightwi
thLubat
oday
.
ARNO:Aboutme?Idon’tblameher
,babe.I
fmy
bestf
ri
endsuddenl
yshowedupmar ri
edtoa
guyIdi
dn’
tknow,Iwoul
dt hrowafi
ttoo.
SESHA:Ij
ustwi
shsheandmamawoul
dsee
thel
ovel
ymanyouare!
ARNO:I
ngoodt i
mebabe…alli
ngoodtime.Oh,
andIam havingmystepf
ather
’speopl
ecome
toaskf
ory ourhandf
ormal
ly.
SESHA:
Ok,
I’
ll
gett
hatl
oanr
eadyand…
ARNO:
Idon’
tneedi
tany
mor
e,myangel
.
SESHA:
(smi
l
ing)Theoi
ldeal
camet
hrough?
ARNO: I
tdi
d!NowIcanaf fordt
ogivey oua
weddingwort
hofy ou.Iam sohappy
…byt he
way…soIsawt hatVeraWangweddi ngdress
youkeptgoi
ngbackt o…soIhaveaf ri
end
worki
ngther
e…Ir
eachedoutandhecangetus
afi
tti
ng.
SESHA:
TheUSD4900?Nooo!Ar
no?OhmyGod!
OhMyGod.
Shehuggedhi
m happi
l
y.
ARNO: (smili
ng)Youar eabourgiepri
ncess,
my
angel
.AndIi ntendtogiveyouthefair
ytal
e
weddingy oudeserve.Justwri
tedown
ever
ythingyouwantandIwi l
lfindsomeonet o
makei tint
oar eal
it
y.
SESHA:Thankyousomuch…babe, Iam t
ir
ed
andhaveabitofaheadache…Iranoutofmy
pi
lls,
doyouhaveanyleft
?Pleasegetmemor e
fr
om thedoct
ortomorrow.Ican’
twaitunt
ilt
hey
aremassavail
abl
etobeabl etobuyonmyown.
ARNO: Iwasreadingaboutt hem babe…they
saytheyarehorr
ibleforwomen’ sfert
il
it
y,It
old
youtheywereat r
ial,
right.So,t
heyfoundall
thataboutt
hem.Andsi nceIint
endonknocki ng
y
ouupsoon,
Ithinkweshouldqui
tthem.Al
so,
i
t’
sli
key
ouaretoodependentont
hem.
SESHA:
Butbabe…mypani
cat
tacks…
ARNO: Wewill
getbettermedicati
onforthem,
andIfoundthi
slovel
yr esor
tthatcanhel
pus
detoxanduseherbalr
emedi essowear eboth
readytost
artt
ryi
ngforababy
SESHA: (si
ghing)ButIneedmypi ll
sbabe…
l
egale…l et
’stryyourherbalthing…i twouldbe
nicetohav ealit
tl
emi nimet ospoi l…andi f
herbal
siswhati ttakes,thensur e.May bewe
canev enlearnthi
ngsf ormyr esortf r
om the
placeyouf ound.Ibeenthinkingofaddi ngdetox
anyway .
ARNO: That,mylady
,wil
lbear elaxki
ndof
vacat
ion,notworkvacat
ion,so,bereadyt
odo
absol
utelynothi
ng…come, l
etmehel pyou
rel
ax…
*
***
***
***
LI
KE,
COMMENT,
SHARE

ATHUG’
SLOVE71
Sheshawal
kedaroundt
heshopl
ooki
ngf
or
winewhenshebumpedint
oMonk.
MONK:
Sesha…
SESHA:
Hey
…
MONK:
Ibeent
ryi
ngt
oreachy
ou…
SESHA:Iknow…butIt ol
dLubat otel
l Kar
tel
to
l
etyouknowIdon’ tneedanyprotect
ing.
Whatev
ery ouguysthoughtaboutmyhusband,
i
twaswr ong,hasn’
tLubatoldyouthat?
MONK:
Theguyst
olef
rom y
ou,
Sesha.
SESHA: Accordi
ngtowho,Luba’sexcon
boyf
ri
endshehadknownf iv
emi nut
esbefor
e
showinghim ourfi
nanci
aldetai
l
s?Myhusband
wast ryi
ngtooffsett
ax.Iti
swr ong,yes,but
that’
sallhedi
d.Themoneyi sbacki nour
companyaccount ,sostopwor r
ying.Andit’
s
bestifyoudon’tcontactmeany morebecause
Monkl ewenahel ayouwouldn’twanty ourwif
e
constantl
yintouchwi t
hherex,gosenasepe
thatshouldbekeepingthem intouch.So,outof
respectformyhusbandandy ourcrazy
girl
fr
iend,wearecutti
ngcontact.Byenow.
MONK:Doeshetreaty
ouwel
l
?Ori
shest
il
l
sl
avedr
ivi
ngyou?
SESHA: Iactual
lycutbackhour sdramati
cal
l
y.I
am focusingont heweddi ngandthenweare
star
ti
ngaf amil
y.Itol
dy ouallt
hosehourswere
temporarysoIcoul dbuildsomething…t
hose
whocar eappreciatedthatinst
eadofgiv
ingup
onme.
MONK: WasIsupposet
ojustwaitar
oundand
bepushedatt
hebackandbef i
newithi
t?
SESHA;
Notdoi
ngt
hiswi
thy
ounow.
MONK:
Arey
ouhappy
?
SESHA:Iam,Iact
ual
lyam tr
ulyhappy
.Ar
nol
dis
amazi
ng.Ihopeyouarehappytoo.
*
***
***
***
***
***
***
Ruesatinhiscel
lcry
ing.Hehadbeengrant
ed
bail
,butnobodyhadcometopayforit
,andit
hadbeent woweeksnow.Twoweeksofhell,
especial
l
ysincel
astweekwhenhewasmov ed
fr
om theholdi
ngcellt
ohereint
hejai
l.
Hisbodystil
lhur
tfrom thewholeor
dealhehad
beenthroughinher
et hepastthr
eedays,buti
t
coul
dn’thurtasmuchashi segoandself
-wort
h.
Hefelttot
all
yshutt
ered.
Man,
howdi
dhef
**kupsomuch?
Hehadneverthoughthewasoneoft hoseguys
t
otrytoi
mpressgir l
sandiceboys…butherehe
was.I
thadall
startedwit
hani ghtofcl
ubbi
ng
andheboughtsomeguy sar oundofdr i
nks.
Beforeheknewi t,therewerehotgirl
sallover
him,payingat t
ent i
ont ohim.Hewasnol onger
theinvi
sibl
eshor tfatguywhohungoutwi ththe
guywhol ookedl ikehest eppedoutofaGQ
Magazine.Ev enwi thoutmoney ,Kar
telhad
alwayshadt hatt hi
ng.Andaf t
erhebecameMr
BroodyBusinessman?Hehadwoment hrowing
themselvesathi m.Di dn’
tneedt otr
yatal l
.And
Ruealway sfeltinvisi
ble.
Butthenhehadmoneyandev ery
onesawhim.
Allt
hegirlswant edhim, t
heguysworshi
pped
him.Itwaslikesomer agstori
chessht.
Addicti
ve.Hehadsol dhisfamil
y’
shomet o
keepthespot li
ght.Lefthi
spregnantwi
feand
chil
dhomel ess…st olenfr
om herwhenshehad
borrowedtof eedtheirchil
d…
Hecover
edhisfacewi
thhi
shandsbr
eaki
ng
i
ntot
ears.God,
whathadhedone?
‘
Aw,
Ruby
,whyar
eyoucr
yingsweet
hear
t?
Anybodybotheri
ngy
ou?Wantdaddyt
omake
youfeelbet
ter?
’
Hisbodycrawl
edast
heguycar
essedhi
s
shoul
ders.
*
***
***
***
***
***
***
*
ThenextdaySeshasathomecleaningwhen
ther
ewasaknockatt hedoor
.Shewentt o
openandArno’smotherst
oodthere.Shehad
metthewomanonce, andshehadbeensweet
andwelcoming.
SESHA:
Hey
,Mr
sMmusi
…
MOTHER:Just
,Ashl
ey,
darl
i
ng.MrsMmusi
is
mymother
-i
n-l
aw.Howareyou?
SESHA: I
’
mf i
ne…j
ust…t
heweddi
ng
prepar
ati
onsandal
l.
MOTHER: Oh,
Idonotenvyy
ouatal
l
.Weddings
aresostr
essf
ul!Youhav
eamomenttospare,
total
k?
SESHA:
Uh…ok…
MOTHER: Arnoisreall
ywor r
iedthatyourf
amily
andfri
endsdon’taccepthim.Notf orhi
mself
,
hecaresli
tt
leforpeople’
sopinions.Buthei
s
worr
iesit
’shurti
ngyou.
SESHA:
Theyj
ust
…theydon’
tknowAr
no.
MOTHER: Youareri
ght…andi
t’
syourj
obto
makesuretheyknowhim.Thelov
ingmanhei s,
Hasheevertal
kedtoyouabouthi
spast?Idon’t
meanall
thefastli
’
lfl
oozi
eshebeenwit
h.Iam
t
alki
ngaboutwherehecamefrom.
SESHA:
No
MOTHER:Icamef r
om abadhome.Ir anaway
whenIwasj ustt
hirt
een.MetArno’sdad,you
wouldhavemett hesononabi chwheny ou
wereinNevada,het ol
dmey ’
allwenttovisi
t
hi
m.Idon’tknowwhyAr nol
dstil
lkeepscontact
.
Anyway,hewassi xt
eenandar unawaytoo.We
gotonfast
,andbyt hetimeIturnedfour
teen,I
waspr egnantwithArnol
d.Igav ebirthtohimi n
theflooroftheabandonedbui l
dingwel i
vedin,I
neverwentt oasingleprenatalvisit…we
couldn’tri
skgoingtoahospi talandbei ng
caughtandputi nthesyst em…besi des,any
moneywehadwentt odr ugsandbooze.It ried
toabor thi
m several
times, butthel i
ttl
etyke
j
ustwoul dn’tdi
e.That’
showr esili
entmyAr no
i
s.Butt hemomentIl ookedi ntot hosebeaut if
ul
eyes…Iwasi nl
ove…
Shest
aredi
ntospacewi
thasmi
l
e.
MOTHER: Iwantedbett
erforhi
m.Sowhenhe
wasone, Igotaf akeI
D,gotmyselfaj
obasa
server
,andgotusanapar tmentinthe
proj
ects…butIwasadamagedchi ldt
ryi
ng
beyondmyabi li
tytomakemeans.
Nowat
earr
oll
eddownherf
ace.
MOTHER:Soi
twasrough,
andworkwashard
andmybossaver
yhandsyass,
Iendedup
usingagai n…byt hetimeAr noldwast hree,
somet imeshe’ beleftaloneathomewhi leI
wentonabi nge,andwhenhewas7, hewas
helpingoutatal ocalstoref orapl at
eoff oodI
gotpr egnantagai n.Arnol ov edhissisterso
much, butitwasacokebabyandnotar esil
ient,
pl
usal lt
henegl ectIdid, i
tdi edtwoweeksl ater,
andAr nowasdev astated.Whenhewast en,I
gotpr egnantagai nwi t
hCr y stal
,andAr no
basicallybecameCr yssie’scar et
aker,hedi dn’ t
wantar epeatoft hebabyt hatdied.He’ dcome
homef rom school andI ’
dbeconkedouton
drugsandhe’ dhav etot akecar eofmynewbor n.
Mor
etear
s…
MOTHER: Theywer et
akenawayf r
om mea
l
itt
lebi
taf
terthat,
putinthesystem…Idi dn’
t
evenknowwher etheywere…Igotcl eanand
wasabletogetthem backagainwhenhewas
12…butIgotbackwi t
htheirdadagai nand
thi
ngswentsouth.Hewentt oprisonandI
becamehookedoncr ackagai
n.Ihadalotof
mencomei n,andAr noandIwer eal
ways
fi
ghting.Bythetimehewasf i
ft
een,Ihad
thrownhim outatleastthreet
imes,andhewas
hangingwithal otofbadpeople.ThenIalmost
diedofanov erdose…
Shepausedt
owi
pet
ear
s.
MOTHER: Iwasadmi ttedt ot hishospital
, and
therewast hi
slovel yforeignst udentwhowas
doinghi sresi
dency .Het reat edmel ikea
person, andhelpedmeal ot…wef ellforeach
other .WhenIwasr el
easedt hreemont hslater,
I
mov edi ntohisplaceandr eallyfocusedon
gettingbet ter.Ay earlaterhepr oposedand
aftert hatIgotCry ssieback, andr econciled
withAr no,andwemov edher e.Ar nowas
enrol l
edi ntoapriv ateschool .Hest ruggledf ora
bit
, hehadt ostartf ormt hreeatei ghteen
becausehehaddr oppedout .Hecl ashedwi t
h
myhusbandal ot.Butev entual l
ymadesome
goodf r
iendswhoi
nfl
uencedhi
m wel
l,
andhe
fi
nishedhisst
udi
esandwenttouni
ver
sit
y.
Het
ookherhandandsqueezedi
twi
thasmi
l
e.
MOTHER: Iam sureyouar ewonder i
ngwhyI
am tell
ingyouthis.Iwantyout ounderstand
Arnold.Iknowhecanbei ntense.Hepushes
whoev erhewor kswith,andwor kstenti
mesas
harder.It
’sbecausehehasknownhar dti
mes.
Knowswhathappenswhenpeopl elet
themsel v
esgo, don’
tpusht hemselves.Buthe
i
sagoodman, anhel ovesy ouverymuch, I
havenodoubt saboutt hat.
SESHA:Thankyoufort
ell
i
ngme.Iunder
stand
hi
m alotbet
ternow.
*
***
***
***
***
***
***
***
*
Lanilookedaroundthefancyneighbor
hood
beforehesli
ppedi nt
otheyard.Thecarwas
parkedoutsi
de,locked.
Heeasi
l
ypi
ckedt
het
runkl
ockandopenedi
t.A
bunchoff oot
ballki
tsforkids,somef oot
balls,
andagol fbagwithgolfclubsandbal l
s.He
mov edthegolfcl
ubsandbal l
s,thenputabr i
ck
ofcocaineunderneaththem andr epl
acedback
theclubsandballs,
beforehecl osedthetrunk
andusedt hewiretolockitbackup, t
hen
remov edhisgl
ovesandsl ippedbackoutoft he
gate.
*
***
***
***
***
**
Ihadjustf
ini
shedputt
ingthegi
rl
sinbedwhen
therewasaknock.IopenedtoLaniwho
grabbedmebyt hewaistandki
ssedme.
ME:
Wher
eisLana?
LANI
:Sl
eepi
ng,
Ijustputhert
obed…
ME:Whydoy ouhav
elat
exgl
oveshangi
ngout
ofy
ourpocket?
LANI:What?Ohh, oh,yea,
wasuncl oggi
ngt
he
sinkandstuff
edt hem her
ethinki
ngIwould
throwthem out.IguessIfor
got.Howi smy
ba1begi
rl
?
ME: Tired,thesegir
lsaregonnaagemebyt he
tenyear sinthisyearal
one.Ihadtochasethem
forabat h, t
henhadt osi
ngthousandsofsongs
andr eadt henabajil
li
onstor
ies.Gat
weke
i
kgoleget sengraisi
ngthem l
ikethi
s,Ishoul
d
j
ustbeoneoft hose‘hotosl
eeporIwi l
lbeat
youpar ents’
LANI:No,youareanamazi
ngpar entandyou
wil
lseetheresul
tsi
nthei
rfut
ure.Imissedyou…
ME:
Yousawmej
ustt
hismor
ning…
LANI:(ki
ssi
ngme)AndImi ssyouever
y
momentIam awayf r
om you.Weshouldt
ake
theki
dsonahol i
daysoon.Justday
sonendof
nothi
ngbutfun.
ME:
Thatact
ual
l
ysoundsl
i
keanamazi
ngi
dea.
Il
ovehowIhavesomuchincommonwi ththi
s
man.Andhewassokindandsweetandhadno
dr
ama.Ourti
metoget
herwasalwayseasy
chi
l
li
ng.
*
***
***
***
***
***
***
***
**
Seshahummedat unet oher selfassheseta
tablef ort woi nherdi ningt able,withthenew
Car olBoy escut leryshehadj ustbought .Today
afterwor k, Ar nohadwentt ogetr enov at
ions
startedf ort hehouseheboughther .Heruncl es
wer ecomi ngt oseei ti
nt womont hs,andhe
want edi tr eady .Shesmi l
edandshookherhead
thinkingofhowhemadeherwr itedownal lt
he
thingsshewant edi nherul ti
mat edr eam house.
Shehadwr ittendownaswi mmi ngpool ,sauna
andst eam r oom, tenni
scour tsoshecoul dpick
upt enni slikesheusedt opl ayinseni orschool,
awal k- i
ncl oset ,andaci nema.Andt heman
wasget tingi tall done.Justt herenov at
ions
wer ecost i
nghi m ami l
lionandahal fpula.
Andi
naweekt heyweregonnagobuyherVera
Wangdress.Justthi
nkingofwear
ingt
hatpi
ece
madeherfeell
ikeaprincess.
Nowsheunder stoodhissl
avedriverethi
c,
especi
all
yaft
ertalki
ngtohismot her.Andwhy
hepushedhimsel ft
heworst…hedi dn’
twantt o
gobacktowher ehecamef rom.Andshej ust
wantedtoshowhi m appr
eci
ationinev er
ylit
tl
e
way.
Heputthef
inal
dishont
het
abl
eandwentt
o
getdol
l
edup.
Shehear
dhi
m par
k,andwenttoopent
hedoor
forhi
m,t
aki
nghi
sbrief
caseandbl
azer
.
ARNO:Mhhhh,youlookf
ancy,
mybour
gie
angel
…anditsmell
samazingi
nher
e.
SESHA: (
kissi
nghi
m)Letitbeknownt hatIdi
d
notcookt hi
satal
l
.Ij
ustcommissioneda
personalcheff
ort
henight
.
ARNO:Ify
oul i
kehi
m,wecanhirehimfory
ou
per
manent l
y.Come,l
etmeshowy ouadealI
j
ustinv
estedinwhi
chisgoi
ngtomakeusbi g
money.
SESHA:You…outofcommuni
tyofpr
oper
ty
now,r
emember?
ARNO: Thatwasj ustt
okeepy ourassetssafe,
butmywi l
lisful
lyforyou.I
’l
l showy out he
stockIjustinvestedali
ttl
emoneyi n.Ithas
amaz i
ngpr oject
ions.Butfi
rst,wef east.TheyI
hopeIguesst ofeastonallthisgoodies.
Hesai
d,r
unni
nghisey
esupanddownherbody
,
maki
ngherbl
ush.
Man,
fai
ryt
alesr
eal
l
ydoex
ist
.
*
***
***
***
***
***
***
Kart
eldr
ovehiscarf
rom wor
k,i
gnor
ingcal
l
s
fr
om Kesego.Twopoli
cecar
swerebehi
ndhim.
Hesi ghedremember i
ngat imewhensucha
sightcouldmakehi m antsy.Hehat
edthat
somet imeshemi sseditsomuch.The
adrenaline…theweeksofpl anni
ngforaj
ob…
thedr opoffs…for
everont heedge…
Thepol
i
cewer
efl
aggi
nghi
m down.
Whatdi
dtheywant
?
Hesi
ghedandpul
l
eddownt
othesi
de.
Twounifor
medpoli
ceoffi
cersandoneplai
n
cl
oth.Thebast
ardwhohadputLubaawayand
hasbeentry
ingtol
ockupKartelandhi
sfri
ends,
Monk,Thomas,orMidni
ght
.
Hewal
kedovertohi
m andsi
gnal
edf
orhi
mto
r
oll
downthewindow.
KARTEL:
Legacy
…it
’sst
art
ingt
olookl
i
key
ou
hav
eacrushonmeorsomethi
ng.
DETECTIVE:Getoutoft
hecar
.Ihav
eawar
rant
tosear
chy ourcar
.
KARTEL:
For
?
DETECTI
VE:Getoutoft
hecar,
Kartel
.Ordon’
t.
CosIwoul
dlovetohavetodothi
sthehardway.
KARTEL:
Yeah,I’
dlovetor
earr
angethatugl
y
mugtoo,buty
oualreadyl
ookli
kethat
,sowhy
makeyourli
feevenmoredi
ff
icul
t.Youknow
what
?Gof orit
.Sear
chaway…
*
***
***
***
***
***
***
*
LI
KE,
COMMENT,
SHARE
ATHUG’
SLOVE72

Kar t
elwat
chedi
nbor edom astheywent
throughhi
sstuf
f,t
hrowingthekitsf
orthekit
s
heandMonkcoachont heground.Theythr
ew
hisgolfcl
ubandcameoutwi thabrickofcoke.
KARTEL:
Isweart
hat
’snotmi
ne.
DETECTI
VE:Isi
tevery
our
s?Iknewy
ouwoul
d
sl
iponeday
.Gotyou.
KARTEL: Detecti
veDumb.Thati snotmi ne.I
havenev ereventouchedi t
,won’thavemu
pri
nts.Comeon, i
sn’tthi
sal i
ttl
etooconv eni
ent
?
Youliter
all
ysingledmeout ,hadawar rantand
al
l.I
t’sli
key oual
r eadyknewi twasthere.
DETECTIVE:
Kgathal
oMoseki
,youareunder
ar
restf
orpossessi
onofcr
ackcocai
ne.
KARTEL:
Ser
iousl
y?Dude.Inev
erseent
hat
sht
…
DETECTIVE:
Shal
lwegobackt oar
rest
ingy
ou
thehar
dwaywetalkedabout
?
KARTEL:Maan,Iam gonnamakey ouregr
et
thi
ssomuch.Andi fanyt
hinghappenstomy
carouther
e,Iam sui
ngtheforce.
Hegoti
nthecarwit
hthem,t
exti
ngMonkto
comepi
ckuphiscarupandtakeithome.
*
***
***
*
LUBA
Isawav ideoonli
neofKart
elgetti
ngarr
est
ed,
beingbroughtint
othest
ati
on.Itsaidt
heyf
ound
cocaineinhiscar.
F*
*k.
F*
*k.
Atl
eastt
hatwast
hest
ati
onKgar
ewor
kedat
.
Idi
all
edhi
snumberi
nhast
e.
KGARE:
Ifi
tisn’
tmyf
avor
it
egi
rl
…
ME:Kgar
e,Kar
tel
hasbeenar
rest
ed,
gat
wet
hey
f
oundcocai
ne.
KGARE:
Ithoughthest
opped?
ME: Hedid… somet hi
ngi
snotr
ight
.Maket
he
cocainedisappear
.
KGARE: Luba,Ican’
tjustmakeev i
dence
disappear,
theyfoundi tinhi
scar.Besi
des,
isn’
t
thistheguywhomadet hatv
ideocal
li
ngyou
crazy?
ME: Don’tt
rytounderstandKartelandI,
y ouwill
getaheadache.Justdoi t.Ahh,Ihaveapl an.
Kart
el usedtohavethisglucoseforthefootball
team hecoachesforunder pr
ivi
l
egedkids.Ican
fi
ndsomeandgi vei
ttoy ousoy oucanswap.
Snapmeapi cofthepackagesoIcanpackage
theglucoset hesame. .Givemef if
teenminut
es.
Anddonotl etitgettestedbeforeIswap.Thank
you,andy ouhav eaSaf aritr
iptoKasanebythe
way…I ’
llsenddet ai
ls.
.Enjoy.
Ihungupanddrov
eli
ket
hewindasIasked
Monkt omeetmeatt
hest
ati
onwit
hthe
glucose.
ThankGodhewasal
readyonhi
swayt
o
tr
aini
ngandhehadi
t.
Kgaresentt hepictur
e.I
twasinazi
plockwith
tape.AndIwasabl etof
indt
hesameZiplockat
Shoprit
e, plusthetape.ImetMonkabit
outsi
det hest ati
onandhotthegl
ucose,
wrappingi texactlyasthecokewas.
Isi
ghedwi
thr
eli
efaf
terIhandedi
ttoKgar
e.
*
***
***
**
KARTEL
Isatwai
ti
ngf
ormycal
l
.Theywer
est
all
i
ng.
Refusi
ngt ogiveitt
ome.Det ecti
veLegacyis
nofool.HeknowsIhav econt
actsandIcan
makeal lt
hisdisappearwit
hacall.That
’swhy
hewasst all
ingunti
ltheyhavethepackage
test
ed
F*
*k.Iwassoscr
ewed.
Thatcorruptbichofapoliceof
fi
cerwalkedin
anddiscreetl
yslidmeapaperbeforeasking
somei r
relevantquest
ionsandwalkedout.
Ir
eadi
tundert
het
abl
e.
‘
I
twasgl
ucose ’
Wi
thal
i
ttl
erosedr
awi
ng.
Ismil
edinrel
ief
.Myqueengotmeli
ket
ht.How
didsheevenknoworpul
lthi
soff
?
Also,
onlyLubawil
lfi
ndanaptthrowawayli
ke
t
hisone.Ihadki
tsandbal
lsandfootbal
lshoes
i
nthere.Gl
ucosefi
tri
ghti
n.
Theyl
etmeseatt
her
eforabi
tmor
e,andt
hen
t
hedet
ect
ivet
ookmet
oint
err
ogat
ion.
DETECTI
VE:Wefoundasubst
ant
ial
amountof
cocai
nei
nyourcar
…
KARTEL: Thatwasgl
ucose,
y oufool.Icoach
underpr
ivi
legedki
dsf
orfootball
…i thelpswit
h
thei
renergy.
DETECTI
VE:
Your
eal
l
ythi
nkt
hatshtgonnaf
ly?
KARTEL:Havey ouhadittest
ed?Itwasgl
ucose.
Thisar
resti
nunl awf
ul.AndIref
useandfur
ther
conver
sati
on,dummy .
Thedetect
iveshookhisheadandwenttol
ock
upwhereahi ghranki
ngoff
icerhadt
akent
he
subst
ancefortesti
ng.
DETECTI
VE:
Wegothi
m?
OFFI
CER:(l
aughing)Haekeglucose… y
ou
knowtheoneathlet
estake?
DETEVTI
VE:
No,
thatwas… Iknowi
twas…
OFFI
CER:
Wedon’
twannageti
ntr
oubl
e,hei
sa
publ
icdarl
ing…phil
anthr
opy
,workswith
tr
oubledki
dsandgi v
esthem j
obs,
takesthem
outofthestreet
s.
DETECTI
VE:
Hei
sadr
ugdeal
er!
OFFICER: Nnarr
aIhavenoproof,Ican’
taccuse
him ofanythi
ng.I
fyouwannapersonall
ybe
l
iabl
e, keephi
m.NnaIwill
apologi
est ohim and
l
ethiml oose.
Thedet
ect
ivewentbackt
oint
err
ogat
ionangr
il
y.
DETECTIVE:Whatdi
dyoumeanwheny ousai
d
youneverseent
hatpackage.
.Whenwe
arr
est
edy ou?
KARTEL:Icoachwi t
hMonk… heputi ti
nther
e
witht
hekids..Inev
ersawi t
..Bef or
eyoutook
myphone, Ical
ledhimtopickupmycarand
tol
dhim whatwasdown.That ’
swhenhe
rememberedhel ef
tglucosethere.
DETECTI
VE:Thenwhydi
dn’
tyousaysobefor
e?
Ontheway,
cosyoumadethatcal
lonourway
her
e?
KARTEL:(
laughing)becauseIwantedt
osee
youl
ookli
keani diot
,thewayyoudor i
ghtnow.
CanIgohomenow?Isweari fthi
sshthashit
soci
almedia,Iam sui
ng.
*
***
***
*
KARTEL
IwalkedoutandLubasatt
her
ewit
hMonk.I
huggedherandfi
stpumpedMonk.
Shegavemeari
dehomeasMonkhadt
ogo
coacht
heki
ds.
KARTEL:
Howdi
dyouknow?
LUBA:(l
aughi
ng)Youarequi
etthepublicf
igure.
Peopl
efil
m everyt
hingi
nvol
vi
ngy ou.Andlocal
communitybui
lderget
ti
ngarr
estedissome
news.
KARTEL:
Sht
…
LUBA:
(laughi
ng)Maduoagonnasl
ayqueen,
Kar
tel
.
Il
aughedandpi
nchedherear
.
KARTEL:
War
ekesl
ayqueenLuba?
LUBA:
(laughi
ng)Aker
eot
hol
aont
seal
lcut
e
moFacebookmo.
KARTEL:
(smi
l
ing)Yout
hinkIam cut
e.
LUBA: Mxim,boyyouknowIt hinky ouhot.I
al
sot hi
nky ouar
eacr uelazzhole,whichi
swhy
Idon’twantyourazz.It
houghty oustopped
sl
anging.Ridi
ngmeaboutdoi ngitwhiley
ougo
aroundwithbri
ck.
KARTEL:Isweari
twasn’tmine.Someoneset
meup,Luba.Gatwetheygotananonymousti
p.
Someonetri
edtogetmear r
estedc.
LUBA:Butwho?
KARTEL:Whot hehel
lknows,
Ihav
epi
ssesof
f
tonnesofpeopl
e…
LUBA:
Yougot
taf
indoutwho,
Kar
tel
.Whati
f
t
hecomeaf
terDedewhent
hef
ail
togety
ou
KARTEL:Trustme,I
’l
lfi
ndout
… andI
’
llmake
them pay
…y ousti
l
larmed?
ME:
Yup.
KARTEL: Idon’twantFadzwaandDanai outof
yoursi
ght .AndIwillhavepeopl
ewat chingy ou
fr
om adi stanceunti
lthi
sshtisresol
v ed.Stay
aler
tLuba, andhavemeonspeeddi al..
whatevert ime… evenifyouhaveagutf eeling
somethingi snotri
ght,youl
ocky our
selfindoors
andcallme, youhear?
LUBA: Igotyou…I
’m gonnaneedt
opul
lthem
offschoolforabi
t.
KARTEL:
Igl
ady
ouar
etaki
ngt
hisser
iousl
y.
LUBA:Kar
t,t
heamounttheyusedtosety
ouup
coul
dhaveeasi
lygiv
enyou15-25komatamong.
Someoneisaft
eryoubad.I
t’
sseri
ous.
KARTEL:
Ipr
omi
seI
’
m gonnaset
tl
eitwi
thi
nthe
mont
hs.Fornowl
ayl
owandbecar
eful
.
LUBA:
Yout
oo…
IwentontomyFacebookpageandt
her
ewer
e
awholelotofquest
ions.
Iwentl
i
veonFacebook.
‘
Yup,it
’str
ueguys.Iwasarrest
edf ort
he
gl
ucoseIgivetheteensIcoachinfootbal
lto
hel
ptheirener
gy.Botswana’
sfinesty’
all
.Aren’
t
weblessed.‘
Thevideowasgett
ingshared,
butmanywer
e
aski
ngotherquest
ionsnow.
‘
Isthatyourbabymamaatthewheel
?Didn’
t
yousayshewascr azy
?Ar
en’ty
ouengagedto
another
?’
It
ypedar
epl
y.
‘
Myexf iancéei
sthebestwomanev er,
andI
wasluckytohaveher
,butbetweenmy
busi
nessesandthephil
anthr
opicwork… I
wasn’
tavail
abl
easIshoul dhavebeen,andit
madethi
ngsdiff
icultbet
weenIandher .Aft
era
l
otoftr
yingtofi
xandi twasnotwor ki
ng,We
haveamicabl
ydecidedit'
sbestforusalli
fwe
par
tways‘
Ir
epl
iedt
hecomment,
thi
nki
ngNi
ki
tawoul
dbe
pr
oudofme.SoPR.
Mor
equest
ions.
‘
AndLuba?Youbackt
oget
her
?‘
Il
aughedandr
epl
i
ed.
‘
Kanalonabanabajar
atae.
.Hankel
ekopa
di
li
ftne?Lubaj
ustgav
emear i
de ’
*
***
***
***
*
Lanit
hrewthecuphewashol
dingagai
nstt
he
wall
infrust
rat
ion.
Lubahadranoutofher
esay
ingshehadan
emergency
,nowshewasallov
erthatguy
?
Andgl
ucose?Whatt
hehel
lwast
his?
Kart
elwassupposest
obelockedupwait
inga
casethatwasgonnat
akehi
m awayforatleast
tenyears.
F*
*kingidi
ot.
.Di
sn’
theseet
hiswast
he
mercif
ulappr
oach?
Hetri
edt oplayniceandputthi
sguyaway .But
Kart
elrefusedtobeputawayandnowt herehe
wasgivingpeopletheimpressi
onthatthere
wassomet hi
ngbetweenhim andLuba.Andthe
guywassi nglenow?F**k.
*
***
***
**
LUBA
IgothomeandLani
wasst
il
li
nmyhouse,
sul
king.
ME:
Andt
henwena?
LANI:
Howdoy ouwantmetof
eel
Luba,when
youl
eaveme.I
nthehouset
ogobecouple
goal
swit
hyourex?
ME:
Rra?
LANI
:It
’sannoy
ing,
you’
dbeangr
ytoo.
ME: Lani
,Itol
dy ouIdon’
twantanyt
hingser
ious
becauseIreall
yhavenotimeforsuchdrama.
Youar eupsetIgavemybabyfat
herar i
de?I
n
thecarhebought ?I
ja.
Ilef
thi
mt her
eandwenttoshower,t
henl
aidon
thebedlooki
ngatt
hati
diot
’sear
li
erl
ivev
ideo.
Hehadrefusedtot
alkabouttheirnolonger
weddi
ng.Iwonderwhatshedi d,becauseI
knowforsurei
twasn’thercancell
ing.
*
***
***
***
Kesegowat
chedt
hel
i
vev
ideoagai
n,cr
ying.
Alotofchur
ch‘fr
iends’wer
ecall
ingherwi
th
pret
ensesympathy,whil
eal
ltheywantedwas
togetthej
uicedetai
l.
Shewipedhert
ear
sandwatchedagai
n.Just
l
ooki
ngatLubamadeherwannathrowup.
Sheknewthiswholebreakingtheengagement
hadever
ythi
ngtodowi ththatcultbi
ch… who
knewwhatcultr
it
ualshehadputi nKar
telt
o
makehim dothi
s?
Shehadt
oputt
hisLubanonsenset
oanend.
Shepickeduphercarkey
sandrushedtoher
carwit
hpurpose.Shehadtoputthi
sLuba
nonsenset
oanend.
*
***
***
***
**
LI
KE,
COMMENT,
SHARE
ATHUG’
SLOVE73

Kesegowal kedi
ntoheruncl
e’
sfar
m andl
ooked
around.Itwaseveni
ngandnobodywasaround
thefarm ar
ea.
Whatt
ouse,
whatt
ouse…
Ah,
ster
oids…no,
noweedpoi
son.Thatshoul
d
wor
k.
Shegoti
tint
hecaranddr
oveof
ftoLuba’
s
pl
ace.
Timetoputanendtothisannoyinggi
rl
.
Everyt
hingwasper
fectunt
ilshecamefrom
pri
son.Ever
ythi
ngwouldbebetterwhenshei
s
notthere
Shelefthercaratadi
stanceandwal
ked
towardsthehouse.
Luba’
scarwasdr
ivi
ngi
nwi
tht
heki
ds.
Kesegosl
idi
nasthecargoti
nsi
de,
thenr
ant
o
hi
deatthesi
deofthehouse.
Lubatooktheki
dsoutoft
hei
rcarseat
sandl
et
them i
ntot
hehouseasshecar
ri
edthe
grocer
iesi
n.
Kesegot ookthechancetogetinsi
det hehouse
andslippedintotheguestr
oom, getti
ngi nsi
de
theclosetfi
ll
edwithLuba’
swi nt
ercoat s.She
hidinthereandli
stenedasLubabr oughtinthe
restofthegrocer
ies,madedinnerandf edthe
gi
rl
s,t
henbat
hedt
hem andputt
hem t
obed…
Shetiptoedtothebedr
oom andwal
kedint
othe
masterbedroom.Lubalai
dther
esl
eepi
ng
peaceful
ly.
Kesegotookoutthei
rpl
aycuf
fsandt
ri
edt
o
cuffLuba,
butshewokeup.
LUBA:
Kesego?Whatt
hef
**k?
Kesegopi ckedupadecorat
ivestat
uefrom the
sidetabl
eandsmackedherhar d.WhenLuba
fell
down,shestraddl
edherandheldthepoison
toher.
LUBA:
Whatt
hef
**kar
eyoudoi
ng?
KESEGO:It
’spoison…ni
ftyl
i
ttl
ethi
ng,eh?Good
forget
ti
ngridofannoyi
ngli
tt
lepest
s.
LUBA:
Hav eyoul
osty
ourmi
nd?Whatt
he
act
ualf
**k?
KESEGO:
Seat
.St
il
l.y
oul
i
ttl
eti
ck.Seatst
il
l!
Shemanagedt
ocuf
fhert
othef
ootoft
hebed.
KESEGO:
(laughi
ng)Goty
ou…
LUBA: WhatisyourplanKesego?Doy ouev en
haveapl an?Iam supposi
ngyouwannaki llme
soyoucanbewi t
hKar t
el?Theplanisfl
awed
darl
ing.Youwentandgoty ourfi
ngerpri
ntsall
overhere…notsogoodi fyou’
llj
ustgetarrest
ed
andgot ojail
.NoKartel
.Andjai
lseri
ouslysucks.
KESEGO:
(pani
cki
ng)I
’
ll
…I’
l
lwi
pet
hem…
LUBA: Allofthem?Youwi llwipeallthepri
nt s
i
nt hishouse?Thatmeansdeepcl eaningev er
y
placeyouhav ebeensincey ougotinhere.That
couldtakehour s.Andwhatifyoumi ssone?
That’sall
ittakes.AndKartel?Heisnotgonna
restunti
lhef i
ndsoutwhoki ll
edme.Andy our
daughter?Whatdoy out
hinkDaniewi llf
eel
whenshegr owsupandf i
ndsouty oukil
ledher
mama?AndwhatbecomesofKy l
iewheny ou
got opri
son?
KESEGO:
(cov
eri
ngherear
s,cr
ying)Shutup!
Shutup!Youar
econf
usi
ngme…
LUBA: Ify
ouar egonnapoi sonsomeone, dear,
fi
rstofallmakesur eit’
ssomet hinguntraceabl
e
soitlooksnat ural.Noinvesti
gati
ons.Second,
makesur ey oudon’ tincr
iminatey our
selfli
kea
dumbass, touchi ngeveryt
hing,especial
lyyour
vi
ctim…andt hird…t a-
daa,gotthekey s,
uncuffed.
Shesaidandbef
oreKesegoevenreal
izedwhat
happened,
Lubapunchedheronthefaceand
pi
nnedherdown,pul
li
ngagunf r
om underher
pi
ll
ow.
LUBA:Bi
ch,
youhav el
ostyourmind.Whatt
he
hel
ldoyout
hinkyouaredoing?All
thi
sfora
manwhonev erl
ovedyou?
KESEGO:Kar
tel
lov
esme…hechosemeov
er
youand…
LUBA:(l
aughi
ng)Kar
tel
lov
esonl yonewoman,
dar
li
ng.Youknowthatt
oo,that
’swhyyouhat
e
me.Andyouknowheisgonnamakey oupay
f
orthel
it
tl
eshtyouj
ustpul
led,
right
?
Kesegocov
eredherf
acewi
thherhandscr
ying.
KESEGO:Whatam Idoi
ng!Thi
sisn’
tme,
Itr
ied
toki
ll
someone…
LUBA: Andy oujustmaxedouty our‘sheloved
mychi l
dlikeherown’ card.I’ml et
tingthisgo
onelasttimebecauseoft helov ey ougav emy
daughterwhenIcoul dn’t.Iusedt osayIowed
youmyl if
ebecauseanot herwomanwoul dhave
abusedornegl ect edDede, especial l
ythatshe
i
sn’taneasychi ld.SoIf eltgrateful.Youjust
tookthatlif
eIowedy ou.NowIowey ousht.
Nobodywi llhereoft his.ButKesego, youever
comeatmel i
ket hisagain?Iwon’ tbli
nkwhenI
putabul l
etbetweeny ourey es.Iam noty our
enemy .Youdi dmedi rty
,nottheot herway
around.Stoppr ovokingme, becausenextt i
meI
will
kil
lyou.Getout .
Shewatchedherleav
e,andforamoment
wonder
edi fshewastheonewhosetupKar
tel
.
Nah, t
hewayt hi
sattemptedmurderwasso
sloppy,shedi
dn’thaveiti
nhertosetupany one
l
ikethat.Andthegirl
’sgoalwastogetKartelal
l
toherself,
shewouldn’tbot
hersett
inghi
m up,
andwher ewouldKesegoget6Kgofcocai ne?
*
***
***
***
***
***
***
***
*
Kar
tel
sati
nbedunabl
etosl
eep.
Whowascomi ngforhim?Why ?Hehadt al
ked
tosomeboy sthatowedhi mf avor
s.Theywer e
gonnahangar oundLuba’shouse,atadistance,
andber eadytomov eifanyt
hingwentdown.He
alsotal
kedtosomeguy sfr
om thesecuri
ty
system shehadinstal
l
ed.Theywoul dmake
mor efr
equentroundsaroundherplace…
Andi
tal
lst
il
ldi
dn’
tfeel
enough.
Hestar
edattheceil
ingforanhour
,bef
orehe
deci
dedhecouldn’
ttakethi
sanymore.
Heputonhissweatpant
sandtshi r
t,t
hendr ov
e
offt
oherpl
ace,pi
ckingthedoorandwal ki
ngin.
Lubawasseati
ngonherbed, notsl
eeping.
LUBA:I
stodayt
henati
onal
dayf
orbr
eaki
ngand
ent
eri
ngorsomethi
ng?
KARTEL:
What
?Wast
hatKesegol
eav
ingy
our
pl
ace?
LUBA:
Kesego?Nah,
notf
rom her
e.
KARTEL:
Coul
dhav
eswor
nIsawher
…
LUBA:Maybeoj olamohoodi
ng…whatareyou
doi
nghereKartel.Ir
eal
l
yneedtochangedmy
al
arm sy
stem code.
KARTEL:
Coul
dn’
tsl
eep…Iam wor
ri
edLuba…
LUBA:Iforgethowmuchofawor ri
eryouar
e.
Wearef i
ne,Kart…Iam scar
ed,butyea…weare
gonnabef i
ne.Allt
hosepeoplelooki
ngoutf
or
us…Ifeelsafer.
KARTEL:
Yea,
wel
l
,theyst
artt
omor
row.
LUBA:
Wellt
hen,
thankGodtoni
ghtwegoty
our
bi
gbadsel
ftopr
otectus.
Shepatt
edt
hebedbesidesherandhecamet o
l
aydownbesidesher
,cuddl
i
ngherastheywent
tosl
eep.
*
***
***
***
***
***
***
**
Inthemorni
ngSeshawokeupt oat oplessArno
cookingi
nthekit
chenandwhist
lingsomet une.
Shecameov erandhuggedhi
m, kissi
nghim
back.
ARNO:
Heyangel
…
SESHA:Youarespoil
i
ngme, husband.Don’
t
compl
ainwhenIturnint
oawhi neybratwho
demandscrepesandalatt
eeverymor ni
ng.
ARNO;(l
aughi
ng)Whoareweki ddi
ng, my
bour
giebabe…youareal
readyawhi neybr
at
whodemandscrepesandal at
teeverymorni
ng.
Hesai
dasheki
ssedher
.Seshasatont
he
count
erwat
chi
nghi
m cook.
SESHA: Bathong,
thi
sguyistryi
ngsohardso
showt hatheiswit
hLuba.SinceKart
el’
svideo
l
astnight,hehaspostedt
hreephotosofthem
toget
her.
Ar
nol
ookedatt
hepi
ctur
eandf
rowned.
ARNO:Hel
ooksf
ami
l
iar
.Wher
ehav
eIseenhi
m
bef
ore?
SESHA:
Hel
i
vedi
ntheUS
ARNO:MaybeIrani
ntohim somewhere…hei
s
l
ooksveryf
amil
i
ar.Ohwell.It
houghtwecoul
d
spendt
hedaywithyourmother…
SESHA:
Arno…
ARNO: Ifwedon’tgiv
eherachancetoknowme,
shecan’tevenstartt
olikeme.AndIam abi
g
boy,Icantakei
tev enifhei
salit
tl
elesst
han
fr
iendl
y.Iunderst
and.
*
***
***
***
***
***
***
***
**
LUBA
WhenIwokeup, Kart
el hadwentoutand
broughtbreakf
ast.Hehadi treadyont
hetabl
e,
thegir
lshadbrushedt heirt
eethandhehad
giventhem por
ridge.
LUBA:
Mhhh,
youar
eusef
ulf
oronce.
Hel
aughedandki
ssedmyhead.
KARTEL:
Wil
lyouev
ersayasi
ngl
eni
cet
hingt
o
me?
ME:Ij
ustdi
d.Foroncey
ouar
eusef
ul.Gi
rl
s,
f
ini
shyourbr
eakfast
.
Ifol
l
owedhimtotheki
tchenandt
ookt
he
coff
eehegaveme.
ME:
Kar
tel
,KanaIhav
eaboy
fri
end.
KARTEL:Oh?Obat
akof
ileene?BecauseIhav
e
enough…
ME:(l
aughing)Mxim…youcan’
tjustshowup
her
e.LastnightIhadal
ongdayandanev en
l
ongernight
.Layingnextt
oyouwascomf or
ti
ng.
Butthi
scan’thappenagai
n.Thi
sguy… heis
real
l
ynice…Iwannaseewher ethi
sgoes.
KARTEL: Iam nofort
unetel
l,butIcantel
lyou
from exper
ience.I
t’
sgoingnowhere.Thelyi
ng
thingneverworks.I
’l
lheadoff.
Hekissedmyfor
eheadandwenttotheki
tchen
wherehesai
dgoodbyetothegi
rl
s,t
henheaded
out
*
***
***
***
***
***
***
***
**
Lani watchedKart
ell
eaveLuba’shouseint
he
mor ning.Aft
erl
astni
ght’
sfi
ghtaboutherbeing
i
nt hecarwi t
hhim,hehadgottenangryand
wentt ohishouse.
Nowhewascomi
ngoutofherhouseear
ly
morni
ng?
Thisj
ustconf
irmedwhathehadi nmi nd.Kar
tel
hadtogoforthei
rrelati
onshi
ptoblossom.
Lubawassuchal ovelygir
landwouldbean
amaz
ingwi
feandagr
eatmot
herf
orLana.
*
***
***
***
***
***
***
*
KARTEL
Ilef
tLuba’
splaceandwenthomet oshower,
thenwenttotheoff
ice.Isatdowndoi
ngwor k
forabit
.Recepti
oncall
edsay i
ngaPal
alani
was
heretoseeme.
Luba’
sli
tt
leboot
ycal
l
?Thehel
ldi
dhewant
?
Iwentdownst
air
sandmethi
mther
e.
KARTEL:
HowcanIhel
pyou,
Mr…?
LANI:Lubai
sinarel
ati
onshi
p.I
’
dappr
eci
atei
f
youkeptadist
ance.
KARTEL:
Woul
dthatbeal
l
?
LANI
:Yes.So,
youwi
l
lst
ayawayf
rom her
?
KARTEL:
Nope.
LANI
:Wr
onganswer
.
Hesai
dashewal
kedaway
.Il
ookedathi
m,
shookmyheadandl
aughedasIwal
kedbackt
o
myoffi
ce.
Ser
iousl
y?Hecameher
efort
hat
?
*
***
***
***
***
***
***
Lanilef
tther
ecepti
ont hi
nki
ng.So,
camer
asat
thegateandatrecept
ion.Maybesomeatt
he
offi
ce.
Hewal kedaroundfindi
ngaweakspot .The
cleani
ngstorage.Therewasast ai
rfr
om ther
e
thataccessedtheupstai
rs.I
trequi
redatagin
card.
Hesnoopedaroundandstoleacardfr
om a
cl
eaner,
thenwait
edal l
dayunti
ltheof
fi
ce
cl
eared,
Kartel
thelasttol
eave.
Hetookthecleanersstai
rsandusedt hecar
d
goi
ngtothesecondf loor
,usinghi
ssimple
smartphoneappt olookforcameras.Noneup
her
e,soatthegateandmai nentr
anceonly.
Helookedaroundeachfl
oorunt
ilhef
oundt
he
of
fi
cet hatsai
dKgathal
oMoseki
,CEO
Justhadtohavet
hatont
hedoor
,di
dn’
the?
Arr
ogantpri
ck.
HesatdownatKar tel’sdeskt opanddi dan
ov err
ideont hesy stem, andupl oadingal otof
i
nf ormation.Mostofi tfrom t hepeopl ehehad
wor kedforcl eani ngmoney .PeopleKar tel’
s
fri
endThomaswor kedf ort oo,soitwasgonna
bebel iev
abl e.Hecr eatedf akeencr yptedemai ls
andawhol el otofcommuni cat
iontrails
bet weent hosepeopl eandKar t
el.Kartel
arrangingt rafficking, passageofpeopl e
throughBot swanat oS. A,local gi
rl
snabbedand
traffi
cked, withKar telauthor izi
ngit.Thensome
eami lsofKar teltalkingaboutsexwi th
under agegi rl
satsomei slandoneoft heItali
an
guy sowned.I tmadeKar tel l
ookreal dirt
y.
Kil
l
ingthatpi
eceofshtwoul
djustmakeLuba
getinafunkmourni
nghim,andhehadnotime
fort
hat
.Plushedi
dn’
tlooksoeasytoki
l
l.No,
hewantedLubadi
sgustedwi
thhim.Hat
inghi
m.
Whenhewasdoneandsat i
sfied,hemadea
deli
berat
esi mplesli
pupt hatwoul dn’
tbeso
obvious,buttheri
ghtpeoplewi l
lcatchitand
fi
ndt heemails.Heknewt hroughhi sbrot
her
thatsomepeopl eweretrackingThomas.They
willcomeacr osst
histoo.

*
***
***
***
***
***
***
*
Af ewday slat
erKartel
satinhisoffi
cetr
yingto
reachoutt oeveryoneofhiscontact
s.His
fri
endThomashadj ustbeenarrest
ed.Theol d
manKhumal ohadnoi deawhoi twas,l
ocal
policecouldn’
tlocat
ehim.Nobodyhadani dea
wher ethehellTom was.
Hehadt
ofi
ndhi
sfr
iend.
Tom hadpull
edt
hroughforhi
m mor
ethanhe
coul
dcount.Hehadtofi
ndhim.
Heheardacommot i
onast hr
eeplai
nclot
h
of
fi
cersandfouruni
formedoffi
cerwal
kedint
o
hi
soff
ice,hi
srecept
ioni
stt
ryi
ngtostopthem.
Heknewt hattal
l bul
kyone, hi
schickwas
Bopaki’shusband’ sex,andKartelhadscrewed
hersev eraltimes, j
ustbecausethebi chhadno
respectf orhissister’
smar r
iage.HewasDI Sor
somet hing,becauseKar t
elknewf orsurehe
wasn’tadet ecti
ve.
KARTEL:
Andt
hen?
OFFICER:KgathaloMoseki
,youareunderarr
est
forsever
alcri
mesagainsthumanit
y,i
ncludi
ng
humant r
affi
ckingandarmsdeali
ng,f
acil
it
ati
ng
rebel
s.
KARTEL:
Excusey
ou?
Twoguyspul l
edhim upandr oughl
ypushed
hi
m againstt
hewall asanothercuf
fedhi
m,the
uni
for
medof fi
cerstandi
ngback.Hewas
basi
cal
lydraggeddownst ai
rsandledtoan
unmarkedcar
,whil
etheuni
for
m pol
i
ceof
fi
cer
s
wentoffi
nthei
rpol
icecar
.
Whatt
hehel
l
?Helit
eral
l
yhadnoi
deawhatt
hey
wer
etal
ki
ngabout
.
*
***
***
***
***
***
***
*
LI
KE,
COMMENT,
SHARE
ATHUG’
SLOVE74

Il
aidi
nbedrel
axi
ngwi
thLaniaf
terhe
apol
ogi
zedf
orthr
owi
ngafity
esterday
.
Thekidswer ewi thmma- Sesha.Thi
swasnice,
j
ustchil
li
ngliket his.Lani wassuchgreat
company .Ki
nd, easygoi ng.Iwasst ar
ti
ngto
feell
i
ket hi
scoul dt urni
nt osomethi
ngmor e
thanancasual boot ycall.Ireal
l
yenj
oybeing
withthi
sman.
Iwasj
ustscr
oll
i
ngt hr
oughFacebookwhenI
camebyapostthatcaughtmyeye.
Kart
elwasonsoci almedi
aagai n.Hewasbei
ng
ar
restedandtherewasal eakedpostsay
inga
wholelotofnast
yt hi
ngsabouthim.
Igaspedi
nshockandLani
tookmyphonet
o
l
ook.
LANI:OhmyGod..What
?Human
tr
aff
icki
ng…t
hisguy
?Damn…youcannever
knowaperson…whowouldt
hinkt
hisguy
would…
LUBA:
IknowKar
tel
.Andhewoul
dnev
er…
LANI
:Butt
heysay
…
ME:Iam t
ell
i
ngyou.Iknowforsur
esomeonei
s
f
raminghi
m.Ihavetotal
ktoMonk.
Istoodupandt
ri
edMonk’
snumberacoupl
eof
ti
mesanditwasn’
tgoi
ngt
hrough.
ME:
Ineedt
ogo…
LANI
:But… It
houghtwewer
egonnahangout
andgett
oknoweachother
…
ME:Obvi
ousl
yIcan’
tri
ghtnow.Kar
tel
justgot
ar
rest
ed.
LANI:
Idon’
tseehowt
hathasany
thi
ngt
odo
wit
hyou.
ME:What?Ar
eyouser
ious?Youknowwhat
?
Nev
ermind.
Itookmycarkey
sanddr
ovet
othegl
ass
company.
Ifoundt
heemploy
eesseat
ingout
sideasa
fi
remantal
kedt
othem.
ME:
Whati
sgoi
ngon?CanIseeMonkorEa?
FOREMAN:
Ladyboss…wealsodon’tknow.
Thepol
i
cej
ustwal
kedinandarr
estedthem
bot
h…wedon’
tknowwhat’
snext.
ME:Just
… uhm.Getbacktowork.Iwil
lcome
backt
omorrowandupdateonthesit
uati
on.
Iwalkedbackt
omycarandseati
nther
e
thi
nking.
Whatwashappeni
ng?Whowasbehi
ndal
lthi
s?
WhywereMonkandEadowntoonow?
Whocoul
ditbe?Dol
l
a?Possi bl
y.Hehashada
gr
udgeagai
nstt
hem al
lforsomet i
me.
Andwhatt
hehel
lcoul
dIdoaboutal
lthi
sonmy
own?
Isi
ghedanddi
aledanumberIhadthoughtof
cal
li
ngsomeoftheseday
s,butdi
dn’t
.
I
twasn’
tgoi
ngt
hrough,
soIhi
tWhat
sApp.
‘
Ron,
cal
lme’
Shecall
edbackfi
veminut
eslaterandIcoul
d
hearshewasinapar
ty.Dancehall
music
bl
aringbehi
ndher
.
RON:
Heyl
i
’lr
ose.Mi
ssme?
ME:
Wher
ear
eyouatr
ightnowev
en?
RON:
(laughi
ng)Jamai
ca…
ME:
Whatar
eyoudoi
ngi
nJamai
ca?
RON:Gett
inghi
ghandf
**ki
ngi
slandboy
sand
gi
rl
s.Youshoul
djoi
nme.
ME:
Kar
t,EaandMonkhav
ebeenar
rest
ed.
RON:
Arr
est
ed?Forwhat
?
ME: Someoneisframingthem.Fir
st,t
hey
plant
edcokeinKar t’
scarandgavethepolice
ananony mousti
p.Nowt heyhavecreated
somef akeshtabouthim bei
nginvol
vedin
humant raf
fi
cki
ng.EaandMonkgat wethereis
suspici
ontheyhelpedhim.So,t
heyarearrested
too.
RON: Nah, t
hoseguy swoul dnevert
oucht
hat
sht.Drugs?Sure, whocaresifpeopl
ewanna
destroytheirl
ives?Butforci
ngsomeoneint
o
shttraff
ickersdo… nope.
LUBA:
Exact
ly.Hei
sbeingframed.Ihav
eno
i
deawho.AndIam atl
oss.Ineedyouhere.
RON:Letmegetont
henextf
li
ght
.I’
l
lcal
lyou
whenIleav
eher
e.
*
***
***
***
*
Kesegolai
dinbedcryi
ng.Shest
il
lcoul
dn’
t
bel
ievewhatshetr
iedtodo.
Sheal
mostki
l
ledaper
son.Whathadbecome
ofher
?
Ther
ewasacallf
rom her‘
mot
heri
nlaw’
.She
pi
ckedi
tupsni
ff
li
ng.
MOTHER:Kese,
whati
sthi
sIhearaboutmy
sonbei
ngarr
est
ed?
KESEGO:
Huh?
MOTHER:Gat
wei
t’
sinFacebookeoy
alona,
ebi
l
ehesaidy
oubr
okeup?
Shequickl
ypul
l
edoutherl
apt
opandwenton
Facebook.
Thethi
ngstheywer
esay
inghedi
d… ohGod,
suchli
es.
KESEGO:I
t’
sall
li
esmme… i t’
sjust
,hest
art
ed
hangi
ngwit
hthatgi
rlagai
n,andall
thi
sstar
ted.
..
Kanangwanyanay
olei
str
oubl
e,t
hati
swhyshe
wasinpri
son.
MME:
So,
whatdowedonow?
KESEGO:
I’
mjustaboutt
ogoseeal
awy
er.I
t’
s
al
lgoi
ngtobef
ine.I
t’
salll
i
es.
Whenshehungup,shedidn’
tev
enknowwhere
t
ogo.Whichpol
icestat
ionwashebei
nghel
d?
Shedrov
etoKar
tel
’
slawy
er,
findi
ngNi
ki
ta
al
readyt
her
e.
KESEGO:
Whatt
hehel
lar
eyoudoi
ngher
e?
NI
KITA:Ri
ghtnow?Real
ly!
?Calmthef*
*kdown,
wearebot
htryi
ngtogetKartsomehel
p.
KESEGO:Well
,wedon’
tneedy
ourhel
p.You,
youarehi
slawyer
,howdowegethi
m out?
LAWYER:Fi
rst
,wewil
lneedt
ogotothepol
i
ce
st
ati
onheisbei
nghel
datandheart
hechar
ges.
KESEGO:
Thenwhatar
ewewai
ti
ngf
or?Come
on!
LAWYER:
Ican’
tseem t
ofi
ndwher
ehei
sbei
ng
hel
d.
*
***
***
***
**
LUBA
Iwenttot
hestati
onMonkwasbei
nghel
dand
Kar
telwasn’
tther
e.
Monkcameoutandsmi
l
edwhenhesawme.
ME:
Howar
eyouhol
dingup?
MONK:
(laughi
ng)beenher
e,donet
hat
.
ME:
YouseenKar
t?
MONK: Hadjustheardofhi
sarrestwhenthey
cameforme.Theydi dn’
tbr
inghim her
e.Fri
end
ofhisj
ustdi
sappearedthesamewayaf ew
daysback…
ME:
Whatdowedo,
Monk?
MONK:Memor
izethi
snumberandcall
aguy
cal
l
edMi
dni
ght
,ift
heyhav
en’tgothi
mtoo.He
cant
ryf
indsomet
hingsout
.
ME:
Ical
l
edRon.
MONK: Goodcall…tell
hertostayl
owwhen
shearr
ives.Theygotusonsomebul l
sht
char
ges,theywil
lbeafterhert
oo.
Me:
Iwi
l
l… ok,
letmegot
ryt
hatguy
.
Il
eftther
edefeated.TheguyMonkjustgav
e
met henumberofwasnotpi cki
ngup,andI
supposedthetookhimt oo.
IwentbackhomeandLanicamebacktomy
house,
huggingmeasIst
oodatthefr
idge
dri
nki
ngwater.
LANI:Ij
ustdon’
tthi
nkyoushouldstr
ess
your
selfaboutahumantraf
fi
cker.
ME:I
fyouarenotgoi
ngtobehel
pful
,youcan
f
**kof
f.Kar
teldi
dn’
tdoanyoft
hatsht.
LANI:Youcan’tknowthat
… andt
heycan’
tjust
arr
estaninnocentman…
ME:Theydo.Al lt
hetime,all
overthewor l
d.
Peopleserv
ef al
sesentencesfordecades.
Kart
elisbeingsetup.AndIneedt ogethimf r
ee.
I
fyoudon’tmi nd,I
’
dliketobealonerightnow.
LANI
:ButIt
hought
…
ME: Lani,t
hereisal otgoingoninmyl if
eright
now.So, Iam afraidIcan’tgiv
ewhat everthisis
thepropertimeitneeds.AndIespeci all
ydon’ t
needsomeonewhoi sgonnabet alki
ngshtr ight
now.Iam uderal otofstress,whoknows
what ’
shappeningt oKar t
el?Theyar eruini
nghi s
reputati
ontoo.Hei sgonnal osesomuch
business.Ihavet ofocusonget ti
nghi mf r
ee,
wenay uouwannaseather eandcuddl e.So,I
thi
nkweshoul dcallitqui
ts.
Lani
f r
ownedinsurpr
ise.Thi
swasnotgoi
ngthe
wayitwassupposedtoatall
.Howcanhenot
bedisgustedwi
thsomeonewhotraf
fi
cspeople
andaidsrebel
s?
LANI
:What
?No… I
…
ME:
Ijust
…II
ikey
ou,
Lani
.Al
ot… butr
ightnow,
myl
if
eisamess.
LANI: Youareri
ght.Ineedtobemore
understandi
ng.Igetit
.Butwearegood
toget
her ,
wecanl etgoofwhatwehave…Come
on,Luba.Iam sorry…
ME:(
sigh)Fi
ne…butunderst
andthatunt
ilKar
tel
i
sfr
ee,Iam gonnabebarel
yavai
l
able.
Heki
ssedmehappi
l
y.
LANI
:Il
ovey
ou…
Ok,dude… toosoont obedr oppingt
hosethree
l
itewords.Ithoughtinmyheadandcoul dsee
hewashur tIdi
dn’tsayitback.What,Ihave
knowny ouforthr
eeweeks, sir.
Acarpar
kedandSeshawal
kedi
nwi
thAr
no.
Sesharanov
erandhuggedmeasIi
gnor
ed
Arno.
Ihadaweir
df eel
i
ngthatLanil
ookedatArno
andthenl
ookeddownlikehedidn’
twantArno
seei
nghim,andthej
ustthatqui
ckl
yexcused
himsel
fonsomebull
shtreasonandlef
t.
ARNO:Ij
ustcan’
tpl
acewher
eIknowt
hatman
fr
om.
SESHA:Babe… notnow.Lubaneedsus.Baby
,
howareyouholdi
ngup?
LUBA: Idon’tev
enknowwher eheis,gatwethey
fr
ozebusi nessaccount
s… Ni ki
taandt heCOO
gi
rlareallupanddownt r
yingtosortthe
si
tuati
on.Theyal sohal
tedser v
iceatGlass
World…
ARNO:Ifhi
sbusi
nessesar
eindependentf
rom
hi
m,that’
sunl
awful
…
SESHA:Babe,maybeyoucanhel
phi
sbusi
ness
i
nthebestcourseofact
ion…
ME:
So,
hecanst
eal
from Kar
tel
?Not
haty
ou.
ARNO:
(laughi
ng)Ouch.
SESHA: Myhusbandl i
teral
l
yhasmor emoney
thanKartel
’sbusinessescombi ned,plusy
ou
andI,hehasnor easontostealfrom him,
and
hedidn’
tst eal
from me, Iexpl
ainedwhat
happened,sostop.
ARNO: Youdon’thavet
odef endme,babe.I
f
Lubawant stobeabichaboutshtwhenIam
tr
yingtohelpherbabydaddy,shecanf**
koff
andt hi
nkwhatshewants.Wear edone
apologi
zingforourmarr
iage.
Shepull
edSeshacl
oserandki
ssedher
for
ehead.
SESHA:Ionl
ywant edt ohelp,
seei
ngwehav e
oneofthebestbusinessmeni nt
hecountr
yat
ourdi
sposal
.Butyouar erightmylove,
ift
hey
don’
twantyourhelp,thentheycanlett
he
busi
nessessi
nk.
ARNO:
Iam sur
etheyhav
eaCOOandot
her
s
whowil
ltaket
hebestcour
seofacti
on,babe.
ButI
’
dbehappytohelpift
heyneedit
.
*
***
***
**
Ronarri
vedthr
eedayslater
,andIcoul
dseea
Ugandanpasspor
t,whereshewascall
edKat
it
i
Magawe.
ME:
Uganda?
RON: (
laughi
ng)If*
*kedami ni
ster
’ssonwho
hadaccesstooneabi tback…Iwaswor r
ied
they
’dnabmet hemomentIwalkedinwithmy
real
passport.Howareyouholdingup?
Shesai
d,car
essi
ngmycheek,
thenl
eanedi
nto
ki
ssme.
ME:
Stop,
Ron…
RON:
Imi
ssedy
ou…
ME: I
fyoumissedme,you’
dhav ecall
ed,
i
nsteadofrunni
ngaroundacrosstheworl
d
f
**kingever
ythi
ngt
hatmov es.
RON:(laughing)Ar
ey oureal
l
ysalt
yIl
eft?That
’s
whatIdo, Luba.Ij
ustdi
sappear
,nocal
ls,
not
hing.That ’
sme.Youknowi t
.
ME:Nobodysal
ty.Canwef
ocusont
hemat
ter
athand?
RON:
Yea,
Kar
tmadeanyr
ecentenemy
?
ME:NonethatIknowof .Hewasl
ivi
ngcl
ean.
Doi
ngthewholebusinessmanandnineyar
ds…
wai
t,hegott
angledwiththat
’sMr
sMokgadi…
RON:
Motherf*
*ker
.Howdi
dthathappen,
we
wasf
reeofher.
ME:
I… uhm…noi
dea.
RON:So,basical
ly,
wehav ejustexpandedthe
‘
who’from t
hewhol ef**ki
ngcountrytothe
pl
anet,
huh?Becauset hatwomanhasenemi es
fr
om heretokingdom come.
ME:Idon’
tknow,
butit
’ssomeonelocal
.
Someonewhocouldpl
antthecokeandthent
ip
t
hepol
i
ceof
fi
cer
s.
RON:
Didt
heyl
i
ftanypr
intf
rom t
hecoke?
ME:I
twascl
ean… nopr
intatal
l
,theper
son
wor
eglov
es.
RON: Thenwear ej
ustgonahav etopayavi
sit
toanyonewhowoul dwannahur tKart
.St
art
ing
withDoll
a.He’dneverhavethebal
lstost
rai
ght
outtakehim out
,buthe’shadagrudgeonour
crewforalongtime.Givemeaf ewhoursand
thenwewi l
lpayhim avisi
t.
*
***
***
***
*
Aboutt
hreehoursl
ater,Iparkedandwal
ked
i
ntoDoll
ar’
shouse.Iknockedandopenedthe
door
,walki
ngin.
Roncal
ledmetothebedroom.ShehadDol
l
ain
hi
sboxers,
cuf
fedtothebedonalll
i
mbs.
RON:
Oh,
heyl
i
’lr
ose.Ist
art
edwi
thouty
ou.
DOLLA:
Luba,
cany
ougett
hispsy
chot
o
underst
andt
hatIhav
ebeenl
ongdonewi
th
Kart
el?
Ronpickedupabasebal
lbatandhi
thi
m har
d
ontheabs.
RON:Tryagai
n.Wher
eisKar
tel
?Whydi
dyou
sethi
m up?
DOLLA:
Idi
dn’
t!Iswear
!
Shewentathi
m agai
nsev
eral
timesandDol
l
a
coughedbl
ood.
RON:Icanf
**ki
ngbeatt
hisal
lni
ght
.Wher
eis
he?
ME:
Ron,
Ron… It
hinkhei
shur
t.
RON: Wel
l,t
hat’
thef
**ki
ngi
dea.Wher
eifKar
tel
,
sht
piece,
nxla!
Shepull
edoutagunandcockedi
t,put
ti
ngi
tat
Dol
la’
scrot
ch.
RON:Onemor
eti
me.Iam gonnaaskonemor
e
ti
me,
andyoubet
terconsi
dery
ourwords
car
eful
ly
.Wherei
sKart
el?Andwhatar
eyou
gonnadotocl
eart
hismadeyoumade?
DOLLA:IswearIdon’
tknow…Idi
dn’
tsetKar
tel
up.AndIdon’tknowwherehei
s.
Ronhi
thi
m agai
n.
ME:
Ron,
comeon… Ibel
i
evehi
m.
RON:Idon’
t.Thi
sly
ingr
api
stshtcanl
i
e..Ihav
e
seeni
t.
Dol
l
alaughedandcoughedbl
oodagai
n.
DOLLA:Howdoyourapeaprost
it
ute?You
cheat
edonBozaandwantedtol
iethatIr
aped
you…
Ronputt
heguni
nhi
smout
h,butIpul
l
edher
back.
ME:Iwantt hi
strashdeadasmuchasy oudo,
butthi
sistoomessy .I
twil
lleav
eabadst i
nk
tr
ail
andwedon’ tneedthat…besides,
deadmen
don’
ttalk,
ifheislyi
ng,weneedhimt ostay
al
i
ve.
RON:
(si
ghi
ng)Youar
eri
ght
.Let
’sgo.
LUBA:
Youdoknowhei
sgonnacomeaf
terus?
RON: Iam bet
ti
ngoni t
.Lethi
m givemea
reasontoblowhisbr ai
nup.Iam inashortf
use
ri
ghtnow,mywhol ecrewislockedup,mybest
fri
endismissi
ng, andIam probablybei
ng
l
ookedf or
.So,lethim comeafterus.
If
oll
owedheroutsideandshegaveme
di
rect
ionsofwheretomeetlat
er.
Iwentt
oSeshat
ocheckonmybabi
es…
Iwasscared,havi
ngt oleavethem li
kethis.,
butwhatelsewasIgonnado.Myf ather
’swife
i
sn’tmybiggestfan,soIwon’triskleavi
ngmy
ki
dsthere.Theyhadbeenatmma- Sesha’s,but
Iwaswor r
iedwiththem beingtherewithanol d
womanal one.AtleastSeshahasaman, and
despi
tetherefi
nedbusinessmanf açadeAr no
tr
iedtopush,Icouldtel
lthi
swasamanwho
understoodli
feonthest
reets,
andhecould
handlebusinessi
fpushcamet oshove.I
twas
saferher.It
ri
edtoconvi
ncemma- Seshato
comeher etoo,butsher
efusedtocomest ay
wit
hAr no.
WhileSeshawasputti
ngthei
rbagsinthei
r
roomsandget t
ingt
hem sett
led,
IgaveArnoa
seri
ouslook.
ME:CanIt
rusty
outotakecar
eofmykidsi
s
any
bodycomesfort
hem?Iwillowey
ou.
ARNO:
Youdon’
thav
etooweme…Igoty
ou.
ME:
What
ever
…
ARNO: Iam notabadperson,Luba.AndIam
notlyi
ngwhenIsayIloveSesha.Ireall
ydo…
May bemypastjustmakesmegi vebadv ibes
becauseIam natur
all
ysuspici
ousofev er
y one
anddon’topenuptoanyone.
ME:
Justkeepmyki
dssaf
e,pl
ease?
ARNO:
Youhav
emywor
d…
ME:Bytheway
,doy
ouknowPal
alani
or
somet
hing?
ARNO:Notknowasinper
sonal.ButIthi
nkI
hav
ecomeacr osshi
m.Ij
ustcan’tpl
acewhere?
ME:Alr
ight
…I’
l
lsaygoodni
ghtt
omygi
rl
s.And
Ar
nold?
ARNO:
Yea?
ME:Youhurtmyfri
endandI’
m gonnashov
emy
gunupyourazzandletl
ose.
ARNO: (
laughing)Somehow,Ibel
i
eveyouar
e
capabl
eoft hat.Andyouhav
enothingt
oworry
about,
allIwantistomakeSeshahappy.
Iwentt
ot hebedr
oom andchat
tedwi
thSesha
forabi
t,t
uckedthegi
rl
sint
obedandwentoff
tomeetRon.
Thist
imeshehadsomeguyIdi
dn’
tknow,
bl
indf
olded.
RON:Hewasoneoft hearr
esti
ngpol
i
ce
of
fi
cersaccor
dingt
ov i
deos.
Wher
edi
dtheyt
akeKgat
hal
oMoseki
?
HIM:IswearIdon’tknow… wewer ejustcal
led
byourseni
or,t
oassi stsomespeci alsquadon
anarr
est.Wewent .Theyar r
estedhim, andt
hen
wewentbackt othest at
ion,Ihadnoi deawhere
theyt
ookhim.
RON:Theywouldhavebeensomer
umoron
whatwentdown.Speak.
HIM:Somethi
nkkemaDI S,nnatotaIdon’
t
know,ev
enifyouhur
tme,Ican’tt
ellyou
somethi
ngIdon’
tknow.
Afteral
otmorequest
ions,
Rontookhi
m
bli
ndfol
dedandt
hendroppedhi
m off
,God
knowswhere.
Bythi
sti
me, i
twasaround10pm andwe
deci
dedtogohome.Asmycarar ri
ved,
Lani
cameovertomyplace.
Ronwentt
otheguestbedr
oom andl
eftust
o
tal
k.
LANI
:Il
ookedf
ory
oual
lday
.
ME:Ihadabusyday ,
Ineedtofindoutwhois
set
ti
ngupKartel
.Andbeforeyousayanythi
ng,I
don’
tneedi
t.Ial
readytol
dyouthat.Canyou
j
usthol
dme…Ij ustwannafeelsafe.
Hesati
nt hebedandcuddl
edme,
massagi
ng
mytemples.
ME:
Byt
heway
,doy
ouknowAr
no?
LANI
:Ar
no?Whoi
sthat
?
ME:
Hecameher
eear
li
erwi
thSesha…
LANI
:Oh,
him.Ar
eng,
didhesayheknowsme?
ME:No… Ijust
… hewasi
ntheUSi
nWal
l
str
eet
,
sowher
ey ou…
LANI:
Nah,nevermethi
m.Li edown, l
etmegiv
e
youamassage…itwil
lhelpyourel
ax.Ijust
wishyouwoul
dstopstressi
ngyoursel
fwi t
h
despi
cabl
epeopl
e…
ME:
Pal
alani
…
LANI
:I’
m sorr
y… Iam sor
ry.Shal
lIgety
ou
someoolongtea?
*
***
***
***
*
I
nt hemorningRonwokeupandknockedi
nmy
bedroom.Icameoutonmypajamas.
ME:
Yea?
RON: Karthasjustbeentransf
err
edtoaholdi
ng
cell
inthepolicestat
ionfrom wherev
ert
heyhad
him.I’m gonnaheadt her
e.
ME:
Giv
emef
ivemi
nut
es.Iam comi
ngwi
th.
Igotdr
essedand l
ookedatLani
whowasst
il
l
asl
eep.Ohwell
.
Ir
anoutsi
deandgotonthecarwi
thRon,
then
dr
ovetothepol
i
cestat
ion.
Kar
tel
hadar
ri
vedanhouragoandwasi
na
room waiti
ngtobepr
ocessedandgotoa
holdingcell
.Apol
i
ceoff
icerf
ri
endofRonsnuck
ust otheroom.
WhenKar
tel
sawRonandIhesmi
l
edweakl
y.
Hislef
tey ewasswollenshutandhehada
burstl
ip.Probabl
ybruisedri
bstoofr
om howhe
wincedwhenIhuggedhi m.Andyoucoul
dtel
l
hewasl impingashest oodtohugme.
KARTEL:
Ladi
es…
ME:
Ohmygod,
didt
hepol
i
cedot
hist
oyou?
KARTEL:Lawenf
orcement,y
es,
butdef
ini
tel
y
notpol
i
ce,somesortofI
nter
pol
.
RON:Iswearwearegonnaf
indthepeopl
ewho
sety
ouup… Ipromiseonmyli
fe.
KARTEL:(
smil
ing)Iknowy
ouwi
l
l.Howdi
dyou
fi
ndthi
sone,
Luba?
ME:Howarey outhi
scalm?Theyar
eaccusi
ng
youofhor
ri
bleshtthatcanear
nyoul
if
e…
KARTEL:Thepeoplewhohadmear esmartand
l
ookt ohaveext
ensiveresour
ces.Theywil
l
fi
gureoutsoonthatIknownothingofall
that.
So,don’
tworry,
ok?I’m gonnabefine.
Ron’
sconf
identt
olduswehadt
oleav
e.
IhuggedKar telagain,withtearsinmyey es.
Evenasbat teredashewas, Itookcomforti
n
thefactthatwhat evertheydi dtohim al
lni
ght,
theydidn’
tbr eakhim, t
herewasst i
llt
hatfi
rei
n
hiseyesthatIf el
linlovewith.Andi tj
ustmade
meev enmor edeterminedt of i
ndoutwhowas
behindthis,
andgethi mf r
ee.
Aswecameout si
detotherecept
ion,Kesego
waswit
hKartel
’
smot herandKartel’
slawyer
tal
ki
ngtoapoli
ceoff
icer.
Themomentthatoldwi
tchsawmewal kedov
er
andsl
appedsohardIwassurpr
isedsomeone
thi
sol
dcarr
iedthi
smuchpunch.
MME:
Thi
sisy
ourf
aul
t!Thi
sisy
ourf
aul
t,y
ou
cul
twit
ch.Kooreogannehel
agoutwagotwe
ngwanakewany al
a,andy
ouhadt
obewitch
hi
m… wher eismyson.Wher
eismyson,wit
ch!
Whereishe,wamengwanawagomompha!
Whereishe!!
Shey
ell
edasshehi
tmewi
thherumbr
ell
a.
Rongotbet
weenusandt
ri
edt
ocal
m her
.
RON:Mme,cal
m down…pl ease,
Lubahad
not
hingt
odowiththi
s,she…
MME: Don’tt
ell
met ocal
m downwenalebelet
e
kweena,youranoutonmysont or
unaftermen,
nowy ouareconsor
ti
ngwiththi
swit
chto
dest
roymysonbecausehef oundagood
woman?
Kesegocamet
ogether
,speaki
ngcal
mlyt
oher
.
KESEGO:Mme, di
gamowa, t
heyarenotwor t
h
i
t… ourf
ocusisfi
ndingKgathalosohisl
awy er
cangethi
m out.Wedon’twantthepoli
cet obe
angr
ywithus,l
etthelawyertal
ktothem and
may
bet
heycant
ell
uswher
eKgat
hal
ois.
*
***
***
***
***
LI
KE,
COMMENT,
SHARE
ATHUG’
SLOVE75
ThenextdayIwenttoKar
tel
’scompanyandI
metNiki
taassheclear
edthestaf
f.
ME:
Whatt
hehel
li
sgoi
ngon?
NI
KITA:Wehav ebeenor
der
edt
ocl
ose,
pendi
ng
i
nvest
igat
ions.
ME:Whatthef**
k,cant
heydot
hat
?Thi
sis
peopl
e’
sjobs!
NIKI
TA:(si
ghi
ng)Apparent
ly,
wedon’tmatt
er.
Thelawy
erssayunfor
tunatel
ytheycandot
hat,
butt
heyaretr
yingt
ofight.
Iwentof
ftoGl
assWor
ks,
andi
twascl
osedt
oo.
ImetupwithRonandwewentt
oseeNaomi at
herhome.Shest
oodatt
hedoorwi
thherhands
f
olded.
NAOMI
:Thef
**kdoy
ouwant
?
Ronjustpushedheri
nandwewenti
nsi
deand
l
ockedthedoor.
RON:
Canyougoint
ot hoseemai
l
sandf
indout
howt
heyexi
stf
rom Kartel
?
NAOMI
:Nope.
ME:
Whatt
hehel
ldoy
oumean‘
no’
?
NAOMI :Iam notint
erested.Look,t
heonl y
reasonIwor kedwit
hy ’
al
l i
nthatheistti
mewas
becauseDol l
abroughtmei n.Nowt hathehas
cancell
edy ’
all
,whyshouldIbother.Besides,
may betheydeservetobei njai
l
,especiall
ythat
sonofabi chEa…
ME:
Naomi
,comeon…i
nnocentpeopl
e…
NAOMI:Weallknownoneofthem areany
i
nnocent
.Sor
ry,fi
ndanot
herperson.
Nomat
terwhatwedi
d,shewoul
dn’
tbudge.
Man,
Iwasdonewi
tht
hisbi
ch.
Igr
abbedherbyt
heneckandhi
theragai
nstt
he
wal
l.
ME: Karteldi
dnotdoall
thatshttheyare
accusinghim of
,andyouaregonnat el
lme
wheret hoseemail
sarefr
om, orIwil
lki
llyou.
NAOMI :Nx,nx,nx!Sloppy,Luba.Usual
ly,
you
arethesmar tone…butIguesspani cthatyour
thug’
sdeedsf inal
lycaughtwithhimishinderi
ng
rati
onalt
hinking.
Ipunchedhersohar
dhel
i
pbl
ed.
RON: Tieherupandgagher.Wearetaki
nga
tr
ip.Ithi
nkalit
tl
eel
ectr
ici
tywil
lgethert
alki
ng.
Shewentdeeperi
nthehouseasIt
iedupand
gaggedNaomi.
RonfoundNaomi’
scarkeysandhelpedme
dragt
hebichtot
hegarageandint
ot hecar
tr
unk.
ME:Youknowwhat .Ial
mostforgott
hatLani
knowsat hi
ngort
woaboutal lt
hisI
Tsht.I
’l
lgo
seeifhecanfi
ndsomething,
youwor konthi
s
one.
*
***
***
***
***
***
***
*
Kesegogotbackhomeandsatdownwi
tha
heavysi
gh.
Kartel
’
scompanywascl osed,al
lhi
sassets
fr
ozen.Shesti
l
l hadsomemoneyonher ,Kyl
ie’
s
schoolwaspaidforthewholeyear
,andthe
housewasfull
ypaid.Shejusthadbil
l
sand
grocer
iest
owor ryabout
.
Butwhoknewhowl ongKart
elwouldbegone?
Themoneywouldrunoutinmonthsevenifshe
cutbackonherl
i
festyl
e.Andshehadababyon
theway.
Shewentonl
ineandst
art
edsear
chi
ngf orj
obs.
Whoknewhowl ongi
twouldbeunt
ilev
eryt
hing
wasbacktonormal
?
*
***
***
***
***
***
***
**
Kart
el’
smothersati
nthei
rli
vi
ngr
oom wit
hher
daught
ersaf
terKesegodr
oppedherof
f.
MME:Howcant
hatgi
rlbewi
tchmysonl
ike
t
hat
?Ogannegoutwagotwewanyal
a.
BOIPELO:WhatIdon’tunderstandi
swhat’s
wit
hallthi
srubbishofgetti
nghisaccounts
fr
ozen,li
ke,whatthehel
l?Wehav ebil
lsand
needs.Legal
eBopaki wi
llhandlei
t.
BOPAKI
:(si
ghi
ng)Getajoborr
ewri
teyourfor
m
fi
veoyeuni
ver
sit
yoleseBopakiwi
l
lhandleit
.
BOIPELO:Youarel
i
teral
lyahigh-
prof
il
e
photogr
apher
,andyourhusbandisri
ch!
BOPAKI
:AndIhav
etwoki
ds,
doIwor
kfory
ou?
Mxi
m…
MME: Jaanongwhatdoyouwantustodone
Bopaki?Aker
eyouweren’
thelpi
nguswit
h
anyt
hing,monnaohasbeentaki
ngcar
eof
ev
ery
thi
ng.
BOPAKI :Ineversai
dIwon’ t
,kebualeyo
nnetseng‘Bopakiwil
ltakecareofi
t’nkareke
mmagwe, ij
a.AndIneedt othi
nkaboutlawyer
fees…
MME: Gonegosat weleyonesaloneleya
manobonoboer eki
lwekengwanake?Aker e
yonegay atswal
wa…itsmyson’s,i
fitsmaking
money,thatmoneybelongst
oKgat hal
o’s
f
ami l
y.
BOPAKI:
Mme,y
ouknowverywel
lKgat
hihas
not
hingt
odowi
tht
hosespas.
MME: Am Ily
ing?Di
dn’
thebuyt
hesal
on?That
gi
rlbewit
chedmysonnowsheisgonnabelef
t
enj
oyinghismoney.
*
***
***
*
IpassedbySesha’
stocheckont
hegi
rl
s.
Theywer
esohappyt
oseeme,
butDedewas
st
art
ingt
ofuss,
aski
ngf
orKar
tel
.
DANIE:Wheni
sdaddycomi
ngbackf
rom
busi
ness?
ME:
Busi
ness?
SESHA:
Rememberhi
sbusi
nesst
ri
pver
yfar
wit
hanair
plane?
Sesha,blesshersoul
.Iwoul
dn’
thaveknown
howtot ell2.
5yearsol
dherfat
herwasinj
ail
ei
ther.
ME:Ohy
ea,
hei
sawayonbusi
ness.
DANIE:Wi
ll
hecal
lus?Healway
scall
sFadzwa
andIandsi
ngusalul
laby
when,your
emember
mama?
ME:Uhm… t hepr
oblem i
sthenetwor
kisver
y
badther
e,baby… buthewil
lassoonashecan.
TodayIcansingyouthel
ull
aby?
DANI
E:Ok,
butt
omor
rowdaddywi
l
ldoi
t,r
ight
?
ME:
Hopef
ull
ythenet
wor
kwi
l
lbebet
ter
,baby
.
Iputt
hem downtobed,redast
ory,
andsanga
l
ull
aby.Thensatwi
thSeshaandherhusband.
ARNO:Icoul
dhookyouupwi
thasharkofa
l
awyer
.Atleastt
okeept
hebusi
nessesr
unni
ng.
ME:
Weal
readyhav
eal
awy
er…
ARNO: Theguyisabeast
,Kar
tel
hasabet
ter
chancewithhi
m
ME:
Youknowwhat
,yes,
yes,
what
ever
.
Isai
dmygoodby
esandwentt
oLani
’
spl
ace.
*
***
***
***
***
***
***
Iar
ri
vedatLani
’spl
aceandhewasdoi
ng
homeworkwit
hPhalanai
nthel
iv
ingr
oom.
HekissedmeasIwal
kedi
n,maki
ngPhal
ana
l
augh.
Wesatwi
ththeli
tt
legir
landchatt
edforabi
t,
t
henshewenttobed,andthat
’swhenwetal
ked.
ME:
Babe,
youknowat
hingort
woabout
hacki
ng… can’
tyouf
indoutwher
ethoseemai
l
s
camefrom?
LANI
:Sur
e,Icoul
dtr
y.
Hepull
edouthi
slapt
op,
andhest
art
edt
appi
ng
awayatit
.
ThenhewasinKar
tel
’
semai
li
nbox,
andt
apped
awayforabi
t.
LANI
:Iam sorr
ybabe… t
hisi
sthei
ror
igi
n.Fr
om
hi
saddress.Hesentt
hem.
Adulll
i
ttl
evoi
ceatthebackofmyheadwas
aski
nghowheknewKar t
el’
swor kemai
l
addr
esstobeablet
ohackit,butIwasj
ustsuch
amessIdidn’
tdwel
l oni
t.
ME:
I’
m sor
rybabe.Ihav
etoheadout
.
LANI
:Luba,youbar
elyev
enslept
.Thi
sguy
’s
messistaki
ngatol
lonyou.
ME:Howdoyouexpectmetosleep?Kart
eli
s
bei
ngfr
amedfordespi
cabl
ethi
ngs,andIneed
tof
indoutwhoi
sbehi
ndt
hisandmaket
hem
pay
.
LANI :
Babe…Ihatetosaythis,
butnobodyi
s
behindthi
s.Maybeheisjusttr
ashandyou
neversawitbecauseyoulovedhi
m.
ME:IknowKart
el.Iknowwhathei
scapabl
eof
.
Andwhatheisnot.Ihav
etogo.
Ij
ustwal
kedoutanddr
ovet
oapl
aceRon
di
rect
edmeto.
*
***
***
*
Lani
sighedi
nfr
ust
rat
ionasLubawal
kedout
.
Whatdi
dn’tt
hisgi
rlgetabouthowmuchhe
l
ovedher
?Whyal waysrunaftert
hatusel
ess
pi
eceofsht.
Heshoul
dhavej
ustkil
l
edhim,atleastr
ight
nowhewouldbecomfort
ingher
,notlef
tinthe
dar
kassheNancyDrewsaboutforauseless
pi
eceofsht
…
Tal
ki
ngaboutusel
esspi
eceofsht
…
Thatmulattoguy.Heremember edhim because
i
twassai dinbreakroomst hathewasf r
om
Botswana.He’dmeanttosayhi ,buthewasso
busybeingsof**kingamazinghenev ergot
aroundtotalkt
ot heguy.Buthewasdef ini
tel
y
fr
om Oasis.
Whichmeansheknew.Hehadto.Theyal
l
knew… ithadevenmadei
ttoal
ocal
newspaperther
e.
Damni
t!
Hecoul
drui
nev
ery
thi
ng.
Maybetheyshouldhaveatal
kthen.Heknew
wheret
heystayed,hehadseenLubadropthe
ki
dsoff
.
*
***
***
**
WhenIarr
ived,
Ronhadsomegenerat
orseatup,
andcabl
esofit
,wi
thametal
bindercl
ipatt
he
end,connect
edtoNaomi’
sfingers,
whowas
seat
ingt i
edtoachair
,gagged,herfeeti
na
bowl ofi
cecoldwat
er.
RON:
Iam aski
ngni
cel
yNaomi
,wi
l
lyouhel
pus?
Shetur
nedont
heelect
ri
cdialt
hingandNaomi
scr
eamedherl
ungsoff
,evenagainstt
hegag.
Sheevent
ual
l
yscreamed‘
ok,
ok’
andRon
remov
edhergag.
Thenshetookherl
egsofft
hei
cebat
hput
Naomi’
slaptoponherl
ap.
ShelookedupatusandIcockedmygunand
pusheditagai
nstherhead,
maki
nghergetback
towork.
Shewasati
tforabouthal
fanhourbef
oreshe
tal
ked.
NAOMI:Theyweredef
ini
tel
ymanufact
ured.
Therei
sbackdat
ingheretotr
yhidet
hatthey
wereal
ldonear
oundthesamet i
me.Andt hi
sIP
i
sf orKar
tel
’
soffi
ce… Kart
el’
sdeskt
op.Iknow
becauseImaint
aint
heirsyst
ems.
ME:
Whodi
dthi
s?
NAOMI :That
,Ican’
tfindout.Ther
eisCCTVat
thegatesandrecept
ionthough.Icanr
emote
accessit
.
Shegoti
nthecamer
asandwespental
lni
ght
l
ooki
ngatCCTVfoot
age.
Aft
ermanyhour
sofwatchi
ngstupi
dfoot
ageof
car
sandpeopl
e,Ir
ecogni
zedt
hoseclot
hes.
Lani
?
Hewasatther
ecept
iont
oo.Whatwashe
doi
ngt
here?
Het
alkedt
oKart
elbri
efl
y,t
henwalkedout
,al
l
t
hewaythr
oughthegateandl
eft
.
RON:Waitfi
rst
.Ther
eisaglit
chgol
ohooka
exi
tyaLuba’
slit
tl
esqueeze.
NAOMI
:Ist
her
e?
RON:Sweeti
e,youknowhowt ohack.Iknow
howtostayoutofsecur
it
yv i
deos.I
t’
salmost
fl
awl
ess,butt
hereisaspli
t-
secondgli
tch…
NAOMI :Yea,
Iseeit
.Buti
t’
sfrom t
hesecurit
y
camera…Iguessthecamerasmalfunct
ioned
forabit
?
ME:Theimportantt
hingi
sthesear
egi
vi
ngus
not
hing!Not
hingatall
!Ar
ggg!
*
***
***
***
Kar
telsati
napoli
ceint
err
ogat
ionr
oom whena
hal
fAsianmanwalkedi
nandsatontheot
her
si
deofthetabl
e.
HIM:Weknowthoseemai
lsar
efake…weknow
youhav
enothi
ngtodowit
hallt
hat.
KARTEL:SoIguessyoust
il
lhav
emei ncuf
fs
becauseyouar
ejusti
ntor
oughplay
.
HIM:(
laughi
ng)Smar
tass.Ha,ha.Wealso
knowyouranadrugcar
telandyouhav
edoen
someshadyshtf orAmar yl
i
sMokgadi and
GaamangweKhumal o.Youcomecl eanon
thoseandy oujustfacelocallaws,wenegot i
ate
adeal,andmay bey ougetten.Ory oudon’ty,
andwekeept hesechargesofcr i
mesagai nst
humanityandy oufaceinternati
onal l
awandwi l
l
defi
nit
elygetlif
e.
KARTEL:Whatt
hef**k.Youl
iter
all
yjustsai
d
youknowIdi
dn’
tdoit.Don’
tthepoli
cehav e
somecodeofconduct?
HIM:Iam nott
hepoli
ce,bi
gboy.Iam legal
l
y
all
owedtodowhateveritt
akestokeepnasty
peopl
eoutofthest
reet.Eveni
fitmeanstaking
them out
.
Hesai
d,maki
ngagunshapewi
thhi
sfi
nger
s.
KARTEL:Goodfory
ou?ButIam notconf
essi
ng
toshtIdi
dn’
tdo.
HI
M: Event
ual
lyy
ourfr
iendsThomasandVl
ad
wi
llt
alkandyouwil
lbelef
tout.
KARTEL:(l
aughing)Themov i
est
ri
ck,reall
y?
‘
Yourfr
iendsarealreadyt
urni
ngon,y
ou, sotur
n
onthem t
oo’Cute.
HI
M:Your
eal
l
ythi
nkt
hisi
sagame?
KARTEL:Ihavenothingtosay,so,ki
ndlyf
**k
of
fandletmer estandrecoverfrom t
heass
whoopi
ngy ouandy ourboysgaveme.
*
***
***
***
***
***
***
***
*
Arnosati
nhi
soff
icewor
kingwhenat
hought
cametohismi
nd.
Oasi
s…
Ithadt obesomet hingt odowi thwhenhe
wor kedatOasi s,buthedi dn’treal
lyremember
muchaboutt hatpl ace.Hehadbeenan
over workedjuniorwhogoti nat7am andwas
stuckinat inyboxofaof ficewi t
hsixcubi cl
es
squeezedi nther etogetherunt i
lheleftat9pm.
He’dor dertakeout swhenev erheremember ed
toeat ,andbarelyev erlefthiswor kstation.…
HefoundPal
alani
’
spict
ureandsentitt
oa
f
ormercoworkerf
rom t
hereonFacebook.
‘
EyJudd.Ar
nol
d,beenl
ongman,
what
’sup?
’
‘
HeyArnol
d!Man,wher
edi
dyoudisappeart
o?
Orar
eyousti
ll
stucki
nacubi
cle?
‘
Nah,real
izedbei
nganemployeewasn’
tforme.
Notdoingtoobad.What
’sgood?’
‘
Fi
nal
l
ymadeseni
or…’
‘
Goodony
ou!Ey
,your
emembert
hisguy
?
Hesentt
hepi
ctur
e.
‘
Whot
hef
**kwoul
dn’
t?Thatguysi
ckashel
l
…’
‘
IknewIsawhi
m somewher
e,butIcan’
tqui
et
pl
acehi
m.So,i
twasOasi
s?’
‘
Yea…y ouwouldn’tr
ememberhi m.Hewas
twentythirdf
loormateri
al.Oneofthestars
actuall
y,butIalwayswiggledmywayt othei
r
outings,andyouwouldhav ebeentoomuchof
agoodboyst uckinyourcubicl
etoevenknow
peoplefr
om t
oplevel
li
kethat
.Hell
,Idoubtyou
rememberanyonebeyondourteam i
nthatt
iny
off
ice.
ARNO: (
laughi
ng)Iwassuchaf ool
,soeagert
o
pl
ease.Ithoughthardwor
kalonecouldgetme
goodthi
ngs.So, thi
sguy,
huh?
‘
Iact
uall
yrememberhimt al
kingaboutyou
whenyoustar
tedyourint
ernshi
pthere…
someonehadjustt
oldhimy ouwerefrom t
he
samecountr
ywithhim orsomethi
ng.Whyt he
i
nter
est?
‘
Nah,
Ijustr
ani
ntohi
m…’
‘
Theyl
ethi
m out?I
’
dst
eercl
ear
…Josephsi
s
onecr
azyf
**k’
‘
Josephs?
’
‘
That
’shi
slastname?I
gnat
iusJosephs?
’
‘
Cool
,goodt
alkman…’
Heendedt
hechatandt
ypedhi
snameon
Google.Hehadt ogosev eralpagesbackin
Googlesearchbeforehef oundanewsar ti
cle
onIgnatiusP.Josephs,
wi thPalal
ani
’apict
ure.
Hesatr eadi
ngaf ewparagr aphsbef
orecall
ing
Seshainhaste.
Sht
…sht
…
SESHA: Heybabe,
doyoupref
erhal
oumior
chev
reforthehorsd'
oeuv
resatt
hepre
weddingdinner
?
ARNO: What?Youknowwhat ,chevr
e,what
ever
i
tissounds,Fr
enchandbour gi
e,andyouli
ke
bourgi
e.Babe,y
ouneedt ogetLubaawayfrom
thatman.Asfastaspossibl
e.
SESHA:
Why
?What
’sgoi
ngon?
ARNO:Hebeathisbabymamaandher
boyf
ri
endtodeath…wit
hhisbar
ehands…i
n
fr
ontoft
heirmonthsol
dbaby.
*
***
***
***
***
***
**
LI
KE,
COMMENT,
SHARE
ATHUG’
SLOVE76
Seshahungupthephoneandt
ri
edt
ocal
lLuba
whowasn’tpi
cki
ngup.
Af
teranot
hert
ry,
shepi
ckedup.
LUBA:
Babes?
SESHA:
Ineedt
otel
lyousomet
hingabout
Lani
…
Shefel
tahandbehi
ndhert
aket
hephoneand
hungup.
LANI
:Uh-
uh.Youar
ebei
ngabadgi
rl
,Sesha…
wher
eisArnol
d?
SESHA:(
panicked)Whatarey
oudoi
nghere…
Arnoi
sintheotherr
oom, y
oushoul
dleav
e.
Het
ookherhandanddr
aggedhert
owar
dst
he
r
ooms.
LANI:Arnold…HeyAr
nol
d.Iheary
oubeen
tel
l
ingtales…
Hecheckedtheot
herr
ooms,butAr
nowasn’
t
t
her
e.ThekidswokeupandcametoSesha.
LANI:Arnol
disnothere,
isn’
the?Si
nceheli
kes
totel
ltal
essomuch, l
etmegi v
ehim ast
ory
.He
rui
nedmyhappilyeveraft
er.SoIr
uinhi
s.
SESHA: Pl
ease….Pl
easdon’thur
tme… Iwon’
t
tel
lLuba.Arnowon’
ttel
ltoo…
LANI:
Now,
Sesha,
youknowt
hat
’sal
i
e.Come
on.
SESHA: Pl
ease…atleastl
etmecallsomeonet
o
comef ort
hekids.Theyar
escared.
.Justl
etme
textsomeonetocomegett hem,t
henyoucan
takeme.
LANI
:Youknowwhat
,theycancomet
oo…l
et’
s
gogi
rl
s,y
oucanpl
aywithLana.
SESHA:
(cr
ying)Pal
alani
please…
Hepull
edagunonherandpushedhert othe
carasthekidscried,
butfol
lowed.Het hr
ewher
i
ntothetrunk,thengotthekidsinthecarand
fast
enedtheirseatbelt
sbeforedri
vingoff
.
*
***
***
*
Ipi
ckedupSesha’scall
,butitwascutbef
ore
shefi
nishedherst
atement.
Whatdi
dshewantt
otel
lmeaboutLani
?
It
ri
edcall
i
ngherandshewasn’
tpi
ckingup.
Somet
hingwaswrong…Ij
ustcoul
dfeeli
t.
Whatwast
hatpsy
choAr
nodoi
ngt
oher
?
It
oldRonandwedr oveofft
ogethertot
hei
r
pl
ace.Iknockedbutnobodyanswered.
Iopenedt
hedoorandi
twasnotl
ocked…
Igotsuchaf
orebodi
ngf
eel
i
ngaboutt
his.
Seshaandt
hegi
rl
swer
enowher
etobef
ound.
Ihear
dthedooropen.
ARNO:Babes,y
ousleptwi
thoutl
ocki
ng?Luba?
Whatar
ey oudoingher
e?
ME:Wher
earet
hey
?Wher
ethehel
lar
eSesha
andt
heki
ds?
ARNO:Whatdoy
oumean?Babe?Sesha?
Sesha!
Heranaroundthehousescr
eami
nghername
andpani
cking.
ME:ThelastIhear
dfrom hershetol
dmeshe
hadsomethingtot
ell
aboutLani.Butthecal
l
wasended.Andsheleftherphone.Whatdid
youdo?
ARNO:
No,
no,
no,
no!OhmyGod.Hecamef
or
me…
RON:
Whodi
d?
ARNO:
Pal
alani
.Iknowwhathedi
d,andhe
camet
omakesur ehet
iesal
ooseend.
ME:
Whywoul
dLani
…
Heopenedhi
sphoneandcl
i
ckedal
i
nk,
then
handedi
ttome.
I
twasanewsar
ti
cle,
wit
hLani
’
sphot
o.
‘I
gnat i
usPalalaniJosephs…l avi
shli
ving…
par
tiesinCabo, Macao, Santori
ni…
embez zlement…l ostevery
thing…foundfiancée
i
nbedwi thanothermanwhenhecameouton
bai
l.Beatbothoft hem todeat hi
nf r
ontofhis
mont hsolddaught er
…‘
OhGod.
RON: Iknowwhatwaswr ongwi ththatCCTV
foot
age.Itwasn’tf
rom thesameday .Same
ti
me, butni
tsameday .Itwasspl i
cedin.He
wantedittolookli
kehel ef twhenany one
checked.Soheputi nfoot agefrom anotherday
.
I
tal
lj
ustst
art
edr
oll
i
ngl
i
keacamer
areel
.
Thegloves…howhehadknownKar tel
’semail
addresswithoutbeingt
old… howhedodged
Arno… neverwantingtotal
kaboutPhalana’
s
mother
…orwhyhewasi
nahi
ghsecur
it
ysi
de
ofRi
kers.
Howobsessi
vehegot,ev
enjeal
ousofmygi
rl
s
andhi
sowndaughterwhenIspentt
imewi
th
them.
Howcoul
dIhav
ebeensof
ool
i
sh?
Hedidital
l
.HesetKar
tel
up… andnowhehad
ourdaught
ers.
ARNO:F**k,
f**
k!Heisgonnahurther
… heri
s
gonnahur
thertopuni
shme.OhGod!Ican’t
l
oseSesha…shedoesn’tdeser
vethi
s…
RON:Cal
m down.Wear
enotl
ett
inghi
m hur
t
any
oneanymore…
*
***
***
**
Theymusthavedrov
eforatl
easttwohour
s,i
n
whatdi
rect
ion,
Seshahadnoidea.
Lanipar
kedthecarandtookt
hegir
lsoutof
thei
rcarseat
s,t
hentookacry
ingSeshaoutad
heldagunatherneckashepushedheri
nsi
de
thehouse.
Heledhert
othebedr
oom andt
iedhert
othe
bed.
Thecr y
ingkidscameandsatwithSeshawho
wipedtheirt
earsandstar
tedsi
ngi
ngthem a
l
ullabyunti
ltheysl
ept
.
SESHA:
Whatar
eyougoi
ngt
odowi
thus?
LANI: Idon’
tknowy et
… doy outhinkLubawi l
l
everjustforgetthatpieceofshtandj ustbe
withme?Wecanr ai
sethegirl
together.Lana,
FadzwaandDede.Theygetonsowel l
…
anyway ,getsomesl eep.Ify
ouev entryto
scream, Iwil
lkil
lyou.
*
***
***
***
Ar
noknockedonDol
l
a’sdoorwi
thpani
c.
ARNO:Damon… pl
easeman… y
ougott
ahelp
me.Somelooneyt
ookmywif
eandLuba’s
ki
ds…youhav
eyourguy
s,t
heycoul
dlook… ar
e
youok?
DOLLA:
DoIl
ookok?
ARNO:
Ok,
what
ever
… cany
ouasky
ourguy
s…
DOLLA:Thoughyouwantednothi
ngtodowi
th
my‘gangst
erli
fe’
,youar
earespected
busi
nessman.
ARNO:
Ser
iousl
y?Gonnabepet
tynow?
DOLLQ: Seethis?ThatbichRonandLubadi d
this.So,itwil
lbeacol ddayinhellbef
oreIhelp
them. .Iam gonnakillt
hem both.Shecame
withagunar oundmyki dslastti
meandIl eti
t
gobecauseIhadacr ush.Butthis?Thisi
sjust
disrespectful
.So,yea,colddayinhell
beforeI
helpf i
ndt hei
rbrat
s.
ARNO:
Butmywi
fe…
DOLLA:Man,t
hejobisover
.Youdon’
thavet
o
keept
hisf
açade.Justgetanot
herbi
ch.
ARNO: If
eelf
oryouthatyouar
etoonarcissi
sti
c
toeverbeinl
ovewit
hsomeonebesidey oursel
f,
butIreal
l
ylovemywife.Shei
smyev er
ything…
so,pl
ease…
DOLLA:Iam nothel
pingthosebi
ches.They
cameforme.Lookatt hi
s.
ARNO:
Damon,
please… I
’
llpay
.
DOLLA:Idon’
twanty
ourmoney
.Iam not
i
nter
est
ed.
Arnosighedandmar
chedoutangr
il
y.Hewent
toLuba’spl
ace.
*
***
***
**
Arnoknockedandwal
kedi
ntoLuba’
sli
vi
ng
room.
LUBA:
Yousai
dyoucoul
dgethel
ptol
ook?
ARNO:Wel
l,
Icoul
dn’
t,becauseyout
wowent
ar
oundpl
ayi
ngCharl
i
e’sAngelsorwhat
ever
.
NowDamonisaft
eryoutoo,andweneedtobe
f
ocusi
ngonf
indi
ngmywi
fe.
Ronwal
kedi
nwi
thaheav
ysi
gh.
ME:
So?
RON: Ifoundoutabouthi sfami l
y,anddamn.
Hisf
at herisav er
ycr uelr
ichguywi thalot
‘
worker s’
.AndIdoubthewi llt
akewel l
tous
comingaf terhi
sson…so, yea.Weneedt he
whol
edamncr ew,justtwoofuscan’ thandle
hi
m.
ARNO:
Icoul
dhel
p.
RON:Whatareyougonnado,
readt
hem t
hei
r
bankst
atement
s?
ARNO:Thi
smightnotmeanmuchtoy ou,
butI
wasrai
sesbyt
hestreet
sofDet
roi
t.Ican
handl
emysel
f.
RON:Sti
l
l…thr
eepeopl
eisn’
tenough.I
fwehad
thecr
ewback,
wemay behadachance.
LUBA:
Ist
her
eany
onewecoul
dreacht
o?
RON: It
ri
ed.Theki dsKar telhelps,thoseatthe
hive.Theyar ejustkids,sonope.Webeenout
fortoolong, Luba.Wel ostcr ed,somepeopl e
whoowedusar edead, somear elockedup,
andt herestthinkKar t
el hasgonesof t
,and
nobodywi ll
ingt ogoagai nstDuncan.Iev en
tri
edt opullyourdaddyname, andal lIgotwas
a‘who? ’Thest reet
sar efastlikethat.
LUBA:So,
whatyouaresay
ingi
swear
eatt
he
mercyoft
hatl
ooney
?
RON:
I’
m say
ingri
ghtnowpeopl
eint
hisr
oom
ar
ewhatwehave.
ARNO:
Wear
egonnabr
eakt
hem out
.
RON&LUBA:
Huh?
ARNO: Yousaidi
fyourwholecrewwasher e,
ther
ewasachance.Mywi f
eiswiththatsick
psycho,Iam t
aki
ngeverychancetherei
s.We
aregonnabreakthem out
.Wekeepsear ching
forLani
,butal
soprepari
ngtogetthem out.
RON:
Andhowdoy
oupr
oposewedot
hat
?
ARNO:
I’
m gonnadr
ivei
nandgett
hem.
RON: What,y
outhi
nktheygonnaseeyour
mulatt
oskinandgreeneyesandj
usthandyou
pr
isoners?
ARNO: Deliv
erytr
ucks.Pr isonsgetsuppl i
es,
ri
ght?Wej ackoneoft hem, Ifixittocr eatea
hi
ddencompar t
mentont hecarf loor.Iwor ked
onachopshopwhenIwasf i
fteen.Iknowhow
i
t’
sdone.Wesendt hem amessagei nt hereto
gettothedeliv
erybay .Idrivet het r
uckt hr ough
wit
hsuppl i
es.ThenIwi lldistracttheguar ds
wit
hchi tchatwhil
etheysneaki nandi ntot he
hi
ddencompar t
ment .AndIdr iveouti fther e
befor
eany oneevennot icest heyar emi ssing.
RON:
Soundsl
i
keabul
l
shtpl
an.
ME: Don’
tbesofastt
odismissi
t.Wecanfi
ne
tuneit
,butwear
edoingthi
s.Whatother
opti
onsdowehav e?None.
.Webr eakt
heguys
outifpr
isonandgogetmybabi
esandmybest
fr
iend.
*
***
***
***
LI
KE,
COMMENT,
SHARE
ATHUG’
SLOVE77

Isatt
ryi
ngt
hesamet
hingf
ort
hehundr
edt
h
ti
me.
ARNO:Isawt
hat
.IfIcan,
theywi
l
ltoo.Doi
t
agai
n…
Idi
dit
.
ARNO:
Toosl
ow,
slowmeanssuspi
cious.Agai
n.
Il
ookedathi
m wi
thannoy
ance.
ME:
Your
eal
l
yar
easl
avedr
iver
…
ARNO:Thi
shastobeperf
ect
,Luba.I
thast
obe
qui
ck,
looki
nnocent
.Agai
n.
Ir
oll
edmyey
esandpi
ckedt
hesmal
lrol
l
ed
paperwit
hfl
ossaroundi
t.Ipusheditdownmy
thr
oatandhookedthefl
osstomyt eeth.
ARNO:
Goon…
Wet r
iedabunchoft
imesunt
ilbr
ownHi
tl
erwas
sat
isfi
ed.
ARNO: Good.Ronsayst
hedel
iver
yisnext
weekThur sday
.Youhav
etogodothistodayso
theycanhav et
imetopl
anandstr
ategi
ze.You
arelaughi
ng…
ME: Notatyou… j
ustthi
nkingginadiff
erent
sett
ing,y
ouandKar twouldbefri
ends.You
needplanni
ngtimelikehi
m, andworkenti
rel
y
toohardli
kehim.ButIthi
nkIam ready.
*
***
***
**
Ishoweredandheadedt othepri
sontovisi
t
Kartel
.Aft
ergoingthroughpr
isoncheck,
I
walkedint
othev i
sit
ingroom andsatonthe
tabl
easKar t
elcamei n.
Helookedmuchbet
terthant
heot
herday
,I
coul
dtell
hewasheali
ngwell
.
KARTEL:
War
engmmagwe-
ngwanake?
ME:(l
aughing)Want
sohat
sa.Mmagwe
ngwanake?Ao!
KARTEL:
(laughi
ng)Wassup,
babymama?
ME:Mxim,gakebaby
mamanna.Howy
ou
hol
dingup?
KARTEL:
Youknowme.Iadaptpr
ett
yqui
ck.
Howaremygir
ls?
ME:
Theyuhmm t
hey
…theymi
ssy
ou.
KARTEL:
What
’swr
ong,
Luba?
ME:Nothi
ng,t
heyj
ustbeenf
ussywant
ingt
hei
r
bedt
imestor
y…
KARTEL:Andy
ou?
ME:Youar
einpri
sononfalseaccusat
ions.
Howdoyouthi
nkIam handli
ngit
?Yourf r
iend
Tom isst
il
lmissi
ng.Mi
dni
ghtisGaborone
pri
sonandthemom can’
tgethim outt
oo.I
t’
thesamepeoplewhogotyou.
KARTEL:
Youguy
sfoundwhoi
sbehi
ndt
his?
ME:
Owai
i
!Not
hing.
Idi
screetl
ylookedar
oundandt
her
ewasno
guar
dcl oseby.
Isneezedandcov eredmymout hwi t
hmy
hands,pushingtheflossof fmyt eethwithmy
tongue,andusingthet humbt opul l
therolled
paperoutofmyt hroatandmout h,thenhidit
i
nsidemyhandasIputmyhandsdownand
reachedacrossthet able,
holdingKar t
el’
shands
andslippi
nghim apaperbef oreaguar deven
sawust ouching.Thenwebot hputourhands
downl i
kewear esupposedt o.Wespokef ora
bitandthetimewasov er,soIleft.
*
***
***
***
*
Ar
nowor
kedont
hecart
ryi
ngt
okeephi
smi
nd
from r
unningwild.Thatpsychocouldbasi
cal
l
y
dowhat ev
erhewant edtoSesha,andhewasn’t
ther
et oprotecther.
Ifonl
yhedi
dn’
tpushhimsel
fsodamnmuch.I
f
hehadbeenhomethatni
ghtli
kenor
mal
peopl
e
areat9pm.
Seshawast akenbecauseofhi
m… because
Palal
aniwantedtopunishhi
mforknowingwhat
hedid.
Hewasgonnaki l
lhim.Yea,
Lubawasmad
aboutherkids,
butshewasgonnahavetowai
t
i
nline.Thatmant ookhiswi
fe.
That
’sat
ypeofdi
srespecty
oudon’
tjustpass
by.
Butwhathurt
swashowDol l
a,Naomi and
Trevordi
dn’
tgiveaf**khi
swifewast aken.He
hadbeenariderfort
hesetwo,cleani
ngup
Doll
a’sdr
ugsmoney ,andcountl
essfavorshe
pull
edforTr
evorandNaomi .Andnobodywas
i
nter
est
edi
nhel
pingf
indSesha.
Butwhatdidheexpect
?Loy
alt
ywasnev
erpar
t
ofthoset
hree.
Hewasrai
sedbyagangi
nDet
roi
t,sol
oyal
ty
wasev
eryt
hingt
ohi
m.
Yeari
ght,y
oust
olef
rom y
ourwi
fe,
andar
ely
ing
abouti
t.
Butwhatwashesupposedt
odo?
HemetSeshaasaj ob.Heplayedhispartand
di
dn’tevenr eal
izehewasf all
inginlov
eunt i
lit
wastool ate.Butbyt henhecouldn’
tbackdown.
Doingsoendanger edbothSeshaandhi m,
becauset hosethreewer egonnatakethatland,
i
fitmeantSeshaandhi minabodybag.
Andnow?Hecoul dn’
tcomecl ean.Because
Seshawoul dleavehimf orsure… andwhatwas
thepointofanythingwithouther?Shemade
him abetterperson…
AndDol l
a,Tr
evorandNaomi wi
ll
kil
lthem bot
h
befor
et heyl
etheropenafr
audcaseagainst
them ordemandhermoneyback.
Hej
usthadtogetherbackandmoveonwith
t
hei
rli
feandspendeverydaymaki
ngherhappy
.
*
***
***
***
*
SeshawokeupasLani wal
kedint
other
oom
withabag.Therewer
enewclot
hesandt
oil
etr
y
forherandtheki
ds.
LANI:Breakf
asti
sonthetabl
e.Ial
sobought
grocer
ysoy oucancookathome.
SESHA:
Please…j
ustl
etusgo.
LANI
:Don’
t.Don’
tst
artt
hatsht
.
Theki dswokeupandwhent heysawLani ,t
hey
cower edbehindSesha.He’
dscar edthem wit
h
thatghostpeppertheotherday.AndatFadzwa
wasper cepti
veenoughtounder standtheywere
kidnapped.
Seshasighedandgott hekidstothebathrooms,
gladherbeggingfortoi
let
ri
esandcleancl othes
fi
nall
ypaidoff,f
ourdayswi t
houtatoothbr ush
hadbeenhel l
.Shebathedthegirl
sandbr ushed
thei
rteet
h,thenputthem oncleanclot
hes
befor
eshebat hedandchangedt oo.
Theywenttotheli
vingroom wher
eshestart
ed
feedi
ngthem andeati
ng,coaxi
ngtheki
dstoeat
j
ustalit
tl
emor e.
Shecoul
dfeel
Lani
’
sey
esonher
!
SESHA:
What
!
LANI :
(smili
ng)Imisjudgedy ou… youarenot
oneoft hosecorporatebiches…youar eactual
l
y
sweetanddomest i
c…andsof eminine… I
thoughtthatwasy ourfr
iend..Butshei sathug
whobr ibedpoli
cetogetherdr ugdealerbaby
daddyoutofj ai
lwhenhei scaughtwithdrugs.
Certai
nlynotthekindofwomanIwantr ai
sing
Phalana.
SESHA:Atleastletthegirl
sgo… please… they
arescar
ed… thiswillt
raumati
zet hem forl
i
fe.
Youareafather…j ustlett
hem go,dropthem i
n
fr
ontofLuba’shouseorsomet hi
ng.Youwi l
l
sti
ll
haveme.Youdon’ tneedthem.
LANI
:Nah,
lev
erage…
SESHA:
For
?
LANI
:Tokeepy
oui
nli
ne.
SESHA:
Whati
sthatsupposedt
omean?
Hej
ustl
aughedandwal
kedof
f.
SESHA:
Theyar
eki
ds,
youazzhol
e!
LANI: Suchhar shwor dsdon’tsui
tyou.Don’t
uset hem again.Ther eareabunchofmov iesin
thatharddrive, j
ustconnectittot
heTV, or
watchTV.Youpul lanotheroneofthat
screami ngsht,andIam gonnawhi ptgeki
ds
raw.
Hesai
dandt
henwal
kedout
.
Hehadt i
ntedthewindowsandsolderedfr
om
outsi
desonobodycoul dseei
n,andt her
ewere
burgl
arbarsinal
lwindowsandoutsidedoor.
Plusshecouldsweartherewer
etwoguy s
outsi
dekeepingguard.
Adaybef or
ewhenshescr eamedf
orhel
paft
er
helef
t,hehadcomebackandf edtheki
ds
ghostpepperhotsauce.
Hehearthadbrokenoverandov erastheycr
ied
fr
om thepai
noft hehotsauce.Andshebegged
hi
mt olett
hem havemi l
ktocool i
toff
,even
wentonherknees,andhef i
nall
ybudged.
Hehadmadehispoint
.Ifshet
ri
edt
opl
aysmar
t,
hewoul
dhur
tthekids.
Shesighedandsatdown,taki
ngoutsomeof
thegameshehadbr ought
.
SESHA:
Whowant
stopl
aysnakeandl
adder
s?
DEDE:(
sobbi
ng)Iwantmymommyanddaddy
.
Iwantt
ogohome.
Fadzwaputherhandar
oundhersi
ster
’s
shoul
dersadl
y.
FADZWA:
Theywi
l
lcomegetus,
ok?
DEDE:
Idon’
tli
ket
hatman.
FADZWA: Wecantel
ldaddyhewasmeant ous,
anddaddywil
lmakehimrealsor
ry.Daddyi
s
bi
ggerandstr
ongert
hanhim.
Seshasobbedatthel
i
ttl
egir
l’
sgent
leness.She
huggedthem bot
handpray
edtheywerefound
soon.
*
***
***
***
**
Igotbackinmycell
andlaidi
nbed,
unwrappi
ngthepaperLubahadpassedme…
‘
Thingsaresht
.TurnsoutLani i
samur der ous
psycho,
healsoframedy ouforall
these,and
ki
dnappedSesha,Fafa,andDede.Hisfather
hasmen.Andnobodyi swill
i
ngt ogoagai nst
hi
m.Weneedy ouguys.Wear egonnabreak
yououtoft here.Ther ewi llbeat ruckatdel ivery
bay .Itwi l
lbedr i
v enbyAr nold,butindi sguise.
Wheny ougeti nsidet het ruckhei sdr i
ving,
pressabut t
onont hel eftcornercl osesttot he
driver’sseatandi twillopenadoori ntoa
hiddencompar tment .Rongotal ayoutoft he
prisonandt herei sabl indspott here,Arnowi l
l
par kneari tascl oseaspossi bl
e.Itwi l
lbego
ti
mewhenhesay sthewor d‘banana’ ,
itwill
meant hedeliverydone, andt heguar dsar e
distract ed.Thengeti n.Thur sdayat3pm, whi ch
shoul dbear oundy ar
dt ime. ’
Shehadal
sowr
it
tent
hecarnumberpl
atei
nthe
paper
.
Someonegotmyki
ds?
F*
*k.
Iwasgonnaki
l
lthatasswi
thmybar
ehands.
Lat
eratcour
tyar
dIwalkedaboutandpassedi
t
toMonk,whowentt
othetoil
ettoread,
thenI
sawhi
m passi
ttoEa.
Ruewasher ebuthadbeenav oidi
ngus.Iguess
hewasst i
l
lsulkingaboutusnotbai l
inghi
m out
ofhismoneypr oblems.Ididlookoutforhim.
All
theguyswhohadhur thi
mi nheregotthei
rs
good,andnowst ayedawayfrom him,sohe
hadbeensafe.
Fam i
sfam,
andt
heymessedwi
thmi
ne.
MonkandEacameov
er.
KARTEL:Kanalabonewil
lbet
hekids’
tour
nament.Reseojaana,
dotheyatt
end?
MONK:
Yea,
nnaIsayt
heshoul
dat
tend.
EA:
Met
oo…
KARTEL:
Rue?
EA:Ae,
thatbi
chodoesn:
tgetanopi
nion…bona
hel
ahowmuchhehasbeensul ki
ng.
KARTEL:Guy
s,wear
efami
l
y.Wedeci
de
toget
her
.
Ist
oodupandwal
kedov
ert
oasi
tt
ingal
one
Reuben.
KARTEL:
Hey
…
RUE:
What
?
ME:
Youwon’
tev
enshakemyhand?
Hesi
ghedandshookmyhandasIpasseshi
m
t
hepaper
.ThenIwalkedbackt
oMonkandEa.
Aboutt
enmi
nut
esl
aterRuewal
kedov
ert
ous.
KARTEL:Rue,webeent al
kingaboutf oot
ball
gamekalabone.Youguy slalemogagor egoing
topl
aysuchabi gteam kegoi polai
sabatho?
Yougetextr
adisrespectt
imeaf terthecatch
us… Imean,beatus… shal
l wejustplay
knowingi
ntheendwewi l
llose?
MONK:Iam nocowar
d,Isayl
ett
heboy
spl
ay.
Hael
eextrati
me,keext
rati
me.
EA:
Wor
d…
Weal
ll
ookedatReuben…
RUE:Lettheboyspl
ay.Fort
hekids.If
ail
ed
mine,Iwon’
tlett
heseonesnotgetachance.
KARTEL:
Alr
ightt
hen… t
heki
dsshal
lpl
ay.Ext
ra
ti
meandall
.
Nobodybutuscaughtt hatwehadj ust
discussedapr i
sonescape.Buty oucan’tj
ust
saysuchat hingi napri
sonyard,sowehadt o
codei t.Ispendt henextfewfaysstudyi
ngthe
placeandmappi ngoutrout
etodeliver
ybay .
Thursdaymor ningIwokeupbot hscaredand
excited.Ddaywasf inal
lyher
e.
*
***
***
***
*

LI
KE,
COMMENT,
SHARE
ATHUG’
SLOVE78

Arnopi
ckedupt
hecal
lfr
om mma-
Sesha
nerv
ousl
y.
ARNO:
Dumel
ang.
MMASESHA: Hel
loArnol
d,wher
eismy
daughter
?Ihavebeentry
ingt
ocall
her
,shei
s
notpicki
ngup.
ARNO: Sheuhm… shegotal astmi
nuteinvi
te
tothist
echnol
ogydetoxspainJava… they
don’tal
lowphones.Shewil
lbebacksoon.
MMASESHA: Jaanongcoul
dn’tshejustt
ellme?
Youruncleswanttobri
ngmagadi andwear e
waiti
ngonadat efr
om youtwo.Kanteledir
a
dil
omangAr nol
d?Yougomar ryinsecret
,then
tel
lusyouarefi
xingthi
ngsanddoingitproper,
thenleyadispagape?
ARNO:
Iapol
ogi
ze… i
twasl
astmi
nut
e.
MMASESHA: Youpushmydaught ertoohard.
Sheshowedmet hemoneyy ouhav eandalso
themoneyshehas.Whywor kli
keslav eswhen
youtwoarethi
srich?Andy
oupr omi sedshe
wil
ltakeabr
eaktost ar
taf
ami l
y.Wer eyou
l
yi
ng?Wi
l
lIev
erseegr
andki
ds?
ARNO:Noma’am,Iwasn’
tly
ing…thi
sisthel
ast
pr
oject
.Iwi
l
lhavehercal
lassoonaspossi
ble.
Shehungupwi
thasi
gh.
RON:
Nxnxnx… l
yi
ngt
othei
n-l
aws?
ARNO: Because‘y
ourdaughterhasbeen
kidnappedbyamur der
ouspsy cho’
iswhaty
ou
tellamotheri
nlawwhoal r
eadydoesn’tl
i
keyou.
Helookedatthemassofsi
l
iconont
het
abl
e
wi
thapprehensi
on.
.
ARNO:
Whati
sthi
s?
RON:
Afatsui
t.
ARNO:
Awhatnow?
RON: Somebodymi ghtrecognizeyoufrom the
businesstalksyougive.Also,ifyougoinwith
thatface,theywil
l belookingforyouwhen
theyreali
zey ouar
enotadel i
veryman.Putt wo
andt woandt heyreali
zey oufaci
lit
atedthe
escape.
ARNO:AslongaswegetSeshaawayf
rom t
hat
psy
cho,Idon’
tcar
eaboutal
lthat
.
LUBA: OkRambo.ButSeshawoul dnever
forgi
vemei fIcanstopyouf r
om goingto
pri
sonandIdon’ t
.So,l
et’
sgi vethem aper
son
thatdoesn’
texist
..Anewf ace,newbody.Wear
thatfatsui
t,t
hentheoverall
s.
Hesi ghedandwentintotheot herroom to
change.ThenhesatdownasRonspr aytanned
ever
yexposedbitofhim darker,whileLuba
workedonhi sf
ace,usingmakeupt ocreatea
fewwr i
nklesandscars,st
ickingonat hi
ck
greyi
nglacebeardonhi sf
ace, gi
vinghi ma
smallafro…t
henbrowncont actlenses.
ARNO: DoIev
enneedt
oknowwher
eyougetal
l
these?
RON: (l
aughi
ng)Ioccasi
onall
yf**
kadrama
teacheratapri
vat
eschool.Theyhav
eallsor
ts
ofpr
ops.
Ronsnappedapi
ctur
eandsenti
ttosomeone
forsomeID’
s.
LUBA:Damn…letmesnapapi
c,I
’
m gonnaask.
Seshai
fsher
ecogni
zesthi
sman.
RON:Ok,nowthef
inal
touch.Yousai
dyou
speakTswana.
ARNO:
Amongot
herl
anguages…I
’
m pol
ygl
ot…
Bot
hLubaandRonr
oll
edt
hei
rey
es.
RON:Li
ter
all
ynobodycar
es.Let’
sheari
t.You
hav
et osel
lthesi
mpledr
iveract
.
ARNO:I
jo,
Obataker
engnemma?Reber
ekel
a
monakong,t
akeemel
ele
RON:
Sti
l
lsoundl
i
kear
ichbr
at.
ARNO:(l
aughi
ng)Tell
mey ouareahater
wit
houtsay
ingyouareahater
.Okladi
es.When
wegetoutwewillmeetyouatther
endezvous,
Ron,y
ouhavepeoplereadyt
otakecareofthe
t
ruck?
RON:I
twi
l
lbeget
ti
ngst
ri
ppedwi
thi
nanhourof
dumpi
ngi
t.
*
***
***
***
*
Seshacameoutofthebathr
oom wr
appedina
towel.Shej
umpedstar
tl
edasshenoti
cedLani
star
ingather.
SESHA:
What
!Mxi
m!
LANI
:(smi
l
ing)Ican’
tappr
eci
atebeaut
y?
Sheignoredherandgoti
nthebedr
oom whi
l
e
thegir
lsplay
edinthel
ivi
ngroom.
Therewasnokeyont hebedr
oom door
,soshe
j
ustclosed.
.Thedooropenedasshewas
putt
ingonbodylot
ion.
Herhear
twaspoundi
ngsomuch.Asshe
qui
ckl
ywrappedher
sel
fbackupwi
thatowel
.
SESHA:
Whatt
hehel
ldoy
ouwant
?
LANI:
Haveagl
assofwi
newi
thmewhent
he
gi
rl
sgotobed.
SESHA:
No,
thanky
ou.
LANI:I
twasn’tasuggesti
on.Weneedt ogetto
knoweachot her.Soony
ouwi l
lreali
zeIam ni
t
thevi
ll
ain.Iam agoodguy.Soony ouwil
ll
earn
tolov
eme.
SESHA:Sure,
kidnappi
ng.Standardgoodguy
behavi
or,
huh?AndIwi l
lneverlov
ey ou,Palal
ani.
Youarementall
yil
landy ourdaughterdeserves
bett
er.
Hecameoverandrubbedhershoul
ders,
maki
nghercri
nge.Hesighedandwalkedout
,
l
eavi
nghert
ogetdressed.
*
***
***
***
**
Ar
nostoppedt
hetr
uckasthegate,
singi
ng
al
ongt
osometradi
ti
onal
music.
ARNO:
dint
shangmdal
a…
Hesaidashehandedtheguar
dthef
akeI
D,
dr
iver
’sl
icenseandempl
oyeecar
d.
GUARD:Ae,
wearegood.Wherei
sol
dman
RaMpho?Hewastheonedel
iv
eri
ng.
Iti
edhim upandl
efthi
minawar
ehouseunt
il
thi
sisdone.
ARNO:(l
aughing)Hawaut wagorewareti
re?
RaMphowar eti
re,soheistaki
ngl
essershi
ft
s.
Youshoul
dhav erecei
vedamessageaboutme.
Ron,
Ihopet
oGody
oumanaget
odot
his
GUARD: Idi
dseeanewguywasdel
i
ver
ing.I
wasjustsurpr
isedi
twasn’
thi
m.
ARNO:sekatshweny
egamdala… ompl
elet
se
gorej
angjang.(
Don’
twor
ry,
hetoldmehowi t
goes)
GUARD:
Eheee… ok…
ARNO:Ee,
checkachekakapel
a,keisaleko
pr
imar
ymomet sanengehae.(Checktheback
quickl
ybecauseIhavetogodel
i
veratpr
imar
y
schoolsi
nsmal l
sett
lement
s.
Theguardopenedthebackandliti
nsi
dewit
ha
torch,
noddi
ngbeforecomingbacktogiv
eArno
hisID’
s.
HI
M:Badr
opelemdala.Kakwa,kol
oadi
ngbay
(
godr
opoffatthel
oadingbay
)
Ar
nodr
ovei
nandf
inal
l
yexhal
ed.
Heparkedt
hetrucki
nawaythatt
heguy
s
woul
dbeshiel
dedwhentheygeti
n.
Twoguar dscamef orwardandhest ar
ted
chatti
ngwiththem,engagingthem i
nawebof
faketalesofv
ill
agegir
lsthrowingt
hemselv
es
athim whenhedeliver
edgoodsatsmal l
vil
lages.
ARNO: Monna,kebuakabany anabamarago
autwa… esengamal atsiaagotweadirwako
sepatel
a(Iam t
alki
ngaboutbigbootygi
rl
,not
thesehospi
talmanufactur
edbooty)
GUARD: (
laughing)gat
webadi
ramaragoko
sepat
ela?(theymakeboot
yatt
hehospit
als?
)
ARNO: Haoi t
se?Gat webabasegabat seny a
mapipi akgomo, wenaobonamot hoagoga
gogakant ekel et
rokolamaaka,kgantel
ewena
osetseor eoi taathupayasegolo,di
kobodi
mahur a.(Yes,theymakebootyathospital,they
cutthem openandputcowf at.andyou’
dt hink
i
tsreal,butitj
ustmel tsof
fint
heheatoft hings)
Theguar
dsbr
okei
ntof
it
sofl
augher
.
ARNO: Ahh,koKgal agadinki
lekajathemonna..
Maragotota!Bal etal
oleboretheokare
banana… (Ireal
lylovedthegirl
sinKgalagadi
,
wit
hrealboot i
esandsof tski
nl i
keabanana)
Evenmor
elaught
erastheguyscaughtt
he
codewor
dandgotinthetr
uck.
Hekepttheguardsentert
ainedunt
ilhehear
d
thesmall‘
ping’
from hi
spagerthat
corr
espondedwiththeonegluetot
het r
apdoor
.
ARNO:Letmego, guys.
.Iam deliv
eri
ngko
di
kgaol
ong.Gongweket aait
hulelamma-
maragogape(Iam deli
veri
ngattheserur
al
pl
aces,maybeIwill
meetanot herbigbooty
gi
rl
).
Theywav
edhi
m of
fst
il
ll
aughi
ng.
*
***
***
*
Istay
edinthecel
lsaspeopl
ewentt otheyar
d.
Eawast heyar
d,Monkatadiff
erentangl
eof
theyard,
andRuewaspartoftheunloadi
ng
team t
oday.
Betteri
fwedon’tgot
oourwai t
ingspotasa
group.I
twoul
dlooksuspi
cious.
Iar
riv
edfi
rsti
nthet
inyspacebet
weent
wo
bui
ldi
ngs.
ThenEa,
thenMonk.Wesqueezedoursel
ves
ther
easthet
ruckpar
ked,
blocki
ngtheall
ey.
Wewat
chedt
heunl
oadi
ngbat
char
ri
ve,
Rue
amongt hem.Guar dssuperv
isedast hey
unl
oadedt hetruck,t
alki
ngtothedriv
erwhoI
couldnottel
lwasAr nold.Wasithi
m?The
dri
verlookedthicker
,withasmallpotbel
ly,
and
darkerski
n.
Ohwel
l,
justwai
tandl
i
stenqui
etl
yfort
hecode
wor
d.
Theunloadi
ngcrewfi
ledoutandbackto
court
yardasArnokeptthetwoguards
engagedinconv
ersat
ion.
SomehowRueci rcledbackandcamet ous.
Whenwehear dthecodewor d,
onebyonewe
duckedint
othetruck,hi
ddenbyi tandthewall
.I
foundthebut
tonandpr essedit… atr
apdoor
cli
ckedopenthatledunderneaththefal
sefl
oor.
Thedoorwastrappedunderbagsofmaize
meal.Imovedthem j
ustali
tt
leenoughf
orust
o
gett
ot hedoor
Wecoul
donl
yfi
tlay
ingdownonoutbacks,
and
bitbybi
tweal lgotin.Iwaslasti
n,andrepl
aced
thedoor,t
henpr essedthebuttonaboveme
thatsai
d‘Presswhenr eady’
.
*
***
***
***
***
**
Heleftthem astheywer esti
lll
aughi
ngwhilehe
droveallthewaytot hegates.Hestoppedand
di
screetlyunl
oadedt wobagsofpap, some
beans,andoilfortheoldmanatt hegate.
ARNO:Kediri
lemdala,
chekaket samaetsatsi
l
entshi
il
e.(I’
vedr
oppedi tof
f,checktheback
soIcanleav
e,Iam r
unninglate)
Themanjustpeekedi
ntot
hebag,
seei
ngbags
ofpapandbeans.
GUARD:
Alr
ight
,dr
ivesaf
e.Seey
ounextt
ime.
Ashedrov
eoff,
heexhal
ed,
sti
l
lmotbel
i
evi
ng
hepul
l
editof
f
Sht
,hepul
l
edi
tof
f.
Heact
ual
l
ypul
l
edi
tof
f!
Hedr oveforabi
ttot
heout
ski
rt
softownand
stopped.Heopenedt
hetr
apdoorandl
ett
he
guysout.
*
***
***
***
KARTEL
Myheartwaspoundi
ngsof
astasIl
aidont
hat
t
ruckf
loor.
Any
thi
ngcoul
dgowr
ong.
Somet
hingwasgonnagowrong,somet
hing
wasgonnagowrong… somet
hing….
Andt
henIhear
dthedr
ivegetl
ongeranl
onger
.
Wewereonar
oad.Sht
,wehadactual
lymadei
t.
Thi
ssmoot
hmother
f**
kerpul
l
editoff
!
Thet
ruckst
oppedandthet
rapdooropened.
Wefi
ledout
,taki
nggr
eedybreat
hesoffreshai
r.
Wehappilyfi
stpumpedeachot
herandweal
l
changedclot
hes.
Arnotookofft
hef
atsui
tandcl
eanedof
fthe
fakesprayt
an.
MONK:
Pit
y,y
oul
ookedbet
terl
i
ket
hat
.
ARNO:
Jeal
ousIgott
hegi
rl
?
MONK:she’
l
lnebackwhensher
eal
i
zesshe
gotar
awdeal…
ARNO:(
laughi
ng)Becauseany
thi
ngatal
labout
youi
sbettert
hanme.
KARTEL:I
fMonkandHel
l
oKit
tyoverher
ear
e
donewit
hthei
rfor
epl
aycanwego?
ARNO:
(laughi
ng)Whyam IHel
l
oKi
tt
y?
KARTEL:
Causey
ouar
epi
nk.Now,
what
’snext
?
ARNO:Ourr
ideshoul
dbeher
e… t
her
ethey
come.
LubaandRonparkedArno’
sti
ntedwindows
SUV,andweall
gotinsi
de,wi
thArnodri
vingof
f
toafi
eldhej
ustbought
.
*
***
***
**
LUBA
Kar
tel
hadcompl
etel
yheal
edf
rom t
hatbeat
ing
hegot
.
ThemomentIsawhi
m,Ir
anov
ert
ohi
m an
huggedhi
m.
Whenhepulledback,westoodf
oramoment
caughti
neachother’
seyes.
Hecar
essesmyf
acewi
thasadl
ook.
KARTEL:
If*
*kedup,
huh?
ME:
How?Youdi
dn’
tmakehi
mtaket
heki
ds.
KARTEL:Thi
sisjustanaffectofmyact i
ons.
Theeff
ectofmyst upi
dit
y.I’
m gonnagetour
babi
esLuba.ThenIam gonnaf i
xsht.Igi
veyou
myword.
Heki
ssesmycheekandledmet
othecaras
ev
ery
onewasalr
eadyinsi
de.
*
***
***
***
*
LUBA
Wear
ri
vedatsomepr
oper
tyt
hatAr
noowns.
Thepoli
cewouldcheckal
ltheguyspr
opert
ies,
butnobodyknowsaboutArno’
sinvol
vement.
ARNO:Theyar
egonnagonnabelooki
ngfory
ou
guy
s,soyoucancr
ushhere.So,
what’
sthepl
ay?
KARTEL:I
’
m gonnagoi
ntot
hest
reet
sandget
i
nfoonthi
sDuncan.
ME:
Iam comi
ngwi
th.
KARTEL:No..I
fIgetcaught
,yougodownfor
ai
dingandabetti
ng,andwegodowntoget
her.
Yousatinheresafel
y
ME: Youwantmet owaitar
oundlikesome
damsel whenmychi l
drenarewithalit
eralki
l
ler
?
Iam comi ngwit
h,wewor kfast
erandbet t
er
togetherKart
,evenyoucan’
tdenyt hat
.
KARTEL:
Fine.Wehi
tthest
reet
stoget
her
.I
havealeadonDuncan’sman.Wet al
ktohi
m,
getwhatwecanget .MonkandEawi l
ldot
he
same,gofindpeopl
etogetinfofrom.Ron,you
thi
nkyoucanfindallt
hepropert
iesheowns?
Anyplacethebast
erdcoul
dbehol dingmykids.
ARNO:
Iwantt
ohel
p.
MONK:
Wear
egood.
ARNO:Bestbel
i
eveIam gonnaki
l
lthatbast
erd,
so,
hel
lyea,Iam comi
ngwith.
Kar
tell
ookedathi
mforsomet
ime,
then
l
aughed.
KARTEL: Al
right,prett
yboy .Let
sseewhaty ou
got.Snoopar oundDuncan’ sbusinesses.Fi
nd
weaknesses.I fwear eluckywegeti nf
oandgo
there.I
fnot,
wer egroupat8pm her eandput
togetherwhatwef i
nd.
*
***
***
***
***
Kar
tel
andIdr
ovehi
sol
dAl
tezzai
nto
Franci
stown.W obvi
ousl
ycoul
dn’
ttakehiscar
oranyofthecompanycars.Wecouldn’
ttake
mycarbecausebynowt heywil
lbecheckingup
onmet oseeifIwaswit
hhim.
Hekepthi
shoodieupandwor
eshades,
andwe
avoi
dedal
lthebusyr
oadst
hatusual
l
yhave
poli
ce.
Hepar kedatsomeyardandwewalkedt
oaone
room housethatr
emindedusmuchifwher
ewe
camef rom.
Whenli
fewassomuchsi
mpl
er.Thi
ngs
bet
weenusnotcompl
i
cat
ed.
Wecoul
dhearmusi
ccomi
ngfrom i
nsi
det
he
r
oom.Whoeverwewer
eaf
ter
,washome.
ME:
Kar
t,whosepl
acei
sthi
s?
KARTEL: Thepastfewdaysinthepen,I
bouncethenameDuncanar ound,somebody
tal
ked,andthisisoneofDuncan’
sguys.
ME:
Alr
ight
… what
’st
hepl
an?
KARTEL:
Beathi
m upunti
lhet
ell
suswher
e
Lani
coul
dbe.Youready
?
HesaidasIhear
dt hecli
ckofhi
sgun.I
answeredbypul
li
ngmygunoutandwepoi nt
ed
them att
hedoor
,Kartelpi
cki
ngi
tandwewent
i
nside.Theguyl
aidinbedonFacebook.
Her
aisedhi
shandswhenhesawus
HI
M:Idon’
twantanyt
roubl
e… pl
ease.
KARTEL:Ipref
ertodothistheeasywasasI
havenoti
me.ButIcoul dgot hehar
dwaytoo.
Duncan’
sdement edsonkidnappedawoman
andtwogirl
s.Therehastobet al
k.Wher
eishe
keepi
ngthem.
HI
M:Idon’
tknow…
Kar
tel
pull
edhi
mt ohisfeetandpunchedhi
m,
gi
vi
nghim abl
oodynose.
KARTEL:
Let
’st
ryt
hatagai
n.Wher
e?
Kar
telkneedhi
m ont
hegutandt
heguy
wheezed
KARTEL:
Wher
eishekeepi
ngt
hem!
Hesmashedhi
m agai
nstt
hewal
l
.
ME:
Ithi
nkheneedsmot
ivat
ion.
Hisphonewasont hebedashehadbeenon
WhatsApp.Ipi
ckeditup,andthefir
stthingI
sawwasapi ct
ureofal i
tt
leboy.Hisson.Ata
daycar
ethathadt henamewr i
ttenont he
unif
orm.Babymamawast ell
i
nghi m aboutt
he
chi
ld’
sfunnystor
ies.
ME:Daycar
esar
eaboutt
oendt
hei
rday
,ar
en’
t
t
hey
?
Isai
dasIpi
ckedupt
hephone.
ME:Looksli
keli
tt
leMatt
hewher
ecangethi
s
daddy
’stonguer
eall
oose.
Kar
tel
lookedaymewi
thasmi
l
e.
KARTEL:
Clev
ergi
rl
.Hav
eRonpi
ckt
heki
dup.I
f
wedon’
thav
ethei
nfoi
nfi
ft
eenmi
nut
es.Ki
l
l
hi
m.
Ipi
ckedt
hephoneandcal
l
edRon.
ME: Heygir
l.Wehav ealead.Ij
ustsenty
oua
pi
cture.Getthatki
dsfr
om thatdaycarewri
tt
en
onthesweat er.
HI
M:Pl
easeman… pl
ease… notmyson.
KARTEL:Thent
alk.Ar
eyoul
ett
ingy
ourchi
l
ddi
e
forapsy
chopat
h?
HIM:Theywer
einTonot
aathi
spar
ent
s’ot
her
house.
KARTEL:
Butnow?
HIM:Theyj
ustbeenmov edwhennewsofyou
escapehi
tthemedia.Toasafel
ocat
ion.
KARTEL:
Saf
elocat
ioni
snotapl
ace.Tal
k.
HIM:Anewf ar
mi nFol eysi
ding.Hehasabig
f
armthere,
withnocl osenei
ghborsaround,
not
manyknowitbelongstoMrDuncan.
KARTEL:Howmanymenwi l
lbet
here.
Rememberyoursonwil
lsti
ll
bewithusunt
ilwe
conf
ir
m ever
ythi
ngyoutel
lusist
rue.
HI
M:Al
lthef
arm handwor
kforMrJosephs…
KARTEL:
Youmeant
heydohi
sdi
rt
ywor
k?
HI
M:Yes…
KARTEL:
Howmany
?
HIM: Abouttwent
y… may betwentyfi
ve.They
takecareofthehorsesandcattl
e,goats,pi
gs…
buttheyalsohandl
ebusinessforhim.Please
man, l
etmysongo…whatIt oldi
slegit
.
ME:
Wher
eisLani
’
sdaught
er?Phal
ana?
HI
M:Idon’
tknow!
ME:Try…you’
dhaveseenher
… wher
edoes
sheusual
l
ygoaft
erschool
?
HI
M: Usual
l
ybackhome.Shehasadr
iverwho
pi
cksherupwhenLanii
snotavai
l
abl
e.Ther
e
wi
llbemenatthehouset
oo.
KARTEL:
Wher
eist
hef
arm?
Hegav
eusdi
rect
ions.
Kar
telti
edt
hemant
othebedandwest
epped
out
side.
ME:
Youguy
sar
eal
lov
erFacebook.
KARTEL:
Thenweneedt
owor
kfast
.
Heconf
erencecal
l
edev
ery
one.
KARTEL: Ijustmessagedt hefarm dir
ections.
LubaandIwi l
lheadst raightt
here.Arnot oo.
Monk, Ron, andEa.Weneedt oy outopi ckup
thi
skidcal l
edPhal ana,picsent.I
t’shis
daughter.Wear egonnaneedheri fwear eto
getLanitoconf esstof ramingus.Leav ethekid
atArno’sfar m,wi thRue, t
henheadt othe
Josephsf arm.t obackusup.Nopl ayingRambo,
Arnol
d.Ther eareeasi l
y25ment here,sowe
waitunti
l wear et ogethert omov ein.
ARNO:
But
…
KARTEL:Gunsblazingcouldsett
hatpsychoup
andhemayhur tthem.Luba,you,
andIare
gonnasurveyt
hepl aceandfi
ndawayt osneak
i
nquiet
ly.ImeanitAr nol
d.I
fyougetther
efir
st,
hi
deyourcarandwai t…
ARNO:
(si
ghi
ng)Fi
ne.
Afterweweredone,wewentbackin,
gagged
theguy,t
ookhisphoneandt
iedhi
mt othebed.
Weheadedof
ftot
gef
arm.
Justwhenweexi
tedFr
anci
stown… r
ightatt
he
tr
affi
cli
ght
s….
Det
ect
iveLegacyst
oppedbesi
desus.
Recogni
zedthecar
.Kar
tel
lookeddown,
butt
oo
l
ate,hehadseenus.
Andwascal
l
ingbackup.
*
***
***
***
LI
KE,
COMMENT,
SHARE
ATHUG’
SLOVE79
LUBA
Man,
notthisazzhol
eagai
n.Il
i
ter
all
yhav
eno
t
imetoday
.
Isteppedonthecar,dodgi
ngt
heincoming
tr
affi
c,weavi
ngthroughasOff
icerObsessed
washotonourt ai
l
s…
ThenIst
art
edhear
ingt
hepol
i
cesi
rens.
KARTEL:
Sht
…thr
eecar
saf
terus…
Legacywascat
chi
ngup,hecamecloseandhi
t
ouralt
ezzaont
hesidewit
hhisbi
gpickup…
Sht
…
Ihel
dmyownt hist
ime,
buthewascoming
agai
nandthealt
ezzadi
dn’
tst
andachance
agai
nstanavar
a.
Hewasgonnar
unusov
er.
Kar
tel
pul
l
edhi
sgun,
butwi
thsomucht
raf
fi
c…
i
twashardtogethi
m,andnowwegadapol
i
ce
cari
nfr
ontofus.
Wewer
escr
ewed.That
’si
t.
I
twasov
er,
andt
hatpsy
chost
il
lhadourki
ds.
Wewer ebot
htr
yingtothi
nkofthenextmov e
whenthewheel
softhepolicecarinfront
scr
eechedandexpl
oded,t
hecarr oll
i
ngt oit
’s
si
de.
Isaw Arnold’sr edmotorcycl
eweavethr
ough
thetreesint hesideashet ookanot
herpoli
ce
car’
swheel off.Wehadourchanceandmade
off
,buttherewasst i
llLegacyandmorepoli
ce
off
icersonourt ai
l.
*
***
***
**
Lanimovedar oundreadi
ngtheFacebook
updat
esfrom peopl
eexcitedbyacarchasein
thi
sdeadcit
ywher enothi
ngeverhappens.
Si
rens,
pol
i
cecar
s,shoot
out
s…ev
ery
onewas
hy
ped.Not
hingl
i
ket
hatev
erhappensher
e.
Thoseguyswer
eprobabl
yheadedt
oTonot
ato
hi
sparent
shouse.
Toobadhehadal
readymov
edSeshaandt
he
gi
rl
s.
Hechuckl
edt
ohi
msel
fandwenti
nsi
det
he
house.
Seshawasi
ntheki
tchenmaki
ngdi
nner
.
LANI:
Nah,man.Awhi
teboydoesn’
tdeser
veal
l
thi
sgoodness.
Hesai
dashecar
essesherv
olupt
uoushi
ps.
Seshacri
nged,
feel
i
ngherski
ncr
awl
athi
s
touch.
Wher
ear
eyouAr
nol
d.Pl
ease.
Luba,
please…
Shesi
ghedhopel
essl
y.Kar
telandhiscrewwer
e
arr
est
ed.Ar
nohadbeenont hestr
aightand
narr
owsolongshedoubt
edheev
enhada
gun…Lubawasjustagir
l…
Whatt
hehel
lcoul
dthepol
i
cedo?Nott
hatt
hey
car
e.
Nobodywascomingf
ort
hem.Nobodywas
comingt
osavethem,
shehadt
ofindapl
an.
Gethi
mt odrophisguard,
knockhi
m outwit
h
somet
hing,st
ealhiskey
sandgetthehell
outof
her
e.
*
***
***
***
Kesegolookedatt
heev
eningnewsst
il
lnot
bel
ievi
ngwhatshewasheari
ng.
Kart
elescapedfrom pr
isonwi
thMonk,Ea,and
Reuben,bel
iev
edt ohaveamaleaccompli
ce
whoburstthem out.
Ri
ghtnowt
her
ewasacarchase.
Fi
rstofall
,thesear
enotthingsthathappeni
n
Botswana,l
etaloneFr
ancistown.Poli
cecar
chasesandshoot
out
s?
No.
Anddefi
nit
elynotherman.Nott hemanwho
hadmadeherf eelherbestwhenshewasdown.
Theint
ense,butsweetmanwhocol ouredwith
Dani
eandplay edkarat
ewi t
hKyli
e.Theman
whostoodbyint hekit
chenwithher,cutt
ing
oni
onsastheymadedi nner
.
Kart
elwasabusi
nessman.Af
ather
,a
husband…al
over
.
Somebodywasobv i
ousl
yfr
aminghi
m.Itwas
obvi
ous,Imean,
theyarr
est
edhimforgl
ucose!
Thesepeopl
ewerejustj
eal
ousofhi
scomeup.
Sher
efusedt
obel
i
eveanyoft
hissht
.
Sherubbedhergr
owi
ngbel
l
yandsmi
l
edami
dst
tear
s…
KESEGO:Youdaddyisagoodman… hei
sa
goodman.It
’sal
ll
ies…
Butwhati
fthi
sist
her
eal
Kar
tel
?
Whatift
hepastt
hreey
ear
sofherl
i
fehadal
l
beenali
eandshewasinl
ovewi
thadrug
deal
er?
Someonesentherav
ideooft
hecarchase.
Kar
tel
’
dol
dcar
.
Shefel
ther
sel
fgofai
nt…asear
ingpai
nhi
tt
ing
bel
owherabdomen.
Herhear
twaspal
pit
ati
ng… shewasgonnaf
aint
.
Sheheldont
othesof
aandsatdown,
too
winded.
Shehear
dthedooropenasKy
li
ewal
kedi
n
sobbi
ng.
KYLIE:Whyarepeopl
esay
ingal
lthesel
i
es
aboutdaddy
?Mama… mamaaa!
Shedroppedherschool
bagandranov
ert
oher
motherwhowasl ayi
ngont
hefl
oor.
Shewasn’
tbr
eat
hingr
ight
.
Theyneedesherdad.
Shetookoutherphoneandcal
l
edhisnumber
,
keepi
ngatitsev
eralt
imesashermama
hyper
vent
il
atedonthefl
oor.
*
***
***
***
KARTEL
Justaswewer eaboutt
omaketheFoleyt
urn,
theycutusoutandweweref
orcedback.
Ky
li
ewascal
l
ingr
epeat
edl
y.
Ther
ehast
obeanemer
gency
.
Ipickeduphandsf
reewhi
leshoot
ingbackat
thepoli
cewhowhereshoot
ingatourcarnow
thatwewereonanopenroad.
KARTEL:
Ky…
KYLI
E:(
franti
c)Daddy
… daddy,
it’
smama,she
i
sonthefloorandsheisnotbr
eathi
ngr
ight
andthesepeoplearesay
ingal
ltheseliesabout
you.Theyaresayi
ngallt
hesel
ies.Theyt eased
meatkar at
epract
isesayi
ngmyf atherisat hi
ef
andadr ugdeal
er…
KARTEL:It
’sal
ll
ies,
baby.Iam gonnasend
uncl
eRuet ocomeandgetmamat othe
hospi
tal
,tr
ytokeepherawakeinthemeant i
me,
bi
ggirl
.
*
***
***
*
Kyl
ier
anatt
hegat
easacov
eredv
anpar
ked
andRuer
anin.
RUE:
Issheok?
KYLI
E:Shepassedout
…
Ruerani
nsi
deandpi
ckedupKesego,
taki
ng
hert
othecar
.
Kyl
iefol
l
owedi
nandRuedr
ovef
astt
oapr
ivat
e
hospi
tal
.
Ky
li
ecoul
dhearsomeonest
ruggl
i
ngatt
heback.
Shelookedthr
oughthewi
ndowandsawagi
rl
aroundherageti
edupandgagged.
KYLI
E:Youar
eki
dnappi
ngachi
l
d?Whatt
hehel
l
?
RUE:Herf atherisakill
erandshekidnapped
yoursi
sterDani e.Theywi l
lhur
ther.Herfat
her
i
salsodoi ngallthesethingstoyourdad,Iam
sureyouhav ehear dbynowwhat ’sgoingon.
Herfatheristher easonyourdadwentt opri
son
andall
.
KYLI
E:Shehasr
emov
edhergag.
RUE: Sht… screamingl iket hat,
sheisgonnaget
mecaught ,therear ealreadypeopl el
ookingfor
me.Ky ,youneedt ost opher …i fI
’
mt ogetyour
mot hert
oahospi t
al…y ouneedt omakesure
thatgir
lwon’ tbri
ngat tentiontous.Wehav eto
keephersoherf athercant ell
thepoli
cehedi d
allt
hisandt heywi l
llety ourdadgof ree.
Kyl
iel
ookedatthewindowt ot
heback.Shewas
sl
i
m enough,shecoul
df i
t.
Sheopeneditandsqueezedthr
oughj
ustas
Phal
anawasst r
uggli
ngwithherbi
ndsand
scr
eaming.
Ky
li
esl
appedherhar
dandcov
eredhermout
h.
KYLIE:Shutup!Shtupy
oul
i
ttl
eidi
ot.Thi
sisal
l
yourdaddy’
sfault
…
Phalanawasbiggerinbody
,andov
erpowered
her,pul
li
ngherbrai
dsandclawi
ngatKyli
e’
s
face.
Ar
g,shef
oughtl
i
keagi
rl
.Nast
y.
Kyl
iethoughtasshest
oodupagai
n,t
hemov
ing
carswayinghert
otheside.
Kyl
ieki
ckedheronthestomachandpi
nnedher
down,punchi
ngherrepeat
edl
y.
KYLI
E:Isai
dshutup!
Phalanagrabbedherbythebrai
dandhi
theron
thesideofthevan,sendi
nghertot
hefl
oor
.
PHALANA:
Letmegoy
oucr
eeps!Letmego!
‘
GetupKy l
ie… i
t’
sadangerousworl
doutt
here
f
oray ounglady
,soyouneedtolear
ntodef
end
y
ourself
.
Sherememberedherspari
ngwit
hherdad.He’
d
al
way smakehergetbackupandspar
..Made
herst
rong.
‘
Getup… youar
eakar
ateka,
uset
hatt
oyour
adv
antage.
’
Shegotupandki ckedPhal anaont heface,then
pinnedherdown, punchingherrepeatedly
,
getti
ngallt
hefrustrati
onshehadt ogot hrough
becauseofthebul l
yingatschool,peoplecall
ing
herdadadr ugdealer.Allbecauseofthisgir
l’s
father
.
KYLI
E:Isai
dst
aydown!St
aydown!
Shepinnedt
heothergi
rldownandgaggedher
,
thent
iedherup.
Kesegocamet
ohear
inganoi
seofgi
rl
s
scr
eaming.
Shelookedatt hebackinhorrorasher
daughterli
teral
lypummell
edanot hergir
ldown,
yel
li
ngt hatitwasallt
hegi
rl’
sdad’sf aul
t.
Whathadshedone… whatki
ndofmanhadshe
i
ntr
oducedi
nherbaby’
slif
e?
ThecarstoppedandReubencamear
oundt
o
thebackandtal
kedtoKyl
ie.
RUE:Ican’
tbeseenhere,buty ouj
usthaveto
walki
nwi t
hyourmother,sheisawake.Your
daddywouldbeproudhowf ier
ceyoufight
.Just
l
ikehi
m.
Kyl
iesmiledpr
oudl
yandwenttot
akeher
mother’
shandwhowassti
lll
ooki
ngatheri
n
shock.
Thet
ruckt
ookof
fandKy
li
ewat
chedi
t.
God,
pleasekeepmydaddyandmyuncl
essaf
e.
Shepr
ayedsi
l
ent
ly.
Andwhenshesawt
hatgi
rlatschool
agai
n?
Shewasgonnamakehereatdi
rt
.
*
***
***
***
Reubendr
oveonthebackr
oadwhena
messagecamethr
ough.
KARTEL:Wear
epushedawayf
rom t
heFol
ey
det
our…
MONK:Ustoo,wewerecor
ner
edandtur
ned
i
ntoTat
i,wehaveof
fi
cer
sinpur
sue.
KARTEL:
Ron… Ar
nol
d?
ARNO:It
hinkIhav
etwoonmyass, andRont oo,
sheseemstoobusyri
ghtnow,
I’
ll
cov erher
.
KARTEL:
Weneedsomebodyt
ogof
ort
he
ki
ds…
RUE:
I’
m open.Goi
ngr
ightt
her
e.
KARTEL:Rue,
ther
e’l
lbemen… y
oumayhav
e
toshoot
.
RUE:
Sobei
t…
*
***
***
**
Lani
wasdistr
acted,Seshacoul
dtel
l.Hekept
l
ooki
ngathissocial
medi ainpani
c.
LANI:Theyknow… theymustknowwher
ewe
are,
theydidn’
tgoint
oTonota,wehav
etomov
e.
Ineedtocallt
hoseguysback.
Sht
.
Shecoul
dn’
theart
heguysout
side.Themen
musthavegoneof
ftodosomeot herwor
k.
I
twasnowornev
er.
Shewaitedunti
lhewasfaci
ngawayfr
om her
.
Shepickedtheheav
ycastir
onpanandswung
har
d,getti
nghiminthebackoft
hehead.
Whenhewentdown,herhandsshookasshe
madeforhi
scarkey
sinthetabl
e.
SESHA:
Comeongi
rl
s,wehav
etogo.Now!
Theyrant
othegarage,andjustasshehadput
theki
dsseatbel
tson,shefelthi
m pul
lherf
rom
t
hebackandsl
apher
.
LANI:
Don’tyougeti
tyoustupidbich… you
bel
ongtome!Ok?Youar emi ne,
andy ouare
notl
eavi
ng.Iwasgonnaletthesebratsgoso
wecangetLanaandstartourfamily…
Seshaspatonhi
sfacedef
iant
ly.
SESHA:
Iwi
l
lnev
erbel
ongt
oyou,
youpsy
cho.
LANI
:Ohr
eal
l
y?
Hetackl
edhertothefloorandpinnedherdown,
for
cingherl
egsapartandrippi
ngherpanti
es
off
…
LANI
:Youbel
ongtome!AndI’
m gonnashow
youj
usthowmuch.Ibeent
oosoftwit
hyou.
Thegirl
sscreamedint
hecarasSeshacr
ied
outtoo,thesmell
ofhi
sexpensi
vecol
ogne
suff
ocati
ngher.
*
***
***
***
Thi
rt
ymi
nut
esl
aterSeshasatont
hebedt
ied
upast
heki
dssatbesi
deshercr
ying.
Shewasst i
llweari
ngt hattat
ter
eddr ess,t
he
sti
cki
nessoffhisresidueonherthighsbreaki
ng
herheartal
loveragain.Hehadtiedherup
i
mmedi atel
yafter
,notev engi
vi
nghert he
decencytocleanherselfup
Andthekidssawitall
.Thebrutal
ityofitashe
sl
appedherupwhilehepushedi ntoherov er
andoveragai
n.Nowsher eal
l
ydidbelievehe
coul
dbeatthemot herofherchil
dtodeat h.
Shehadnev
erf
eltmor
ehopel
essi
nherl
i
fe.
Hewasgonnakil
ltheki
dsandkeepr
api
ngher
agai
nandagai
n…
God,
ify
ouhav
eanymer
cy,
pleasel
ethi
m ki
l
l
metoo.
*
***
***
**
LI
KE,
COMMENT,
SHARE
ATHUG’
SLOVE80
Reubenparkedthecaratadi
stanceandj
ogged
towardst
hef ar
m.
Thereweren’
tmanymenbecausetheywer
en’t
worri
ed,t
heythoughtt
hewhol
ecrewwasbeing
chasedbythepoli
ce.
Hehadlearntt
oblendi
ntot
hebackgroundand
ber
ealquietwhenhewasinpr
ison.
Thetwoguysoutsi
dedidn’
tev
enseehim unt
il
hehadputabull
etineachoft
hei
rnecks.
Hedr
ewhi
sgunashesnucki
ntot
hel
i
ving
r
oom.
Aguysawhi
m andcameathi
m.
‘
Hey
,whatdoy
out
hink…’
Rueshothi
mint
hef
oreheadpoi
ntbl
ankand
rani
nsi
de…
RUE:
Sesha… Sesha,
arey
ouher
e?
No…
Thi
scouldn’
tbetr
ue; t
heycoul
dn’
tbesaved… it
hadtobesomesor tofsoundmir
agetotort
ure
hwri
ntohoping… t
hatasnotReuben’
svoice.
Seshat
houghti
ndespai
r…
Thedoorbur
stopenandhestoodther
e.Hehad
l
ostsomuchweightsi
nceshelastsawhi
m
SESHA:
(Sobbi
ng)Ar
eyour
eal
l
yher
e?
RUE:
Iam… y
ouar
esaf
e,l
et’
sgo…
Hecutherbi ndsandhel pedherup, t
hengota
bedsheett ocarr
yFadzwaonhi sback,whi lehe
usedanot hertomakeasl i
nginfrontand
acrosshi sshoul
der,thenputDanieinsidesohe
hadhi shandsf r
eeifheneededt oshoot .Itwas
anuncomf ort
ablepositi
onSeshawast oo
tr
aumat isedbywhat everhappened,hedi dn’t
expecthert ocarryachild,
ortakealifeifthey
hadt o.
RUE:Wewillhav
etorun,
mycari
sali
ttl
eaway
fr
om her
e.Idon’
tknowhowf
astther
estwi
ll
gether
e.Gi
rls,
closeyoureyesandkeept
hem
cl
osedunti
lIsayopen,ok?Let’
sgo.
Het ookSesha’shandandwentpastthe
corpsesandtookoutr unni
ngasSeshacame
besideshi
m, sobbing.
Theyreachedthecarj
ustasLani
’scarwas
pul
li
ngont ot
hehome.Reubengotinsidet
he
caranddroveoffathi
ghspeed.
Whent
heyhadmadeadi
stance,
heconf
erence
cal
l
edashedrov
e.
REU:Ihav
eSeshaandthekids.Laninotdead
yet
,andIsti
l
lhavehi
sdaughter.Ther
eisnotail
onme…Ihav ethem…what’
sthepl ay
?
KARTEL: Retreatt oouroldhideout.Dropt hem
thereandthengol osethecarandphonesf ar
from t
here.Ev eryoneelse,ret
reattoourold
hideout.I
’l
lbri
ngLubawi t
hme, Arno,tr
ailRon.
Losey ourtai
lsf i
rst,
thenlosey ourcarsand
cell
phones.Ify oucan’tloseyourtail
,keep
r
unni
ngi
ntheot
herdi
rect
ion.
*
***
***
***
***
***
***
***
Thefir
stthi
ngLani not
icedashedr
ovei
nwas
thecorpsesout
side.
Hi
sgi
rl
…theycamef
orhi
sgi
rl
…
No!No!Seshabel
ongedwi
thhi
m,t
heywer
e
gonnabui
ldafamil
y…
Hi
sphoner
angandi
twashi
sfat
her
.
LANI
:What
?
FATHER:Whathavey
oudonePalal
ani
?You
havest
oppedtaki
ngyourmedshav
en’
tyou?
LANI:
Ireal
l
yhavenoti
mef ort
hisr
ightnow,
peopl
etookmygir
lf
ri
end…
FATHER:TheytookPhal
ana,
youi
diot
.Your
daught
eri
smi ssi
ng!
LANI:
What
?What
?No!It
rust
edy
out
opr
otect
her
!
FATHER:Isentpeopl
etopicky
ouup, I
’l
lcl
ean
thi
sup,andyouaregoingi
ntoalooneyhouse.
Permanent
ly.
ThedooropenedandasPhal
ana’sdr
ivewal
ked
i
n,Lanigunnedhi
m downandrantohi
scar.
LANI:
Yourpeopl
ear
edead,daddy
.Ineedmor
e
tohel
pmegetmydaughter
…
Hehungupanddr ovetowardsthehospital.He
hadgonet her
et ogetsomethi
ngf orSesha.He
feltbadthathemi ghthavehurther,seei
nghow
violenthewaswhenhe…ohmyGod.Whatdi d
hedot ohisgi
rl?Helosti
tandnowhehur ther
,
andl osther.
Hewil
lgetPhal
anaback,
thengether
,andt
hey
wi
ll
skipcount
ryandgostar
tali
fesomewhere.
Butwhenhewasatthehospi
tal
,hehadseen
Kart
el’
sli
tt
lebr
at…
*
***
***
***
***
***
***
**
LUBA
Ther
eli
efIf
eltwhenIhear
dRue’
swor
ds!Oh
God.
Iam at
hei
st,butIswearIcouldn’tstopt
hanking
aGodwhodoesn’ texist.Theheavyexhal
efrom
Kar
telt
oldmehef el
tthesameway .Nowwe
j
usthadtoloseouttail.
Roncal
l
ed.
RON: Newpl an, ArnoandIar egonnadi vertt he
heatfrom EaandMonksi ncewear eonbi kes.
Thenwhent hepol icearedi st
racted,ditcht he
carsandr unt hrought heforest…t her
ei sa
homewi t
ht wohut supahead, andthree
bicycl
esbesi dest hehouse, stealthosebi cy cles
andheadt ot hehi deout.Thenwewi l
ltaket he
heatoutofKar tandLubaWhent heyare
dist
racted,gounderabr idgeandgetr unning,
crossther oadandi ntothatforest,ArnoandI
willbewaiting.Kar tcanhitchonAr noandI ’
ll
takeLubaonmybike.Now,
Monk,
wear
e
dist
ract
ingt
hem…
ThenIcoul
dhearshot
sfr
om t
hebackbutwe
coul
dn’
tseethem.
Nei
thercoul
dthepol
i
cef
rom t
hel
ooksofi
t.
Twopol
icecarswheel
swentoutandt
hen
cameoutofthecar
scussi
ng.
MONK:
Wegott
hebi
kes,
wear
eont
hemov
e….
Nowi
twast
imef
orKar
tandI
…
Kar
tel
tookt
hewheel
andst
eppedont
hecar
.
Theplannedbr
idgewasnogo,
copcar
sther
e…
f*
**k!
KARTEL:Changeofplan.Wearegoingint
o
Shashebri
dge,wewillmeetyouinthef
orest
j
ustpastther
e,butf
arfrom ear
shotofa
motorbi
ke.
Het
oldRon.
ME:
What
?Shashebr
idge?
Kart
eljustst
eppedonthecarandwentt
owar
ds
thebri
dgeoverther
iver
.
KARTEL:
Ber
eady
,whenIsayj
ump,
youj
ump.
Asweapproachedt
hebri
dge,
heswervedthe
cart
othesi
deandscreamedformet
oj ump.
Ihadnev erfel
tsomuchpai nasIr ol
l
edoutofa
fast-movi
ngcar,onagr avelroad,scrapingthe
shtoutofev er
yinchofskini nmybody .Kart
grabbedmyhandandhal fdr aggedmet othe
sideandintothetreesaswewat chedt hecar
sinkintotheri
ver
.Wedi dn’tevenhav etimet o
seet hepoli
ceoffi
cersastheyr eachedt he
bridgeandsawt hecarsinkin.
Wekeptr
unni
ngunti
lwewer
eoutofsightand
wesawArnoandRonint
hebushes.
Wehitchedri
desandaswelef
tthepol
i
ce
behi
nd,Icoul
dfi
nall
ybr
eat
h.
*
***
***
***
***
***
***
*
Kyli
egotoutofthet
axiwit
hthet hi
ngshi
s
motherwasgoingtoneedasshewasadmi t
ted
overni
ght
.Shewasabouttowal kint
otheyard
assomeonegrabbedherfrom t
heback,
coveri
nghermouthwit
hawhi teclot
h…
Shefel
ther
sel
fgoweakandgr
oggy
,asshewas
puti
nacar…
Daddypl
ease…hel
p…
*
***
***
***
***
***
***
***
**
LUBA
Weweref
inal
l
yfarenoughwhenKar
tel
sai
dto
st
op.
KARTEL:Ok, weneedtotakeoutLaniandhis
fat
herbefor
ewesur render
.Other
wise,he’
l
ljust
comeaftertheki
ds.Plusweneedhi mtoclear
ournames.
RON:
Dude,
wear
eal
lexhaust
ed,
wedon’
thav
e
anyammol ef
t,wehavenocars…andcopsal
l
overar
elooki
ngforus.Weneedtolayl
owfir
st.
KARTEL:
Iagr
ee,
atl
eastf
oraf
ewday
s…
ME: Butwewillneedsuppl
i
es…food…stuf
f.I
am suretheyhaveeyesonEst
her,sowecan’
t
askher…
KARTEL: Sht…Mr sM t
oo,shesuspectsso
I
nterpoli
sl ooki
ngather…besi
des,sheisin
Gaborone,andIam surehermenar ebeing
watchedtoo.SameasMrKhumal o.Theold
manhasn’ tbeentaki
ngTom’sdisappearance
well
.Wear escrewed.
ARNO;
Ihav
esomeone…mysi
ster
KARTEL:Theyhavemadeyouout,f
ool
.They
knowyouarewi t
husnow.Iam sur
etheyar
e
watchi
ngyourfamil
y.
ARNO:Yea,wel
l,
Cryst
alknowshowt
oblend
anddi
sappear
.ButIdon’
thaveammo.
ME:Iknowsomeonewhocangetammo.
Kgar
e…
KARTEL:Goodcall
…hithi
m upandhav ehim
dr
opitforEst
heratthehi
ve.ThenEsthercan
meetArno’
ssist
erandhandisover.
Icall
edKgar eandmadesur ehewasawar ehe
hadnochoi cebuttoco-operat
e.Andheknew
thattoo,
Hewoul ddropthegunsandbulletsof
f.
ThenKar tcall
edEst
hertoletherknow.
Arnotookouthi
sphoneandcal
l
ed,
put
ti
ngon
speaker
.
CRISSY:Arnobear
…t heyar
esayi
ng…Ar
nold,
tel
lmey ouarenotbackwit
hgangs,
motheri
s
devast
ated.
ARNO:I
sthi
sli
nesaf
e?
CRI
SSY:
Iti
s.Iexpect
edy
out
ocal
l
,soIsecur
ed
i
t.
ARNO:
It’
sal
ongst
ory
,butbasi
cal
l
ysomeone
ki
dnappedSeshaandaf r
iend’
schil
d.Theywere
gonnakillt
hem.Ihadto,youknowpol i
ceare
sht.Seshawouldbe…Ican’tevenbaretothi
nk
i
t.Wegott hem back,
butthosepeoplearesti
ll
aft
erusandwehav enoammo, nof
oodcl ot
hes,
phones,medicati
on,t
oil
etr
ies…
CRISSY:
Icangetyout
her
est
,butwhatdoI
knowofammo, Ar
no?
ME:Someonecal
l
edEst
herwi
l
lmeety
ouand
gi
veyouabagofit
.
ARNO:Bear
,theymightal
readybewatchi
ng
you…sobesafeandifyoufeeluncomfor
tabl
e,
abor
t…
CRISSY:No, Iwi
llhel
p.Yout aughtmehowt o
l
oseat ai
l,evenifIhaven’
tf eltIwasbeing
watched.AndIam ataf riend’shouse,house
watchi
ng.Icanl eavei
ndi sguiseasher,takeher
carandleav emineandall.Iftheyarewatching,
theywil
lthinkIam sti
l
l i
ndoor s.Thengohome
andtakethatcombidaddyboughtf
orf
ami
l
y
funct
ions,
butisnev
erused.
ARNO: That’
smybabybear …nowKar twil
lgi
ve
youdir
ectionsofwheretodri
ve,wewillmeet
youtheretogetthet
hings,br
ingabiketori
de
back.Wear elosi
ngourphones,sowewi l
lmeet
youareatopickup.
Kart
elgaveherdi
rect
ionswher
ewewi l
lwai
tfor
herbyaft
ernoon,
asitwasnowjustar
oundten
i
nthemor ni
ng.
Justaf
terwewer
edone,
Kyl
i
est
art
edcal
l
ing.
Kar
tel
pickedup,
KARTEL:
Pri
ncess,
howi
smama…
LANI:Thel
it
tl
ebichisafi
ercefi
ghter
,yousur
e
sheisnoty
ourblood?Cany oubel
i
eveshe
ki
ckedmeont heball
s?
KARTEL:
Ify
ouharm ahaironherhead,
Iwil
l
makeyouwatchasIpeel
theskinfr
om your
daught
er.YouknowIhav
eher
.
LANI
:At
rade…y
ougi
vememygi
rlandLana…
KARTEL:
Iwi
l
lgiveyouyourdaught
erandy
ou
wil
lgi
vememine.When…
MONK: (whisperi
ngt
oKartel)Tomorr
ow, Kar
t.
Hewill
br i
ngmen.Wear eexhausted,
andwe
needammo.I fwegonow,itwil
lbeaslaught
er.
KARTEL:
Tomorrowat6pm.Iwil
lcal
lthi
s
numbert
olety
ouknowwhere,nowputKy l
i
eon.
LANI
:Ify
oul
etmet
alkt
oPhal
anaf
ir
st.
KARTEL:
Fine.Iwi
ll
texty
ouwher
ewewi
l
lmeet
f
ort
heexchange.
Hehungupandwedest r
oyedanddumpedour
phonesi
ntoaant
hil
l
,thenwerodeofft
othe
pl
ace.
I
twasi nthef
iel
dwithover
growngr assand
tr
ees,whi
chmadef oragodhidingofthebikes.
Thefencewasfall
enoff
,buttherewasat wo-
r
oom notpl
ast
eredcementhousewithcracked
wi
ndows,andametaldr
um foradoor.Then
t
herewasacorr
ugatedi
ronshedattheside.
KARTEL:Weknewanoldmanwhoownedthi
s…
hepassed.Hehadnof
amil
y,sot
hepl
acehas
beenempty.
Isprintedi
nther
elikeacheet
ah,huggingmy
babieswhometmeatt hedoor.Theyboth
star
tedcr y
ingasKartel
joi
nedinonthefamil
y
hug.Icouldn’
tbel
ievemybabieswerehere,i
n
myar ms.
ArnorushedtoSeshawhowashuggingher
sel
f
andshakingbackandfor
th,
aski
ngforashower
.
Monkr ushedtohert oo,buttodaytherewasa
deferenceofr espectashest oodbehindand
watchedasAr noheldSesha, withapainedl
ook.
Iwant edtohugmybestf ri
endalso,butI
decidedt ogiv
et hem theirti
me.
Ar
nohel
dSeshat
ight
er,
tel
l
ingherev
ery
thi
ng
wasok.
Thetearthatr
andownhischeekashehidit
fr
om hertoldmehehadf i
guredoutwhat
happened.Thetat
ter
eddress…howdishevel
l
ed
shewas…t hedesper
ateneedtoshower…
ARNO:WheredoIgetwat
erf
orashower
…I
needt
of**
kinggetsomewat
er…
KARTEL: Takecareofy ourgi r
l,brot
her…wewi l
l
fetchy ouwhaty ouneed.Ther ear efarmsa
distancefrom here.Monk, Rue, EaandIwi l
l go
fetchwat erandfood, somebl anketsmay be.
We’ l
lneedt ohitmay bethreef arms.Gather
whaty oucan.Ron, Luba,stayonal er
tandr eady
toshooti f atallsomeonef ol
lowedusher e.
ME:Gotyou.Ifyoucan,
abat
hingt
uband
somesoapplease…
KARTEL:
I’
ll
try
.
Theyleftandcamebackaboutanhourl
ater
,
Kart
el,MonkandEaeachpushinga
wheelbar
row,wi
thalargebarr
elofwater,
Kart
el’
swithametaltubontop.Rue’s
wheelbar
rowhadenoughblanketsforusall,
andfoodandutensi
l
st omakeagoodbr eakfast
.
Kartel t
ookanaxef rom t
hewheel bar
rowand
wentt of i
ndsomef ir
ewood.RonandIst ar
ted
maki ngaf ir
eandmadebr eakfast,agood
fer
ment edsorghum por
ri
dgewi thsourmi l
kand
sugar .AsRonbr oughti
nthefood, If
ixedahot
bathf orSeshaintheotherr
oom andwentt o
tel
lher .
Anohadt
olif
thert
othet
ubasshewasst
il
l
j
usti
nshock.
*
***
***
***
***
***
Arnopouredthehotwaterinthetubandt est
ed
i
tsheatbeforestr
ippi
ngSeshaandgent ly
putt
ingherinsi
de.Hecouldn’
tletherseehis
tear
sashel ookedatherbrui
ses.
HewasgonnamakeLani
’
sdeat
hsl
owand
pai
nful
.
Hetookof fhi
st -
shir
tandputitonthesidewit
h
ablankethehadbr ough,t
hentookofftheTom
Fordundershir
tandusedi tasawashingrag,
gentl
ybathingherwiththesunli
ghtsoapashe
ki
ssedherheadandt ol
dhershewasok…
Whenhewasdone,
hedr
iedherupanddr
essed
heri
nhi
st-
shi
rt
.
ARNO:I’
m sosorr
ybabe…I’
m sosor
ry,
IswearI
wil
lmakehisdeat
hpainf
ul…
SESHA:Iwanttowatch.Whenyoukil
lhi
m, I
wanttol
ookhimintheey eandseehi
mf eel
scar
ed…helpl
ess…feelthewayIdi
d.
ARNO:Youhav
emywor
ld…Iam sosor
ry
Sesha…Il
ovey
ou…
SESHA:AllIcanf eelar
ehiscr
eepyhandsal
l
overme…al lIcansmel l
,hi
scol
ogne
suff
ocati
ngme, hisv
oiceinmyear…his
ci
garet
tetint
edbr eathonmymout h,
choki
ng
t
hebreat
houtofme…hi
s…ohGod,
Iam goi
ng
t
othr
owup…
Shebi
tdownohherl owerl
i
ptoswall
owa
scr
eam asherbodyshooki
nsobs…
SESHA:Ar
nold,please,makemef or
get…
pl
ease…Ineedy ourtouch…Ineedtofeely
ou,
maybeIwil
lfor
get …
Shesai
dassheturnedaroundt
oki
sshi
m,
undoi
nghi
sjeanszipper
…
ARNO:
Babe,
Idon’
tthi
nkweshoul
d…
SESHA:
(sobbi
ng)Yout
hinkIam di
rt
y,don’
t
you…
ARNO:What?No,nev
er…Ij
ust
…af
terwhaty
ou
beent
hrough…I
…
SESHA:Ineedt
ofor
get,Ar
nol
d…please…Iam
beggi
ng…makemef or
get…Ineedi
t.Ineedy
ou.
Atearfi
nal
lyf
ell
downhischeekashehugged
hercl
oser,
cuppi
nghercheeksi
nhishandsand
ki
ssi
ngher,
let
ti
ngherundohi
szi
pperashe
ki
sseddownherneck…
*
***
***
***
***
***
*
LI
KE,
COMMENT,
SHARE

ATHUG’
SLOVE81

Kart
ell
eftwit
hMonktogomeetAr
no’
ssi
ster
andgetthesuppl
i
es.
Theywai
tedi
nthesecl
udedar
eaf
orabi
t.
Kar
telwentofftotakealeakwhent hewhit
e
combiarr
ived.Thegir
lparkedundertheagreed
ontr
eeandcameout .
Shewasashort,cur
vyandchubbymi xedrace
gi
rlwi
thbigbr
ownhai randbiggl
asses,who
woreclot
hestoobulky,pr
obabl
ytotryhideher
vol
uptuousbodyt
hatwasgonnat
urnheadsno
matterwhat
.
Shewalkedli
keshehadtoapologi
seforher
exi
stence,
looki
ngdownandfidget
ingwit
hthe
sl
eeveofhersweater
.
MONK:
Hey
,Iam t
heguy
sAr
nosent
.
Shesmi
l
edathi
m,t
ryi
ngt
ohi
deherbr
aces.
Monksmi l
edbackt hi
nkingshehadthepr et
ti
est
face,wi
ththosefr
ecklesanddimples.She
couldn’
tbeanythi
ngov ert
wentyyearsold.
MONK:Monk… Monkgogi,
butev
ery
onecal
l
s
meMonk.Youarei
ntr
iguedbymyeye…
CRI
SSY:
It’
s… i
t’
snotmov
ing…
MONK: (l
aughi
ng)That
’sbecauseit
’sf
ake.
.My
realonehadtoberemoved.Igotst
abbedoni
t
atthedamagewasextensive.
Shecov
ereshermout
hinhor
ror
.
CRI
SSY:
I…I
’
m sor
ry…Ishoul
dn’
thav
epr
ied.
MONK: Youdon’
thav
etoapol
ogi
sef
orbei
ng
cur
ious.
Kart
elwal
kedov
erandi
ntr
oducedhi
msel
fto
Cri
ssy.
CRI
SSY:Ok,
Igotever
ythi
ng.Nobodyfol
l
owed
mehere,
Iam sur
e.Iwi
llj
ust… uhm… mybi
ke…
Monkgoti
nsi
det
hecombi
andgoti
tforher
CRISSY:Ial
sogotsomeKFCf ory
ourdiner
,and
therestoft
hingst
hatdon’
tneedafr
idge.
MONK:Thanky
ou,
fort
his,
Cry
stal
.Weal
lowe
you.
Shebl
ushedandl
ookeddown.
KARTEL:Al
ri
ght
,youbett
erheadbackbef
ore
i
t’
sdark.St
ayonmainroads.
Shenoddedandr
oadof
fherbi
cycl
e.
KARTEL:
Pret
tyl
i
’lt
hingay
e?
MONK:
(laughi
ng)Idi
dn’
tnot
ice.
KARTEL:Right.Shelooksv er
yyoung,Monk.If
youaret
hinkingaboutpl ayi
ngoutav endet
ta
agai
nstArnof orhi
m pinchingSeshafrom you,
don’
tsheisyoungandl ookssweet,doesn’
t
needtobecaughtbet weeny outwo’sdrama.…
MONK:
I’
m not
…
KARTEL:Soyouwerejustgenui
nelyf
li
rt
ingwi
th
her
?Arnowil
lkil
lyour
,youknowt hat
?Igeta
vi
beheisver
yprotect
ive.
MONK: (
laughi
bg)Chi
l
l,Iam noti
nter
est
ed.I
’
m
happywithPuni
e.
KARTEL:
Uh-
huh…
MONK:(l
aughi
ng)Idon’
tknowwhatyouar
e
t
alki
ngabout
.It
’sget
ti
nglat
e,l
et’
sgo.
*
***
***
***
**
LUBA
Kar
tel
andMonkarri
vedwi
ththegoodsandwe
wer
eallhappy
.Sev
eral
oft
hosedoubl
esleepi
ng
bags, sweatpant sandtshi rts,i
nlargemensi ze
andsomef orladies,andt henf orki
ds.New
under wear,toil
etry,andal otofcannedf ood
andj uice,bottl
esofwat er,awhol el
otof
disposabl ecutleryandpl ates,somef r
uit
sand
veggies, padsandt ampons, candlesand
mat ches, f
irstaidkit,cel
lphoneswi th
registeredsims.Char gedpowerbanks.Andt he
blackduf felbagofammo.
Poorthi
ngmusthavebeenbusyal
ldayan
di
dn’tev
enrest
,wi
thallt
his.
RonandImadeamakeshi f
ttablewithbri
cks
fr
om outsi
de,
andputoutevery
thingbefor
ewe
al
lsatdownandatedi
nner,wit
hr andom
chat
ter
.
Theguyswenttofet
chwateragai
n,andwe
eachhadabathandlai
doutoursl
eepingbags.
Ishar
edminewi
thmygirl
s,wi
thRonnextt
ous
onone.Ar
noandSeshat
ookoneandsetcamp
i
nthecor
rugat
edi
ronshed.
Theboy stookthegr eyblanket
sandwentt o
theotherroom andweal lpr
eparedtof
inall
y
rest
.Webeenact i
vesincey est
ardaymor ni
ng
befor
et hepri
sonbr eak,andwewer eal
l sotir
ed.
*
***
***
***
*
Ronst
oodatthebackoft
hehousesmoki
ng
whenEaappr
oached.
EA:
Yousai
dyouqui
tthatsht
…
RON:
F**
kof
f…
EA:
(laughi
ng)Gi
mmeast
ick.
Shehandedhi
m aci
gar
etteandtheyst
ood
smoki
ngandwatchi
ngthestar
s.
EA:
Ihav
esomet
hingt
osay
…
RON:
(smi
l
ing)Beenl
ongov
erdue…
EA:(
laughi
ng)Whatdoy
out
hinkIam gonna
say
?
Shepi
nchedhi
scheekwi
thal
augh.
RON:
whydon’
tyout
ell
me,
bigguy
?
Hewassi
lentf
orsomet
imeashebl
ewsmoke
t
othecl
ouds.
EA:Youknow…whenwewer ebei
ngchasedby
thepol
i
ce…whenIthoughtIwasgonnadi
e…I
hadonl
yoneregr
et…
RON:Nev
ert
ryi
ngt
hataut
hent
icJamai
can
weed?
EA: (l
aughing)ok,twor egrets.Irememberj ust
thinking,whatasadl i
feI’vehad.Notbecause
mydadki ll
edmymom andsi st
er…notbecause
hegothanged, notbecauseIgr ewupdi rtpoor
andwoul dhavestarvedt odeathifKart
’sfami l
y
didn’tfeedme…butbecauseIhadt hewomanI
l
ov eatmygr aspandIj ustcouldn’tbeman
enought otel
lherIloveher .
RON:
Whydi
dn’
tyout
ell
her
?
EA:(si
gh)IthasalwaysbeenKartwithyou…I
knewIstoodnochance, andtherej
ecti
onwould
hurt
.ButIreali
sedI’
drat
herhavemyt ruthout
andrej
ectedthanliv
eforeveri
ntheshadows…
Hetookanot
herlongdragoft
hecigaret
te,t
hen
t
hrowingi
tonthegroundandstompingitof
f.
Hepull
edher
sfrom hermout
htooand
stompedi
tof
f,t
hencuppedherfaceonhi
s
hands.
EA:Patronell
a,Ilov
ey ou… Ihav elovedyouf
or
aslongasIknewwhatr omant i
cf eel
i
ngswere…
IunderstandifIam noty ourchoice.Butt
hat
’s
myt r
uth.Iloveyousomuchi tconsumesme…
makesmecr azy… Ijust…
Shel
eanedi
nandki
ssedhi
m.
RON:
Iknow,
yousi
l
lygoose…
EA:
Then… but
…
RON:
Imean,
Kar
tisKar
t.Whot
hef
**kdoesn’
t
l
ov ethatf*
*kedupmot herf
**ker?Hecanbe
themostbr ut
al,
cruelpersony ouevercome
acrossonesecond,andt hemostgent l
y,cari
ng
soul t
henext.Igotusedt ohim prot
ecti
ngme…
protecti
ngusall
.Imistookthatforromantic
l
ov e.
Sher
ubbedherf
aceandsi
ghed.
RON: GodknowsIdon’tknowthefir
stthing
aboutlov
e,soevenacr umbofat t
entioncan
confuseme.Especi
all
ywithmyhistorywi t
h
Kart
.Butsomewherethere,Ist
art
edtogeti t.
Shest
aredi
ntospacef
orabi
t.
RON: Af
terIhur tagirlIlovetr
yingtoprovehow
muchbet terIwasf orKar t
…ital
l madesense…I
l
oveKar tbecausehewasmysav i
ourfrom as
youngasIcoul dr emember … evenasaki d,he
mademef eel
strong.IloveLu… thatgirl
becauseshei sev er
ythingIam not,st
rong,
femini
ne,amazi ng,shemakesmef eelalive…
buty ou… youar
emei nanoppositegender.I
am mymostv ul
nerablewit
hy oubecauseyou
arejustf**
kedupasme.Hi deyourfeel
ing
behindthatchar
m…Iam mymostaut henti
c
selfwithyou.Ascared,l
onely
, v
ulner
ablel
ittl
e
gir
l whojustwantstobeloved.
Easwal
lowedhar
d,motbel
i
evi
nghewas
act
ual
lyhear
ingt
his.
Shewasi
ntohi
mtoo?
EA:
Itr
iedt
oshowy
ouhowIf
eel
…
RON:Maybeifyouusedy
ourdamnwor
dsl
i
kea
nor
malperson?
Hewrappedhi
shandsaroundherwai
stand
pul
l
edhertohi
schest
,ki
ssingher
…
*
***
***
***
KARTEL
Iwal
kedout
sideandl
i
taci
gar
ett
e…
Icoul
dseeEaandRongi
ggl
i
ngt
oget
herhand
i
nhand,hol
dingablanket,
astheysnuckof
fto
t
heedgeofthepropertywher
ethegrasswas
l
ongest
.
I
nanot
herdi
rect
ion,
sil
entsobs.
Iwalkedov erandputmyhandonArno’
s
shoulder
,thenjustsatnextt
ohi
m qui
etl
y.
KARTEL:
Thi
sisn’
tyourf
aul
t…
ARNO:I
fonl
yIhadbeenhome…ifIdi
dn’
twor
k
sodamnhar
dunti
ll
ateever
yday
…
KARTEL:
Iti
sn’
tyourf
aul
t.
ARNO:He… her
apedmywi
fe,
Kar
tel
!Her
aped
mywif
e.
Themanl ookedsobr
oken.Heputhi shands
onhisfaceandwentonaf ul
lbreakdownashe
cr
ies,sobsshaki
nghi
sshoulderashet r
iedt
o
swall
owhi spai
nedcr
ies.
ARNO:(sobbing)Herapedher,
andIwasn’
t
ther
etoprotecther
… he… I’
mjustl
i
kemy
father… y
ouknow… heuhm… heusedt
opay
hisgamblinganddrugdebt
swit
hmymother
…
Lani t
ookSeshabecauseofme,he…
KARTEL:Don’t
.Don’tdothattoy
oursel
f.You
knowthosearenotthesame.Amansel li
nghis
gir
lf
ri
endtopayhisdebtsisnotthesameasa
psychoabduct
ingyourwife.
ARNO:Youknowwhatthewor stt
hingi
s?The
worstt
hingi
sshethi
nksIwouldblameherfor
i
t… shesayswhatki
ndofmanwoul daccepta
womanwhohasbeenr aped…
KARTEL:Sheishurt
ing… bestyoucandois
suppor
therandreassur
ehert haty
oulov
eher
j
ustasmuch, t
hatwhathappeneddoesn’
t
changeheroryourl
oveforher…
ARNO:
Ifeel
usel
ess…
KARTEL:Youarenot.Youarethemostuseful
thi
ngtoherr
ightnow.Feel
y ourf
eel
sman,then
wipet
hosetearsandgointhereandbet
hat
f
earl
esssol
dierIsawsi
ncel
astni
ght
.Beher
r
ock.
Ipatt
edhim ont
heshoul
derandwentbacki
n
thehouse.
Iwal kedi
nther
oom Lubawassleepingwit
hthe
gir
ls.Shewasnotasl
eep,j
ustst
aringatthe
cei
ling.
KARTEL:
Yougood?
LUBA:Theyar
etr
aumat i
sed,Kart
…t heykeep
beggi
ngmenottoleavethem,theycrywhenI
getoutoft
hei
rsi
ght…
KARTEL:
Sht
…
LUBA:I
t’
sallmyf
aul
t… Ibr
oughtt
hatpsy
cho
i
ntoourl
ives…
KARTEL:
Howwer
eyoutoknow?Theonl
y
per
sonwhoi
satf
aul
ther
eisPalal
ani
…
LUBA:
Whathappens,Kar
tel
?Whathappens
whenwesurr
ender… webothgodown…t he
gi
rl
s…
KARTEL:
Notyou… y
ouarenotgoi
ngdown.The
gi
rl
sneedthei
rmot
her…
LUBA:
Incasey
ouhav
enotnot
iced…
KARTEL:
Ihav eaplan.I
’
llt
ell
youafterweget
Kyl
i
e… ever
ythi
ngisgonnabef i
ne… Ipr
omise.
LUBA:Holdme?Justabi
t?Ineedtogeti
nmy
weakmomentsoIcanbestrongfort
hem when
theywakeup.
HelaidablanketdownandIcametoli
ewit
h
hi
m, snuggli
nguptothatbi
gbody
,lay
ingmy
headonhi schest
.
Ther oughedgesoft hatmuscul archest
pushingagai nstmybackf el
tsogood…t he
raggedv erymal escenti fhim, thecar essof
thatcall
ousedhand, thedeepandl owbar i
tone
thatwasl ull
ingmet osl eep… i fhesay s
everythi
ngi sgonnabef ine,thenev er
y t
hingis
gonnabef i
ne.
Isnuggl
edev
encloseranddrif
tedof
ftosl
eep,
hati
nghowathomeIf el
tinhi
sarms.
*
***
***
***
***
LI
KE,
COMMENT,
SHARE
ATHUG’
SLOVE82

IwokeupandKart
elwasnotbymysi
de.Iwent
out
sideandf
oundhim byt
hesi
deofthehouse.
Hehadmadesomef i
reandwascooking.
ME:Mhhhh,
thi
smustbeaspecial
day
…we
don’
tseeMrMoseki
int
heki
tchenmuch.
KARTEL:Want
edtomakemyfami
l
yameal
bef
oreIhav
etogo.Comeher
e…
Ihewr
appedhishandsaroundmywaistand
whent
hosethickl
ipshi
tmine,Imoanedatthe
warmt
hthatenvel
opedmybody.
Thenhepul
l
edback,
looki
ngi
nmyey
es,
smi
l
ing.
KARTEL:Idon’tknowhowl ongI ’
m gonnaget,
Luba.Thi
sisgonnabehar d,doingitony our
own.Gett
ingthegirl
sthehelpt heyneed,and
accust
omedt omyabsence.I tbreaksmyhear t
,
butyouareatrooper.I
fther
ei soneper sonwho
candoit,
it’
syou…
Hekissedmyfor
eheadandIcoul
dseet
hepai
n
i
nhisey es.
KARTEL:I
tgetsl
onel
youther
e.Iwanty
out
o
moveon.Findl
oveandhappi
ness.
Ishookmyhead.
ME:
No…
KARTEL:
Yes…y esy
ouwi l
l
.Idemandi
t.You
needemoti
onal
connect
ion,f
ulf
il
ment
…
ME: Youcangi
vemet
hatwheny
oucome
back…
KARTEL:Iwantt
o…butLuba,ther
eisnotel
li
ng
howlongIwil
lbegone.Theyaredef
ini
tel
y
gonnaconsiderusafli
ghtri
sk,sowearenot
gett
ingbail
,i
t’
sstrai
ghtbacktothepenwhen
wesurrender.
ME:
Thendon’
tsur
render
…
KARTEL:Ali
feontheruni
snol i
fe,babe.I
t
meansalwayswatchi
ngoveryourback,and
thati
snotfr
eedom.I’
drat
herdomyt i
meand
thenbefr
ee.
Isobbedandl
aidmyheadonhi
schest
.
KARTEL:NowIhav etobeaf i
rm wi
ththis.You
arenotgonnali
kethi
splan,buti
t’
stheonl yway,
andIam nottaki
ngyourrebel
li
ousshtont hi
s
one.Youaregonnali
stenanddoexactlywhatI
say.
ME:
Youdon’
tgett
o…
Hecutmeoutwi
thaki
ss…
KARTEL:
Iki
dnappedyou.Arnocametotell
me
youbr
okeupwit
hPalalani
andhekidnapped
thekids.Iwasf
urious,Iblamedyouand
kidnappedyouatgunpoi nt…youwerescared…
buty ouwereaf
raidtodie…soy oustayed.
That’swhyyoudidn’tshootforasi
ngletime
throughoutt
hechase.
ME:So,t
hat
’swhyy
out
ookmygunsandonl
y
i
nsi
stedIdr
ive?
KARTEL:Ihel
dyouatgunpoi
nt.Youwer
e
scar
ed.
ME:Kart
el,
youwi
l
lgetext
rat
imef
or
ki
dnappi
ng…
KARTEL:Sobeit…therear
emygi r
l.Heyl
adies,
comehere.Fadzwa,Dani
e,comeseatwit
h
daddyandlet
’seat
.Ihavesomethi
ngt ot
ell
y ou.
Theycameov erandhebr ushedhisteethwith
them andthentheyallwashedt heirf
acesas
theygiggl
edandmadel atherbeard.Aftert
hey
weredone, hesatwit
ht hem, cut
ti
ngpi ecesof
breadandsausagesf orthem.
KARTEL:So,gir
ls,
daddyi
sgonnahav
etogo
awayforali
ttl
ebit…
Dani
est
art
edsobbi
ngandhel
dont
ohi
m.
FADZWA:
Youar
eleav
ingus?
KARTEL:Oh,nobaby…Idon’twantto,
butIhave
to…daddywasabitnaughty,sonowIhaveto
beontimeoutf
oral i
tt
lewhi
le.Now,whatIwant
mybiggir
lstodoistotakecareifmommy .
Makesureshesmilesever
yday,ok?
Thehuggedthem bothandIst
oodattheback
watchi
ngandsobbingasheexplai
nedhisgoi
ng
away.Soontheother
swokeupandweal lsat
eat
ing,moral
eall
aroundlow.
Seshadi
dn’
tcomeoutandAr
not
ookt
hef
ood
toher
.
*
***
***
***
Ar
nowal
kedbacki
ntot
heshedwi
tht
hei
rfood.
ARNO:
Babe,
youhav
etot
ryj
ustal
i
ttl
ebi
t…y
ou
hav
etoeatsomet
hing
SESHA:Whocaresaboutst
upi
dfood,
Arno… I
needyou,
andyouarechoosi
ngtogoto
pri
son…
ARNO:Iam notchoosi
ng,Sesha…I’dlov
et obe
herewi
thyou,butt
hatmeansl i
vi
ngi nhi
ding,
andIam notdoi
ngthattoyou.I
’m sosorry…
I’
m sor
ry…
Hehuggedherandki
ssedherasshebr
oke
downcryi
ng.
*
***
***
***
Kesegosatupinherhospi
talbedinpani
c.Ky
li
e
hadbeenmi ssi
ngsi
nceyestarday
.Shewas
supposedtobri
nghersomethingsfr
om home,
shetookataxi.
God, whati
fshewaski
dnapped?Whatwasshe
thi
nking,maki
ngateny
earoldtakeat
axiby
herself
!
ButKy
li
ehast
akenat
axi
bef
ore.
Hermothersatbyherside,hol
dingherhandas
t
hepoli
ceofficeraskedsomequestion.
MMA- KESEGO:
Kese,don’tst
ressyoursel
fmy
dear
,youarepr
egnant
…t heywillf
indher.
KESEGO:
(sobbi
ng)I
t’
sbeent
went
yfourhour
s
mama!
OFFI
CER: Woul
dshebeany
wher
eel
se?Fr
iends,
r
elat
ives?
KESEGO:Itol
dyouat
housandtimes,no!I
t’
s
Kart
el’
speopl
e…ohmyGod, Iam sostupi
d…
OFFI
CER:
Kar
tel
?
KESEGO:Uhm… herst
epf
atheri
sKgat
hal
o
Moseki
…
OFFI
CER:
Oh… doeshehav
eanyenemi
eswho
woul
dwant…
KESEGO:WhatdoIknow,t
hemanisbei
ng
chasedacr
osst
hecountr
ybypol
i
ce!Theysay
al
l thesel
iesabouthi
m… ohmyGod, whatdi
dif
i
tst rue?Whatifhei
swhotheysayheisandhe
pissedoffthewrongpeopl
eandtheyt
ookmy
chil
d?
*
***
***
***
KARTEL
Aft
erwehadeat en,weloadedupinthecombi
andwenttodr opoffSeshaandthegir
lsather
mother
’splace,thenwewentclosetothe
meeti
ngplace.
Iti
edupLubaandputheri
nthecartr
unk…and
theresthi
daroundt
heabandonedhouse,
whi
le
Iwalkedinal
one.
Palal
ani
sati
nsi
dehol
dingKy
li
ewi
thagunt
o
herhead
PALALANI
:Wher
eismydaught
er…
KARTEL:Notunti
lyougi
vemeaconf
essi
on.No
bul
lsht
,anexactofhowyouf
ramedmefor
ev
ery
thi
ng.
PALALNI:
Yout
hinkt
hisi
sagame?I
’
llki
l
lthi
s
l
it
tl
ebich…
KARTEL: Confess, andwebot hwalkawaywith
ourkids.Don’tconf essorharm mydaughter,
andIwi l
lsellyourst oMexicansfor
prosti
tut
ions,youknowt herearesickmeninto
l
itt
legirl
s.Everysingledayy ouwillknowsheis
outtherebeingr aped,andy ouarenotther
eto
saveher… shewi l
lcallf
ory ou… begformercy,
becomehopel ess… wi shfordeath…
PALALANI
:Al
ri
ght
… al
ri
ght
…
KARTEL:
Ever
ythi
ng.
PALALANI
:(si
ghi
ng)Youar
e…
KARTEL:St
artbysay i
ngyourful
l name,anduse
mineoneveryt
hing.Star
tfr
om thebeginning.
ForPhal
ana…orwi thi
nthehourshewi l
lbe
crammedinashi ponherwayt oMexico.You
knowIam capableofthatandy oudon’twanna
t
ryme.
Ismi
l
edasIt
urnedt
hel
i
veFacebookv
ideoon.
I
twouldtakethepoli
ceaboutanhourt
ofi
gure
outthel
ocati
onfrom t
hisli
vevi
deoandget
heresowesurrender
.
They’dneverknowitwasplanned,t
hey
’dthi
nk
theyfoundus,whichwil
lsel
ltheLubabei
nga
vict
im andall
.
PALALANI :Fi
ne.Mynamei sIgnatiusPalal
ani
Josephs.Imetandf el
lwi thLubalasheMoses
aboutamont handahal fago…ar oundaf t
er
theirl
it
tl
esocial mediaspat .Wegotonf astand
fel
l i
nlove,butthisbastardjusthadt ostart
try
ingtostealherawayf rom me.Hehadt ogo.
Iputcocaineinhi scar,
buthest i
l
l didn’
tget
arrest
ed.
KARTEL: (
laughing)Fool
putiti
nt hewrongcar,
Ihaveseveralanddroveadiff
erentone.Aft
er
thatIsear
chedal lmycarsandcleanedoutthat
sht
.Goon.ForLana
PALALANI:Whent
hatdi
dn’
twor
k,Isnucki
nto
hi
soffi
ce.
KARTEL:How?Secur
it
yfoot
agedoesn’
tshow
youenet
ri
ng.
PALALANI :(l
aughing)Inev erleft
,youidiot.You
havesomanybl indspots.Andi t
’ssoeasyt o
hacky oursy st
emsandr eplaceCCTV f oot age
ofmel eav i
ngf rom thedaybef ore.Andf oral l
yoursecur it
y,youdidn’tthinkaboutt hecl eaner
doorside, didyou?Dumbazz!Ient eredthrough
ther
eandhackedt heshtoutofy ouremai l
sand
sentthem, t
hepol i
cear efool s,
they’dnevert el
l
i
twasf ake.Sot heyplayedr ightintomyhand
andarrestedy ou.
Theguy
’sarr
oganceanddel
usi
onofgr
andeur
wasworki
ngwellforme.
KARTEL:Whydi
dyouki
dnapmydaught
ersand
Sesha…
PALALANI :Now, t
hat…t hatwasn’ tplanned,but
i
twasf ate,yousee?Seshai smywi fe,wear e
meantt obe.Iwentt oconf rontArnoldabout
somet hingheknew t hatwoul druinmy
chanceswi t
hLubalashe,buthewasn’ tthere.
ButIhadt ohaveleveragetokeephi m quiet,
show hi m what’satstakeifhet alked… soI
tookSesha, thekidswer ejustacompl icati
on.I
wasgonnar eturnherthenextdaywhenhe
understood.ButSeshaandIf el
linlove.Shei s
gonnabeLana’ smom… andwewi l
lhavet wo
moreboy s…
Istoppedthevideoandl i
nkedt henewsarticl
e
abouthisembezzl ementandhi m ki
ll
i
nghis
babymamaandhermani nfrontoft
heirchil
d…
ti
meatRi ker
s,andev entuall
ybeingacquitt
ed
becauseoftempor aryi
nsani t
ypleaandment al
i
nstabil
it
y,af
terhisdi agnosiswi t
hanti
social
personal
it
ydisorderwhi chi safancywayof
sayingheacl i
nical psychopath,andalso
di
agnosedwi
thdel
usi
onal
disor
der
.
Ipost
edthevideo,
theni
nst
ruct
edt
heguy
sto
bri
nginLana.
Theywal kedinwithMonkhol dingher,
agunt o
herhead.EaandRuef l
ankedhim atbothsides,
wit
hgunsr eady.RonandArnoas
sharpshootersstayedout
sidereadytoclearup
shti
famessbr oke.
KARTEL:Onacountofthr
ee,wearegonnal
et
thegi
rl
sgo.I
fyoudon’taf
terIl
ety
oursgo,I
’
ll
shoot
.
PALALANI
:(smi
l
ing)Ok…
KARTEL:One… t
wo… t
hree….Run,
pri
ncess!He
l
etgoandKy l
i
etookof
fthesametimeIlet
Lanago.
Aspil
tsecondbefor
eKyl
i
ereachedme, t
hat
psy
choraiseshi
shandsoqui
cklyIbar
elyev
en
sawit
…
I
twasl
i
keev
ery
thi
ngwasgoi
ngi
nsl
owmot
ion.
Thegungoi
ngupandt hreebul
l
etsr
ippi
ng
thr
oughmyli
tt
legi
rl
’sback…
Him gr
abbi
nghisdaught
er’
shandandtry
ingt
o
runwhil
ehi
smenshotatus.Rueforci
ngme
downtoavoidbul
l
ets
MonkandEaunl
eashi
nghel
lont
hosemen…
Pal
alanidr
aggi
ngLana,tr
yingtorun…bot
h
goi
ngdownasIt r
ieddesperat
elytost
opthe
bl
eedingonKyl
ie.
Icoul
dn’
thearmyselfov
ermyownscr eamsas
Istoodupandmadef oethecar.Ihav
et oget
hertoahospi
tal
,Ikeptr
epeat
ingtomy self
.
Abull
etmusthavegott
enmeontheshoul
der,
butIwast oof
ocusedr
unni
ngt
othecartofeel
anyt
hing.
Shereachedherl
i
ttl
ehandasshegaggl
ed
bl
ood…
KYLI
E:I
… Il
ovey
oudaddy
.
KARTEL:No… noKy,no… don’tcl
osey
our
eyes…Ky
lie,
staywi
thme.Ky l
ie…
Ihear
dthepol
i
cesi
rensandthecar
sarr
ivi
ng
asItr
iedt
ogetmybabygi
rlt
othehospi
tal
.
OFFI
CER:
Youar
esur
rounded.Ther
eisnowher
e
t
orun…
KARTEL:Pl
ease… sheneedsadoct
or…
pl
ease…
Theyjustkeptthei
rgunstr
ainedonme,and
ever
ysecond, mybaby’sbr
eathbecamelabor
ed.
Herey
esr
oll
edbackandsheherchestst
opped
r
isi
ng…
Aferal
scream escapedmyt
hroatasIf
ell
tomy
kneeshol
dingher…
KARTEL:
Kypl
ease… pl
ease…
Myt
ear
sfellt
oherst
il
lchestasthepoli
ceput
mei
nhandcuff
sonme.Isawt herestofmy
crewal
onganyofthesurvi
vi
ngofLani’
smen
cuff
edandmarchedtothepoli
cecar
.
‘
Ther
eissomeonei
nthet
ruck…someonei
sin
t
hetr
unk…’
Ihear
doneoft
heof
fi
cer
syel
l
ing.
Throughmyblur
rywit
htearsvi
sion,Isawt
hem
takeoutat
iedupLubafrom t
het r
unk…
Iscreamedandthrashedandf
oughtast
heyput
Kyli
e’sl
it
tl
ebodyintoabodybag.
Thisi
swr ong… t
hisi
swr
ong,
kidsar
enot
supposedtodie…
*
***
***
***
*
LI
KE,
COMMENT,
SHARE
ATHUG’
SLOVE83

Isati
nthei
nter
rogat
ionr
oom wi
pingmyt
ear
s.
DETECTI
VE:
So,
tel
lmewhathappenedwhen
y
ouendedt
her
elat
ionshi
pwi
thMrJosephs.
ME: Hewouldn’thaveit
.Youhaveto
underst
andthatmani smental
lyunsound.
Stal
kingmeandal l.It
ri
edtohi
deittoKart
el
thatIbroughtsuchamani nt
oourkidsli
ves.
DETECTI
VE:
Kids?
ME:Kartelf
ull
yacceptedther
esponsibi
l
ityof
mysisterasherf
ather.Wewer egonnamakeit
l
egal,
bothofusadopt i
ngherasourdaughter.
WhichiswhatsetPalalani
off
.
DETECTI
VE:
Arey
ouandMrMoseki
dat
ing?
ME:Thingsbet
weenKartel
andIare
compli
cated…youobvi
ousl
ysawthevi
deoof
hi
m cal
lingmecrazy
…
DETECTIVE:Andonewhereyougav
ehi
m ar
ide,
andevenwithoutwor
ds,
heinsi
nuat
edy
ouwere
backt
ogether.
ME:
LikeIsai
d…Compl
i
cat
ed.Iguesst
he
whol
eadopt
ingFadzwat
oget
hergav
ehi
m
i
deas.
DETECTI
VE:Whyadoptachi
l
dwi
thamany
ou
ar
enotdati
ng.
ME:Ihavenev
ermetabet t
erfat
her
…heis
amazi
ngwithourdaught
er.I
t’
swhat’
sbestf
or
thegi
rl
s.
DETECTI
VE:Howdidwegether
e,y
oust
uff
edi
n
atr
unkofhi
scar?
ME: AfterKar t
elwasar r
ested, Kartel
’sfr
iend
ArnoldNor thmanr emember edPal al
anifrom
somewher e.Hedugdeepandf oundwhathe
haddone, t
hathehadki l
l
edhi sgi r
lfr
iendand
partner.PalalanisuspectedAr noldknew, sohe
wentt otheirhouset othreatenhi m.LikeIsaid,
themani scrazy.Whenhef oundonl yAr norl
d’s
wifewhoi smyf ri
endSesha, withourtwoki ds,
hedeci dedt okidnapthem.
OFFI
CER:
Wher
ewer
eyouatt
hist
ime?
ME:Atmyplace.Myfri
endt
akesthekidsf
rom
ti
metoti
met ogiv
emeabr eak.Besi
desKart
el,
Ihav
enootherhelp.
DETECTIVE:
Backt
othest
ory
,howdi
dweend
uphere?
ME: Iwast er
rifi
edwhent heki
dswer e
kidnapped.Itri
edtor easonwithPalal
anibuthe
saidhewoul dkillt
hem ifIwenttothepolice.
Themani sunstable,Ialr
eadyknewheki l
ledhis
girl
fri
endandherl over,soIbeli
evedhim.Itri
ed
tobuyt i
met alki
ngt ohim, t
houghtIwould
conv i
ncehim.ButAr noldsentamessagei n
prisontotell
Kar t
elaboutt heki
dnapping.
DETECTI
VE:Youwentt
oseeKar
tel
aweek
bef
orehebr
okeout.
ME: Kar
telismybabydaddyandmyf ri
end,I
carealotabouthim.ButIwastooter
ri
fi
edto
tel
lhim becausehewouldblameme.SoIli
ed,
becauseIthoughtIhadthesit
uat
ionunder
control.Youcanev ensewt hetapesofmy
viai
tati
on, heaskedifev eryt
hingwasokandI
saiditwas.ButheandAr nohadadi ff
erentidea
Iguess, theyburstoutofpr i
son, andKar t
el
camef orme.Hehel dmeatgunpoi ntand
demandedIgi vehim hi
ski ds,thatIgavet hem
tomyboy f
ri
endandal l
.Hegotat iponwher e
Palalaniwas, andhedraggedmet heretoget
them.That ’
swheny ousawusandgav echase.
Everyl
ieIt
oldcutl
ikeasharpknif
e,butIsee
whereKart
elwasgoingwiththi
s.Mygirl
s
neededme.Ihadto.
DETECTI
VE:
So,
arey
oucl
aimi
ngv
ict
imi
nal
l
thi
s?
ME:Iam…det
ect
ive.Hemademedr
ivehi
m and
sai
dhewoul
dshootme.
DETECTI
VE:
Arey
ouwi
l
li
ngt
otest
if
ythi
sin
cour
t?
ME:
Iwi
l
lnott
est
if
yagai
nstmybabydaddy
,and
youcan’
tmakeme.ButIam av i
cti
m here.He
stuf
fedmeinthetrunkandsaidheonlywanted
hiski
ds,
whenhegi tthem,hewouldtakethem
somewheresafeandt hengobacktopri
son.
DETECTIVE:Youar
ev er
yfor
thcomingwit
h
i
nfo…lastti
mewetalkedyouwouldn’
ttel
lon
hi
m atall
.
ME:Youareaccusingmeofacr i
meIdi dnot
commi t
.Acri
meIwasav i
cti
m of.Ihave
ever
ythi
ngtolose,Ihavetwodaught erwho
needme.Ihavenoot herchoicebuttobe
honest.
DETECTIVE:YouknowKart
elwil
lbecharged
wit
hkidnappi
ngtoo?Ontopofever
ythi
ngelse?
ME:DoInotneedtolaythosecharges?Yes,he
ki
dnappedme,butIam choosingtofor
give.I
wi
llnotbeanypar
tofyourkidnappi
ngcase.
DETECTI
VE:
Yout
hinkt
hisi
sagame,
don’
tyou?
ME:
Myl
i
fei
snotgame,
det
ect
ive.Ver
ycal
l
ous
ofyout oinsi
nuat ethat.Car ef
ulyoudon’ twant
toendupexcusedf r
om t hiscasebecauseof
prej
udice.Yup,Iknowhowt hi
nggo, oneofmy
cell
mat eswasf or merlawy er.Iknowany t
hing
thathindersf
airnessi nacasecangety ou
excused.Youseem t oper sonall
yhav eat hi
ng
againstmebecauseIwoul dnott ur
nonKar tel
l
astt i
me.Now, ifyouhav enot hingelsetohold
meon, canIl
eav e?
Hewentonf orabitmoreandIwasl etgoand
toldnottoleavet
hecity.ButIknewtheyhad
not hi
ngtoholdmewi t
h.AlltheboysandRon’s
i
nt err
ogat
ionmatchedmi ne.ThatIwas
kidnapped.
WhenIgothomeIsatr
eadi
ngt
henewson
Facebook.
Alt
ogether
,eightmenweredead, andtwogirl
s,
PhalanaJosephsandKy l
ieFrankli
n.Pal
alani
hadsuffer
edintensi
vei
njuri
esandwasi nICU,
butali
ve…
Iwassoexhaust
ed,
butIneededtoseemygi
rl
s
andtal
ktomybestfr
iend,
soIheadedtomma-
Sesha
*
***
***
***
***
*
Kesegol
aidi
nbednumb.
Thiswassimplyal
ie,
herKywasaboutto
bounceinher
ewithherkar
ateuni
for
m andt
alk
herheadoff
.
Thedoct orwal
kedi
ntogiveherhi
ghblood
pressuremedici
neandcheckonthebaby’
s
vi
tals.
DOCTOR:Youarebothmor establ
enow.Ms
Fr
ankl
in,
Iunder
standy ourci
rcumstance,but
pl
easedotr
ytokeepy ourstr
esslevel
slow.It
af
fect
sthebaby.
*
***
***
***
*
KARTEL
ThenextdayLubashowedupwi
thmyl
awy
er
andanot
her
.
LUBA: Kart
,thi
sisLesley..Iam t
oldheisa
beast.Hesay sy ouguysneedtosuef or
unl
awf ular
restandpolicebrut
ali
ty.Ihav
e
photosofy ouItookthatdayintheholdi
ngcel
l
aft
ertheygoty ou…
KARTEL:(
smi
l
ing)That
’smygi
rl
… so,
howdoes
thi
sgo?
LAWYER:Onceal
lofyouagr
eetosue,
Iwi
l
lput
i
tfor
wardandasktocutadeal
.
KARTEL: HowaboutRonandAr
no.They
weren’
tfalsel
yimpr
isoned…
LAWYER: Nonofthem haveacriminalrecor
d,
theywilll
i
kelybechargedwithaidi
ngand
abetti
ng.Andprobablyassaul
ttowar dsapoli
ce
offi
cer.Buttheworstofital
lforal
l ofyouis
theeightmenandt wokidswhodi ed.
KARTEL:Ihaveavi
deothatwouldarguesel
f
def
ense.Aftert
hel
ivev
ideo,Ikeptacamera
runni
ng.Heshotmydaught
erandthenthey
cameatusfir
st.Wemerel
ydefendedoursel
ves.
LAWYER:(smili
ng)Thati
sanincr
edi
ble
dev
elopment.Thisi
slooki
nggood.
*
***
***
***
**
LUBA
Ir
eal
l
yfel
tbadf
orKesego,
nobodydeser
vest
o
l
oseachi
l
d.
Ideci
dedt
ogooffermycondol
encesandany
hel
pshemayneed.
IaskedKartel
aboutherhomev
il
lage,
then
drovether
e.
Ipar
kedt
hecarandwal
kedi
n.
AsIwal
kedtowar
dst
hedoor
,Kar
tel
’
smot
her
wal
kedovert
ome.
MME:
Whatar
eyoudoi
ngher
e,y
ouwi
tch?
ME:
Canwenotdot
hisr
ightnowwhenachi
l
d
haspassed?
MME: Kegorey oujustcoul
dn’
tstandwatching
mychi ldprosperandgetmar r
ied.Youhadto
bewitchhim, makehi mlosehi
sdaughterand
hisbusinessesareshutdown, heisinpr
ison…
youar eawi t
ch… acul twi
tch!
Shecameatmeandt
ri
edt
ohi
tmewi
that
ray
shewashol
ding.
Ij
ustduckedit
,butshecameatmeagai nthi
s
ti
megrabbingmeandhi t
ti
ngme.Ijustpushed
herof
fandshef el
ldownscreami
ng.
MME: (cryi
ng)Ij
ooo,whatdemonhasKgat hal
o
broughtint
oourf amil
y!Lookatherattackme…
thi
sisthedwmonmysonwant s?Theonewho
beatshismother?Ijommeweee!l ookather,
dotheyraiseyout obeatyourelder
sinthecul
t?
Shescr
eamedwi t
hherhandsont
opofher
headasKesego’
smom andBopakicamet
o
her.
Ididnotev
enseeKesegowal
kov
ert
ome.She
punchedme,t
hentackl
edmedownt
othe
ground.
KESEGO:(screami
ng)youkil
l
edmychi ldyou
wit
ch!Youkil
ledmychil
d!I
fy ouhadjustl
etmy
famil
ybe,thi
swouldn’
thavehappened.
Ipushedheroff,evenint hisanger i
ng,
embar assi
ngmoment ,beingcar efulnottohurt
herbecauseshei spregnantandmour ning.I
understandheranger.Buti tdieanitgiveherthe
ri
ghttocomeatmel i
ket hat.LikeIsaid,she
hadusedupal lhergetoutofj ailf
reecar dswit
h
mewhenshet ri
edt okill
me.
Whenshewasof
fme,
Ihotsl
appedher
.
Iwasj
ustsot
ir
edandangr
y.
ME: I
fyourhadjuststayedinamai d’
splace,
noneofthiswouldhav ehappened,youstupid
bich.Ihi
redyoutobemymai d, andwhatdo
youdo?Youbr eastf
eedmychi ld,whathorr
ibl
e
shti
sthat
.
Isai
dasIsl
appedheragai
n.
ME:Youmakeherbel
i
eveyouarehemother,
yousl
eepwit
hmyboyfri
endandgetpr
egnant
byhi
m, andt
heny
outrytoki
ll
me!
Iwasraini
ngslapsonher
.Twoment ri
edtopul
l
meoff,butIkneedoneonthecr
otchand
el
bowedt heother
.
ME: Don’tt
ouchme!Don’ tf**ki
ngtouchme, I
comeher ewithgoodwi llof
feri
ngtopayf ort
he
funeralasyouhav enothi
ng,andKar t
el’
s
accountsarefrozen,thi
siswhatyoudo?And
howdi dthatevenwor koutforyoubecauseyou
havebeenbeggi nghimt ostayandhewent
onli
neandt ol
dpeopl eyoutwohav ebrokenup.
KESEGO: Heisacti
ngexact
lyli
keamanundera
spel
l.Youknowwhaty oudi
d.Selokweenasa
gosacrif
iceyourownmotherforri
ches.Why
didyourl
itt
lesal
onboom afteryourmother
di
ed?
Isl
appedheragai
n.Andagai
n,andagai
n…
Memoriesofmymot herdyi
nginmyhands
fi
ll
edmyheadast ear
scloudedmyeyes.Iwent
herhar
d,punchi
ngandslapping,
nol
onger
cari
ngthatshei
spregnant
..
Peopl
efoughttodragmeoff
,anditt
ookthr
ee
bi
gmenev enthoughIwasl
essthanhal
fthe
si
zeofeachofthem.
Iwassti
l
lscr
eami
ngandki
cki
ngwhent
hey
pul
ledmeoff
.
ME:
Youdon’
tgett
otal
kaboutmymot
her
!
KESEGO: Di
dyouneedanothersacri
ficeto
keepi
tgoing?I
sthatwhymychi l
disdead?You
don’
tgettoki
ll
mychildandkeepy ours,Luba!
Youdon’t
.Haelesengwewewi llbothmour n.
Iwriggl
edotoft
hemen’sarmsandcameat
her
.Ipushedheragai
nstthewal
lfi
ght
ing
Bopaki
offasshet
ri
edt
opul
lmeaway
.
ME:Ifyouever,ev
erthr
eat
enmychi l
drenagain,
Kesego,IsweartoGodIwi
llputabul
letonthat
st
upidbrain.
It
urnedandl
ookedatKar
tel
’
smom.
ME: Andy ou… y oudement edfakeChristianold
witch!Doy ouknowhowy oursoncamet obe
themanhei s?Youar equicktof or
getwhen
yourhomewasanunpl asteredcorrugatedi r
on
roofedt wor ooms, wheny ouwentt obedonan
empt ystomach.Youknowwhohel dy ourson
downwhenhecoul dnotmaker ent
?Yes, me,
withcul tmoney .Whenhewashungr y,Ifedhim
andboughty oupeoplegrocerytoo.Itookcar e
ofhi m whenhewasdown, andKartelknows
that.Wenawhohasnev erworkedadayi ny our
l
ife,nowy ouwantt ocallmenames?Youar ea
l
eechact inglikearichwoman, alwayst aking,
taking,taking!Karteli
stir
ed!Nxla.
Iwal
kedof
ftomycarangr
il
,thendr
oveoff.
.I
par
kedatt
hesi
dei
ftheroadandsatcry
ing.
Iwant edtohelpthi
sgirl
..Iknowshedoesn’ t
hav eanymoneybecauseshewasenj oy i
nglif
e
thinkingshewasmar ryi
ngar ichman. .With
Kar tel’
saccountsaccount ssti
ll
frozen,Ij
ust
want edtohelpwithfuneralcostsandupkeep
themedi calcar
dsoshecoul dgot oprenatal
visitatprivat
ehospital
slikesheusedt o… f
or
Kar tel’
sbaby ’
ssake.
ButIguessthat’
swhatIgetforplay
ingagood
Samarit
an.Ohwel l
,theycanst
arve,especial
l
y
thatBopakii
sdivor
cingandwillnol
ongerhav e
accesstotheThapelofamil
yfundstot akecare
ofthem al
l.Nxl
a.
Ifeel
sobadwi shi
ngKesegowouldlosethat
babyandjustbeoutofKartel
’
sli
fe,butIdo.
Andifthatmakesmebad, sobei
t,Ihopethat
bi
chlosesherbaby.
*
***
***
***
*
LI
KE,
COMMENT,
SHARE
ATHUG’
SLOVE84
KARTEL
Iwalkedi
ntoi
nter
rogat
ionwher
eDet
ect
ive
Obsessedwit
hmehaddemandedtoseeme.
KARTEL:(
laughi
ng)Youl
ookpr
ett
yint
hatt
-
shi
rt
,sweeti
e.
LEGACY:
Thi
sisnotagame,
Kgat
hal
o.
KARTEL: (laughing)Imean,witht
hismuch
obsession, Imightaswellstar
tpayi
ngy ou
someat tent i
onbeforeyouhackmyj unkoff
withanel ectri
csaworwhat everi
tisobsessed
bi
chesdo.Sooo…di dyoujustwanttoseemy
prett
yface, or?
LEGACY:
Isawy
ourl
i
ttl
elawsui
t.
KARTEL:Oh,youmeanwhereIwantyoupeopl
e
tobeaccount
ablef
orfal
sel
yimpr
isoni
ngme?
Af
teryouhadf al
sel
yarr
estedmeonhaving
gl
ucoseinmycar .Thenbeati
ngt
heshtoutof
meandt or
tur
ingmeal l
night,
wat
erboar
ding
me…andbeat i
ngmeupev enmor
e…
LEGACY:
Youknowt
hatwasn’
tus.
KARTEL: WhatthehelldoIknow.AllIknowisI
wasarrestedandtortur
edallni
ght.Atsome
poi
nttoldyouareawar eIdidnotsendthe
email
s,butyouwant edmet ofal
sely
i
ncri
minatemyassoci atesandfri
ends…and
whenIdidn’t
,youstuckmei npri
sont opuni
sh
me.
LEGACY:
Don’
tactl
i
key
ouar
einnocent
.
KARTEL: Whatdoyoupeopl ecal
lthis…uhm…
profil
i
ng,i
sit?Youdi
dn’tevenbother
authenti
cat
ingtheemail
s,youjustjumpedto
arrestme.Whichhascausedmegr eatment
al
tr
auma.
LEGACY:
Becausey
ouar
esot
raumat
ized.
KARTEL:That
’suptothecour t
s…andy ouhave
rui
nedmyimageandr eput
ation…cost edme
mil
li
onsinbusi
ness.Iwanteverycentofi tandI
am wil
l
ingtogoallt
heway ,
internat
ionalcourts
andall
.
LEGACY:Whatdoy
ouwant
?Youescaped
pri
son!
KARTEL: Iwoul dnothavebeeni npr i
sonint he
fi
rstplace!Iwouldhav ebeenhomepr otect i
ng
myki ds.So,Iwillbeargui
ngy oupushedal lmy
acti
ons.Iam justaf at
herwhodi dwhat ev erit
takestopr ot
ectmyki dsfrom apsy chopat h.
Andwhenal lwasdone, Isur
renderedwi thouta
fi
ght,ingoodf ait
h.Thejudgewi l
ll
ikelybuy
that…
LEGACY:
So,
whatdoy
ouwant
?
KARTEL:Ah,
readyt ocutadeal?Her
eisathing,
Legacy
.Wedidn’tmeant oki
llany
one.That
’s
whynopoli
ceofficerwashurt
.Weonlywentf or
yourwheelsthroughoutthechase.Justt
ostop
youl ot.Mychil
drenwereindanger,wit
ha
psy chopat
h.Andweal lknowyouguy shavea
trackrecordofarr
ivi
ngtoolat
e.Icouldn’
t
dependofy ou.That’
swhyIhadt ogosav e
them.
LEGACY:
Youmur
der
edt
enpeopl
e!
KARTEL: I
nsel f
-defense,andIhav eav i
deot o
provet hat.Icamet odot heexchange.They
startedshoot i
ngandwedef endedour sel ves.
Besides…Iheart hebul l
etst hatshott hoseei ght
menandt hegi rlwereallregi st
er edt ot hepolice,
andmysour cecanpr oveit.Asf arasIknow,
youwal kedi nthereandopenedf ir
e, kil
lingeight
criminalsandt woki ds.Ory ouwantt ot el
l me
simpl ecivil
ianslikemecoul downpol iceguns?
Ther ear esomanyst ri
kesagai nsty ouLegacy .
Ifallthiscameout ,youar rest i
ngmef or
glucose, whi chpeopl ealr
eadyknow, you
arrestingmef orfakeemai ls…butt het or t
ure
andabuse…t
heopeni
ngfir
einthatscene…nx
nxnx…i
tcoul
drui
nyourcar
eer.
LEGACY:
Youdon’
texpectt
owal
kfr
om t
hisdo
you?
KARTEL:(l
aughinbg)Hey
,thisisacountr
y
wher
ey oucanshootaper sonpointbl
ankand
sayyouthoughtitwasadog, t
henwalkfree.
Whoknowswhat ’
spossi
ble?
LEGACY:
Youknowthat
’snotgonnahappen.
Whatdoyouwant
?
KARTEL: Any thingmur dergoesaway ,y
oucan’ t
putthoseguy sonus, theywer eshotwit
hy our
gunsany way .Andobv iousl
ytherestofthesht
wewer ear restedforisgonenowt hati
t’
s
provenf alse.Ouronl ypr obl
em nowi st
he
escapingf rom pr i
son,whi chisyoupeople’
s
faul
tany way ,butanyway …ont hoseremaining
charges, t
hent heminimum sent enceyoucan
negotiatef orus.Ouraccount sneedtobeopen
andbusi nessesbackt ooper ati
onal, si
ncethe
wholeemai l
sshthasgonei nsmokes.Legal ly
y’
allshouldhav edonet hatbynow.Youcannot
fr
eezeaccount sofsomeonef orescapi ng
pri
son, i
thasnot hingtodowi t
haccount sor
businesses.Dot hat,andifi
t’sasweetdeal ,I
wil
lforgetaboutt hiswholefalsei mpr i
sonment
andhar assmentsht .Wontev ent ellpeoplethat
Botswana’ sfi
nestusest ort
ur emet hodsl i
ke
waterboardingtointerrogat
e…
LEGACY:
Thatwasnotus.
KARTEL:(
smi l
i
ng)WhatdoIknow?Tomei t
wasthepoli
ce.Getmemydeal,Legacy,andmy
crewandIdoourtime,
andwepar tways.Unt i
l
youcomebackwi t
hanappet
izi
ng, wewillbe
keepi
ngourlawsui
t.
*
***
***
***
***
***
***
***
**
LUBA
WhenIwokeup,
Iwast
rendi
ngonFacebook
again.What ’
snew.Atthisrat
eIshoul
djustbe
aninfluencerorwhatev
ertheyarecal
l
ed.Itr
end
moret hanmostoft hem anyway
.
Inolongerevenbot
herreadi
ng,becauseno
matterhowthickaski
ny ouhave,
someofthe
thi
ngspeoplesaycutl
ikesht.
Ibathedmybabi
es,
thendr
oppedt
hem atmma
Sesha.
ME:
Howi
sshedoi
ng?
MMA- SESHA: Lubangwanaka,Iam sti
ll
hurto
ntobet
sethatmydaught erandmygr andbabi
es
werekidnapped,Ihadtohearitont
he
Facebook.
ME: Iam sosorr
y…butIdi
dn’
twantt
owor
ry
you.Withyourhi
ghbloodpr
essur
e…
MMASESHA: Ihearyou…butwhathappened
outt
her
e?Shewon’ tt
alk,
won’
teat…won’t
comeoutofherroom…
ME:Sheuhm…sheisjustt
raumat
izedbecause
t
hatmanisapsycho…Iwil
lgoseeher.
Iwenti
ntoSesha’
sbedr
oom andl
aidbesi
deher
.
ME:Babe,
didy
outaket
hatpi
l
l…It
hinkwewer
e
st
il
li
nthe72hrswi
ndowwhenwecameback.
Shej
ustnoddedandIsi
ghedi
nrel
i
ef.
ME: Iuhm…Ibeent akingFadzwat othi
s
ther
apist…akiddieone.Iwenttoseehert oday
soshecanst artseeingDedetoo,aft
erall
this…
Buttherear
eadul tonesatthehospital
.It
alked
tooneandshewi l
ltakeyou.
Sheshookherheadno.
ME:Iwil
ldragyououtofherekicki
ngand
scr
eamingifIhaveto,
butyouar enotdoi
ngthi
s
sht
.Yes,badshthappenedtoy ou,
Sesha.But
youhavenotimeforselfpi
ty.
SESHA:
(cr
ying)Youdon’
tknowhowi
tisLuba…
ME:
Real
l
y?Idon’
t?Idon’
tknowhowbei
ng
rapedisli
ke?OnlysinceIwasachi ld,
allt
he
wayi nt
oadulthood.Iknowhowi tfeel
stobe
power l
ess…tofeeldir
ty,usel
ess…wonderwhy
you… may beevenf i
ndsomewayt oblameiton
yoursel
f.So,don’
ttellmeIdon’tknow!
SESHA:
I’
m sor
ry…
ME:Idon’
tneedsorr
y,Ineedmyf r
iendback.
Andcanyoubeli
evetheyhaveaspotbooked
fory
ouinanhour?Getdressed…
SESHA:
I…
ME:Getdr essedoryouar espit
ti
ngont heface
ofeverysurvi
vorwhodoesn’ thaveaccessto
tool
sandpeopl ewiththerighthel
ptoheal.You
haveaccess, t
akeadvantageifit
.Feel
ingsorry
foryoursel
fisusel
ess.
SESHA:I
fther
apyi
ssogood,whyaren’
tyou
goi
ng?Godknowsyouhavemoreshttoget
thr
ought
hananenti
regal
axycombi
ne.
ME:
Doy
ouseemeal
lboo-
hooIhadat
ough
l
ife?Nah.Iknowhowt ohealmyself
,andself-
pityisnotpar
tofmymandate.Youneedhel p.I
don’t.AndIam gonnamakesureyougetit.You
hav eworkedtoodamnmucht oletapsycho
toppleyou.Let’
sgo.
Shesighedandgotdr essed,t
henmademedo
hermakeup, becauseGodf or
bidthequeenof
fancysteppedoutsidel
ookedlikeshehadbeen
cryi
ngforthepastfourdays.
*
***
***
***
***
***
***
*
KARTEL
ThenextdayIgotav
isi
tandwassur
pri
sed
whenIfoundmme.
KARTEL:
Mme…
MME: (
sobbing)YouseeKgathalo,
yousee,
now
Iknowtheinsi
deofapr i
sonbecauseofyou
l
etti
ngthatgi
rlmanipul
ateyou.
Isweari
fIr
oll
edmyey
esbackanyf
urt
her
,they
woul
dembedonmybr ai
n.Sotypi
cal
mme.
Her
sareal
waysper
fect,
it’
stheot
her
spol
l
uti
ng
t
hem.
KARTEL:Iam sur
pri
sedy
oucame.Youmust
wantsomethi
ng.
MME:
Howdar
eyouspeakofmel
i
ket
hat
!
KARTEL:It’
strue…youwouldn’
tcomet oa
pri
sonunlessy ouwant
edsomething.Imean,
youhaven’tcomesinceIwasarrested,thel
ast
ti
meIsawy ouwasatthepoli
cest ati
on.
MME:Enough!Enough!Iwi
l
lnotlety
ouspeak
tomel
ikethat
,Iam yourmother
.Wehaveto
bur
yKyl
ie,
andt her
eisnomoney …
KARTEL:
Knewi
t…
MME:
Kgat
hal
o!
KARTEL:Myaccount
saresti
l
lfr
ozen,
mme.
Theysai
ditwi
llt
akeuptoamonthatbestt
o
openupever
ythi
ngandhaveusbacki
n
busi
ness.
MME: Jaanomgwhatshal lwebur ythechi
ld
with,Kgathalo?AndIneedmoneyf ornext
week, atchurchwear egoingf orawoman’ s
ret
reatandIwantt obookt hebigniceroom
beforethatgr eedywomanmmaLebang
snatchesi t
.Andy ourcousinismov i
ngto
Gabor onetost artheruni
v ersi
ty,sheneedsa
l
itt
lehelpt oset t
le.Andalsohomenecessi ties.
Yoursal onsar eopen,can’twet akefrom t
here?
KARTEL:
Sal
ons?Whi
chsal
ons?
MME:
Mxi
m…t
heonesy
ougav
ethatst
upi
dgi
rl
.
KARTEL:Youar
enotgonnat
alkaboutherl
i
ke
that
.AndIdon’
thav
eanysal
ons.
MME: Theyar
eyour
s,Iknowy
ouboughtt
hem.
I
fthatwit
chthi
nksy
oucankeep…
KARTEL:Iam notgonnahav
eyoudisrespect
ing
themotherofmychildandt
hewomanIl ove
anymore.I
t’
senough,mme.Enough.Ihavekept
quiethopingot aikagaomogol o,butyoukeep
i
nsul t
ingherandhopi ngshewi llbequiet
?You
knowIwi l
lnev erdisr
especty ou,butyoukeep
tr
eatingherliket his,
don’texpectmet obei n
yourlifeanymor e.Ifyouwantf inanci
al
assistancefrom Luba, goaskher ,eventhoughI
don’tseeanyr easonwhysheshoul d,whenall
youpeopl eev erdidwast reatherbadly.
MME:
Iknowy
oudi
dn’
tseei
t,butshe…
KARTEL:TheFacebookvideoswherey ouand
Kesegoatt
ackedher?Mme, it
’senough!That
poorwomanhassuf f
eredenoughbecauseof
meandpeopleinmyl i
fe,
justleaveheral
one.
Enough.
Istoodupandwal kedbackf eel
i
nghurt…howI
al
way sputmyf ami l
yf i
rst
,Ihavedone
everyt
hingdonet heunimaginablet
okeept hese
peopleafl
oat…andal l
Iaskisacceptanceofthe
onewomanIl ov e,andt hi
siswhatIget.I
’m
ti
red.Andhonest l
yfinall
yreadytowalkawayif
theycannotacceptmywifetobe.Famil
yis
whatyoumake, andIhavealovingwomanand
twobeautif
uldaught
ers.Iam r
eadytowal
k
away.
*
***
***
***
***
***
**
LUBA
Ihadjustgott
enacal
lthatIshoul
drepor
ttot
he
poli
cestati
on.WhenIarr
ived,
Kesegowas
si
tti
ngthere.
Y’
al
l,ai
ntt
hisbi
chsupposedt
obelay
ingona
matt
ressathome?Whati
ntheact
ualhel
l
?
ME:
Whatnow?
OFFI
CER: Goi
d,youar
ehereatthesamet ime.
MsFrankli
nhasjustl
odgedanassaultcase
agai
nstyou…Iwouldli
ketotakeyouraccount
ofwhathappened.
ME:Ofcour
se,ofcour
se.Andwhi
leIam here,
I
woul
dli
ketolodgeanatt
emptedmurdercase…
wehav
eaCCTVoft
heper
son…
Iwat
chedherpal
eandal
mostl
aughed.
KESEGO:
Uhm…Luba,
canwet
alkout
side?
ME:
Iwoul
dn’
twannaassaul
tyou,
dear
…
KESEGO:
Of f
icer
,for
giv
eme,It
hinkt
her
ehas
beenamisunder
standi
ng?
OFFICER:Eng?Soshedi
dnotassaultyoukana
j
ang?Nxla,lonal
erat
agoretshamiki
setsa
nakowiat
se, doy
ouknowit
’sacri
met or epor
t
l
ies?
KESEGO:
I’
mreal
l
ysor
ry.
Theoffi
cercussedl
oudl
yasheatt
endedt
he
nextper
sonwhi l
eIwal
kedoutwi
thasmil
e.
KESEGO:
Howdar
eyou…
ME:Howdar eIwhat
?Repor tyoufort
ryi
ngt
o
ki
ll
me?Sweet i
e,t
hereisfootageofyou
ent
eringmyhome.Kartel
install
edCCTVwhen
hereali
zedhewasbeingframed.Hewas
wor ri
edofpeopl ecomi ngafterus.Any way ,
I
hav eproofofy oubreakingintomyhome, and
trustme, y
ouwon’ tbeabl et
oliey our
self
throughinter
rogat i
on.Stayawayf rom meand
Iwon’ tbothery ou.Tr
ycomeaf termeormy
kidsandIwi ll
showy ouhel l
thelikeyouhav e
nev erhear
dof .Nxla…thr owingstonesf r
om a
glasshouse.St upid.
*
***
***
**
Lat
eratnightj
ustaft
erIputt
hegir
lst
osleep
andIlai
dinbed,Igotacal
lfr
om anumberI
di
dn’tknow.
ME:
Hel
l
o?
KARTEL:
Heybabymama…
ME:(smi
l
ing)Mxi
m,babymamakeengmogo
nna.
KARTEL:
Howar emygirl
s?SorryImissed
bedti
mestor
y.Ifeel
badi
fIcal
l andt
heykeep
beggi
ngmet ocomeseethem andIcan’
t
ME:
It’
sok…
KARTEL:
Andhowi
smymai
ngi
rl
?ME:
(si
ghi
ng)
I
’
m good.GotDedei
nther
apywi
thFadzwa’
s
t
herapi
st.
KARTEL:That
’sgood.ButIam aski
ngabout
you.Howareyou?
ME:
Whatdoy
ouwantmet
osayKar
tel
.Iam ok.
KARTEL:I’
m wor
ri
edaboutyou… t
hishasbeen
anordeal
.Icanj
usti
maginehowyoufelt
thr
oughital
l.
ME:
Canwechanget
het
opi
c?
KARTEL:(
sigh)Ok.Babe,t
henextthi
ngI’m
gonnaaskyou… Ifeel
bad.ButIhavenochoice.
Ineedhel
pcov er
ingKy’
sfuner
alexpenses.
ME:Aftert
hosepeopl
einsul
tedmeand
at
tackedme?Youhaveaner vet
oaskmet
hat
?
Osebetewait
se.
KARTEL: Please,Luba… Kyi
smychildandit
hurt
st hatIcan’tevenbether
etolayheri
nher
fi
nalresti
ngplace.ThebestIcandoisofferher
aproperf uner
al,andmyaccountsarest
il
l
fr
ozen…
ME:
Kar
tel
,thatwoman… she…
KARTEL:
For
getaboutKesego.Thi
sisf
orme…
hel
pmeburymydaughter,
please.
ME:
(si
gh)f
ine…
KARTEL: Andifmmecomest oseeyouaski
ng
forf
inancial
help,
pleasegi
vet
hem P20000.
ME: (
sobbi
ng)It
’snotf
air…howy ouaskmeto
hel
ppeoplewhot r
eatmewor sethandi
rt,
becauseyouknowIwillnotr
efuseyou.
KARTEL:(sadl
y)Iam sorr
y.IguessIam weak,
becauseIdon’
thaveitinmet oletmyf
amily
star
ve…
ME:
Buty
ouhav
eiti
nyout
okeepdr
aggi
ng
backi
ntomyl
i
fet
hepeopl
ewhohur
tme.
KARTEL:
I’
mreal
l
ysor
ry
Ijusthungupandl
aidwatchi
ngt
hecei
l
ingas
tearsrandownmyeyes.
Whenam Iev ergonnahav e‘
better’
.Notev en
good,goodisn’tforpeopleli
keme, j
ustalitt
le
bett
erthanmyl i
feofconstantpain.Ifeelsad…
l
onely…butt hepostpainfulon…bet r
ay ed.
.How
canheaskmet ohel pt
hosepeople.Iam sur e
hehasseent hevideosnow..Hiwt he
humili
atedmeandt hethi
ngstheysaidt ome.I
feel
betrayed.
Ibl
inkt
hetearsawayandbi
tedownmylower
l
iptohol
dinthesobs,
soIdon’
tswakeupt
he
ki
ds.
I
nt hishugehouse.
..int
hishight
hreadcount
what ev
ercott
onbedsheetsandfancysil
k
pajamas,wit
hami l
lionpulacompany.
..Isti
l
l
feelempty.
Whenam Igonnahav
e‘bet
ter
’?
*
***
***
***
Li
ke,
Comment
,Shar
e
ATHUG’
SLOVE85
LUBA
Int
hemorni
ngaftermakingbreakfast
,
someonepr
essedt hedoorbel
latt
hegate,
andI
wentt
oopen,f
indingKartel
’smom.
Ist
oodbl
ocki
ngt
hegat
ewi
thmyhandsf
olded.
ME:
Whatdoy
ouwant
?
MME:
Tshabat
he,
letmeent
ermyson’
shouse.
ME:(l
aughi
ng)WenaMar
ea,mmagweJesus…
aker
eyoursonownst
hewholewor
ld,
keJeso.
MME:
Lemai
tseogaonaone.
ME:It
reatpeoplet
hewaytheyt
reatme.Ify
ou
ar
egonnabedr amati
c,y
oucanstayouther
e.
Icl
osedt
hedoori
nherf
aceandwal
kedbacki
n
t
hehouse,
sav
ori
ngt
heshocki
nherf
ace.
Iswit
chedofft
hedoorbel
lsoshewon’tkeep
annoyingmewit
hit
,andIsati
nmyli
vingr oom
enj
oyingmycupoftea.
Afteraboutanhourofherknocki
ngont
hegat
e,
Icamebackt oher.
ME:Foundyourmanner
syetkanasantseo
bat
agonthogelamogame?Inwhichcaseyou
canst
ayoutsi
de.
MME:
Ihav
ebeensentbyKgat
hal
o,canwet
alk.
ME:
Ok,
tal
k…
MME:Youar
enotev
engonnal
etmei
norof
fer
met
ea?
ME:
(laughi
ng)Nope.Whatdoy
ouwant
.
MME:
Kgat
hal
osentmet
ogetmoneyf
rom y
ou.
ME:Wher
edidhesayheputi
tsoIcanf
indi
t
andgi
vei
t?
MME:Thi
sgi
rl
!Whyareyousor
ude.Gi
veme
myson’
smoney,
har
lot
.
ME:Howam Irude,Iam j
ustaskingwher
ethe
moneyIam supposedt
ogivey ouis,
soIcan
gi
veit
.
MME: Soyouar
eokwi t
hKgathal
o’sdaught
er
nothavi
ngaburi
alwhi
leyouhaveputthi
sdark
l
it
tl
eZimbabweaninhere.
Shesai
d,l
ooki
ngatFadzwawhohadj
ustcome
out
.
ME: (
laughing)Whydoy oul i
ketobet hi
s
ri
diculous?Ky l
i
ewasn’tKar t
el’
sdaughter
,but
thisli
ttl
eZi mbabweani sinthehomeoft his
olderZi mbabwean,herbl ood.Ahomewhi chI
boughtwi t
ht hemoneyIwor kedfor
,butyou
woul dn’tknowwhatwor kedformeans.Now, i
f
youcan’ trememberwher ethemoneyi s,
Iam
takingmygi r
lsout
,excuseme.
MME:
Luba,
wai
t…
ME: (l
aughing)Sheknowsmyname.Ir
eal
l
y
thoughtyouact ual
l
ybel
iev
edIwascal
l
ed‘t
his
gir
l’or‘
witch’.
MME: Weneedmoney… weneedtopayf
uner
al
cost
s,andbil
l
sandnecessi
ti
esathome.
ME:Andt
hatconcer
nsmehow?Mybi
l
lsar
e
pai
d.
MME:
Youwantmet
obeg?
ME:Act
ual
ly?Yes.Beg.Useyourpl
easesand
t
hankyou’
s.Andlosetheatt
it
ude.
*
***
***
***
Monkstoodatt
hephoneandcall
edPuni
e.She
hadnotcometoseehi
m oncesi
ncehewas
arr
est
ed.
PUNI
E:Hel
l
o?Whoi
sthi
s.
MONK:
Heyy
ou…
PUNI
E:Oh…y
ou.
MONK:
Howar
eyou?
PUNIE:
Busy… aker
ewenayoudeci
dedtogoto
pr
isonfor
get
ti
ngwehav ebi
l
lst
opay,yourchi
l
d
i
sspecial
needs…soIhavet
ohustl
e.
MONK: Deci
ded?I
sthatwhatyout
hink?I
deci
destogotopri
son?Ist
hatwhyy ouhav
en’
t
cometoseeme?
PUNIE:Seey ouforwhatMonk?Youhav e
embar r
assedmesomuch.Ev ery
onei slaughi
ng
atmegat weket shotsengwanalelegodu.I
thoughtyourfi
rstti
meIpr i
sontaughtyou
something.
MONK:
Ijo…
Hehungupasawar dencamet
otellhi
m hehas
avi
sit
or.Ashewasleadtot
hevi
sit
ingroom he
metArnowalki
ngi
nwi t
hsomesuppli
es.
ARNO:
Whatar
eyoul
ooki
ngat
?
MONK:
Yourugl
yass,
bich.
ARNO: (
laughi
ng)Howlongareyougonnakeep
hat
ing?Igotthegi
rl
.Iwon.Don’
tbeasour
l
oser.
Monkf li
ppedhim andwal kedoff
.Theguywas
actual
lyalr
ight
.Theyt ookever
ychancetheyget
tojabateachot herbecausef**
khim,hestol
e
hisgir
l.Buthewasal ri
ght.
Hewal kedi
ntheroom st
il
lwonder
ingwhowas
vi
sit
ing.MaybeSeshaaft
erseei
ngArno?Woul
d
she?
Whenhelookeduphesmiledt
hebi
ggestsmil
e
l
ooki
ngatthatgeekysmi
l
eandbiggl
asses.
MI
NK:
Cry
stal
…
CRISSY: Ij
ustt
hought,
li
ke… Ar
nowassay i
ng
l
ike… Iwasbuy i
ngthi
ngsforhi
m andIthought
youwoul dneedthem t
oo,buty
ouprobably
don’tneedthem andI
…
MONK:
(smi
l
ing)Cr
issy
?
CRI
SSY:
Rra?
MONK: Thanky
ou.Andy
ouar
eanangel
for
t
hinki
ngofme.
CRISSY:(
gri
nni
ng)I
t’
suhm… i
t’
sjustaf
ew
thi
ngs.
MONK:Andi
t’
sal
lcher
ished… sot
ell
meabout
you…
CRI
SSY:
(bl
ushi
ng)Idon’
tknowhow…
MONK: (
laughing)TobehonestIdon’tei
ther
.
Well
,l
et’
str y
…y ouknowmyname,Iam i nt
o
gl
assmaki ng.Ico-
ownGlassWor ks.I
’
m 31.
Thi
sismysecondt i
meinprison.Forfun,I
game.
CRISSY:OhmyGod, t
hat’
sal i
e!Yougame?No
way!I’
m agamert
oo!Like,Iam tr
yingtogeta
j
obwi t
hthi
samazingcompanyi ntheUSt hat
makesgameswhenIf ini
shmydegr ee.Ohmy
God,yougame… l
ike,whatdoy ouplay?
Monksmi ledlooki
ngather.Thet
winkleinher
eyewhenshewasexci t
ed… howshest ar
ted
tal
kingsuperfast
,st
ri
ngingall
wordstogether
…
thatshyli
ttl
eblushwhenshecaughthim
l
ookingather .
MONK: Imean,Iwasj
ustr
eal
lyget
ti
ngi
nto
Seki
ro,butDeat
hStr
andi
ngandApexLegends
arecooltoo.
Shewassmil
i
ngsomuchshewasbeami
ng,
andtheTwi
nklei
nherey
eswer
eal
mosta
shi
nenow.
MONK: ButofcourseIwil
lal
way sbeafanof
thelegend… MortalKombat…therewasaguy
neartheorphanageIgrewupat .Hewenttou
universi
tyi
nGabor oneandwhenhewashome
hewoul dbri
nggamesondv dandwewoul d
playthem onhistv.Il
ovedMortalKombat.
Hesai
dwi
thasmi
l
e.
Thegi
rlwassoeasyt
otal
kto.Herexci
tabl
e
energywasi nf
ecti
ous,hehadbeensmi l
ing
sincehegothere.Buti
twasobviousshewas
veryyoung.Arnohadsaidshewasbor nwhen
hewast en,whi
chwouldmakeherj ust20.
Soy
oung.
Andevenifshewashi
sage,hehadno
busi
nessintr
oduci
ngsuchapuresoul
tohi
s
messyli
fe.
*
***
***
***
*
LUBA
Thatol
dproudwit
chendedupleav
ingbecause
shecoul
dnotsay‘pl
ease’
tome.Ohwell
.
AsIpar
kedmycar
,Igotacal
lfr
om Kesego.
Ithoughtofi
gnor
ingi
t,butt
hegi
rlj
ustl
osta
chil
d.
ME:
What
?
KESEGO:
Kar
tsai
dot
aat
sisamadi
.
ME:
Arekeat
seekae?
KESEGO:
Kant
ewenakeengor
atagor
apel
wa
Luba?
ME:Gonemmewenawhatwer ey outhi
nkingo
senafuneral
policeforngwana?Iknowt hat
evenmedicalaidjustcamefrom Kart
el’
s
company ,
doy ouev erpl
anforafutur
e?How
aboutall
themoneyKar t
elgaveyoukagao
mothowamekgabo?
KESEGO:
Otaat
sisamadi
nemma?
ME: Fi
ne,Kesego,
Iwillpassbyt hebankand
tr
ansferP50000,thatshouldbeabl et
ocov er
.
Thisisonl
yforKartel
..Iwouldn’
thelpyouifI
passedyouhalfdeadont hestreet.
.
KESEGO:
What
ever
.Mmeneeds…
ME:Thatol
dwitchknowswhatshehastodoto
gett
hemoney.Ifshecan’
tsaysomethi
ngas
si
mpleasa‘pl
ease’,
thenshecanfor
getit
.’
Ihungupandwentt
othebankt
otr
ansf
erher
themoney.
ThenIwentt
othebaker
ytocheckont
hings.
Neel
owasinthebaker
ydecor
ati
ngacake
whenIwal
kedin.
ME:Mhhh,
fancy
!Thi
sisanot
herv
iral
one,
Iam
sur
e.
Isai
dasIwashedmyhands, thenstar
tedi
cing
thecupcakest
hathadj
ustcooled.
NEELO: (
smili
ng)Theyar
ehav i
ngamont hl
y
bi
rthdayforki
dsatthechil
dren’
swardin
NyangabgweandIam donatingtwocakesand
somecupcakes.
ME:Defini
telyvi
ralmateri
alwit
halltgatonthe
vi
deodescr i
pti
onandf ootagefr
om thepar t
y.
Youareaboutt ogetseri
ousbusiness,andy ou
guysarealreadyover
whelmedwi thorders.You
havedonesowel l
wit
ht hi
sbakery,Neli
.
NEELO:(smil
i
ng)Sesha’shusbandgavemetips
andhel
pedabi tonthebusi
nessaspect…but
youhavethemidastouchbabe.Ever
ythi
ngyou
toucht
urnstogold.
Il
aughedbi t
ter
ly,
thi
nkingofthemessIcal
led
mylife.
.Ifonl
ythatmidastouchext
ended
beyondbusiness.
NEELO:
Arey
ouokLuba?Isawt
hev
ideos…
ME:
Owai
i
,what
’snew.
.Iam good.
NEELO:Iwantedtocheckwi
thy
oui
fit
soki
fI
wenttothef
uneral
…
ME:Whyar
eyouaskingme?Girl
,goi
fyouwant
t
o.Youguy
swerefr
iendsatsomepoi
nt.
NEELO: Fr
iendswhoshutdoorswheny ouare
suff
eri
ng.Yea,nah…thepastfew monthsI
l
earntalotthemma.Fighti
ngforamanwho
doesn’
twannabekept ,kerogwakemabel et
e…
hi
m steali
ngfrom me,t
heborrowedmoneyI
wouldhaveusedt of
eedhiskid,whul
eIam
pregnant.Hetooki
tandwenttospoilslay
queens.Thenhadthenevert
ocallaskingfor
mor e.That’
swhenIknewIwasdone.Iam f i
l
ing
fordivor
ce.
ME:
Yesqueen!Hedoesnotdeser
vey
ou.
NEELO:Iwi
shy
oucoul
dsewt
hesameabout
Kar
tel
.
ME:
Kar
tel
andIar
enott
oget
her
.
NEELO:Ri
ii
ght.I
t’
sall
.Ov erFacebookthathe
ki
dnappedyouatgunpoint.Andhim call
i
ngyou
cr
azyandallt
hisdrama.LeboKesegoand
Ni
kit
a…comeonbabe…
ME:Keri
lewear enottoget
her.Howdoy ou
wantt
hisnextbatchofcupcakesiced.
*
***
***
**
KARTEL
Legacycal
l
edustoget
heri
nameet
ingr
oom,
pl
usourlawyer
s.
LEGACY: Her eiswhatIcoul dnegot iatetocuta
deal.Pat ronell
a, fi
vey earsf oraidingand
abetti
ng, pluspossessi onoff i
rearmsand
shootingatcops.ForAr nol
dsi xy ears
alt
oget her,fori
mper sonat i
ngagov ernment
off
icial
, pl
usal lthatPat ronellaischar gedwi th.
Reuben6mont hsf orthesent encehewas
alr
eadyser vi
ng,pl usf i
v eyear sforal ltheother
twoar echar gedwi t
h,andt hr eeyear sf or
escapingpr i
son, whichi s8.5y earsal together.
Kgathal oandMonkgogi 8y earseach.
LAWYER:
Nope.
LEGACY:
Thi
sisagooddeal
.
LAWYER: Thenwewi l
ltakeourchancesi n
court
,wit
hthelawsuiti
npl acef oracombi ned
10.5mil
li
onlostinbusi
nessdur ingt
heirfalse
i
mpr i
sonment,andther eput at
ionsmear.Pl us
all
theevi
dencewehav eofpol i
cebrutali
tyand
tor
tur
emet hodsusedfori nterr
ogati
ng.
Negoti
atebett
er.Theset hreeget5y earseach,
twof orPat
ronella,
andt hr
eeforArnol
d.That’
s
thedeal wearetaking.Thatornot
hing.When
youhav esecuredthatdeal,wecantalk.Thi
s
discussi
onisov er.
Shewalkedoutswishi
ngherli
ttl
ewaistproudl
y
asLegacylookedatheri
nanger.Iknewthat
gi
rlwasgonnagetust hi
sdealshehasher
si
ghtsseton.
*
***
***
***
***
LUBA
Lat
eri
ntheeveningwhenwesathome,Kar
tel
’
s
mom cameagain,t
hist
imewi
thKart
el’
sfat
her.
Smar
twi
tch.
TheoldmanandKodi
havebeent
hetwot
hat
havebeenni
cet
omeinthi
sfamil
y.
Ilett
hem i
nandwenttomakesometea,t
hen
Dedecamet ot
hem andi
ntr
oducedFadzwat
o
them.
ThekidswenttoplayandIsati
ntheli
vi
ng
room,watchi
ngthatwit
chdiscr
eet
lyel
bowher
husbandtospeak.
NTATE: Mygir
l,kanarreyol
enear i
leoka
thusa..Aker
eronagar eiphesepe, keenea
ntsengar edueleladi
lotsot
lhe,Karatatsa
sepatelasamakgoa, dij
o,motlakase… jaani
ng
kagat webatshwer emadi agagwer eeme
hela.Reakopat hengwanaka.
(Mydear,t
hatmansaidyoucouldhel
p… hehas
beenpayi
ngevery
thi
ngforus,nowthathi
s
account
sarefr
ozen,
wear estr
anded.Pl
ease,
mydear)
ME:Ihearyour
ra-
Bopaki
,butt
otahel
atheway
t
hisfamil
yhastr
eatedme,whymustIhel
p?
NTATE: AndIful
lyunder
stand.Ial
l
oweditto
happen.Iwrongedyouandy ouhavenoreason
tofor
giveme.ButIhopey oucanbecauseIam
tr
ulysorry
.
ME:Kanamathatarr
a-Bopaki,t
hewr ongper
son
i
sapologi
zi
ng.Youhavenev erwrongedmet hat
youmustbeapologi
zi
ng.
Isai
dasIl
ookedatt
heol
dwomanwi
thasweet
smil
e.
Checkmat
e,witch.ShethoughtIwoul
dseet
he
ol
dmanandj ustfold.
Icoul
dseeherseet
he.I
fshewasacar t
oon,
smokewouldbycomingoutofherear
sbynow.
NTATE:Thati
strue… mma-Bopaki
.Youarethe
onewhotoldmeKgat hal
osaysthi
sisthe
womanhechooset ohaveali
fewith.Whi
ch
makesherfamil
y,andyouhavewrongedher
.
I
t’
sti
met omakeamendsandmeani t.
MME:
Youwantmet
oapol
ogi
est
othi
sgi
rl
?
NTATE:
Exact
ly.
MME:WhatwrongdidIdot
hatImustapol
ogi
ze?
I
fany
thi
ng,sheshoul
dapol
ogi
estome.There
ar
ev i
deosofherattacki
ngme.Andthis
morni
ngshetreatedmelikeabeggar
.She
owesmeanapol ogy.
NTATE:
Mm-
Bopaki
…
MME: Nev
er!LegonewhymustIbegformy
son’
smoney ?Iam goi
nghome,Kgat
halowi
l
l
deal
withyousinceyouar
eref
usinghi
sfami
ly
hi
smoney .
Shewal
kedoutwi
thahuf
f.
NTATE:(
sigh)Iapol
ogi
es.Ah,l
etmel eave,my
chi
l
d.Youdonothav et
ohelpus,Iwouldn’ti
fI
wasyou.
ME:I
t’
sok.Iwi
ll
payev
ery
thi
ng,
andtomorrowI
wi
ll
comepickupKodi
andwewill
dogroceri
es.
Iwil
lhel
ppayf orthi
ngs.ForKar
tel
’
speaceof
mind.Forthi
skindoldman,andmychildr
en’
s
sweetli
tt
leuncleKodi.
ButIam notgi
vi
ngt
hatwi
tchonet
hebet
o
pret
endshei srichwith.Iheardshewant edto
bookaluxurysui tatsomef ancyhotel
in
Kasaneast heywer egoingforatwoni ghts
churchr
etreatthere.Wel l
,sheaintget
tingthe
moneyfrom me.
NTATE:TheLor
dwill
blessyougr
eatl
y,you
hav
eaheartofgol
d.Itt
akesaspeci
alpersonto
hel
pthosewhoper
secutethem.Letmel eav
e.
ME: (
sighi
ng)It
’sl
ate,Iwi
ll
godropyouof
f.
Gir
ls,l
etssendgrandpahome.Putony
our
shoes
Wegotint
hecarandjustaswedroveout,
we
coul
dseet
hewitchwal
king.Ist
oppedthecar
.
ME:
Let
’sgo…
MME: Soy oucangloatabouthowyousaved
mylife.Iwi l
lwalktot
hebusst opsi
nceeven
Bopaki doesn’tcar
etofetchme.ThewayI
str
uggl edwiththeseki
dsandt heyt
reatmeli
ke
thi
s.Iwi l
lwalk.
ME: Noproblem… lebonecornerehale,
thr
ee
womenwer erapedandbeat
enbl uebl
ackinthe
pastmonth.Baer atat
hatacornerel
e
bashimanyana.
Ial
mostlaughedwatchi
ngthepani
candhow
shescr
ambledinsi
dethecar.
MME: Ifi
twasn’tf
orthesebadlegs,Iwould
walk!Nkatakashiel
wakel et
ebele,
legoneka
madi angwanake,mxim.Legonekoloieya
ngwanake,keaepalama.
Theoldmanshookhisheadsadl
ywhil
eIwas
try
ingtohol
dmylaughatthesi
ghtoft
hatwi
tch
runni
ngtothecar
.
*
***
***
***
*
LI
KE,
COMMENT,
SHARE
ATHUG’
SLOVE86
9Mont
hsLat
er…
Seshast
oodupf
rom t
het
abl
efeel
i
ngapai
nat
herabdomen.
She’
dhadthi
spai nthewholedayy
est
arday
,
andthewhi
lenight,
whichwaswhyshehad
deci
dedtostayhomet oday
.
Whatt
hehel
lwasgoi
ngon?
Shewentt
othetoi
let
,thennoddedi
nthought
asshesawthebl
ood.
Herper
iodwasf
inal
l
ycomi
ngback.
Afterhergrandma’ sfuneral
,sheandAr nohad
decidedshewoul dstopthepill
sot heycould
tryforababyaf tertheyhadandof fi
cial
weddi ng.Andshehadhear dthatitsomet i
mes
tookmont hsbef or
ey ourperi
odreturned.And
hersdud.Upt onow, sti
ll
nothi
ng.ButIi tl
ooked
l
ikeitwasf inal
lyback
Butthesepai
nsweren’
tgoi
nganywhere.They
weren’tl
i
keanyper
iodsheeverhad.
Shet
ooksomeofheranxi
etymedi
cat
ion,
then
ranher
sel
fabathwit
hessentialoi
lsandbat
h
bombs,si
tt
ingt
orel
axasshesi ppedonhertea.
I
twassupposedtohelphercalm.
Shehadbeent hrowingher selftoworksomuch
shehar dl
ysawany one.Shedi dn’
twanttosee
anyonebecauset hedamnt herapywasn’
t
working,andal
lsheev erdidwascr yandeat
herfeeli
ngout,
andnowshewasf atandhad
anotherthi
ngtogetdepr essedabout.
Shewasnev ergonnabewhol
eagainaft
erwhat
thatmonst
erdidtoher…shej
usthadtoaccept
that.
Aseari
ngpai
ncutthr
oughherst
omachasshe
f
eltapusdownther
e,thewat
ert
urni
ngr
ed…
Wasthi
showitwassupposedt
obewheny ou
per
iodf
inal
l
ycameaft
eritwasgoneduet
ot he
pi
ll
?
Jesus,
thi
shur
t…shehadt
ogot
othehospi
tal
.
Shegotout
sidet
hebat
h,butt
hepai
nsenther
downtoherkneesasshel
etoutabl
oodcur
li
ng
scr
eam.
Theburnonherladybit
swasinsanenow,and
wit
hingsecondsshefel
tsomethi
ngpush
thr
ough.
Shescr
eamedinhorr
orlooki
ngatt
hebabyt
hat
wasonthebat
hroom f
loormat.
Whatt
hehel
lwast
his?Whatt
hehel
l
?
*
***
***
***
***
***
***
**
LUBA
Isatner
vousl
ythi
nki
ngoftheupcomingr
uling
i
naf ewweeks.God,pl
easel
etthej
udgebe
l
enient
.Whatift
heygotteny
earsorsomething?
Theyallseemedtobedoi
ngfinei
nthere,
weon
theouthereseemedtobefal
l
ingapartmore.
Especi
allySesha.
Shewasbackt ot
hrowinghersel
fatworkand
avoi
dingt
alki
ngaboutherfeel
ings,
pret
endi
ng
shewasfine,
therapyfi
xedher.Idon’tknow,
shesayssheisfine,
butthi
stherapydoesn’t
seem t
obehelpingherprocessthings.
Kesegohadgivenbir
thtoaboy ,andthankfull
y
Kartel
’
saccountswereupandr unni
ng, sothey
tookcareofal
ltheexpenses.Iwouldhavehit
somebodyifIhadtobuyany thi
ngmor eforthat
gir
l.
Neelohadalsogivenbir
thtoapr et
tyli
tt
lebaby
gi
rlandwasbusywi t
hthat,soIhadt opitchi
n
moreatthebakery.Mygirl
swer edoingso
muchbetter,t
herapywaswor kingwel lf
orthem.
Dedewasst ar
tingtoacceptthathersisterwas
nevercomingback.Formont hsshekeptsay ing
Kyl
iewentforakar at
etournament ,mypoor
baby.
Palal
aniontheotherhandwasruledunf
itto
standtri
alwhenhecameoutoft hehospit
ala
monthago, sonowhewasi nSbranawhere
apparentl
yhisf
atherwastr
yingt
ogethim out
andsendhi
mt osomefancypr
ivat
ement
al
hospi
tal
inBahamas.
I,
ont heot herhand,justfel
tinl i
mbo.It ell
everyoneKar telandIaren’ttogether,butIav oi
d
menl ikeapl ague.May beit’
spostt raumat i
c
stressdi sorderofhav i
ngdat edapsy chopath
whot riedt okillmykids?Whoknows?ButIam
i
nnor usht odate,myki dsandmybusi nesses
aremywor ld,pluscheckingonKar t
el atthe
pri
sonsofcour se.Sincehisaccount sopened,
hispar entsnol ongerhadneedf orme, sothere
waspeace, thewitchmotbot heri
ngme.
Kart
el’
sfathercal
l
softenandcomest oseethe
ki
ds,Kodibri
ngshim.Theyarebothpleasant
andgivemeasenseoff amilythatIneverhad,
andbetweenthem,mmaSeshaandmydad, my
ki
dsalsogetasenseofextendedf amil
y.
*
***
***
***
*
Seshakeptst
ari
ngatt
hebl
oodyscr
eami
ng
l
i
ttl
ethi
ngi
nfr
ontofher
.
Therewasnodenyi
ngit.Thatmonster’
sspawn.
Thosethi
ckli
ps,
thesoftfacethatl
ookedli
ke
hi
mi nfemal
eform,l
ikePhalana… bigdeep
browneyes…
Theskinwasli
ght,
butnewbornsareal
ways
l
ightski
n,t
heygetthei
rcol
orsaft
erafewdays.
Ifi
twasn’tamonster
’sspawn,
itwoul
dbe
breat
htaki
ngl
ybeauti
ful
.Theki
ndofbabi
esy
ou
seeonmagazines.
I
twasprobabl
ypsychot
ict
oo,
thatshtwas
pr
obabl
yheredi
tar
y.
I
thadt
ogo.I
tjusthadt
o.
Shewentt othebedroom andputont hree
padsatonce, t
henwrappedherselfwi
that owel
andsecureditwithastr
ing,
beforeputti
nga
wear i
ngl
eggingandadr essontop.Shewent
tothebat
hr oom andl
ookedatthatlit
tlethi
ng
again.
Psy
chopat
h.
Ther
ageshegotf
rom j
ustl
ooki
ngatt
hatf
ace!
Shepi
ckedupapi
l
lowandputi
tont
hef
ace…
Shecoul
dn’
tshej
ustcoul
dn’
t.
Shesatbackcr yi
ng,butt
henpi
ckedi
tup,
placentaandall
,andwrappedi
tinat
owel
,
runningtohercar.
Shedi
dn’
thav
etodoanyt
hing.Justl
eav
eitand
l
etnat
uret
akeit
scour
se.
Shewascertai
nlynotgonnaberesponsi
blef
or
somepersontortur
edandkil
ledbecauseshe
petapsy
chopathspawnl i
ve.
Itwasal
mosteveni
ngnow,
aboutt
wohour
s
aft
erthi
ngshowedup.
Sheputi
tonherlapanddropof
f,dr
ivi
ngoutof
townandpar
kingint
hesideoft
heroad,t
hen
walki
ngi
ntot
hebushes.
Shesawapi
l
eoft
rashandpl
acedt
het
hing
t
her
easi
twai
l
ed.
Shet
ookonef
inal
glancet
henr
anof
f.
Asshewentt ohercar,shecouldseeaperson
whowasv aguelyfamili
arwalki
ngnearalarge
tr
ee.Sheknewt hegirl
,MaxineLedimo.They
weren’
tfr
iends,buthadattendedsever
al
busi
nessmeet i
ngstogether.
Whatwasshedoi
ng?
She’
dhear
dtheLedi
mowerei
nyosomedar
k
sht
,whati
fshewasdoi
ngsomeri
tual
?
Not
hanky
ou.Don’
twannawi
tnesst
hat
.
Shebolt
edofft
ohercaranddrov
eback,
passi
ngbytheshopsandbuyi
ngmater
nit
y
pads,
thenwenthome.
*
***
***
***
*
Kesegosatonherbedl
ooki
ngatKat
.Herbaby
wasashandsomeashisfat
her
.
Kgat
hal
oMoseki
Jnr
.
Shewassti
l
lhur
ti
ngaboutKyl
i
e,butKathel
ped
herheal
somuch.Hewasherent
ir
ewor l
d.
Shesmil
edandtookherphonemakingher
dai
ly‘
DearDaddy
’vi
deosthatsheemai
ledt
o
Kar
tel
.Hesaidhegott
oreadhisemail
soncea
week.
Hemadesur
eshehadev
ery
thi
ng,andgotabi
g
al
l
owanceev
erymont
h
Andal
way
saskedhowshewascopi
ngpost
l
oosi
ngKy.Gotherat
her
api
st.
Hecar
ed.
Shesmi
l
edt
hinki
ngofi
t.
Kar
tel
car
edabouther
.
*
***
***
*
I
thadbeenonl yanhour,butSeshacoul
dn’
tdo
thi
s… shejustcoul
dn’
t.Anorphanagewil
lbe
bett
eratl
east.Shegotbackinthecarand
drovet
ot hespot.
Itwasnowheret
obeseen.Notev
enacar
cast
o
showanimalsmaul
edi
t…nothi
ng.
Shelookedaroundt
hroughoutt
hef
orestand
foundnothi
ng.
Thismeanspeopl ef
oundi
tandbr
oughti
ttoan
orphanage,
right
?Butwhati
fshewasarr
est
ed?
Buthowwouldany oneknow?Sheher selfdi
dn’
t
knowshewaspr egnant ,
andapparentl
ythat
wasat hi
ng,
crypti
cpr egnancy,
itwascall
ed.
Sometimesyouevenhav enobell
y,l
i
keher .
Usuall
yit
sbecausey ouhav eabackslanti
ng
uter
us.Addherweightgai n.
.
Anyway ,
nobodyknew.Nobodywoul dsuspect
her.Butsheneededtogetawayf r
om herefora
bi
t.Shedidn’
tfeelanypainl
ikesheneeded
sti
tchesdownt her
e.Butheali
ngti
me.Mayget
peoplesuspi
cious.Sheneededtogoaway .
She wentonl
i
neandbookedher
selfavi
l
lai
n
Jav
a,thenani
mmediat
efli
ght
.Fi
rstcl
asswi
ll
gi
v eherampl ecomf orttor est
,andthev i
ll
adid
pi
ckupsf rom theairport.Andtheyhada
confinementser v
ice,soshewoul dtakethat
andgetanyhel pshemi ghtneedt oheal.She
willmessageLubaandhermot herwhenshe
getst here,andhav eherl etArnoknow.Their
tr
ialwasi neightweeks, andGoogl esaiditt
ook
aboutsi xweekst obeheal ed.Soshewoul dbe
backf ort r
ial
.
Shewentintothehouseandcl
eanedup,then
packedherbackanddr ov
eofft
oGaborone,
exhaust
edasshef el
t.
*
***
***
***
*
LI
KE,
COMMENT,
SHARE
ATHUG’
SLOVE87
Sheshal ookedatthewomandr iv
ing,t
hankful
forher.Shehadpi ckedherupinTonota.Ev
en
aftert
hatshortdistancedri
vi
ngfrom
Franci
stownt oTonot a,
shehadbeensoweak
andsoexhausted,thatshehadaskedthe
womani fshedrov
e, andwhenshesaidshedid,
shetol
dhershecoul dgetar i
detoGaborone
forf
reeisshedrove.
Theladydidn’taskquestions,Imean.Shewas
hit
chingri
dest oGaboroneat8pm, soshe
probabl
ydidn’tneedany oneprobingint
oher
reasonstoo,soshejustdr oveinsil
ence,gi
vea
fewtimesshekeptaski ngSeshai fshewasok.
Shehadv aguelythoughtwhatifshewassome
thi
eve,butatthispointshedi
dn’tcare,
andtook
solaceinthefactshewasanol derlady,maybe
i
nherf i
fti
es,shewoul dn’
tbestandingbythe
roadsi
dethatlatejusttorobpeople.
I
twasmidnightbyt
het
imet
heyar
ri
vedi
n
Gabor
one.
SESHA:Ok,
nnaIam goi
ngi
ntoPhakal
aneasI
tol
dyou…
HER:
Yes,
mysonsar
ewai
ti
ngf
ormeov
ert
her
e
wi
thacar
.Mydear,ar
eyousureyoudon’tneed
t
ogotoahospi
tal
?Youdon’
tlookwellatall
.
SESHA:
It’
sok,
I’
m al
readyhome.
Shemovedtothedri
ver
’sseatanddr
ov ei
nto
herhome.Godwhathadshebeenthinki
ng,
att
empti
ngtodri
vethi
sdist
anceaft
er…
No.No.
Thatthi
ngwasunnat
ural
,whatbabyjustgets
born?Morepr
oofi
twasapsy chopat
hlikeit
s
fat
her.
Shedraggedher
sel
fint
othehouseandpassed
outi
nthecouch.
*
***
***
***
***
***
***
***
Kesegolai
dinbedl ooki
ngatallthethings
Kart
elhadsetupf orKat.I
nsurance,medical
,
tr
ustfundthathadsav i
ngsspecial
lyforhi
m.
Herbabywasset
.ButKart
elkeptpushi
ngfor
hert
ohavesomethi
ngforthebaby.Hekept
sayinghewant edhert obeabl et oaffor
dhi s
sonal i
fehei susedt o, evenissomet hi
ng
happenedt oKar t
el.Honest ly,hewasbei ng
dramatic,
wasn’ tthatwhatt het rustfundwas
for?Shenev erreall
ylikedwor ki ng,event he
shortti
meshewasanaccount ant …she
prefer
redbeingahomemaker .ButKar t
el was
i
nsisti
ng,andshehadf inall
yset tledonal uxury
babyboutique.
Shesmiledasshelookedthebusi
nesspl
an
Kart
elhadtol
dhimt omakewhenhepi t
ched
thei
deaofstart
ingthebouti
que.
Shehadsenttheemai
llastweek,andtoday
sher
ecei
veditbackwi
thcorrect
ions.
Howmanwomencansayt hei
rbabydaddy
doesall
thi
sforthem,pushthem t
obuil
d
somethi
ng…helpwithbusi
nessplan,f
undthei
r
busi
ness…yup,shewasav eryl
uckygi
rl
.
*
***
***
***
***
***
Isati
nthev
isi
ti
ngr
oom wi
thKar
tel
,tal
ki
ng.
KARTEL: So, j
ustt olety
ouknow.Iwi llbegiving
Kesegot hemoneyt ostartabusiness.Iwil
lof
coursepaymai ntenance,butIwanthert ohav e
theabili
tytoaf fordmysont hel
if
ehedeser ves
evenifIcan’ t
.Ithurttoseeherunablet oburry
Kyli
ebecauseshenev erthoughtofsavingup.
Amazi ngmot her …butbey ondthat
…thatgirlis
j
ustsur pri
sing…It houghttheageofwomen
contentjustbeinghomemaker swhoar egiven
moneyt ospendwasov er?
ME:
Ok…
KARTEL:
I’
m bor
ingy
ou…
ME:Ireall
yjustwannakeepheroutofmyli
fe…
andthelastthi
ngIneedwhenIcomet osee
youi
st al
kingabouther
.
KARTEL:Mybad…asIpromised,Luba… my
i
nter
acti
onwithheri
sgoingt
oonl ybepickup
anddropthebabywhenIam out
.Rightnow,
youhav eaccesst otheemailshesendswi th
Kat’
sphot os,soy oualr
eadyknowev ery
thing
shesendsme…andy ouknowIhadempl oy ees
corr
ectherbusi nessplanforher.Kesegowasa
convenience,Luba.ButIdon’tknowhowIl et
myselfbesost upidt
hatsheendeduppr egnant.
Butifyoudon’ twantherinourlives,
Iwi l
lmake
sureshei snot.Iwantal i
fewithyou…Ist i
ll
wannacompl eteadoptingTafadzwa…Ihadmy
l
awy ersetuphert rustfundl
ikeDanie’s…
ME: Kar
tel
,whati
ftheygi
vey
oul
i
ket
eny
ear
s…
I
’m scar
ed…
KARTEL:Idon’twantyoutowait,
Iknowwewil
l
fi
ndeachot herwhenI
’m out…butIknowf
or
sureIam notgett
ingt
hatlong.
Iwasaf
rai
dtoaskthequest
ionIr
eal
l
yknewI
want
edtoask…butIhadto…
ME:Iwannaunder
standwhati
sgoi
ngon
bet
weenus…arewe…t oget
her
?
KARTEL:
Wear
ewhat
every
ouwant
,mudi
wa
Ibl
i
nkedawayt
earswit
hasmil
eathi
m usi
ng
mymom’spetnameforme.
KARTEL:All
Icantel
lyoui
sIlov
eyou.Iwil
l
al
waysloveyou,
Luba…itwil
lal
way
sbey ou…
Tearschokedmeforsomer
eason,andIdi
dn’
t
evenrecogni
zet
heweaksmall
voicewhenI
spokenext.
ME:I
’l
lwai
t…what
evert
imet
heygi
vey
ou…I
’
ll
wai
t.
Ihatethis.IhatehowweakIam wheni tcomes
tothi
sman.Iseehei stryi
ngtomakeamends,
butKartelhashur tmer epeat
edly.DoIr
eall
y
wantbacki nt hi
smess? ?Iam sodamnl onely…
andIam wi ll
ingtowai tforamanwhohada
chi
ldwi t
hmymai dandal mostpaidmagadif
or
herwhenIwasl ockedup?
Man,somet
imesIhatet
hewomanIam r
ight
now.Weak,
vul
nerabl
e…afr
aid.
Imisstheli
tt
lekidwhor ef
usedt obowev en
thoughevery
thi
ngimaginablewasdonet o
breakme…Imi ssthewide-eyedgirlwhocame
toacityshebarel
yknew, t
ost ar
tanewl i
feshe
hadlongdreamtof,,andmadei t.Imissthe
womanwhor anadrugr i
nginprison… Imiss
me…I sthi
showl oveissupposedt omakey ou
feel
?Weakandpat heti
c?
AsIdr
oveof
f,Igotacal
lfr
om Sesha.
ME:Heeey
,what
’supbabe…y
oudi
dn’
tgosee
Ar
notoday?
SESHA: Yea,babe…aboutthat.Youwereri
ght,
thetherapywasn’tworki
ng.Ifoundanicepl
ace
i
nJav awher eImaybest ayi
ngf orsi
xweeksfor
thei
rtreatmentprogr
am.
ME:Oh,
thatsoundswonder
ful
.Whendoy
ou
l
eav
e?
SESHA:
Iam act
uall
yaboutt
oboar
dQat
ar…can
youdomeafavorandtel
lAr
noandmama?
ME: Huh?Youl
eftwi
thoutt
ell
i
ngev
eny
our
husband?
SESHA:Wil
lyoujustdoit
?Ineededt
ogetaway
babe,
Icoul
dn’tt
akeit.
ME:(si
ghi
ng)Al
ri
ght
.Cal
lwheny ouhav
e
ar
ri
ved.Getwel
l
…bri
ngmyf r
iendback…
SESHA:
Ipr
omi
seIwi
l
l…l
ovey
ou.Got
taboar
d.
Well,atl
eastt
hat’
sgoodnews.Ireal
l
yhopeshe
getsthehelpsheneedsbecausei
tbreaksmy
hearttoseeherbr
okenli
keshehasbeen.
*
***
***
***
***
***
***
***
Monkwalkedi
ntothev
isi
torr
oom andCri
ssy
satt
her
elooki
ngli
keshewasgonnaburstwi
th
Joy.
CRISSY:
OhmyGod,
thanky
ou,
thanky
ou,
thank
you?
MONK:(smi
l
ing)Atl
eastt
ell
mewhaty
ouar
e
t
hanki
ngmefor…
CRISSY:Thegaminglapt
op…i
t’
samazi
ng,
has
al
lthespecsIli
keand…
MONK:(smil
i
ng)Idon’
tknowwhaty
ouar
e
t
alki
ngabout
.MaybeArno?
CRISSY:Ohplease,Arnowi
llneverbuyme
gamingstuffbecausehesaysit
’sawasteandI
shouldgointoarealtr
ade…
MONK:Forabusi
nessman,
that
’sdumb.Peopl
e
makemil
li
onsgaming.
CRI
SSY:
Hesay
sint
heUSy
es,
noti
nBot
swana.
MONK: Letmet
ell
youasecr
et,
yourbr
other
doesn’
tknowev
erythi
ng.
Shesatgr
inni
nghappi
l
y.
MONK:
Youl
i
kei
t?
CRI
SSY:OhmyGod,
Ilov
eit
!Thanky
ou.How
di
dyou…
MONK:Remembert
heguyIt
oldy
ouusedtolet
mepl
ayMortal
Kombatonhi
sTV?Ir
eached
outandpai
dhimt obuyi
t.Ihopeyouhadan
amazing21fi
rst
.Happybir
thday.
CRI
SSY:
Thanky
ou.
MONK:
So,
howi
sschool
?Gotanyboy
fri
ends
yet
?
Shebl
ushedandl
ookeddown.
MONK:(
laughi
ng)Ory
oupr
efergi
rl
s?
CRI
SSY:
Stop…
MONK: (l
aughi
ng)I
’m messi
ngwit
hyou…but
honest
lyyoushoul
dstar
tdati
ng.
CRI
SSY:
Idon’
twantt
o.
MONK:
Why
?
CRI
SSY:
Youknowwhy
…
MONK:(sighi
ng)Cri
ssy
,agi
rll
i
keyouhasno
pl
acei
nt heli
feofamanli
keme…
Shel
ookeddownsadl
y…
MONK:
No,
no,
honey
…you…y
ouar
eamazi
ng.
Youar esounbel i
ev ablysmar t,sobeautif
ul…so
muchdept handsoi nteresti
ng…meont he
otherhand…f orstar t
ers, I
’minpr i
son…who
knowsf orhowlong?Cr ystal
,youar e21,the
heightofl i
vi
ng.Enjoyl i
fe,don’twast ei
twaiti
ng
forat hugwhoi selev eny earolderthanyouand
i
npr ison…
CRISSY:
Youar
ejustli
keev
ery
oneel
se,
alway
s
tel
l
ingmewhatIshoul
ddo…
MONK: No, no…Idon’tmeant odot hat…Cris,
baby…myl ifeisconstantdanger.Ihavedone
thi
ngsthatmakemeal wayshavet owatchmy
back…Idon’ twantthatli
feforyou…Iwanty ou
toli
ve,
free,andhappy .WhichiswhyIdon’ t
wantyout ocomeseemeany mor e.Iam
hol
dingyouback.I fyoucome, I’
llj
ustref
useto
seeyou.
*
***
***
***
***
***
***
***
***
EI
GHTWEEKSLATER….
Isatner
vouslyl
i
steni
ngt ot
hecase,butPr
aise,
Arno’
slawyerwhowasr epr
esent
ingtheguys,
wasdoingthedamnthing.
Todaythejudgewaspassi
ngruli
ngandIwas
al
mostshaking,thi
nki
ngwhatift
heygeta
wholel
otoft i
me?Therewerenomurder
char
ges,butstil
l
.
Thej
udgest
art
edspeaki
ng.
JUDGE: Inthecaseoft heStat
ev sPatronel
l
a
Mpof u,y
ouar esentencedtothreeyearsinjai
l
,
excludi
ngtimeserved, wi
th18mont hsset
asideforexemplarybehaviorduri
ngtime
served.
Yup,becauseRonev
erdi
dany
thi
ngexempl
ary
atal
l
.Haha.
Butal
lthewar
denswhoowedmewer ereadyt
o
gi
veheraperf
ect‘
goodgir
l’t
humbsup
commendati
ontogowiththecase.Soshewas
onl
yservi
ng18months.
JUDGE: Int
hecaseoftheSt at
ev sArnold
Nor t
hman, youaresentencedtothreeyearsin
j
ail,excludi
ngti
meser v
ed, wit
hay earsetaside
foragr eatcont
ri
buti
ont osociet
ypr i
ort
oy our
arraignment.
Seshasobbedandsqueezedmyhand.Two
year
swasn’tsobad.
JUDGE: I
nthecaseofReubenDi ngalo,
youar e
sentencedtofiv
ey ear
sexcludingtimeserved.
InthecaseofMonkgogi Gabai t
se,youare
sentencedtofiv
ey ear
s,excludi
ngtimeserved,
andi nthecaseofKgathaloMoseki ,
youare
sentencedtofiv
ey ear
s,excludi
ngtimeserved.
Allthreewit
hchanceofpar oleaft
erthr
eeyears
served.
Ihel
dSesha’shandasshecri
edonmyshoulder
,
watchi
ngthem bei
ngtakenbackt
opr
ison.
Ican’taf
fordt
ocry.Ihav
etobestr
ong.Fiv
e
yearsisalongti
me,butnotsol
ong,Icanwai
t.I
wi
l
lwai
t.ForKar
tel
.
*
***
***
***
**
5YEARSLATER
*
***
***
***
***
*
LI
KE,
COMMENT,
SHARE
ATHUG’
SLOVE88
5y
ear
slat
er…
LUBA
IwokeuptoRonbesi
desme,
looki
ngatme,
smil
ing.
ME:
What
?
RON: (
laughi
ng)Youar
et hemostador
able
wheny ouwakeup… beforey
ouputthe‘Iam
tough’f
ace.
ME:
(laughi
ng)Idon’
thav
ean‘
Iam t
ough’
face.
Shelaughedandpinchedmycheeks,
then
ki
ssedmyf orehead.
RON: (l
aughi
ng)Yesyoudo,yousexyt
hing.You
thinkIgott
imetoeatthi
scooki
ebefor
et he
kidswake?
Shesaidasshecar
essesmyt
high,
tur
ningmy
headtokissme.
ME:
(laughi
ng)St
op,
greedy
…
RON: (
laughi
ng)Gapewenawat
imanamare!Ke
rat
ioni
ngy aeng,
youknowgaehel
e,r
ight
?
ME:Ron,weneedt
otal
k.Theguy
sar
ecomi
ng
outnextweek…
RON: Iknow… andIknowmypl
aceiny
ourl
if
e,
Luba.Youwerelonel
yandal
oneandIt
ookcar
e
ofyou.
ME: Soo,
what’
snextf
ory
ou?YouandEa
becomingathi
ng?
RON:(l
aughi
ng)Whothehell
knows?Youknow
Ihat
estayi
nginonepl
acetoolong.
ME:
Youbeenher
efort
hreeandahal
fyear
s.
Shecar
essedmyf
aceandt
ookmyhand,
ki
ssi
ngit
.
RON:
Becausey
ouneededme,
li
tt
lef
lower
…
ME:
Whati
fIst
il
lneedy
ou?
RON: Nah, youdon’ t.Karti
scomi ngout .Itol
d
you,lit
tl
ef lower … Idon’tknowhowt ost ay.And
youar eamot her,youneedsomeonewho
knowshowt ostay.That ’
sKar t
.Eventuallymy
wander lustwi ll
kicki nandIwi l
ldi
p.SoImi ght
aswel ldoi tnow.Pl usyourheartwill
alway sbe
withKar t,andt hatmandon’ tknowhowt o
share.Butbestbel ieveifhegonnakeep
disr
espect ingy oulikehewasbef ore,I
’m gonna
castratehi m.Wi thabl untsaw.Joinmef ora
shower ?
Shesaid,t
aki
ngmyhandandIf ol
l
owedheras
wetalkedaboutt
hepr eparat
ionfort
he
WelcomeBackpartyf
ort heguys.
*
***
***
***
Ar
nowokeupst
ret
chi
ng,
andSeshal
ookedat
hi
m smi
l
ing.
Ifthi
swhol ebusi
nessmanthi
ngdoesn’ twork
out,hehadaser i
ouscareeri
nmodel li
ng.Tgat
rocksolidbody…thoseabs… theshapelyli
ps
andgr een-
hazeleyes…mancoul dwalkint
oa
Vogueof fi
ceandthey’di
mmedi atel
yputhimin
acov er.
ARNO:Goodmor
ningMr
sNor
thman…ont
ibi
l
e
eng?
Het
urnedandki
ssedhi
swi
fe.
SESHA:(l
aughing)Goodmorni
ngMrNor
thman.
Andyouaretoogorgeousnott
olook
ARNO:
Yoursabbat
ical
star
tst
oday
,yeay
!
SESHA:(rol
li
ngherey
es)I
t’
ssounnecessary
,
buti
fitgetsyouandmamaoffmyback,they
yeay
…
ARNO:
Ican’
twai
ttoseet
hissexybel
l
yfi
l
led
upwi
thmychi
l
d… I
’
m soexci
tedi
t’
scr
azy
…
SESHA:Let’
sdotheIVFfi
rstbefor
eyougetthe
‘
Number1Dad’ mug.Ihaveheardofi
ttaki
ng
sever
alci
rcl
esforsomecouples…
ARNO: Thedoctorsai dthescarri
ngisonl yi
n
yourf
allopi
antubes, sowithIVF,Ibeti t’
s
gonnabeeasy .Don’tlaugh,butIfoundt hi
sapp
whereyoucanmor phpi ct
uresofthepar entst
o
seehowt hei
rkidswoul dlooklike,andit’
s
amazing…look… shehasy ourcutef ace…
Seshalaughedandshookherheadasshe
watchedhimrambleonaboutit
.
Shewasf eel
ingal i
tt
ledownandthi
swhole
babytal
kwasn’ thel
ping.Tomor
rowwasthe
anni
versaryof….
Nope.Notgoi
ngt
her
e.
I
tjustal
wayshithersomehow,ever
yyear.She
r
efusedtowonderaboutthatl
i
ttl
epsychopath.
I
twasnol ongerherpr
obl
em.
Buti
thur
tsomuchkeepi
ngi
tawayf
rom Ar
no.
No.
No… shewoul dnotletithurtherany
more.She
hadmadesomuchpr ogress,wasactual
l
y
happy,besi
desherfami l
ybeingsuchazzhol
es
toherhusband.Shewasf i
nall
yhappy.
Sherefusedtothinkaboutthesatanspawnt
hat
causedt hescar
ringinhertubes,
whichwas
makingitdif
fi
cultforhert
oconceive.
Findi
ngoutaboutt
hescarri
ngonlyconf
ir
med
thatshemadetheri
ghtdeci
sion.
Shecouldonlyi
maginehavi
ngthatdev
il
Pal
alanii
nherli
fepermanent
lyhadshekept
hi
sev i
lspawn.
Butitst
il
lcutdeepthi
nki
ngofkeepi
ngasecr
et
thi
sbigfrom Arno…
Buthowwouldknowi
ngbenef
itt
hei
rli
fe?I
twas
fort
hebest
.
*
***
***
*
Kesegowokeupasshookherboy
fri
endawake.
KESEGO:Nkemi !Mxim!Kant
ewenaithel
ao
robet
senakotsejaana?Menareuphustl
ing
wenay ouar
ecomf ort
abl
easasoldi
er,l
egone
pri
vat
e.
NKEMI:
Kese,kant
enemmawhatdi
dIdot
o
yout
hepastf
ewday s?
KESEGO: Nnay ousur
pri
seme.Howar eyou
comf ort
abl
ewithsoli
ttl
e?Andyousayyou
wantt omarryme?Thenwhatifwehavekids?
Youseet heli
feKathas?Ngwanawadi t
rust
funds.Andhowwoul dyourki
dsmeasureup?
NKEMI :
Kantewhydoyouli
kecompari
ngmet o
yourbabydaddy
.Atl
eastIam noti
npr
ison.
KESEGO: Youarenotamul timil
li
onai
reei
ther
!
Ah,nnarratotathi
sisjustnolongerwor
kingf
or
me.Howcanmybabydaddygi v
emeal l
owance
bi
ggerthany oursal
ary
?Howar eyou
comfort
abl
eyourgir
lf
ri
end’
sli
fest
ylebei
ng
sponsor
edbyothermen?
NKEMI
:Youdat
edmeknowi
ngwhatIdo.
KESEGO: Idatedyoubecausemymot her
wouldn’tst
oppest er
ingmeaboutmov i
ngon,
getti
ngaboy f
riend.Ithoughomonnay ouknow
whaty ouwant,butowai i
…li
keIsaid… nnait’
s
notwor ki
ngforme.Iwantmor e.Deservemore.
Ipackedupabagi fallyourt
hingsthatwere
here.
NKEMI
:Keset
hemma,
youcan’
t…
KESEGO:
I’
m sor
ry.I
t’
sjustnotwor
kingout
.
Bye…
Afterheleft
,shesatthinkingifwhatawast eof
ti
mehewas.Howhel i
edaboutbei ngadom,
yetheknewnot hi
ngatal laboutit…butatleast
heGoogl edshtandtri
edt obecr eati
ve.Andhad
nowbecomebet t
er.Coulddosomet hingshe
actual
lysomewhatenjoy ed.
Shelaughedandhowmuchhehadgasped
seei
ngherarsenal
oftoys… howhecoul
dn’
t
evenholdawhipri
ghtfi
rstt
ime.
Hewasagoodl ookingmanwi t
hthatKar
tel
buil
d,whi
chwast heonl
yreasonshegavehima
chance… ofcoursebesi
deshiml y
ingsay
inghe
wasadom.
Sheshower edandgotKatr eadyforschool,
thenaft
erdr oppi
nghim off,
headedt oher
bouti
que.Shehat edeverysecondoft hi
swhole
bouti
quething,butKart
el l
oveditsomucht hat
shewasr unningherownbusi ness.Healways
prai
sedherf orit
,whi
chwast heonlyreason
shekeptdoingi t
.
*
***
***
***
**
Neel
ofi
nishedfi
lmi
nghercooki
ngchannel
vi
deoandsatlooki
ngathervi
deogr
apherwho
wasgoi
ngt hr
oughthefoot
agesmil
ing.
HI
M:Yea,
neh… wegotsomegoodf
oot
agei
n
her
e… I
’
llhav
eitupat6pm.
Thet
alkedabi
tmor
e,t
henhel
efy
Shewatchedhi
mleav
eandsmi
l
edsadl
yto
her
sel
f.
Man,
she’
sbeensi
ngl
efort
ool
ong.
Shewasbusyr ai
singt
wokidsonherownand
makingsureshenevergobrokeagain,andshe
gotsocaughtup,i
thadbeensixy earssince
shehadany one.
Si
nceReubenwasar
rest
ed.
Butthatwasaseriousnogo.Theselfi
sh
bastardhadgrant
edheraneasydivorceand
custodywhilehewassti
l
llockedup.Shecould
onlypraythi
ngsstayt
hesame, nowthathewas
comi ngout.
Nowherdaughterwasfiveandhersonwas
ei
ght,
shecouldaffordt
ot akeal
it
tl
etimet
o
her
self
,butshedi
dn’tev
enknowwhatpeople
di
dwi
thf
reet
ime.
Thevideographerwasasweet,wel
lmanner
ed
guyshehadbeent ryi
ngandfai
l
ingtof
li
rtwi
th…
andhedi dn’
tevenseem t
onoti
ce.Tal
kabout
l
ostcause!
*
***
***
***
**
Seshahadgonet
ocheckonthesalonbefore
goi
ngonasabbati
cal
tostar
tthei
rIVFjourney
.
Shewasdeepi nthoughtaboutstart
ingt he
wholeprocesswhenal i
ttl
erocketwhooshed
pasther
,shrieklaughi
ng, t
heli
ttl
espeedbal l
’s
ti
ghtcurl
sbounci ngbehindher,herl
ightbrown-
hazeley
esshi ni
ngwi t
hmi schi
ef,herfreckl
es
anddimplesjustaddingtoitall
.
Shewaseasil
ythemostbeaut
if
ulli
tt
let
hing
Seshahadeverl
aidherey
eson,andherwarm
energyj
ustmadeyouwanttosmil
e.
Amanranaf
terheri
nfr
ust
rat
ion,
yel
l
ingher
name.
‘
Loki
!Loki
,youst
opthatri
ghtnow!Gol
oki
l
e!
Comebackherethi
sveryminut
e!’
Seshalaughedandgr
abbedher
,handi
ngher
backtoherfather
.
‘
Thanky
ousomuch…shei
ssev
eral
handf
uls.‘
SESHA:(l
aughing)Icanseet
hat.Thanky
ouf
or
vi
sit
ingustoday.HowcanIhelpyoutwo?
‘
Wewantt owashspeedr acerhere’shai rand
getitplai
tedsomethingcut e.Wej ustmov ed
backher eandwear elookingf orar egul
arsal
on
thatischil
dfri
endl
yandnat uralhairfri
endl
y.A
fri
endrecommendedus.
SESHA:
Yourf
ri
enddi
dwel
l
.
‘Hermothersai
dIshouldtel
lyouunderno
cir
cumstancear
ey out
ouser el
axerorany
str
aight
eneronherhai
r,wehaveaphotofrom
yourFacebookpageofthestyl
ewewant .
Het
ookouthi
sphoneandshowedher
.
SESHA:Mmmh, f
ancy
…ar
eyouaf
ancygi
rl
,
l
it
tl
epri
ncess?
‘
Uhhuh.I
’
m af
ancypr
incessdr
agon…r
oar
rrr
r’
SESHA:
(laughi
ng)Isee…Anyspeci
aloccasi
on?
‘
I
t’sher4t
hbi
rt
hdayt
omor
row.
SESHA:Whoa,4!Youareabiggi
rlf
or4!Al
ri
ght
,
myfri
endsLal
aov erheri
sgonnat
akegood
car
eofyou.
Sheexpl
ainedt
otheempl
oyeewhatt
heneeded.
Shedrovehomesti
ll
thinkingofthatkid,
wonderi
ngwhereshehadseenher .May beshe
wasakidmodel?Thelitt
letykewassocut e
andl
ivel
y,shewoul
dn’tbesur pr
isedifshewas
amodel.
*
***
***
***
*
LI
KE,
COMMENT,
SHARE
ATHUG’
SLOVE89
LUBA
Iwassoexci
tedbecauset
odayKar
tel
was
fi
nal
l
ycominghomet oday
.
Ar
nopul
l
edi
nacr
ateofbeer
.
ARNO:Wher
edoyouwantt
his,l
adi
es?Shesha
wentt
ogetmor
emeatandspices…
ME:
Justputt
hem backi
nthatf
reezer
.
ARNO:Ta.Al
ri
ght
,I’
l
lgopi
ckupt
heguy
s.I
t’
s
ti
me.
*
***
***
***
Seshawal
kedar
oundbuy
ingst
ufff
irt
hepar
ty.
Bef
oreshecoul
dev enseeher,
shecouldhear
someonewaslaughingandyel
li
ng‘Gol
oki
le,put
i
tdown,wehavecrispsathome.’
Sheturnedthecornert
oseespeedr
acerf
rom
theotherdaywit
hahugebagofchips,
anda
def
iantlookinherf
aceasshestompedher
l
it
tl
ef eetanddemandedtheybuyt
hechi
ps.
Man,youjusthadt
olov
ethi
sli
tt
let
hing.How
canonelookli
keamenaceandadollatt
he
sametime?
Shelookedupatt
hemotherwhowasheav
il
y
pregnant
,whi
leal
it
tl
eboyofmaybet
hreewas
i
nt hecart
.
Maxi
neLedi
mo.
Thisdi
dn’
tmakesense.Thef
atherwasful
ly
bl
ack…sowasMaxine.Howdidthatgi
rll
ook
mixed?
Aquickf
lashofthewomani
nthef
orestaf
ew
year
sbackhither.
Comingbackt
othef
orestanhourl
aterandt
he
thi
ngwasgone…sowasMaxine.
Shegaspedi
nhor
rorasshel
ookedatGol
oki
l
e.
Ar
no’
sfat
herwasbi
raci
al,
andhi
smot
herwhi
te
wit
hgreen-
hazeleyesal
lherfi
veki
dsinheri
ted…
whichwoul
dmakesensef orthegr
andkidsto
comeoutwiththesameey es.
Thatamazingl
yadorablef
aceandhazel
eyes
weresofamili
arbecauseshewokeuptothem
ever
ysingl
emor ni
ng…
Arnohadhadhi
sfreckl
eslaserr
emov edas
soonashecoul
daf f
ordit
,butCri
ssykepther
s,
andhadthedi
mples.
I
tcoul
dn’
tbe…
What
.Hav
eyoudone.Sesha?
Shebacktrackedandr
anof
ftohercarshaki
ng
herhead.
No.
No!
Thatthi
ngwasadevi
lspawnwithbr
owneyes…
nothazel
.Andi
twouldbefi
ve…Loki
’
sfat
her
hadsaidshewast
urningf
our.
Just
…no!
Loki
wasnotthedev
ilspawnt
hatcamef
rom
nowher
e.No!
Whoknows,may
beMaxinehadanaffai
rwitha
whit
emanandhadLoki
.Shewasfour,thedev
il
spawnwoul
dbefi
ve.Wi
thbrowneyes.
Shewatchedthem geti
nthecarbef
oreshe
wentbackintobuythi
ngsfort
hepart
y,t
ell
i
ng
her
selft
hatLokiwasn’
therchi
l
d.
*
***
***
***
*
KARTEL
Man,Icoul
dn’tbeli
eveIwasfi
nal
lyout
.Ihav
e
hadalotofti
met orefl
ect
,andyouknowwhat,
I
am r
eadytober ealtomywoman.
Theworstkindofmanf orawomant olovei
s
onethatdoesnotsecureherposi
tioni
nhisli
fe.
Let
ti
ngbichesthinkt
hereisaplaceforthem.
Let
ti
nghisfamilyorfr
iendsthi
nktheyhavea
hol
dofhi
m bey
ondher
.
AndIhav
ebeent
hatman.
Look,whenyouchoosey ourqueen,bereadyt
o
elev
ateherabov
eev ery
oneelse,theBibl
esays
that
.Amanshallleavehisfat
herandmot her
andcleavet
ohiswife.
AndIam readyforthat
.BecauseIgotareal
one.Shebeenthroughatri
albyfi
reandIknow
shelegi
t.
Ipi
ckedupmyst uf
fthesameti
meMonk,Ea,
andRuewerepicki
ngupthei
rs,
andwewalked
awaytoget
her
.
I
’m notgonnali
e,t
hetast
eoffr
eedom was
overwhel
ming.Iwasf
inal
l
yfr
ee.
Ar
noleanedagai
nsthi
sbl
ackSUVsmoki
nga
bl
unt
.
MONK:Aww,y
oufinal
lygotasoccermom car
…
mat
cheswhoyouare,
Becky.
ARNO:
Didy
oumi
ssme,
Monk?
Monkf l
ippedhi
m ashegotinsidethecar
.The
restofusshookhandswit
hAr noandgotinsi
de,
boppingtoTupac’
s‘WhenIgetf r
ee’
Theyearswespentinpri
sonhadbuil
tqui
eta
ti
ghtbrot
herhoodbet
weenallf
iveofus,
andwe
havecometoacceptArnoasoneofus,pseudo
ri
val
rywithMonkandall
.
Heparkedatmyplaceandthemomentwe
openedthedoor
,ever
yoneshout
ed‘
welcome
home’.
Mynotsol i
tt
legir
lscamer unni
ngatmeandI
huggedeachofthem.Fadzwawast ennow,
andDaniewasei ght…Ihadt otakeamoment
tocomposemy self
,lookingathowgr ownthey
were.I
tsodiff
erentseeingthenthanlooki
ngat
them i
npict
ures.
Lubacametostandnearmeandsqueezedmy
handsasIgotmysel
ftoget
her
.
ME:
Howar
eyouguy
ssogr
own!OhmyGod!
FADZWA:I
’minstandar
dfi
venowdaddy!Igota
sci
encemedal
,l
etmegoandshowy ou!
DANIE:AndIam inst
andar
dthreeandIam t
he
bestbal
letdancer
!Wearedoi
ngCl ar
aandt
he
Nutcr
ackerandIgett
odanceClara.
LUBA: Ladi
es,
wecanupdat
edaddyl
ater
.It
hink
grandpaanduncl
eKodiwouldl
iket
osayhi
too.
Kodi
wal
kedov
erwi
thasmi
l
e.
Damn,mybabybr otherwasalmostastallas
me.Hehadcomet oseemeher eandthere,but
heisi
nuniver
sitynow,liv
inginGabor
one…
pl
usprisonvisi
tsareli
mited.Il
i
kedtoreserve
al
lofmineforLuba.
At21now… i tscar
edmehowmuchhe
resemblesme.Idon’twanthimt ofoll
owmy
path… heisdoinganengineeri
ngdegr ee,
and
I
’m gonnamakesur ehenev ergetstempted
i
ntot
hewr
ongway
.
WefistbumpedandthenLubacal
l
edhi
mto
hel
pwi t
hsomethi
ng.
Ist
oodl
ooki
ngatmydad…
Nomatt
erhowmuchy ouamass,youal
ways
f
eell
i
keadisappoi
ntmenttoagoodpar
entl
i
ke
mydadwheny ougotopri
son.
Butal
lthatwr
inkl
edf
acehel
dwasabi
g
emoti
onalsmil
e.
NTATE:Myboy
!Oh,myboy… someti
mesI
woul
dthi
nkIwoul
ddiebef
oreseei
ngyouagai
n.
HehadbeggedLubat obringhim sev
eralt
imes,
butIalwaystoldherno, andsheendedup
tell
inghimtheydon’tall
owki dsandsenior
citi
zensforsecur
it
yr easons,incasepri
soner
s
trytobreakoutandt herehadt obeashootout.
Icoul
dseet
ear
sinhi
sey
esashehuggedme.
KARTEL:
I’
m sosor
ry,
ntat
e…I
…
NTATE: Noneedforapologies!Youareher
e.
Andt her
eisnot
hingjustinjail
i
ngamanf or
tr
yingtosavehi
schil
dr en,especial
l
ywhenhe
wasn’tevengui
l
tyinthef i
rstplace.
KARTEL:
Thanky
ou…i
smmeher
e?
Hel
ookeddownsadl
y.
NTATE:Mmagowamoi tseakere…nnagake
i
tsegor
eot hoetsengngwanay owabatho
whenall
Lubaev erdidwasbegr aci
oustous.I
camewithKodi.Pakiisher
ealso.Boii
sli
ke
yourmother
.
*
***
***
***
*
Neel
osatattheback,annoy
edathowpani cked
andscaredshewasaboutseeingReubenaf ter
si
xyears.Shetookouthermirrorandchecked
hermakeup,reappl
yi
ngherl
ipstick.
Shel
ookedupwhenshehear
dsomeonecl
ear
thet
hroat
.
Reubenst
oodinfr
ontofher
,hol
dingt
hei
r
daught
er,
thei
rsonbyhi
sside.
Hehadl
ostsomuchwei
ghtandact
ual
l
ybui
l
t
uphi
sbody.
Thel
astt
imeshesawhi
m wassi
xyear
sago.
Hel
ookedsogood… andthatshysmi
l
ewas
t
hemanshe’df
all
enfor.
No.
Hewast hebast
ardthatturnedheri
ntoa
beggarandl
eftherpregnantandhomeless
gambli
ngawayev er
ythingwithsl
ayqueens.
RUE:
Hey
…
NEELO:
Hi
RUE:So,MrManov erher
eint
roducedmet
o
thi
sbeauti
ful
younglady…
NEELO:
Shehasseeny
ourphot
os.
RUE:
Oh.Thanky
ou… shel
ooksl
i
key
ou.
NEELO:
Yea…
Theki
dsr
anofftoplayandshewentbackt
o
l
ooki
ngatherphone.
RUE:
Look,
Neel
o,Iam sor
ry…
NEELO: One.Iam noti nterested.Two, ther e
reall
yi snot hi
ngy oucandot omakeupf or
steali
ngmoneyIhadbor rowedt otakecar eof
ourki dsaftery ouleftushomel ess,wit
hnot hi
ng,
onlytogobuysl ayqueensandactl ikepi mpof
theni ght.Soy ea,Iam noti nter est
ed.St ayaway
from meReuben.Myl awy ersay soncey ou
haveast ableincomeandapl acetost ay ,
you
canhav et hekidsf orhalfadayonSat ur days,
foratl eastsixmont hs.Thenwecannegot i
ate
howy oucangett hem l onger.Fornowt wo
hoursaweek, athome.Super vised.Iwillgive
yout hepaper st omor row.
Shest
oodupandwal
kedawayfrom hi
m, hat
ing
howwhathedi
dst
il
lgotheremoti
onalaf
terall
t
hesey
ear
s.
*
***
***
***
*
Ronwal
kedov
ert
oEaandki
ssedhi
scheek.
EA:
‘sup
RON:I
’m cool
….lookatyoual
lfi
neandsht
,li
ke
youai
ntj
ustfi
nishdoingti
me.
EA:(l
aughi
ng)Ay
enow,
youknowIbeencut
e…I
missedyou…
RON:
(smi
l
ing)Yea?
EA:Gi
rl
,whatdoyoumean‘y
ea’… Ibeenthat
boy
.Pleaset
ell
mey ouar
estay
ingthisti
me?
RON:Let
’senj
oyt
hepar
tyf
ir
st… heav
y
subj
ect
slat
er.
EA:
That
’sano,
isn’
tit
?
RON:It
’sa‘l
et’
senjoyt
hepartylat
er’
.Comeon,
thebr
aaii
samazing.Arnobroughtawhit
e
peopl
egri
llandit
’samazing.
*
***
***
***
*
Monknot icedCrissyseat
ingalonel
ookingat
herphone.Ar noandSeshawer ewrappedon
eachotherasSeshaseemedupsetabout
somethingandAr nowastryi
ngtofindoutwhat
.
Besi
dest hem, t
heonlyotherpersonCri
ssy
knewher ewasMonk.
Hewasabouttowalkov
ert oherwhenPuni
e
st
eppedi
nfrontofhi
m,tr
yingtokisshi
m.
Hemov edback, surpri
sed.Thel asttimethey
tal
ked,shet oldhim heembar rassedher
becausepeopl ear elaughingatherf orhavinga
babydaddyi nprison.That’sit
.Al l
throughthe
yearpriorandt henhisf i
vey earsentence,she
hadnev ercamet oseehi m once.Nev ereven
call
ed.Ev enafterhiscompanyr eopenedand
establi
shedbackgi vi
nghert hehef ty
mai nt
enancef orBobo.Notcal levenoncet o
j
ustsayy oursoni sdoingfine.
MONK:
Whatt
hehel
lar
eyoudoi
ng?
PUNI
E:Imi
ssedy
ousomuch…
MONK:Whatarey
ouev
endoi
ngher
e?Idoubt
Lubai
nvi
tedy
ou…
PUNI E:IsawLuba’spostthatt
heywere
throwingyouguysawel comebackpart
y,andI
thoughtBoboshoul dbehere… youl
ookso
good.Howhav ey oubeen?Bobo… comesayhi
toy ourdad.
Hissonwassobig.Nowat12, i
twassohardto
getusedt
ohim asabigboy.Thelastt
imehe
sawhim,hewas6y ear
sold.
Theboyheldont
ohi
stoydi
nosaurandst
ared
awkwardl
y…
PUNI
E:Heuhm… hisaut
ism… hedoesn’
ttake
wel
ltost
ranger
s.
MONK: May
bei
fyouhadtoldhim whoIam and
kepthi
smemor
yifmefresh,Iwouldn’
tbea
st
ranger
,woul
dI?
PUNIE:KanaMonky oudon’tunder
stand.
Rai
singaspecialneedski
d… itwoul
dbeso
har
dt oexpl
ainand…
MONK:Ababydaddyi njai
ldi
dnotfi
tinwit
h
yourf
akeperfectaest
heti
cofal
if
ey oucan’
t
evenaff
ord.Excuseme.
Hepushedpastherandwal
kedov
ert
oCr
issy
.
Sheblushedandlookeddownashest
oodi
n
fr
ontofher,smi
li
ng.
MONK:
Hey
…
CRI
SSY:
Hi…
Awkwar
dsi
l
ence
MONK:
Sooooo…
CRI
SSY:
Oh,
nowy
oucant
alkt
ome?
MONK:Thatwasv
eryi
mmatur
eofmetoref
use
seei
ngy
ouwhenyoutookt
heti
metocomesee
me.I
’
m sor
ry.
Shej
ustbl
ushedandl
ookeddown.
MONK:
Crystal
… saysomet
hing.Tel
lmet
of*
*k
of
fofyel
lorsomethi
ng…
CRI
SSY:Thatwasn’
tcool
…ref
usi
ngt
oseeme
whenIt
ookallt
hateff
ort
…
MONK:
Ijustwant
edy
out
omov
eon…
Puni
ecameov
erandt
ookhi
shand.
PUNI
E:Oursonwoul
dli
ket
imewi
thhi
sdaddy
.
Monkpul
l
edhi
shandaway
.
MONK:
Whatt
hehel
li
swi
thy
ou,
damni
t,Puni
e!
*
***
***
***
***
LUBA
Iwasbusyov
erseei
ngever
ythi
ngwhenIf
elta
handar
oundmywai st
…
He’
dgonetoshowerandchanged.Nowhe
smel
tli
kehi
mself
..Hi
sfavour
iteJoMalone
sandal
woodoudIhadboughthim,
andhehad
oncl
othesIhadputoutont
hebedf
orhi
m on.
Heki
ssedmyneckandwhi
sper
edi
nmyear
.
KARTEL:
Thi
nky
oucanspar
emeamoment
?
Hetookmyhandandledmetot
hebedr
oom,
l
ocki
ngthedoorbehi
ndus.
Hecuppedmyf
acewit
hhi
shands,
looki
ngi
n
myeyeswit
hasmil
e…
KARTEL:God,I
’v
el ongedfort
hissomuch… to
touchy
ou… feelyouagainstmybody… ki
ss
you…
Hesai
dashel
eanedin,cl
aimi
ngmymout hi
na
f
ier
ceki
sst
hatknockedal
lsensesof
fofme.
Hepull
edbackandl
ookedi
nmyf ace wi
tha
smi
le,t
henpull
edmeint
oabearhugfort
he
l
ongestti
me
KARTEL:Il
ovey
ousomuch,Lubalashe.Iknow
al
lIeverdi
dwasmaket
hatstatementseem a
l
ie,butIl
ovey oumor
ethanmyownl i
fe.AndI
am gonnadogoodbyy ou.I’
vehadtimeto
refl
ect
,andtheonlyt
earsIeverwanttoseein
thosebeaut
ifuley
esi
stearsofjoy.
Hekissedbot
hmyey
eli
dsandhuggedme
agai
n.
Iwant
edt
obel
i
evehi
m somuch.
Butwe’
l
lsee.
Heki ssedmeagai n,thi
st imemor efer
vent,
pull
ingmydr essupt omywai standmyt hong
downashepi nnescmeagai nstthewall,t
hen
hoistedmeupt ohi swai standIwr appedmy
l
egsast oundhiswai st,myhandsar oundhis
neckasheundi dhi sjeans…
{
EXPLI
CIT}
*
***
***
***
**
Kesegowal
kedi
ntot
hepar
tyhol
dingherson.
Shel
ookedar
oundandcoul
dn’
tseeKar
tel
,but
aboutfi
ft
eenminuteslat
er,
hewal
kedi
nfrom
deeperi
nsidet
hehouse,handi
nhandwit
hLuba
whowasgi ggl
i
ngaboutsomethi
nghe
whisper
edinherear.
Shewalkedov
erandt
hrustKati
ntoKar
tel
’
s
hands.
KESEGO:Fi
nall
y,meetyoursoninper
son.
Ser
iousl
yLuba,howdoy outhr
owsomeonea
par
tyandnotinvi
tehi
sonlyson?
LUBA:Whybot
herwhenyouspentt
hepastf
ive
year
sref
usi
ngtol
etourki
dsevenmeet?
KESEGO:Thelastti
meachildofmi
newas
ar
oundyou,shedied,so,
yea.
KARTEL: That’
senough.Thanksforbr
ingi
ngmy
son.I
fLubai sfi
newithit
,youcanstay,
other
wiseIwi l
lcomemeethi m pr
oper
ly
tomorrow.
LUBA:
What
ever
,shecanst
ay.
KARTEL:Sure,butI
’
m notgonnahaveyou
thr
owingj
absatLuba.AndImeani tKesego.
MonnaKat,whydon’tyougoplayovert
here
andletmetalktomama.I’
llcomeseeyouina
bit
.
HeputKatdownandher
anov
ert
owher
eot
her
ki
dswereplay
ing.
KARTEL:Imightaswel lbestrai
ghtforward
wit
hyour i
ghtnow, Kesego.LubaandIar e
gonnastar
talif
et ogether
.Sheisthemot herof
mykidsandIintendtowi f
eherupsoon.AndI
needyoutounderstandandr espectthat
.
KESEGO:
Howcanyousayt
hat
,shei
stheone
whocomesatmeand…
KARTEL: Lubadoesnotpickfight
s.Shemi ght
fi
nishthem gr
acef
ull
y,butsheneverpickson
anyone,soIcanguarant
eey ouwhateveryou
areabouttosay,i
snottrue.
KESEGO:
But
…
KARTEL: Iam notar gui
ngwithyou.Il
ostf i
ve
yearsofmyl i
fe.Iam gonnabet oobusy
catchi
ngupt odeal wi
thsomebabymama
drama.What every ouandIhadisdone, ouronl
y
connecti
onnowi sourson..So,l
et’
sallkeepin
ourdesignatedpl aces,al
ri
ght
?
HekissedLuba’
shandandl
edherbacki
nthe
par
ty.
Kesegowatchedt
hem ast
heywalkedar
ound
tal
ki
ngtopeoplewhi
l
ehestil
lhel
dherhand.
Howdar ehespeakt oherli
kethatbecauseof
thatbi
ch.Shewast heonewhowast herefor
him whil
eshewasi npri
son…shel osther
daughterbecauseofhim andher…andhedar es
humili
ateherliket
hat!I
nf r
ontofLubanol ess.
Fine,desi
gnat
edpl
acehesay
s.We’
l
lseeabout
that.
*
***
***
**
LI
KE,
COMMENT,
SHARE
ATHUG’
SLOVE90
KARTEL
Iwantedt
ospendti
mewithmyfami
lythenext
fewdays,
andbyfamil
yImeanmyqueenand
mykids.
Icall
edKesegot ogetKat.Iwasser i
ously
pissedatt hi
swoman.Lubadi dn’ttel
lme
Kesegowasr efusi
ngtoletKatmeethi s
si
blings,becauseasusuallyshewasl ooki
ng
outformeandmaki ngsur
eIdi dn’tgetall
fr
ust r
atedwhilelockedup.
Ical
l
edsever
alti
mesandshedidnotpickup.
God,pl
easel
ethernotbedoi
ngthi
s,pl
ease.
Ili
ter
all
yhavenot i
mef orbabymamadr ama…
wear eexpandi
ngPr oMoversint
oLogisticsand
crossboardert
ransportat
ion.MydeputyCEO
hassecuredthedeals,nowwehav etoputi n
thework.
Iwi
l
lseeherl
atert
hough,
Ihav
eat
hingwi
tht
he
boy
s.
*
***
***
***
Seshasatst al
ki
ngMaxi ne’
sFacebookprof
il
e.
Shedownl oadedpict
uresofLokiandkept
l
ookingatt hem si
demysi dewit
hAr no’
sbaby
pi
ctures.
Completecopy.Thenose,thatshapel
ymout
h…
thosehazeley
es… fr
ecklesanddi mpl
es.
Howcoul
dthi
shavehappened!Howcoul
dshe
hav
ebeensowrong!
Butev
enassheaskedher
sel
f,sheknew.
Antidepressantsthatlefthersluggi
shandnot
thi
nki
ngst r
aight
…shock… al readydepresses.
Plusnobodywoul dbeatt hei
rbestwheny ou
j
ustgavebi r
thaloneinyourbathr oom,possibl
y
duetobeingv i
olentl
yraped,withoutevereven
knowingyouwer epregnant…
ButAr
nowoul
dst
rai
ghtupki
l
lher
.Thewayhe
wasexcitedabouthav
ingachil
d,onl
ytofi
nd
outhisfi
rstbornwasdiscar
dedandlef
tfor
deadintheforestl
i
keshewassomewor thl
ess
creat
ure…
Nobodycoul
dev
erf
indout
.
Forsomer easonMaxi neseemst ohave
convincedevery
oneshebi r
thedthechil
d
herself
.Theyev enchangedheraget of our
.
Shehadwr itt
enaheart feltpostonhowLoki
hadsav edherli
feandwhat not.Seshajust
wonder edhowtheexpl ainedherobv i
ousmi xed
racelooks?
Ormay beLoki
wasreall
yMaxine’
schi
ld,
and
shewasbeingpar
anoid.Maybeshehadan
aff
airwit
hsomewhiteorbi
racial
man,whothe
hel
lknows?
Whoareyoukiddi
ng,
Sesha?Ali
ttl
evoicerkept
gnawi
ngatthebackofhert
houghts.
Youknowshei
syour
s.
DNAt
est
ing.That
’swhatshehadt
odo.
Andt
henwhat
?
Thatl
i
ttl
evoi
ceagai
n…
No,shewi llcr
ossthatbr
idgewhenshegets
ther
e.Shejustneededtofindoutf
ir
st.Fi
nda
l
abt hatcanbepaidtonotaskquest
ions.
Submi ther
s,Arno’
sandLoki’
sDNA unmarked.
Buthowdoesoneev
engoaboutdoi
ngso?
Fi
ndingal
ab.
Herphoner
angandwhenshesawt
hename,
shesmil
ed.
Lubawoul
dknowhow.
Sheal
way
sknowsway
sar
oundt
hings.
Shepi
ckedupt
hecal
l
.
LUBA:Gir
l,ar
ey oucookingorshoul
dIgetpizza
andwings?Nelisaidshehasar um cake,
and
shei
salsobringinganAmar ul
a.Doy ouhave
i
cecream?
SESHA:Nah,
gettheicecr
eam,andIam
makingwi
ngs,so,maybej
ustgett
hepi
zzaand
wine.
LUBA:
Cool
…
SESHA:Babe… l
ike,Iwannaasky
ou
somethi
ng… Idon’tknowhow.
LUBA:
Whati
sit
?
SESHA: Howdoy
oudoanunmar
kedDNA
test
ing?
LUBA:HowwouldIevenknowthat
?Why
?You
thi
nkArnogotababyoutt
her
eorsomet
hing?
SESHA: Yea… Isawaki dinGabor one,anyway.
Iam l
ikelyoffwiththi
s,butIwantt odotesting
wit
houthi m knowing,
andappar entl
ygatwe
l
abswi l
lonlydowi thpermissionofpeople
i
nvolv
edandt hei
rguardiansiftheyareami nor.
LUBA:Uhm… ok… wel
l
,everyonehasapr
ice.
Letmefindal
abtechyoucanpayoff
.And
you’dneedt
ogetthechi
ld’
shairorsomet
hing
withoutt
hemotherf
indi
ngout.AndArno’
sof
course.
SESHA:
Thanksbabe.IknewIcoul
dcounton
you.
*
***
***
***
***
*
Arnosati
nhisoff
icedoingfinal
toucheswhen
fr
ontdeskcal
ledabouthim havi
ngav i
sit
or.
ARNO:Tel
lthem t
omakeanappoint
mentli
ke
normal
peopledo,andst
opcal
li
ngmeabout
ever
yTom andHarrywhowal
ksinwant
ingto
seeme.
Hecouldhearast
ruggl
e,t
henav
oicecame
t
hrough.
‘
Trustme,y
ouwannaseeme,
Arnol
d.I
t’
sabout
t
heland’
ARNO:
Whatl
and?
‘
Theoi
ll
and.Thaty
oucheat
edt
heowneroutof
.
Tel
lyourho’
sI’
l
lbecomi
ngupnow.
Hesighedandinstr
uct
edhertocomein,anda
fewminuteslat
ershesaunt
eredi
nli
keshe
ownedtheplace.
Wherehadheseent
hatgi
rlbef
ore?Shewas
vaguel
yfami
l
iar
.
Shelookedli
ket
het ypi
cal
slayqueen.Fl
awless
weave,makeupperfect
,abodycondressand
heel
s,withsomefancyhandbag.
HER: Wonder i
ngwher eweknoweachot her
from?( l
aughing)Iworkedforyourwife’
s
grandmot her,Iwashermaid..Peopleli
keyou
don’tlookatpeopleli
kethewomanIwasback
then,soy ouwouldn’
trecognizeme.Butt hanks
toyourwi fegivi
ngmet hatyardI’vemanaged
toelevate.Thenamei sZenday a.
ARNO:
Andwhatt
hehel
ldoy
ouwant
,Zenday
a?
ZENDAYA:
Tonott
ell
tal
es.
ARNO:
Andwhatexact
lydoy
out
hinky
oucan
tel
l
?
ZENDAYA: Irememberhowexci tedyourwif
e
wast hatshemanagedt osellthelandforUSD
4mi l
li
on.Sheev engav emeUSD5000ont op
ofthehouse, tothankmef orcaringforher
grandmot her.I
maginemyshockwhenImade
fri
endswi thoneoft hegeol
ogiststhereand
foundoutt hecompanyboughtt helandforUSD
400mi ll
ion.
ARNO:
Whatdoy
ouwant
?
ZENDAYA:Li
keIsai
d,nott
otellt
ales.USD1
000000shoul
dkeepmequiet.See,I’
m not
greedy
.
ARNO:Ihavenoi
deawhaty
ouar
eonabout
,so,
Idon’
thave…
ZENDAYA:Al
lIhavetodoist
ellSeshaandshe
cangofi
ndoutforher
sel
finthemi ne.
ARNO:
Arey
out
hreat
eni
ngme?
ZENDAYA:
I’
m maki
ngadeal
.
ARNO:
Doy
ouknowwhoy
ouar
edeal
i
ngwi
th?
ZENDAYA:Youdon’ tscareme,Arnol
d.Iknow
youar
eakill
er.Isawy ouwalki
nthatol
d
woman’sr
oom t hatnight.Andt
henextthi
ng
shei
sdead?
ARNO:Thenify
ouwer
esmar ty
ouwoul
dknow
f*
*ki
ngwithmeisami
stake.
ZENDAYA: Andy ouwi l
lreali
zeIam notas
stupidasy outhinkIam.Iwasamai dbecauseI
couldn’
tf i
ndaj ob,andt hatol dladypaidmor e
thanmanyofmyf ri
endsi nof f
ices.Therei s
contentsomewher et hatIhav esettopubl ishin
tenday s.IfIdon’tchanget hedat ebeforet hat,
notonlywi lli
temai leverythingtoSesha, itwil
l
postonFacebookandal sonot if
ythe
Mozambi quepol i
ceandBot swanapol ice.Isold
thatbighousey ourwi f
egav emeandIpai da
real
lygoodhackert odoi t ,
soi t
’swellhidden.
ARNO:Thenhewi
l
lpr
obabl
yjustcomegett
he
moneyfr
om mehi
mself
.
ZENDAYA: Yea,Idi
dthi
nkaboutthat
.Him
doublecr
ossingmeandstuff
.Luckilyhemeta
caracci
dentanddidn’
tmakeit.
ARNO:
God,
please,
notanot
herpsy
cho.
ZENDAYA: Oh, no,honey.Al
lIwantismoney.I
am notli
kethatpsy choobsessedwithyour
wif
e.Yea, IkindakepttabswhileIpl
annedthi
s
wholethi
ngt hepastf i
veyear
s.See,Iam more
l
ikeyou,anoppor tunist
.
ARNO: Youar
enothingl
ikeme, andaf
terIf
ind
thatcont
ent
,Iam gonnakil
lyou.
ZENDAYA: (
laughi
ng)Youcan’tfindthecont ent
andyoudon’tknowwher eIhaveputi t
,there
aremil
li
onsofplatf
ormi nt
heinternet.Andif
youarethi
nkingofi
t,Idon’
thaveany onet o
thr
eat
en.Im anorphanandI ’m singl
e.I’
m also
anint
rover
t,sonofri
ends.So,youhav eten
day
st ohonormyr
equest
.Hav
eal
ovel
ydayMr
Nort
hman.
*
***
***
***
*
Intheaft
ernoonReubenwokeupf r
om hisnap
atthehiveandwenttotheli
vi
ngr oom asallt
he
boysonKar t
elandMonk’s‘OuttaTheStreet’
program werechat
ti
ngintheli
vi
ngr oom.
Theyhadst art
edtheprogram j
ustbefor
ethey
werearrest
ed, andhi
redpeopletohel
pallthese
boysmakeupsomet hingofthemselv
es,get
j
obs,somet i
mesatKar t
el’
scompany ,
sometimesatMonk’ s,andArnohadj oi
nedlast
yearathiscompanies.
Andher
ehewaswi
tht
hoseki
ds.
Tal
kaboutf
**ki
ngup.Atonepointhehad
mil
li
onst
ohisname, andnowhedidn’
teven
hav
eaplacetostay
,sleepi
ngi
naboy shost
el.
Theboy
shadsaidtheywantedtomeet
,and
Monkparkedi
nfr
ontofthehousetopi
ckhi
m
up.
Hedrovet
oahousei
nsomever
yni
ce
nei
ghbour
hood,
wher
etheot
her
swereal
ready
par
ked.
Helookedatt hei
rcarsout si
deandsi ghedsadly.
Arno’sPorsche… KartandMonk’ sBMW’ s,Ea’
s
Audi,Ronwasonabi kehedi dn’tevendar eask
theprice.Thegir
lwasn’tjusttravel
l
ing,she
real
lytookupt r
adingandi nvesti
ngallaroundin
thecount r
ieshestayedin.
RUE:
Okkk,what
’sgoi
ngon?
MONK:
(laughi
ng)Regodi
ret
sebabyshower
.
Hesai
dashepat
tedRue’
sst
omacht
hatwas
nowfl
at.
Theywalkedovert
otheot
her
sandKar
tel
st
artedspeaki
ng.
KARTEL:
Awesome, now t
hatt
hebrideisher
e,
shal
lwestar
t,whatt
ookyouguyssolong?
ARNO:Monkwaspr
obabl
yst
il
ldoi
nghi
s
makeup.
MONK:Say
stheguywi
thar
unni
ngt
abl
eathi
s
wi
fe’
smakeupl
ine.
KARTEL:MonkandAr no,y
oucancour teach
ot
herlat
er.Anyway,Rue… wewer eallthi
nki
ng.
Man,youdidfivewheny oudidnotneedtodo.
Ri
skedyourfreedom andlif
eformykidsand
Arno’
swife…
RUE:Aintt
hatwhatf
ami
l
ydoes?Comet
hrough
forot
hers?
KARTEL: Exactl
y … whi
chwhywet houghtwe
shouldgiveyoual it
tl
eboost.Yeayouf**
ked
up,butpersonall
yIbeli
eveyoulear
ntyour
l
esson…Iseegr owth… sowethoughthey,what
ki
ndoff am eatswhent heot
herishungry
.
EA:Whichiswhywecametoget
herand
thoughtwecoul
dputupal
i
ttl
esomethi
ng.
Ronsmi
l
edathi
m handi
nghi
shousekey
s.
RON:Iknowyouhav
ezer
otast
e,soIt
ookt
he
ef
for
toffur
nishi
ngi
t.
Hetri
edtocont
rolhi
semotionsasMonk
handedhi
stheti
tl
edeedinRue’sname.Ful
l
y
pai
dhouseinagreatnei
ghbourhood…
RI
N:Dude,
Isai
dIfurni
shedi
tfory
ou!Goon
i
nsi
deandseeandtell
mehowawesomeIam!
Hewipedthet
ear
swi
tht
hebackofhi
shandas
hewalkedi
n.
Full
yfur
nishedl
ivi
ngr
oom, ki
tchen…guest
room…andt henaboy’sr
oom inaspacetheme,
withamodel ofal
lpl
anet
s…
RON: Li
ttl
emanisallsci
enceandstuff
,he
wantstobeanast r
onaut… andnexti
sli
ttl
eMs
Charl
otte’
sroom.SheisallDi
sneypri
ncesses,
so,herewego,Disneygal
ore…
Ruepul
l
edheri
ntoahugashesobbed…
RUE:
Youguy
s…
KARTEL:
Comeon,
not
ear
s.Abi
tmor
ethi
ng…
Theyledhimt
othegar
agewher
eabrandnew
BWM wasparked,
andKar
tel
handedhi
mthe
carkeys.
KARTEL:
Weal
lpi
tchedi
ntogetal
lofi
t.And
fi
nal
l
y…
Ar
nohandedhi
m acheque… P500000.
KARTEL:St
artsomet
hingy
oucanuset
obui
l
d
yourki
dsalegacy
.
ARNO: Iactual
lyt ookthelibert
y… seeingyou
areamanofsci ence… Ithoughtmay be
supply
ingmedi cal gradegloves… Itookthe
l
ibert
yofmaki ngabusi nessplanont hat…
tai
lor
edtost ar
tingsmal l,suggest
ionon
warehouset orent ,
andmachi neryandmat eri
al
needed,plussuppl i
ersoft hemateri
al…
Ruebr
okedowncr
yingast
heyeachhugged
hi
m.
RUE:
(sobbi
ng)Youguy
s… Ican’
t…I
… al
lthi
s…
KARTEL:Yousai
dityourself
.Fam comes
thr
oughwhenoneneedsi t.Don’
tgetusal
l
emoti
onal,
Arnowil
lrui
nhismascar a.
ARNO:(laughi
ng)Ev
erhear
dofwater
proof
mascara,fool
?Canweeatthedamnpizzaand
dr
inkbeernow?
EA:Aboutdamnt i
me!Iswearthesebiches
gonnastar
tneedleworkorsomeshtifwegoat
thi
srat
e.Pizza,
ev er
yone?
Rueexcusedhi
mselfandwentt
otheki
tchen,
breaki
ngdowncry
ing,ov
erwhel
medwit
h
emot i
ons.
Nocameras,nosoci
almedi
af ori
t,nothi
ng.
Justhi
sboyscomingthr
ough.Andhecoul dbet
i
twasnevergonnabementionedagain.
Hewasgonnamaket
hiswor
k.Hehadt
o… f
or
hi
ski
ds.
Hopef
ull
yhi
swomant
oo.
*
***
***
***
**
I
nt heafter
noon,Isatwi
thSeshaandNeel o
havingaglassofwineandtal
kingov
erpizza
whiletheguyswereoutatRue’
snewplaceand
thekidsatmma-Sesha.
ME::Seshanemmaar ey
ouok?Youbeen
qui
et…isitaboutt
he…
SESHA:
Oh,
no,
nonott
hat
…
NEELO:
Thewhat
?
SESHA: It
’snothing.Justthi
nki
ngofthisIVF
thing… whatifIam at er
ri
blemother
?Li ke,a
kindofmot herwhot hrowsawaytheirchildor
someshtl ikethat…
NEELO:Youar
eli
ter
all
ythebestaunt
y…
Char
lot
tecan’
tst
optal
kingaboutt
hegir
ls
ni
ghtsyouguy
shave.
ME:
DedeandFadzwat
oo… t
heyl
ovey
ougi
rl
!
Andthewayy
out
akecar
eoft
hem!Youar
ea
nat
ural
!
SESHA: Any
way … di
dyouguysseehowgood
Ruelooks?IfIknewpri
soni
salli
ttakest
oshed
thepounds,I’
dbesigni
ngup.
ME:
Yea,
manr
eal
l
yshowi
ngoutnow…
Neel
olookeddown
ME:
Nel
i
… so,
youguy
s…
NEELO: Ar
enothi
ng.Thatmanleftmepregnant
,
homelessandbroke!Thenst
oleeventhe
moneyIbor r
owed.Togobuyslayqueenp*ssy.
Reubenisdeadtome.
SESHA: Goodfory
ou,
boo!Hereischoosi
ng
oursel
ves!Lett
hanmangooo!Youshouldtoo,
Luba.
ME:
Don’
t…
SESHA:Themanputyouinawell
.Yourwor
st
ni
ghtmareandhewentt
hatfar
!
Youseewhyt heysaynevert
ell
yourf
ri
ends
yourbusi
nesswithyourman?
ME:(l
aughi
ng)Forei
ghteenmi
nutes.Whil
eI
act
ual
lypoi
sonedhim wit
hadeadlypoi
son.
SESHA:
Andhowdoy
out
hinkt
hati
snott
oxi
c?
NEELO: Gapehel
abesi
desal
lthat
,theman
cheatedonyou.Hadanent
ir
efamily!Aset
sea
ntshamagadi!
ME:
Kar
tel
isnotper
fect
…
SESHA:
Andhei
snotwor
thi
tei
ther
…
ME:Babes,nnaakerategoi kaket
sa.Itri
edt hat
anditdi
dnotworkoutforme.Iam i nlovewi th
Kart
elandIknowhel ov
esme.Wef ittogether
thewayIwil
lneverf
itwithanyoneelse.
SESHA:
ButLuba,
he…
ME: Ev
ery
onedoeswhatmakest hem happy.
See,Neel
odecidedwhat
’sbestforheristo
walkaway,andt
hat’
samazing.Iam sohappy
forher
.Iam choosi
ngmyhappyt
oo,
andy
ou
guysshoul
dbehappyforme.
SESHA:That
’sbul
l
sht
…ifhel
ovesy
ouhe
would…
ME: What ,
neverhavehurtme?Thatwould
meanIdon’ tlov
ehim ei
ther,
then,no?AndI
knowwit houtdoubtIl
ovethatmanwi t
h
every
thi
ngIgot .Heismyhappi l
yeveraft
er.I
fI
died,
Idie.
*
***
***
***
**
Il
eftRue’
saround7pm andKesegocal
l
ed
sayi
ngIshouldcomepickupKat.
Idrov
estr
aightt
her
eandwhenIknockedshe
openedt
hedoorweari
ngagown.
ME:Wherei
she?Di
dyoupackabagf
orhi
m?
Hewil
lbest
ayi
ngafewdays…
KESEGO:
Seatdown,
rel
ax…
Shesai
dashepushedmet
othesof
a,t
hen
pull
edof
fthegownt
ies,
let
ti
ngt
hegownf
all
to
thefl
oor
.
Underneathitshehadonal eatherbustierthat
stoppedbelowherbo- obs,leav i
ngt hem
exposed…ar opet i
edaroundeachper kybo- -ob,
withnip--
pleclampatherni p--pples,extending
downacr osshersmoot h,flattummyt obr anch
i
ntola--bi
aclipsandacli--
tor i
scl amp, wearing
av i
brati
ngpant ywit
hpl easur ebeads.
Myf
avor
it
eout
fi
tofher
s.
Ialsoonlyt
hennoti
cedt
hecol
l
arathernecks,
theleashdownherbody
.
Shetossesmet hepanti
esr emot
econtr
oland
hel
doutt hel
eashtome, thenwentdownonher
knees,l
egsopenwide,eyesdown.
KESEGO:
Iwannapl
ay… daddy
…
*
***
***
***
**
LI
KE,
COMMENT,
SHARE
ATHUG’
SLOVE91
Lastni
ght
…
Il
aidi
nbedwit
hLubai
nmyarmsaf
terwe
madelov
efort
hemil
li
ont
hti
me.
Shewasnest
ledt
omychestandi
tfel
tsogood.
Iki
ssedhef
orehead,
wit
hacont
entsmi
l
e.Thi
s
i
shome.
KARTEL:
Thanky
ou…
Shesmiledl
azi
lyandr
aisedt
hosel
ong
eyel
ashestol
ookupatme.
LUBA:
For
?
KARTEL:
Giv
ingmeasecondchance.Ori
sit
thi
rd…
LUBA:Yup… achancet
omakemel
ookl
i
kea
fool
again,
aker
e?
KARTEL:
Luba…
LUBA:
Thatsi
l
ly,
star
ryey
edgi
rly
ouf
ell
inl
ove
with… shejustglowsatt het i
niestmor selof
att
enti
onf r
om y ou… becausey ouar emy
heart
…butt hattough,resili
ent,quickwi t
ted
womanwhohasbeent hroughev erythi
ngwi t
h
you… yea,thatgirl
isscoff i
ngatt his.Heis
gonnahurty ouagain,youf ool.That ’
swhatthe
smartpartifmei ssayi
ng.
KARTEL:
Luba,
Isweart
oyou,
I…
LUBA: Iam mymother’
sdaughter,Kar
tel
.
Growingupseeingyourmotheraccepti
ngthe
worstoftreat
mentfrom t
hemanwhoi s
supposedt ol
oveandprot
ecther …itt
eaches
youthatthati
sok.Whenyougr owupandst ar
t
dati
ng… youacceptmorethany oushoul
d…
Shesni
ff
ledandwi
pedat
ear
.
KARTEL:
Luba…
LUBA: Pleaseletmef i
nish.Mygi
rlsarebignow
Kart
el.Theyar elearni
ngf r
om meeveryday.
Absorbingev er
ything,
ev ensmal
lthi
ngsIdidn’
t
evennoticeaboutmyself.Andift
her
eisone
thi
ngIam notgonnal etthem pi
ckupfr
om me,
i
t’saccepti
ngdisr
espect.Onechance…it
’sal
l
youget.Don’tmessitup.
*
***
***
**
KARTEL
Icl
osedmyeyesthi
nki
ngofmyconv
ersat
ion
wit
hLubal
astnight
.
Ican’
tlosemyl ov
e.Notforanythi
ng.Butmost
i
mportant,Ican’
thur
theragain.Neveragai
n.
Pr
esent
…
Ist
oodupandwal
kedout,pushi
ngheroutof
t
hewayasshet
ri
edtostopme.
KESEGO:
Comeon,
youknowy
ouwantt
o…
KARTEL: DoIwanttotapsomeeasypieceof
meatthatlooksgoodbuthasnovaluebeyond
tast
inggood?Damnst rai
ght
.Wil
lI?Nope.I
haveev ery
thi
ngtolose.Awomanofwor t
hI
wil
lnolongerbet
ray
,notf
orany
thi
ng.
Especi
all
ynotyou
Shet ear
edupandIf el
tsobad.Kesegoisa
goodgi r
l.Stupid,yes.Butagoodgirl
.Ihated
sayingtheset hingstoherbecauseIknowi twil
l
breakher ,
butmay beit’
swhatwill
getitthrough
herthickskullthatwear edone.
KESEGO:(
sobbi
ng)Howcany
ousaysuch
thi
ngst
ome!
KARTEL: I
t’
sthetrut
h.Youwer enothi
ngbuta
maidandapl aceyoust i
ckmyd* *
kinwhilemy
womanwasn’ tavail
able.Idon’tev
enknowhow
yougotpregnantbecauseIal waysusedrubber
.
Youwer eapasttime.Mygi rli
sbacknow, I
don’tneedyou,sowear edone.Gett hat
thr
oughy ourhead,wil
lyou?
Sheranoffdeepi
nthehouseandIsi
ghedsadl
y
asIwenttomycar.Hopef
ull
yshegotitandwi
l
l
st
opallt
hisdrama.
*
***
***
***
***
*
Zendayaparkedherrent
edcarandwasabout
toheadtoherroom whenshebumpedinaguy.
Shet
urnedupt
olookathi
m.
Shesmi l
edthi
nki
nghowmuchhelookedl
i
ke
thatguyfr
om Power
.Whatwashi
snameagain?
Ghost.
DOLLA:
Mustbemyl
uckyday
…
ZENDAYA:Andmyunl
uckyonei
fyouthi
nk
whatev
ersil
l
ypi
ckupl
i
neyouhavenexti
s
gonnawork.
DOLLA:(l
aughi
ng)Nah,it
’smyluckyday
becauseIj
ustst
oleyourphone.
Hesmi
l
edandf
lashedi
ttoher
.
ZENDAYA:
Giv
eitback!OrI
’
ll
…
DOLLA:Joi
nmefordi
nner,t
herei
sar est
aurant
her
e.I
fyouwannawinyourphoneback,j
oinme.
Hejoggeddownthestai
rstother
est
aur
antand
shesighedandwentaft
erhi
m.
*
***
***
**
Reubensmi l
edt ohimselfashedr ov
eaway
from v
iewi ngthewar ehouse.I
twasgood
enough, andaf f
ordable.Hehadalsocont acted
themachi neryandr awmat eri
alsuppli
ers,and
wasst udyingthemaki ngprocess.Mont hend
hewillhirethreeempl oyeesfi
rst
.
Hetear
edupt
hinki
ngi
fwhathi
sbr
other
sdi
d
f
orhim.
Whenhewasinpri
sonal
onebeforetheguys
came,
thosehar
ddays… whathappenedto
hi
m…
Not
hinghurtmorethanhowemptyhefel
t.The
r
emorse… ninei
fitwaswort
hit
.Nineifi
twas
wor
thhurt
inghisNelit
hewayhedid.
Hehadspental
lhi
sti
met
hinki
ng,
regr
ett
ing…
Andnownotonl ywashenev ergoi
ngtoaclub
agai
n,hewasgoi ngtomakehi mselfwort
h
Neli
’sti
me.Ifhewor kedhardenough,pai
dher
backeveryt
hingtheylost
,becamethebest
fat
hereverandar eal
lygoodman… may beshe
wouldtakehim back.
Hepulledoutthei
rweddi
ngpict
ureand
rememberedhowhappyhehadbeen… howshe
stuckbyhim whenhewasparaly
zedwaist
down… God, whatanungr
atef
uld**
khehad
been.
Heparkedi
nfr
ontofthebaker
yandwal
kedi
n,
f
indi
ngheremploy
eesinfr
ont.
‘
Mor
ningSi
r,canIhel
pyou?
’
REUBEN:
CanIseeMr
sDi
ngal
o?
‘
Who?
’
REUBEN:
Theowner
…
‘
Oh,
MsMangadi
?’
Damn,shehadev
enr
ever
tedbackt
oher
maidenname?
He’
dhur
therr
eal
bad.
‘
Shedoesn’
tli
kebei
ngdi
sturbedwhenshehas
alar
gecakej
ob.Canyoupleasel
eavea
message?
’
Neelowalkedi
nhol
dingabr
idef
igur
ine
chocol
ate.
NEELO: Besi
,tast
ethischocolat
e,it
’sgonnabe
adoorgiftatsomeweddi ng… oh… Reuben… I
wasjust… uhm… weddi ngcake,thefl
our…I
havesomei nmyf ace,don’tI
?Youknowwhat ?
No.Actuall
y,howcanIhel pyou?Besi,t
akefi
ve.
Thegir
lranoffgr
atef
ull
y,f
eel
i
ngt
het
ensi
on
fr
om herboss.
NEELO:Whatdoyouwant
,Reuben?Idon’
t
appr
eci
ateyouj
ustshowi
ngupinmyspaces.
RUE:
Ijustwant
edt
otel
lyouIhav
eapl
acet
o
staynow.Myownhouse…i nagood
neighbor
hood…anewsuburb.Theboyshel
ped.
Therearetheseamazi
ngbedr
oomsf orReo
andShasha…
NEELI:
Idon’tcare,
Reuben.Idon’t
.Justl
eave
mealone.Contactmylawyerifyouwannatal
k
vi
sit
ati
onri
ghts.
REUBEN:
Nel
i
,I…
NEELO: Ican’
tstandbeinginy
ourpresence.
Youmademesuf fer
.HadInothadgood
fr
iends,Iwouldsti
llbeonthestr
eet
swi t
h
chil
dren.Getoutandstayawayfrom me.
Shehuf
fedof
fangr
il
y.
*
***
***
***
**
Arnowalkedi
ntoKar
tel
’
sof
ficeandsatdown,
thenst
oodupandpacedar
ound.
KARTEL:Ei
theryouarepr
act
ici
ngyourcatwal
k,
andi
tsreal
l
ydi st
ract
ingt
odoiti
nmyof fi
ce…
ory
ouneedt
otal
k…
Hesatdownwi
thaheav
ysi
gh…
KARTEL:
Brot
her
,takear
idewi
thme.
Hepickeduphi scarkeysandtalkedtohi
sP.A
thentheywalkedtohiscar.Hedrovetohis
farm andthenledArnoatt hefaredgeontop
ofasmal l
hill
.
KARTEL:If
igur
ewhat ev
eriti
s,i
t’
ssomethi
ng
youdon’
twantanyoneelsehear
ing.Tal
kto
me… what’
seatingyouup?
Ar
norubbedhi
sfacewi
thhi
shandsandwas
si
l
entforal
ongti
me.
ARNO: Ij
ust…y ouguysmeanal ottome.I
neverhadfr
iendsli
key ou,andIam afr
aidof
l
osingevery
thing… youguys… butmost
especi
all
ymywi fe.
KARTEL:
Whatdi
dyoudo?
ARNO:
Ijust
,Idi
dn’
texpecti
ttopant
hisway
…I
j
ust
…
KARTEL:Arnol
d.Youaremyf amil
ynow,and
whatev
eryougotyour
selfi
nto,I
’
llt
rymybestto
hel
p.Butyougott
abestrai
ght.
ARNO:
(si
ghi
ng)ImetSeshaasaj
ob…
KARTEL:
Elabor
ate…
ARNO: Thatland… i
twaswor
thawholel
ott
han
whatshegot …Doll
aandanot
herguy
di
scoveredithadoil
…
Kar
tel
whi
stl
ed…
ARNO: Theywant edt otakeitawayfrom the
owneratt heti
me.Hergr andmother
..Ther ewas
noot herwayt omakei tlegalsot
heycoul d
sell
…unt il
theydi
scov eredshehada
granddaught er…sot heywer egonnausehert o
takeit.SheknewDol laandwoul dneverlisten
toany thinghesay s.Trevorwasthegr andma’s
l
awy er, soalsonogo.
KARTEL:
Sot
heycal
l
edy
ou.
ARNO: Wehaddonesmal l j
obsbef ore,
somet imesIwoul dalsocleantheirmoney .
Theyt oldmeaboutt his,
andshewasasmal l
business,sowithmebei ngar enownl ocal
businessowner ,wehadanangl e.Iwast o
ment orher… gethertotrustme, f
alli
nlove
wit
hme.Thenmar ryherandswi ndleherthe
l
andont hesubsequentdiv or
ce…i twasal l
goingaccordingtoplan.
KARTEL:
Buty
oudi
dadummymov
eandf
ell
in
l
ove.
ARNO: Youdon’tgetitman.Sesha… sheis
i
ncredi
ble.Li
keal i
teral
angeloneart
h.Sheisso
sweet,
sohar dworking… sol
oving… honest
…
KARTEL:(
smil
ing)Dude,
Ireal
l
ydon’twanna
spendt
heaft
ernoonheari
nghowincredi
ble
yourwi
fei
s.
ARNO:
Ifel
li
nheadf
ir
st,
wit
hev
ery
thi
ng.I
wantedt opull
t hepl ug…butt heywouldkil
l us
bothbeforetheyl etthathappen.IfItoldher,
theywouldkillherandt aketheland… probably
met oo.Idel
iber atel
yt r
iedtogethertodump
me… askedhert opayherownbr idepri
ce…
didsloppytr
ansact i
onshopingshewi l
lcatch
me…
KARTEL:
Thatwasdel
i
ber
ate?
ARNO: Y’allthinkIam t hatsl
oppy?I fIwas
embez zli
ng, nobodywoul dknow.Ij ustt hought
i
fshedumpedme, Icouldbuyt i
met ofigur ea
wayout .ButNaomi caughtmeoni tandshe
remindedmewhatwasatst ake.Seshawoul d
dieifIdidn’tdoasIwassupposedt o.SoI
stayedthecour se.Iwasnol ongerpr etendi ng,I
wasi nlove, soitwaseasyt oconvinceher …
plusthedr ugsIhadherhookedon.Af t
erwe
sold,It
ook10mi l
formybusi nessandi nv ested
therestforher ,andIkeepput t
ingther et urnsin
hersavingunt ilthereistheamountt hel and
waswort
h.Sheweal
thyasf
**kbecauseIknow
howtomakemoneygrow.
KARTEL: Well,
that’
snoble…andman, Ihaveno
room tojudgeyou.I’m athief
.I’
vedone
everythi
ngfrom r
obbingat uck-shoptoami ne.
I’
dpr obabl
ehadt akenthatjobtooifIwas
singleanditwasar andom chickIdidn’
tknow
andst oodtomakebi gbank.Butwhyar ey oual
l
wor kedup,youarecorrecti
ngi t,
orcan’
ttake
keepingthesecretanymor e.
ARNO: That
… butalso… somechi
ckshowedup.
Thegrandma’smaid.Shefoundouthowmuch
thel
andwaswor th,andSeshahadtol
dhert
he
amountwegav eher…
KARTEL: Sheisbl
ackmai
li
ngyou… man,i
fshe
canfindout,Seshacant
oo… Ithi
nkyoubet
ter
fessup.
ARNO:Ican’
t.Idon’
tgi
veaf**kaboutt
he
money
… but… Ikill
edhergr
andma,man…
KARTEL:
Sht
…
ARNO:Shewi l
lneverf orgiv
eme.I ’
dconfess
aboutt
hemoney … butt heothert
hing… she’l
l
l
eaveme, man..Ican’tloseSesha.Andt hat
bi
chsaysshehascont entsetupsomewher eto
emailSeshaintenday sifIdon’
tpay.Ishoul
d
j
ustpaythatbi
ch.
KARTEL:Younevergiv
eint
obl
ackmai
l
ers,
becausei
tneverends.
ARNO:Idon’
tknowwhatt
odo…whatwoul
d
youdo?
Kar
tel
laughedandl
ookedathi
m.
KARTEL:Areyoureal
lyaski
ngmewhatIwoul
d
doifsomeoneblackmail
edme?
ARNO: Ican’
toffher.Whati
fsheisl
egi
tabout
thecontentanditcomesout?Andshehad
nothingel
seIcanuse.Sheli
teral
l
yhasnothi
ng
tolose.
KARTEL:
Ever
yonehassomet
hingt
olose.
.
ARNO: Sheseri
ousl
ydoesn’
t…nof
ami
l
y,no
fr
iends,notev
enapet.
KARTEL: Shehadabody .Humanbei ngsar e
selfpreservi
ng…whent heirbodyisthr
eat ened,
theywi l
l doany t
hingtost opthepain.Even
speak.Thati swhyt ort
ur ei
sfamouswi t
h
cartel
s, mafiasandal ltheseacronyml aw
enforcement sbr anches.Itrynottoharm
females, butshei sputtingSeshaanddanger
becauseDol l
awon’ thesi t
atetoki
llherifit
threatenshismoney .Ifsomeoneput smi nein
danger ,Idon’tcareitsit’
sachild,t
heydi e.Nab
thatbichandt or
turethef **koutofherunt i
l
shesqueal s.
ARNO:
Butwhati
fshewon’
ttal
kand…
KARTEL:Shesoundssmart,butsheisjustagi
rl,
andIhav
et or
tur
edhardenedcriminal
s…gr own
assmenwhobeeni nthepenmul ti
pleti
mes
andhaveki
l
ledwit
houtfl
inchi
ng.I’
veseenthem
si
ngli
keabirdwhenItor
turedthem j
ustr
ight.
*
***
***
***
LUBA
Lat
eratnightaft
erdinnerandwehadputthe
ki
dstosleep,Kart
elandIlaidi
nbedrel
axi
ng.
KARTEL: Idon’
twantsecr et
sbet weenus,
soI
am goingtotel
l y
out hi
s.Lastnightaft
erRue’
s
thi
ng,Kesegofinall
ycall
edsayingIshould
comepi ckupKat .
ME:
DoIev
enwantt
oheart
her
esti
fthi
s?
KARTEL:Obvi
ouslyt
her
ewasnoKatwhenIgot
ther
e,buti
nst
eadshewasinf
ull
onBDSM at
ti
re
andtri
edtoseducemeint
opl
ayi
ng.
ME:
Didy
ou?
KARTEL:Consul
tmyappl
ewatchhi
storyify
ou
wantt
o.Iwasinherar
eafi
veminut
esatmost .I
tol
dhernoandleft
.Di
dIwantt
otapthat?I’
m
notgonnalie,helly
ea… thatismykindofplay.
Butit
’snotwor t
hi t
…y oudeservebett
er…y ou
deser
v eevery
thing..WhenIsai dIwasgonna
gi
vey outheli
fey oudeserve,Imeantit
,babe…
andyoudeser veit… al
lofit
.
ME:
Aww…
KARTEL: Iam notgonnasayal l
those‘Ionly
haveeyesf oryou’l
iesbecauseanymanwho
say
st hatislyi
ng.Wedocheckoutot her
womenandsomet i
mesev enfantasi
ze, t
hat
’s
j
ustmen.Butmyhear thasal
way sbeenandwi l
l
al
way sbey ours.AndInowmyact stoo…
not
hingthatcoul devenremotel
yhurty ou…
Heki
ssedmyf
oreheadandpul
l
edmecl
oser
.
Ismi
l
edandgotup.
KARTEL:
Nooo,
stay
…theki
dsar
easl
eep.
ME:
Amoment
…
Iwenti
ntomywal
kincl
osetandpul
l
edoutt
he
packageIhadj
ustr
ecei
vedf
rom Al
iExpr
ess.
Ichangedi
ntot
heski
mpyl
i
ttl
ecost
ume…
AsIwal
kedbacki
ntheroom,
Icoul
dhear
i
nhal
edeepl
yandwhist
le,
maki
ngmelaugh.
KARTEL:
Goddamni
t… gi
rl
…
ME:I t
’sunf
airformetoturndowny ourfet
ish
thi
ng.Thewholepainthi
sisnevergonnabemy
thi
ng,soIwontgetintoi
t.Butyoutoldme
aboutthi
scostumesandr ol
eplaysandthat
caughtmyattenti
on…Ireadmor eonitand…
l
et’
sseewher eitgoes.
*
***
***
***
*
LI
KE,
COMMENT,
SHARE
ATHUG’
SLOVE92
Iwokeupt onoi
seinthekitchenandf ound
Kar
telandthegi
rl
scooking.MyFaf ami ght
haveabri
ll
i
antfut
ureasasci enti
st,butshe
al
sohasmynat ur
altal
entforcooking,andshe
wasshowi ngouttheset
wowhi l
etheycutthe
veget
ablesandcleanedup.Iusual
lydoallthe
cooki
ngandhav esomeonecomeev er
ydayto
dotherestofthehousework,
butonceina
whil
e,t
heset hr
eesurpri
semewi t
hani cemeal.
FADZWA:
Mama,
tast
ethi
s…
ME: Mhhhh,sof
t… del
i
cate… cheesyandjusta
hi
ntofsaltgarl
i
c.Why,chefFadzwa,It
hinkyou
haveoutdoney our
sel
fthi
stime.Besttast
ing
eggs.
Isai
dasIki
ssedhercheek
DEDE:
Ihel
ped!
Shesaid,
tappingherowncheekf
orakissand
giv
ingmet hatgoof
ysmil
etgatmatchedher
fat
her.
KARTEL:
Met
oo!
HedidthesameasDedeasFadzwaandI
l
aughed.
FADZWA: (l
aughi
ng)Lookattheseat
tent
ion
seeker
s..Gosetthetabl
ethenify
ouwantto
earnmama’skisses.
KARTEL:
Asbossyasy
ourmama!Yesma’
am!
ComeonDede.
FADZWA: (
laughi
ng)Iti
scalledbeingasser
ti
ve,
dad.MamaandIar easserti
v e.Ok,qui
ckl
ynow,
wedon’twannabelateforschool.Mamawi l
l
hel
pmewi ththepancakes.Im stil
lnotsogood
wit
hthem.
Thisfeltsogood.Nodr ama,nocrazi
ness… just
afami l
ymaki ngbreakf
asti
nt hemorni
ng.Ithad
becomeanor mf orus,
tostartt
hedayhav i
ng
breakfasttoget
her…butnowwi thKart
elhome,
i
tf el
tcompl et
e.
Bothmygirl
shadar ockystart,Fadzwainthat
hor
riblemanMoses’home, thenMi chael
.Dede
wit
ht hewhol
econfusionofwhohermot her
was.Thenther
ewast hatLani sht…
Butwehadwor kedsowel lwi
ththetherapist
,
theywereok.Thet her
apistwasnowwor king
witht
hem onhav ingthei
rdadbackhomeaf t
er
somanyy ears… andshesai dtheywer e
adapti
ngwell,andinanothermont horso,they
maynotev enneedt oseeherany more.Please
l
etthi
sf i
nall
ybewher emy‘ bet
ter’st
art
s.
*
***
***
***
Seshasmi ledasshewalkedintot
hesalonand
saw Loki seatedatachai
r,gi
vi
ngthehair
dresserhellasherfat
herl
ookedonhelplessl
y.
Thi
swasherchance.
SESHA:At
tendtoanot
her
,Lebo,
Iwi
l
ltakecar
e
ofMsLoki
here.
Thegir
llookedatSeshai
nsur
pri
se,i
nher
busi
nesssuitandall
.
Theirbosscamei nf
rom ti
met oti
metocheck
onthingsatall
thesalonsandspas.Butshe
neverdidpeopl
e’shai
r!Usual
lyshewasathead
of
fi
ce.
HER:
Arey
ousur
e?
SESHA:(
laughi
ng)Youdoknowhairdressi
ngis
myprof
ession,
right
?Igott
hunder
boltoverher
e.
Shesai
dassheputonam apr
on.
Thegi
rlshr
uggedandwal
kedawayasSesha
l
ookedatLokiwi
thasmil
e.
LOKI
:Idon’
twantmyhai
rdone,
Idon’
t,
Idon’
t.
SESHA:I
’
lll
ety
oudomi
nei
fyoul
etmedo
your
s?
LOKI
:(smi
l
ing)Real
l
y?
SESHA: Sure… whydon’
tyoupickapint
oputin
myhai r,
thenIwashyours.Andtheny
ouplai
t
mine,andIbraidyour
s.Youdoknowhowt o
pl
ait
,right?
LOKI
:Ofcour
seIdo.I
’
m notababy
!
Hef
athersmi
l
edatSeshagr
atef
ull
y.
Shepickedupasunflowerpinandputon
Sesha’
shair,
thensatforherwash.
Googl
esai
dhai
rhadt
obef
rom t
her
oot
s.
Shegentl
ymassagedtheli
tt
legir
l’
sscalp,
then
pull
edthr
eestr
andsfr
om therootandput
them i
naZipl
ockthem i
ntoherhandbagas
Lokiwhel
ped.
SESHA:Aww,sorry,
sor
rydarli
ng…thehairwas
abitt
angl
ed,butIgoti
t.Sosorry
.Lebo,canwe
havealol
l
ipopoverher
ef ort
hebraveyoung
l
ady?
ThegirlbroughtLokialol
li
popfr
om thebott
le
theykeptforkids,andseshawentondoingher
hair
,plai
ti
ngt hoseunrul
ycurl
ssogently
,butso
beauti
full
y.
‘
Youmanagehersowel
l
’thef
athersmi
l
edat
her
.
SESHA:(
laughi
ng)Iwasabutofawil
dcard
mysel
fwhenIwasl i
tt
le.Mymot
herwoulddo
l
it
tl
ecompromisesl
imet
hist
ogetmet
occ-
oper
ateandl
etherdomyhai
r.
Whenshewasdone,andtheyhadl
eft
,shewent
t
ohercarandcal
ledLuba.
SESHA:
Heygi
rl
,whaty
ouupt
o?
LUBA: Off
ice.Meet
ingswithdevelopmenttotry
outt
henewshampooscent s.Themar ul
aoil
andlavenderisamazing.AfterthatPTA
meeting.You?
SESHA:Passedbythesalon,af
tert
his,
meet
ing
wit
hfi
nancefortheCSRbudget .Nemmahave
youmanagedtofindalabtech?
LUBA: Ah,y es… thereisthisphar macistIused
tobuypoi sonsandshtf rom (laughi
ng)Don’ t
ask.Any way .Heknowsal abt echthatcanbe
paid.Ipaidhi m P2000f orthehookup, andthe
techsaidt odoi tallundercoverwi thout
consentwi llbeP15000asi t
’sar i
sktohi sj
ob.I
willhavetosendt hesampl etomypl ugandhe
wi
ll
dropi
ttot
heguy
.Theyguycanhav
eitback
i
n1week.
SESHA: Ok,Igotpartoft
hesampl
es.Wi
l
lbr
ing
them t
ot heoffi
cetomorrow.
*
***
***
**
Monksatal
ongthefor
emanhelpingtr
ainthe
newstaf
fattheGl
assworksf
actory
.Hejust
l
ikeddoi
ngthemanualworkt
oo.
Oneoftheol
deremployeescamei
ntocal
lhi
m
say
inghehadavisi
tor
.
Hewi
pedhi
shandsonhi
soveral
l
sandwentt
o
t
hefr
ont
,wher
eCri
ssyst
oodther
ebl
ushi
ng.
MONK:
Cry
stal
…whatar
eyoudoi
ngher
e…
CRISSY:Iwasjustpassi
ngbyandIthoughtI
shouldsayhi.OhmyGod, Idi
stur
bedyou… I
am sosorry
…
MONK:No,no.Idi
dnitmeanitl
i
kethat.I
t’
sa
pl
easur
etohaveyou,
butthi
sisali
tt
leouti
fthe
wayf
orev
ery
one.
CRI
SSY:IswearIwasnotl
i
kest
alki
ngy
ouor
any
thi
ng,butIwasj
ust…
MONK: (
smil
ing)Your
umbl
ewheny
ouar
e
ner
vous.What’
sup…
CRI
SSY:Ijust… Ithoughty
ouandIgotalong
wel
l,
andIj ustthoughtwhenyoucomeout …
whydon’tyouli
keme?I si
tbecauseIam f
at?
MI
NK:
What
?
CRISSY:Ij
ust,l
i
ke,Ireall
yli
key ouandy oujust
i
gnor emeandIj ustthoughtyouwi ll
giveusa
shot,andIwai
tedfory ouanddi dn’
tgetwith
anyonebecausemenwhoar enoty oumakeme
nervousanyway… andIam r umbl i
ngnow…
Monkt ookherbyhandandledhert
ohi
spriv
ate
off
ice,
thenpinnedheragai
nstt
hedoor
,ki
ssi
ng
her.
Whenhepul
l
edback,
hecar
essesherf
ace,
wit
h
asmi
l
e.
MONK:Youhav enoideahowpreciousyouar
e
tome… thatyouknowmeandj ustdon’
tcar
e…
andIam my sel
fwi
thyou,Cr
issy.
CRISSY:
But
?I’
m notpr
ett
yli
keSeshaory
our
babymamaand…
MONK:
What?Youar
ethepret
ti
estgi
rlIknow.
I
t’
sapi
tyy
oudon’
tknowj
usthowpret
tyy ouar
e.
CRI
SSY:
Thenwhy
?
MONK: Myli
fealway
scatchesupwithme,
Cri
ssy… plusIhaveacr
azybabymamawho
harassesever
ywomanIgetwi th…besi
des.
Arnowouldkill
me.
CRI
SSY:
So,
youar
eacowar
d…
MONK:
Cri
ssy
…
Shebl
ushedshy
lyasshegotonhert
ipt
oes
andki
ssedhi
m.
*
***
***
***
**
Kesegolai
dinbedrubbi
ngherswoll
enf
rom
cry
ingeyes.HowdareKart
elsayt
hoset
hings
toher?
Shehadgi
venthatmanherev
ery
thi
ngandt
his
i
showhetreat
edher?
I
tbrokeherhear
tal
lov
eragai
nwhenshe
t
houghtifi
t.
‘
aplacetosti
ckmyd*
*kwhi
l
emygi
rlwas
unavai
l
able’
Herdaught
erwasdeadf
rom t
hisman’
srubbi
sh
andhedaressay
sthi
stoher
!
I
thur
ttomuch.Shehadt
odi
str
acther
sel
f.
ShewentonFacebookandpost
edapi
ctur
eof
Kyl
ie,
capt
ioni
ngit
‘
Resteasyangel
… gonetoosoonbecause
mamal ett
hewrongpeoplei
ntoourl
ives.
’
Shebrowsedthroughhert
imel
ine.Lubahad
j
ustpostedapictur
eofherandKartelhav
ing
br
eakf
astwitht
heki
ds,
capt
ioned‘
Fami
l
yis
ev
eryt
hing’
Shewr
otear
epl
y.
‘
Whyy ouacti
ngli
ket
hatmandoesn’
thav
e
anot
herchi
ld?’
Therewasn’
tevenaresponsewhenshe
checkedanhourl
ater
.
Sheshoweredandwenttocheckont
he
bout
ique,
thencal
ledNkemi.
NKEMI
:What
?
KESEGO:
Ongadi
l
e?Youbeenqui
et.
NKEMI
:Youbr
okeupwi
thme!
KESEGO: KanannaIjustgotfrust
rat
edbecause
Iam tr
yingtopushyoutoy ourbeat,
andwena
i
tsli
key oudon’
tcar
e.Canwemeetf orl
unch
andtal
k?
NKEMI :
Ili
keyouKese,butIr
efuset
oli
veon
yourgangst
erbabydaddy’
sshadow.
KESEGO:
Ipr
omi
set
hati
sal
ldone.Lunch?
NKEMI
:(si
ghi
ng)Fi
ne.
Shecheckedt
hebouti
quesi
ghi
ngsadl
y.I
t
wasn’
tgoingwel
latal
l
.Sal
esweresol
owt hey
werebarel
ybr
eaki
ngeven.
Sheneededtobuyads,mar
ket,putsomenew
i
nseasonclothes,
andmonit
ortheemploy
ees
moretomakesur ecust
omerservi
cewasgood.
Butshejustdidn’thavet heenergyf
orallthat
.
Thiswasser i
ouslynotf orher.Sheli
kedt he
tr
adit
ionalfamilydy nami c.Themanwor ksand
provi
des,thewomani sahomemaker .Theway
shehadi twit
hKar tel.
No… no… Kartelusedherandt
osaysuch
thi
ngstoher?No!Nomor eKart
el.Whathesai
d
real
lyhur
therbecauseshecoul
df eel
thet
rut
h
behindhi
swords.
Shejusthadt
opushNkemi
tobet
heman
Kar
telis.
ShecheckedFacebookagai
n,l
ooki
ngdi
rect
ly
forLuba’
spost
…
Shecoul
dn’
tev
enf
indLuba’
spr
ofi
l
e.
Thebchhadbl ocked?Whot hehelldi
dthatgir
l
thi
nkshewas!Gi rl
thoughtshewasacelebrit
y
i
rsomer hi
ng,didshenotknowal l
thosepeople
fol
lowedherbecauseherl i
feisal
way sf
il
led
wit
hdr ama.
Shet
houghtangr
il
yasshewentt
opi
ckupKat
fr
om school
.
ShesawKartel
’
scarpar
kedatt
hegat
eashe
wai
tedout
side.
Shepar kedandwalkedov ertoKat
’scl
ass
becauseal l
kidsunder7couldonlybepicked
upbyr egist
eredpersons.Shewasgoingt oadd
Kart
el,butnowhecoul dforgeti
t.
Sher
ushedoverandgr
abbedherson,
butKar
tel
sawherandcametoher.
KARTEL:Hey… It
houghthecoul
dspendt
he
weekendwit
hus?
KESEGO:Stayawayfr
om us.Youwannaget
thi
sonekil
l
edt oo?
KARTEL:
Cany
ounotdot
his?Iam t
aki
ngmy
son.
KESEGO:
Isai
dno.
KARTEL:
Hei
smychi
l
d!Hehasev
eryr
ightt
o
knowme!
KESEGO: Youcan’
tsayst
uffli
kewhatyousaid
tomeandexpectmet ojustgi
veyoumychild.
Akereyousaidyoudon’
tknowhowIgot
pregnant
,somowwhatdoy ouwant?
KARTEL:
Iwantmyson!Ihav
ear
ightt
ohav
e
hi
m!
KESEGO:Iknowfrom Neelothatasanexcon,
youcanonlyhav
esupervisedvisi
tsforacer
tai
n
ti
me.Nochanceofyouget ti
ngcustodyanyt
ime
soon.
KARTEL: Thedi
ff
erencebet
weenNeeloandyou
i
st hatshecanaff
ordtothr
owdrama.Shepays
forherownsht.
KAT:Mama,pl
ease,
canIgowit
hmydad?I
wantt
ohaveadadlikemyf
ri
ends…
KESEGO:
Geti
nthecar
.
KARTEL:
Kesegowee… don’
ttr
ytopi
ssme
of
f…
KESEGO:Orwhat
?Youaregonnaki
l
lmel
i
ke
youki
ll
edmydaught
er?
KARTEL:
Youknowt
hat
’snotwhathappened.
KESEGO:
WebothknowKy
li
eisdeadbecause
shewasi
nyourl
i
fe.
Shecouldseethehurtinhi
seyesashesai
d
that
,butshewassomadatwhathehadsai d
theotherday
,thatshekeptgoi
ng.
KESEGO:
Thel
i
ttl
egi
rly
out
aughthowt
ori
dea
bi
ke… taughtkar
ate… shecalledyoudaddy,
andyouwer eherworl
d…y etyougotherkil
l
ed.
Didyouevenloveher
?Ory oudi dn’
tcar
e
becauseyourdaught
erandt hatgir
l’
ssi
ster
weresafenow.
Helookedupt r
yingtobli
nkawaythetears.She
knewverywellKy l
i
ewasav erysoursubj
ectfor
him.Somethinghebl amedhimselff
orandjust
wasn’
teverforgi
v i
nghimsel
ffor.
Hi
svoicesoundedsobr
okenandchokedup
whenhespoke.
KARTEL:Kesego,Itr
ied…Idi
dev ery
thi
ngIcould
tosavemylit
tl
egirlandsheendedupdeadi n
myarmsst i
l
l… Icouldnotev
enseehert oher
fi
nalr
est
ingplace,andyouwon’ttel
lmewher e
hergr
aveis…
KESEGO:Why ?Soy oucoul
ddanceonmy
daught
er’
sgrav e?Shei
sdeadbecauseofyou!
Yougotherki
lled!Yougotyourowndaught
er
ki
l
led!
Shesai
dasshest
abbedaf
ingeronhi
schest
.
KESEGO:Youmovedmount ai
nswhenitwas
Danieandt
hatgi
rl
’ssi
ster
,,butyoudi
dn’tcar
e
whenitwasmybaby.YougotKy l
i
ekil
l
ed!You
mightaswel
lhadshotheryour
self
.
Helookedupasmemor i
esifthet
hreebull
ets
tear
ingthr
oughKy l
ie’sli
tt
lebodyranthr
ough
hermind.Herscreams… hisscreams…hist
shir
tsoakedwithherblood… howhehelplessl
y
watchedthebreathleav
eher ,
herbody
becomingsostil
l.
KARTEL:
Pleasedon’
tsayt
hat
KESEGO:Whynot
,it
’sthetr
uth.I
fonlyyou
car
edthesamewayy oucaredaboutDani
eand
Taf
adzwa,Kyl
i
ewouldstil
lbeali
ve.
.Youkil
led
her
.
Asingl
etearr
oll
eddownhischeekasshegot
i
nthecaranddroveof
fangri
l
y.
*
***
***
***
Zendayawokeupwitht
hemanf
rom y
est
arday
sl
eepingbesi
desher
.
Theyhadhadr oom ser
vicebr
eakfastt
ogether
,
thenanot
hersexmar at
honandt heyboth
passedout.Nowitwast heaf
ter
noonwhen
theyfi
nal
l
ywokeup.
ZENDAYA:(smili
ng)So,
youmakei
tahabitt
o
sl
eepwithrandom womenwhosephonesyou
j
ustst
ole?
DOLLA:(
laughi
ng)Pr
ett
ymuch.ButIknowwho
youar
e,Daya…
ZENDAYA:Howdoy
ouknowmyname…I
…
DOLLA:Iknowwhyyouareher
etoo…t
oext
ort
moneyoutofArnol
dNort
hman.
Shemov
edawayf
rom hi
m,pani
cked.
ZENDAYA:
Ify
out
ryany
thi
ng,
thatcont
entwi
l
l
beli
ve.
DOLLA:
Whatcont
ent
?
ZENDAYA:
Theonet
hatprov
esy ourbossst
ole
fr
om hi
swif
eandki
l
ledhergrandmother
…
DOLLA:
(laughi
ng)Yout
hinkAr
noi
smyboss?
ZENDAYA:
Hesenty
out
oki
l
lme,
didn’
the?
DOLLA: Nobodysendsmeany way ,sugar…and
i
fy out hinktryi
ngt oblackmai lArnoisgonna
wor k… y ea,maybei fhewasal one.Buthenow
runswi thoneoft hesharpest ,
cruelest
mot herf**kersyoucanev ercomeacr oss.I
haveseenhi m cov eraper son’
sf acewithawet
towel andkeptdr ippingwat eront heirf
ace.It
makesy ouf eell
ikey ouaredr owning… ov er
andov eragain.
Zenday
ahuggedher
sel
fwi
thappr
ehensi
on.
DOLLA:Youdon’tknowwhaty oujustwalked
i
nto,doyou,gi
rly
?Youj ustthoughtyouwould
bl
ackmailsomespoi l
edrichbusinessmanand
ri
deint
oparadise,huh?Arnoisneitherspoil
ed
norsomenaïv
ebusinessmanohi
sown…Wi
th
Kart
el?Nx,
nx,nx!
ZENDAYA:
Youar et
ryi
ngt
oint
imi
dat
eme.Iam
notf
all
i
ngfori
t.
DOLLA: Karteldoesnott akewel lt
opeopl e
blackmai li
nghi sfamily
.Hepr obablyhasguy s
l
ooki ngf oryour i
ghtnow.Theywi l
lnaby ouand
tort
ur eyouunt ilyoutell
them whatt heywantto
know.Thent heywillki
llyou.Eit
herway ,
y ou
l
ittl
ebl ackmai lst
untputat ar
getony ourhead.
Youar eadeadgi r l
walking.
ZENDAYA:
I’
m notf
all
i
ngf
ori
t.
DOLLA: Youaregonnahelpmewi t
hsomet hi
ng,
andinretur
n,I’
ll
protecty
ou.Hereispersonal
phonenumber .Cal
lwhent heystartcomingfor
you.St
ayalertbecauseIbettheyarelooki
ng
alr
eady.
Hegotdr
essedandwalkedoutasZenday
asat
ont
hebed,shaki
ng.Whathadshegott
en
her
sel
fint
o?
*
***
***
***
LI
KE,
COMMENT,
SHARE
ATHUG’
SLOVE93

Ifthewor l
donlyknewtheamountoft imeI
don’thaveforthatsi
ll
ygirl
Kesego.Att hi
spoint
,
sheisannoy i
ngatbest,butIhavemast eredt
he
artofignori
ngher.Shehadcomment edsome
dumbshtonmyphot o.Isi
mplyjustblockedher
andmov edonwi t
hmyday .
Kartelhadt
ext
edthathewasgonnabelat
e
today.Whenhefi
nall
yarr
ived,
thegi
rl
swere
alr
eadyhome.
Iwasst
andi
ngatt
hewal
kinclosett
owearmy
pyj
amaswhenhewal
kedin.
Hecameinforal
onghug,
thenl
aidont
hebed,
st
ari
ngatt
heceil
i
ng.
KARTEL:
Itr
ied,
Luba.It
ri
edt
osav
eher
…
ME:
Sav
ewho?
KARTEL:MaybeifIj
usthad… Idon’
tknow…
whydidn’
tIseeLaniwasgonnashoot?
Ihuggedhim agai
nandprobablyf
orthefi
rst
ti
meev ersi
nceKyli
e’
sdeath,hebrokedown
cryi
ng,hi
stearswett
ingmyshoulderasI
huggedhim.
KARTEL:Sheisri
ght
,Kyl
iewoul
dhav
ebeen
al
iv
eiftheynevermetme.
Ii
mmedi
atel
yknewwhot
he‘
she’
was.
Howcouldshesaythatt
ohim knowi
ngver
y
wel
lKar
teli
snevergonnagetoverKy
li
e’
sdeat
h?
Whydowomenal waysthinktheycanj
ustsay
whatev
ert
oaman, whot oldwomenmendon’ t
haveemot
ions,
don’thur
t?
Seri
ousl
y,whatthef**k.Somebodydidn’
teven
gettobur
ytheirdaughterandyoutel
lthem t
hey
ar
eresponsi
blef
ort
hedeat
h?That
’sf
**kedup.
ME: Youknowt hat
’snott
r ueatal
l
.Youdid
everyt
hingpossibl
etotr
ygetherback.Theonl
y
personatfaul
thereisPalalani
.
KARTEL:Ijust
…ithur
ts,
Luba… ithur
tsso
muchbecausesometi
mesIf eell
iket
hatonmy
own… thatKywoul
dbealiv
ei f
…
ME: Orshecoul dst i
l
l begoneev eni fshedi dn’t
knowy ou.Thi si
sgonnasoundhar sh,butki ds
dietoo.Akidi nFaf a’
scl assdiedofl eukaemi a,
withstrai
ghtlacepar entswhowor kdeskj obs.
Butlookatmydad’ ski ds, al
laliveandgr own,
eventhought heirfatheri sMmi lil
iMoy o.Ijust
thi
nkwheni t
’syourt ime, i
t’syourt i
me… Iam
sosor r
yfory ourlossbabe…It hinkev enKy lieis
thereisaheav enl i
key oubel i
ev e,andshei sup
there,
sheissmi l
ingknowi ngherdadf oughtf or
hertothev eryend…shewasal uckygi rlt
ohav e
youchooset obeherf at
her .Allyourki dsare.
KARTEL:
Shewon’
tev
enl
etmegoseeKy
’s
gr
ave.
ME:
Youdon’ tneedher.Yourf
ami
l
yat
tended
t
hefuner
al.Kodicantakeyou.
*
***
***
***
*
Arnowalkedintotheirli
vingroom andst ood
behi
ndSeshaasshewasconcent rat
edl ooki
ng
ataphotoofal i
ttl
ecopyofhi m.Hecl earl
y
rememberedlookingj ustli
kethatasaki d.
Chubbycheeks,thickshapelylips,
frecklesand
dimpl
es,hazeleyes…
ARNO:Ifsheismine,IswearIdidn’
tknow.I
wasal
way ssafeandnobodyev ercame
cl
aimi
ngIf at
heredthei
rki
d.
SESHA:
What ?Ohno… no… shei
sjustsome
ki
dIam consi
der
ingf
oroursal
onadvert
isi
ng.
ARNO:(si
ghi
nginrel
i
ef)phew.ThewayIcan’
t
handl
ebabymamadr ama!Shelookssomuch
l
ikeme,it
’st
ri
ppy.
SESHA:Shedoes?Idon’tseei
t.Iguessi
t’
sjust
thef
reckl
edanddimplesthatmakey out
hinkso
Shecl
osedhelapt
opandt
urnedt
olookathi
m
wit
hasmile.
SESHA:Enoughaboutwor
k.Ibr
oughtinsome
yummychowmei n,andt
henI’
m gonnaneeda
bigst
rongmantocomewashmybacki nthe
shower.
ARNO:
(rai
singhi
shand)Iv
olunt
eerast
ri
but
e!
Shelaughedandki
sseshim.Ar
nowr appedhi
s
handsaroundherwai
standgaveheradeeper
ki
ss.
ARNO:
Ilov
eyou,
MrsNor
thman,
youknowt
hat
?
SESHA:
(smi
l
ing)Il
oveyouri
ghtback,
Mr
Nort
hman…yousweet
,sexyman,you.
God,
shel
ovedi
tsomuchwhenhebl
ushed…
Shecoul
dn’
tloset
his… thewaythi
smanlov
ed
herev
enwhenherfamilycont
inual
l
ytr
eat
ed
hi
mli
keanout
sider
.
Therewasaknockandtheybothsi
ghedasshe
wenttoopen.Heruncl
ewalkedinandsaton
thesof
a.
UNCLE:
Sesi
wagannake!Howar
eyoumygi
rl
?
SESHA:
I’
mfi
ne…
UNCLE:Iwaspassi
ngbyfrom thefar
m and
sawyourl
ight
sonandIthoughtIshoul
dsayhi
.
SESHA:
At8pm?
UNCLE:Ebi
legobewanakogoeta?Ij
a,Iwas
tal
ki
ngtoyourmotherear
li
er,
shewastel
li
ng
megatwelagodir
angwanakoSat af
ri
ka?
OhGod!Whyt hef**
kwoul dhermom t el
lhi
m
that
!Shereal
lyhat
edherf ami
ly’
slackof
boundar
iessometi
mes, eventhoughtheysay
i
tsbecausetheyar
eallclose.
UNCLE:
Eegori
anaoit
sebogoduhel
ayo.Go
hul
amapodi
sehel
a,molwapengt
hobol
ogae
ber
eke.
SESHA:
Uncl
e!
UNCLE: What?Hei sathief
, weal lsawhim
chasedbypol icewi t
hhisfriends,dil
otsadi
mov i
e.Heev enwentt ojai
l forit
.Thenwaga
nnakengwanadeci desthat’samanshewi l
l
marry!Sesha, doyouknowhowmuchy our
motherstruggl edwithyou?Youwer esospoiled,
giv
enev eryt
hing…j ustf
ory out ogiveyoursel
f
toathief.
SESHA:That’
sit
.Out.Now, gett
hehel
lout
,Iam
sosickofyoupeopl
etreat
ingmyhusbandli
ke
di
rt,
mxim.Out.
ARNO:
It’
sokbabe.
.
SESHA: (
sobbing)It
’snotok!Mamal eeneifo
di
rajaanatell
i
ngpeopl emybusiness,Iwil
l
nevertel
lheranythi
ng.Out!
ARNO:Youareupset
ti
ngmywi
fe.It
hinky
ou
shoul
dleav
e.
UNCLE:Hee,naamoshi
aney
owal
egoduor
aa
nnadi
lotse?
ARNO:Respect
ful
l
y,Idon’
twannahav
etohel
p
youout
.
Theoldmanwal kedoutangri
ly,andSesha
huggedAr nocryi
ng,rememberinghowt hey
hadrefusedtopar t
icipat
einherweddingor
recei
veherbr i
depri
cebecauset hey‘
hadt oo
muchdi gnit
ytohandt hei
rdaughtert
oat hief
.’
Hermot herhadfoughtandbeggedt hem unt i
l
theyf
inall
ygav ei
nforthesakeoft heirsi
ster,
andsti
llrefusedyoacveptanythi
ngfrom Ar no’
s
famil
ythewayuncl eswould,sayi
ngt heydon’t
take‘
dil
ot sabogodu.
ARNO:Don’
tmindhi
m babe… I
’
m sosor
ryt
his
i
shappeni
ng.I
’
m sor
ry…
*
***
***
***
*
MonkandCri
ssyf
ini
shedpl
ayi
ngy
etanot
her
vi
deogame.
MONK:Damn,
gir
l!Youar
ewhoopi
ngme
pr
oper
…
CRI
SSY:
(laughi
ng)Tol
dyou!
Ther
ewasaknockandMonkwenttoopen.
Puni
est
oodt
herewi
ththei
rsonandabag.
MONK:
Puni
e?
PUNI E:Hewantedtoseeyou…youknowwi t
h
him anythi
ngcanturnint
oabangingheadon
thewall t
antr
um i
fhedoesn’
tgethisway.So,
kebonegor ekemot si
se,wewil
lspendaf ew
nights.
MONK:Coul
dn’
tyouhav
ecal
l
edt
otel
lmehe
wascomi
ng,Puni
e?
PI
UNI
E:Hel
i
ter
all
yjustt
oldme.
Shepushedherwayi
nandsawCr
issy
.
PUNIE:
Oh… hey.Wil
lthi
sonebest
ayi
ng?Shal
l
Ipr
epareaguestr
oom forher
?
MONK:
Puni
e.Youar
enotst
ayi
ng.Thanksf
or
br
ingi
ngmyson.Goodni
ghtnow.
PUNIE:(
laughi
ng)Youthi
nky
oucanhandl
ehi
m
onyourown?Hownaï v
e.
MONK:Ohwel
l
…ther
eisal
way
sat
imet
olear
n.
Goodni
ght
…
Hepushedherout
sideandl
ockedt
hedoor
.
*
***
***
***
*
Thenextdayearl
yint
hemor ni
ngNkemi
par
ked
hi
scarinthefiel
dandtheygotout
.
Henot
icedsomewheelbar
rows,
lar
getubsof
wat
er,
andmet albat
hbasi
noutsi
dethehouse.
KESEGO:
Youbr
oughtmeher
eforwhat
?Mxi
m.
NKEMI : I
t’
s…itusedtobelongtomy
grandfather… af
terhepassed,thefamil
yjust
neglectedit… myfatherf
inal
lygaveittome.I
thoughtwecoul ddosomet hi
ngwi t
hi t
.
KESEGO:Somethi
ngli
kewhat?I
fyousel
li
tyou
won’
tgetanyt
hingl
ong-t
erm…
NKEMI :
Iwasthinkingsi
nceit’
sthi
sfarfr
om
every
thi
ng,makinganimalfeedsandprepar
ing
seedsforpl
oughing…
KESEGO:Thatsoundsli
keagoodbusinessi
dea.
Ther
earemanyf ar
mer si
nBotswana,
from
small
scal
epersonal,
tobusi
ness.Howar ey
ou
goi
ngtofi
nanceit?
NKEMI:(scrat
chi
nghishead)may
beI’
l
lask
CEDA…wai t,wai
t…ther
eissomeonei
nthose
rooms.Stayback.
Shelookedov
eratt
heder
eli
ctt
wor
oom house
cl
osedwi t
hametal
drum.
Nkemipi
ckedastrongst i
ckandwal
ked
t
owardsther
ooms, checki
ngther
oomsfir
st,
t
henwentint
otheshed.
NKEMI
:Whatt
hehel
l
!
Twomenl ai
dont hefloor,onewasshotbadl
y
i
nthetummy ,theotherjustontheshoul
der
,a
gunatthei
rfeet.Andtwobi gblackbank
t
ranspor
tbags.
Nkemiki
ckedt
hegunt
othesi
deasKesego
r
anin.
KESEGO:
Whati
sgoi
ngon?
NKEMI:It
hinkt
heyr
obbedabankor
somet
hing…
GUY1: (
weakly)Comeon… wecanwor k
somethingout.Themoneyiscl
ean,notracker
s.
Weditchedthem inPl
umtreebef
orecrossing
theboarder
.Ifyouhel
pis,
wecanshar e… a
quart
ereach…
Thei
raccentsai
dtheywer
efr
om Zimbabwe,
andthebagswereful
lofAmeri
candol
lar
s.
NKEMI
:Wehav
etocal
lthepol
i
ce… t
hisi
s…
Kesegopi
ckedupt
hegunandhandedi
tto
Nkemi.
KESEGO:
Shoott
hem.
NKEMI
:What
?
KESEGO:hesai
dt hemoneyhasnot r
ackers…
andwecantell
itstruebecauset
hebloodthat’
s
dri
edther
esayst heyhavebeenher
ef orday
s.
GUY2:
Comeon,
guy
s…
KESEGO:Nkemi,shoot!Thi
sist
hatmoneywe
needfory
ourfeedsproject
!
GUY1:
Don’
tli
stent
oher
,man…
NKEMI
:Weneedt
ocal
lthepol
i
ce!
KESEGO: Thatiswhyy ouwil
l nev erbetheman
Karteli
s.Hewoul dtaket heshotwi t
hout
bl
inking,buty ouar ejustweakandhonest l
y
don’tdeser v
eme.It houghty ouwer eanalpha,
buty ouarejustaweakempl oy ee.Asoldi
er.
Onlygoodatt akingor ders.Whati ft
hiswaswar?
Woul dyouf reezewheny oufaceanenemy ?
Shoot ,
soldier.Shoot !Yourfatherdi ed
di
sappoi ntediny oubecausey ouar esoweak
and..
Bam.Bam
Shesi
ghedi
nreli
ef.Maybehedi
dhav
ethat
Kar
tel
badboyinhim af
teral
l
.
I
twasgonnabehar
dwork,butshecoul
dtur
n
Nkemi
int
othemanofherdreams.I
ntoKart
el…
KESEGO:
That
’smyman…
Theguysslumpedt
her
easbl
oodpool
ed
aroundt
hem.
KESEGO:
Wel
l
,yougott
agetthem outofher
e.
Howdowemakesuretheyar
eneverfound?
NKEMI
:(si
ghi
ng)Ihav
eani
dea.
KESEGO:Won’
tpeopl
ebeal
ert
edoft
hegun
sound?
NKEMI :I
t’
sallfarmlandhere,peopleareused
tocatt
lebeingshot.Plusthi
splaceisfarfr
om
anythi
ng.Youar egonnahavet otakethatwat
er
i
nt hetubsandsomecl ayandcowdung.You
fl
oorthatground…
KESEGO:
DoIl
ookl
i
ket
het
ypet
ofl
oor
gr
oundswi
thcowdung…
NKEMI :Wejustkil
l
edt wopeople.Ineedtoget
ri
doft hebodi
es,youneedt ogetri
doft he
blood.Andfl
oori
ngi twithcowdungcov er
sit
.
Thenwegohomeandf i
gureouthowweget
thismoneyworkingf orus.
Himtaki
ngchargel i
kethatmadehersmil
e.Yup,
shecouldmakeherv er
yowndomi nantal
pha
outofhi
m.Herv eryownKar t
el,
wholovedher
morethanshelovedhim.
KESEGO:Fi
ne,buty
ouowemeanai
l
appoi
ntmentaf
tert
his.
NKEMI:Iwil
ltakey
out
of *
*ki
ngthousandof
nai
lappoi
ntments,
doyouseethi
smoney ?
KESEGO: Iknowhowwecangeti ti
nbanks… I
haveafri
endcall
edNaomi whohavetoldme
thi
ngs…butt het
hingi
s,shecangeti
tinthe
bankforusandfindacoverup.
NKEMI
:Canwet
rusther
?
KESEGO:Kartel
alwayssay
strusti
sover
rat
ed.
Havelev
erage.AndIhavepl
entyonNaomi.
NKEMI
:Good…
Hestartedwrappi
ngthebodi
esintheblanket
s
andaskedhert orevt
hecarcl
oser
,thenheput
them i
nside.
Kesegosighedasshest artedtakingtheclay
fr
om thebackandmi xingitwiththewat er
.
Therewasnosi nt heLordcoul dnotforgiv
eif
yourepent.Besides,t
hiswasj usti
ce,wasn’ti
t?
Theseguy swereobv i
ouslythieveswhohad
probabl
yr obbedabankt ransportcarand
crossedtheRamokgwebanaboar der.
See,
youcanber
epl
aceabl
e,Kar
tel
.
Shesmi l
edtohersel
fandhummedal ongas
shest ar
tedsmear i
ngtheclaymixtur
etothe
ground.ShehadtobetoughasLubai fshewas
goingtopushhermant ogreatness.
*
***
***
***
**
Zendayapar
kedt
hecarandthist
imeshewas
sureshewasbei
ngf
oll
owed.Shewasn’
tjust
paranoi
d.
Sheopenedthedoorandtookof ftothehotel
screami
ngasthehotelsecur
it
ycameout .She
rantoherr
oom andlockedherselfi
n,herheart
raci
ngandshecouldbarel
ycontrolherbreath.
Shedugint
ohertrashhopi
ngthecl
eaner
shad
notcomeinli
keshehadputthe‘DoNot
Dist
urb’
car
dont hedoor.
Shesighedinr
eli
efwhenshef
oundt
hesmal
l
paperwithDol
l
a’snumber
.
Herhandsshookasshedi
all
edi
t.I
trangt
wo
t
imesbeforeheanswer
ed.
DOLLA:
(laughi
ng)Theycamef
ory
ou,
huh?
ZENDAYA:Please,t
heyar ei
nthehotelandI
thi
nktheymaybribethesecuri
tyorsomethi
ng.I
rantomyroom andIt hi
nktheywil
lgettome
soon.Youhavetohelpme.
DOLLA:Stayput
,pushanyt
hingyoucanagai
nst
thedoor
,anddon’topenf
oranyoneatal
lunt
il
youhearmyv oi
ce.
Shepushedthesi
ngl
esofaagai
nstthedoor
andsatshaki
ngscar
edunti
lsheheardhi
m
out
side.
DOLLA:
Day
a,i
t’
sme… Dol
l
a.
Sheopenedandr
ani
ntohi
sar
ms,
sobbi
ng.
ZENDAYA:
(sobbi
ng)whathav
eIgot
tenmy
sel
f
i
nto,
Damon?
Hewi
pedhert
ear
sandki
ssedherf
orehead.
DOLLA: Hush,
pret
tygir
l.ItoldyouI’
ll
prot
ect
you.ButyouandIhaveal otofwor kt
omake
surenobodyeverbothereitherofusagai
n.
Hesai
dki
ssi
ngher
.
ZENDAYA:Iam af
rai
d… Idon’
tknowwhatIcan
dotohel
p.
DOLLA:
See,
thi
sguycal
l
edKar
tel
andsome
sil
l
ybi chcall
edRonowememoney .They
destroyedmyaut henti
cartwor thaf ewmi ll
i
ons.
Andt hatbichRonandKar t’
sgirlhumili
ated
me… caughtmer elaxi
nginmyownhomeand…
nobodyget sawaywi ththat… besides,Ij
ust
fi
ndKar telannoy
ing.AndAr nold?Hei saf ool
andal ooseend.Hehasbeent al
kingabout
confessingandsht … whichofcour se
endanger smymoneyandf r
eedom, because
yousee, Iwasinvolvedi
nt hatlandwi t
hoil
deal… andIdon’tli
kepeopl ewhoendangermy
money .
Shel
ookeddi
rect
lyather
.
ZENDAYA:
IswearIdi
dn’
tknow,
I…
DOLLA: Oh,it
’sokdar l
i
ng.Notyou.Youare
honnastopal lt
gatnonsenseofexposinghim,
becausey ouarewi t
hmenow.Iam t al
king
aboutsil
lyassAr nol
d.Confessi
ndeed.Whatan
i
diot.Hehast ogo.SodoesKar t
elandLuba
andRon.Andbyt hatImeandie.Andyouar e
gonnahel
pme.
ZENDAYA:Please… Ij
ustwannagoback
home… I
’l
lforgetanyt
hing…
DOLLA:Theywillf
oll
owy ou.Youwil
lnev
erbe
saf
euntil
theyaregone,andthethi
ngabouty
ou,
Dayadear,i
sthatyouar
easur vi
vorl
ikeme.
ZENDAYA:
Whatdoy
ouwantmet
odo?
DOLLA:
(smi
l
ing)That
’smor
eli
kei
t.
*
***
***
***
LI
KE,
COMMENT,
SHARE
ATHUG'
SLOVE94

6Year
sAgo…
Kartelwalkedintothepriv
ateroom andfondhi
s
fr
iendseat edthere.Theyfi
stbumpedandsat
down, Midnighthandinghim apacketof
ci
gar et
te.
Theybothli
tupandt hensatsmoki
ng,
bot
h
si
multaneousl
ylaughing.
KARTEL:(l
aughing)Iknow.Ofal
lthi
ngsIhave
done,bei
nglockedupf orsomet
hingIdi
dn’
t
evendoisfunnyashell.
MIDNI
GHT: (
laughi
ng)Funnyashel
l.Ial
ways
t
houghtyouwasgonnaf **
kthewrongguy’
s
wi
feorsomet hi
ng.
KARTEL:(l
aughi
ng)Iimagi
nedi
tmoreon
get
ti
ngcaughtwithsomethi
ngsi
ll
yli
keabl
unt
orsingl
eEpi l
l.
MIDNIGHT:Butwit
hitallcl
ear
edup,nowit’
s
onl
yforbreaki
ngout.Shoul
dn’
ttheyl
etyougo
si
nceit’
sthei
rfaul
tanyway?
KARTEL:
Iwi
sh…
MI
DNI
GHT:
Yout
alkedt
otheol
dgi
rl
?May
be…
KARTEL:ShehasthatI
nter
pol
shtt
hathasTom
watchi
ngher.SameasoldmanKhumalo.But
i
t’
scool.IknowIam goi
ngdown.Pl
usthi
s
placeai
ntsobad.Youmanagedtof
indwhatI
askedfor
?
MIDNI
GHT: Yup,threeguysonLuba’shouse.
Twofol
lowt hekidstwoschoolandonest ays
wit
hher.Theyblendwell,
soneitherherorthe
ki
dswil
l ev
erknow.
KARTEL:
Andt
her
est
?
MI DNIGHT: Onewat chi
ngKesego,oneon
Arnold’swife,anot
hertwoonRue’ sfamil
yand
twoonMonk’ sbabymamaandson.Al l
discreet.TheyareaZi m gang,
thei
rpri
ceis
heavy ,byyoucanaf for
d.
KARTEL:
Canwet
rustt
hem?
MI DNI
GHT:Forj
ustl
ooki
ngout?Yea,
sure… t
he
restal
lwecandoishopeDuncandoesn’
t
stri
keunt
ily
ouareout
.
KARTEL:
Godwi
l
li
ng.Thanksbr
other
.Iowey
ou.
*
***
***
***
***
PRESENT
Kart
elpar
kedt
hecarandhi
sbr
othergotoutat
thesameti
me.
Theywal
kedt owardst
hegr
ave,wi
thKart
el
car
ryi
ngabucket,somecl
eani
ngsuppl
ies,and
afl
owerbouquet.
Kodi
ledhi
mtoKy
li
e’
sgr
ave.
KARTEL:Thanksman..Yout
hinky
oucanl
etme
hangwit
hherforabit
?
KODI
:Yougonnabeok?
KARTEL:
Yea…
Het
ossedhi
mthecarkey
s.
KODI
:Whatt
imet
oIf
etchy
ou?
KARTEL:
Nah,
I’
ll
wal
k…
KODI
:Backt
oFr
anci
stown?
KARTEL:Wal
ki
ngcl
ear
smymi
nd.
Kodi
noddedandwal
kedof
ftot
hecar
.
Kartell
ookedatt hegr avestonewithasmi le.
Themomenthi saccount swer eopenedback
then,hehadcommi ssionedaspeci al
gravestonethatcapturedhispr i
ncessessence.
Awhi temarbleheadst onewi thalit
tl
eangel
thathadherwi ngsspreadwhi l
eshepul l
eda
bowandar r
ow, l
ookingatt hesky.It
’sarti
stry
stoodoutint hewhol egrav ey
ard,butthen
again,hisl
it
tlepri
ncessal waysstoodout .
Her ol
l
edhi ssl
eevesandstart
edwashi ngthe
stoneclean,t
henpoli
sheditandlaidthe
bouquetofwhi t
erosesther
e.Herfavorit
e
fl
owers.
I
ttookhishour
stoshineitt
oper f
ecti
on,
then
hesatleani
ngagai
nstitasatearrol
l
eddown
hi
ssleeves.
KARTEL:Ky
,Iam sor
rypr
incess… Iam f
ail
ed
you… I
’
m sosor
ry.
Hewi
pedt
ear
swi
tht
hebackofhi
shand.
KARTEL: Themanwho… I’m gonnamakehim
pay.I
’m gonnamakehi
ml oseeveryonehe
l
oves,beforeIki
l
lhi
mtoo.Iam sosor r
y
pri
ncess…
*
***
***
***
KesegoandNkemiwal
kedint
oNaomi’
shome
andknocked,
shecametoopen,
andhugged
Kesego.
NAOMI
:Babe,
it’
sbeenami
nut
e.Howar
eyou?
KESEGO:I
’m good.Thi
sismyman…
Onkemet
se…
NKEMI
:Hey
…
KESEGO:Babe,weneedhelp.Wejustcame
aboutsomemoney … andweneeditbanked
wit
houtquest
ions.AndIrememberyoutal
ki
ng
aboutdoi
ngthat…
NAOMI
:Idon’
tknowwhaty
ouar
etal
ki
ngabout
.
NKEMI :Cutthesht.Iknowyouareti
ghtwit
h
Doll
a,andweal lknowhi smoneyi
snotlegi
t.
Butit
’sobviousl
yinbanks.
NAOMI:(
laughi
ng)St
il
ldon’
tknowwhaty
ouar
e
t
alki
ngabout.
KESEGO:OhIcouldvol
unt
eeri
nformat
iontothe
poli
ceaboutaminehei
stwher
ey oual
ter
edthe
foot
ageandall
…
NAOMI :(l
aughing)Nx, nx,nx!Kessy
sweetheart
…y oumi ghthav ef**kedherman,
butyouarenotLuba.Don’ ttr
ybebadbi chwit
h
meouther e,I
’l
lhavey oubur yi
nganotherchi
l
d
befor
et heweeki sov er.
Achi
l
loff
earr
andownKesego’
sspi
ne.
KESEGO:Whatdoyout
hinkKart
elwil
lsaywhen
hehear
syouarethr
eat
eninghi
schil
d.
NAOMI:Youareassumi
ngIgi
veaf
**kwhat
Kar
tel
thinks.
NKEMI :
Look,ignoreher.Wearenother
et o
thr
eatenyou… juststr
ikeadeal
.Tobegy outo
str
ikeadeal.Please.
Heputonebagofmoneyont
het
abl
e.
NKEMI :Aquar
terofthatf
ory
ou.Therei
s
anotherbagIwil
lgi
vewhenwehav ean
agreement.
NAOMI
:Damn,
wher
edi
dyougett
his?
NKEMI:Ihust
le.Sooo,
whatdoy
ousay?An
ei
ght
hoft hi
sandanei ght
hofwhat
’si
nthe
ot
herbag…
NAOMI
:Iam nothur
ti
ngf
ormoney
,youknow…
NKEMI:
Onedayy oumayneedanyhel
patal
l…
woul
dn’
titbeni
cetohav
esomeoneowey oua
f
avor
?
NAOMI:Fi
ne…Iam t
aki
ngy
ouneedacov
erf
or
i
ttoo?
NKEMI
:Yea.
NAOMI :That’sextr
acost.Iwillinsteadofa
bank,
buybi tcoinwit
hitall
.Backt r
ackl i
keyou
beencollect
ingcoinsforyears.Thenwheny ou
havethosecoi ns,
yousellthem andhav ethe
moneycomei ntoyouraccountlegitfrom
bi
tcoi
n.
NKEMI
:Howmuch?
NAOMI:Al
together
?40%ofever
ythi
ngIam
st
ashi
ngforyou,oryoucanwal
k.
KESEGO:
Youcan’
tdot
hat
,40%i
s…
NKEMI
:Comeon,
30%
NAOMI
:35% andt
hat
’smyl
astof
fer
.
NKEMI
:Wewi
l
ltakei
t.
KESEGO:
Nkemi
!That
’st
oomuch,
we…
NKEMI :
Thi
smoneyi snogoodt ousinabag
l
ikethi
s.Wecanonlydosmallpurchases.65%
ofiti
nabank,cl
ean,andexpl
ainabl
e,i
sbet t
er
than100%i
nabagt hatwecan’tevenexplai
nif
wear
ecaughtwi
th.Wewi
l
ltakeherdeal
.
*
***
***
***
***
Kartelgothomei ntheeveni
ngandwehad
dinnertogether
,thenhecheckedthegir
ls
homewor kandt heywenttobed.Af
terwe
shower ed,welai
di nbedtal
ki
ng.
ME:
Arey
ouok?
KARTEL:Iam t
ir
ed,Luba.Tiredofbeing
scar
ed… ti
redofknowingsomet hingiscomi
ng.
Ever
ymomenty ouormyki dsar enotinmymy
si
ght,I
’
m soscared,Iam panicked…
Ir
ubbedhi
sbacksadl
y.
ME:
HowcanIhel
p?
KARTEL:Duncani
saf t
erus… al
lofus.Soi
s
Dol
la.I
t’
sjustsot
ir
ing,Ineedpeace…
ME:But…Idoubttheyar
e… whynow, aftersi
x
year
s,i
ncl
udingtheti
mey ougotar
rested?
KARTEL:(
sighi
ng)Ihadaguar
donal
lofy
ou.
Heav
ypr
ice,
buti
twaswor
thi
t.
ME:
Inev
ersaw…
KARTEL: That’swhyi twasasexpensi veasi t
was.Ididn’twantt hem disr
uptingy ourli
v es.
Duncanpr obablynot i
ceditanddi dn’tknowhow
manyIhad, t
hat’swhyhedi dn’ttaket he
opport
unitytost ri
ke.ForDollaitwoul dn’tbefun
i
fIwasn’tar oundbecausehej ustli
kesmeor
whatever,sohewai t
edforme.Butt hegangI
hi
red’
sleaderj ustdied… andt heydi sbanded.
Someev enj oi
nedupwi thDuncan.
ME:
Sht
….
KARTEL: Yea,Duncannowknowswear enot
thatmany, hewil
ltryt
ocomeforus.AndIam
nothir
inganymor epeopl
ewhocangetbought
overandt ur
nonme.
ME:
Whatdowedo?
KARTEL:Iwasnaï
vetothinkwecanj
ustgetout
wit
houtcl
eanup.Al
lthesepeopl
ewit
hthi
ngs
hangingoverusgott
ago.Allt
hesepeopl
ewi
th
grudges?Gottago.Wecan’
tbefreewhil
e
thi
ngsareloomingatourbacks.
ME:
Buthow… Kar
tel
,i
t’
sal
otofpeopl
e.
KARTEL:AndIam smarterthananav erage.I
haveaplan.ManyIwi
lltakeoutassassinst y
le
l
ikeIusedtowhenIwasdoi ngthat
.Mi dnight
wil
lhel
p.Thenwewill
fight.I’
l
lexpl
ainit
tomorr
ow, Ical
l
edameet i
ng.
*
***
***
***
*
Kesegowokeupscr
eami
ngasNkemi
cuddl
ed
her
…
KESEGO:Nkemi,t
heyar
eher
e… t
heyar
eher
e,
theyar
etr
yingt
ogetme.
NKEMI
:Nobodyi
sher
e,gobackt
obed…
KESEGO:
(shaki
ng)No… t
hosemeny
oushot
…
they
…
NKEMI
:Ar
edead.Andwenti
ntoameatgr
inder
i
nafactorythatwentoutofbusinessr
ecent
ly.
Andt
henev erybitofthemincefedtopigsi
n
somerandom farm.Got osleep
KESEGO:
Ican’
t…t
hey
…
Hesi
ghedandsatup,
cuddl
i
ngher
.
NKEMI :Whatdi
dyouthi
nkwasgonnahappen
wheny oupushedmetokil
ltwopeopl
e..I
t
happened.Wemov eon.
Shest
art
edsobbi
ngandheki
ssedher
.
NKEMI :I
’
m sorr
ybabe…Iknowi t
’shard… but
thoseguyswerebadanyway.Theyprobably
kil
led,
andtheywouldki
l
lusbecausewesaw
them.Itwasusorthem…
KESEGO:
(sobbi
ng)But
… but
…
NKEMI:Thi
nkofitthi
sway…ifghost
sexi
st,
whicht
heydon’
t,they
’dcomeaft
erme.I
’mthe
onewhokil
ledt
hem…
KESEGO:
(sobbi
ng)Ican’
tsl
eep… t
heywer
e
t
ryi
ngt
oki
l
lmei
nmydr
eams….
Hesi
ghedandst
art
edki
ssi
nghert
odi
str
acther
.
*
***
***
***
Thenextmor
ningAr
nosati
nhisoff
icewhenhe
wastol
dZendayacametoseehi
m.
Shewal
kedi
ntot
heof
fi
ceandsatdown.
ARNO:St
il
ltr
yingt
obl
ackmai
lme?
ZENDAYA: Nah.Iunder
estimatedyou.Ithought
aboutit,andit
’sbett
eri
fIwor kwithyou.Iam
notagr eedyperson,Ar
nold.Ally
ouneedt odo
i
shiremeandgi vemeawor ki
ngVI SA,andasa
showofgoodf ait
h,Iwi
llshowy ouwer ethe
contentis.
ARNO:
Andwhywoul
dIdoany
thi
ngf
ory
ou?
ZENDAYA: BecauseIcouldr
eleaset
hecontent
anyt
ime,butIam gi
vi
ngy ouaneasydeal
.Let
mewor kandearnmymoney .Ihaveadegree…
ARNO:
Andwhatmakesy
out
hinkIwon’
tjust
ki
l
lyouaf
tery
oushowmewher
ethecont
enti
s?
ZENDAYA:Becausenomat
terwhaty
oudi
d,I
bel
iev
eyouareagoodman,Arnol
d.
ARNO: Ei
theryouarestupidorhavesomethi
ng
upyoursleeves.YouknowIhav ekil
l
ed,andsti
l
l
bel
ieveIwon’tkil
lyou,j
ustbecauseoft
he
goodnessofmyhear t
?
ZENDAYA:Yes.Al
ri
ght
,I’
l
lleav
eyout
othi
nk
abouti
t.
Shewalkedout,l
ett
ingoutaheavybreat
h.She
hadbeensoscaredallthewayhere,
butDoll
a
sai
dthi
swast heonlywaytomakesur eArno
andhi
sf r
iendsdon’
tkil
lher
.
Arnowat
chedherl
eav
e,annoy
ed.Kart
elwas
ri
ght,
heneededt
onabherandtor
tur
eher.
Hesi ghedandpackedup, headi
ngt othenew
offi
cecompl exKartel
hadhadbui lttohaveall
hisbusinessheadquarter
st oget
her.Itwasjust
furni
shedbutnoty eti
nuse.
Whenhewal kedin,t
heother
swer ejustarri
vi
ng
too,andwalkedthroughwhatwouldbet he
recepti
onarea,toal ar
geconfer
encer oom
wher epeopl
ewer eseati
ngaroundthet abl
e,
Kartelatt
hehead, andLubabyhisside.
*
***
***
***
*
Kar
tel
lookar
oundt
her
oom wi
thasmi
l
e.
RonandEa.Hi
sdayones,
from whent
heywer
e
aki
ds.
Hesmi l
edthi
nkingofhowRonwoul dplay
dist
ract
ionwhil
eheanEast ol
efatcakesfrom
theladysel
li
ngattheschoolgat
ewhent hey
wereinpri
maryschool.
ThencameMonk…
Whenhemett heguy,Monkhadgonet hrough
uni
magi nabl
etraumaandwasal oneandbr oken.
He’dknowev enonthefi
rstdaythatthatwasa
goodman.Justdealthardcardsinli
fe.He
i
ntroducedMonkt otheonl
ywayheknewt o
sur
viv
e…asat
hief
.
ThenitwasRue,underBoza’
sthumb,uni
ver
sit
y
educatedandall
,butt
akenforgr
ant
edand
tr
eatedli
keaslave…
Esther
… shewasasweetgi rl
whoj ustwanted
toli
ve.Shewaspassionat
eaboutdesigning
clot
hes,andhehadsetherupwi t
hanow
successfull
it
tl
eshopwhereshemade
expensiveAfri
canwaxpri
ntcl
othes,andrai
sed
theminiatur
eSpinnyonherown.
Thenhi
squeen,
ofcour
se.
Hi
sheartl
i
ter
all
ybeatf
ast
ert
hef
ir
stt
imehe
l
aidey
esonher.
Andi
tmadehi
m smil
ethatitst
il
ldi
dt hatever
y
ti
mehesawheragai
nattheendoftheirday
.
Thesi r
enthatwascal
ledoutthel
i
oninhim.
Withoutwords,
shehadscreamed‘No!Thi
sis
notgoodenough,youdeser
vemore’
Whenhehadf el
tbeatdownbythewor
ld,wi
th
j
ustonel
ookshecommuni cat
edsomuch.
Madehim wantsomuch.
Thequeenwhohadf oundhi
m acr
own,dusted
i
tandputitonhishead…whokepthol
dinghim
downeveryday
.
Themot
herofhi
ski
ds.
Hi
sonet
ruel
ove.
Hi
sfl
ower
.
Andt henlastbutnotleast,Arnold.Anotherone
whohadwayt oomanyf ir
sthandsofl i
fe’
s
horrors.Bornacokebaby ,themanhadi trough
from day1,butwasal oyalsoldierwhowoul d
protecteachandev eryoneoft hepeopleinhis
room wi t
hhislif
e.Aswoul dev er
y oneel
se.He
hadbecomet ruepartofthefami lyinpr
ison…
andhehadgot tentoknowsomuchabouthi m.
Poorguy .
Andt
henhi
sbr
other
sinar
ms… f
ell
owhi
tmans.
He,Austi
nandMi dnighthadgottenclosedoi
ng
j
obsf orMidnight’
smot her,
andt heyhavehad
eachother’
sbacksi nce.Mi dni
ght’swif
e
Aamira…at al
l dar
kbeaut ywhohadhadway
toohardinli
fe.AndAcai …ohman.Ev ery
one
herehadsuchahear tbr
eakingstory.
KARTEL: Ever
yoneishere,
good.Y’allknow
MidnightandMi r
a.Ii
nvi
tedthem heret oday
becauseweneedt owor
kt oget
her.Andt hisis
mybuddyAust in,andhi
swi f
eAcai,Mi dnight
’s
si
ster.
Thef
am sai
dhi
all
around.
KARTEL:So,guys…Ithinki
t’
sti
mewecl osea
chapt
erinli
fe.Butyoudon’tcl
oseachapter
whentherearesti
l
llooseends.
RON: (
laughi
ng)Iswearifhestar
tsbr
eaking
i
ntoBiblever
ses,I’
m gonnatakeashot.Gett
o
thepoint!
Ther
oom l
aughedal
ongKar
tel
whof
li
ppedher
.
KARTEL: Ok,f
ine,beforeMsGotsomucht odo
hereloseshersht.Theguy sknowDuncansent
peopletomakeapl ayf oruswhenwewer e
i
nside.Weonl ymadei tbecausewehadeach
other
’sback.Hewant sourheads,bl
amesus
forhisgranddaughter’
sdeath.
LUBA:
That
’sonhi
spsy
choson.
KARTEL:Exactly
,buti
nsteadofwant
ingt
o
admitheraisedapsycho,hei
scomingaf
terus.
Aft
erMidnightandMiratoo.
RON:
What
’dy
oudot
ohi
m?
MI
RA:
Kil
l
edhi
str
aff
icki
ngbi
chofasi
ster
.
ACAI:Youbeatmetoit,
sis.Thatbich’
speopl
e
aretheoneswhoki
dnappedmef rom mydad
andsoldmetotheotherbichwhosol dmeto
Satan.
RON:Soundsli
keshedeser
vedt
odi
e.Hopei
t
waspainf
ul.
MIRA:
(shr
uggi
ng)Idi
dsti
ckacactusi
nher
p*
ssyandpour
edhotsauceaf
ter
.
RON:(
laughi
ng)Ili
key
oual
ready
.Whatar
eyou
doi
ngaftert
his?
KARTEL:
Ron,
shei
smar
ri
ed.
MONK:(
laughi
ng)Whenhast
hatev
erst
opped
Ron?
MIDNI
GHT:Itot
all
ymesswit
hthati
fyouar
e
ev
erupforal
i
ttl
eménage…
MI
RA:
Mhhh… shel
ooksy
ummyt
oo… adat
e?
EA:
Onl
yifI
’
minv
ited…
KARTEL:(laughing)Ok,
youfreaks.Sav ethe
or
gyforwhenev er.Awordont hestreetis
Duncan’
spsy chosonhasescapedt hel ooney
bi
ntheystuckhimi n.Andthat’snotall
.
MONK:Ar
en’
tyouj
ustabeaconofgoodnews
t
oday
.
KARTEL:
(laughi
ng)Cal
lmeFat
herChr
ist
mas.
Mymol
esonDol
l
a’sshi
ttel
lmehei
saf
terus
t
oo.
RUE:Att
hispoi
ntIam j
ustchangi
ngmyname
togol
d,wi
thallt
hisr
ushforusandsht
.
KARTEL:(l
aughing)Weshoul dstar
tchargi
ng
vi
ewingfeeorsomething.Anyway ,
Doll
a… heis
tr
yingt
ousesomegi r
l,Zendaya.Gatweheset
uppeopletoscareher,pret
endingi
tsus.Idon’
t
knowhisplayyet.
ARNO:
Thegi
rlcamet
omyof
fi
ce,
aski
ngf
ora
j
ob.
KARTEL:
Hir
eher
.
EA:What
?Youdor
eal
i
zehesenthert
ospy
,
ri
ght
?
KARTEL:Exactl
y… wearegonnausehert
oget
hi
mt opl
ayr i
ghtint
oourhands.Ar
no,y
ouhir
e,
and‘hi
de’someshtwegonnauset otr
apDoll
a
unt
ilwecantakehim out
.
RUE:Hewon’
tbeeasyt
otakeout
,Dol
l
ahasa
l
otofmen…
KARTEL: Andli
tt
lebrai
ns.Heisimpulsi
ve.I
beenplanningt
hisfort
hefiveyearswebeen
l
ockedup.Idon’twannalivel
ookingovermy
shoul
der.
ARNO: If
eelyou,man.Mywi f
eandIare
star
ti
ngaf amil
y,andI
’m al
readyscar
edofwhat
coul
dhappen.
MIDNIGHT:Sht
, Igot
tasendmykidtomy
mommamor ethanIli
ke,butt
her
eismor
e
secur
it
yther
e.
RUE:
Iam eventry
ingtonotbeseenwit
hmy
ki
dsi
npubli
c!IfnobodyknowsIgotki
ds…
KARTEL: See?Thati snotliv
ing!Weare
exi
sti
nghidinglikesewerr at
s!Wegot t
aclean
upsowecanst artl
ivi
ng.Theonl ywaywewi ll
tr
ulygetout,fi
nall
ybef ree,i
sifDuncan,
Palal
ani
,Dollaandt herestaredead.Arno,does
t
hatbothery
ou?Dol
l
aandTr
evorusedt
obe
y
ourfri
end.
ARNO: Man,heistr
yingtokil
lmeandmywi f
e
toshutmeup.So, f
**khim.AndIwasnev era
fri
end,j
ustanaddont heycal
ledatwhenthey
neededanextrahand,them t
hreebeent
ight
forev
er.
MONK:Butifweragethi
swar… weallhavea
l
ottol
ose,weknowtheyareal
lreadyt
oplay
di
rt
y… ourki
ds…
KARTEL:Schoolisclosi
ngnextweekfor
Chri
stmasholidays.Wesendthem away ,outof
thecount
ry… Ron,anyofyourproper
ti
es
suit
abl
e?Wher enobodyknows,andmay bey ou
knowpeoplewhocancasual l
ylookoutjustin
case?
RON:Yea… Igotaluxuryl
odgeinSeychel
les.I
’l
l
makesuretheydon’tt
akeinguest
s,andIhav e
agoodrel
ationshi
pwithalocal
gangthere…
t
heyr
unasecur
it
ycompanyandcanwat
chout
.
KARTEL:
Soundsperf
ect.Ok,
soherei
sthepl
an.
Weevacall
ourvul
nerabl
efam… Ronwil
l…
RON:Youarenotgr
oundi
ngme.Youneedmor
e
bodi
es,notl
ess.
KARTEL: Chil
l
,Rambo,damn.Andyea.Ineed
bodies.WhichiswhyMidni
ghtandAusti
nare
here.Theywilll
andahand.
MI
DNI
GHT:
PlusDuncani
saf
termet
oo.
RON:
Whydon’
tyourmot
herj
ustt
akehi
m out
?
MI DNI
GHT: (
laughi
ng)Af terItri
edtocomeup
aft
erher,Iwasr el
egatedt ojustanother
employee.Shecant hrowf av
orswhenIneed
hertotalkt
oherj udgef r
iendsort hepol
iceor
something,butsheisn’tfighti
ngmybat t
les
anymore.
RON:(l
aughi
ng)Sht… andIt
houghtmybi
chass
motherwasbad.AndSai?
ACAI:
Ihavenof i
ghtwit
hhi m,andmamadoen’t
pi
ckfi
ghtsthatdoesn’
tinv
olveher.ButIwi
l
l
hel
poutfri
endsgladl
y.Karthasheldusdown
whenweneedesi t
.
KARTEL: So,guy
s… totannaIwanttr
ue
freedom,andunti
lthesepeopl
earedownunder,
ev er
yonewecareaboutisindanger
.Wesend
outlovedonestoRon’slodgeanddocleanup
foramont h.Whatdoy ousay.
ARNO:I’
min… I
’v
ehadmywi feki
dnapped,and
Inev
erwannaexper
iencet
hathel
lagai
n.Let’
s
cl
ean.
MONK:
Yup
RUE:
Uh-
huh.
EA:
In
RON: Cool.Youneedt obestr
aightwit
hy our
people.Letthem knowthisi
snotav acati
on.
Nosoci almedia,
not el
li
nganyonewher ethey
are…
KARTEL: Word,ev eryone,makesur eyou
emphasizethis.Luba, Esther,Acai
,andMira
canshoot.Kodi cant oo.Soi ntheunli
kel
y
chancesomeonef i
ndst hem andgetspast
Ron’ssecur
ity…t hey’
llbet her
e.
MONK:
Cri
ssyt
oo…
ARNO:
Huh?
MONK: YouknowtheMmusi onl
yprot
ectthei
r
bl
ood,andCri
ssyj
ustl
ikeyou,i
sn’
t.I
fanyone
comesaftery
ou,t
heywil
ltr
ytogettoher.
ARNO:
True… shegoes,
butfi
ri
ngi
nav
ideo
gamei
sn’
tthesameasar eal
gun.
MONK:She’sbeentoagunr angeandfi
reda
r
eaacoupleoftimes.Iam nottal
ki
ngabouti
t
wi
thyouArnold.
KARTEL:Youtwocanfightitoutlateror
what
ever.Cri
ssycanshoot.Mor ethemer r
ier
.
Ron,
will
y oubeablet
osecur ethem ammo?
RON:
Yup.
KARTEL: Al
ri
ght,getyourpeoplepackedup,
emphasizethatthei
rli
vesareindanger,sot
hey
cannottell
anyone.Don’ttel
lthem t
he
dest
inat
ionuntil
theyarethere.Vi
sas?
RON:Seychel
l
esi
sVI
SAonar
ri
val
.Amont
hfor
usBatswana.
KARTEL:Amonthisal
lweneed.Onel
astr
un.
Let
’scl
oset
hischapt
er.
*
***
***
***
**
LI
KE,
COMMENT,
SHARE
ATHUG'
SLOVE95

Kart
elknockedi
nKesego’
shomeandshe
cametoopen?
KESEGO:
Whatt
hehel
ldoy
ouwant
.
KARTEL:
Ther
ear
epeopl
eaf
terme.Iam t
aki
ng
mysonsomewher esafe,youcancomeifyou
want
,butIam t
aki
ngKat .Andthi
sisnota
r
equesti
ncaseyouthinkyouhaveachoice.
KESEGO:
Andi
ncasey
out
hink…
KARTEL:Iam notdoingthisshtwit
hyou,my
chi
ld’
sli
feisindanger.Iwil
lti
eyouupandl ock
youinatrunkifIhav
et o,butIam t
aki
ngmy
son.Havehisbagspackedanddon’ tt
alkback
atmeagai n.
KESEGO:
Youdon’
tgett
o…
Hehel
dherchi
nbetweenhi
sthumbandf
inger
andmadeherl
ookherupathi
m.
KARTEL:
Isai
d.Don’
t.Tal
kback.Under
stood?
Shebl
inkedandlookeddown,r
ememberi
ng
howmuchshel i
kedhavinghi
m al
ldomi
nant
andal
pha.
KESEGO:
Uh… y
es…
KARTEL:
That
’sagoodgi
rl
..Youj
ustmademe
happy
.Youl
i
kemaki
ngmehappyr
ight
,Kese?
Shenodded,
li
cki
ngherl
i
ps.
KARTEL:Alr
ightpackhi
sbags.Mat
teroff
act,
your
stoo.I’
dlikemyboytogr
owupwi t
hhis
mom, soyougot t
acome.
*
***
***
*
ReubenknockonNeel
o’shome.Shecameto
openlooki
ngsogoodi
naf l
oral
summerdress
andmakeupdone.
NEELO:Whatnow,Reuben…whatdoyouwant
?
Whycan’
tyouleav
emeal one!Ar
ggg!
REUBEN:
(smi
l
ing)Youl
ookgood.
NEELO:
Mxi
m…
REUBEN:
Canwet
alk?
NEELO:
No
Thekidscameoutint
hei
rschool
uni
for
msand
huggedthei
rdad.
CHARLOTTE:Daddy,
Reo’
sschool
iscl
osi
ng
today
,butmi
neisnot!
Hepi
ckedherupandki
ssedherhead.
REUBEN:Youdon’
thavet
ogotoo,i
nfact
,we
ar
egoingsomewhereamazi
ng.Heybi
gman…
Hef
istbumpedhi
sson.
RUE:
Whydon’
tyout
akeShashaandgetr
eady
?
REO:Daddy,whenareyoumovi
ngback?Faf
a
andDede’sfat
herhasmovedbackt
othei
r
homeafterhewasgone.
RUE:Ti
met
ogetr
eadyf
orschool
,bi
gman.Of
f
yougo.
REO:
But
…
RUE:Wewi l
ltal
kaboutit.Ipr
omise.Butifyou
goandgetreadyfast,Iwil
ldr
opyouof fat
school
.Ihaven’
tshowny ouournewcar ,haveI
?
Quicknow,gogetready.
Theyr
anof
ftot
hebedr
oom.
NEELO:Youcan’
tkeepdoi
ngt
his,
Reuben… I
havemovedon.
RUE:
(smi
l
ing)Whatam Idoi
ng?
NEELO:
Yout
houghtIwoul
dwai
tfory
ou?Mx
im?
RUE:(smi
li
ng)Il
i
ter
all
ynev ersaidt
hat.Butona
ser
iousnot
e,Nel
s,youneedt otaketheki
ds
andgosomewheresafe,youwi l
lbewithSesha
andLubaandherki
ds.
NEELO:
I’
m notgoi
ngany
wher
e.
REUBEN:Ther
earedanger
ouspeopl
ecoming
aft
ermybrosandI…theywi
ll
comeaftery
ou
andtheki
ds.
NEELO: TheyareprobablyafterboKar tel,It
old
youReuben, youar
enotl i
kethosepeopl eand
theywil
lonlygetyouintrouble.Gonej aanay ou
weregonesi xyear
sinsteadofsi xmont hsyou
neededtolearnyourlesson,allbecauseofbo
Kartel
!
REUBEN: WasIsupposedt ofoldmyar msand
watchwhenmybr ot
her’schi
ldrenandanot her
’s
wifewerekidnappedbyamur derer?Wouldyou
havebeenoki fIdidn’tgohelpf i
ndSesha?
Wouldy ouhavehadi tinyoutot ellReothathi
s
bestfr
iendwaski ll
edbyapsy cho?Youknow
heandDedear einseparabl
e.I fi
twer emykids,
thosemenwoul ddoexact l
ythesamef orme.
Orwoul dyoubeoki fweneededt hatki
ndof
helpandtheydidn’thelp?
NEELO: (
sighing)I
’
mjustsayi
ng… youar
enot
l
ikethem.Youhav eacoll
egeeducati
on,
a
sci
entist
s…y ou…
REUBEN: Neelo,youdeny i
ngwhoIam doesn’t
changer eali
ty.Iam athief
,ok?Brokei
nto
housesandst olethi
ngswhenIneededt o…
madeandsol ddr ugsatsomepoi nt
,ki
ll
ed.So,
yea.Ther earepeoplewhowantmedead, and
aren’tabovekill
ingmyf amilyj
ustsoIcan
suffer.Yousawwhathappenedt oKesego’s
chi
ld… Luba’
skidswerekidnapped… Iknow
youareasensibl
egir
l.Takethekidsandgo,
j
ustforamont hsowecancl eanup.
NEELO:Whatdoes‘
cl
eanup’
evenmean,
Reuben?
RUE:Maybedon’
taskquest
ionsy
oudon’
twant
answer
sto?
NEELO:
(si
ghi
ng)When?Whendowego?
RUE:
Nextweek.
NEELO:Wher
eto?
RUE:
Can’
ttel
lyouthat
.Fory
oursafety.
.Just
onemont
h.It
’sni
cewarm weat
her,
y ouwill
li
ke
i
t.
NEELO: (
sadly)WhenIhear dyougotahouse
andwer estart
ingabusiness, It
hought…Ijust
thoughtyoulearntyourlesson,youwereturni
ng
yourli
fearoundf i
nall
y…mxi m.Howst upi
dof
me.Youwi llneverchangewenaReuben.You
l
i
ket
hiswhol
egangst
ersht
!
REU:Iam l
i
ter
all
ytr
yingt
oputt
hegangstersht
behi
ndme.That’
swhyIsaidweneedtoclean
up.Pl
easedon’
tfi
ghtmeonthi
s,pl
easeNeli?
Hecaressedhercheekwit
hasmi
l
eandNeel
o
swat
hedhi shandaway.
NEELO: Fi
ne.Butdon’tt
hinkt
hismeans
anyt
hing.Iwil
lneverfor
givey
ouforsteal
i
ng
fr
om yourownki dstogobuyslayqueenp*ssy
.
Youaredisgusti
ng.
*
***
***
***
Kart
elpar
kedandwalkedItohi
spar
entshome.
Hehaddeliber
atel
ynotgonet
oseehi
smot her
fort
hetwoweekshehadbeenout.
I
fshecanref
usetocomeseehim athi
s
wel
comepartyaf
tersi
xyear
sofhi
ml ockedup,
t
henshecanwait
.
Hewal
kedi
nandsi
ghedheav
il
ywhenhi
s
mot
herst
art
edcr
yingasshesawhi
m.
MME:Kgat
hal
owhydoy outr
eatmel
i
kethi
s?
DoIhav
etowaitt
hisl
ongt
oseemyson?
KARTEL:Iwasbusy…y
oushoul
dhav
ecomet
o
mywelcomeparty.
MME: Busyf
oryourownmot
her
!Shehasr
eal
l
y
bewi
tchedyou.
KARTEL:
Mme, don’
tyougett
ir
edofal
lthi
s
hat
eandbit
ter
ness?
MME: Excuseme?Rra-
Bopaki
,youhearhi
m!
Youhearhowhetalkst
omeaker e.
KARTEL:Iam nothereforthi
s,andqui
etf
rankl
y,
don’
thav
et hepati
encet oday.Kodi
…youare
muchmor epati
entthatI…please…
KODI
: Trustme,whenitcomest
ommeev
en
mypatiencerunst
hin.Thi
swomani
s
fr
ust
rating.
MME:
Kgodi
so,
howcoul
dyou…
KODI :
Anyway,wear eal lher
e.Thereare
dangerouspeopleafterKgathiandtheymi ght
trygettohi
mt hroughf amil
y.Wear egonnago
awayf oramont hwhilehesortsitoutwit
h
them.Wear eleavi
ngi naweek, so,packyour
bags.
MME: Kegorel
eutwaKgodi
sot
alki
ngt
ome
l
ikeIam hi
schi
ld.
KODI:Doy ouwannaget sshot,
mme?Because
thosepeoplewill
shootyouwhiley
ouarebusy
withquest
ions.Wehav eaweek.Niceand
warm weather,sopackforthat
.
NTATE:
Whyar
epeopl
eaf
terKgat
hi?
KARTEL:
I… uhm…
KODI:Thesamepeoplewhosethi m upt
ogot
o
pri
son,j
ealousorwhatev
er,t
hatisnot
i
mpor t
ant.Theimpor
tantthi
ngistheyar
e
coming,sowehav et
ogo.
KARTEL:
ThanksKodi
,Ibet
terheadof
f.
*
***
***
**
Aweekl aterRonleadthegroupf r
om the
Victor
ia-
Seychell
esInt
ernat
ionalair
port,
to
anothersmallerf
li
ghtthatt
ookt hem t
oPr asli
n
Airpor
t,whereabuswaswai t
ingandtookt hem
tothelodge.
Aft
erever
yonewasset
tl
edi
nt helodge,
Ron
cal
ledsometoKodi
’
sroom wheretheammo
waskept.
RON: So,t
hel odgeisempt yforthemont h,
whi chwil
lmakei teasyt oseeanyonecomi ng.
Onlyt heki
tchenandhousekeepi ngstuffis
stay i
nghere.Ev ery
onegr abaguny ouwi l
lkeep
i
nt hesafei ny ourroom, Kodiwil
lkeeptherest
oftheammo.Let ’
st r
ykeepingothersoutof
thisasmuchaspossi ble,t
heydon’tneedto
know any thingaboutt hisunti
li
t’
snecessar y
.
ESTHER:
Arewet
hinki
ngt
heycoul
dfi
ndus?
KODI
:No,
buti
t’
sal
way
sbet
tert
ost
ayal
ert
.
Andmakesur
enoonemessesupandposts
any
thi
ng,
soplease,
ever
yone,
keepaney
e.
RON: Ifthereisanydangeratal l,thisr oom here
hasanexi tvi
athatdoor ,i
t’
sapr i
v ateel evat
or
thatexitsintoanalley,andthealleyl eadst oa
paththatwi llt
akey outothedockswher ea
boatwai ts.KodiandIhav ealreadywal kedt he
path.Acai candriveaboat .It
’sfl
eef irstif
anythi
ngatal l
goesdown.Acai int hel eadas
shedr i
ves, f
oll
owedbychi l
dren,elder l
y ,
and
thosewhocannotshoot ,andther estwhocan
shootatt heback, t
akingwhoev eri sf oll
owing
youout .Noneoft hiswi l
ll
ikel
yhappen, butwe
needt omakesur enobodyl etsonwher eyou
are.Iheadbacki nt hr
eehour s.
Every
onetooksomeammoandwentbackt
o
thei
rrooms.
Lubacheckedont
heki
dsandt
henwentt
o
Ron’
sroom.
Shewasget
ti
ngdr
essedaf
tershower
ing.
LUBA:
Youof
f?
RON:
Yup…
LUBA:Ron,pl
easebesaf
e… Idon’
twant
anyt
hingt
ohappentoyou.
RON:
(laughi
ng)I
’
m pr
ett
ygoodatnotdy
ing.
LUBA:I’
m seri
ous,Ron…Iam soscar
ed
becauseKart
el,heisal
wayssobusytaki
ng
careofever
yonethathenegl
ectshi
mself
.
RON:Weall
knowt
hat
.That
’swhyweal
lhav
e
hi
sback.
LUBA:Andyou… youaresoreckl
ess…promi
se
meyouwi l
lbecar
efulRon.Pl
ease… sayIwi
l
l
seeyouagain.
Ronputt
hebagdownandcameov
ert
oher
.
Shetookherfacei
nherhandsandcar
essedi
t,
thengent
lyki
ssedher
.
RON:I’
l
ldomybestt
onotdi
e…andI
’
llwat
ch
outf
orKar
t…
Shekissedheragai
nthenpickedupt
hesmal
l
backpackandwalkedtothedoor.
LUBA: Musty
oul
eav
etoday
?St
ayt
heni
ght
?
Please…
RON:Oh, l
it
tl
eflower
…t hatsoundssoinv
iti
ng.
Butthesoonerwegetthi
sshtcleaned,
the
bet
ter.
LUBA:Pl
ease… Iam scar
ed,
Ron…Ij
ust
…
pl
easest
ay?
Shesighedandputthebagdown, thencane
overt
oher ,
caressi
nghershoulder
s,kissi
ngher
asLubapulledRon’
st-shi
rtof
f.
Ronki
ssedherandspokeagai
nsthermout
h.
RON:IguessIcoul
dtakeanear
lyf
li
ght
tomor
row.
Shesai
dasshepul
l
edLuba’
sbl
ouseof
f,
ki
ssi
ngdowntoherclav
icl
e,downt
othe
moundi
fherbraest
…
*
***
***
***
**
KARTEL:
Ronarr
ivedt
henextdayev
eni
ngandwesati
n
ther
oom str
ategi
zi
ng.
KARTEL:
Iwasthinking… thebestwayt
omake
sur
eweallcomeoutoft hi
sali
veistot
ryav
oid
bei
ngonthedefence.Weal waysgotot
hem,
wetaket
hem outwel eave.
MI
DNI
GHT:
Youhav
eapl
an?
KARTEL:
Ido… wemov etoni
ght
.Wear egonna
hi
toneofDuncan’
s,bef
orehi
scrazysonarr
ives.
*
***
***
***
*
KesegosatIherbedr
oom ont
hephoneasher
sonslept
.
Sheputhert
empor
arysi
m car
donandcal
l
ed
Nkemi.
KESEGO:
Heybabe…
NKEMI
:Hey
,hav
eyouar
ri
ved?
KESEGO:
Yup
NKEMI
:Wher
eist
hispl
acekana?
KESEGO:
Nkemi
,Ican’
t,
I…
NKEMI:Ij
ustwantt
oknowwher et
ofi
ndyouif
needsbe.Wecannottr
ustKartelt
okeepyou
andKatsafe,
lookwhathappenedtoyour
daught
er…
KESEGO:
Kanai
t’
sjust
…
NKEMI:Howdoyousayy ouareoverKart
el
whenyouarehi
dingthi
ngsfr
om me?Howar e
wegonnabeamar ri
edcoupl
ewithsecret
s?
KESEGO:
It’
sjustt
hatKar
tel
sai
d…
NKEMI
:Ar
ggg,
Kar
tel
agai
n…
KESEGO:
KanaI
…
NKEMI
:Comeon…
KESEGO:
( si
ghing)Buty
oucan’
ttel
lany
one.We
ar
einSeychell
es.
NKEMI
:Seychell
eswher
ekel
echeke?Iheari
t’
s
ani
cecountr
y,andnowwecanaf
fordt
ohav e
mecomethere.
KESEGO:Iseriousl
ydon’tknow,
Ronhandedal
l
outtr
aveldocuments,butit
ssomeisl
and.I
havenoideaatall…
NKEMI:I
t’
sokbabe,
alr
ight
.Wewi
l
ltal
klat
er.I
l
oveyou.
Shehungupandl
aidont
hebedwi
thasi
gh.
Whatwasshesupposedt ohavedone?Let
Kar
telhiv
ehersont othatgir
ltocomeherewit
h?
Andbeingstuckinthi
shotelwithLubawil
lbea
l
otmor ebearabl
eifNkemi washere.
Wait,t
henameoft hehotel
.Shehadseenthe
nameoft hehot
el.All
shehastodoisGoogle
thatnameforSeychel
lesandshewil
lknow
whatisl
and.
*
***
***
***
**
Nkemi satont
hechai
rasthedarkski
nned
handsomemanwi t
hcrazedeyessmil
edathi
m.
Whatthehel
lki
ndofpeopl
edidKesegodeal
wi
th?Thismansoundedli
keapsychopat
hic
ki
l
ler
…
Thathehadwentaf
terNkemi
’
smot
heri
nor
der
tomakehimtal
k…
Allt
hiswasjustsoscary… hedidn’
tthi
nk
thi
ngsli
kethishappenedinBotswana…
LANI:That’
sagoodboy
…yourmot
herget
sto
l
iveanotherday
.
NKEMI:Youpromi
sedmeKesegoandherson
wi
llbesafe…
LANI:Boy,youcoul
dhaveyourgir
l,Idon’tcar
e.
ButKartel
kill
edmybaby.Iam ki
l
li
ngt hree
moreofhis.Andthatbi
chLuba.Thent akingmy
wif
eandwear egoi
ngtostar
tourli
v esinthe
Bahamasorsomet hi
ng.Besi
des,
Iam saving
youal lt
hatbabydaddydr amawhenthebr at
dies.Cutti
ngt i
esbetweenherandKart
el.You
shoul dt
hankme.Now, fi
ndoutwherei
n
Sey chel
lestheyare.
*
***
***
**
LI
KE,
COMMENT,
SHARE
ATHUG’
SLOVE96

Seshasatwi
thhermot
her
,tal
ki
ng.
MMA- SESHA: Thi
sisthemany ouchoseSesi?
Lookatusst owedawayli
kethisbecauseheis
acri
mi nal
,andthenyougetangrywheny our
uncl
esdon’trecei
vehim?
SESHA: Mama,i
fyouwouldli
ketogobackto
Botswanasayso.Nnakelapi
letot
awithyou
peopleal
waystal
kingbadaboutArnowhenall
heeverdidwashelpeachoneofyou.
MMASESHA: Seomane.Iwasj
ustsay
ingy
ou
deser
vebet
ter
…
SESHA:Heisthebet
terIwant
!Iam goi
ngt
o
checkonLuba.
ShewalkedoffandfoundLubai
ntheli
ving
room ofhersui
te,hav
ingamocktai
landspa
daywithhergi
rl
s.
Shesmil
edthi
nki
ngofLoki
…andi
fhercount
ing
wasri
ght,
possi
blyanot
her
…
Thi
scoul
dbeherf
utur
e.
SESHA:
Ladi
es…
LUBA:
Heybabe…j
oinus.
FADZWA:
Weshoul
dmakeaf
ashi
onshow.
SESHA:Lat
ergi
rl
s,Luba,
canwet
alki
nthe
bal
cony
?
LUBA:
Sur
e.Ladi
es,
gogetr
eadyf
ordi
nner
Thegi
rl
srushedt
othei
rbedr
oom andLuba
pouredagl
assofwi
nef
orher
sel
fandonef
or
Sesha.
SESHA:
Orangej
uicei
fyouhav
esomepl
ease.
LUBA:Huh?Wai
t,what?Ithoughty
ouguy
s
post
ponedIVFf
orall
this…
SESHA:(smil
ing)Wedid,butlookslikeGodhad
otherpl
ans… Iam notsureyet… butIam a
weeklateanditdoesn’
tfeel
likejuststr
ess.
LUBA:Come… Ihav eafi
rstai
dkitthatIt
hinkI
addedthatinther
e,wi
thKartbackandall
.Ijust
feel
li
keit’
stimeforanot
herbefor
eI ’
m ol
d.
SESHA:
(laughi
ng)Gi
rl
,youar
e29.Youhav
e
ti
me.
LUBA: Nnyaamma, boFafaandDedeetaenna
okar
et heyarethebaby’
saunti
es?Thespaci
ng
i
salreadytoobig.IwantonemoreandIneedto
geti
nt hatsoon.Comepeeonast i
ck,gi
rl
y.
Seshaf
oll
owedhert
othet
oil
etbat
hroom
whereLubagav
eherapr
egnancyt
estandwent
out
side.
Afewminuteslat
erLubaranbacki
nwhenshe
hear
dherscream exci
tedl
y.
LUBA:OhmyGod,
babe!OhmyGod!I
’
m so
happyf
oryou.
Shehuggedherast
heybot
hlookedatt
het
est
happi
l
y.
SESHA: Byt
heway
,hav
eyouhear
dbackont
hat
othert
hing?
LUBA: Yea… yousaidheshoul
dopeni
takere.A
reit
’s99%posi t
ivepar
ent
almatch,
whi
ch
meanssampl eAandsampl eBarwdefi
nit
ely
theparentsofsampleC.
SESHA:
Oh…
LUBA:I’
m sorr
ybabe… Arnol
ovesyoubutifhe
cheat
edony ou,Iwi
ll
helpyoubur
rythebody.
Ormay betal
kabouti
tandseewhyhewoul dgo
anddot
hat
.What
every
ouchoose,
Iam her
efor
you.
SESHA:
Thanksbabe…
LUBA:ButIam conf
usedt
hough,
babe… why
testt
hemothertoo?
SESHA:
Iuhm…I
…it
’scompl
i
cat
ed.
Whatt
hehel
lwasshegonnado?
Arnowasgonnaki l
l herf
orsur
e.Woul dLoki
eveneverunderst
and?Orwoul ditonl
yhurtt
he
poorgi
rltoknowherownmot herlef
therfor
dead?Thatthemot herwhorai
sedherwasn’t
real
l
yhermot her?
Sht
,whati
fthi
schi
l
dlookedexact
lyl
i
keLoki
?
LUBA:
Babe,
youok?
SESHA:
Yea… Ineedt
oli
edown…
LUBA:I’
m sosorryhun,
Ar noj
ustdi
dn’tcome
acr
ossast hecheati
ngtype.I
fyouneedtotal
k,
Iam her
eforyou.
SESHA: Thanks… cany oupleasenottel
l
anyone?EvenKartel,becausetheyallt
alkabout
every
thi
ngandhewi l
l j
usttel
lArno,andIwant
tobetheonet obringitup.
LUBA:
Ofcour
se.
*
***
***
**
Kodiwal
kedoutt othecorri
dorandsaw Est
her
l
ookingi
nfrust
rationathersonwhowas
runni
ngar
oundt hecor r
idor
s.
KODI
:Hekeepsy
ouony
ourt
oes,
huh?
ESTHER:(
laughi
ng)Youhavenoi
dea…Iam
tr
yingt
ogethimreadytogodownst
air
sfor
di
nner…
KODI
:Hei,
monna!Comeher
e,l
etmeshowy
ou
agameinmyphone.
Theki
dranbackt
othem.
KODI:I
fyougetdr
essedandreadyf
ordi
nner
,I
wil
ll
etyoupl
ayforawholehour!
Heranbacki
nthehouse,
andEst
herl
ookedat
Kodiwi
thasmil
e.
KODI:(l
aughi
ng)Yup,bribi
ngki
dsistot
all
y
all
owed.Idoitt
omyni ecesandnephewsall
theti
me.
*
***
***
***
*
Aft
erdinnerandev er
yonehadfi
nishedeating
andwentt othei
rrooms,Kodist
oodi nthe
cor
ridor
ssmoki ngav apewhenEst hercame
out
.
ESTHER:
So,
li
ke,
Iheary
oucanshoot
?
KODI
:(l
aughi
ng)Bankakel
a.
ESTHER:IknewKar
tel
want
edt
okeepy
ouout
ofal
lthi
s…
KODI :Kar
tel
wasgonef orsi
xyears.Iwas
scaredhisenemi eswouldcomeaf t
ermyfamil
y,
hiskids…Derek,mysister’
shusband…Ital
ked
tohim andhet aughtmehowt oprotectmyown.
ESTHER: What
?DoesKartnoyougott
iedwi
th
Derek?Iknowhewasn’
thappywhenyoursi
ster
gotwithhim.
KODI:Idon’tneedmybr other’
sapprovalf
orsht
.
Li
kehim, IdidwhatIdidforpeopleIl
ove.
Besi
des, Iam st
ayingi
nuniversit
yandfini
shi
ng
mydegr ee,that
’swhathewant edmetodo.
Hi
sphoner
angandhepi
ckedup.
KODI:
Yoh?What?Noo!Ohsht
… okman,
do
whatyoucan,
I’
ll
handl
eher
e.Ta…
Hehungupasher
ant
ohi
sroom.
KODI:Esther
,getever
yonet
oev
ac… hav
e
ever
yonet omyroom nowandt
aket
heelev
ator
andgot otheboat.
ESTHER:
What
’sgoi
ngon?
KODI:Somebodyf*
*ki
ngsnit
ched,
nowt hat
crazysonofabi
chisonthewaywithsome
guys…
Hewenttotheint
ercom andr
elay
edt
he
messagetoevery
one.
KODI:
Ev acnow.Don’
tbotherwit
hluggage,I
hav
ey ourpasspor
tsattheboatal
ready,j
ustget
tomyroom anddownt heelev
atori
nt her
e,Acai
,
tot
heboat .
Herantotheroom wher
ehegothisfat
heron
t
hewheel chai
randpushedhi
mt otheelev
ator
wi
thkids.
*
***
***
**
Kar
telsi
gnal
ledfort
heguy
stogetr
eadyashe
pi
ckedthedoor.
Whenheopened,Monk,Midni
ght
,andArno
wal
kedi
nandbef orel
ong,
itwasalotof
scr
eami
ngthroughoutt
hedoor.
Hegr abbedt
heguywhocameathim,andhi
t
hisfaceagai
nstt
hewal
l,
thensl
ashedhis
throatwit
h.
Thenhesawoneoftheguyswhohadbeen
ther
ewhenKyl
iewasshot.
Heraceduptohim andpunchedhim,pinni
ng
himtothefl
oorasherainedbull
etsonhim
taki
ngoutal
lthef
rustr
ationandangeronhim.
Abul
l
etwenti
ntheguy
’sskul
landRonst
ood
ov
ert
hem.
RON:Wedon’thavetheti
meforal
lthat
.This
pl
acemaybef arout,
butsooni
twil
latt
ract
at
tent
ion.Hel
pmet orcht
hebodi
es.
Helookedar
oundasall
histeam wasst
il
l
st
anding,
pouri
ngpet
rolal
lovert
hehouse.
Yup,sur
pri
setotal
lygav
ethem morethanan
upperhand.Duncan’
smennev erev
enhada
chancetogetthei
rweapons.
Hegr abbedaj err
ycanandpouredpetrol
aroundev erything,t
hentheyall
walkedoutas
Ronlitupt hef arm,bef
oretheyr
anofftothei
r
carsatadi stance.
*
***
***
***
Lubahadhergunready,withMi
raandCrissy
besidesherwhi
l
eEst herandAcai
ledev
er y
one
totheboat.
Kodiwasatthef
rontoft
hehot
elhi
dingi
nwai
t
readyt
olaywast
etoanyonewhocame.
Whot hef**
ksnitched!God!Whatwassohar
d
about‘don’
ttel
lanyonewhereyouare?
’
Sheheardthefi
rstdul
lthudofbul
let
sasKodi
shoutedt
hatsomeonehadseent hepeopl
e
goingtot
heboat .
All
threetookoutr
unningtowar
dsthegroupas
Kodiandsomeoft heguysRonhadaskedto
hel
pwer eholdi
ngoutthei
rowninf
ront.
SeshawaspushingKar
tel’
sfat
her’
swheel
chai
r
asmma-Seshaandmma- Bopakir
anbesi
des
her
.
Shenot
icedt
hatKathadf
all
endown,
andr
an
ov
ert
ohel
p.
LUBA:
Isheok?
KAT:
Itwi
stedmyankl
eaunt
ie,
Ican’
twal
k.
Lubagott
oherknees.
LUBA:
Getonmyback.
KESEGO:
Wedon’
tneedy
ou…
LUBA:Cany ouputpettyasi
deandletmeget
thechi
ld?Iam fast
erthanyouandIam prett
y
sureIcanrunwithhim onmyback.PlusIhave
agunt odefendmyselfifIl
agbehi
nd.
KESEGO:
Isai
dIgoti
t.Getonmyback,
Kat
.
LUBA:
Giv
ehi
mtome,
I’
ll
puthi
m onmyback.
KESEGO:F*
*kof
f,y
ouwantt
oki
l
lanot
herofmy
chi
ldr
en.
MI
RA:Giv
ehert
hebaby
,damni
t… weneedt
o
move.
LUBA:
Kesego!
KESEGO:I
fther
eisany
onewhowi
l
lkeepmy
sonsaf
e,i
t’
sme.
Shesaidasshest
oodupwi
tht
heboyonher
backandtr
iedtor
unwit
hhi
m,st
ruggl
i
ng.
LUBA:
Kesego,
please.
KESEGO:
Leav
eusal
one.
LUBA:
Fine!Hur
ry!
Sher anofft
othesidecover
ingot
hersasthey
reachedtheboatandEst
herl
oadedthem i
n.
Shesawt
hegunmant
ool
ate.
LUBA:(
screaming)Kesego,getdown,
damni
t!
Getdown!Mir
a…Mi ra,covert
hem…
Shesai
dassher anbacktowardsKesego,
scr
eamingwit
hal l
hermightf
orhertogetdown.
Whatwasthatdumbbichdoing,getdown,
get
down.
*
Kesegopanickedandf
rozeast
hegunpoi
nted
ri
ghtather
.
Lubawasrunni
ngbackt
othem,
scr
eami
ng
somethi
ng…
Shecoul
dn’
tev
enhear
… shewast
ooscar
ed…
Al
lofasuddeni
twasNkemi
hol
dingt
hatgun.
No,notNkemi … oneoft
hegiysshehadmade
him shoot
.Theyhadcomef orher
.God,now
theyweren’
tjusti
nherdreams?
Down?Lubawassay i
ngtogetdown.Luba
knewtheset
hings,
shehadtoli
stentoher
…
down…somuchbl ood… t
herehadbeenso
muchbloodandshehadcov er
edital
lup.
Shewasbackinthatr
oom again… t
heguywas
poi
nti
ngagunather,hi
sforeheadgushi
ng
whereNkemihadshot.
Hepul
l
edt
het
ri
gger
…
Shescr
eamedwi
thherl
ungsoutast
heguy
smi
l
edabl
oodysmi
l
eandr
eleasest
het
ri
gger
.
*
Somebodyhadcomef
rom anot
hersi
deoft
he
beach.
Lubaheadt
hescr
eam behi
ndher
…
Infrontofher,
shesawt hehandreleasedt
he
tri
ggerbeforesheheardthedull
thudofthe
bull
etrippi
ngthroughfl
esh…tearsrandownher
eyesassheunl eashedherfur
yont hegunman
evenashewentdownl ikeasack.
Whydi
dn’
tthatdumbbi
chgodown!
God,
pleaseno… no…
Kart
elcouldn’tburr
yanotherchi
ld…Dani
e
coul
dn’tl
oseanot hersi
bli
ng.EvenKesego
di
dn'tdeservetoloseanotherchil
d.
*
***
***
***
*
LI
KE,
COMMENT,
SHARE
ATHUG’
SLOVE97

Kodi cameinrunni
ngasLubat ri
edtogeta
profusel
ybleedi
ngKatfrom Kesegowhowas
screaming,
alsobleedi
ngherself
.
LUBA:Kodi
,canyouhel
pcar
ryhert
otheboat
…
sheisi
nshockandlosi
ngal
otofbl
ood.Iwi
ll
bri
ngKat.
KodipickedupKesegoandwenttotheboat
,
wit
hLubabehi ndhi
m andCr
issyandMira
cover
ingt hem.
Lubascreamedasshef el
tasharppainonher
shoulder,
bri
nginghertoherknees.Shefor
ced
hersel
fupandgr i
tt
edhert eet
hthrought
hepain,
feel
ingthebloodtr
ickl
eddownherbody .
Shedi
dn’
thav
ethel
uxur
yofdy
ing,
shehadki
ds.
Shehadt
ogett
othatboat
.
Ast
her
eachedt
heboat
,Lani
andsomeguy
s
hadcaughtuparoundthepri
vat
ebeach,
and
hadthegroupsurr
ounded.Ther
ewasnoway
theywer
et aki
ngoffnow.
LanigrabbedableedingLubabyt
hebrai
dsand
for
cedhert oherknees,poi
nti
ngagunather
,
for
cinghertodropKat .
LANI
:Fi
ndKar t
el’
skids.TheonesIshowed
phot
osof.Ki
l
lallt
hree.Herei
soneoft hem.
LUBA:
Yousonofabi
ch,
ify
out
ouchki
ds…
Hehi
therhar
dwi
tht
hebut
toft
hegun.
LANI:
Callmymothernamesagain,whore.I
dar
ey ou.Act
ual
l
y,ki
llt
hem al
lexceptformy
wif
e.
Theguy
swenti
nsidetheboatast
heel
der
ly
womencri
edi
nfear.
Mma-Bopaki
passedoutast
heywal
kedi
nwi
th
guns.
Est
herai
medhergunandt
ookoneoft
heguy
s
down,butanot
hergotheronthethi
gh,
sendi
ng
hert
umblingdownasthegr oupscr
eamed.
Oneofthem ai
medatDede,butr
ra-
Bopaki
wheel
edhimselfi
nfr
ontoft
hechi
ld.
NTATE:Iwi
l
lnotl
ety
ouhar
m mygr
andbabi
es.
Never
!
MAN:
Oldman!Mov
e!
NTATE:Youwill
hav etogothroughme.Youar
e
nothur
ti
ngtheseinnocentki
ds!
MAN:
Finebyme.
Her ai
sedhisgunandhitr
ra-Bopakit
wiceon
thechest,t
heoldmanslumpingtotheside
i
mmedi atel
y,f
all
ingt
othegroundonapool of
blood.
Acainai
l
edthemanonthefor
eheadpoi
ntblank
andwasholdi
ngherown,
pushi
ngthemenback
andawayfr
om thegr
oupwit
hheebull
ets.
Att
hispoi
ntFadzwahaddr
aggedhersi
ster
andtheotherki
dsof
fandt
heyhi
dont
hel
ower
deckoftheboat.
Outsi
de,Laniai
medhi sgunatKatwhowas
bl
eedingintheground.
Seshawal
kedoutoft
heboat
.
SESHA:
ShowmeamanIcanl
ove…
LANI
:Myangel
…
SESHA:Showmey ouareakindman… t
hatyou
havemercy.Andyouwil
lwinmyheartf
orev
er…
l
etthem go…cal
lyourmenoffandt
akeme…
LANI
:Butmyl
ove…Ican'
tl
ett
hem go.
SESHA:Wouldi
tnotbesoamazi
ngt
ohavemy
l
ove?Realandt
rue?Toownmenotbyf
orce,
buthav
ingmecomewi l
l
ingl
y?
LUBA:
Sesha…
SESHA:No,Luba…mybabei
sagoodman…
ki
nd… l
ovi
ng.Peopl
edon’
tunder
standhi
m.
LANI:(
smili
ng)Youwoul
dreal
l
ycomet
ome?
Wil
li
ngly?
SESHA:I
fyoushowmeyouar
eamanIcan
l
ove,y
es.Wecanhaveaf
amil
y… ki
ds.
..aboy
andagir
l…
LANI
:Youar
ely
ing…
Seshawalkedov
ert
ohi
m andt
ookhi
shand,
ki
ssingi
t.
SESHA: Youwer eright
,therewassomet hing
betweenus, butIwastoosi l
lytoseei t
.Youar e
al
lIthoughtoft hepastfiv
ey ears… but,you
scareme, Palal
ani.Youareruthl
ess, haveno
mercy…
LANI:
Icanbemer ci
ful
…y ousai
dityoursel
f.I
am ki
nd…Iam themany oul
ove… yourdream
man.Kind,
mercif
ul…
SESHA: Idon’
tbel
iev
ey ou.Kil
lthem andtake
mebyf orceandyouwi l
lneverhavemyl ove.I
n
fact
,Iwillhat
eyouallmylif
e,youwillneverfi
nd
peacewit
hme.Lett
hem goandy
ouownmy
heart
.For
ever
.
LANI:
(si
ghi
ng)Gunsdown.Ev
ery
one,
guns
down!
Theyal
lputt
hei
rgunsdownandthoseinsi
de
cameoutwit
honebleedi
ng,
onedead..
.
LANI:Wherei
sthecar?Yousaidyourgang
memberswerebringi
ngthecar.Takemyqueen
andItotheai
rpor
tandIwill
transf
ertherestof
yourpay
mentwhenwear ri
ve.
SESHA:
Andt
hem?
LANI
:Lett
hem go…
SESHA:
Youpromisey
ouwon’
thav
ethem
fol
l
owedandki
ll
ed?
LANI
:Ift
hat
’swhaty
ouwant
,myl
ove.
SESHA:
Iti
s…
LANI
:Ok.Nobodyf
oll
owt
hem.Lett
hem go.
MAN:
Butt
heyki
l
ledmymen…
LANI :
Yout ookthi
sjobknowingtheri
sk.Iam
payingshtl
oadsofmoneyf oryourser
vice.And
thosefoolsweredisposabl
eanyway,stop
acti
ngl i
keyoucared.Takethemoneyand
burryyourdead.Thejobisover
.
SESHA:(
toLuba)Leave.Ihearpol
i
cesi
ren.I
t’
s
besty
ougetoutofthi
scount r
y.
LUBA:
Sesha,
youdon’
thav
eto…
SESHA:
Iwantt
o… Ibel
ongwi
thmyman…
ShenoddedatLubaandwalkedoffhandi
n
handwithLani
astheother
sgotintheboatand
Acaidr
oveoff.
Themomentt heygotinsidetheboatKodi
screamed,seeinghi
sf atheronthefl
oorona
pool ofbl
ood,hismotherpassedoutbesides
him.
LUBA:
Mybabi
es… ar
emybabi
esok?How
manyar
einj
ured?Any
bodywhocan,
please
t
endtot
heinj
ured…
Shehadtakenabull
etontheshoul
der
,buta
ski
nwound.Sti
llhur
tli
kehel
landwasbleedi
ng
fr
om hersi
detoo.
Kodihadtakensometoo,sohadMi
raand
Est
her.Kesegowasshotbadl
y…
Rra-Bopaki
’sbodylai
dslumpedonthefl
oor
withhiswifepassedoutbesi
deshi
m,Boiknel
t
nearthem screamingherl
ungsout
…
Hergi
rl
s,wher
ewerehergir
ls?Shehadhear
d
shot
s,hadt
heygothergi
rl
s?
Shetri
edtostandup,
butshewast
ooweakand
fel
lbackdown.
Fadzwacameint
oviewholdi
ngaf
ir
stai
dki
t
whil
ecal
minghersi
sterdown.
FADZWA: See,
Itol
dy oumamawi l
lcome.It
old
you… I
’
llf
ixher.I’
l
lputabandageandCall
a’
s
mom saidsheisgoi
ngtoahospi
tal.Call
a’
s
mom saidtogi
veapainki
ll
erandthenjust
bandagetost
opbleedi
ng.
Thathitwiththebuttofthegunonthehead
fr
om Lani hadreal
lyknockedherdown.She
coul
dbar elyseefr
om thepainasFadzwaputa
pi
lli
nhermout handDedegav eherwatert
o
swall
owi t.
FADZWA:Youwatchmama, ok?I
’l
lhel
pCal
l
a
andNyqwit
hotheri
njur
ed.Watchmama.
Hersi
ghtfl
utt
eredi
nandoutasDedelaid
besi
desherandputLuba’
sheadonherl
it
tlel
ap,
massagi
nghertemplesandki
ssi
ngherhead.
Shecouldhearthepoorl
it
tl
ethi
ngpr
ayi
ngas
j
ustbeforeLubapassedout.
*
***
***
***
*
Thenextmor
ningAr
nowal
kedi
nhi
sof
fi
ce.
Zenday
ahadst
art
edt
oday
,andshewasi
n
Arno’soff
icesnoopingt
hroughhi
sst
uff
.She
panickedwhenAr nowalkedi
n.
ARNO:
CanIhel
pyou?
ZENDAYA:
Iwasjust
…I… uhm… It
houghty
ou
werei
nsoIcoul
dcomesayhi.
ARNO:
Hi.
ZENDAYA:Hi
… uhm…ok.So… I
’
llj
ustgot
omy
desk.
.Ok.
Shewalkedof
fandAr
nosmi
l
ed,
thent
ext
edt
he
group.
‘
Shet ookthebai
t.Shefoundthestuf
f.Iam
betti
ngsheistel
li
ngDollari
ghtnow.Wewi l
l
havehimt r
appedsoon.Hey,anyoneheardfr
om
thoseguys?Can’
treachSesha’
*
***
***
***
KARTEL
By10am t
henextmorning,Iwasst
art
ingt
o
worr
y.Ihadnotrecei
vedtheusual
checki
n
updat
efrom Kodi
,andt
hemanwasthor
oughin
suchthi
ngs.Hi
snumberwasnotgoi
ngt
hrough.
Nei
therwasLuba’
s,oranyoft
hei
rs.
Iwasaboutt of*
*ki
ngcat
chaf l
i
ghtof
ftothat
count
rymy sel
fwhenKodical
l
edwithadi
ff
erent
si
m card.
KARTEL:
Aboutdamnt
ime.Whatt
hehel
l
,Kodi
!
KODI
:Thi
ngswentt
it
sup,
man.
KARTL:
Whatt
hehel
li
sthatsupposedt
omean?
KODI:(si
ghing)Ifi
nall
ycoll
ectedal
lphones
becauseIcouldnol ongertr
ustany
onetonot
squealagai
n.Crissyhelpedmegetintothem t
o
seewhot al
ked… Kesegot oldherf
**ki
ng
boyfr
iend!
KARTEL:
What
!Isev
ery
thi
ngok?Ar
eyouguy
s
ok?
KODI:
Nothi
ngisokman.Nothi
ng.Acai
managedtogetusi
ntoMozambiqueandwe
foundapr
ivat
ehospi
tal
wher
esheknowst
he
doctor
.
KARTEL:Wheny oubeatar
oundthebush,
I
knowit
’sr
ealbad.Sohitme.Ber
eal.
KODI:(
si ghi
ng)Thepol i
cear
rivedbutourboat
wasalreadytakingoff,t
heydisn’
tseeus.When
wearri
v ed,Acai’
sdaughterr
anaheadandcame
backwithabusdr i
verandabus, Aust
inowns
thebusappar entl
y.
KARTEL:Kgodi
so!Whogothur
t?I
sLubaok?
Mykids?
KODI:Iwasknockedbutnott hatbad… t ooka
fl
eshwound.Sodi dMi ra,Punie,andEst her.
Monk’ssonisstil
li
nshockandhasbeen
admitt
ed.Lubawasknockedpr ettybad,took
onebull
ettotheshoul der
, onetot hesides,but
sheisoutofsurgeryandi nthecl ear…nov i
tal
organshi
t…shewi l
l pullt
hrough.
KARTEL:
OhmyGod… I
’
m comi
ng…myki
ds?
KODI
:FadzwaandDedeweren’
thur
t.Rue’
sson
wasgr
azedandonl
yneededabandage.
KARTEL:I
sthatever
yonewhogothur
t?Come.
On,Kodi
,youarenotsav
ingmeanyt
hing.Be
real
.
KODI
:(si
ghi
ng)Het
ookSesha…
KARTEL:
No… ohmyGod,
please… no.
KODI:Mmehadami ldhear
tat
tack,
buysheis
pul
li
ngthrough…nt
atedi
dn’
tmakeit…t
heytook
hi
m out.
Hecouldhearhi
sbrot
hertakeashar
pi nhal
eas
heworkrealhar
dtocont
rolhisemot
ions.
KODI:Kesegojustcameoutofsur
geryandi
s
sti
l
linICU,theysayit
’sa50/
50chanceshewil
l
pull
through…
KARTEL:Myson…y
oudi
dnott
alkaboutmy
son!I
sKatok?
KODI
:It
’sbad,
man… bad.Lubat
ookheat
comi
ngbackf
orhi
m…
KARTEL:
Ishest
il
lal
i
ve.
KODI :
Idon’tknow.Ithinkso.Hehasbeeni n
surgerysincelastni
ghtwhenwear ri
ved..
Kesegowascar ryi
nghim ont heback,sohe
tookal otofheat…l ostalotofblood.Ithi
nk
tooksomeheatt othespine…t heyarenot
sayingany t
hing,man.I’m sosorryKart
…
KARTEL:
Sendmedet
ail
s,I
’
m comi
ng.
Whenhehungup, heupdatedthegr
oupwhil
e
t
exti
nghisP.
At obookfli
ghts.Ther
estwoul
d
wanttocometoo.
F*
*ki
ngPal
anani
.
Hewasgonnamakethatpsychowatchashe
ki
l
ledhi
sfami
lyonebyoneinfrontofhi
m.
*
***
***
***
**
LI
KE,
COMMENT,
SHARE
ATHUG’
SLOVE98
Kar
tel walkedov ertoArnowhowasner vousl
y
twi
stingar ubic’
scube.Youcouldjusttellthe
manwasatt hevergeofabreakdown, butwho
wouldn’tbewheny ourwif
eiskidnappedbya
l
unaticwhoi sobsessedwi thher?
Kar
tel
touchedhi
sshoul
derwi
thasadsmi
l
e.
KARTEL:
Wear
egonnagetherback.Youhav
e
myword.
ARNO:Ij
ustdon’tgetit
.It
’sli
keIdon’
tdeserve
goodorsomething.Theonereall
ygoodthingin
myli
fe…li
ke,Seshamakesi tall
worthi
t,man…
KARTEL:Shei
scomi
ngback,
brot
her
…I’
l
lmake
sur
eofit
.
Hehadnotevennoti
cedt
heot
her
scomeov
er
unt
ilMonkspoke.
MONK:
Met
oo…
RUE:
Met
oo…
RON:
Yup,
wear
egonnagetherback,
man.
EA:
Forsur
e…
MI
DNI
GHT:Uh-
huh
AUSTI
N:Noot
herway
…
Hesmi l
edhopef
ull
y.I
ftherewasonewho
couldguar
ant
eehiswife’
ssafer
eturn,i
twas
thi
sgroupofmenandwomanr ighther
e.
Thei
rfli
ghtgotcal
l
edandtheywal
kedthr
ough
ai
rportsecur
it
ytoheadt
oMozambiquevi
a
SouthAfri
ca.
*
***
***
*
LUBA
Il
aidinmyhospit
alr
oom wat
chi
ngthebor
ing
channel
theyhadonTVwhenKar
tel
walkedin.
KARTEL:
Heyy
ou…
ME:
(smi
l
ing)Hey
…
KARTEL:
Yougav
emeaf
ri
ght
…
Hecameov
erandcar
eful
l
yhuggedme.
ME:Kartel
,IswearIt
ri
ed… It
ri
edt
ogetKatand
pr
otecthim and…
KARTEL: Iknow…Kodit
oldme.Iam sosor
ry
aboutthi
sbabe.Thi
sisn’
ttheki
ngdom I
promisedy ou…
ME: Hey… don’
tyoubeatyour
sel
fupabout
thi
s… andwewi l
lgetthr
oughthi
s… y
ouandI.
That’
sjusthowwer ol
l.
Hesmi
l
edandcar
essedmycheek.
KARTEL:
Thanksbabe.Man,
I’
m onel
uckyni
gga.
Howareyou,
myqueen?
Isqueezedhi
shandwi
thasmi
l
e.
ME:Ont
hemend… I
’
llbegood.You?
KARTEL:
I’
m nottheoneont
hehospi
tal
bed.
Howaremygirl
s?
ME:
Thegi
rl
sareatAcai
’s.Theywi
llbehappy
t
oseey
ou,t
heyarewor
ri
edy ougothurt
.
KARTEL:
I’
ll
goseet
hem af
tert
his.
LUBA: It
hinkKodi couldusesomehelpwi t
h
yourfamil
y .Iam r
eallysorr
yaboutyourdad…
theysayhewaspr otecti
ngthegi
rl
s… het ol
d
thatguyri
ghtof f
.
KARTEL:(smi
li
ng)That
’smyoldman.Alr
ight
babe… l
etmegoseeKodi.I
’l
lpassbackbefor
e
vi
sit
inghouri
sover.
*
***
***
**
Ruewalkedi
ntothehouset her
estofthe
peopl
ewere.Acaidir
ectedhimtowhereNeel
o
was,andhewentt here,
knocki
ngsil
entl
y.
Shecamet
oopenandwhenshesawhim,she
j
umpedonhisar
msandcri
edonhischest
.
NEELO:Somuchbl ood… ther
ewassomuch
bloodever
ywhere… andhejustshotrr
a-Bopaki
l
ikethat
… wehadt otrav
elall
thewaywi tha
deadbody,Reuben.Adeadbody !And… and…
ohGod,poorKat…
Ruepat
tedherbackandki
ssedherheadashe
hel
dher.
RUE: I
’mreall
ysorry,
Neelo…Iwi shIcouldtake
thatexper
ienceawayf r
om y ou… andIwoul d
stayawayf r
om youandt hekidsifIthoughtit
wouldkeepy ousafeandspar eyousuch
experi
ences.Butithonestl
ydoesn’t.
NEELO:Hav
eyoueverki
ll
edaper
son,Reuben?
Wouldy
oushootsomeonepoi
ntbl
ankli
kethat
?
RUE:I
… uhm…oneoft
hosequest
ionsy
oudon’
t
wantananswert
o.
NEELO:Idon’tev
enknowwhoyouare!The
manIfellf
orisgent
leandki
ndandl
oving.Not
amurderer!
REUBEN: (
sighi
ng)Iam whoIam,
Neelo.Iam
tr
yingtochangeourfut
ure,
butmypastismy
past.
NEELO:I
t’
saff
ecti
ngmykidsandI
,Reuben!
Thi
sisnotwhatIsi
gnedupfor
!
REUBEN: Nobodysignsupforthi
s!Ididnotset
upwantingtobeadr ugdeal
erandat hief
,ok?
Butli
fegivesyouwhatli
fegiv
esy ou,andIam
notsorr
yIsur vi
vedtheonl
ywayIknewhow.
NEELI:Don’tyell
atmewheni t’
sy ourfaultmy
ki
dshadt oseeal lthat!Theyar etraumat i
sed,
Reuben.I’
mt raumat ised.Ican’
tsleep.Thef ew
moment sIget swhent heycanf i
nall
ysleep
wit
houtwaki ngupy ell
ingfrom ni
ghtmar es,I
havethenightmar es.
RUE:
Iam sor
ry…
NEELO:Yoursor
rydoesn’
thelp!Mychi
l
dren
hadtowatchamurder!Theyaretr
aumati
sed!
RUE:Butsafe… al
iv
e.Peoplelostli
ves,some
arehangi
ngbyat hread… yourfr
iendis
ki
dnappedbyapsy chowhohasr apedher
befor
e!Iunder
standallthi
sisoverwhelming,
butbealit
tl
egratef
ul f
orourluckandhav e
somecompassi onforGod’ssake!
Hewalkedoffangr
il
y.Yes,heunder
stoodNeel
o
wasangryandhurt
ing,scar
ed,t
raumati
ses…
butnotnow,damni
t!
*
***
***
***
*
KARTEL
Man,
thi
swashar
d…
Thelongestj
our
neyofmyl
if
e…from Luba’
s
room t
otheICUwheremysonwas.
Iwasonlyal
l
owedt
olookf
rom out
sidea
window.
Theyhadhi m onj ustadiaperonhi m andi
t
l
ookedl i
keev er
ybi tofhisbodywasconnect ed
toamachi ne… ther estbandagedup.Hi schest
wasbar el
ymov ing, butwhatbrokemet hemost
wast hedoctorwhowast r
yingtokeepherface
asblankaspossi ble,butIcouldreadthe
hopelessnessinherf ace.
Theydi
dal
ltheycoul
d.I
twasnowupt
oGod.
Ibl
inkedthetearsawayasIwalkedt
ot he
morguesideofthehospit
alwhereKodiandI
hadtoconfir
mt hebodyandarrangefor
tr
ansportbacktoBotswana.
WhenIwasdoneIwentt
oseemymot
herwho
wastot
all
ybr
oken.
Shej
ustlai
dthere,
hereyesswol
len,
andshe
wascr
y i
ngsti
llasBoi
pelohel
dherhand,
her
owneyesswoll
enandr ed.
Ibli
nkedawaythetearst
hatthreat
enedto
escape,andcametoseatbesidemme, t
aking
herhandotherhand.
KARTEL:
Hei
srest
ingnow…hei
sinabet
ter
pl
ace.
MME: YouseeKgat
halo,y
ousee?It ol
dyouthat
gi
rli
sacurse.Whotakesacultgi
rltobea
woman?Thosekindofgir
lsbathaiwa.Now
l
ookwhatthepeopl
eshei si
nvolv
edwi t
hhave
done…
Ihear
dKodisi
ghimpat
ient
ly,
ref
lect
ingexact
ly
whatIwast
hinki
ng.
Nott
hisagai
n.
Notanot
her‘ever
ythi
ngt
hat
’swr
ongundert
he
suni
sLuba’sfaul
t’
.
Especi
all
ynotnow.
MME:Itol
dy ou… It
oldyou!Nowmyhusband
i
sgone!Thatgir
lisbadnews.
Maybeitwasallt
hestr
essofever
ythi
nggoi
ng
on,l
osi
ngafather… myson’
sli
fehangi
ngbya
thr
ead…
Ij
ustsnapped.
KARTEL: Keeptalkingaboutt hemot herofmy
chi
ldrenlikethatagai nandy ouwi l
lfi
ndy our
self
cutfrom myl i
fe,includingf i
nanciall
y,andI
meani t!Iam thet hief
,mme, ok?Af ormerdr ug
dealerandaki ll
erf orhire!That’swhoy ou
rai
sedbecausey oudr ov eever yoneawayand
whennt atecouldnol ongerpr ovidebecausehe
wasi l
l,youjustsatt hereanddi dnot hi
ngandI
hadt ostepin!Anddi dwhatIcoul dt omake
surewedi dn’tstarve.Anyi nvolvementLubahas
tothiswor l
doft hievingandal l,
it’sbecauseof
me!Imetherwhenshewasj ust18, i
nnocentof
all
this.Nxla!Iam mour ningmyf ather
,andmy
son’slif
eishangi ngbyat hread,t helastthi
ngI
needi syourdrama.
Iwalkedoutandjustkeptr
unni
ngunt
ilIwasat
thebackofthehospit
al.
Hott
ear
sst
reameddownmyf
ace.
Isqueezedmyeyeli
dsshutinthehopethe
tear
swouldstop,
buttheyjustkeptrunni
ng
downlikesomebrokentap.
May
bei ti
sabrokentap,
becauset
hat
’showI
f
eel
rightnow.Br
oken.Weak.
AndIdon’
tevenknowhowtobethosethi
ngs.I
don’
tknowhowtoleanonot
her
sf oremoti
onal
suppor
t.
Butthepainwasweight
ingmedownsomuchi
t
l
it
erall
ybroughtmedownt omyknees.
I
nthatmuskyoldbackal
leyofthehospi
tal
,I
f
inal
l
ycol
lapsedandital
lbrokedown.
Ibi
tdownonmyl owerli
ptotryandstopthe
cri
es,buttherewasnost oppi
ngthehowlsof
pai
nt hatescapedme, ever
ysobrocki
ngmy
shouldersandshakingmybodyl i
keaquake
shutt
eringallthewall
sthatcagethepainIhi
de
i
nside.
God,pl
ease…Ican’tl
osemysont oo.Mer
cy…
pl
ease… God.Forthefi
rstt
imeinmyworthl
ess
l
if
e,showmej ustali
tt
lemercyandletmyson
l
iv
e.
*
***
***
**
Monksati
ntheroom besideshi
ssonwhohad
notsai
dasi
nglewordsinceevery
thingwent
down.Hej
usthuggedhimselfandrockedback
andf
our
thandst
aredi
ntospace…
Adoct
orwalkedi
nandgav
ehi
m some
medi
cati
on.
MONK:
Wil
lhebeok?
DR: Tobehonest ,
it’
suptohim.Thi sisa
responset otraumat hatj
usthappens.Some
peoplecanbecomedeaforbl i
ndormut eaft
er
experiencingexcessivetr
auma, wit
houtany
physicalinjur
y.Justthebrai
n’sresponse.
Peoplewi thautism andespecial
lysensi
ti
ve.
PUNI
E:Butwhatdowedo?
DR:Alotofther
apymayhel
pbri
nghim back,
butheisgonnawannacomeback.
Tear
srandownherfaceandshehel
dont
o
Monk,cr
yingonhi
schest
.
*
***
***
***
*
Kodi
stoodout
sidesmoki
ngandbl
i
nki
ngt
ear
s
away.
Nowt hati
twassor tofst
abl
eandhehad
not
hingtodist
racthimsel
fwi
th… i
twashi
tt
ing
hi
m.
Hisfatherwasdead.Hisnephewkeptali
veby
machines,andhi
sbr ot
herwastry
inghisbestt
o
keepittoget
her
.
Man, howhewishedjustoncethatbigstrong
f*
*kerwouldbreakdownandr eleaseall
hekept
i
nside.Howhewi shedKartel
woul dal
lowhi m
bethereforhi
ml i
keKartel
wasal waystherefor
every
one.
‘
Arey
ouok?
’
Helookedbackt
osewEst
herbehi
ndhi
m,
hol
dingoutacof
fee.
ESTHER:
Yougood?
KODI
:Me?Yea… ofcour
se…
ESTHER:
(smi
l
ing)Youar
ejustl
i
key
ourbr
other
.
KODI
::Whati
sthatsupposedt
omean?
ESTEHR:Webeent
hroughhellandback,
nobodyi
sok.Andyoujustl
ostafather
…
KODI
:Whatdoy
ouwantmet
odo,
cry
?
ESTHER:
Thatcoul
dbeast
art
…
Thenshesmil
edandpull
edhimintoahug,
her
small
framecosy
ingi
ntobigchest
.
*
***
***
***
**
Day
slat
er…
IthadbeenfourdaysnowofAr nohav i
ngtaken
her…shehadf akedherperi
odt heentir
etime,
actual
lycutt
inghersel
fonthethightogeta
l
ittl
ebloodandsmeari tonthet oi
l
etbowl as
‘
ev i
dence’
shewasr eal
lyonherperiod.
Whichhadhel
pedalott
oexpl
ainhernausea
andvomit
ing,
andhadal
sokepthersafe.
Butshecoul
donl
yrunwitht
hatf
orsol
ong.She
neededt
ogetoutofher
e.
Oh,
yes!Hersl
eepi
ngpi
l
ls.Shehadbeenon
them f
orsolong,
shealwayshadsomei
nher
handbagincaseshe t
ravel
led.
.
Shehadbeenofft
hem foramont
hnow, but
pl
easeGod,l
etherhav
esomei nt
hisbag.It
washerf
avouri
te…
Shesear
chedthr
oughandcameoutwi
tha
smal
lbott
le.
Shesil
ent
lyt
hankedGodasshesl
i
ppedi
tinher
robe.
Lani
camef
rom t
heshowerwr
appedi
nat
owel
.
LANI
:Ar
etheper
iodpai
nanybet
ter
,myl
ove?
Hesaidashelai
dbesidesheront
hebed,
ki
ssi
nghershoul
der.
SESHA:It
’sgetti
ngbet
ter
,thanksf
orget
ti
ngme
thepai
nkill
ers.
LANI:Anyt
hingforyou.Iguessweshoul
dorder
i
nagain?Ourfli
ghttotheBahamasisinaweek.
Iam havi
ngaf r
iendgetusahouseandhaveit
pr
epar
edf
ory
ou.
SESHA:
Aww,
youdon’
thav
etobabe…
LANI
:Iwantt
o…Iwanty
out
obehappy
.Babe?
SESHA:
Hmm?
LANI
:Thanky
ou…
SESHA:
For
?
LAI:
Notlooki
ngatmel
i
keIam cr
azyor
somethi
ng.
SESHA:
What
’ssocr
azyaboutf
all
i
ngi
nlov
e?
LANI:See,yougetme!Oh,
thatshoul
dber
oom
ser
vice.Letmegetit
.
Hewenttoopenforr
oom ser
viceandt
hey
ar
rangedt
hefoodonthet
able.
Thi
swasherchance.
Aft
erthemanlef
t,Seshal
ookedathi
m and
smil
edsweet
ly.
SESHA:
Babe,
cany
oupl
easegetmesomei
ce?
I
thel
pwiththepai
n.It
hinkIsawadi
spenser
j
ustout
side.
LANI
:Ofcour
se.
Hepul
l
edonhi
ssweatpant
sandwentout
side
t
ogeti
ce.
Seshathr
ewt hetwosleepingpi
l
lsi
nhi
sdr
ink
andshookitsoitdi
ssolved.
Hecamebackwi
tht
hei
ceandsatbesi
deshi
m
ast
heyate.
Shesmi
l
edwi
thev
erysi
phet
ook.
Withi
nthir
tymi nut
eshest
art
eddozing,
and
Seshapretendedtobesl
eepytoo.
SESHA:
Itmustbet
hewi
ne… l
et’
srestbabe…
Anot
herthi
rt
yminuteslat
erhewaspassedout,
andsheknewforsurehewouldbeoutforat
l
eastei
ghthour
s.
Therewer
enoguardsher
eashewasal
ways
watchi
ngher
,andi
twassupposedt
obeonl
y
t
empor
aryunt
ilt
hehousewasr
eady
.
Memori
esofhi
m pi
nningherdownt
hatgar
age
f
loor
…rippi
ngherpanti
esoff
…
FadzwaandDedescr
eami
ngashef
edt
hem
hotsauce…
Lit
tl
eLoki… abandonedanddi
scar
dedli
ket
rash
becauseofthetraumaSeshawasgoi
ng
thr
ough…
Shepi
ckedupakni
fef
rom t
hef oodt
rayand
st
oodabovehi
m wi
thi
trai
sed…
Shecoul
dn’
t.
Shewasnoki
l
ler
… shej
ustcoul
dn’
t.
Shegrabbedherhandbagandwentt othesaf
e,
putt
ingi
nt hepasscodehehadt houghthehid
fr
om her,andopenedit,t
akingherpassport
andsomemoneyf ort
axi.
Shepul
ledonherl
eggingsandtop,
thenr
an
downst
air
sandrequestedaval
etcar.
Withi
nfiv
emi
nut
esshewasont
hewayt
othe
ai
rport
.
*
***
***
**
LI
KE,
COMMENT,
SHARE
AThug'
sLov
e99

Seshaner
vousl
ypacedt
heai
rpor
twai
ti
ng.
Theherfl
ightwasboar
dingi
nfort
yfi
vemi
nut
es,
buti
tfel
tli
keitwasayearaway.
SheexpectedLani
toshowupanyminut
eand
dragherbacktowhat
evert
hef
**k.
Ar
no.
Sheshoul
dcal
lAr
no,
hewoul
dbesowor
ri
ed!
Shet
urnedonherphoneandst
art
edcal
l
ing.
ARNO:Sesha?Babe?Pl
easel
eti
tbey
ou…
pl
ease,
please…
SESHA:
HeyMrNor
thman…
Hi
sheavysi
ghtol
dhert
heman’sment
algr
id.
Hemustbepani
ckedt
othemax…
ARNO:Ar
eyousafe?Hashehur
tyou?Wher
e
ar
eyou?I
’m comi
ng…
SESHA:L.A… Igotaway .Sl
ippedhim my
sl
eepi
ngpill
s,butIam soner v
ous…Iam atthe
ai
rpor
t,bookedafli
ghttoS.A,boardi
ngisi
n45
minut
es…
ARNO: Iwil
lbewai
tingfory
ouwhenyouget
ther
e.OhmyGod!Pl easecall
mewhenyouare
ontheplane…Sesha…Sesha?
*
***
***
***
*
Seshafel
tahandbehi
ndhert
aki
ngt
hephone
fr
om herandhangup.
LANI
:Nxnxnx.Youbeenabadgi
rl
,myl
ove…
SESHA:
Lani
…I…uhm…how…It
hought
…
LANI
:(l
aughi
ng)Theannoyi
ngmedstheyhav
e
meonmakemesuperdr owsy,
soIputmysel
f
onmodanf i
nilt
ostayawakeandalertl
onger
.
Theydon’tcal
litt
hestayawakepil
lfor
nothi
ng…so, y
ourlit
tl
eroof
iecoul
dknockme
outforsolongonly.Wearegoi
nghome.Iwill
havetodisci
pli
neyou.
SESHA: Iam notgoi
ngany
wher
ewi
thy
ou,
you
psycopath…
Shef
eltt
hekni
fecasual
l
ypr
essedonher
wai
st…
Sht
…
LANI
:Maki anysuddenmoves… t
rytoscream
oral
ertany
one,andIwil
lgutyoul
ikeafish.
Butshecoul
dn’
tgobackwi
thhi
m.Thatwoul
d
betheend…
Shehadt
ogetawayf
rom hi
m.
Ifshescr
eamed,t
hispsychomayjuststabher
,
whichwouldendwit
hherinthehospit
alandif
Lanimanagedtoescapeaft
erheiscaught,
he
woul
ddef
ini
tel
ycomef
orher
.
Whatwoul
dLubado?
Fi
ght
.Lubawoul
dfi
ght
.
Bynow t
heywerepassi
ngherboar
dinggat
e,
andherf
li
ghtwasbei
ngcal
ledtoboard.
Thi
swasnowornev
er.
Sherevv
edupherelbowandbroughtitdown
onhisguthar
d,maki
nghi
m doubleoverandlet
go.
Sheranov ert
othegat
eandhandedt
heguy
hert
icketandpasspor
twhi
l
escreami
ng.
SESHA:(
scr
eami
ngandpointi
ngtoLani
)Heis
thr
eat
eni
ngmewithakni
fe.Hehasaknif
e!
Andjustl
ikethatsecuri
tywasallov
erLani
,
whil
eshegotont heescalat
orthatl
eadtoher
fl
i
ght,asherheartthumpedhard.
*
***
***
***
*
LUBA
Il
aidinmyhospital
room accepti
ngthepainI
wasin.Mysideshurtt
hemost ,eventhoughI
hadjustgot
tensomepainkill
er.
Aguyi
nadoct or’
scoatwal
kedinwi
thaj
ab
andwast r
yingt
of i
xmyIVtofi
veme
somet
hing.
Yea,
somet
hingaboutt
hiswasnotr
ight
.
Fir
stofal
l,hi
staghadapi ctureofanIndi
an
womancal l
edJenna,andhewasabl ackman.
I
fIwasn’tanobservantperson,Iwoul
dhav e
tot
all
ymissedit.
ME:
Whati
sthat
?
HI
M:Oh,
pai
nki
l
ler
…
Ial
readygotmypai
nki
l
ler
,azzhol
e.
IsweptuptheI
Vpoleandsmackedhim ont
he
stomachwithi
twhi
l
epressi
ngthepani
cbutton
andscreamed.
Nur
sesraninandsawtheguyr
unout
,oneof
t
hem cal
li
ngsecur
it
y.
ME:Hetr
iedt
okill
me… het
ri
edtoi
njectme
wi
thsomepoison…ohmyGod!OhmyGod!
Myhear twasbeatingsofast,
myshoulderand
sideburni
ngfr
om t hest
it
chesIprobabl
yburst
openbynowast heywer ebleedi
ng… andmy
whileworl
dwasj ustspi
nningasIsawKartel
runin.
*
***
***
***
KARTEL
I
twoul dmakesenset heyfoundus.Wit
hinjur
ed
people,Mozambiquewouldhav ebeenthe
nearestdest
inat
ionandtheynowknowwear e
wit
hAust i
n,whoi sf
rom Mozambi que.
Ihadjustsignedoffonmyf ather’
sbodybeing
sentbacktoBot swanaforbur
ial.Kodi
was
tr
avell
ingwi
t hthebody,andIwassof u**
king
worri
ed.Whatifhei sambushed?Buthe
pr
omisedhecoul
dtakecar
eofhi
msel
fand
st
ayoutofsi
ght.
Thi
swouldbesuchagoodt
imet
oat
tackus.
ButIwasn’
tgonnal
ett
hem.
Iwassett
otrav
eltoSouthAfr
icawher eLuba,
mysonandKesegowerebeingtransf
erredfor
bet
termedi
calt
reat
ment.
Iwasaboutt ogosaygoodbyetoLubawhen
therewasacommot ionandtwonurseswer
e
rushingtoherr
oom.Iranther
eandshewas
screamingaboutsomeonetry
ingtopoi
sonher
.
That’
swhenIsawtheguyr
unni
ngoff,
throwi
ng
thedoct
or’
scoatof
fandmadeitouti
ntoa
hall
way.
Ipursuedandcaughtwithhiminthebackal
l
ey
whereItri
ppedhi
m andpushedhi mtothe
ground,pummeli
nghim wit
hfist
s.
KARTEL:
HowdoesDuncanknowwher
ewear
e?
Huh?How!
Igr
abbedabot
tl
eshar
dandputi
tathi
sneck.
KARTEL:
How?
HIM:Idon’
tknow!Al
lIknowisthatIwasgi
ven
somethi
ngandtoldwhotoinj
ectitwi
th.
KARTEL:
Bywho?Speak!
HIM:Aguycal
l
edJohnny
.Hewor
ksatagar
age
nearher
e.
Idi
dn’
thavet
imef
orthi
s.Iki
ckedhi
m har
don
theri
bsandt
anbacktoLuba’
sroom.
*
***
***
***
*
ArnopacedaboutO.RTamboai rpor
t,noteven
knowingifSeshahadgot t
enonthefl
ight.Her
call
hadgotcutandt henherphonewasof f.If
shedidn’
tarri
veinanotherhour
,hewast aking
afli
ghttoL.A
Fi
fteenminuteslat
erhesawherwal
kthr
ough
ai
rportchecks.
Hepr
obabl
ybumpedaf
ewpeopl
etot
hef
loor
asherant
oher
,huggi
ngherandspi
nni
ngher
ar
ound.
ARNO: Areyouok?Didhehurtyou?OhGod, I
thoughtIwoul
dneverseeyouagain!Iam sor
ry,
butyouarenotleav
ingmysightunti
lIki
ll
that
fool!
SESHA: (
laughing)Il
oveyoutoo… al
lIkept
thi
nki
ngwast hatIwasneverevengetachance
totel
lyou,youar egonnabeadad… andthat
j
ust…
ARNO:Wai
t,what?Ar
eyouser
ious?Hol
ysht
,
ar
eyouser
ious?
Shenoddedandsmi
l
edathi
m.
SESHA:(smi
li
ng)Lubamademet
akeat
esti
n
Seychel
l
es…
ARNO: OhmyGod!I
’
m gonnabeadad!I
’
m
gonnabeadad!
Hespunherar
oundhappi
l
yashey
ell
edi
tand
peopl
ear
oundt
hem cheer
ed.
*
***
***
***
*
ThenextdayKar
tel
stoodt
alki
ngtoRuewho
hadcomewi t
hhi
mt oSouthAfri
ca.
Lubawasi nanot herroom i
nthi
shospi
tal
.Ron
wil
lbewatchingherandRuewoul dbe
watchi
ngKat .Ifsomebodydecidedtoki
ll
Kesego,hedidn’treal
l
ycare,soshewasinher
I
CUbyher sel
f.
Therestwer
elef
tinMozambi
queatAust
inand
Acai
’
s.
RUE:Ipr
omi seI’
l
lwatchhi
m withmyl
if
e.You
gohelpyourbrot
herwitht
hefuner
al
pr
eparat
ions.
KARTEL:Thanksman…Ar nowil
lbecomi
ngi
n
togi
veyouabr eak,
butIshoul
dbeablet
o
comebackinadayort wo.
Theyf
istbumpedandhecaughtacant
othe
ai
rpor
ttogot
oBot
swana.
Theycoul
dn’
tbur
ryhi
sdadwi
tht
hist
hreatst
il
l
l
ooming.
Duncanwoul
duset
hist
imet
oat
tack.
Theonl
yoptionwastoburr
yhisfatherwit
hout
thef
amil
y,andthatwasnothappening.
Thi
swasenough.
Hehadt
oendt
his
Nomoret
hreatt
ohi
sfami
l
yorhi
sbr
other
sand
t
hei
rfami
l
y.
Doll
asti
llt
houghthehadthem, wi
ththeli
es
theyhadbeenfeedi
nghimt hr
oughZendaya,so
hewasnotani mminentprobl
em r
ightnow.
Theycoul
dhandlehimlater.
ButDuncanwasaliv
eexpl
osi
ve,
andhe
neededtobeputout
.
Awarwasnotgonnaworkanymor
ebecause
Duncanwoul
dbeexpect
ingt
hem t
ocomei na
gr
oupl
i
ket
hatl
astat
tack.
Sur
pri
se,mot
her
f**
ker
s,hewasaboutt
oswi
tch
uponthem.
Ki
l
lDuncanandf
orcehi
sment
obowordi
etoo.
Ashegotoutoftheai
rpor
t,het
ookabusback
toFr
anci
stown,wher
ehewenttomeetsome
guy.
KARTEL:
Yougotev
ery
thi
ngIaskedf
or?
HI
M: Yup.Chlor
oform,teargas,gaskmask,t
he
overr
ideforthesecuri
tysystem, bel
l
adonnaand
sy
r i
nges.Thislooksli
keaf **
kingexter
minat
ion.
KARTEL:
(laughi
ng)I
tis.
HIM:(l
aughing)Thoughty
ouputt
hatguy
behi
ndy ou?
KARTEL:Peoplej
ustal
way
sdr
aggi
ngmeback
tot
his.Thanksman.
Kar
tel
handedhi
m athi
ckbrownenvel
ope,t
hen
wal
kedtohi
shousewhereheputonablack
outf
it
,thenarmoredupwi
thgunsandkniv
es,
conceali
ngthem wi
thal
ongthi
njacket
.
HewalkedtoDuncan’
spl
aceandwatchedhi
m
gooutwit
hthreeofhi
sguyswhi
leoneofthe
guy
sclosedthegate.
Theoldbast
ardwassor att
ledhehadhismen
stay
ingathi
sownhomet hen?Great
.Good
opport
uni
tytotakeoutt
hem atthesameti
me
ashim.
Theoldbastardwassuchacr
eatur
eofhabi
t,
thatKar
telknewjustwher
ewher
ehewasgoing
onaSaturdayevening.
Kartel
caughtatax i
tothebarandasexpected,
hewashav i
ngbr aaiwit
hKart
el’
ssist
er’
sex
fat
herinl
aw, Thapelo,
danci
ngwithbarel
ylegal
gir
ls.
Kartelsl
i
ppedi
ntot
hebackofDuncan’
sv an
thatwascover
edwit
hatarp,
thenj
uststayed
there.
Man,
theywer
emaki
ngt
hissoeasyf
orhi
m.
Aboutantwohoursl
aterhehear
dthem geti
n
thecar
… dr
ivi
ngbackhome.
Theguywhowasdr i
vingparkedinthegarage
andthenthenwentt
oopenf ortheoldmanwho
wentint
othehouse,
wherehi sf
amilywasas
mosthadcomef ort
heChristmasholiday
s.
Heslippedi
ntothegarageandpi ckedt
he
ki
tchendoor,t
henr aninsi
detothealar
m
sy
stem atthefrontdoor,andat
tachedthe
overr
idebefor
et heal
arm wentoff.
Thenhewalkedbacktothetwogoonssleeping
i
nthecouchandputChlorof
orm overeach’
s
mouthandthenlookedoutt
hroughthewindow.
Therestofthegoonswer esleepingi
natent
pit
chedbesidesthegazebo,andtwowereat
thegate.I
fhewasl uckyhewoulddoDuncanin
andbeoutbef or
etheyev ennoti
ce.
Ot
her
wise?I
ftheyseehi
m… wel
l
,itwoul
dbe
ti
metobethekar
tel
andputall
thesekni
ves
andgunst
oav er
ygooduse.
*
***
***
**
LI
KE,
COMMENT,
SHARE
ATHUG’
SLOVE:
100

Kart
el t
ip-t
oedintothef i
rstroom andwentov er
toLani’sbrot
her,putti
ngchl orofor
m overhis
mout hbeforestabbingthesy ri
ngeintothe
man’schest ,
thenwal kedt othemast er
bedroom, buttheoldbast ardhadwokenup
andhadagunup, point
edt othedoor ,ri
ghtat
Kart
el’sface.
Kartelduckeddownandsl idtothefl
oor,
tr
ippinghi m downandst abbingt
hesy ringeon
Duncan’ schest.Duncan’swifehadstarted
screami ng,butKart
elgrabbedherandputa
chloroform cl
othonherf acebeforestabbing
andempt yi
ngasy ri
ngeonherchest .Buti twas
t
ool
ate,
thegoonshadhear
dhercr
ies.
Somewerer ushingtothemasterbedroom and
other
swereout sidet
hemast erbedroom’
s
gl
assdoorthatwentt othegarden.
So,
fighthi
swayoutofher
e,huh.
Hepul l
edonhisgasmaskont opofthe
bal
aclava,
thenlett
hetear
gasripandcranked
opentheglassdoorandthrewthecaninthe
garden.
Heheardt
hencoughandscat
terar
ounddi
zzi
l
y
f
rom t
hegas.
Hegr abbert
heoneclosesttohim and
smashedhi m headagainstt
hewal l
,plunginga
knif
eonhi ssi
deandusedhi m asabodyshi el
d
ashemadehi swaytot hegatewher ehe
droppedthebodyandt ookoffrunni
ngt hrough
theyards.
Hecoul
dhearbot
hpoli
cecarsi
rensandsee
manysecur
it
ycar
sraci
ngtowar
dsDuncan’s
homeastheal
arm sy
stem haywi
re.Somebody
musthav
efoundandremov edhi
slit
tl
edevi
ce.
Thegoonswer
eaft
erhi
m andaboutt
odr
aw
at
tent
iont
ohim.
Hejumpedt
hescreenwallofoneoft
hehomes
andhi
dbehi
ndajojotank.
Oneofthegoonsfol
l
owedhimi n,
butthe
momenthelandeddown,Kart
elgrabbedhimin
achokehol
dandkeptchoki
ngharderunti
lthe
guyst
oppedmov i
ng,l
ayi
ngli
mponKar t
el’
s
arms.
Kar
telt
ossedhi
mt othesi
deandjumpedthe
wal
l,r
unni
ngoutint
othesmall
footpat
h.
Nownoonewasonhi strai
l
,butt
hecitywas
sl
eepi
ngatthishour
,andsoonhewi l
lcat
ch
at
tent
ionofsomeone,runni
ngout
sidethi
slat
e.
Hehadt
ost
ayont
heshadows.
Hej
oggedf
orsomet
imeunt
ilhehadmadea
di
stance,t
henpulledof
fthebal
acl
ava,
stuf
fi
ng
i
tont hebackpack.
Hegotintoanotheryardwher
ehebrokeint
o
someoldCoroll
a, cut
ti
ngthecabl
estogeti
t
star
ted,
thendroveoffasthepeopl
ewokeup
andcameout si
de.
Notli
kethepol
iceweregonnashowup
i
mmedi at
ely
.Suchmiracl
esonl
yhappenfor
guysl
ineDuncan,soheknewhewassafe.
Hedr oveoffandparkedt
hecarbesi
desa
poli
cestati
on.Nowhewascl osetohi
shouse,
eventhoughnotcloseenoughfort
hatcart
obe
l
ikedt ohim.
Aquicktwent
ymi nut
esr unandhear
riv
ed
home,tookof
ftheglovesandbalacl
ava,
showered,
changedclothesandgoti
nhisbi
ke,
ri
dingt
ohisparents’
home.
Heunlockedt
hedoorandwenttohisbedr
oom
wher
eaguyhi ssi
zeandbodybui
ltwas
sl
eepi
ng.
Hewasaboutt
owal
koutwhent
heguyst
ir
red.
HI
M:Yoh,
Kar
t…
KARTEL:
Mot
heo…t
houghty
ouwer
esl
eepi
ng.
Her
ubbedhi
sey
esandsatup.
HI
M:Iwas,
youmov
eli
keanel
ephant
,f*
*ker
.
KARTEL:(
laughing)Notmyfaul
tyousl
eepl
i
ke
ani
nja.Di
dany onenoticey
ouweren’
tme?
HIM: Nah,Ikeptmyhoodieupandmyhead
down, showedmy sel
faroundacoupl eofti
mes,
butatadi st
ancefrom anyone,andonlyt
alked
toKodi ,
thenhetoldpeopl
ey ouwasnott obe
botheredasy ouweremour ni
ng.
Heknewt heguycasual
ly
,andhaddonehima
favorortwo.Peoplehadalway
ssai
dtheyhada
resemblance.Sohecall
edonhimtoprovi
dean
ali
bi.
Awhol
enumberofpeopl
esaw‘
hi
m’al
ldayand
ni
ghthere.Hecoul
dn’
tbeoutt
her
eki
l
li
ng
Duncan.
Hehadnotnot i
cedanycamer asatDuncan’s,
becauset hef**kerwasthatar
rogantt
hathe
didn’
tbeliev
eany bodywoulddarecomei nt
ohis
home.Pl usKartel’
sfacehadbeencoveredby
thebalaclava,
hishandsgloved.
Not
hingt
oli
nkhi
mtot
his.
KARTEL:Cool
,thanksman.Al
ri
ght
,getbackt
o
sl
eep.I
’l
lcr
ushwi t
hKodi
.
*
***
***
***
**
LUBA
Iwokeupt
oRonhol
dingmyhand,
wit
hasmi
l
e.
Sheki
ssedmyhandandsqueezedi
tgent
ly.
RON:Ah,thequeenfinal
lyri
ses.Longl
i
ve,
the
roset
hatgrewfrom concreat
e.
Ibl
ushedandshel
eaneddownt
oki
ssmy
for
ehead.
RON:Secondt
imenowinamatterofday
sof
yougi
vi
ngmeaf r
ight
,badgi
rl
.
ME:
(smi
l
ing)Di
dn’
tthi
nkmuchf
ri
ght
enedy
ou…
RON: (
laughi
ng)Word… butmay
bel
et’
skeep
theneardeathtoamini
mum?
ME:Trustme,Ihav
ehadenoughofal
lthat
.
WhereisKar
t?
RON:Iam gonnapunchthatc*
ntont hef
ace
whenIseehim.Li
edtomesay inghewas
gonnagohelpKodiwit
hthefuneral
.
ME:DoIwannaknowwhathewentanddi
d
i
nst
ead?
RON:Hewentsol
oandtookoutDuncani
nhis
ver
yownhome.Wherehisgoonsandal
lare.
Kar
tel
seri
ousl
yhasnocareforhi
sownli
fe,
damni
t.
ME:Pleasemakesur
eyoupunchhi
mtwi
ce,
oneforme.
Adoct
orwal
kedi
nandsmi
l
edatme.
Ronsqueezedmyhand,reali
zi
ngIgotner
vous.
Thelastt
imesomeonewal kedi
ntomyroom
wit
hawhi t
ecoat
,theyt
ri
edt opoisonme.
RON:
Shei
slegi
t.Icheckedher
.Rel
ax,
babegi
rl
.
Thedoctorsmiledreassur
ingl
yandcheckedmy
char
ts,hadanur segivemesomeantibi
otics,
andthendiscussedmysi t
uati
on.
Becauset ovitalorganswerehit
,IwastoldI
woul donlyneedt obei nt
hehospit
alf
orf i
ve
mor edays,thenIcoul dgohomeandbeonbed
rest.Whichi ssoawesomebecauseIam.
Mi ssi
ngmygi r
lssomuch.Theyar ewithNeelo
atAcai’sbacki nMozambi que,
butaftersuch
trauma,theyneedt hei
rmama.
*
***
***
***
*
KARTEL
ThenextdayDuncan’
smur
derwasal
lov
ert
he
newsandtheywer
esay
inganat
tempt
ed
robber
y.
Wor
ksf
orme.
Sof
arnocopsknocki
ngonmydoor
.
NowIhadt
osendamessageont
hest
reet
s.
Thatguywi
ththeki
dLubaandIhadusedto
fi
ndoutwhereLani
hadourki
dsy ear
sback?
Foundhi
m andf
oundhi
ski
d’spr
imar
yschool
.
Tookav
ideo,
thenpai
dtheguyav
isi
t.
Heshookt
hemomenthesawme.
KARTEL:
Relax,
Ijustwannat al
k.But
,yes,Iwi
l
l
gety
ourki
difyoutrybecute.Ineedallt
he
namesofpeopl
ewhowor kf orDuncan.
Iwatchedhi
m ashewr
oteal
i
stofnamesand
phonenumbers.
KARTEL:Gr
eat…nowcallt
hem f
orameet ing.
Toni
ght,
eveni
ng.Al
loft
hem.Letthem know
whoeverdoesn’tshowwi l
lhavemeaf t
erhim.I
f
Icangettoyourbosswhi l
ey oufool
swer e
supposedtobepr otecti
nghim, imagi
newhatI
candot oaninsigni
ficantfl
ylikeyouguys.
Remindthem that.
Ti
met or
emi
ndt
hem whoi
ski
ngoft
hese
st
reet
s.
*
***
***
***
Arnosatonthebedcuddl
i
nghiswif
ewhi l
ehe
play
edwithsomeappthatmorphspi
ctur
esof
twopeoplet
oshowhowt hei
rkidwoul
dloom.
ARNO:Thisiswi
ld… If
eel
li
keIhav
eact
ual
l
y
seent
hiskidbef
ore.
Seshal ookedathisphoneandherheart
thumpedasshel ookedatacopyofLoki
,made
from hersandArno’spict
ure.
ARNO:Ohh,Iknow!ThatkidIthoughtwasmine.
Theoneyouwer el
ookingatont hel
aptop.Man,
i
t’
ssowil
dhowsher esemblesme.
SESHA:Owai
i
,babe,t
hesethi
ngsarerubbi
sh,
I
bett
hekidwi
lll
ooknothi
ngli
ket
his.
God,whatwasshegonnado?Nowt
hatshe
knewLokiwasthei
rsf
orsur
e.
I
fshecameclean,
Arnomightl
eav
e… Loki
woul
dprobabl
ybehurt
,sowil
lMaxine…
Shedidnotwanttohurtsomeonecapableof
showingachildt
heyfoundabandonedsomuch
l
oveasLoki had,
handfulthatshewas.I
twas
veryobvi
ousshewasgr eatl
ylovedand
cheri
shed.
Butcouldshemanagetokeept
hissecret
for
ever?Watchanot
herwomanraiseher
daught
er?
Maybeshehadt o.Thiswasherf**kup.
Neit
herLoki
,MaxineorAr nodeser
vedsucha
di
srupt
ionint
heirli
ves.Shewouldjusthavet
o
l
iv
ewi t
hthepainofseeingherdaughterfr
om
af
ar.
*
***
***
***
KARTEL
Iwal
kedint
other oom wher
ethemengat
her
ed.
Il
ookedateachandeveryoneoft
hem.
Curi
osi
ty…fear
…r espect… Icoul
dseeatl
east
oneofthatoneachifthei
rfaces.
KARTEL: Incasey ouarehavi
ngideas,
thi
s
room issurrounded.Onewrongmov eand
sniperwill
takey ouout
.Iam gonnacheck
attendancetoseewhoi snotheresoIcanki
l
l
them.
Ir
eadt
hei
rnamesasIwal
kedar
ound.
Onewal
kedi
ncasual
l
yli
keheownedt
her
oom.
‘
Whati
sthi
sal
labout
?’
Iwal
kedovert
ohim andpl
ungedmykni
feon
hi
sthi
gh,l
aughi
ngashescreamed.
ThenIwi
pedt
hebl
oodonhi
sface.
KARTEL:
Youar
elat
e.AndIhat
elat
e!Seat
.
‘
But
… butmyt
high…’
KARTEL:
Tal
kbackonemor
eti
me,
Idar
eyou!
Ispunmy9mm ont heairandpoint
editathim.
Hesatdownquietl
yast hebloodsoakedhis
pant
s.IknewIhadst abbedjustt
ocausepain,
notf
atali
njur
y.Hewillli
ve.
KARTEL: Great… nowt hatyouar eall here.You
allknowy ourbossi sdead.Andy ouknowhe
wassi l
lyenought otrypi ckaf i
ghtwi thme.I
knowhi scr azysonwi llt
rytogety out ohel p
him comeaf terme.Don’ tbest upidlikey our
boss.I t’
saf i
ghtthatwi llonlyendwi thy ou
wat chingmesl aught erev er
yoney oucar eabout,
bef oreIkillyou.Idon’ tcarewhaty oudoaf t
er
this,butify ouev endar ecomeaf terany oneof
mi ne,t hat’swagingwaragai nstme.Awary ou
can’ twin.Iwantev erysingleoneofy out o
pledgel oy alt
ytomet oshowy ouunder stand
yourposi t
ion.Dot hi
sandnotonl yar eyoumy
peopl e,
andIt akecar eofmi ne… legitj
obsand
all
wher ey oudon’thav etol i
velookingbehi
nd
yourbackandaf raidifthepolice,butal
soIwill
callony ouwhenIhav eot herjobs.Legi
tpapers
andj obsforourZi m brothershere…i ft
hat
i
nterestsy ou,myboy sher earegonnasety ou
upwi thmymar k.St epforwar d.
Ever
yonealmostrantowar dsmeast heseboy s
whostayatthehivewalkedi nwit
htatt
oopens
andwerereadytoinkthesef ool
smymar k.A
kni
fethathandl
it
tleextensionsl
ikethelett
er‘K’
.
Youknowwhat ?Iam astreetki
ngandIam
doner unni
ngfrom i
t.Idon’
tneedtobesel l
i
ng
drugsordoinganythingil
l
egal.ButIneedto
keepmyst reetcr
edintactsothatnobodyev er
darescomef orminel i
kewhatwej ustwent
through.
Iwentbackhomet
oar
rangeformypeopl
eto
comebackhomesowecouldburymyfat
her
pr
operl
ysincenowitwassaf
e.Doll
aisnota
worr
yfornow,buthewil
lbehandl
edsoontoo.
*
***
***
***
*
AMont
hLat
er…
*
***
***
**
LI
KE,
COMMENT,
SHARE

ATHUG’
SLOVE101
KARTEL
Themont hwentsof astsi
nceDuncan’ sdeat
h.
Hiscrazysonhadnotshowedupy et
,hedidnot
evencomet ohisfather
’sfuneral
.Wordhadit
thathewasarrestedforhavingaweaponatan
i
nternati
onal
airport
.
IhavesomeoneatSSKIAlookouti
nthei
r
syst
em forhi
sar
ri
val.Themomentheenter
s
t
hiscountr
y,Iam gonnahunthi
m downl
i
ket
he
r
abidanimalheis,andki
ll
him.
Duncan’sgoonswer eadapti
ng.Ihadtobrutal
l
y
beatupandt hr
eat
enaf ewr i
ghtbackint
o
submissionofcourse,butt
heywer efi
nal
ly
fal
li
ngintoplaceandlearni
ngwhowasboss.
I
’m start
ingupasecuri
tycompanytogi
vet
hem
j
obs, andalsohavet
hem watchovermy
businessesandfami
ly.
Ont hefamilyfr
ont,i
tpainsmet hatmygi rlsare
backintherapyafteralltheworkt heyhav e
doneov ertheyears,butIam startingtobelieve
theyknowt heyaren’taveragekids.Theyknow
theyarespecial,
hencet heyjustwor kont hings
andmov eon.Idowi shtheywoul dhav ehada
normalchildhoodthough.AndIam gonnado
mybestt omakesur etheyhav eitfrom hereon.
EventhoughheisnowoutofI
CU,
Kati
sst
il
l
verymuchcri
ti
cal.
Theydoubthewi l
leverwalkagainbecausehis
spi
net ookahit
,andhehadonel ungtakenout
becauseitwaspunctured,soforsomet i
mehe
wil
lbeonabr eathi
ngmachi neuntil
hecan
l
earntol i
vewi
thonel ung.
Heal sohadhisstomachshortenedtoremov e
thepartwher eabull
ethadpunctured,andhe
hadcompl i
cat
ionsf
rom bl
oodpoi soni
ngduet o
takingalongti
mebef or
ehegotmedi cal
attenti
on.Nowhi si
mmunesy stem isweakened
andheget ssi
cksoeasil
y.
Butal
li
nal
l
,myboyi
sal
i
veandheal
i
ng.
IhavenotseenKesegosi
nceshewasadmi t
ted,
becauseIdon’
thavetimeforaper
son
i
ndirect
lyr
esponsi
blef
ormyf at
her
’sdeat
hand
mysonbei ngsi
ck.
Theyhadbeentr
ansf
err
edt
oBotswanalast
week,andKesegofi
nal
l
ygotdi
schar
ged
yest
arday
.
Lubahasbeenamazi
nghelpi
ngmecar eforKat
ever
ydayasKesegowasinthehospi
tal
.
Iwalkedovert
oKat’
sroom andfoundKesego
ther
e,si
tt
ingbesi
deshi
sli
tt
lebed,sobbi
ng.
KARTEL:
Hey
…
KESEGO:
Mxi
m…
KARTEL:
Ok…
Iwentoverandcar
essedKat’
scheekwho
tur
nedovertomeandsmi l
ed,butcoul
dn’
ttal
k
ashisbr
eathingmachi
newason.
Isatdownandtur nedonhisiPad.Wewatched
somecar t
oonst
oget her
,thendi
dhisleg
str
etches,
andanur secameandr emovedthe
machineforabi
t,sowehadachat .
Whenitwastimetoleav
e,Iki
ssedhi
m goodby
e
andwalkedoutsi
de.
Kesegor
anupt
ome.
KESEGO:
Ineedy
out
ost
ayawayf
rom myson
andI.Idon’
twanty
ourmoney
,yourl
i
ttl
epi
ty,
not
hing!
KARTEL:
Excuseme?
KESEGO:It
’sthebestthi
ngyoucando,afterI
l
ostonechil
dandt hi
shappenedtoanother
becauseofyou.Youaredanger
ousandIdon’t
wantyouinourli
fe.
KARTEL:Youar
ecrazyi
fyouthi
nkIwill
just
abandonmyson.Heneedshi
sfather
.
KESEGO: Yea,well
,hehasaf at
herwhol ov
es
him andcomeswi thnodangerl i
keyou.So,i
f
youreal
lylovehimy ouwil
lreal
izethisisthe
bestthi
ngf orhi
m.
KARTEL:That
’st
hest
upi
destt
hingIhaveev
er
hear
d.Abandoni
ngmysonist
hebestthi
ngfor
hi
m?
KESEGO: Thi
sismysecondchancetopr
otect
hi
m asIshouldhavedonealongti
meagoand
l
eftyou.Iwon’tt
akei
tforgr
antedt
hatmyboy
surv
ivedt
heimpossibl
e.NowstayawayKar
tel
,I
don’
twanttogetaggressi
ve.
KARTEL:
Whati
sthatsupposedt
omean?
KESEGO: Yourproblem i
sthatyputhinkIam
stupi
d.Istayedwithyouforthr
eey ears,Kar
tel
.I
knowt hi
ngs.Thekindofthingsthatlands
peoplebackinprison.St
ayawayf rom us.
Shewal
kedof
fangr
yanddr
ovehome.
*
***
***
**
LUBA
Thingshadset
tl
edqui etabi
t,butweknewall
toowellweweren’
tont hecl
earyet.Lani
isst
il
l
outther
eandDollatoo.
Mygir
lsarear
ebackint
her
apy,anddamn!Just
whentheywer
efi
nall
yokaf
tery
earsofther
apy.
Someti
mesIwonderi
fthether
api
stt
hinkt
hey
aremaki
ngal
ltheset
hingsup.
‘
Thenwewer
erunni
ngf
rom t
hehot
elwer
e
hidi
ngoutin, myuncl
eandmotherwere
shootingatsomepeople… t
henmygrandfather
steppedinfronti
fthegunmanwhowast r
ying
tokil
lmei ntheescapeboat
.Heshotandkill
ed
grandpa…‘
ButthenDrAnacomesf r
om af amil
ywhere
whereIthinkt
hingsli
ket
hisarepret
tynor
mal.
WhichiswhyIchoseher.Sothekidswon’
t
havetohideanythi
ng
Afterwhattheyhadbeent hrough,Ihadpul l
ed
all
t hestopsfortheirChr i
stmas… gota
Christmastreeanddecor ateditandhadgi fts
l
iket heywanted.Theyeachgotani Phone, i
Pad,
aroom makeov er,andtonsofcl othes,andI
boughtt hem DisneyticketstotraveltotheUS
andhot oDisneyont heirnextschool holi
day.
NowIsatpacki
nguptheChri
stmast reeafter
theNewYearcel
ebr
ati
onseventhoughtithad
beenwel
loveraweekint
othenewy earnow.
Ij
usthadbeenfeel
ingsol
ethargi
c.MaybeIam
ol
d.My30thbir
thdayist
omor r
owafteral
l.
Il
aughedthi
nkingaboutt
hatnaï
vel
i
ttl
egi
rlwho
fl
edanabusiv
ef at
her’
shometoacit
yshe
barel
yknew.
Iwoul
ddoital
loveragai
nifi
tmeantendi
ngup
wit
hKart
elandhavi
ngmygi r
ls.
IknewKart
elwasplanni
ngasurpr
isebi
rt
hday
part
yhethoughtIwasn’
tawar
eif,
acti
ngli
kei
t’
s
j
ustsomedinnerfort
wo.
Istoodupt ogett heboxi nourstorageroom,
feel
ingabi tf
aint.May beIshouldhav egott
en
thecleani
ngcompanyt hatcomest wiceaweek
todot heunpacki ngli
meKar t
elhadsuggest ed.
Hehadbeenov erl
yprotecti
vethepastt wo
weeks, al
waysonmycaseaboutl i
fti
ngheavy
andhowIwaswor ki
ngt oomanyhour satthe
offi
ce.
Li
ke,
dude…t
hedoct
orssai
dIwasok.Ibeen
outoft
hehospi
tal
foral
mostamont
hnow.
Chil
l
.
*
***
***
***
*
KARTEL
Isati
nmyofficecatchi
nguponsomewor
k,
thi
nki
ngaboutKesgeo.
Thatgi
rlhasner
vet
hough.
Seri
ously?Sheget
smyf at
herki
l
ledandmyson
cri
ppled,
andthenIam t
heonewhoshouldl
ose
out?
Anddi
dsheact
ual
l
ythr
eat
enme?
Therewasaknockatt
hedoorandmyP.A
walkedi
nwit
haparcel
.
It
ooki
tandl
ookedi
nsi
de.
Thebeauti
fulr
ockgleamedagainsttheti
ny
bl
ackvelv
etbox.Itwasabeautif
ulli
ttl
epiece
wit
habigrubythatwassurroundedbyt i
ny
di
amondsal l
around.Apiecethatstandsout.
Li
kemyqueen.
El
eveny
ear
s.
El
evenyear
sofalotofbull
shtandhel
lthatwe
havebeeni
ntoget
her,
throughthi
ckandthin.
Wehav ehurteachother,pr
otectedeachother
,
fought,
brokenup,madeup.Butonet hi
ng
remainsconstant
.Throughitall
IknewInev er
stoppedlovi
ngher.Neit
herdidshe.
Wehav ethatrarekindoflove.Nott
hecutet
ype
wheretheyarealway smakinggoogleey
es,
becauseshtget sroughwi t
hus.Youwanna
cal
litt
oxic?Sure.Itworksforusandweare
happy.
NotBonnieandCl ydeshtbecausef i
rstofall
,
Cly
def *
*kedment oo…eww…pl ustheirbond
wascrime..Wehav eloveabov eall
things.
Aboveallthi
sshtwebeent hrough,i
fwehav e
nothi
ngelse,wehav etrue,genui
ne,all
consuminglove.Idon’tknowhowadogl i
keme
gotbl
essedli
ket
hat
,buty
ea.Igott
hatr
eal
lov
e,
wit
harealri
deordi
e.
P.A:(smil
i
ng)Carti
ercust
om made.I
sit
ever
ythi
ngy ouwanted?
KARTEL:
It’
sper
fect
.Isev
ery
thi
ngr
eady
?
P.A:Yes,
Iwenttoseeitwit
hMrsNorthman,
andit’
samazing.Ihav
ewentoverev
erydetail
s
overandoverobsessi
vel
y.I
twi
l
l gowell
,boss.
SheleftandIsati
magini
ngthelookonLuba’
s
facewhenshegetsthesurpr
ise… wel
l
,thr
ee
surpr
ises.
*
***
***
***
***
LUBA
Thenextday,onmybirt
hday,Iwokeupt
omy
fami
lymakingbreakf
astforme.
Thereweregoldbal
loonst
hatspel
led‘
Happy
Bir
thday
’withlar
gefoil
number‘
30’bal
loons,
andanarrangementof30blackandgold
ball
oonsar oundthetablewherether
ewasa
smallcakei ntheshapeofahandbagwith
makeupspi ll
ingfrom i
t.Thensomeseri
ousl
y
fancybreakfast.
Theysang‘
happybir
thday
’tomeandev
ery
one
sai
dsomethi
ngnice.
FADZWA:So,
li
keweal
lwr
oteabir
thday
message,
andDedewi
l
lst
artwi
thhers.
DEDE:Mommy ,
youaregreatandt hebest
.You
areal
way sagoodmot hertousev enwhenIam
atmywor st.Thankyouforbeingtheamazing
mother,
ev enifIam al
it
tl
edifficul
ttodealwi
th.
HappyBirthdaytoyou.
Shehandedmet
hecar
dwi
tht
hemessage
wri
tt
enonit.
ME:Aww, t
hanksbaby
… come,gi
vemamaa
huggi
e.Aww,ther
eismybiggi
rl
.
FADZWA:Ok,
ok,mytur
nnow!Ok,heregoes.
Dearmommy!If
eell
i
keIhaveanunfair
advantageov erothergir
lsbecauseIhav ey ou.I
cantalkaboutev eryt
hingwithyou,andal so
haveal i
vingexampl eofhowt obeperf ectand
alwayswi n,so,l
i
ket heseli
ttl
egir
lsdon’tst and
achance.Nooneknowsmel i
keyou,Mom.You
knowj ustwhattosayt omakemel augh, just
whattodot omakemef eelconfi
dent,andhow
totur
nmyf rowni nt
oasmi le.HappyBirthdayt o
thegreatestmom i nthewor l
d!Il
oveyou
mommy !
It
ear
edupasIhuggedher
.
ME:Aww, Il
oveyoutoo,
pri
ncess… y
ougi
rl
s
andyourdaddyaremyli
fe.
KARTEL:Ok,
minewi
l
lcomelaterbecauseIam
st
il
lworki
ngonmymessage.
*
***
***
**
Int
heeveni
ngafterwor
k,Seshat
ookt
hegi
rl
s
asKar
telwas‘
takingmeout’
.
Iwasgi
ddywi
thexci
tementknowi
nghehada
part
yplannedsomewhere.Whichwaswhy
Seshahadbeenoutoftheoffi
ceallday
,
obvi
ously.AndDedesucksatkeepi
ngsecr
ets.
Whenwepar ked,hecover
edmyey eswit
hmy
sil
keyemaskandt ookmyhand,
leadingme
thr
oughthegarden.
Westoppedandhetookoutthemaskand
ever
yoneyel
l
ed‘HappyBi
rthday’
andcheer
ed
happi
ly
.
Iwasweari
ngt henewgol
dsequinedevening
dresshehadmadef orme,andIknewIlooked
theshti
nit
.Ithuggedmeinallt
heri
ghtplaces
andthegol
dglimmeredwit
ht heni
ght
.
Roncameoverandhuggedme,ki
ssi
ngmy
cheekasKar
tel
gaveheralook.
KARTEL:
Ey,
hugsonl
y!Noki
sses.
RON:(l
aughi
ng)Cal
m down,
stopact
ingl
i
keI
wannaf**
kher.
KARTEL:(
laughi
ng)Iwoul
dneverknowwit
h
you… y
oudogi r
lst
oo…Idon’
ttrusty
ou.
BothRonandIrol
l
edoureyesandl
aughedas
sheleadmetot
hecent
erofthepl
ace.
Thepl aceit
selfwasmagni f
icent
.Itwasal ar
ge
gazebowi thcrawlerf
lower i
ngplantsonthe
post,andinsideitwasluxuriousandmagi cal
,
fi
ll
edwi throsesandbal l
onsal lar
oundthegold
andbl ackchair
sandt ables..Oneachtabl
ewas
ali
ttlemount ai
nofFer r
eroRocherand
Raffaelos.
It
ear
edupl
ooki
ngatt
hecent
erpi
ece.Thecake.
Ron.
Itwasshapedl
ikeasl
abofcement,anda
singl
ebl
ackrosewascomingoutofthecr
ack.
Igav
eathanky
ouspeechandt
henSeshal
ed
metoopeni
ngpresent
s.
Myf
athergav
emef
ivecowsofsomespeci
al
breedorwhatever… mmaSeshaasetofluxur
y
pl
atesandcutlery
,Seshawit
hanauthenti
c
LouisVuit
tonbagandshoes.Rongav emea
holi
dayfortwotoTurksandCaicos.
Onebyone, myf r
iendsgav
emet hei
rfancy,
hear
tfel
t,expensi
veashellgi
ft
s.Man… thi
sis
ni
ce.Beingsurroundedbysomuchloveand
l
uxury.
WhenIthoughtIhadf
inal
l
ygonethr
oughal
lthe
gi
ft
s,Kart
elhandedmeasmallbox.
ME:What
?Yougoymeanot
hergi
ft
?It
hought
mygif
twast
hepart
y?
KARTEL:(
smil
i
ng)Itol
dyouIwaswor
kingon
mybir
thdaymessage.
ME:
Ist
hemessagei
nsi
det
hebox?
HejustsmiledandIopenedt
hebox.Ther
ewas
acarkeyinside.
Scr
atcht
hat
.APor
schekey
.
No.
Just
…
Nof
**ki
ngway
!
ME:
OhmyGod!Noway
… Noway
!
Hewassmi li
ngsosmugl yashetookmyhand
andledmet othebackofthegazeboaspeople
tookv i
deos.AcarIhadalwayslookedatand
notdareddream of.HeknewhowmuchIl ovei
t.
APor scheCay enne…notthemostexpansiv
e
Porsche,butmyf avor
it
ebecauseit’
saSUVand
Ihavekids.Drivi
ngaroundbei
ngamom… but
i
nst yl
e.
Icl
ickedt hekeyandscr
eamedagainwhenI
heardthatsoundasthecarwhi
rr
ed.OhmyGod!
Thisisinsane.
KARTEL:
Openi
t,checkt
hei
nsi
de.
Iopenedthedoorandl
eanedin,feeli
ngthe
beauti
ful
leat
herandamazingint
erior.
WhenIcameoutandturnedaround,
Kartel
took
myhandsandki
ssedthem, t
henheldthem as
hel
ookedinmyeyes.
KARTEL:It hinkmybi rt
hdaymessagei sready
now.Phew.Iam soner vous… okher ei tgoes…
Lubalashe,youhav eownedmet heveryfirst
dayIlaideyesony ouandy our efusedtoletme
staybeatdown.Myqueen, myr ideordie…and
theonewomanIam sur ewhenGodf ashioned,
Hespeci f
ical
lysaid‘Thi
sonei sforKgat halo
Moseki ’
.Ihavealway sbeenyoursandy oumi ne,
andthatwi l
lalwaysbe.Ibeli
evei t’
sti
mewe
makei toffi
cial
.
Hewentdownononekneeandhel
dasmal
l
vel
vetboxt
omeasthecrowdwentwi
l
d.
Oh.My
.God.
KARTEL:LubalasheMoseki,
wil
lyoumakeme
themostblessedmanaliv
eandmar r
yme?
Il
i
ter
all
ycoul
dn’
tst
opsmi
l
ingi
fIt
ri
ed.Iwi
ped
myt
ear
sandnoddedwhi
l
esobbi
ng.
ME:
Yes…y
es,
Iwi
l
lmar
ryy
ou.OhmyGod!Yes!
Heslidtheri
ngonmyf ingerandstoodup,
pull
i
ngmecl oseandclaimingmylipsinasoft
chastebutpassi
onat
eki ssaspeoplecheer
ed.
Whenhepulledback,
mygi r
lscamef rom the
si
de,FadzwapushingaStokkest r
oll
erandcar
seatwhi
leDedeheldalar
geVer sacediaperbag.
FADZWA:So,daddysayswearegonnabe
havi
ngal
i
ttl
ebr ot
herorsi
ster
…
DEDE:…andy
ouknowt
heMoseki
kidsdoi
tin
st
yle…
FADZWA:
Wepi
ckedupt
hesef
orhi
m orher
…
ME:OhmyGod… y
ouguy
s… howdi
d… why
…
ohmyGod!
IsobbedasIhuggedthem andthankedt
hem.
Thentheysaunt
eredoffhappi
ly
.
Iwassoconf
used.
Kartelwassmi li
ngthatsmugsmi lehealways
haswhenheknowshehassweptmeof fmy
feetyetagain.Wehadst artedtal
ki
ngabout
havingourlast, buthesaidnotuntilhehad
dealtwit
hLani andDol l
a,andKatwasoutof
thehospital
.Ihat edhav i
ngt owait
,buthemade
sense,soIagr eed.
Maybehehaschangedhi smi
nd.May
bet
his
wasjusthi
swayofl et
ti
ngmeknowwewere
gonnastar
ttr
ying.
ME:(whi
sper
ing)Doest
hismeanwecanst
art
t
ryi
ng?
Hechuckledandki
ssedme, t
henwhisper
edi
n
myearaspeoplewentabouteat
ingand
dr
inki
ng.
KARTEL: (
whisperi
nginmyear )Calli
tsi
xth
sense,butIj
usthadaf eel
ing… plust
hose
boobsarejustli
ketheywer ebeforewefound
outaboutDede… andy oursexdriveonhi
ghli
ke
i
twast hoseweeksbefor
ey ouwentaway,
with
thatwetazzp*
ssy…y oujustfeel
alotmore
glor
ious.
ME:(
laughi
ng)Yout
hinkam pr
egnant
?
KARTEL:(
laughi
ng)Idon’
tthi
nk.Iknow.Iknew
ev
enbefor
eitwasconfir
med…si xt
hsense…
ME:
Conf
ir
med?
KARTEL: Rememberwheny ouaskedmet opick
upyourf i
nalbloodteststwoweeksback.The
onesthatconfir
medy oudidnotdevelopany
aft
ereffectf
rom thebloodpoisoni
ngduetothe
shoot
ingandt akingti
mebef or
egetti
ngmedical
att
enti
on?
ME:Yes?Yousai
dtheywer
efi
ne… y
ouf
orgot
t
hem attheof
fi
ce…
KARTEL:(l
aughing)Yea… notf
orget…Ihid
them i
ntheoff
icebecausebesidessayingyou
wereperf
ectl
yfine… t
heyhadal i
tt
leext
rabitof
i
nformati
on…
Hebr oughtoutt
hepapersf r
om insi
dethe
str
oll
er… andri
ghtt
herehighli
ghtedinayel
low
marker… Iwasreal
l
ypregnant ,
andmy
boyfr
iendknewabouti
tbef oreme.
Howdidmylif
ebecomethisper
fect?Andher
e
It
houghtIwoul
dneverevenhave‘bet
ter
’.
Ihel
dontohi
mt ightasIsobbedsoafrai
dthi
s
wasadream orsomethingandIwasaboutto
wakeupandsomeshtwi l
lbewrongasusual
.
*
***
***
**
Kesegol
aidonherbedgoi
ngthroughFacebook
asLubaandKart
elweretr
endi
ngagain.
HeboughtheraPor
sche…
Theywer
eengaged…
Theywer
epr
egnant
…
Andappar
entl
yknewshewaspr egnantbefor
e
shedi
d.Whatli
es.Howwoul damanknowa
womanispregnantbef
oreshehersel
fknows?
God,
thatgi
rlwassof ake.Andpeoplewer
e
l
appi
ngitup,cal
l
ingit‘coupl
egoals’
andsweet
andr
omantic.Whatever.Whocares?
Nkemi walkedi
ntot
heroom fr
om theplant
wheretheywerebui
ldi
ngtheanimalfeedand
manureproducti
oncompany.Hecameov er
andkissedher.
NKEMI
:Heybabe…what
’sf
ordi
nner
?
KESEGO:Mxi
m…mothowal
onawant
stoenj
oy
marri
edmenper
ksmmeasabat
legony
ala.
NKEMI
:Ij
o…I
’
lleatbr
eadmmai
fIof
fendedy
ou.
KESEGO: Ij
ustdon’
tgeti
t.Mostr eal
mendon’t
marrybecauseofmoneyissues.Jaanongt
hose
whohav ethemoneyandgoodwomen… but
rat
herstayabachel
or…it
’sjustsobori
ng.
NKEMI:
Kesego,
wear
est
art
ingabusi
ness…i
t’
s
ki
ndofbusy
…
KESEGO:
Dil
otsedi
ngwear
eni
cewheny
oudo
i
tasaf
ami
l
y…sot
hati
tbecomesour
s…
NKEMI
:Youar
ea50%shar
ehol
der
.It
’sour
s…
KESEGO:NnakanaIam notsay
ingmar
ryme,
Nkemi.I
’
mj ustsay
ing…
NKEMI:YouknowIwanttomarryyou…goneo
abua…lennaketennentsekere‘I
’l
lcheck
wi
thmywi f
e’.Pl
usIam ol
dnow,36!Ishouldbe
marr
iedbynow.Mustkebaakanyeverysoon.
Shesmi
l
edhappi
l
y.
KESEGO: Ok…babe.I
fit
’swhaty
ouwant.Byt
he
way,It
hinkweshouldupdat
eourcar
s…
*
***
***
**
LI
KE,
COMMENT,
SHARE
ATHUG’
SLOVE102
LUBA
I
fther
eisonethingIam usedtobynow,
ismy
l
i
febeingasocialmedi
aspectacl
e.
Iwokeuptoalotofpubl
i
copi
niononmy
engagement
.
Al
otsendi
ngcongr
atul
ator
ymessage.
Andthensomecalli
ngmeaclown.Al
otof
‘
didn’
tthatmancheatony
ouandhaveawhol
e
enti
refamil
ywhi
leyouwerei
npri
son?
’
‘Didn’
thecallyoucr azyinapubl
icl
i
v evi
deo?
thatmani salwayshur t
ingyouandyouare
alwaystakinghim back’
‘
hun,
hei
saho.Thi
sisnotawi
n’
‘
bruh,shedumbashel l
.EsengKart
elt
hebatho,
thatmanhadaf amil
ywhileshewasinpri
son,
butsomeofusknowhewasf *
*ki
ngwithsome
bihcal
ledNiki
tatoo’
‘
Didn’
theki
dnapy
ouandst
uffy
oui
nacar
t
runk?’
Fool
sdi
dn’
tevenknowt hatonewasst
agedt
o
keepmeoutofpr
ison.
Ohwel
l
.
Whatpeopl
ethi
nkofmyl
i
fei
snotmypr
obl
em.
Iwentt
omakemyf
iancée…
Yoh,fi
ancée!Me,Iam af
iancée.Ihav
ea
fi
ancée.Thatfeel
sgood.
Anyway,
Iwentt
omakemyfiancéebreakf
ast
,
andther
estoft
hedaywej
ustchil
ledathome.
*
***
***
**
Seshasatinheroffi
cewor ki
ng.Shelookedup
toArnowhohadmov edadeski nhereanddi d
hisworkfrom t
heof f
ice.Whenhehadt ohav ea
meetingsforhi
scompany ,hebroughtheralong
withhim.Hereall
ywasn’ tkiddi
ngsayinghe
wasnotgonnal etheroutofhi ssi
ghtuntil
Lani
wasdown.
ARNO:
Babe…
SESHA:
Hmmm?
ARNO:
I’
mjust
…I’
m soscar
ed… Idon’
tknow
howtotel
lyout
his.I
tdoesn’
tev
enmakesense
tome.
SESHA:
Whati
sit
?
ARNO:
Icoul
dn’
tgett
hatki
doutofmymi
nd…
SESHA:
Kid?
ARNO:Hazel eyedli
tt
lerascalt
hatl ooksl
ikeme.
ThenIfoundouthermom i sMaxi neLedimo…
andIhadat hingwit
hMaxal ongt i
meback.
Waybeforewemet … butsti
ll
,thatmademe
pani
cev enmor ebecauseIhavesl eptwit
hMax.
Ij
ustkepthavingawhati f
…
SESHA:
KanannaIdon’
tseet
hatr
esembl
ance…
ARNO: Ijust…thefeel
ingwassostr
ong…soI
di
screetlygotherhai
rsampleanddi
da
pat
ernitytest
.
Oh.Sht
.
ARNO:Sheismine.Whichdoesnotmake
senseSesha,
becauseIswearInev
ercheat
ed.
Youhav
etobel
i
eveme,
I’
dnev
ercheatony
ou.
SESHA:
Ibel
i
evey
ou…
ARNO:Ihavenotbeenwi thanot
herwoman
si
ncewegott oget
her,andMax’ssoci
al medi
a
sayst
hekidisgoingonf i
vethi
syear,
wehav e
beent
ogethermanyy earsmorethanthat.
SESHA:
May
bet
hel
abmadeami
stake.
ARNO: Ithoughtsotoo… soIwenttoanot her
,
pai
dundert hetabletoo,andbam.St i
llmine.I
t
doesnotmakesenseatal l
.IwaswithMaxat
l
eastthreey ear
sbeforewewer emar r
ied.Sht,
whatifshedi dsomeweirdshtwit
hmysper m
fr
om acondom andf r
ozeit,
theyl
aterdidsome
art
if
ici
alinseminat
ion?
SESHA:
Ser
iousl
ybabe?Whywoul
dshedot
hat
!
ARNO:Iknow,i
tsoundsridi
culous,butIam
pani
cki
ngSesha,howdoIhav eaf i
vey earol
d
chi
ldwi
thawomanIsl eptwit
hei ghtyearsago?
Sht
.
Howt
hehel
lwasshegonnaexpl
aint
his!
OnceAr
nogothismi
ndonsomethi
ng,
hedi
dn’
t
l
etgount
il
lhehadi
tfi
gur
edout
.
Shehadt
otel
lhi
m.
No,
shecoul
dn’
t.He’
dki
l
lher
.He’
dleav
e.
Besides,
howdoy outel
lyourhusbandy
oul
eft
yourchil
dfordead?
*
***
***
*
Est
hersati
nherwor
kshopmaki
ngpatt
erns
whenther
ewasaknockandKodiwal
kedin.
Shesmi
l
edandl
ookedupathi
m.
ESTHER:
Hey
…
KODI
:Hey…themmant
hokel
asut
uya
gr
aduat
ion.
ESTHER:
Any
thi
ngi
nmi
nd?
Koor
ekebat
asomet
hingt
hat
’sgonnast
un.
.I
wantcustom madesoIdon’tseeanyoneelse
weari
ngit.Ihav
eseenyoursuitsandtheyare
amazing.
ESTHER:
(bl
ushi
ng)Ok…
Hesati
nthechai
randwat
chedherwor
k.
ESTHER:(bl
ushi
ng)Bat
hong,Kgodi
so!Iam
uncomfor
tabl
ebeingwatchedwhil
eIwork.
KODI:
(laughi
ng)I
’
lll
eav
eify
ougoonadat
e
wit
hme.
ESTHER:
Mxi
m,Kodi
,Iam ol
dert
hany
oukana.
KODI:Because3year
smakesy ouanci
ent
,
besi
des…may beIwantasugarmama.
ESTHER:
Mxi
m…
KODI:Comeon,humorme…7pm today
?I’
ll
pick
youup.Lubacanwat
chyourson,
youalways
watchherki
ds.
*
***
***
***
Puni
esatathomewatchi
ngMonkhol
dingfl
ash
car
dsandplayi
ngsoundsonhi
sphone,t
ryi
ng
togethi
ssontotal
k.
PUNI
E:Hei
sbet
terwheny
ouar
ear
ound.
MONK:
Real
l
y?
PUNI E:Yea… lesstant
rums… heeatswit
hout
thr
owi ngfoodt othewall
,andhereact
s…
smilesandall.Hedoesn’tdoanyofthatwhen
youar enotaround.
MONK:
Oh…
PUNIE:Maybey
oushodmovei
nforabi
tso
youarear
oundhim mor
e.
Heignoredherandplay
edwi
thhi
sson,
thenhe
puttheboytosleep.
Hegoti
ntheshowerandwashedupashewas
meet
ingKar
telf
orabeeraf
ter
.
Ashelat
heredhisf
ace,
hefel
tsomeonehug
hi
mfrom theback,
henakedb**
bspressed
agai
nsthi
snakedski
n.
MONK:
Whatt
hef
**kar
eyoudoi
ng,
Puni
e!
PUNIE:(
kissi
nghisback)Imi
ssyou… Monk… I
missyourtouch,
feel
ingyoui
nsi
deme…
*
***
***
***
Reubensati
nhisoffi
cegoingt
hrought
he
bookswit
hhisaccountant
.
Businesswasgoingreal
lywell.ThroughAr
no’
s
contact,
hehadjustgott
enat endertosuppl
y
governmenthospit
alswi
thglov es.
Hethrewhimsel fatworkandthentookt
he
whatevercrumbsoft imewit
hthekidsNeel
o
thr
ewathi m,whi chequat
edaboutanhour
supervi
sedv i
sitatherhomeeveryweek.
Buthewasanexconandf ornowthi
swasall
hecouldgetevenlegall
y.Oncehehadsi x
monthsoutwithoutbreakingthelaw,
hecould
askthecourt
sforaf ai
rtimewi t
hhiskids.
Hepackedupforthedayanddecidedt
opass
byNeel
o’s,
tocheckonthekids.
Iftherewasanychanceoft hem gett
ingback
togetherbef ore,i
twast otall
ygonenow.Nel i
wascompl etelyfreakedbyt hereali
tyofwhohe
was.Ort hemanhewast r
yingtoputbehind.
Thef actthathehadki l
led.Notj ustonce,and
notbymi st ake.Andt hatitdidnotbotherhim.
Thathet houghtsomepeopl ewer epiecesof
shtwhodi dn’tdeservetol i
ve.
Somuchf
orhonest
y.
Maybeheshouldhaveli
ed.Saidhenever
ki
l
led…thatki
ll
i
ngwasdi sgusti
ngandhe
al
waysgotlef
tbehindwhent hecr
ewwentout
whereki
ll
ingwasinvol
ved.
Hesighedheav
il
yandpar
kedi
nfr
ontoft
he
houseandknocked.
Shecamet
oopenandst
oodatt
hedoor
.
RUE:
Kekopagochekabana…
NEELO:
Justanhour
,theyneedt
osl
eep.
RUE:May
betheycanspendt
heni
ghtwi
thme.I
havet
hei
rbedr
oomssetup…
NEELO:Reuben,y
our eal
l
ywantmet ogi
veyou
t
hekids?Whatifyourgangst
erpeopl
ebata
masigo?
RUE:
Nel
i
,cany
ounotbel
i
ket
hat
.
NEELO: Kesegol ostachildandonei scr i
ppled
becauseshechoset oloveathuglikey ou.
Punie’ssoni sf
**keduphenol ongert alksdue
totraumaofwhathappened, becauseofaber
l
ov ungat hugli
key ou.Luba’sgirl
slivein
therapyallthei
rli
fe,becauseofat hugl ikeyou.
Andmyki dshav enightmarebecauseIl oveda
thug.Seemsat hug’slovebri
ngsnot hingbut
trouble!
RUE:(
sighi
ng)So,hownow?Ij
ustnev
erseemy
ki
ds?Willt
hatmakeyouhappy
?
NEELO:Gapey
ouhav
egunsReuben,
whati
f
myki
dsgr
abt
hegunsandhur
tthemsel
ves.
REUBEN:Youdon’ tj
ustpickupagunandshoot ,
i
thastobeloadedandcor ked.Besides,Idon’
t
j
ustl
eavegunsar ound,especiall
ywi t
hkids
ar
ound.Howirresponsibl
edoy outhinkIam ne
mma?
NEELO: Youdi
dsteal
from t
hem andl
eav
ethem
homelessandbrokewhil
ey ouwentt
obuysl
ay
queenp* *
sy.
RUE:
Wow…
NEELO:
Am Il
yi
ng?
REU: Neelo,
IknowIf*kedup.Bigti
me.And
thereuisnev
ergonnabeany t
hingIcandot
o
makei tbett
er.
.IknowIam athugandIcome
withdanger,butmykidsdeservet
oknowthei
r
father
.
NEELO:Di
dIsayt
heydon’
t?Kanait
’sj
ust…i
t’
s
t
hekidsbedti
menow,so,
maybetomorrow.
Goodni
ght.
Sheclosedt
hedooronhisfaceandRue
knockedabi
t,butev
ent
uall
ygaveupanddr
ove
off
.
*
***
***
**
LI
KE,
COMMENT,
SHARE
ATHUG’
SLOVE103
Reubenjoggedbackwi t
ht heguy
saf t
erthei
r
workout.Kar
tel
slackedbackandt aggedonhis
hand,andRuefellbacktoo.
KARTEL:
Yougood,
man?
RUE:
Yea…
KARTEL:
Nel
i
?
RUE:Idon’tknowwhatshewant sf
rom me
man.Ijustdon’tf
**ki
ngknow!Kar t
el.Igeti
t.I
f**
kedupandshehasev eryri
ghtnottof or
giv
e
me!Buttheyar emykids, andit
’snotrightt
o
keepthem away …it’
sjustnotright
!
KARTEL:
Eish,
Ifeel
youbr
o.ButIal
sosee
whereshei
scomi
ngf
rom.Youhur
tthatgi
rl
…
bad.
RUE:
Iknow…
KARTEL:Shewant stohurty
ouback.Nel
iwas
ther
eforyouthroughital
lman,notmany
wouldsti
ckaroundwhenamanget sparal
yzed
orgoesbroke…butshedid.
RUE:Iknow…Kart,Icanneverexpr
esshow
sor
ryIam… Ijust
…f orthef
irstt
imeIfeltal
i
ve.
.
Nottheinv
isi
blef
atpoorguy .It
houghtIwas
l
ivi
ng.
KARTEL: Hey,Igetyou,
man.Wegrewupwi t
h
nothi
ng…i t
’sconfusi
ngwhenyousuddenl
yhave
shtatyourdiaposal…
RUE:Atleastyouarey ou,Kart.Ev
enwith
nothi
ng,you’
vealway sbeenaki ng.Gi
rl
stri
pped
themsel
vesov eryou,leav
ingmoney edboys.
Nnaowaai i
,Ialwaysfelti
nvisi
bleandweare
notsupposedtot al
kaboutt hatshtasmen.Not
supposedt oactl i
keoursel fconf i
denceishurt
byoursi t
uations.SoIkepti tinunt i
lIhad
moneyandIwaspai dattenti
ont o…itwasl i
kea
drug.Ialwayswant edmor e,andwoul ddo
anythingtogett hatattenti
on…butnowIr eal
ize
i
twasn’ tmewhowasget ti
ngt heattenti
on.It
wast hemoney .Ihadagi rlwhogav eme
everythi
ng.Ihadal ltheattenti
onIneededand
real
lywant edathome…andy ouknowwhat ?I
messedi tup… f **keditup!
KARTEL: Takesamantor eal
i
zeandcorr
ecthi
s
mistakes.ButmaybeNeli
isafrai
dofi
t
happeningallov
eragai
n?
RUE:Nah,man.Thatshtbur
nedme.Ilost
ever
ythi
ngbecauseofchasi
nggirl
s.These
vi
persseeIam star
ti
ngmyhustlenow,soI
havehavethesehosIusedtohangwithhi
tti
ng
meuponmysoci almedi
aandIjustbl
ockthem.
Iam nolongeri
nter
est
ed,Ij
ustwantmywi f
e
andkidsback.
KARTEL:
Yout
hinkshewi
l
lfol
d?
RUE: WhenIcameoutt herewashope… I
thoughshewouldjustpunishmeandthenwork
thi
ngsout… butsi
nceshtwentdown… she
l
ooksatmel ikeamur derer
… cal
l
smeat hug.
KARTEL:
Neli
waphapha,whysheact
ingl
i
ke
shej
ustf
oundoutwhoyouare?
RUE: Nel
i washappybei ngi gnor antofthese
thi
ngs.Shechoset obel ieveIdi dsidewor kand
wouldnev erli
ftagun.Shechoset obeli
eveal l
I
didwascookt hedr ugs, andr ati
onalizeditto
herselft
hatIdi dnotf or ceany onetobuy ,
peoplemaket heirchoice.Il etherr unwi ththat
becauseIwasscar edi fshef oundoutIhadno
problem kil
l
ing,she’dl eav e.Sey chellesthrew
herintoaheav ycr ashcour seonl ovingat hug.
Nowshei sscar edandr unni ngf orthehill
s.
KARTEL:Ei
sh,
ethat
a,dawg…t
otahagont
se
j
alo,
itsupt
oher,
youarewhoyouar
eandtr
ying
tobebet
ter
.Ifshedoesn’
twannaseet
hat
,what
canyoudo?
RUE:Nnatot
aIl
ovet
hatgi
rl
…isn’
tlov
e
supposedt
obeki
ndandsht
?
*
***
***
***
***
Ar
nowalkedintotheof
fi
ceandfoundZenday
a
worki
ngatherdeskwit
hotheremploy
ees.
Hepassedbyher
,andwentonapr
etendphone
cal
l
.
ARNO:Yea… ofcourse.Yea,Kartsai
dhewi l
lgo
over
seetheshi
pment …yea,thi
sisdefini
tely
gonnabeagamechanger ,man.Yea…att he
Ramokgwebanaborder… sure…nna,it’
sbi g…
andwearekeepingi
thush, so,y
ea.
Hesmiledwal
ki
ngtohisof
fi
ce,not
ici
ng
Zenday
aacti
ngli
keshewasn’
tpayi
ngattent
ion.
*
***
***
***
*
KARTEL
ArnomessagedmethatZenday
ahadt
akent
he
bait
,andcal
l
edDol
latotel
lhim.
AfterthesmoothtakedownonDuncan, Iknow
forsureDollawasgonnabeonal ert.AndDolla
knowswhatIam capabl eofsohei scertai
nly
notgonnal ethi
sguarddownlikearr
ogantass
Duncan.Idon’twannagodownt hispath,tobe
honest ,
butDoll
aishel
lbentoncomi ngafter
me.I fIwaseasytokil
l,
he’dhavekil
l
edmea
l
ongt i
meago.
AndRonandLubapr et
tymuchpi ssedhim off
too.Hewant sthem topay .Iseehispoint
though, i
fabunchofgi rl
sdr uggedme, ti
edme
upandbeatmeupandi twasn’tsexual…I’dbe
pissedtoo.I fagirl
gonnat iemeup, itbet
ter
endupwi thhernaked, onherhandsandknees.
Idigress.Dol l
a.Toobadt hegirl
swhobeathi m
upar emyf am andy oudon’ttouchthat.
Especiall
ynotmyqueen.
Yea,
gonnagett
hatf
**keronhi
slowestso
whenIst
ri
ke,
itwi
l
lbef
ort
heki
l
l.
Ihi
tupof
fi
cerKgar
e.
KGARE: Kar
tel
…themanhi
msel
f…y
ouhav
e
desser
tedme.
KARTEL:Youstoppedbeingofusetome.But
youcannow.Dollawil
lbereceiv
ingadr
ugs
shi
pmentattheRamokgwebanabor der
tomorr
ow.Heisapr et
tybigtakedown…
KGARE:Thanks… andwhatdoIgetf
ort
his
ar
rest
?
KARTEL:(
laughi
ng)Yougreedyoldbastar
d.But
youknowIgreasehandst
hatshakemi ne…a
boyshal
lmeetyouwithanenvelope.
Ihungupwit
hasmil
eandcal l
edmyguy
s.The
oneIhavet
akenf
rom Duncan.
KARTEL:Yea…putmeonspeaker
…alri
ght,
all
thr
eecanhearme? Themba,Japht
erand
Kegoo?Cool?Iwanty
outhr
eetogotopick
aomet hingupatRamokgwebanabor der.Iwi ll
senddet ail
s.Youwi llbeambushedbyDol la’s
men.Iwanty outopr etendt oputupaf i
ghtf or
aboutf i
v emi nutes,thenr un… letem hav ei t
.
Getoutoft hereinfi
vemi nuteofthem arriving,
becauset hepol i
cewi l
lcome… t heplan,why ,of
courset hepl ani st
ogett hem arrest
ed.Weaken
Doll
a’st eam.Andt hispl anstayswi t
hthet hree
ofyoubecauseIam notsur eIcant r
ustt her est
yet…y oul eakt hisandIwi l
lpersonall
yski n
ali
veev er yoney oucareaboutandmakey ou
watch, befor eIputabul letineachofy ’allheads,
understood?Good, good.Now, Kegoo, passby
myof fi
ce, Ihaveadel iv
er yIneedy outomake
toOffi
cerKgar e.
*
***
***
***
Doll
asatwithhisboysplanni
ng.Pl
anni
ngwas
neverhi
sthing,
buthehadt oifhewasgonna
beataplannerl
ikeKart
el.
DOLLA:
So… Kar
tel
isexpect
ingani
mpor
tant
shipment .Andthatfool
owesme.Hedest royed
myar t.Iam gonnagetmypay outbef
oreItake
hi
m out .It’
ssupposedtobeagamechanger …
andIwanty outotakeasmanymenaswegot
andambusht hem andtakewhattheyhave.Kil
l
everyonet her
e,weakenhist
eam.
MAN:
Alr
ightboss.
Aftert
hemenl ef
t,hesmi
ledtohimsel
fashe
drankabeer
.Thiswasbettert
hanexpect
ed.
Zendayahadbeenanasset.
Surpr
iseKartel’
sguy sandt aket hem out,
weakeningKar t
el,whileal sot akingback
paymentforhisar tinwhat ev eritwashewas
supposetorecei ve.Probablysuppl y.Hadt obe
i
t,hewasst i
llslanging,that’swhyhehad
moneyt obeopeni nganof ficebui l
dinganda
secur
itycompanyt oo.Somuchf or‘Iam cl
ean
andal egi
tbusinessman’ .
Ohwel
l
.Checkmat
e,f
**kf
eel
whati
t’
sli
ket
o
l
osev
aluabl
es.
*
***
***
***
Kesegosatint
hehouseleaningandf
ixi
ngup
Kat’
sroom whenNkemiarr
ived.
KESEGO:
Ijo,
kanamyauntsai
dsalebaeme.I
Tol
dhert
oexpectacal
lfr
om yourf
amil
y.
NKEMI:(si
ghi
ng)It
alkedt
omyuncl
etoday
.He
wi
llcont
acther.
KESEGO:NnaIwantadi
amondengagement
ri
ng…andabigweddi
ng.
NKEMI:Kesegokanawear est
arti
ngabusiness,
wecan’
tbespendingunnecessari
l
ybefore
moneystart
scomi ngi
n.Andthemachineswe
needf
orthebusinessaresoexpensi
ve…
KESEGO:Ij
o,sor
ryrrai
fjustaski
ngfor
somethi
ngniceisnowunnecessary.Whyar
e
youevenbother
ingi
fyouwantt omakemea
l
aughi
ngstock?Lenyal
ol eetaannangnkar
eke
‘
Reany
alana’
?No!
NKEMI:
Iam notsayi
ngt
hat…Iam justsaying
weneedtobecaref
ulwi
thourspending,obatl
a
newcar
skaha,di
amondring… bi
gweddi ng…
KESEGO:Ijustwantaweddi ngtoremember..
Peoplesti
llt
alkaboutthatgir
lSesha’
swedding
eventhoughitwasy earsback,andherweddi
ng
dress… i
jo!That
’sthekindofweddingIwant.
*
***
***
***
Il
aidinbedonav i
deocall
, t
ryingtoconvi
nce
SeshaIdidn’tneedwhatev erthef *
*kLamaze
cl
asseswas, andIwasn’tspendi ngmoneyto
watchvi
deosofsomeAmer icanwomandot he
l
amazet hing.Iswearthi
sgi rli
sanOr eo.Bl
ack
ontheoutside, whi
teonthei nside.
Kart
elwalkedi
nbackfr
om wor
kandIusedhi
s
ar
ri
valasanescape.
KARTEL:(l
aughi
ng)Seshaget
ti
ngy
out
osi
gh
upforanot
herpregnancyy
oga?
ME: (
laughing)nowwear
eint
olamaze
apparentl
y.
KARTEL:
Thef**
kisthat
?Ifiti
nvol
vesnot
eat
ingmeat
,sor
rybabe,
loveyou,butnope.
Il
aughedashecameov
erandki
ssedme,
l
ayi
ngbesideme.
KARTEL:Youl
ookt i
redbabe.It’
shi
ght i
mewe
hi
reaful
lti
memai d.Iknowy oucandoi tbut
wit
hworkandthegirlsandbeingpregnant
…a
l
it
tl
ehelpwoul
dn’thurt.
ME:
(si
ghi
ng)Fi
ne… Il
ookar
oundonFacebook.
KARTEL:
Myuncl
econt
act
edme,
arebai
sa
mahokokae?
ME:Dower eal
lyneedall
thatdrama?Can’twe
j
ustgotothemagi st
rat
eandr egi
sterthe
marr
iageandthem havealunchforfri
endsand
f
amily?
KARTEL:
Butbr
idepr
ice…
ME:
Ist
hatev
ennecessar
y?
KARTEL:Comeon,Luba.Youcan’
texpectme
tomarr
ykesantshabogadi.That
’si
nsul
ti
ng.
ME:Buti
t’
snoti
nsul
ti
ngtowanttopaymat
eri
al
t
hingsf
orme?Am Iacommodity
?
KARTEL: Iunderst
andbabe… y ouareaf emini
st
athei
standamoder ngir
l.ButIam aTswana
manandaChr i
sti
an.I
t’
smycul ture,
andev en
theBibl
er equi
resamant ogi
fthiswife’
sfamily
tomar r
yher .
ME:(si
ghi
ng)Idon’
twannaf
ightaboutt
his.Do
whatyouwant
.
KARTEL: (
laughing)IguessIam gonnagett
he
pregnancytantr
umst wiceasmuchasImi ssed
them thefi
rstt
ime?
ME:Iam nothav i
ngt antr
ums,Ij
ustdon’tcare
aboutallthi
shoopla.Iwanttomar r
yyouand
haveal i
tt
lecel
ebrationwithf
ri
ends.Legale
contactmyf at
her
, becauseIwoulddiebefore
Mosesf
ami
l
yget
sany
thi
ngt
hroughme.
Hehuggedmewi
thasmi
l
e…
ME:
What
?
KARTEL:Youarej
ustcutf
rom adi
ffer
entcl
oth,
youknowtgat
?Manywomenwhohav eaman
whocanaffor
ditwoul
dbeaskingforheavens
andeart
h.
ME:(l
aughing)Oh,sweet
ie,don’
tthinkIam not
mater
ial
ist
icbecauseIdon’tgi
veaf **kabout
weddi
ngs… y oust
il
lowemeapushpr esent
af
teryourbigheadbabyripsmyv aginaapart
.
*
***
***
***
*
Lat
eri
ntheafter
noon,ArnowatchedasMaxi
ne
wal
kedovertohercarwithagr
ocerycar
t.He
wal
kedovernerv
ously.
ARNO:Didn’
tyout
hinkIwoul
dfi
ndout
?How
coul
dyou!
MAX:
Sti
l
lascr
azyasev
erIsee.Hel
l
oAr
nol
d.
Whynottellmewhatthehel
lyouar
et al
ki
ng
aboutsoIcantel
lyoutogof*
*kyoursel
f?
ARNO: What
,youtookacondom aft
erwe
f*
*kedandyoufrozemysperm atasperm bank
orsomethi
ng.Youweren’
teventhatint
ome…
butyouarevai
nenoughtowantmychi l
d
wit
houtmyconsentbecauseyouknowt heyare
gonnabecute.
MAXI NE:
What ?Iseeallt
hatcokeyourmama
snort
edwhilepregnantwit
hyouissti
llr
unni
ng
i
ny oursyst
em.Whatar eyouonabout!
ARNO:
IknowLoki
ismi
ne.
MAX:
Excusey
ou?
ARNO: Don’
ttr
ydenyit.Ihadaf eeli
ngaboutit
themomentIsawher …andt her esemblanceis
uncanny.WhenInoti
cedshewasy our
s,Ihadto
fi
ndout.Ididpat
erni
tytests.Shei smychild.
MAX:Itol
dyoutost
opsnorti
ngt
hatshtAr
nol
d.
Lookathowcr
azyyousound.
Shegoti
nthecaranddri
veof
f,butAr
nodi
dn’
t
misst
hepanici
nhereyes.
Ithadtobeit… shemusthavesomehowfound
awayt ohavehisspermfrozenandgot
pregnantwit
hityear
slat
er.ShewasaLedi
mo
afteral
l,
theyhadmoneyforthatsht
.
*
***
***
*
Intheev eni
ngKart
elwal
kedint
oKat
’shospi
tal
room andf oundhi
m onhisbedwat
chi
ng
cartoons.
KAT:Daddy!Thedoct
orsaidIcanstayf
ive
hour
swithoutmybreathi
ngmachinenow,look?
KARTEL:
(smil
ing)That
’smybi
gboy!Youar
e
get
ti
ngstr
onger!Soonyouwi
ll
becominghome!
KAT:MamasaidIwil
lgohometoli
vewit
hher
anduncl
eNkemi.Shesai
dIshoul
dcal
lhi
m
daddy
.
KARTEL:
Ignor
ethatone,
bigboy
,youkowwho
y
ourdadi
s,r
ight
?
KAT:
Uh-
huh!Youar
e.
KARTEL:
Yup
Kesegowal
kedi
nandgl
aredatKar
tel
.
KESEGO:
IthoughtIt
oldy
out
ost
ayaway
.
KARTEL:AndItoldyouweaintdoingt
his
drama.Especi
all
ynoti
nfrontofmyboy.He
needsashower,anddidyoubuythebl
ueber
ri
es
hewanted?Isentthemoney.
KESEGO: Iam warningyouKartel… stayaway
fr
om us.Oryouwi ll
r egr
eti
t.Sorrymyboy ,
mamai sabittir
ed… daddycoul dn’
tcome
becausehehadt ogoseepot entialbusi
ness
part
ners.
*
***
***
***
*
Ar
nowal
kedi
nandf
istbumpedRon.
ARNO:Thanksforhangi
ngwithher
… Il
osemy
shtwhensheisoutofmysight,
wit
hthat
psy
chost
il
loutt
her
e.
RON:Wegonnagethi
m.Tr
ustme.Howi
ssht
wit
hthatZenday
agi
rl
?
ARNI
:Sheisst
il
lsnoopi
ng.Kar
thassetshti
n
moti
onfort
oni
ght.
RON: Good… Doll
a’pl
ayingsi mpul
siv
eness
gonnabehi sdownfal
l.Playingri
ghtint
oour
hands.Ait
e,mategottar un,EaandIgotadate
wit
hsomechi ck.
ARNO:(
laughi
ng)Notgonnaask.Al
ri
ght
.Ri
de
saf
e.
Af
tershel
eft
,Ar
noandSeshasatt
alki
ng.
ARNO:IapproachedMaxine… shedeni
edi
t,but
Isawthepanicinherey
es… sheknowsLokiis
mineorsomething.
SESHA:
But
…
ARNO: Idon’
tcar
eifsheisaLedi
mo,Iam goi
ng
af
terher.Iwantmychil
dinmylif
e,wecanco-
par
ent.Ihopet
hati
sokwi
thy
oubabe?Babe?
Youok?
Hewentovert
oherandhuggedherasshe
sobbed.
ARNO:
Sesha,
arey
ouok?
SESHA:
I…Ihav
etot
ell
yousomet
hing…
*
***
***
***
**
LI
KE,
COMMENT,
SHARE
ATHUG’
SLOVE104

Ar
nosatqui
etl
ylooki
ngatSesha.
SESHA:
(sobbi
ng)Pl
easesaysomet
hing.
ARNO: Whatdoyouwantmet osay
,Sesha?
Your eall
ywantmetobeli
eveyouwere
pregnant?Ninemont
hspregnant?Wheny ou
sawmeont hatdayyousayyougavebir
th?
SESHA:
(sobbi
ng)Idi
dn’
tknowei
ther
,Ij
ust
thoughtIgainedalotofwei ghtbecauseIdi dn’
t
haveat ummyt hatl
ookedpr egnant.Youheard
thedoctor,
Ihav eatil
teduterus,soIcar r
ymor e
tothebackandwi lll
ikel
ynothav ea
pronouncedbellyevenwitht hi
spr egnancy.
ARNO:
Youthrewoutmychi
l
d…l
i
keshewas
somet
rash.
SESHA: Youhav
et ounderst
and…Iwasinabad
space.YouwerelockedupandIhadgott
en…I…
Ithoughti
twashischil
d!Icoul
dn’
trai
sei
t…I
couldn’
t…
ARNO: So,y
out houghtthr
owi ngachil
d…achi
l
d
Sesha!Youthoughtthrowingal i
tt
le
defencel
essbabyintothef or
estwasagood
i
dea?
SESHA: Iwasn’
tthi
nking…Ipani
cked!Youknow
howbadmypani catt
acksgetunderpressur
e.I
wentbackanhourl at
erbecauseIsawhow
wrongitwas…andt hebabywasgone!
ARNO:
Soy oudeci
dedj
ustnott
obot
hert
ell
i
ng
meorfi
ndi
ngit
?
SESHA:
Ithoughti
twashi
s…
ARNO:Soifi
twas,i
tdeser
vesbeingt
hrownout?
Sesha,
youknowhowmychi l
dhoodwaslike,
whywouldyoudothi
stomychild?
SESHA:
Itwasn’
tint
ent
ional
.
ARNO:
Ijust
…Ineedsomeai
r.
Hej
oggedof
f,l
eav
inghercr
ying.
*
***
***
***
*
Ronwokeupandsatont
hebed.Sherubbed
herey
esand pul
l
edonEa’st
-shi
rt
,goi
ngtothe
l
ivi
ngroom.
Eaandt helit
tl
egirlt
hey’
dbroughtinforsome
funlastnightsatonthesof
a,withthegir
l
giggl
ingandhangi ngontoEa’
sev eryword.
Poort hi
ng.
RON:
Heypeopl
e… f
unni
ght
,huh?
Li
tt
leCl
eobl
ushedandl
ookeddown.
EA:
Cleo,
cany
ouexcuseus?
Cl
eost
oodupandwentt
othebedr
oom.
EA:
Howl
ongar
ewegonnakeepatt
his?
RON:(laughi
ng)Keepatwhat
?Enj
oyingyoung
p*ssy
?Idon’tseewhywehavetostop.
EA:
Soy
ouwannal
i
vel
i
ket
hisf
orev
er?
RON:
Ooookay
.Youar
einamood.
EA:
Pat
ronel
l
a,whatar
ewedoi
ng?
RON:Curr
ent
ly?Youaredr
inki
ngabeerandI
’
m
aboutt
opoponet oo.
EA:Youknowwhatthef
**kIam t
alki
ngabout
.
Wherethi
sshtgoi
nghuh?Us?
RON:
Whatdoy
oumean?
EA:Ron,myagemat esaregett
ingmarri
ed,t
hey
aref
athers!AndnnaIam outherehav
ingthr
ee-
sumswi t
ht hewomanIloveandninet
eenyear
ol
ds.
RON:Soundsl
i
key
ougotev
eryman’
sdr
eam
l
if
etome.
EA:
Thef**
knot!Iwantmor
e,Ron.Iwantki
ds…
monogamy…I…
RON:Don’
t.Don’
tf*
*ki
ngtr
y,y
ouknewIhav
eno
i
nter
esti
nallt
hat.
.KnewIam pol
y…
EA:So,thi
sisitf
orus?Travell
ingandgetti
ng
highandf**ki
ngbarel
ylegalgir
ls?Ron,Iam 35!
Soar ey
ou!Thatshtoldnow, wecan’tl
i
v el
ike
that!
RON:
Idon’
tseewhynot
.
Cl
eowal
kedbacki
n.
CLEO:Iuhm…Idon’
tmeant
odi
stur
b,but
mamacal l
ed,
shewant
smehome.Itol
dherI
wasatLil
y’
s.
EA:
gogetdr
essed,
I’
ll
dropy
ouof
f…
Hewal
kedof
ftot
hecarangr
il
y,andRon
shruggedasshewenttomakeherprotei
n
shakeintheki
tchen,
thengotacal
lfr
om Luba.
*
***
***
**
Doll
awalkedoutofSparaf
terbuy
ingsnacks
foehiski
ds.
Hespokeont
hephoneangr
il
y.
Therehadbeenabur standalotofhismen
werearrestedandwerebeingchargedwiththe
12kgofcocainetheywerecaughtwith.Which
wasKart el
’
s.
Kart
el’
smenhadmanagedt
ogetawayashe
hadsentonl
ythr
ee.
Sht
…
Thi
slef
thi
m sov
ulner
abl
e…
Thi
swasbad,
bad!Kar
tel
coul
dst
ri
keanyt
ime.
Hehadtomoveimmedi
atel
yandf
ini
sht
his
onceandf
oral
l
.
Becausethi
scit
yjustwasn’tbigenoughfort
he
bothofthem.HisandKartel’sbeefwasonly
gonnaendwithone’sdeat
h, andri
ghtnowhe
wasseveralmendownandatadi sadvant
age.
Hehadt
ofi
ndawayt
oendt
his….
HelookedupandsawLuba’
ssi
sterwi
thsome
ot
herkidget
ti
nginataxi
.
I
noneofhi
smen’
staxi
.
Wel
l
,ift
hisdi
dn’
tev
eni
toutt
hef
iel
d.
Hecoul
dusehert
osmokeKar
tel
outandcat
ch
hi
m al
one
Hesmi
l
edandcal
l
edt
heguy
.
*
***
***
*
Dol
l
awalkedtowar
dsther
oom wher
ethegi
rl
s
wer
ekeptashetal
kedont
hephone.
DOLLA:Idon’
tknow,
theysayt
hatguyi
scr
azy
ashel
l…Idon’
tknowifwecanworkwit
hhi
m.
‘
Kar
ttookouthi
spar
ent
s.Hi
sangerwi
l
lwor
k
f
orus.
’
DOLLA:
Hei
sbacki
nthecount
ry?
‘
Hei s…wentt
oZim andskippedtheboar
der
becausehewaspar
anoidKar tpai
dpeopl
eto
l
ookoutforhi
m att
heairport.
’
DOLLA:
Seewhyweshoul
dn’
twor
kwi
thhi
m.
‘
Hehasmen.Kar ttookov ersomeoft hem,but
Duncanhadl oyalpeoplebey ondGhett
o,and
Lanihasreachedoutf orthem.Andoneoft he
menKar ttookoverisstil
lloyaltoDuncan.He
canbeourspy .Youwannat akedownKar t,we
gott
ateam upwi t
ht hepsy cho,boss…
DOLLA:
Fine,
setupameet
ing.
Heunl
ockedt
hedoorandwal
kedi
nsi
det
he
r
oom
Theol
dergi
rlwhowaswit
hLuba’
ssister
l
ungedathi
m punchi
nghi
m onthest
omach
andkneei
nghi
m ont
hecr
otch.
Heslappedhersohar
dshehi
tthewal
l
,
cr
ackingherl
ips.
Shecamebackagainhard,
head-but
ti
nghim on
thest
omachandtryi
ngtogetthekey.Sht
,the
l
itt
let
hingwasafi
ghter
.
Shebithi
mi nthehand,andDol
lafl
ipped,
smackingherseveral
timesastheotherone
cr
iedandbeggedf orhimtost
op.
Thel
itt
let
hingst
oodupandwi pedt
hebl
ood
fr
om hermouthwit
halaugh.
‘
Oopsy…youj
ustgotonmydaddy
’sbadsi
de.
Andyoudon’
twannageti
nmydaddy’
sbad
si
de.
’
DOLLA:becauseIgi
veaf
**kabouty
ourdaddy
andhi
sbadsi de.
Doll
aslappedhersohar
dandwal
kedout
angri
l
y.
Backintheroom,Fadzwawentovert
oher
fr
iend,
wipingthebl
oodfrom herf
ace.
FADZWA:
Cal
l
ant
ha!Whatwer
eyout
hinki
ng!
CALLI
E:Ican’tj
ustseatandwai
tforhi
mtoki
l
l
usorwhatever.
FADZWA:Andhowhasy
oursi
l
lyl
i
ttl
eant
ics
hel
pedyou?
CALLA:
Howhaveyouhel
pedus,pr
incessboo-
hoo?Wecoul
dhav
etakenhi
m out.
FADZWA: Takenhi
m out ?Youaretwel
veandI
am barel
y11.Takeawhol egrownmanout?
Youneedt ost
opthinki
ngy ouaresomeli
tt
le
gangster
.Wearealreadyintr
ouble,
weweren’t
supposedtobeout.Besides… mydaddysays
youdon’tal
wayshav etofi
ght…
Shesmil
edasshehelduptheSwi
sskni
feshe
hadst
olenf
rom Dol
l
a’spocket
.
FADZWA:
Iknowhowt
opi
ckadoor
,Il
ear
nti
t
f
rom mama,
butdon’
ttel
lher
.
Shepi
ckedthedoorandt
heyti
p-t
oedoutoft
he
room,
runni
ngoutandthr
oughtheyar
d.
FADZWA: Wher
ear
eyougoi
ng?Homei
sthat
di
rect
ion.
CALLA:
Tomydad…
FADZWA:
Yourdadi
sinGabor
one…
CALLA:Whichi
swhyIhav
etogoseemybi
o
dad…Derek…
*
***
***
***
***
***
*
Neel
of i
nishedshoot
inghercooki
ngvideo.The
vi
deographersmil
edatherandshelooked
down,blushi
ng.
HIM:Kecamer
akanahav
eyoudr
oppedsome
pounds?
NEELO:
( bl
ushi
ng)Iuhm… t
hoseworkout
vi
deosyourecommended…Ibeendoingt
hem.
HI
M:I
tshows.
..Hey
,wannaj
oinmef
ordi
nner
?
NEELO:Uh… y
ea,
sur
e…myki
dsar
eatmy
mom’s,
so,ok…
*
***
***
***
**
Arnowalkedi
ntoKar
tel’
sof
fi
ceandf
oundhi
m
fi
nishi
ngupsomewor k.
KARTEL:It
akeyouar
enotsul
ki
ngbecausey
ou
suppor
talosert
eam.
ARNO: Kooreokil
ewabonaasit
uati
onwhere
youfeelbadforbei
ngangr
y?Whereyouhat
e
thatyouunderst
and?
KARTEL:
Tal
k…
ARNO: Thi
sisgonnasoundli
kesomesci ence
fi
cti
on… butappar
entl
ySeshagotpregnantand
di
dn’tknowunti
lshewasgivi
ngbir
th.
KARTEL:What?When?Whyar
eyouher
eify
our
wif
ejusthadababy
?
ARNO:
Fiv
eyear
sago…
KARTEL:
What
?
ARNO:
Andshedi
dn’
tseei
tfi
ttot
ell
me.
KARTEL:
Damn…whathappenedt
othebaby
?
ARNO:
Shet
hrewi
tint
hef
orest
.
KARTEL:I
sthi
ssomeprankordi
dramat
set
sa
maIndi
aorsomethi
ng?
Arnosadl
yshookhi
sheadandhandedhi
mthe
phoneshowi
ngLoki
’sphot
o.
KARTEL:
Sht
…ifsheai
ntacar
boncopy
.
ARNO: Tellmehowany onecoul
dthinkt
hat
chil
disanyonebutmi ne?Shesaidshethought
thechildwasthatsonifabi
ch’sandshe
panicked…
KARTEL:
So,
okaengwanagonej
aana?
ARNO: Shewaspickedupbyt hatgi
rl
,Kai
’s
si
sterMax.Icamet oreal
i
set hiswhenI
not
icedthechil
dwasMax’ s,
andsi ncesheis
myex… buttimeli
neesat samaelane.So
Seshaendedupconf essi
ng.Shef
oundout
aboutt
womont hsagoandjustdi
dn’tbot
her
tel
l
ingme.Koorei fIdi
dn’
tfi
ndout,Sesha
wouldj
ustletpeoplerai
semykid?
KARTEL:Eish… ethataMr.ButIseehowjust
outofthebluegi
vi
ngbi r
thwouldfreakanyone
out.AndSeshawasi nastatebackthen.
ARNO:Butsheli
ed!Whenshefoundoutt
he
chi
l
dlived,
sheli
ed,andSeshawasfi
netwo
monthsago!Shechoset
olie.
KARTEL:Youmeant
hesamewayy
ouar
ely
ing
abouthowyout
womet?
ARNO: Doy
ouhav
etoal
way
sf*
*ki
ngmake
sense?
KARTEL: (l
aughi
ng)Someonehast o.Runni
ng
ain’
tsolvi
nganythi
ng,boss.Gohomeand
confessyourshttoo.Maybeleav
eoutthe
snuffi
nggrannybecause,damn.Butconfess
therestandworkt hi
ngsout.
*
***
***
***
LI
KE,
COMMENT,
SHARE
ATHUG’
SLOVE105

Eapar
kedthecarandasCl
eomadet
oleav
e,he
hel
dherhand.
EA:
Cleowee…
CLEO:
Raa?
EA:
Whenam Iseei
ngy
ouagai
n?
CLEO:
Idon’
tknow,
Roncancal
lmeand…
EA:Isai
dy ou…Ili
keyouCleo… youar
ean
i
nterest
inggir
l…Iwannagettoknowyoumor
e.
CLEO:
ButRon…
EA:That
’snotgonnaworkout
… so,
picky
ouup
foradat
etomorrowaround7pm?
CLEO:
Ok….
*
***
***
***
**
Kesegohummedhappi lyassheserveddi
nner
i
nthekitchen,
looki
ngatherri
ngwithasmi l
e.
Heraunthajustcal
ledhersayi
ngNkemi’s
peopl
ewer ecomingtoaskforherhandina
week
Shehear
dhi
m comeinandranovertomeet
hi
m,ki
ssi
nghi
m andt
akinghi
sbri
efcase.
KESEGO:
Eveni
ng,
husband… howwasy
ourday
?
NKEMI :(si
ghi
ng)Hei… weneedmor e
machines,andrawmat eri
als… andsomet hi
ng
setasideforempl
oy eepay.
.Babe, canwe
postponetheweddingormakei tsmaller
?
KanaIhav etopaymagadi too.Yourri
ngwasa
l
ot…
KESEGO: Mxi
m… dowhaty ouwantr ra.Some
menbar ekel
athei
rgi
rl
fr
iendsdiPorsche,rona
wearetoldbo‘l
et’
spost
pone’.Gat
wekebat iy
a
engne?
NKEMI :Kanacur r
entl
ywear ejustspending
wit
houtmaki ng.Thatmoneywasj ustP4mi l,
Naomi ’
sf eetookaporti
on,thent hemachines
andset t
ingupawar ehouse…ei sh… I’mjust
tr
yingtoav oi
dasi t
uati
onwher ewer unout.If
youcouldgi v
emet i
me…Iwi l
lmaket hi
s
businesswor kandaffor
dy outheweddi ngy ou
want .
KESEGO: Nkemi ,youcan’tdothi
stome.My
familywillstar
tlaughingatmeaf t
eryourfamil
y
alr
eadywentt oaskandt henwest opthe
weddi ng?Af t
erthesamet hinghappenedwith
Kartel
?No, wear enotpostponi
nganythi
ng.
*
***
***
***
**
LUBA
Ronwalkedinandf
oundmeont hesof
acal l
i
ng
Fadzwa,whohadsnuckouttogot
othemall.
Butthi
swassounli
keher,ar
ound7pm andnot
home!
RON:
Heybr
ide…
ME:(l
aughi
ng)Mrs…cany
oubel
i
evei
t.I
’
m
get
ti
ngmarri
ed.
Shemassagedmyshoul
der
sandki
ssedmy
neck…
RON:
Wif
ey,
huh?
ME:Aboutdamnt
imet
oo.El
eveny
ear
s
t
ogether
!
RON:
Howdoy
ouknowt
hisi
swhaty
ouwant
?
ME:(smi
li
ng)I’
veal
wayswant
edaf
ami
l
y…a
l
ovi
nghusband… ki
ds…
RON: Andt
hosear
ethi
ngswomenar
e
supposedt
owantri
ght
?
ME:
Womencanwantwhat
everpl
easest
hem.
RON:Butgeneral
lywearesupposedt owantto
set
tl
eddown.ButIdon’t
.Thet houghtofbei
ng
marri
edfeelsocagedi
n… andki ds… ohmy
God!Ican’
timagi
nebeingtiedforeverby
somel i
tt
lehuman.Can’tt
rav
elwhenIwantt
o…
can’
tjustdowhateverIwant
… al
lthat
…it
ter
ri
fi
esme.
ME:
Ooookay
.Wher
eist
hiscomi
ngf
rom?
RON:Eawastri
pping,al
labouthewant sa
fami
ly
,monogamybl ahblah… l
ike,EaknowsI
am awander
er… hecall
edmesel f
ish
ME:Canyoubl
ametheguy,
Ron?Idon’
teven
knowhowtodefi
neyout
wo…lajol
a…lajana?
Whati
sgoingon?
RON:Il
oveEa,Ireal
lydo.I
t’
sjust…Iam never
havi
ngki
ds… notcutoutforthat…maybeI
coul
dconsi
dersettl
i
nginonepl ace…and
monogamyjustsoundssobor i
nganddiff
icul
t…
ME:Not
hinggoodevercomeseasy
.Butdo
whatmakesyouhappy.
Shesmi
ledandcaressedmycheek,
then
l
eanedi
ntokissme…
WhenIpull
edback,Ihadt
ocat
chmybr
eat
h
bef
oreIcoul
dspeak.
ME:
No,Ron…Iam get
ti
ngmar
ri
ednow,
sono
mor
eofthat
…
RON:
whatev
ermakesy
ousmi
l
e,l
i
ttl
efl
ower
…
Sheki
ssedmycheekj
ustasKar
tel
wal
kedi
n.
Di
dheseet
hat
?
Sht
…
RON: Kart
…babegir
lwantedtogooverweddi
ng
fabri
cs.Shewasfeel
ingali
tt
ledi
zzyandIwas
helpi
nghertoli
edown.
KARTEL:Di
zzy
?Babe,
youok?Let
’sgoseet
he
doct
or.
ME:(awkwar
dl augh)Cal
m down,
it’
sjustpar
t
oft
heuncomf ort
ablewonder
sofpregnancy…
al
ri
ghtRon,t
hanksf orst
oppi
ngby.
Shef
istbumpedKar
tel
,thenwi
nkedatmeand
wal
kedout.
*
***
***
***
Neel
owi
pedhermouthandputthenapki
n
downwi
thasmil
e,l
ooki
ngatherphotogr
apher
.
Hewasyoungandambit
ious,
buti
twasni
cet
o
f
inal
l
ybeoutonadate.
Evenifhehadspentabi
gpartoft
heeveni
ng
taki
ngpict
uresoft
hefoodandposti
ngthem
onInstagr
am.
NEELO:
Shal
lwecal
li
tani
ght
?
HI
M:Cool
…
Neel
ocall
edt
hewai
terwhocameandhanded
t
heguythebi
l
l.
Het
ookouthi
swal
l
etandl
ookedi
nsi
de.
HI
M:Ei
sh,
Ifor
gott
ocash…
WAI
TER:
Wet
akedebi
tandcr
edi
tcar
d…
HI
M: See,t
hingi
s…Ihav
en’
twi
thdr
awnmy
moneyfrom For
ex…
Neel
ohandedt
hewai
terhercar
d.
HI
M:Nemmaar
eyougonnaf
ini
sht
hat
?
NEELO:
Nah,
I’
m done.
HIM:Ij
o,l
et’
snotwast
eagoodst eakwhenwe
arepayi
ngforit
… wai
ter
,packt
hisup.Ledi
vege-
nyanatse…
Shedi
dn’
twantt
oshowherannoy
ance,but
damn.Hewaspacki
ngl
eftov
ersi
narestaur
ant
?
Shel
ookedupandsawReubenatt
hedoor
wai
ti
ngforhi
stakeout
.
Thi
shadbeent
hei
rfav
ori
ter
est
aur
antaf
teral
l
.
Thewai
tr
esswastr
yingt
ofl
i
rtwi
thhi
m,buthe
wasl
ooki
ngathi
sphone.
Shewentt
opasshi
m makingsur
ehenot
iced
shewaswit
hanot
herguy
.
REU:
Oh,
Nel
i
… hey
…
NEELO:
Hi…umh… wewer
eonadat
e,somy
mom hast
heki
ds…
REU:
Cool
…
Hesai
dwi t
houtl
ooki
ngfrom t
hephone,and
shewal
kedoffannoyedathowunbotheredhe
wasact
ing.
*
***
***
**
Arnowalkedi
ntothehouseadSeshalai
donthe
bedcry
ing,abunchofti
ssuepaperal
lovert
he
bed.
ARNO:
Hey
…
SESHA:
ArnoIswearInev
ermeantf
oranyof
thi
s…
ARNO:
Iknow…
Hewentt
oli
ebesi
deherandhuggedher
.
ARNO:I
’m sor
ryf
orbeinganazzear
li
er.Ican
onl
yimagi
nehowallthiswasf
oryou…
SESHA:
(sni
ff
li
ng)Ir
eal
l
yjustwasn’
tthi
nki
ng…I
t
ri
edt
ogobackf
orher
,butshewasgone…
Hehel
dhert
ight
erandki
ssedherhead.
ARNO:I’
m sorr
yyouhadtogot hr
oughal
lthat
al
one.Sesha,
Ihaveaconfessi
ontoo…
SESHA:
(sobbi
ng)Whati
sit
?
ARNO:Youneedt ounder
standIwasadiffer
ent
per
sonthen… andhowmuchIl oveyou.Sesha,
youar
emywor l
d… youmakemef eelworth
somet
hing.
SESHA:
Aww…babe…
ARNO:I
t’
sjust
…I… uhm… outmeet
ingwasn’
t
acoi
nci
dence.
SESHA:Ofcour
se,
duh,
wewer
eatt
hesame
seminar
…
ARNO:Isett
hatsemi
narupj
ustsoIcoul
dmeet
you…
SESHA:Whydoest
hissoundl
essr
omant
ic
thani
tshoul
d?
ARNO:
Thoseguy
sIuset
ohangwi
th.Tr
evor
…
SESHA:
Myl
ategr
andma’
slawy
er?
ARNO: Hereali
zedthatlandtheycalledcursed
waswor thashtton.Hetri
edt ofi
ndawayt oget
i
t,buttheoldwomanwoul dn’
tsell
,saiditwas
hi
sson’ sl
egacy.Sohest art
edlookingforthe
sonsohecoul dbuyf r
om him.Onlyt ofi
ndout
hedied,buthadadaught er.
SESHA:
Idon’
tli
kewher
ethi
sisgoi
ng.
ARNO: Ihav etot ell
you.Hedeci dedt oosteal
thelandfrom y ou.Impr essionableyounggi rl.
Buthim appr oachingy ouwoul dhav ebeent oo
suspici
ous.Gr annywoul dsuspect .Sohe
reachedoutt ohisf ri
endDol l
a.Buty ouknew
him alr
eadyanddi dn’ttrusthim,sohecoul dn’t
scam yououtofi t.Wewer ecasual fri
ends.
Theyappr oachedmewi tht hi
sandIagr eed.
SESHA:
No!That’
salie,
we… wecl
i
cked,
you
al
waysl
ookedoutforme.
ARNO:
Igotyouhookedonsomepi l
l
sand
gr
oomedyoutobel
ieveyouneededme.
SESHA:
(scr
eami
ng)St
op!St
op!St
opl
yi
ng…
ARNO: Byt heti
mewewentt oVegas, Iwasin
l
ov e…Ijustwant edtoprotectyou,butIwas
scared,Sesha.Not hi
ngwasgonnacome
betweent hosemenandt hatland.They ’
dkil
l
youandt akeitiftheyhandt o.SoIkeptt heruse
thatIwasdupi ngy ou…wesol dthel andfor400
mil,andsharedmoney .Theygotof fyourcase,
youwer esafe.Iputmyshar eupi nat r
ustfund
foryou…
SESHA:
Getout
…
ARNO:Babe,
I….
SESHA:
(scr
eami
ng)Out
!Getout
!
Shet
ookherri
ngoffandthrewitathi
m befor
e
sher
anofft
olockhersel
finthetoi
let
,cr
ying.
No.
Thi
swasal
i
e.Acr
uel
prank.
Ar
nol
ovedher
…
Shesatont hefloorcr
ying,
feel
i
ngthest
artofa
pani
cattack…ort hist
imewasitgonnabea
tot
almental br
eakdown?
Thi
swasal
ltoomuch.
ThewholeLokithi
ng…Sey chel
les… kidnapped
byherrapi
standheldatknifepointatthe
ai
port
…andt hatbast
ardwasst il
lafterher…he
coul
dgetherany t
imeand… and… ohmyGod,
hermarri
agewasabi gfatli
e…
Herthr
oatwassodr
y…itfel
tli
kethewall
s
werecl
osingi
nonher
… out… sheneededto
getout
.
Shehel
dherheadbetweenherhandsand
scr
eamedherlungsoutasherbodyshook…
No… no…shehadt
ocal
m down… herbaby
…
shehadto…
ShesawherDoppleronthecounterand
grabbedi
t,l
i
steni
ngtoherbaby’
sheartbeat
…
Toof
ast
…i twaspoundi
ngt
oof
ast
,herbaby
wasi
ndist
ress…
*
***
***
***
LI
KE,
COMMENT,
SHARE
ATHUG’
SLOVE106

Iwalkedi
ntot
hehospi
talr
oom andsatbesi
de
Seshawholookedupandjustst
art
edcry
ing
SESHA:I
t’
salie,
Luba… i
t’
sal
lal
i
e!Hewasj
ust
aft
ermoney…
ME:Babe,
youknowthat
’snolongert
rue… i
t
mayhavestar
tedt
hatway,butAr
nolovesyou…
SESHA:
Hei
sal
i
ar!Howcany
out
akehi
ssi
de!
ME:Iam nott
akingsides,
thatmanwor
shi
ps
t
hesoil
youwal kon,Sesha…youknowIam
alway
st hefir
stonet osay‘screwthat’,
buty ou
haveagoodt hinghere.Arnoi snotperfect
,but
heisdamnnearcl ose…her espect
sy ou,tr
eats
youli
ket hequeeny ouare,andspoilstheli
fe
outofyou…t hemani sgreatwi t
hkids,heis
gonnabeanamaz ingfather…
SESHA:Hehur
tme…
ME:Hemademi stakes… babes,
calm down,
t
hedoctorssayi
t’
snotgoodf orthebaby…try
t
ojustr
elax…
SESHA:Whydoesev
erythi
nghor
ri
bleal
way
s
havet
ohappentome,Luba?Why?Howcan
Ij
ustl
aidbesi
deherandhuggedherasshe
cr
ied…
Iunder
standherpain,heranger…I’df
eelthe
sametoo,butIalsoknowAr nolovesher
,even
i
fthat’
sthelastt
hingshewant stohearr
ight
now.
*
***
***
***
**
Kodij
umpedoutofbedtot
hevoiceofhi
s
mothershout
ingatt
hef
ootoft
hebed.
Hepull
edupt
hebedsheetandcov
eredhi
msel
f
andEst
er.
MME:
Whatonear
thi
sthi
s,Kgodi
so?
KODI
:Mme!Whatar
eyoudoi
ngher
e?God!
MME: Don’tyoudar
etal
kbackatme!Whatare
youdoinglemosadimogol
oy o?Ngwanawa
gagweal ekanal
ewenajaana!
KODI:(si
ghi
ng)Hersonissev
en, andi
t’
snone
ofyourbusi
ness.Unl
essyouwannaseeme
naked,pl
easegowaiti
ntheli
vingroom.
MME: Seeyounakedwaengkanekego
thakol
akwa.Iam notgoi
nganywher
e.I
f
someoneisleav
ing,i
t’
sthi
sol
dwoman.Gao
swabehelamongwaneng!
KODI:Cany
oustop!Whatar
eyouev
endoi
ng
her
e,howdidy
ougetin?
MME: Akerey ourbrothert
oldmey ouare
mov i
ngher enowt hatyouarefi
nishi
ngschool ,I
camet oclean,thatgirl
kanakesekeret
har i
kanaengy agaKgat hal
ogavemet hekey s.
Heelawena!Kar etswa!Youhavetenmi nutes.
WenaKodi i
fthisiswhatyouwantt odo,Iwi l
l
tel
lKgathalo!Nxla!
ShesmackedEst
her
’sfeetwi
thaf
eat
herdust
er
andwal
kedoutangr
il
y.
*
***
***
*
Monkarr
ivedhomeandf oundCr
issyseat
ingi
n
t
heli
vi
ngroom, cr
ying.
Her
anov
ert
oherandhuggedher
.
MONK: Babe,
what
’swr
ong?HowcanImakei
t
bet
ter
?Babe…
CRISSY:
(sobbi
ng)Ij
ust
…Ican’
tdot
his,
Monk…
Ican’
t
MONK:
Dowhat
?
Shepickedupalit
tl
eplast
icst
ickbesidesher
andhelditt
ohim.Thewor d‘
Pregnant3+’on
thel
i
ttlescr
eenthere.
CRISSY:
Ican’
tbeamom,
Monk…i
t’
sjustnot
forme…
MONK:
Whynot
?
CRISSY:Iwasr ai
sedbyawomanwhohadno
probl
em leavingaten-
year-
oldwithanewbor n
togogethi gh…andshenev erbecamemuchof
amum, shej ustt
ransf
erredherdrugaddict
ion
toshoppingaddicti
on,andmaidsr ai
sedus…
MONK:
Buty
ouar
enother
…
CRISSY:WhatifIam,huh?Youdon’ tknowthat!
AndIbarel
ylikeki
ds,Monk.Ineverwant ed
one…Ineverevenplayedwit
hdolls…newbor ns?
Theyter
ri
fyme.Ilit
eral
lyf
reezei
nt hepresence
ofanewbor n…theyaresofragi
l
eanddel i
cate…
MONK:
Babe,
wecanf
igur
ethi
sout
…
CRISSY:
Idon’
twantt
ofi
gur
ethi
sout
,Iwanti
t
gone!
MONK:
Whatdoy
oumeangone!
CRI
SSY:
Don’
tpl
aydumb…
MONK:
No.
CRI
SSY:Excusey
ou,
youdon’
tgetav
oteon
whatIdowit
hmybody.
MONK: Igetavoteonwhaty
oudowi
thmy
chi
l
d,andy ouarenotki
l
li
ngi
t.
CRI
SSY:
Youdon’
tgett
otel
lmewhatt
odo!
Shepi
ckeduphercarkey
sanddr
oveof
fas
Monkcall
edaf
terher
.
*
***
***
***
Nel
icameoutoftheshowerandfoundher
boyf
ri
endseat
ingonthebed,hol
dingRue’
s
j
acket.
STEVE:
Ithoughty
ouhav
ebeensi
ngl
eforf
ive
years,
whatar
emen’
scl
othesdoi
ngi
nyour
closet
?
Ruenev erdi
dcomet otakehiscl
otheswhenhe
cameout ,andsheneverfoundti
met opack
them away.
NELI
:Iwasjust…myex-
husband’
s.Henev
er
cametogetthem…
STEVE:
Nnaakebat egotshamiki
swaautwa
Neel
o,youcan’
twanttobewithmeandhav e
someotherman’sst
uffi
nhere.Packt
hisshtup
odimoneele.
NEELO:Excuseme,whothehelldoy
outhi
nk
youaretal
ki
ngtoli
kethat?Andwhosai
dwe
aret
ogether?Di
dthi
sgiveyousomesil
l
yideas?
Getout…
STEVE:
Don’tgetanat
ti
tudewi
thmeNeel
o,ke
tagocl
apa…
NEELO:
(laughing)Wannaguesshowlongi
twil
l
t
akeReubent ogether
eifIcal
lsayi
ngyouar
e
t
hreat
eni
ngme?
STEVE:
Arey
out
hreat
eni
ngme?
NEELO: Doyoureal
lywantRuebencomingaft
er
you?Nxla…getout,andconsi
derourvi
deo
shoot
ingcontr
actterminat
ed,Icanf
indanot
her
vi
deographer
.
STEVE:
Wai
t…l
et’
stal
k…Idi
dn’
tmean…
NEELO:
Getout
!Now!
Shetookoutherphoneandst
art
eddi
all
i
ng
Rue’
snumber.
NEELO:
Hey
…Rue…
St
evest
oodupangr
il
yandgotdr
essed.
STEVE:Nxl
a!Youar
ej ustafatbichwhoi
s
bi
tt
erherhusbandl
eftforhotgir
ls.
*
***
***
***
***
***
***
Ronwalkedovertother
ecept
ionandf
ound
Arnoseat
edthere.
RON:
Howar
eyouhol
dingup?
ARNO:Howdoy out
hink,
Ron?Mychil
d’sl
i
fei
s
onthel
i
nebecauseIam f*
*kedup.
RON: I
fanyonecanhel
pSeshacal
m down,i
t’
s
Luba.Sheisint
herewi
thhershewi
llhel
pher
thr
oughit.
ARNO:
What’
swi
thy
ouandLubaany
way
,you
guy
ssti
ll
…
RON:Mi
ndy
ourbusi
ness,
Arnol
d.Youhav
eal
ot
ofi
t.
ARNO:Ifeelbad,Ron.Li
keIam bet
rayi
ngKar
t…
yousai
dy ou’
dstopwhenhegotout ,y
ouwere
onl
ykeepinghercompany .
RON: Shebr
okeitof
ftoday
,sokeepyourwhit
ie
ti
ghti
eson,damn.Andli
keIsai
d,mindyour
busi
ness.Howyougonnagetyourchi
ldfr
om
theLedimo?
ARNO:
Sht
,Idon’
tknow.I
’
llgot
othemedi
aifI
hav
eto.
RON:Andsaywhat ?Mywifegavebi
rt
htoour
babyandthr
ewitinthef
oresttodi
e?Thatki
nd
ofatt
ent
ionwil
ldestr
oySesha…herpani
c
att
acks…
ARNO:Icouldtal
ktoMaxine…maybewecan
worksomethingoutsoIt
akethechi
l
d…
RON: TheLedi mopr incesswhoi susedto
getti
ngev ery
thingshewant s?Your eall
ythi
nk
shegonnaj ust‘sure, whatever
’ herki
d?Go
throughhersoci al
medi a,
shel ovesthatchi
ld.
Andy ouknowhercr eepybrothersareover
protect
ive.Isweart hereissomet hi
ngweird
withthosetwo…
ARNO:
Ihav
en’
tev
enseent
hem f
orawhi
l
e
RON: Hear
dtheymov edtot
heUSwi ththei
r
famil
yorsomething.Butbestbeli
evetheyand
thei
rfat
herar
en’tjustgonnalety
ougetMax ’s
chil
d…
ARNO:
Mychi
l
d… mychi
l
d!
RON:Honestl
y,i
t’
shers… thechil
dwouldbe
deadi
fitwasn’
tforher.Andthelit
tl
egi
rll
ooks
l
ovedandhappy.IfIwereyou,I’
dhumble
mysel
fandaskforco-parent
ing.
ARNO: Co-par
enti
ngmychi l
dwithsome
st
rangers?No!,Iwantmychild,
shewil
lcome
l
iv
ewi t
hus, wewi l
lrai
seher
.
RON:Havey outhoughtofSeshainallt
his?Br
o,
don’
tbestupid.Seshawon’tbeableto
over
comet heguil
tofwhatshedid… Idoubt
shecoul
dev errai
sethatchi
ldhappil
y.
ARNO: Youwantmet oj
ustgi
vemychildup?I
thoughtyouofal
lpeopl
ewouldunder
stand.
RON: Trustme, Ido.Butforci
ngthingswill
hur
t
alotofpeople,especial
lythechi
ld.Bestyou
candoisaskf orapl aceinthechil
d’sl
if
eand
l
etherparentsraiseher.
*
***
***
***
***
Afewdaysl
aterAr
nowal kedint
othei
rhome
andf
oundSeshainthebedroom.
ARNO: Lubat
oldmeyougotrel
easedf
rom t
he
hospi
talandshej
ustdr
oppedyouhome.
SESHA:Lubaneedstolear
ntokeephermout
h
shut
.Anyway,Ij
ustcametotakemystuf
f.
ARNO:
Sesha,
don’
tdot
his…
SESHA:Don’
twhat
,wal
kawayf
rom asham ofa
marr
iage?
ARNO:Youknowourmar r
iagei
snotasham.I
l
oveyou,Sesha.AndIknowy oul
oveme…
Hecametoseatnextt
oherasat
erar
andown
hi
scheek.
ARNO: If*
*kedup, ok?Iam notagoodperson,
Sesha…f r
om asy oungasIremember,It
ook
whatIwant edanddi dn’
tcar
eaboutwhoit
aff
ected.I
twast hesamewhenIf ir
stcamet o
you…
SESHA:
Doy
out
hinkal
lthati
shel
pingy
ou?
ARNO: It
’st het ruth…buty ouhavetaughtme
good, Sesha…ev eninmycompanynow, Ithink
alotl i
key ou.Howwi l
lmybusinessoperati
ons
affectthel ocal s?IseehowmuchI ’
vehurtyou,
brokeny ourt r
ust …andhowmuchIdon’ t
deser veyourf orgiveness.Butift
herei
sone
thingIrefuse, i
t’stoletyoudoubtmyl ovefor
you.WhatIf eel foryouisreal,
andgenuine,no
mat terhowi tst art
ed.Whyel sewouldIhave
stayedoncet hedeal wasdone?Especiall
ythat
i
tputmei ndangerofy ouf i
ndi
ngout.
SESHA: Idon’
tdoubtyouloveme.Iknowfor
sureyoudo.Whathur t
smei snothowitst
art
ed,
Arno…butit’
sthefactthatevenwhenwewere
toget
her…wheny ouwer einl
ov ewi
thme,you
keptthi
sup…
ARNO:Topr ot
ectyou…andoutoff
earoflosi
ng
you…Ihatetosaythi
s,butt
hesamewayy ou
hidwhathappenedwit
hourchi
ldoutoff
ear…
SESHA:What
’sgoi
ngonwi
tht
hatsi
tuat
ion
anyway
s?
ARNO: (si
ghing)IcannotreachMaxine.Iwent
toherhomeandt herewasnobodyt here…the
neighboursaidtheyleftwi
thsuit
cases.Ithi
nk
theytookLoki andskippedcountr
y.
SESHA:Tobehonest,
ifsomeonewastr
yingt
o
takemybabyandIknewtheycoul
d,I
’
drun
too…
ARNO:I
t’
sNOTthei
rbaby
!Shei
sours!Babe…
pl
easel
et’
swor
kthr
oughouri
ssues?
SESHA: Idon’
tknow, Ar
no…Idon’tknowifIcan
for
give…Ijustf
eell
ikethiswi
l
lalway sbether
e
atthebackofmymi ndandwil
laffectour
rel
ati
onship.
*
***
***
***
***
***
***
***
**
LI
KE,
COMMENT,
SHARE
ATHUG’
SLOVE107
Dol
l
apacedabouti
nhi
sli
vi
ngr
oom.
Sht
.
Thiswasar ealshtst
orm.Thekidhehad
nabbedwithKar t
el’
sturnedoutt
obeDerek’
s,
andy ouj
ustdidn’twannamesswi t
hthat
derangedpsycho.
Howwashegonnamaket
hisr
ight
?
Ther
ewasaknockandhewentt
oopenas
Pal
alani
wal
kedi
n.
Ah,t
her
emi ghtbeasolut
ion.Letapsy
chodeal
wit
hanotherpsycho.
DOLLA:
Youar
eher
e…
LANI
:Ineedt
ogetthi
sdone.Thi
smanki
l
led
myfamil
y…myli
tt
legir
l…
DOLLA:
Ther
eisadevel
opment…hi
sbrot
her
-i
n-
l
aw,Der
ek…nowhasbeeforwhat
ever
.
LANI
:ThenI
’l
lj
ustki
l
lhim.Andever
yonewho
st
andsinmywaytokil
l
ingKar
tel
.Whendowe
move?
DOLLA: Soonaspossibl
e.Isuggestwegoaft
er
Derekfir
st,andoncewet akehi
m out,
hismen
aregonnabel ooki
ngforaplaceandwecan
takethem andgoafterKart.
LANI:Ok.Iwantthisdonesoon.Andthat
arr
oganthalfbr
eedAr nol
d.Iwanthi
m goneso
mywomancanf inall
ycometome.
*
***
***
***
***
***
***
***
Monkpacedaboutcal li
ngallofCr
istal
’sf
riends,
whoall didn’
tknowwher eshewas.Hedr ov e
aroundt ownlookingforher
.He’dthought
givi
nghert imetocalm downwouldhel p,
sohe
didn’
tfollowher.Butnowhehadnoi deawher e
shewas, andi
thadbeenhour s.
Theyhadnoteventol
dArnoaboutt
hei
r
rel
ati
onshi
p,sohecoul
dn’
taskhim…besi
des,
Ar
nowasgoi
ngt
hroughhi
sownshtwi
thhi
s
wi
fe.
Hefi
nal
lysi
ghedanddr
ovebackhome,
hopi
ng
shewasbackther
e.
Hewalkedi
ncall
i
ngherphone,andfoundher
seat
ingi
nthel
iv
ingr
oom, sobbi
ng.
Hewentov
erandhuggedher
.
MONK: Ihadnorightt
osaywhatIsai d…It
’s
j
ust…it’sourbaby,Cri
ssy,
howcany outhi
nkof
ki
ll
ingit…y ouknowwhat ,Ibet
tershutt
hehell
up.Ifyoufeelt
hat’swhatyouneedt odo,t
hen
i
t’
sy ourbody…
CRI
SSY:
(sobbi
ng)Idon’
twantt
olosey
ou…
Hesi
ghedsadl
yandl
ookeddown…
CRISSY:Ifeel
cor
ner
ed.Ei
therIkeept
hebaby
,
orIloseyou…
MONK:
Inev
ersai
dthat
…
CRI
SSY:
Buty
oudi
dn’
tsayy
ouwoul
dn’
tleav
e
ei
theri
fIdeci
det
odoi
t.
MONK: Idon’
tknowwhatIwoulddo,Cry
stal
…I
don’
tknow…Iloveyou…butourchi
lddeserv
es
toli
ve…anyway,dowhaty
oumust ,
it’
supto
you…
Hesaidashest
oodupandwentt
othe
bedr
oom.
Cr
issycameandl
aidbesi
deshi
m.
CRISSY:
It’
snotthatIdon’
twantthechil
d,Monk.
IknowIwil
lregr
etitandbeatmyselfabouti
tifI
abort
…butIam justsoscared…me, amother
?
MONK: Youar ejustassumingy ouwillbeabad
motherbecausey oumot herwasn’ti
deal.I
di
dn’tev enhav eamot heroraf at
her.The
peoplewhor aisedmeatt heorphanage?
Animals.Thebeatusandt r
eateduslikewe
di
dn’tmat ter.Am Iaterri
blefat
her?Given
Luba’
schi ldhood, i
ssheabadmot her?
CRI
SSY:
No…y
ouar
eanamazi
ngf
ather
…you
ar
ethebest
….andLubai
samazi
ngwi
thher
ki
ds…
MONK: Thenwhatwoul dstopy ouf
rom bei
nga
goodmot her?Youchoosey ourownpath,
Cri
ssy
.Ify ouabor
t,l
etitbebecauseyouwant
to,
notsomeassumedr eason…
CRISSY:
(sighi
ng)Your
eal
l
ythi
nkwecanbe
goodparents?
MONK:
Ithi
nkwear
egonnabegr
eat
…
CRISSY:Ok,
tomor
rowI
’
llgoandr
egi
steratt
he
hospit
al…
MONK:
So,
wear
ekeepi
ngi
t?
CRI
SSY:
(smi
l
ing)Yup!
Hehuggedandki
ssedherhappi
l
y.
MONK:I
’
llcl
earmyschedul
e.Iam notmi
ssi
ng
amomentofthi
s…
Hestoodupandwentov
ert
ohissuitj
acket
,
t
hencamebackwit
hasmallbl
ackvelv
etbox…
MONK: Ihavebeencar r
y i
ngthisfordays,
try
ing
tothinkoftheproposalt hatwil
lbethemost
‘
you’ …andIguessIwasal it
tl
escared…whatif
yousaidno, whatifIam notgoodenough…
but… IloveyouCry st
al,andallIwantisto
spendev erydayofmyl ifewithyou,soCryst
al
Northman, wil
lyoumakemet helucki
estman
onear t
handmar r
yme?
CRISSY:(
sobbi
ng)OhmyGod…ohmyGod, ar
e
youseri
ous…uhm…y es,
yes…ofcour
se,
ohmy
God!
*
***
***
***
***
***
**
Kesegowalkedi nt
ot hehospi
tal
room where
Katwasget t
ingdressedupandr eadytogo.He
wheeledhimselfaroundinanewf ancy
wheelchai
r,r
acingKar t
eltopi
ckupt oy
sand
cl
othes.
KESEGO:Ah,
ther
eismyboy.Thedoctorsaid
youcancomehometoday
.What’swit
ht hi
s
chai
r?
KARTEL: Iordereditwhent hedoct orsai
dhe
needsit.I
t’selectri
c,sohedoesn’ tneedtobe
pushedar ound, i
tgiveshi
mf r
eedom t omove
onhisown.Youcanpushi tupf orhiml i
ket
his
anditwillsupporthisbackf orstanding,
andhe
canrideitli
ket hi
s.
KESEGO:Justhadt
oshowy
ouhav
emoney
,
di
dn’ty
ou?
KARTEL:
Iam notdoi
ngt
hiswi
thy
ou.Ser
iousl
y
not
.
KESEGO: Wedon’ tneedy
ou,Kart
el.Wearein
thi
ssituat
ionbecauseofyou.I
sn’ti
tenough
thatoneofmychi ldr
endi
edandonei scri
ppl
ed
becauseofy ou!
KARTEL:
Notinfr
ontofmyson,Kesego.You
ar
enotgonnadothat
.Packuphisbag.
KESEGO:
Wedon’
tneedy
ou.
KARTEL:
Isett
ledthebill
s,wej ustneedt
opick
uphi
smedicati
on.Ireall
ythinkheshouldcome
homewit
hme…atl eastfornow.
KESEGO: Sothatthatwomancanabusemy
chi
ld?Nev er
!Let
’sgoKit-
Kat
…let’
sgopickup
medicat
ion.
KARTEL:Weneedt ot alkaboutavisit
ati
on
schedulet
hen.Iwasthinki
nghewi l
l cometo
ourplaceonweekendsify oui
nsist
shest ay
withyou…
KESEGO:Hewon’tbecomingther
e,y
oucan
comeseehimifyoumust,butmychil
disnev
er
goi
ngtothatwoman’shome.
Thedoctorwal
kedinandtal
kedtothem f
ora
bi
t,t
hendidfi
nalcheckonKartandsai
dhe
coul
dleave.
Kar
tel
pushedt
hewheel
chai
routandl
edi
ttoa
newSUV.
KESEGO:
Isai
d…
Kar
tel
handedhert
hekey
s…
Yourcari stoosmall,nospaceforawheel chair
,
especiall
yanelectri
conelikethi
s.Foldingand
unfoldingwheneveryougooutwi llbeahust l
e…
thi
scarhasbeencust omized,wheelchair
fri
endly.Therei
st hi
srampsohecanwheel i
n,
theny oustrapthechairt
ot hecarhereandhe
canjustseatonhi schair
,noneedt ogetof for
foldandunf ol
d.
KAT:
Wooo…Il
ovei
tdaddy
…it
’ssocool
…
KARTEL:Awesome!Itol
dy ouwear
egonna
makeyouthecool
est.Herearet
hekey
s,
Kesego
KESEGO:No.MyfiancéecanbuymeacarifI
wantone.I
nfact
,heisabouttosoIcanf
inal
l
y
st
opusingthi
soldjunkofyour
s.
KARTEL:
Thatol
djunki
saBMW, andify
ou
want
edanewcar,youcoul
dhav
esaidso.
KESEGO:
Itol
dyou,
Iwantnot
hingt
odowi
th
y
ou,Kgathal
o.Iam gett
ingmar
ried,
sokeep
y
ourstupidcarandstayawayf
rom us.
Shepul
ledthewheelchairawayfr
om him and
wheel
edittohercar,st
ruggli
ngtogetKatout
oft
hechairandint
ot hecar,t
henfoldi
ngthe
wheel
chair
,whichdi
dn’tfiti
nthetr
unkofher
car
.
Kart
elstoodbehi
ndher,l
aughi
ngashedangl
ed
thekeysinfr
ontofher
.
Shesnatchedt
hekey
sfr
om hi
m angr
il
yas
Kar
tell
aughed.
KESEGO:Mxim!Gethiminthechai
randbackt
o
thi
scaree,
jaanongyouaregonnaj
ustst
and
ther
e?
Kart
ell
aughedandwenttothecar,
takingKat
outandbackint
ohischai
r,t
henwheeledhim
backtotheSUV,whi
speri
ngtohim.
KARTEL:(whi
sper
ing)Don’
tmi
ndher
,shei
sa
bi
tcrazy
.
Katl
aughedal
onghi
sfat
her
.
KESEGO:
Ihear
dthat
…
KARTEL:
(laughi
ng)Nol
i
eswer
etol
dthough…
Hewheeledthechai
rinandsecur
edi
ttothe
car
,thenwenttheot
hersidet
otal
ktoKesego
out
side.
KARTEL:I’
l
lbri
ngall
thepaperwor
klat
er.I
t’
sal
l
paidup,
inyourname.Kese,
Iwannathank
you…
KESEGO:
Forwhat
?
KARTEL: Notrej
ecti
ngmysonbecauseof …how
heisnow.Notmaki nghimf eelli
keaburden.I
haveheardofwomenwhoact ual
lyabandon
thei
rkidsthanhavet odeal wi
thadisabled
chil
d…butnotoncedi dIfeell
ikethewayy ou
viewhim changed…andt hatjustwarmsmy
heart…Iam gratef
ul…y ouareawomanof
worth.
Shebl
ushedandl
ookeddown.
KARTEL: It
’snotgonnabeeasy,Kesego,
it’
s
gonnapr obabl
ybet hemosttr
yingthi
ngyou
everdone…buti ft
hereisapersonwhocando
i
t,i
t’
sy ou…
KESEGO:(
blushi
ng)Idon’
tneedy
our
compli
ments…
KARTEL:Sti
ll
l
…andi fitevergetstoohard,i
f
youeverneedabreak,donothesi t
atetocall
meandIwi l
lcomet akehim, anyt
ime.Night
,
day.AndIwil
lhir
eanur seifyoufeell
ikeyou
needone.Alri
ght,I
’
lldri
vethisonetoy our
place,
andyoucandr i
vey ouroldone.
Hesai
dashet ookthekey
sfr
om herand
wal
kedtowar
dst hecar
.
KESEGO:
Kgat
hal
o?
KARTEL:
Yea?
KESEGO:
I…Isawt
hef
lower
s…at
…uhm…at
Ky’
s…uhm…Ky ’
sgrav
e.Iknowitwasyou.You
cl
eanedandpol
i
shedthetombstoneandal
l.
KARTEL:
(sadl
y)Yea…
KESEGO: Ihadnori
ghtref
usingtoshowyouher
grave.Shewasy ourdaughtert
oo,andIwas
self
ishanddi dn’
twanttoacknowledgey
ou
werehur ttoo.
KARTEL:
It’
scool
…
KESEGO:
It’
snot
…Iwaswr
ong.
KARTEL: Wai
t…Ithi
nkIheardyousayy ouwere
wrong?Wannabackt hatupsoIcanrecordit
,
becauseI’
m sur
eIwon’ tcomeupagaininthe
nextdecade.
KESEGO:(gi
ggli
ng)Don’
tpushit.Buthonest
ly,
it
wasnotyourfaul
t…Iwaswr ongtosaythat…I
washurtandangryanditwasmean…Kywas
notyourf
aul
t,nei
therwasKat…
KARTEL:
Thanks…t
hatmeansal
ot…
Hesai dwithasmi l
e,thengoti nthecarand
droveoff.Kesegowat chedt hecarwithasmil
e
unti
litwasoutofsi ght,thengotinsi
dehercar
,
seat
ingint heparki
ngl otforami nut
e,st
il
l
smil
ingtoher sel
f.
*
***
***
***
***
***
***
*
ThenextdayArnowenttothehospi
talhopi
ng
tomeetSeshaforthei
rob-
gynappoi
nt ment
,but
shehadchangedtheappoi
ntmentwithout
tel
l
inghi
m.
Shehadmov edoutandwasn’
tev
enather
house,
probabl
yatherhot
el.
Nowhewasstandingheral
onewhenhesaw
MonkandCri
ssycomingoutoft
heOb-gy
n’s
of
fi
cehol
dinghands.
Whatt
hef
**k?
Hewal
kedov
erandpul
l
edCr
issy
’shandaway
.
Monkl
aughedandr
oll
edhi
sey
es.
ARNO:What
evert
hef**
kyouthi
nkyouar
e
doi
ng,
Monk… notwi
thmysist
er.
MONK:(l
aughi
ng)OhGod.What
’swi
thl
i
ght
ski
nni
ggasandwhini
ng?
ARNO:Whatthef*
*ki
sgoi
ngonhere?Cry
stal
,
pl
easedon’
ttel
lmeyouar
emessi
ngwith…him?
MONK:Theonl
yonemessi
ngar
oundher
eis
you…
ARNO: Ist
hissomesor
tofsi
ckr
evengeonme
forSesha?
CRISSY:Iknowthi
sishardtoimagine,
butnot
every
thi
ngisaboutyou,Ar
nold.St
op!
ARNO:Stopwhat
?What,Cr
ystal
,huh?Hei
sten
year
soldert
hanyou,
andheisathug…he…
MONK:
(rai
singey
ebr
ow)Thug?Li
key
ou?
ARNO:
What
ever
… myl
i
ttl
esi
steri
s…
CRISSY:
…atwenty
-si
x-y
ear
-ol
dwomanwho
canmakeherownchoi
ces,
andisengagedand
hav
ingababy
.
ARNO:What
?Excuseme,
what
?Whatt
hef
**k,
Monk!
HemadetopunchMonk, butCrissyst
eppedi
n
f
rontofhi
m andpushedhim back.
CRISSY:Iam notyourteenbabysi
steranymore,
Arnol
d.Iam grown, andIhav
emyownl i
feand
youcanf**koffifyoudon’tl
i
kewhoIchoset o
beinit
.
ARNO:
Youcoul
ddobet
ter
…
CRI
SSY:
Socoul
dSesha,
buther
ewear
e.
Ar
nol
ookeddownsadl
y.
MONK:
Ever
ythi
ngcool
,man?
ARNO: F**koff
,Monkgogi
.Youdon’tsl
eepwi
th
fr
iends’babysi
ster
s.That
’sf
**kedup.
MONK:
Comeon,
man… I
… Ar
no… wai
t… come
on.
ARNO:
F*kof
f…
Hesai
dashewal
kedawayangr
il
y.
*
***
***
***
***
***
***
**
Aft
erdroppi
ngoffKatatKesego’
s,Kar
tel
gota
cal
lfr
om hisbr
other
-i
n-l
aw.
KARTEL:
Der
ek?
DEREK:
Tel
lmeaboutt
hisguyDol
l
a.
KARTEL:
Ah,
Ihear
dCal
l
ant
hai
syour
s?
DEREK:Thatcrazybi
chIcal
lanex-
wif
edi
dn’
t
seei
tfi
ttotell
me.
KARTEL: Firstofall
,Aust inwi l
lcastr
ateyouif
hehearsy oucal lSaithat,ofcour sethat
’si
sif
Saiherselfdoesn’tkil
l y
ou.Youknowher
motheronl yletyoulivebecauseSai didn’
twant
Call
ietoloseaf at
her,usel essasy ouare?
Otherwiseshe’ dkil
lyou.Andt hat’
sifIdon’
tget
toyouf i
rst,becauseshet oldmewhaty oudid
toher,yousi cksht,andt het houghtofmysister
withsomeonecapabl eofdoingt oawoman
whaty oudidtoAcaimakesmesi ck.Ican’
twait
forBopaki tol
eaveyou,andifyoutryhurther
forthat,Isweart
oGod, Derek,Iwil
lendyou
enti
relineagebef
oreImakey oueatyourd**k.
DEREK:(l
aughi
ng)Well’
sthatamouthful
…orat
l
eastitwoul
dbe…andIdon’ tdoubty
oucankil
l
me,youareakil
ler
,li
keme.
KARTEL:
Iam not
hingl
i
key
ou.
DEREK: Ah,butyouareri
ght,youcallmea
psy cho,andIadmi tmychil
dhooddi danumber
onme, soatleastIcanblamet hatformy
bloodthirst
.Youhadal ovi
ngfami l
y,sowhat
’s
yourexcuse, becausepover
tyisn’t
.Youarej
ust
ar uthl
esskill
erwhoenjoysit…
KARTEL:
Don’
tthi
nky
ouknowme…
DEREK:Ir
eall
ywishy ou’
dstopall
thisdramaso
wecanjustbefr
iends.Wear ef
amilyaft
erall.
ButIdon’
thavet
owor r
yaboutmeev erhurt
ing
mywi f
e,becauseIam adif
fer
entpersonnow.
Bopakishowedmebet t
er.Anyway,
Dolla…Iam
gonnakil
lhim,whatdoIneedtoknow.
KARTEL:Iam notyourl
it
tl
einf
ormant,but
what
ever,youki
llhi
m orhekil
l
syou,Idon’
tcar
e.
Iwi
neitherway,Ihat
eyouboth.
Hehungupandgotanothercal
lfr
om hi
s
i
nfor
mantamongDoll
a’sman.
KARTEL:
Bapt
ist
e…t
alkt
ome.
‘
Palal
anii
sintownandtheyhadameet
ing.
Theyaregonnagoaft
erDerekf
ir
st.
’
KARTEL:
Good,
lett
hem,
mygai
n.
‘
WhatdoIdonext
,boss?
’
KARTEL:
Stayput
,keepl
i
steni
ng.
‘
Ok.Thanksfort
heclearanceatthehospi
tal,
boss…mymot hermanagedt oseethatpr
ivate
doctor
…andIgotthatli
ttl
egif
tyousentme.I t
real
l
yhelpedmyfamily
.’
KARTEL:Iknowhowitbe,
myman.RememberI
am f
rom thest
reet
s?
‘
Iknow.Youunder
standus.Iwi
shy
ou’
dletme
cometoyouroper
ati
on.’
KARTEL:Whentheti
mei sri
ght
,ri
ghtnowy
ou
ar
emor eanassetr
ightwherey
ouare.’
*
***
***
***
***
***
***
***
Kesegowasbusyint
heki
tchenmaki
ngdi
nner
whenNkemiwalkedi
n.
NKEMI
:Whosecari
sthati
nthegar
age?
KESEGO:Somemenkanakebat hobaaction,
whenIsaidIneededacary our
efusedore
heweemadi whatwat…rragwe-
Katenedidn’t
evenhesi
tat
e.Ididn’
tev
enhav etoask,
Ijust
gotgi
venthekeys.
NKEMI:
Kesego,howdoy outhi
nkIfeel
when
your
untoyourbabydaddytobuyyouthings?
KESEGO:
Idi
dn’
trunt
ohi
m,i
t’
sbasi
cal
l
yKat
’s.
Hewantedsomethi
ngeasyandconveni
entfor
metohandl
eKat,hi
swheelchai
rdoesn’
tfi
tin
mycart
runk…thi
sonemakesev er
ythi
ngso
easy
…
NKEMI
:(sadl
y)I
t’
snotr
ight
,youar
eaboutt
obe
mywif
e…
KESEGO: Ah,ket aaebusaee…butt heny ou
hav etoimmedi atelyorganizethesamecarwi th
thesamecuat omi zat
ionsoIcaneasi ly
transportKat.Hehast ogoseehi sdoct oronce
aweekf ornow, andalsogof orphysio,andI’l
l
hav etobringhimt oschool ,sototahelaIneed
acarl i
kethis…It houghy ousaidy oudidn’t
wantt owast emoney ,j
aanongkay oudon’ t
hav etowor r
yaboutget t
ingmeacar ,you
compl ai
n?
NKEMI
:(si
ghi
ng)Fi
ne,
Kesego,
keepi
t…
KESEGO:Isweari
tmeansnothing…It
oldy
ouI
wantnot
hingtodowi
thKart
el aker
e…
NKEMI
:Yeah…say
ingi
tandmeani
ngi
tisnot
t
hesame…
*
***
***
***
***
***
***
***
LI
KE,
COMMENT,
SHARE
ATHUG’
SLOVE108

LUBA
Kar
tel
wal
kedhomeasIj
ustf
ini
shedmaki
ng
di
nner
…
ME:
Okaebabymama,
didshet
aket
hecar
?
KARTEL:
Shedi
d…
ME:IhatethatIunder
stand…Iwannabemad
abouti
t.ButIknowwhyy ouhadto.ButKar
tel
,
youarenotbuyingKesegoanyt
hinganymor
e…
KARTEL:It’
sforKat’ssake.I
fshehasless
st
ruggle,
shewi l
ltakecareofmychil
dbet t
er.
Derekcal
led…hewant st oworkt
ogether…
ME:
And…
KARTEL:Hellno…bothLaniandDol
laaint
enoughworryformetowor kwit
hSatan.He
canf**kof
f.I
ja,myphonejustdi
ed,l
etmeuse
yourphonetocall
Arno.Lanii
sbackintown,so
theyneedtowatchout.
Kar
tel
tookmyphoneandt
henl
ookedatme.
KARTEL:
Whatt
hef
**ki
sthi
s,Luba!Whatt
he
hel
l
?
ME:
Atl
eastt
ell
mewhaty
ouar
etal
ki
ngabout
?
Isai
dwhi
l
eIcont
inuedt
oser
vet
hef
ood.
Heallofshovedthephoneonmyface,
and
stupi
dassRonhadsentapictur
eofusinbed
toget
her.God,t
hisgi
rl
!
Atleastwewerejusti
nbedandy
oucoul
donly
seehalfourbody
…andwehadpajamason,
ski
mpyast heywere.
KARTEL;
Whatt
hef
**ki
sthi
s!
ME:(awkwardlaughi
ng)Oh,
thi
s…Ican’
tbel
i
eve
shekeptt
his!
KARTEL:
Youar
enott
ell
i
ngmeany
thi
ng.
ME:Areyouser
iousl
yupset
?Comeon!You
werel
ockedup,Iwasover
whel
medandRon
cametostayov
er…
KARTEL:
Soy
ousl
eptwi
thher
?Onourbed,
even!
ME: Excusey
ou?Shesleptnextt
omeonour
bed.Iwashavingaroughti
me.Shest
ayedt
o
comf or
tme.That’
sall
.
KARTEL: Comfort
?Isthatwhatthecoolki
dsar
e
cal
li
ngf *
*kingnowadays?DoIlookstupi
dto
you,Luba?
ME:Otaaipona,
ij
a.Whyar
eweev
ent
alki
ng
aboutt
his?
KARTEL:
Youar
einbedwi t
hmyclosestf
ri
end!
Myex!Howdoyouexpectmenottotal
kabout
i
t.
Wasthi
smanseri
ousl
yangr
y?Imean,
it’
sjust
gi
rl
shavi
ngf
un,comeon.
Sht….Imaginei
fhefoundoutwehadaful
l
-on
rel
ati
onshipwheref
eeli
ngsandshtwer
e
i
nvolved…foral
mostfouryear
s.
KARTEL:Lubal
ashe,
didy
ousl
eepwi
thmy
fr
iend?
ME: Mxim…I ’
m notgonnaevendigni
fythat
rubbishwit
hananswer .Aker
ey ouaretheone
whoal mostmarriedmynannywhi l
eIwas
l
ockedup, nowy outhi
nkeveryonei
slikethat
.I
don’thaveti
mef orthi
s.
*
***
***
***
***
***
*
Puni
elookedatt
hepi
l
lshehadj
ustgot
ten.
I
fthatl
it
tl
egir
lthoughshewasgonnast
eal
her
man,shehadat hi
ngcoming.
Shehadbeenmeani
ngt
ogoseeMonkandt
alk
aboutt
heirrel
ati
onship.Maybeev
endoalot
morethanjusttal
k,whichwaswhyhehadsent
Bobotohersister
’s.
Shehadt akenat
axi,
andshewasaboutto
knockwhensheov er
hear
dthei
rconv
ersat
ion
theotherday.
Ohwell
,i
fthatl
i
ttl
ewhit
egirldi
dn’
twantt
he
ki
d… whyshoul
ditbeborn?
Shesmiledt
ohersel
fanddroveovert
oMonk’
s
pl
ace,passi
ngbyarest
aurant
,buy
ing
mil
kshakes.
Monkhadj
ustsai
dhewasatwork,
sot
hel
i
ttl
e
t
rampwoul
dbeathomealone.
*
***
***
**
Seshasatont
hebedl
ooki
ngatt
hei
rweddi
ng
photos.
Howdoy oufor
givesomeonewhoj
ustt
oldy
ou
ever
ythi
ngyouthoughty
ouhadwasali
e?
Yes,shehurtAr
notoo,
butitwasnoti
ntent
ional
.
Arnol
ddecidedl
ydecei
vedher…
Butgir
l,di
dn’
tyouli
eandtrytoconcealhi
schi
ld
too?Didn’ty
ouhidetheDNAt estf
rom hi
m?
Wouldyouhav et
oldhimifhehadnotfoundout
onhisown?
God,shemissedhim somuch…goi ngtot
hepre
-
natalappoi
ntmentwithouthi
m hadfel
tso
wei
rd,andifshewasbei nghonest
,shedi
dn’
t
wantalif
ewithouthi
m.
Shehadr untothi
ssecludedlit
tl
emot el
to
thi
nk.Itwasabeautifulpl
acewithseparatehut
chalet
sthatgaveherprivacyandArnodidn’t
knowaboutthisplace,hecouldn’
tfol
lowher
here.
Shewenttoshower,andthencameouti
na
towel
,si
tt
ingonthebedasherhandhoovered
onArno’
snumber…whatwashedoi ngnow?
Arnowassoemot i
onalandhadthi
sbeli
evehe
di
dn’
tdeserveanyt
hinggood,hewaspr
obabl
y
beat
inghimsel
fthehell
upandbrokent
ohell
andback.Sheshoul
dcallhi
m.
Shefel
tthedoorl
ockt
urn…whatt
hehel
l
…what
thehel
l
…
Sherant
ot hephonetotrycallr
ecept
ion,
but
t
hedoorburstopenandLani gr
abbedherfrom
t
heback,ki
ssingherneckroughl
y
LANI
:Hel
l
owi
fe…mi
ssedme.
SESHA:
Lani
,pl
ease…
Hecockedt
hegunandpr
essedi
tagai
nsther
r
ib.
I
fIcan’
thav
eyou,
myl
ove,
noonecan…
SESHA:I
’m sor
ry…I’
m sor
ry,
Iwasbad,
andI
shoul
dn’
thaverun,
andI…
Heturnedheraroundandslappedhersohar
d
shefel
ltothefl
oor,t
hendraggedherbackup
byherhair
,pi
nchingherj
awwi thhi
sthumband
f
ingert
omakeherl
ookupathi
m.
LANI
:Doy
out
hinkIam st
upi
d,Sesha?Hmm?
SESHA:
No…no,
ofcour
senot
…
LANI
:Theny
ouj
ustt
hinkIam cr
azy
…
Sl
ap,
slap…
LANI:Youdon’
tlov
eme!Youdon’
tgiv
eaf**k
aboutme.Why,Sesha?Why
!Don’
tyougethow
muchIloveyou?
SESHA:
(cr
ying)Pl
ease…Pl
ease…
LANI :Scream allyouwant .Boththe
receptionistgi
rl
,twosecur it
yguards,andthe
onlyguest sinthet wootherchaletsaredead…
bothwer ecouples…sev enliv
es,mylov e…
sevenl iv
esgonebecausey ouareanaught y
girl
…Iwantt ogivey outhewor l
d,Sesha,l
ove
youlikei thasneverbeendone… butwhatdo
youdo?Spi tonmyf aceforit
…
SESHA:
(Cr
ying)Pl
easedon’
tdot
his,
please…
Pal
alani
…I’
m pr
egnant
…
LANI:MorereasonIam goi
ngtoki
lly
ou…the
onl
ychil
drenyouaresupposedtohavear
e
mine.Mine!
Heyel
l
edasheslappedheragai
n,pi
nningher
downtot
hebedandrippi
nghertowelaway…
*
***
***
***
***
***
***
**
Puni
esatinhercar,
crushi
ngthepi
lli
ntothe
mil
kshakeandswishi
ngitaroundt
omi x.
Shesmi
l
edandwal
kedt
othedoor
,knocki
ng.
Cri
ssycamet
oopeni
nherpaj
amas,
rubbi
ng
hereyes.
CRI
SSY:
Oh,
Puni
e.Monki
sst
il
latwor
k…
PUNIE: Oh,i
t’
sok.Iwantedtotal
ktoy
ou.Here,
I
broughtyouami l
kshake.Ihear
dMonksayyou
l
ikemi nt.
Shehandedherami
l
kshakeandpushedher
wayin.
PUNIE:Ijustwantedtotal
kabouthowBoboi s
whenhei shere,i
ncasehei st
oomuchf oryou
tohandle.Iwoul
dn’tbl
amey ouifhei
s,heisnot
aneasychi l
d.
CRI
SSY:
Hei
sok…Idon’
thav
eapr
obl
em wi
th
hi
m.
PUNIE:
Good…good,Iwantforustoall
get
al
ongkana.Dr
inky
ourmilkshakebef
oreit
melt
sandbecomesallsl
ush.
Puni
esmi
l
edasshewat
chedhert
akeasi
p.
PUNI
E:CanIusey
ourt
oil
et?
CRI
SSY:
Sur
e,t
hatsi
de,
justt
hef
ir
stdooront
he
l
eft
.
Puniewalkedinandt i
p-t
oedt ot
hemaster
bedroom, goi
ngtothebathroom, sl
i
ppi
ngthe
pi
llpackagethatst
il
lhadt hesecondpi
lli
ntoa
drawer,underMonk’sshavingki
t.
Sher
anbackt
othel
i
vingr
oom wher
eCr
issy
wasseat
ing.
PUNI
E:Ibet
terl
eave,
kanamysist
erget
sso
fr
ust
rat
edhandl
ingBobo…t
hanksfort
hetal
k.
*
***
***
***
***
***
***
***
***
*
Monkwasinspecti
ngt
henewmachi
nesatwor
k
whenCr
issycal
led.
MONK:
Heybabe,
wassup?
CRI
SSY: Somethi
ngiswrong,Monk…somethi
ng
i
sseriouslywrong.Ihav
ethisext
remepai
nand
Iam bleedingand…
MONK: Iam ont
heway?Yout
hinkyoucan
dr
ive?Icoul
dmeetyouatt
hehospi
tal
.
CRISSY:
I’
m scared…thepi
ncomesandi
t’
sso
st
rongIcanbarelyst
and…
MONK: I
’
m onmyway … Ishoul
dbet her
ein
fi
ft
eenminut
es;I’
ll
tryt
omakei tten.Weare
gonnabeok,babe…wear egonnabeok…
*
***
***
***
***
***
***
***
*
Ar
nopacedaboutcal
l
ingSesha.
Wherethehel
lwasshe?Kart
elhadjustcall
ed
say
ingLaniwasbacki
ntown… whatifhegot
her
?Hehadnoi deai
fshewasjusti
gnoringhim,
ori
ntroubl
e.
Butsomet hi
ngaboutthisfel
twr
ong.Seshawas
neit
hercruelorst
upid.Themomenthelearnt
Laniwasbacki ntown,hehadtr
iedcal
li
ngher,
thensentheralotofpanicmessagesi
nfor
ming
her.
‘
Babe,pl
ease…Iam losingmymindher
e…y ou
knowmyt endencytothinkt
hewor
st…justsms
evenanemojijustt
osayy ouar
eok.Pl
ease
Sesha.
’
Hesentt
hehundr
edt
hmessage…nor
epl
y…
Somethi
ngwaswr
ong…somet
hingwast
err
ibl
y
wrongher
e…
*
***
***
***
***
***
***
***
**
LI
KE,
COMMENT,
SHARE
ATHUG’
SLOVE109

No…no,t
hiscoul
dn’
tbehappeni
ng…no!Not
agai
n.
SeshawhimperedasLani
pushedherl
egsapar
t
wit
hhisknee.
Shef
oughtt
okeept
hem l
ockedt
oget
her
.
Notagai
n…no!No…
Shefel
tthecol
dst
eel
oft
hegunagai
nsther
neck.
LANI:St
opthatsht
,youst
upidbi
ch.Youl
i
teral
ly
coul
dhav ehadi
tall
…nowy ouar
egonnadie…
Shecoul
dpi
ctur
eAr
nohear
ingoft
hedeat
h…
Thatf
oolwasgonnainsistonseei
ngthebody
…
i
twouldtr
aumati
zehim…he’ dprobabl
yki
ll
hi
mself…he’
dbeenthroughsomuch, t
his
woul
dbet
hef
inal
blow…
DeepdownAr nowasver
yfr
agi
lewit
hafeebl
e
self
-esteem…hewoul
dnott
akeit
.Coul
dnot
takeit.
No.
WhatAr
nodi
dwashor
ri
ble,
yes,
butshe’
dnev
er
knownl
ovel
i
ket
hat
…
Shewasn’
treadytogiveitup,
theybot
h
deser
vedanotherchance…
No.
Pal
alanihastakensomuchfrom t
hem…she
wasn’tl
ett
inghim hav
ethei
rli
fet
oo…
Butwhatcoul
dshedo?Hel
i
ter
all
yhadagunt
o
herhead.
Shewhimperedatt
heint
rusi
onashepushed
i
ntoherandkeptmovi
ng…
Hewaslosttoal
lthat
…thegunst
art
edeasi
ng
awayf
rom herneck.
Shegr
abbedthewatergl
assfr
om t
hesi
det
abl
e
andsmasheditonhi
shead…
Thattookhim bysur
pri
se,
maki
ngt
hegunf
all
totheside.
Shegrabbedtheglasspi
eceandstr
ucki
tonhi
s
neck,t
hebloodspurti
ngi
ntoherf
aceashe
gaspedforbreat
h.
Shepushedhi
m of
fofherandcr
ouchedov
er
hi
m.
Shepul
l
edthegl
assshardandstr
uckhim agai
n
asshet
houghoft
herecept
ioni
stgir
l…
Shewassosweet …t hehadt alkedwhenSesha
checkedi n.Shehadr ecognizedSeshaf r
om the
businesssemi narsandI nst
agram… andhad
askedf orajobast hi
sonepai npeanuts…she
wasonl ytwenty -
oneandhadanei ghtmont
hs
olddaught er… nowthatdaught erwas
motherless,becausesheknewf orsuret
his
psychowasn’ tlyi
ng.He’dkill
edt hem.
OfFadzwawhost i
llhashangupsaboutmenin
closeproxi
mity,
aft
erwhatshewitnessedal
l
thoseyearsback…
OfArno…whowasabsol
utel
ybrokenwhenthey
fi
nal
l
ygotheraf
tert
hefi
rstt
imethispsy
cho
t
ookher…
OfLokiwhowasrobbedofherpar
ent
s,t
hrown
awayli
ketr
ash…
Butmostofall,ofeverysingl
ethingthi
sman
hadeverputherthrough.Heabsol ut
elybroke
her…ki
dnappedher ,rapedher,beatherup…
madeherlive-
infearorhim…andnowhewas
gonnakil
lher.
Every
thi
ngthatwentwr
ongi
nherl
i
fewas
becauseofthi
sman.
Lani
hadtodi
e.Thatwast
heonl
ywasshe
woul
deverbefr
ee.
Wit
hev er
ythought,shest
abbedandscreamed
i
npainedhowls,butkeptgoi
ngunti
lhehad
st
oppedmovi
ngandhekeptst
abbi
ngmor e,
pi
cki
ngupanot
hergl
assshar
dandstabbed.
Shewascompletel
ybat
hedinbl
ood,her
ref
lect
ioni
nthemir
rormaki
nghershakei
n
horror
.
God,
whathadshedone?OhGod…ohGod,
oh
God…
Youhav
esety
our
sel
ffr
ee…
Heri
nnerv
oicewhi
sper
ed.
Herhandsshooksobadasshet
ookherphone
anddial
ed.
*
***
***
***
***
***
**
Neel
oarri
vedhomewit
hherl
it
tl
esqueezefor
t
henightandst
art
edki
ssi
nghi
mi nt
heliv
ing
r
oom.
Thekidswer
ewithhermot
her
,soshehadt
he
weekendtoher
sel
f.
Ast
heguypushedheront
othesof
aandr
ipped
herblouseoff
,thedooropenedandtheki
ds
rushedin,wi
thReubenbehindthem.
Neelopushedt
heguyof
fandpul
l
edbackon
herblouse.
RUE:
Whatt
he…Reo,
Shasha,
toy
ourr
ooms!
Now.
Theki
dsr
anof
ftot
hei
rroomsandRuel
ooked
att
heguy
.
RUE:
F**
kof
f…
GUY:
Whot
hef
**kdoy
out
hink…
Ruepul
l
edagun.
RUE:
Notint
hemood.I
’l
lbeatupyourl
it
tl
eass
someot
herdayi
fyouf
eell
ikeit
.F**
k.Off
.
NEELO:
Excusey
ou,
howdar
eyou…
RUE:Youarenotgonnapull
t hi
shoshtwher
e
mykidsli
ve!Wenakeril
efotsheke!Ar
eyoust
il
l
her
e?Out!
Hecockedthegunandt hegunranoutbaref
oot
,
hol
dinghi
st-shi
rtbyhand,Ruet
hrowingthe
guy
’sshoesathim.
NEELO:
Whot
hehel
ldoy
out
hinky
ouar
e!
RUE:
Thi si
sthet
hir
doneinIsawyouwithina
mont
h, Neel
o!Whatthef
**kdoyout
hinkyou
ar
edoing?
NEELO:Noneofy
ourbusi
ness,
whatar
eyou
doi
nghere?
RUE:Yourmom call
edmet ocomepi ckt
hem
upwhenshecouldn’tr
eachyou.Youraunt’
s
husbandj
ustpassedandyourmom want edto
consol
eher.
NEELO:Andshej
usthadt
ocallherper
fectson
i
nlawwhom shewontadmiti
sagangsterand
acheat
,nnaIam t
hebadone.
RUE:Youweren’tansweri
ngyourphone.Soshe
cal
ledme.Iwentt odropheri
nTatit
obewi t
h
youraunt
.Ibeentryi
ngtocall
andtelly
ouIam
br
ingi
ngt
he.
NEELO:Fi
ne.Youdr
oppedthem,nowleav
e.You
havenori
ghtdoi
ngthatt
omyv i
sit
or.
RUE:Youarechangi
ngyoungboy
slike
under
wear!Whatthehel
ldoyout
hinkyouar
e
doi
ng?
NEELO:Youareonetot
alk!Di
dn’
tyouatsome
poi
nthavetwoorthr
eesl
ayqueensanight?
RUE:Andwher edidt hatgetme,Neelo?Wher e?
Iseemykidsf oranhouraweek.Af **kinghour!
Andthat
’si
fy ouar einagoodmood.Il ostthe
womanIlove…Ihadt ostar
tfr
om zero,ifit
wasn’
tformybr others,I’
dbelivi
nginthe
str
eet
s!Iwentt ojail
…Neel o…inther
e…t hi
ngsI
hadtogothrough…
NEELO:Boo-hoo.DoIneedtostoplivi
ngmylif
e
becauseReubenhadithar
d?Ihadi thard,
ok?
Allmyf**
kingli
fe!ToomuchpressurewhenI
wasakid,becauseIwassupposedt obethe
onewhobecomesadoct orandmakesmy
mom pr oudwhi lemysi bl
ingsgotal
lthesl
ack
because‘wear enotbl essedthesame,Neel
o,
youhavet hebr ains,MonicaandAnni
ehavethe
beauty’
.Like,whatt hef**kist
hat,
Igrewup
wit
hlowsel f-esteem becausemymom
basi
call
yt oldmeIwasugl y
!
REUBEN:
Iam sor
ryshedi
dthat
.
NEELO: …Pressur ef r
om myt eachersbecauseI
wast hewellmanner edonewhobr i
ngsschool
medal sfr
om school fai
rs.Andwhathappens
whenIf ail
becauset heonlypersonwhoev er
tr
eatedmer i
ghtdi ed…becauseIl ostmyf ather
i
nat ragicwayr ightwhenexamsst arted,which
mademedepr essedandsui cidal
?Mymot her
hatesandbul l
iesmebecauseshenol onger
getsachancet obr agaboutherdoct or
daughter.
Shepausedt
owi
pet
ear
s…
NEELO: Andtheny oucomeal ong…Reuben…
youcomeal ongandmakemef eelv
isibl
e
again…youmakemel ov
ey ou…Igiv
ey oumy
all
…Iam thereaty ourweakest…andwhatdo
youdowheny ougetbackup?Takemef ora
fool
!F**keveryt
hingthatmov es…stealf
rom
me…l eavemepr egnant,br
okeandhomel ess…
REU:I
’mr
eal
l
ysor
ry…Iwi
shIcoul
dtakei
tal
l
back…
NEELI :Well,youcan’t
, canyou?Ihadt or ai
se
twoki dsonmyown… myl i
fehasbeenwor k
andki ds,becauseIhadt obebot hmot herand
fathertothem…Ihav en’thadaper sonal l
if
e.
Nev erdid,nevergottodowhatnor mal kidsdid,
notwhatnor mal t
eensdi d,notwhatnor mal
youngadul tsdid.Myl ifehasalwaysbeen
pressure,pressure,pressure!Iam ti
redofbei ng
agoodgi r
l whoobey sandf oll
owst herules.Le
nnaIwantt oliv
e!Iam 31andl if
epassedme
by…
Shewi
pedt
het
ear
sthatr
andownherf
ace.
NEELO: Iam lonely…andhur tingbecauseIsee
youev ery
dayandwhatt hehel l didyougetfor
hurti
ngme?Thr eewar m meal onat axpayer’
s
money …ithur t
s,Reuben…i thur tsthatyouget
tobreakmyhear tandt henj ustwal t
zbackinto
ourli
feandt hekidst hinky ouar ethebestthi
ng
sincefir
e…mymot hert hinksIam abadwoman
fornottakingyouback, anddamnnear
everybodythinkIam badf orwant ingyouto
hurt…howi sitthaty oubr eakmyhear tandget
tobet hegoodguy , huh?Al lIev erdidwasl ove
you!Youar etheonewhodeser vestobe
hurti
ngandl onely.
RUE: (
sadly
)Iam… andIam hurt
ing,Neelo…
seeingwhatIdidt
oyou… t
heonlyper sonwho
al
way ssawmeev enwhenIfelti
nvisi
ble…I
missy ousomuch…I’
mlonelyevenwhenIam
aroundpeople…
NEELO:
Got
ohel
l
.Getout
!Out
!Out
!
Hemov
edcloserandpull
edherint
oahug,
his
t
ear
swett
ingthetopofherhead.
RUE:
I’
m sosor
ry…I
’
m sor
ry.
.
NEELO: (
softl
y)Youchanged, Reuben.Pr i
son
hardenedyou… myReubenwoul dnev erpulla
gunonsomeoneandt hr
eatentobeatt hem up…
myReubenwaski nd,soft…ful
lofjoy…y ouare
nothim.AndIdon’ tknowifIcanev erl
ov eyou
againevenifIeverforgi
veyou…
REU:Imessedupandmywi f
elef
tme,Ibarel
y
seemyki ds… Igotr
apedinpri
sonNeelo,do
youknowwhatdoest hatt
osomeone?Howdo
youexpectmet ohaveanyjoywhenmylif
eis
suchatrainwreck?
*
***
***
**
Arnorant
othecarwhi
l
eSeshawasst
il
lont
he
phone.
Her
eachedthepl
acein30mi nut
es,
noti
cing
t
heguar
dsthatwereshotdead,i
napooli
f
bl
oodint
hecorr
idor
,thenarecept
ioni
st
sl
umpedonthecounterwi
thblooddri
ppi
ng
down.
Herant
otheroom Seshasai
dshewasat
,and
f
oundheri
nsi
de.
Shesatnumbandshaki
ng,
asAr
nohuggedher
.
Itt
ookheral
mostanhourbeforeshecoul
d
evennot
icehi
spresenceandtal
k…
SESHA:He…herapedme,Arno…again….He
wasgonnakil
lme…Ihadto…Icouldn’
tlethi
m
ki
llmebecauset
henyouwil
lbeall
aloneand…
ARNO: Youdidtherightt
hing,
babe…youdid
ther
ightthi
ng…I t
’sok…it’
sok,wearegoi
ngto
makethisalr
ight…it
’sok…
Hecl
eanedherf
aceandhand,
gav
eherafr
esh
t
owel
,andthenputsomebl
oodal
lov
erhi
msel
f.
SESHA:
Whatar
eyoudoi
ng?
ARNO:
Thi
swassel
f-
def
ense,
buti
nanycase
theytr
ytowi ggl
eitoutoft
hatandgof or
manslaughterbecauseoft
hemulti
plestabs,
somewhi chmaybepostmor tem,I
’l
ltakethe
fal
l…
SESHA:
No…no…
ARNO: Itwil
lhighlyl
i
kelyjustgowi t
hsel f-
defense,pl
ust emporaryinsani
ty,butjustin
case… besides,Sesha,peoplelookyou
diff
erentwhent heythi
nky ouareaki l
l
er ,i
twil
l
bet oomuchf oryou…y ouar enotakiller
…y ou
areasur vi
vor,
butpeopl emaynotunder stand
that.Wehav et odoitthisway…
SESHA:
(sobbi
ng)Ok…
ARNO: Wecameher etot
ryandsor tourt hi
ngs
ouraswebeenf i
ghti
ng…wewer esl eeping
whenheusedt hekeyandcamei nside.He
att
acked…heldmeatgunpoi nt
,pinnedy ou
down...t
hreat
enedtoshootyouifIdid
anythi
ng…that
’swhenIgrabbedthegl assand
brokei
t,wentforhi
sneck…i twasallj
usttoo
muchforme, whathehadputust hrough….
Whathedidtoy ou…Ijustkeptgoi
ng…y outhi
nk
youcansellt
hatstor
y?
SESHA:
Yes…
ARNO:
Ok,
I’
ll
cal
lthepol
i
ce.
*
***
***
***
***
***
***
Monkdr ovebackhomeandsati nt hei
rbed,as
alonetearrandownhi scheek.Crissywas
absolut
elydistr
aughtbytheloss.Shecouldn’t
stopcryi
ng…t hedoctorshadtosedat eherfor
theD&Ct ocleanoutheruterus.Shewasf inal
l
y
asleepfr
om t hesedat
ive.
Hegothomeandwentt ot
heshower ,r
ubbing
hisfaceashenot i
cedhisbeardneededalitt
le
tri
mmi ng,gehadabi gmeeti
ngt omor
row.Not
thathewant edt
oev engo,butthenur
ses
wouldn’tl
ethim st
ayinCri
ssy’shospi
talr
oom
allt
het i
me.
Heopenedt
hedr
awerandt
ookouthi
sshav
ing
set
…
Wai
t,whatwast
hat
…
MaybeCri
ssy
’s…somet
imeshert
hingsf
ell
in
hi
sdrawer
s.
Hepi
ckedi
tupandr
ead…
Thenamewasf
ami
l
iar
… hemusthav
ehear
dit
somewher
e.
No…i
tcoul
dn’
tbe.
Het
ooki
tandsatont
hebed,
googl
i
ng.
No,
shewoul
dn’
t…t
heyagr
eed…Cr
issywoul
dn’
t.
F*
*k!
Soshefoundawayt ogettheabort
ionshe
wantedandhavehim notblameherfori
t,huh.
Shewasreal
lygonnapretendthi
swasa
miscar
ri
age,notanabort
ion?
*
***
***
***
***
***
***
**
Ronsatr
eadi
ngLuba’
smessage.
Sht
…
Thathadbeenv erydumb…butman, she
missedLubasomuch…ev eryt
hingthehad…the
l
ate-ni
ghtconv
er sat
ions,thesex,t
hel ov
e
making,t
hebond…hel l
,she’
dmadet henomad
i
nherwantt odot hewhol ehomet hi
ng.
ButLubawantedKartandwasbet t
eroffwit
h
him.Ever
ythi
ngwasbackinordernow, and
oncetheyweredonewithDoll
aandLani and
ever
yonewassafe,shewasgonnadi p.Four
year
sinoneplacewaswayt oolongforher
anyway.
Ther
ewasaknock,
thenKar
tel
wal
kedi
n.
RON:Ey
,wassup…gr
ababeerf
rom t
hef
ri
dge,
getmeonetoo…
KARTEL:
Didy
ousl
eepwi
thmyf
iancée?
RON:
What
?
KARTEL:
Didy
ousl
eepwi
thLuba?
RON:Man,
f**
kyou.Whatt
hehel
ldoy
out
ake
mefor
?
KARTEL:
Answerthedamnquest
ion.Di
dyou
sl
eepwit
hmyfiancée?
RON: No,Kgat halo,Ididnotsleepwithyou
fi
ancée.F* *ky ouforevent hi
nkingt
hat.Imade
sureshedi dn’tbreakwheny ouwerelocked
up…y ourealizeIdidt i
mebecauseofy ou?Iam
f*
*kingput t
ingmyl i
featriskbecauseofy ou
fi
ghtingyourl i
ttl
epissingcontestwit
hDol la.
Becauset hat’swhatf am does…andy ouaccuse
meoft hi
ssht ?Man, f**kyou…
KARTEL:
Ijust
…yousenthert
hisphot
o…
RON:Thephot
ofr
om t
henightshewashaving
i
text
remel
ybadandIcal
medhert osl
eep?
KARTEL:
Andasel
fi
ewasnecessar
ybecause?
Legonewhyar
eyousendi
ngi
tnow?
RON: Youareactinglikeali
tt
lebich, andquiet
frankl
y,If
inditbori
ng.Inthemor ningwe
reali
zedwehadt hesamehai rstyle…wet ooka
selfi
e…laughedabouti t
,howwehadat adof
resemblance,howy ouhaveat ype, seem to
prefert
all
,darkskinbeauti
es…myphonehas
toomanyphot osandIwasdel eti
ngsomewhen
Icameacr ossthis,t
houghtshemi ghtwantt hat
,
soIsentit…doest hatanswery ourquestions?
KARTEL:Iam nottr
ipping,Ron.I
fsomebody
sentEapict
uresofherselfwit
hhiminbed,
wouldn’
tyouhavequest i
ons?
RON:No…becauseIam notani
nsecur
eli
tt
le
bi
ch.
KARTEL:(si
gh)I
’
m sorr
y…forgetthi
shappened.
Ihavetogohome.ImighthaveaccusedLuba
ofcheati
ngandtol
dherIwascomi ngher
eto
confr
ontyou.
RON:
Shedeser
vesbet
tert
hant
hat
,Kar
t…she
wasgoneonl ythreey earsandy ouhadachi l
d
andal mostgotmar r
ied.Thegi rlwai
tedf or
you…notev enmessedwi t
hasi ngl
eni gga.Not
ev enaoneni ghtstand, asfarasIknow.AndI
spental otoftimewi thher ,soI’
dknow.She
treatsyoulikeaking, respectf
ul… arider…and
youmi ghtnotseei t,butshesubmi t
st oyou,
l
ikey oualway swantedi nawoman…y ougota
realone,man.Someofuscanonl ywish,so,
don’tf**kitup.
KARTEL: Youareright,al
ri
ght,l
etmehead
home.Ar noiscall
ing.Lanii
sintown,andhi
s
wifehasr unoff
,soourboyi ssuperonedge.I
havepeopl ecal
li
nghot el
saroundtownto
checkisshei st
her e.I
fanyt
hingisgoi
ngdown,
I’
l
lletyouknow.
Aft
erhel
eft
,shesi
ghedi
nrel
i
efandt
ext
ed
Luba.
‘
al
lcl
ear
…don’
tfor
gett
odel
etet
hismessage.
’
‘
Nomor
eri
skymessagesRon.Wear
edone.
’
‘
Goti
t…ni
ghtl
i
ttl
erose’
*
***
***
***
*
LI
KE,
COMMENT,
SHARE
ATHUG’
SLOVE110
Kartel
walkedint
othepol
icest
ati
onandtal
ked
totheoff
icer
,wholedhi
mt oanint
err
ogati
on
room whereArnowasseati
ng.
KARTEL:Thef*
*kdi
dn’
tyoucal
lmebef
oret
he
pol
ice,
Arnol
d!
ARNO: Ij
ust…Ihadto…herdebi tcardwas
chargedther
e…itwoul
dmakeusl ookguilt
yif
hercardsaysshewasthere,butwej ustleft
…
plusther
ewasadi f
fer
entguar dondut yearl
ier
whosawher …toomuchalr eadyplacedherat
thescene.
KARTEL:Igett
hat.Buty
oudon’thav
etodeal
wit
hshtalone,
Arno.Yougotf
am now…anyway,
Ihav ethebestpeopl eonthi
s…t heythinky ou
aregonnawal kwi thoutti
me.Afterthe
continuedabuset hismanhadt oy ouandy our
wife…chasi ngy oual lt
hewayt oSeychelles…
andt her eceptionv ideosofhim shooti
ngt he
receptionist.Plushi smurderouspast …
guarant eeyouar egonnawal kifitevengoest o
tri
al.Ipai dbail,youar egonnabeoutby
evening…
ARNO:
Thanks,
man…
KARTEL:
Youcal
lmefir
st,
Ar no!Ok…shtl
i
ke
thi
sgodown,
youcal
lmefirst!
ARNO:
Wil
ldo.Howi
sSesha?
KARTEL:I nthehospit
al…thebabyi
sok…
Seshai shurt
ing,
man…Lubai swit
hher ,butshe
needsy ou.That’
swhyIhavetohavey ououtby
evening,l
atest…sheneedsyou.Man,Icouldkil
l
thatbastardagai
n!Damnit!
*
***
***
***
***
***
***
**
RuewokeupbesidesNeel
owhowasst
il
l
sl
eepi
ngpeacef
ull
y,onhi
sarms.
God,
didhehav
etol
ear
nthehar
dwayl
i
ket
his?
Thekidshadbeenupsetaf
terov
erhear
ingt
hem
argue,andhest
ayedtohel
phersett
let
hem.
Thentheysatf
oragl
assofwi
neandshegott
o
vent
,andnowhefel
tevenwor
se.
Hedi dn’
thav emuchofagoodchi l
dhood, but
hecoul di
magi nelosi
ngyourfatherandf ail
i
ng
examswheny oupri
dedyoursel
finacademi cs,
onlytohery ourownmot herbul
lyy ouforit
dail
y…henev erknewhowbadi thadbeen…she
hadsai doncehermot hertol
dhersi nceshei sa
uselessfai
lure,sheshoul
dgosel lhersel
fand
helpwiththef amil
yfi
nance.
Andnowbeingblamedf
orhi
smist
akes?Her
aunt
saski
ngherwhatshel
ackedf
orhimtogo
l
ookfori
toutsi
de…
Thet
alkhadl
edt
oal
otofcr
yingandhuggi
ng…
andothert
hings.Andnowtheywerebot
h
nakedunderthesheet
saft
eraverygoodni
ght
.
Sher
ubbedherey
esandl
ookedupathi
m wi
th
asmil
e.
NEELO:
Thismeansnot
hing,
Reuben…Ican’
t
f
orgi
veyou…
REUBEN: Won’t
…y ouwon’tf
orgi
veme.Andyou
haveeveryr
ightnotto…ifi
t’
sokwit
hyou,I
’d
l
iketostayf
orbr eakf
ast
.
NEELO:
(smi
l
ing)Onl
yify
oumakei
t…
REUBEN:(
laughing)Ok,
butnocompl
aini
ng
aboutmycooking!Youeatwhaty
ougetand
youli
kei
t!
Hesai
dashepul
l
edonhi
spant
s…
NEELO:
Rue?
REUBEN:
Yea?
NEELO: I
’
m sor
ryabout
…whathappenedt
oyou
i
nprison…
Hel ookeddownuncomfort
ably
,li
kehewoul
d
breakanymoment …shefel
tsobadforhim…
howhar ditmusthav
ebeent oevent
ell
her
that…
NEELO:Anyway
,ChefReubenRamsey
,whatar
e
youspoi
li
nguswit
htoday?
REUBEN:
Ohh,gi
rl
,youarei
nforat
reat
…
mafr
eshandr
ussians.
NEELO: (l
aughing)Don’tactl i
kewehav eany
otherchoice,t
hat’sli
teral
l
yal lyoucanmake
decent.Ididn’
twantt ohurty ourfeel
ingsbefore,
butf**kyourfeeli
ngs, y
ourf atcakesareboth
burntandunder cookedatt hesamet i
me.I t
’s
l
ikeeatingburntflour
.Theysuck.
REUBEN:(
laughi
ng)Ouch!Goi
ngf
ort
heki
l
l,
ar
en’ty
ou?
NEELO:(l
aughing)Somet i
mesyourpotat
o
chi
psarealit
tl
ebi t
terbecauset
heyare
over
cooked…andt hesausagesaretoooil
y…
REUBEN:
Damn,y
ouarebr
utal
,woman!Thati
s
l
it
eral
l
ymysi
gnat
uremeal
…
Hesaidashethrewapil
lowather,
maki
ngher
l
augh.God,hehadmissedthi
ssomuch.He’
d
gi
vehisl
if
et omakethi
slastf
orev
er.
Theki
dscamer unni
ngi
ntoNeel
o’sbedr
oom
andhuggedReuben.
REO:
Daddyi
scooki
ngf
orus?Yay
!
NEELO:Il
it
eral
l
ymakef
ive-
starmeal
s!Wher
eis
my‘yay
’!
CHARLOTTE:Butthat
’swhatyoudomama, so
i
t’
snotspeci
al,
it’
sspeci
albecausei
tsdaddy
maki
ngit.
REUBEN: Thatisnotnice,Shasha… mamadoes
awhol elotmor ethatcookf oryou,y
oul i
tt
le
rascals.Thousandsofpeopl eactual
lywatch
mama’ svideostolear
ncooki ngfrom her
,shei
s
veryspecial…andev eryt
hingshedoesf oryoui
s
special.Youbetternotforgetthat
.Ok?
CHARLOTTE:
Okdaddy
…I’
l
lhel
pyoucook…
comeon.
Theyfol
lowedRuet otheki t
chenexcit
edly,and
Neel
osatwat chingthem sadly
.Thiswasa
mist
ake.Itconfusedeveryone,especi
all
ythe
ki
ds.Shecouldnev ertr
ustRueagai n,
andwhat
i
sar el
ati
onshipwi t
houttr
ust?
Andithurtali
ttl
ethathecomesi nhereand
makefricki
ngburntpotatochipsandsausage
andallofasuddenhei schefWol fgangor
somethingtothekids,yetsheslavesfort
hem
ever
ydayandnev erev
enget sa‘thankyou’
.
Buttheywer esohappy …shealwaysknewthey
fel
tit
, nothavi
ngadad.Especiall
yReowhohad
l
ivedwi thhi
m before,
experi
encedwhatagreat
dadhewasbef oreall
thestuf
fhappened.Now
theylookedforwardtothei
rti
mewi thhi
ml i
kei
t
wasgoi ngtoDisney.
Andt
hehonestt
alkwi
thRuemadeherr
eal
i
ze
shehadissuesfrom wayback.Thingsshe
neededtosolvewit
hherownmot herinor
derto
beabet t
ermom.Shehadt ogotalktohermom
befor
eshelosthernerve.Sheatl
eastdeserv
ed
anapologyforhowhermom t r
eatedher.
*
***
***
***
***
***
***
*
PoorSesha.Shewasacompl
etemess…
Thedoct orhadj
ustr
eleasedherasthebaby
wasfine,shewasgivensomeanxi et
yand
st
ressmanagementmedi cat
ion,
andinst
ruct
ed
onbedr est…
Wesatpacki
nghert
hingst
ogohome.
SESHA:
I…Idi
ditLuba,
itwasme,
I…
Icover
edhermout
hwi
thmyhandbef
ore
anyonehear
dher
.
ME:
Shhh!Ar
noknowswhathei
sdoi
ng!
SESHA:
Buti
fhegoest
ojai
l
…
ME:
Thel
awy
erssay
sther
eisl
esst
hanone
percentofthathappeni ng.Atwor sthewi ll
geta
sentenceputasi de.Ev eryonehasar i
ghttosel f
-
defense.Ther eisfoot ageofthatSat an
shootingther eceptionist,
andhisbul letsare
alsowhatkilledt heguar dsandt heot her
couples…andt heresti sgonnagot ot emporary
i
nsanity…hel osti t
.Whowoul dn’t,whenaki ll
er
hastor mentedy ourwi feforyears?Ipr omise
you,babe,Ar noldisgonnabej ustfine…
Ireal
l
yhopedwhatIwassayi
ngwasthetrut
h,
becauseifAr
nowentt
ojai
l,
thi
spoorgi
rlwas
gonnabreak.
Neel
owal
kedi
nandSeshal
ookedatherwi
tha
smal
lsmi
l
e.
SESHA:
Yougotsomed*
*k,
didn’
tyou?
Isi
l
entl
ythankedwhateverhi
gherpowerthat
wasoutther
ef ort
hedist
ract
ion,
atleastSesha
wastr
yingtogetbacktonormal.
ME:
Honey
,thi
shobeenget
ti
ngy
oungashel
l
d*
*kont
her
eg…Iam t
alki
ng21-
year
-ol
dyoung.
SESHA:
Sht
…whyam Ikeptoutoft
hel
oop.
NEELO:(
laughi
ng)Luba,
mindy
ourbusi
ness,
so
shoul
dyou,Sesha…
ME:ItwasReuben,wasn’
tit
?Theseyoungboys
nev
ergetyouallgi
ddyli
keyouareri
ghtnow…
SESHA: Neelo!No…hecheatedony ouwithslay
queens.Slayqueens,Neel
o!Slayqueens!That
i
sadi f
ferentlevel
ofdisr
espect!
NEELO:(l
aughi
ng)Neversai
ditwashim,
leav
e
mealone,bi
ches.Howareyou,hon?
SESHA: Try
ingtodist
ractmyself
…myhusband
can’
tgot ojai
lagai
n,hejustcan’
t…Ineedhim…
Iam notokatall…anyway,canwetalkabout
somethingelse?
NEELO:
Iam gonnagetanapol
ogy…fr
om my
mom.Forhowsheraisedandt
reat
edme.
Bot
hSeshaandLubabr
okei
ntof
it
sofl
aught
er.
SESHA:Babe,di
dyouf **
ksowhi
teboywho
gaveyouthosesi
ll
yideas?
NEELO:Whyisaski
ngf
oranapol
ogysi
l
ly?I
t’
s
i
mportantt
ome!
ME: Uhm,sweetie?Af r
icanparent
sdon’t
apol
ogize.Especial
l
ynotmma- Moni
ca.So,l
et
mejustburstthatli
tt
ledi cmati
zedbubbl
eyou
arei
nbecausey ouai ntgetti
ngnothi
ngofthe
sort
.
*
***
***
***
***
***
*
Monkwalkedintothehospital
room,where
Cri
ssyhadjustgotdressedandwasr eadyt
ogo
home.Hethrewthepi l
latherangr
il
y.
MONK: Whyl i
e,huh?Whypretendi
twasa
miscarr
iage?Wast hi
syourwaytogetawi
n.
Abortandnotloseme?
CRI
SSY:
Huh?Wher
edi
dyougett
his?
MONK:
I’
m notani
diot
,Cr
yst
al!Youabor
tedmy
babyl
i
key
ouwant
edt
o,t
hencr
iedwol
f.
CRI
SSY:
IswearIdi
dn’
t…
MONK: Becauseabor
ti
onpi
l
lsj
ustr
andoml
y
appear
edinourbathr
oom?
CRISSY:Monk,
Isweart
hati
snotmi
ne…I
swear…
MONK: I
t’
sonet hi
ngt
ochoosetokil
lmychil
d
sinceIcan’tst
opyou…buttogoabouti
tin
suchadecept i
veway?Idon’
tevenknowwho
youarerightnow.
Hesai
dashewal
kedout
.
CRISSY:Monkwait
…please…Isweart
hisi
snot
mine,Idon’
tknowhowitgott
here…Monk,
pl
ease…
MONK: Youar
eval
i
arandababyki
l
ler
…I’
m
done.
CRI
SSY:(cr
ying)Monk,
don’
tdot
his…pl
ease…
pl
ease…
Hej
ustwal
kedof
fasshet
ri
edt
orunaf
terhi
m.
*
***
***
***
***
***
***
***
***
***
***
Puni
ewatchedMonkleavethehospi
tal
alone.
Shegoti
nhercarandtr
ail
edhim atadi
stance.
Heparkedatsomebarheandhi sboysfr
equent
,
andsatforadri
nk.Shefixedhersel
fandpar
ked
hercar
,thenwalkedtowardshim.
PUNIE:Daydr
inki
ngrragweBobo?Kar
ebo
busi
nessmenthelaakola.
MONK:
Noti
nthemood…
PUNIE:
Ijo…Iwasgoi
ngt
othebutcher
ywhenI
sawyou,thenhav
eni
cemeatcut
shere…Monk,
arey
ouok?
Shesai
dasshepul
l
edachai
randsatdown.
PUNI
E:Monk,
what
’swr
ong?
MONK: Ij
ust
…I ’
m goi
ngthroughahar
dtime
r
ightnowPunie,andIwanttobeal
one.
PUNIE:
Alri
ght
…butyoul
ookl
i
key
oucoul
dtal
k
tosomeone.I
’
m her
e…
MONK: Il
i
teral
l
yjustsaidIwantt
obeal
one,
for
f
**ksake,l
eavemeal one!
Heyel
ledandpunchedt
hetabl
e,bef
ore
downi
nghisbeerandwal
ki
ngofftohiscar
.
PUNIE:Ohwel l,shewil
ltr
yagain.Thi
swasthe
ti
met ogetcloset ohi
m, whenhewasangryat
Cri
ssyandv ulnerabl
e.
Herphoner
angandshepi
ckedup.
PUNI
E:Luna?
Sheli
stenedf
orabit
,thenthephonesl
idof
fher
handsandfel
ltot
hegr oundasshescr
eamed.
Monkcamer
unni
ngbackt
oher
…
MONK:
Puni
e…Puni
e?What
’swr
ong?
*
***
***
***
***
***
***
*
LI
KE,
COMMENT,
SHARE
ATHUG’
SLOVE111

Ear
li
ert
hatday
…
Bobocameoutofhisbedr
oom togethi
mselfa
snack.Hecoul
dhearhi
sauntLunaarr
ivi
ngand
tal
ki
ngt ohi
smom.
LUNA: WenammaPuni e!Whythehel
ldoesa
13y earol
dneedababysit
ter
!Monnahelao
togangatswadi
tedu!
PUNIE:Lunayouknowhowheisaker
e.Idon’
t
knowwhatIdidtoGoddeser
veachil
dli
ke
thi
s… heissodif
fi
cul
t.
LUNA:
ButIadmi
rey
ourdedi
cat
ion…
PUNI E:Whatot herchoicedoIhav e..I
fMonk
wasn’ tdroppingawhol esalaryonmej ustt
o
takecar eofhi m, IswearI’
dj ustupandleav
e
oneday .I
’mt i
red, Luna.Kanahecanj ust
scream orhi thisheadagai nstthewall.Hecan’
t
evengot onor malschoolsincasehehashi s
ragefit
sorhi ssensoryissueskicki nandhe
start
sscr eami nghislungsoutfreaki ngout
otherkidsorGodknowswhatt hehel lel
seis
wrongwi tht hatchi
ld.Weusedt osendhi mt o
daycar ewhenhewasl it
tl
e,abet sa,alomaba
bangwe, alway sscreaming… theyki ckedhim
out.Monkhi redpri
vatetutors…itonl yget
worseashegr ows.Hei smor eviolent,more
demandi ng,al otmoresensor yissues.Nowhe
doesn’tev enspeak!
LUNA:Golomool ebogomahela.Bobowasn’t
bornmute,al
lofasuddenhecan’tspeak?He
j
ustdoesn’
twantto.Beathi
m andseei fhewi
l
l
tal
k.
PUNIE:(
sadly)Hisdoctorssayit’
sar eal
thi
ng
mma.Histalkingcouldcomeback, orhecould
bemuteforever.TotaLuna,i
fIhadt ohavea
def
ecti
vechil
d, coul
dn’ti
tatleasthavebeen
downssyndromeorsomet hi
ngl i
kethatka
bonegankekebonabal edi
ngal
o.Theyjust
seatquietandkeeptothemsel
ves.Boboishel
l
,
therearedayswhereIdownri
ghthatehi
m.And
Ifeelsoashamedofit.
LUNA:Shem… Puniemma.Youdosuchagood
j
obwit
hhi m,
it’
sthefi
rstt
imeIev
erheary
ou
compl
ain.
PUNIE:Iam justsot
ir
edwenaLuna… Il
ovemy
chi
l
d, Ido… butsometi
mesIimagi
nehowmuch
bet
termyl i
fewouldbewit
houthi
m.
LUNA:
Ijo!Ler
wel
emat
hokoboPuni
e.
PUNI E:Ican’
tevendat
e,whatmanwoul dwant
awomanwi t
hadefecti
vechil
dli
ket
his?He
doesn’tevendowellwit
hnewpeople,itset
s
him off
.Kegor ekeboel
erragwehel
akaeneo
twaetse… ah…
LUNA:
Isn’
thewi
tht
hatf
atwhi
tegi
rl
?
PUNI
E:WhatdoIcareaboutt
hatho?Ineeda
manLuna,
andit
’sbestIt
akeyoit
sengmat hat
a
ame.Gat
weshei
spr
egnantenengwany
ana
wat
eng?
LUNA: Theyseem i
nlov
e,whati
far
ewany
ala
becauseofthebaby?
PUNI E:(
smili
ng)Ar esheisabort
ing…t
hisismy
chancebecauseMonkwi l
ldumpheraft
ershe
aborts… andI’
llberi
ghttheret
opickupthe
pieces.Ibet
terheadoff.I
’l
lbebackinabit
.
Thanksf orwatchi
nghim.
*
***
***
***
Pr
esent
…
Kesegowalkedi
ntot
hei
rhomewi
thabunchof
shoppi
ngbags.
NKEMI:Youj
ustspentP12000i
noneshoppi
ng
t
ri
p!Igotanot
if
icat
ion.
KESEGO: Mama’sli
vingroom needsupdates…
theycan’
tbehosti
ngy ourfamil
yinthoseold
chair
s,soIboughtnewsof askaP8000, t
hena
f
ewl
i
ttl
ethi
ngs…
NKEMI :Youar
enotacti
ngli
keanaccount
antat
all
…y ouknowwehav en’
tst
art
edmakingprof
it
yet… andkahayouwantanexpensi
veweddi
ng.
KESEGO: Iam notdumb,Iknowweneedt o
startmakingprof
it
… butthesear
enecessar
y
purchasesNkemi… Idon’
twantmymot her
embar r
assedduri
ngmagadi .
TherewadaknockandKartel
walkedi
nrol
l
ing
Kat’
swheelchai
rast
helaughed.
KAT:Mom,
itwasawesome!Ipl
ayedf
oot
bal
l
wit
hmywheel
s!Daddyhel
pedme!
KESEGO: (
laughi
ng)Looksl
i
kefunwashad…
andicecream appar
entl
y…Kar
tel
!It
oldy
ou,no
snacks.
KARTEL:(l
aughi
ng)Sht
… mymangawasut
ha
bosupi
jaanongwena?
Hesai
dasKesegohandedhi
m awetwi
peand
hewi
pedKat
’smout
h.
KARTEL:
Goputawayy
ourbag,
bigman.
Katr
olledhi
msel
ftot
hebedroom,
wit
hhi
sbag
i
nhislapasKesegof
oll
owedhim.
NKEMI:Koor
eyoucancomei
ntomyhouseand
notev
engreetme?
KARTEL:(l
aughing)Yourhouse?Bich,Ibought
thi
shouse.Begr at
eful
Ididn’
tkil
lyou.Ifyou
hadn’
tsol
doutt oLani,hewouldneverhad
foundusandmydadwoul dsti
llbeali
ve,my
sonwouldbefine…
NKEMI
:Youcan’
tbl
amet
hatonme,
I…
KARTEL:(whispering)Youareonlyal i
v e
becauseyoukeept hatcl
ingybichof fmyhair,
soyoubettertreatherri
ghtandkeepherso
happyshehasnor easontocomebot herme.
AndifIgetevent hesli
ghtestfeel
ingy ouaren’
t
tr
eati
ngmysonr ightinHishouse, I
’l
lshovemy
SigSauerupy ourassandpl ayroulette.
Kesegowal
kedbackr
aci
ngKatandl
aughi
ng.
KESEGO:
Ever
ythi
ngok?
KARTEL:(smi
li
ng)Iwasj
ustt
hanki
ngNkemi f
or
bei
ngkindtomyboy.OkMrMoseki,I
’
m gonna
headoutnow.Uncl
eMonkiscal
li
ngme.High
fi
ve!
Kathi
ghfi
vedhi
m, andKar
tel
kissedhi
scheek
andst
art
edtowalkout.
KARTEL:
Keser
etabua.
Hesai
dwit
hawinkwhileNkemiwasr
ight
t
her
ewatchi
ngasKesegobl
ushed.
*
***
***
**
Neel
owalkedint
ohermom’
shouseandf
ound
heri
nthel
ivi
ngroom.
MOTHER: Shefi
nall
yshowsup… i fi
twasn’tfor
rr
agweReoIwoul dn’
tevenhav egonet
osee
mysisteronherhourofneed,andIwouldn’t
evenhavehadanythi
ngtoof f
ermysist
er ,
r
ragweReogav
emeP5000.
NEELO:Luckyy
ou.Rr
agweReocheat
edonme,
st
olefr
om meandlef
tmehomelessand
pr
egnant,wi
thasmal
lchi
l
d.
MOTHER:Phosoet
sal
wal
emot
hoNeel
o.He
i
sref
ormed…
NEELO: Youmeanhegi v
esy oumoneyforno
reasonwher eIref
usesuch, andyouli
kethat
hisbusinessisdoingwellandyouwanta
daughtermar r
iedtoabusinessman.Iam a
businesswoman, t
oo.Mama!Asuccessf ulone!
Youdon’ tneedtotryt
opimpmet oamanwho
hurtme…
MOTHER: Neelo!Neelo… t
eachthathar
dheart
ofyour
stoforgive.Reubenlov
esyou.Helear
nt
hi
slesson.
NEELO:WouldReubenforgi
vemeifIcheat
ed
onhim wi
thmult
iplemen,st
olef
rom hi
m and
l
efthi
mt orai
sekidsal
one?
MOTHER:Whenyouar
efi
ft
yandal
one,
youar
e
goi
ngt
oregr
etthi
s.
NEELO:Any way
,Idi
dn’
tcomet ot
alkabout
Reuben.Icametotal
kaboutus.
MOTHER:
Us?
NEELO:
Youhur
tme,
mama.
MOTHER:
Nna?Lengonkakel
a?
NEELO: Fir
stofal
l,y
our efusedtoacceptthatI
wasdepr essedwhenpapadi ed… yougotangr
y
andbulli
edmef orgri
eving…i nsul
tedmeabout
notbeingabletoperfor
m wel lwhenIwas
depressedandfai
ledmyexams.
MOTHER: Fai
l
?Fail,
Neelo?Youdidnotf
ail
,you
gaveup.Youdidnotev
enwr i
tesomeofthe
exams!
NEELO:Iwasdepressed!Iwant
edtodie…
examswerethelastofmyconcern.Andyou
wantedmetojustgoonl i
kenothi
nghappened?
MOTHER:
Ther
estofusdi
d…
NEELO:(sobbing)Youdi dnotwat cht
hem kil
l
him!Idi
d!Hewast heonlyonewhocar edfor
measaper son.Youonl ysawmeasabr aggi
ng
ri
ghtabouty ourintell
i
gentdaughterwhowas
gonnabeadoct or.Tobet hefi
rstinyourf
amily
tohaveachi l
dwi t
hsuchacar eer.Youknow
what?Iactuall
yskippedsomeoft heexamsto
spit
eyou.
MOTHER:(y
ell
i
ng)There!Ther
eitis,nowit
f
inal
l
ycomesout!Youfail
eddeli
beratel
y!You
j
ustwant
edtorebel
!Youwouldhav epassedif
youwant
edtoNeelo!
NEELO:YoupushedmesomuchIwas
suf
focat
ing!
MOTHER:Omatepe,
andt
hosebr
ainsar
e
wast
edonyou!
NEELO:
Iwasnotal
lowedtopl
ay!Onl
ydo
chor
esandst
udy!Ever
yti
meyousawme
playing.‘
Neelo,gost udy
.‘Ineverhadabr
eak
becauseassoonasschool wasdone,i
twas
tutorsafteranother
,andwhenIgethomeIam
forcedr i
ghtbackintothebooks.
MOTHER: Youareblamingmeforwant
ing
bet
terforyou?Spendi
ngmoneyonyousoy ou
canbecomesomet hi
ng?
NEELO: (
sobbing)Younev
eroncel etmef eelI
wasgoodenough.I ’
dbesecondi nclass,wit
h
anA*,andyou’daskmewhyt heotherkiddid
bet
terthanme.Whi l
eMoni andAnniegotC’ s
andwer epr
aisedfori
mproving!Youmademe
bel
ieveIwasugl y
…
MOTHER: Inev
ersai
dthat
,sent
seny
emahoko
ganong.
NEELO: ‘
Wear eblesseddiffer
ent,Neel
o.You
havethebr ai
ns,
Moni caandAnni ehavethe
beauty’
.Remembersay ingthat?Overandover.
Ihatedmy sel
fasaki d,wishedIwasaspr et
ty
asMoniandAnnie…Mamayoutol
dmetogo
pr
ost
it
utemyselfandhel
pwit
hbil
ls.
MOTHER: YouknowIdi dn’
tmeanthat… Iwas
hurtandangr yseei
ngsomanymar ksmi ssi
ng
fr
om y ourresul
tsbecauseyoudi
dn’twri
te
exams…
NEELO:AllIwantisanapology,mama… y ou
hurtme.Idon’tknowhowt odisci
pli
nemyki ds
becauseIam afrai
dofbeingyou… ofbeing
pushyandabusi v
e…Iquesti
onev ery
thi
ngIdo
asamot her.Ontopofthatyoupunishmef or
Reuben’
smessup… mustIj ustbowandaccept
themanwhohur tmewithopenar ms?
MOTHER: Whatdoyouwantfrom me,Neel
o?I
shoul
dapologi
seforwant
ingbett
erformy
smartdaught
er?
NEELO:
Iwanty
out
oreal
i
sey
ouhur
tme,
mama!
MOTHER: I
jo,
sor
rymmaf orl
ovi
ngyou.
I
ntshwar
elengwanakaf
orthi
nki
ngy
ouar e
betterthanwhatyougi v
e.Par donmef or
thi
nkingy ourki
dsdeserveacompl etefami l
y…
i
ntshwar elangwanakathatyourl i
fewasso
terr
ibleyougotexcusedf r
om chor estost udy…
thatyougotal l
thetutor
sandspeci alpencil
casesandpensandcal cul
ator syoursisters
andcl assmatesdidn’
thave.For gi
vemef or
thi
nkingy ouarespeci
al,Neelo!
NEELO:(
cryi
ng)Thatisnotanapology,mama!
I
sitsohardtosay‘Neel
o,IacknowledgeIhur
t
you,
andIam sorr
y’?
MOTHER: Idi
dt hebestIcould!Mat hat
aagago
omatepe.Ispoiledy
out oomuch. .Ntir
elatee
mmaaboondr opakoTat ikolesong,kanago
t
otagogot sosetsadepression?
*
***
***
***
**
Taf
adzwal
aidi
nbeddoi
ngherassi
gnment
.
Shesmi
ledwhenshegotaphotof
rom Bobo.
Hehadcleanedup,
wor
nasuitandti
e,andwas
ev
ensmi
l
ing.AndBobonev
ersmi
l
ed.
Si
ncet hatt
imeinSey
chelles,shekepttexti
ng
hi
m andcheckingonhim unti
l hestar
tedtexti
ng
back.Shehatedhoweveryonej ustdi
smissed
hi
m becausehewasaut i
stic.
Especial
lyhismother.Shealwayspor t
rayedthe
perf
ectdedicatedmot herwholovesherchild
thewayhei s,butFadzwahadf i
rstheardher
gooffonBoboabouthi m beingasetbackand
anembar rassmentthattimewhent heywer ein
Seychell
es.Shehadbeenmeani ngtogoi nvi
te
Bobotot hepoolasall t
hekidswer egoing
swimmi ng,andwasaboutt oknockwhenshe
heardit.
That’swhenshedecidedt obef
riendhi m and
tel
lhimtherewasnot hi
ngembar rassingabout
him.Eventual
lyhestart
edopeningupabout
thi
ngsPuni esayswhenitwasjusthi m andher .
Yes,shetookcareofhimv erywell,butshebeat
him downemot i
onal
lywi t
hwordsev erysingl
e
day
.
Fadzwasmi
l
edandr
epl
i
edt
het
ext
.
‘
Cuuuuut
e.What
’st
heoccasi
on?
’
‘
Justt
houghty
ou’
dwannahav
eone…t
o
r
emembermeby .
’
‘
Remembery
ou?
’
‘
Nev
ermi
nd…‘
‘
Oookay
… hey
,youpract
isedt
alki
ngagai
n?
Maybei
fyouj
ustsaysomethi
ng…‘
‘
Ili
ter
all
ycan’
t.It
’sathi
ng… readabouti
t,
tr
aumaticmutism…any way
… mydad’ shavi
nga
babywithCri
ssy.Ihear
dmom t al
kaboutitwi
th
Luna’
‘
Reall
y,t
hat’
sawesome,dude!Ilovebei
ngabi
g
si
s,Iam soexci
tedf
oranothersibl
i
ng…‘
‘
Ya’
‘
Ya?That
’sal
lyougot
?It
’sgr
eatnews…’
‘
Daddi
dn’
teventel
lmeaboutit
.Theynev
ertell
meany
thi
ng.Theythi
nkI
’
mj ustausel
essidi
ot.
’
‘
Not
,theydon’
t.Yourdadlov
esy
ou…y
ourmom
t
ooi
nherownwei r
dway .
’
‘
Hei sal waysbusyatwor k,withanewbabyhe
willbeev enmor ebusy .Mom sai dIwasa
setbacki nherlife.SaidIwasacur se.Shesay s
stuffli
ket hatwhenshei smadatme.Cal lsme
stupid,apsy cho.I’m notdumb, Fafa, Ijustcan’
t
control myemot ionsandf eelings.Ihav ethese
ragef i
tsandIj usthitev ery
oneandev eryt
hing,I
scream andIj ustcan’ tcontrolit
.Iam notso
badont hespect rum, Iam awar eI’
m notwi r
ed
ri
ght …bigt i
mesensor yissues, l
ikeforexampl e,
touchingagel substanceset smeof fsobadI
l
osecont rolofmy self,somet i
mesIhur tmy sel
f
andat tackthosear oundme…I ’l
lbeadangert o
thebaby …‘
‘
Don’
tsayt
hat
…‘
‘
Shesai
dshecan’
thav
eafut
urebecausewhat
manwouldwantawomanwhocomeswi t
ha
def
ect
ivechi
l
d…’
‘
Sheiswrong,youaresosmart,youunder
stand
sci
encesbet
terthananyoneIknow…‘
‘
Thanksforbei
ngmyfr
iend… atl
eastIknow
oneper
sonwi l
lmi
ssme’
‘
Wher
ear
eyougoi
ng?
’
Shewentbackt
oherhomewor
kasshewai
ted
forar
epl
y.
Af
teranhour
,shecheckedherphoneagai
n.
Thi
sjustf
eltodd…
Shesentafewmor
emessagesandhewasn’
t
respondi
ng.
Odd.
Boboal
way
sresponds.
Shet
ext
edhermot
her
.
‘
Goingt ocheckonBoboandj ustst
retching
cycl
ing.Assignmentdone.Wil
lbebacki n30
minutes,andIwil
lbecareful
,Iknowthereare
peopleouttheretogetus’
.
Shegotonherbi
keandcy
cledt
oBobo’
shouse.
Sheknockedforsometimeast heTVpl
ayed
l
oudly.Fi
nal
lyBobo’
sauntLunacametoopen
hol
dingacider
.
FADZWA:
IsBobohome?
LUNA:
Whatdoy
ouwantwi
thhi
m?
FADZWA:
MayIseehi
m?
LUNA: Whatev
er…inhisroom,beenlockedi
n
thereall
day… goon.Y’
al
lbett
ernotbedoing
nothingfr
eaky
.
Fadzwagav
eheradi
rt
ylook.
FADZWA:
I’
m el
even!
LUNA:(l
aughi
ng)Hei
s13,teenboy
sarerowdy
sweet
heart
.Evenmesseduponesl
ikehi
m.
Fadzwasi
ghedandrant
oBobo’
sroom,
knocki
ngf
orabit
,thent
ri
edt
hedoor…
Sheshri
ekedsoloudl
yandsaggedt
othefloor
asshelookedatherf
ri
endhangi
ngf
rom t
he
roof
ing.
Hehadremov
edapieceoft
heceili
ngandhung
aropet
other
oof
ingthr
oughthatspace.
Lunacamerunningandjoi
nedFadzwa
screami
ngastheylookedatBobo’
sli
fel
ess
bodyhangi
ngfrom thecei
l
ing.
*
***
***
***
*
Cri
ssydrov
ehomeandkepttr
yingMonk’
s
number
.Hewasn’
tanswer
ing.
Howcouldheeventhi
nkshewouldli
ket
hat
.If
shewasgonnaabort,
shewouldhav
ecomeout
andsai
dIam havi
nganabort
ion.
Shewipedhert
earswi
ththesl
eev
eofhis
sweat
shir
tandtr
iedhi
snumberagai
n.
Not
hing…
Sheplayedwi t
ht heri
ngasshesobbed… what
di
dt hi
sev enmeanf orthem?Howwast hatpi
l
l
eventhere?May beitbelongedt
othecl
eani
ng
gi
rl,
shewi ll
askhert omor r
ow.
Yea,i
thadtobethecleaninggi
rl
’s,
andthe
miscar
ri
agewasunr elat
ed.Yes.Hadtobe.
Theonlypeopl
ewit
haccesst othehouse…
Wai
t…
No… i
tcoul
dn’
tbe… woul
dPuni
ereal
l
ybeso
cr
uel
?
Buti
tal
lfel
ltoget
hernow.
Themi lkshakePuniebr oughtandkeptinsist
ing
Crissydrink… goi
ngt othetoil
et…sheact ual
ly
didn’tr
emembedhear ingthedooropeni ng…
andt hehallwaytoi
letdoorwascl osed… only
theirbedroom wasopenasshehadj ustcome
there…
*
***
***
***
MonkandPuni
erani
ntot
hehouseatt
hesame
t
ime.
Puniefai
ntedt
hemomentshewal kedinand
sawhersondangl i
ngfr
om t
heceil
i
ng.Lunaran
overtoherandtr
iedtowakeher
.
Fadzwawasst
il
lcr
yingi
nacor
ner
.
Monkwi pedhistear
sandwentupt heladder
Bobohadusedt ogoup,untyi
nghim and
get
ti
nghi m down.Hecover
edhi m wi
thhis
bl
anketand, t
hencall
edt
hepoliceandthe
ambulance.
Af
ter
war
dshecal
l
edKar
tel
.
MONK: Myman… Fafa… sheuhm… sheisat
Punie’
spl
ace,
sheisn’
tdoingwellatal
l
… Bobo
hangedhi
mself
… andshef oundhim.
Whenhewasdone,
hel
eadFadzwat oasof
a
andgav
ehersomewat
er,
them pi
ckedupPuni
e
andputheront
hebedi
nherbedr
oom.
*
***
***
***
LI
KE,
COMMENT,
SHARE
ATHUG’
SLOVE112

Puni
esatupi
nbedandr
ubbedherey
es.
Whatater r
ibl
edr eam,howcodsheevendream
such…it
’sallthattal
kshehadwithLunai
nt he
morni
ngt hatputsuchhorri
blet
houghtsi
nher
mind.
OhmyGod,doest
hatmeansubconsci
ousl
y
shewant
edBobodead.
.
No!Godno.Notatal l
.Bobowashel landher
daywast r
yingthemomentshewokeup, but
shewouldnev ert
radehi
mf oranyt
hing.No
matterhowmuchshecussedhi m outand
thr
eatenedtoleavewhenevershewasangr y
.
AndGodwasi tsoeasytogetangr
ywi tht
hat
stubborn,st
rongwil
l
ed,temperamentalboy
!
Shepr obabl
yblewupathim andyel
ledabout
fourtimesaday ,
andtheidl
erhehot,themore
diff
icul
thegot.
Sheputonhergown,
thi
nki
ngitwasoddt
hat
shehadsl
eptonherj
eansandt-
shi
rt
.
PUNIE:
Bobs?Youfancysomecor
nfl
akesand
fr
uit
s?I
’mtoolazyt
omakebreakf
ast
.
Shesaid,walki
ngt
ohisr
oom,expect
inga
middl
ef i
ngerorapi
ll
owtobehurl
edatheror
something.
PUNI
E:Bobo?
Hewasn’
tinbed,
butshecoul
dhearv
oicesi
n
t
heli
vi
ngroom.
Lunasatwit
hthei
rmothersobbi
ng.Kesego
camefrom t
hekit
chenandhuggedher.
KESEGO:
Iam sosor
ryPuni
e.
PUNI
E:Sor
ry?Forwhat
?Whatar
eyouguy
s
doinghere?Wherei
sBobo,
hasheeat en?Heis
anabsolutet
err
orwhenheishungr
y,Ineedto
feedhim.
Hemusthav eranout,wit
hallt
hesepeoplei
n
here.Bobohatedcrowds.Whatweretheyev
en
doi
ngher e,
theyknewshedidn’
tall
owmany
peopletovi
sitatati
me,Bobocouldn’
ttakei
t.
Shewal
kedtowardstheki
tchent
ogocheckon
hi
m,buthersi
stercametotakeherbyhand
andl
edhertothesofa.
*
***
***
***
Dol
l
asatonthesof
atal
ki
ngt
ohi
sbabymama
ont
hephone.
DOLLA:No,youstayt
hereandkeepthekids
ther
e… soon… Idon’
thaveti
mef ort
his.By
e.
Hehungupwit
hasi
gh.Lani
’
sdeat
hchanged
t
hingsal
ot.
Awhol
elot
.
NowhehadDer ekandKart
elafterhi
m.Derek,
act
ual
lyturnedtobeanimpulsiveshthecould
out
smart.Brutalandpsy
cho,yes… butst
il
l
i
mpulsi
ve
Butt
hatcal
cul
ati
vesonofabi
chcal
lKar
tel
.
Whatwasheplanni
ng?Hehadnotr
etali
atedfor
hi
sdaughter
… andKart
eldi
dnotmessaround
wheni
tcamet ofami
ly
.Hehadtobeplanning
somet
hing.
Heconsi
der
edcal
li
ngKart
elf
oraceasefi
re…
butt
hewayLubaandRonhumil
i
atedhim…
That’
snotsomeshtyoujustl
etgo.Anda
ceasefi
rei
sapussymoveany way.Kartel
’s
disr
espect
ful
azzwil
lj
ustwalkalloverhim.And
nobodyonthest
reet
swoul deverrespecthi
m.
F*
*kbot
hKar
tandDer
ek…
*
***
***
***
**
Kar
tel
hunguphi
sphonet
hesamet
imehe
pi
ckeduphi
scarkey
s.
LUBA:
Offi
nsuchahur
ry?
KARTEL:Fadzwa… Bobouhm… hehung
hi
mself
.
LUBA:
OhGod!Faf
awentt
ocheckonhi
m!She
i
sgonnabe…
KARTEL:
Shei
stheonewhof
oundhi
m…
Lubast
oodupandputonhershoes.
LUBA:Let
’sgo… Dedei
satherf
ri
end’
s,sowe
wil
lpi
ckherupafter
.
*
***
***
***
*
FadzwalookedupandsawPuni
e.Sherant
o
herscr
eamingasshepunchedandki
ckedher
.
FADZWA: I
t’
syourfault
,it
’sallyourfaul
t!You
ki
ll
edhim… youkil
l
edhi m, y
oushoul dgot o
j
ail
…y oupushedhimt oitcall
inghim apsycho
andaburden!I
t’
sallyourfaultIhateyou,Ihat
e
you!
LubaandKartel
walkedi
nandKart
elr
anov er
andgrabbedher,
pull
i
ngherawayf
rom Punie.
LUBA:
Faf
a,cal
m down,
baby
…
FADZWA:Shecal
l
edhim apsy
choandaburden
madehimfeel
unwant
ed!ShepushedBobot
o
ki
ll
himsel
f!
PUNI
E:Wai
t,what
?Bobodi
dwhat
?
Kart
elcar
ri
edFadz
wat
othecar
,Lubacomi
ng
behi
ndthem.
PUNIE:Idon’tunderstand… i
twasadr eam… it
was… I… no…no!MyBobocan’ t
… ohGod, no…
Iam sosorryGod, Iam sosorryIcomplai
ned,I
didn’
tmeananyofi t
… no… hecan’ t
… he
can’t
… no…
Shebrokedowncryi
ngashermot
herand
si
sterhuggedher
.
Thi
scouldnotbetr
ue.
.Hel
it
tl
eboycoul
dnot
bedead,
itj
ustcoul
dn’
tbet
rue.
*
***
***
Aft
ergoi
ngtothehospit
alwi
thBobo’
sbodyand
hewascerti
fi
eddead,Monkmade
ar
rangementsfort
hebodygotothemor
gue.
Hedrov
ehometobat
h,i
gnor
ingal
lthemany
cal
l
sthatwer
ecomi
ngthr
ough.
Ashewal
kedt
hrought
hedoor
,Cr
yst
alcame
over
.
CRISSY:Monk,
Ithi
nkIf
igur
edoutwhat
happened,
I…
MONK: Idon’tf
**ki
nghaveti
mefort
his,
Cry
stal
!
Youchosetokillmychi
ld.It
oldy
ouwewere
done,
sof **
kof f
!
CRI
SSY:
ButI
…
MONK: Ij
ustlosttwokidsinthespaceof24
hrs,
andy oukil
ledoneofthem,sof *
*ky ouand
getthef*
* koutofmyhouse.Ican’tstand
l
ookingaty ouri
ghtnow!Stayawayf r
om me.
Hebangedt hedoori
nherfaceandlocked
himsel
finthebedroom,goingtotheshower
forabath.
Helett
hehotwaterpel
tdownhisbodyli
keti
ny
bul
l
ets…heneededanythi
ngatal
ltotakethe
pai
ninhishear
taway.
Godcer
tai
nlyhadsomethi
ngagai
nsthi
m…
comeon,t
woki dsi
n24hrs?
Thelasttimehet extedwi t
hBobohehadgot t
en
snappywi t
hhi m.Hehadbeenatt hehospit
al
wait
ingonCr i
ssyasshehadt heD&C, andBobo
hadtextedawhol etant r
um aboutMonk
missingthei
rv i
deogameev ening.Boboloved
rout
ineli
ket hat,
ithelpedhim notl oseit
.
Hewasi nsist
entthatMonkcomesi nceCrissy
waswi t
ht hedoctorsanyway,
ref
usingto
acceptthathehadt owaitar
oundforher.He
hadcall
edhi m abratandtol
dhimtogrowt he
hell
up.
Bobohadst
oppedt
ext
ingt
hen.
Wasthi
swhatpushedhimt oit
?Didhepushhi
s
ownchi
ldt
osuicideforadecepti
vebi
chwho
ki
ll
edhi
sotherbaby?
Hescr
eamedinfr
ust
rat
edpainandpunched
t
hewall
,emot
ionsov
erwhel
minghim.
Hepushedhi
ssont
osui
cide….
Hecoul
dhol
dthehear
tbr
eaknol
onger
.
Hiswholebodyt
rembled,hi
skneesbuckli
ng
downt ot
hewetfloor,
faceonhands,hi
sgr i
ef
pouri
ngoutinaf
loodofsorrow,hi
sbody
wrackedwit
hanonslaughtofsobsandtears.
*
***
***
***
*
Cr
ystal
packedherbagcr
yingaf
terMonkhad
l
eft
.
Shedidn’
tev
enknowwhatwasgoingin,but
somewherether
ehehadmenti
onedlosi
ngtwo
chi
ldr
en,whi
chshedi
dnotunderst
andatall
…
di
dPunietakef
ull
cust
odyofBoboor
somet
hing?
*
***
***
***
**
Monkdr ovebackt oPunie’
shouseandf oundal
l
hisbrot
hersthere.Theysaycamet ohughi m
andsayt hei
rcondolences,t
heyhewenti nsi
de
tofi
ndPuni ewhowasst i
ll
cryi
ngi
nt he
bedroom withhi
smot herandsist
er.
MONK: Iuhm…I ’
l
lst
artmakingf
uneral
ar
rangements.Iwasthi
nki
ngSatur
day…
PUNIE:Howdar
eyou,
alr
eadyt
hinki
ngof
bur
yingmyboy…di
dyouwanttogetri
dofhi
m
somuch!
MONK: Somebodyhast
omaket
hedamn
ar
rangement
s,Puni
e!
PUNIE:Ij
ust…Ij
ustwanttogetoutofher
e,al
l
thesepeopl
e…allt
hissadness…hewas
hangingi
nthatr
oom, Monk…mybaby …he…
he…
Shesaidhyper
vent
il
ati
ngaspeopl
efussed
aroundher
.
‘
Shei
sgonnaf
aintagai
n…’
‘
Getherwat
er…gi
veherspace…‘
Monksighedandsatont
hebed,
taki
ngher
hand.
MONK: Cal
m down,
Punie…calm down… t
hat’
s
i
t…alr
ight
,comeon.Let
’sgetoutofher
e,you
needsomeair.
Shest
oodupandfoll
owedhimtot
hecar
,and
Monkdr
oveof
f,par
kingatabar
.
*
***
***
**
Cri
ssywasdri
vi
ngbacktoherf
amil
yhome
whenshedeci
dedtost
opforsomealcohol
to
numbherpai
n.
Shenot
icedMonk’
scarpar
kingthenMonk
wal
kedouttot
hebarwhil
ePuniesati
nsi
de.
Cr
issyr
anov
ert
othecarandy
ell
edather
.
CRI
SSY:Youbi
ch!Howdarey
ou,
youki
l
ledmy
chi
l
d!Youhear
tl
essbi
ch!
Shescreamedandgr abbedCr
issybythebr
aids
thr
ought heopencarwindow,
smackingather
andyel
ling.
Monkcamebackwit
hsomealcohol
andrant
o
t
hecarwhenhesawwhatwashappeni
ng.
MONK:Whatt
hef
**kiswr
ongwithy
ouCr
yst
al!
Whatt
hef*
*ki
swrongwit
hyou!
Hesaidasher oughlygrabbedherandpull
ed
herawayfrom Punie,shaki
ngherviol
ent
lyby
theshoul
ders.
CRI
SSY:
(Cr
ying)Sheki
l
led…
MONK: Enough!Cr yst
al!Thisi
sf**ki
ngenough!
Juststayawayf rom me, youkil
ledmychil
dy ou
f*
*kingmur derer
, Ishouldrepor
tyou,abor
ti
onis
i
ll
egal.Enough!
Hepushedherof
fandCr
yst
alf
ell
toherbot
tom
asMonkgotint
hecaranddroveoff
,thedustof
thecarl
eav
ingf
all
i
ngonCrystalwhosatther
e
cryi
ng.
Monkdroveofft
otheout
ski
rt
softownand
t
heysatther
easheconsol
edacr
yingPuni
e.
MONK: Iam sosorryPunie… I’
mreall
ysorry
..
Crystal
isnotlikethatIdon’tkowwhatgoti nt
o
her…shepr obablythi
nksIdumpedherf oryou,
that’
swhysheat t
ackedyou.Butthenagain,do
Ievenknowher ?Iwouldneverexpecther
capableofkill
i
ngherownchi l
d!
Hesai
dinf
rust
rat
ion.
PUNI E:(sobbi
ng)It’
snotfair
,Inev erdi
d
anythingtoher… andwhi l
eIam mour ni
ngmy
chi
ld, Monk!Howhear t
lesscant hatgirl
be!To
att
ackmewhenIj ustl
ostmychi ld!
MONK:
I’
m sor
ry.
Heopenedabeeranddownediti
ntwogul
ps,
openi
nganot
herashehandedheraci
der
.
PUNI
E:Ij
ustwantt
ogetmymindofft
hingsfor
abi
tMonk… Ij
ustwantt
omakethi
spainstop…
Shesaidasshetracedherfingeral
ongMonk’s
j
aw,thengent
lypull
edhisfacetohers,ki
ssi
ng
her
.
MONK:
Puni
e,weuhm… weshoul
dn’
t.
Shegotonhi
slapandst
art
edki
ssi
nghi
m
agai
n…
PUNIE: Ij
ustwanttobelosti
nsomething,
anyt
hing… andIquitalcohol
…Ij
ustwantt o
maket hepainstop… easemakemef orget
,
evenifit’
sjustf
orabit.
*
***
***
***
LI
KE,
COMMENT,
SHARE
ATHUG’
SLOVE113
KARTEL
Thepai
nIfel
tformyli
ttl
egir
l!Shel
aidonher
bedcur
ledonhersi
de,cover
edupwithher
comf
ort
er,
butIcoul
dhearshewascr
ying,
Dedecameandcuddleduptoheronbed,
of
fer
ingtogetherev
eryt
hingundert
hesun.
DANIE:
Ok,
howaboutt
hei
cel
oll
i
es,
Isav
edy
ou
one…
Shej
ustshookherheadst
il
lsobbi
ng.
DANAI :Rayai
sout ,youpromisedwewi l
lwatch
together
.Iboughtthejackandj i
l
lpopcorn…
pleaseFadzwa,pleaseplease,l
et’
swatch
Ray a…
Not
hing…
DANAI
:Oh,Isavedupmyallowanceandgotus
ni
cest
icker
sforournot
ebooks…
Poorthi
ngwasint
ear
sher
sel
ftr
yingt
ocheer
hersi
sterup.
I
fther
eisonethingIwil
lalwaysbegrat
efulf
or
i
showclosemygi rl
sareandhowmucht hey
l
ookoutforeachotherandthei
rbrot
her.
KARTEL:Dede,gohel
paunt
ywi
thdi
nner
,let
Faf
arestabit.
Sheshookherheadv
ehement
lyandj
usthel
d
ontohersi
ster
.
Fadzwawi
pedhert
ear
sandl
ookedatherl
i
ttl
e
si
ster
.
FADZWA: Pri
ncessDee,whydon’ty
ouhelp
aunty
,thenaft
erIwil
lshowyouhowt ocover
yourbooks?Wecanuset hest
icker
s.Ipr
omise.
DANAI
:Buty
ouar
est
il
lsadandcr
ying.
FADZWA:
Justf
oral
i
ttl
ebi
t…t
henI
’
llbeok…
Shesmil
edbright
lyandhuggedher.Mybrav
e
brav
egir
l.I
tmademesadt oseeherputona
brav
efaceli
kethat.Shehasbeent
hroughso
much.
Icameandsatont
hebednextt
oher
.
KARTEL:
Howar
eyouf
eel
i
ng,
madam pr
esi
dent
?
FADZWA:
Shemadehi
m doi
tdaddy
…shemade
hi
m doi
t,t
hatwomani
snotni
ce.
KARTEL:
Iunder
stand,
pri
ncess…
FADZWA:
It’
snotf
airshej
ustget
sawaywi
th
i
t…
KARTEL:IfIlear
ntsomet hi
ngi
nall
myy ears,
pri
ncess,
lif
enev erlet
’sy
ougetawaywith
anyt
hing…what everPuni
edidt
oBobo,Karma
wil
lcomef orher.
Iam j
ustsot i
red,
daddy
…peoplej
ustkeep
dyi
ngaroundme…peopl esayy
ouarea
gangst
er…t hatmanwhotookmesaidhewas
goi
ngtokil
l youandmama…Idon’twantand
mamat odie,daddy.
Thedesperat
einherli
tt
levoi
cebrokemyhear
t.
Someti
mesIf or
getthatshei
sgrowingand
under
standalotmorenow…
FADZWA: Ihat
ednothavingadaddywhenyou
weregone,peopl
eteasedusal
ltheti
meand
sai
dourdaddywasi npri
son…mamasai dy
ou
wer
eabr
oad.Wer
eyoui
npr
ison,
daddy
?
KARTEL:
(si
ghi
ng)Yes,
pri
ncess,
Iwas.
FADZWA:
Arey
ouabadper
son?
KARTEL:
Whatdoy
out
hink,
pri
ncess?
FADZWA: Idon’
tthinkyouareabadperson,y
ou
arereal
l
ygood, y
ouar esonicetomamaand
takecar
eofusandhel pallthoseot
herpeopl
e
whowor ki nyourcompanies.Butwhydidyou
gotoprison?
KARTEL: Thatman…Lani,
rememberwhenhe
tookyou?Heal sosetmeupandt oldthepol
ice
horr
iblethi
ngsaboutme.Theyar r
estedme…
andwhenIwasgone, het
ooky ou.Ihadto
comef indyou,
soIgotoutofprisonwi t
hout
permissiontof
indyouandyoursister…butt
hat
meantget ti
ngmoretimei
nprison…
FADZWA: Iam scared,
daddy…everydayyou
arel
atehomeIam scar edthatmankil
ledyou…
peopl
ejustdi
ear oundme…whenIwasl i
tt
le…I
wasonlyfour
,butIremember
…theoldman,
Moses…heusedt osayIwasacurse…
someti
mesIam afraidhei
sri
ghtbecause
peopl
ejustdi
earoundme.
AtearrandownKart
el’
scheek.God,
hecoul
d
ki
l
lthatbastar
dagai
n.
KARTEL:
Hewasaverydi
stur
bedman…his
mindwassi
ck,
sonot
hinghesayshol
dsany
tr
uth…
FADZWA: Iam scar
edyouar
egoingt
odie…
thatman,
Isadora’
sdad…hesai
dhewill
kil
lyou.
KARTEL: Letmet el
lyousomething,pri
ncess.If
ther
eisonet hingdaddyknowsbesthowt odo,
i
sstayalive.Bobowasobv i
ouslyhurti
ngal ot
…
butIthi
nkifhecoul dspeakhewoul dsayy ou
madehim mosthappi estbei
nghi sfr
iend,
becausehedi dn’
thavemany .Hisconditi
onwas
noteasy…hewasv erysmartandawar ehehad
i
ssues,hej ustcouldn’
tcontr
ol i
t…whichwoul d
bever
yfrust
rati
ng…butyoumadehim happy
…
hewasluckytohaveyouasafr
iend…
FADZWA:
Thanky
ou.
..
KARTEL:Anyt
hingf
ormygi
rl
s…ok,
Ibet
tergo
checkonyourmama.
Hesai
dashewal
kedt
othedoor
.
FADZWA:
Daddy
?
KARTEL:
Yesmadam pr
esi
dent
?
FADZWA: Pleasedon’
tlett
hatmanki
l
lyou?I
am soscared.
KARTEL:
Youhav
emywor
d…pi
nkyswear
.
Hehel
douthi
spi
nkyf
inger
.
Fadzwalaughedandrol
ledherey
es,buthooked
herfi
ngertohisandsai
d‘pi
nkyswear’
.
KARTEL:Ihaveagreati
dea.Youcanwrit
e
somethi
ngy ouwanttosayatBobo’
sfuneral
.
FADZWA:
Ithi
nkIwi
l
ldot
hat
.Thanksdad.
*
***
***
***
***
***
***
**
Watchi
ngKar teltal
kt ohisdaughterbrought
tear
stomyey es.Youcanf aultt
hemanwi thso
manythings,butnev eraboutthefatherhewas.
Ihadbeensol ost,Ididn’
tevenknowwhatt o
saytoFadzwa, butnowashel eftherroom,she
wasathert abl
esmi lingasshewr ote.
Iwentbacktoourbedroom andKar
tel
wal
ked
i
naf t
erme.Helookedsotir
edheevenhad
undereyebagstoday
.
KARTEL:Thisi
ssoscar
yLuba…akidki
ll
ing
themsel
ves?Arewedoi
ngenough?Whatifour
gir
lsar
eunhappyandwedon’
tknowit
?
LUBA:
Wet al
ktoourki
ds,
wehav
eopen
communi
cati
on…
KARTEL: Iam worr
iedaboutKat…IprayKesego
nevermakeshi mfeelli
keaburden.Fadzwais
scaredIam gonnakil
ledoutther
e.Achild
shouldneverhavetoli
vewithsuchfear…
LUBA:
Your
eassur
edher
…
KARTEL: Iwantedsomuchf ort
hem,Luba…a
happy ,f
ulfi
ll
edchil
dhood…butallt
heyeverget
i
st herapyafteranot
her…shehasbeenin
therapysinceshewasf our
!Andwiththi
s,i
t’
s
notendi nganytimesoon…
Iknel
tbehindhi
m andr
ubbedhi
sback,
kissi
ng
hisshoul
der.
LUBA: Wear edealtt
helif
ewegotdeal t,Kart
el…
butIknowf orsurewemadet hebestofit.Our
ki
dshav elove…theyaregr owi
ngupi nahome
fi
ll
edwi t
hlove,andparentswhol oveeach
other
…t herestwecanj ustsupportandtryto
shiel
dthem.
Hepul
l
edmeonhi
slapandki
ssedme.
KARTEL:Lookatyou,
all
grownup.Whendi
d
yougetsosmart?
Hesai
dasheki
ssedmyt
ummy
…
Ourl
i
femaynotbeper
fect
,butwef
orsur
ehav
e
l
ovei
nthi
shouse.
*
***
***
***
***
***
**
MonkdroppedPuni
eathomeanddr
ovet
ohi
s
house.
I
tfel
tsoempt
ywi
thoutCr
issy
.
Hef
eltempt
ywi
thoutCr
issy
…
Bymidnight,hecouldn’
tsleep…nomat terwhat
shedi
d,hel ovedthatgir
landmi ssedherso
much,eveni fi
thadbeenj usthours…f*
* ki
ng
Puni
ehadbeenempt yanddesperate,
andt he
al
coholdidn’thel
patall.
F*
*kt
his.
Thelastthi
nghewant edwast obel eftwit
h
regr
etsli
kehewaswi thhisson, becausehis
womanwashuman.May beshewast erri
fi
ed
andhedidn’thel
pitwiththatsi
lentulti
matum.
Keepthekidorit
’sover.Thatwasad* *kmove
andshedeser
vedbet
tert
hant
hat
.
Hetookhi
scarkey
sanddrov
etoAr
no’
spl
ace.
Thati
swhereshewoul
dgo…
Heknockedf
orabi
tbef
oreAr
nocamet
oopen.
Bef
oreheev
ensai
dany
thi
ngAr
nopunchedhi
m
onthej
aw.
Monkj
ustst
oodt
her
eandl
ethi
m.
ARNO:Youpi
eceofsht!Youhav
et hener
ve
showi
nguphereaf
terwhatyoudidtomysist
er.
MONK:
Imessedup…Ij
ust
…
ARNO: F**
ky ou,Monk,youdeserv
ethattrash
ofyours.Wherewasshewheny ouwerelocked
up,huh?Didsheoncecomecheckony ou?
Nope,shedumpedy ourassandcall
edyoua
convi
ct.ButCrissywasshowingup,wasn’tshe?
Shetoldmet hat…
MONK:Arno,
Imessedup…Iknow…Iam t
ryi
ng
t
ofi
xthi
ngs.
ARNO:Thef *
*ky
ouwill
.Youdon’
tdeser
veher
anyway.I
t’
sagoodt
hingyoushowedherwhat
tr
ashyouare.
MONK: Arno,pl
ease…please…Ilosttwokidsi
n
aspaceof24hour s,Imighthav
epushedmy
sontosuici
de,andIwasanabsol utejackt
omy
fi
ancée.Iam dr
ained.Ij
ustwannatalktomy
gi
rl.
ARNO:
Shedoesn’
twannat
alkt
oyou,
sof
**k
of
f.
Seshawal
kedt
othedoori
nhergown.
SESHA:
Isn’
tthatf
orCr
issyt
odeci
de?
ARNO:Youser
iousl
ycan’
tbetaki
nghi
ssi
de,
yousawhowbrokenCri
ssyi
s.
SESHA:Andmay
bet
alki
ngt
ohi
m wi
l
lmakeher
feel
bet
ter
.
ARNO:
Ori
twi
l
lmakeherwor
se.
SESHA:
Shedeser
vest
omaket
hatdeci
sion.
Didn’
tyourecentl
yreactt
erri
blytoasit
uati
on,
Arno?Wheny oufoundoutaboutLoki?IknowI
react
edbadt osit
uati
ons,andIam gladfora
chancetoapologi
zeandf i
xthings.Whatmakes
youandIdeservethatchance,buthedoesn’
t?
Cri
ssycametotheli
vingr
oom,
herey
esswol
l
en
andredfr
om cr
ying.
CRISSY:I
t’
sokArno…Iwanttot
alkt
ohim.I
needhimtounderst
andj
usthowwronghewas.
Shepul
ledhercar
digancl
oserandwal
kedout
toMonk’scar
.
ARNO:
Youmakehercr
y,andI
’
llshooty
ou.
MONK:
I’
ll
bedeser
vingofi
t.
*
***
***
***
***
***
***
Neelowal
kedi
ntoReuben’
sfact
oryandasked
forhi
m.Shewasledtohi
soffi
ceandfoundhi
m
packi
nguptol
eave.
RUE:
mmagwe-
Reo…
NEELO:Shedoesn’ tevencarethatIam hur
ti
ng!
Didthatwomanev engivebirt
htome?She
madeamocker yofmyf eel
ingandsaidtomake
teagotaant sosetsadepressi
on!Sheisalways
taki
ngy ourside!
RUE:
Mma-
Moni
ca?
NEELO:Whoelsebesidesyougetsi
nmyner v
es
somuch!Isapol
ogi
zingforhur
tingsomeoneso
har
d,Reuben?
REU:ForanAfri
canparent
?It’
sequal t
owal ki
ng
acrowdedstr
eetnaked.Hell
,they’
dratherdo
thatt
hanapol
ogiestothei
rchild.
NEELO:Iam ti
red,Reuben…Iam ti
redofal
l t
he
pr
essure.Iam al
way sj
ustunderpr
essure…I
wanttotrusty
ou,butIcan’
t…youhurtmet oo
much…
Ay oungergi
rlpeekedi
n.Shewasasimpl
egi
rl
,
chubbyandshor t,
inafl
oral
maxidr
ess,
andher
hai
rwasi ncornrows.
HER:Dumel
ang…y
ousai
dIshoul
dcomeher
e
so…
REU:Kemo…damni t
,IwassobusyIf or
gott
o
cancel.Myfr
iend’
ssonjustpassed,
andIhave
toherdther
e.Canwemakei tt
omorrow?I’
ll
pickyouup.
HER:
Ok…
REUBEN:I
’
lldr
opyouofhome.Iam sosor
ry.
Waitf
ormeinthel
obby.
Thegi
rlnoddedandwentt
othel
i
vingr
oom.
NEELO:Anyyoungerandshewouldbei
nReo’
s
cl
ass.Weren’
tyoutheoneraggi
ngonmeabout
myguesttheotherday?
Reubensi
ghedandwal
kedt
othedoor
.
REUBEN:Iam headi
ngt
oMonk’
s,hi
ssonj
ust
committ
edsuici
de.
NEELO:
What?OhmyGod!Bathong,
kanaBobo
i
ssosmart
,heisal
way
shelpi
ngReowith
assi
gnment
s.OhmyGod,
I’
ll
comewi
thy
ou.
REUBEN:
I’
m dr
oppingKemooff
,youcoul
djust
dr
ivet
her
eandI’
ll
meety out
her
e?
NEELO:It
’sok,
I’
ll
gowithyou.Youcanbri
ngmy
cartomyhousetomorr
ow, i
t’
sdueforser
vice
anyway…doyouminddroppi
ngitof
fattheshop?
RUE:
(si
gh)Nopr
obl
em.Fi
ne,
let
’sgo.
Theywal
kedouttot
hel
obbyandReubencal
l
ed
Kemotofol
low.
Astheyreachedthecar,Neligotinthef
ront
seatandsmiledatKemo, whoj usthumblywent
tothebackseat.Reubensighedandgoti nthe
car,dr
ivi
ngofftodropKemo.
*
***
***
***
***
***
***
**
Monkopenedthedoorf
orCr
issy
,thengoti
n
t
hedri
verseat
.
MONK: Cri
ssy,I
’
m sor
ry.I
’
m sosorr
yf orwhat
happened.Iwasamess…Iwasn’tt
hinking.I
shouldn’thavehandledyouli
kethat,nomatter
what.Ilovey ou,Cry
stal
…Iloveyousomuch.
AndImi ssy ou…whathappened, happened,and
wewi ll
gett hroughitt
oget
her.Pl
easef or
giv
e
me?
CRI
SSY:Idi
dn’
tabor
tyourchi
l
d,Monk…Puni
e
di
d…thati
swhyIatt
ackedher.
MONK:
Cri
ssy
,Iknowshei
scr
azy
,but
…
Sheopenedhergamechatandhandedi
ttohi
m.
Hecoul
drecogni
zehi
sson’
shandl
eint
he
game.
Axeman13:
Haha…comeonauntC,donat
e400
cr
edit
stome,Iwannabuyt
hehammer.
Cri
sxxCroxx:Soyoucansmashmewi
thi
t?
keepdreaming…
Abitmorechataboutthegame,
andsome
tr
adingandCri
ssygiv
ingBoboti
psonot
her
games.
CRI
SSY:
Oh,
wai
t
Shetookherphoneandscrol
leddownmor
e,t
o
theendoftheconver
sat
ion.
Axeman13:AuntC,
Ijustwantedtothanky
ou
forbei
ngtheonl
yonewhodi dn’
tthi
nkI’mj
ust
someidiot
…
Cr
isxxCr
oxx:What
,nobodyt
hinksy
ouar
ean
i
diot
,Bobo…
Axeman13:
Yeat
heydo…any
way
,lat
ers…
Afewday
swentbetweent
heconv
ersat
ion,
t
henthel
astmessage.
Axeman13: HiauntC,youareprobabl ynot
onl
inebecausedadsai dyouareint hehospi tal
.
Iam sorryIwassuchanassandi nsistedhe
l
eav esyoutocomet ome, i
t’
sjust…t hings
goingoutofrouti
nemessmeupandIcan’ t
controlany
thi
ng.Igetangryandst arthitt
ing
andev enhurt
ingmyself…Idon’twantt o,it’
s
j
usthowmybr aini
swired.Ihaveepi sodest hat
l
astday sjustf rom asi nglet hi
ngoutofr outine.
So, i
twasn’ tabouty ou, youknowIl ikey ou.I
beent hinki ngandwhat ev erhappensaf tert his
i
sal ongt imecomi ng.Mymom deser veher
freedom andIam j usthol dingherback.Iam a
burden.Shewi l
lfinallybef ree.Dadi sluckyt o
hav eyou, andhewi l
l behappywi t
haper fect
childnotbr okenl i
keme…al so,auntyC, l
ike,
may bei t’
snot hing, may beIam t ri
ppi ng.Buta
fewday sbackmamagotadel i
veryofpi llsby
someguy .Ithoughtt hatwaswei r
dbecause,
whodel iv
er spi l
lst oahouse?Any way ,Igoogl ed
them, Mi fepristone, andt heyar eli
keabor ti
on
pill
s.May bemamai spr egnantandshei st rying
todot hatandwhat ever ,butIdon’tknow…t his
mor ningshewast alkingabouty oubei ng
pregnant ,shesai dy ouwer egoingt oabor tand
sheanddadar egoi ngt ogetbackt oget her…
andIdon’ tknow…Iam j ustl et
ti
ngy ouknow.
By eauntC…pl easel ov ey ourbabyev eni fs/ he
i
snotper f ect,ev eni fs/ heismessedupl i
keme,
andevenifyoueverfeelli
kes/ hei
saburden,
don’
teversaythatoutloudbecausey ounever
knowwhent heyareli
stening.ByeauntC.
’
Thatimpeccabl
egr
amma, nosil
l
yt een
abbrevi
ati
onswassohi
sboy …becausehe
di
dn’ttal
kmuchevenbef
orehistraumati
c
mutism,Bobowrot
eandhewasgoodati t
.
At
earr
andownhi
scheek.
Whathadhedone.
Howcoul
dheev
ent
hinkCr
issywoul
ddot
his?
HemadeBobof
eel
abur
den.
OhGod.
CRISSY: Shecamet othehouseandof fer
edme
ami l
kshakeshewasv eryi
nsi
stentonme
dri
nking…Idi dn’
tthi
nkmuchofi t
,Ithoughtshe
wasf i
nallyextendi
nganoli
vebranch…soI
drankit.Sheaskedt ouset
hetoil
et.Istayedi
n
theli
vingroom…andIam sur eshewentt oour
bathr
oom i
nstead.Monk,
wouldIbedumb
enoughtoputincr
imi
nati
ngevi
denceexact
ly
whereyouareboundtoseeit
?
*
***
***
***
***
***
***
*
LI
KE,
COMMENT,
SHARE
ATHUG'
SLOVE114

Cri
ssywal
kedbacki
nthehouseandAr
nor
ant
o
her
.
ARNO:
Arey
ouok?
CRISSY:Heispr
obablygonnagodosomethi
ng
dumbl i
ket
rykil
lPuni
eorsomethi
ng,It
hinky
ou
shouldgotohi
m.
Arnolookedoutsi
deasMonk’scarwaspul l
ing
away.Her antohi
scarandfoll
owedhim allthe
waytoPuni e’
shouse.Peopl
eweregathered
outsi
deandMonkgotoutoft hecarinar ush.
Ar
nor
anov
ergohi
m andhel
dhi
mtost
ophi
m.
MONK:
Whatt
hehel
ldoy
ouwant
?
ARNO: What
everdumbshty
ouar
ethi
nki
ng
ri
ghtnow,st
op.
MONK:
Thatbi
chki
l
ledbot
hmyki
ds!
ARNO:Sowhat,youaregonnashootherpoi
nt
bl
anki
nfrontofall
thesepeopl
e?
MONK:
Ift
hat
’swhati
ttakes.
ARNO: I
’v
ealwaysknowny
ouar
est
upi
d,but
thi
stakesthecake.
MONK:Ar
nol
d,bothyourchi
l
drenaref*
*ki
ng
al
i
ve,
ok?Theareali
ve…minearedead!
ARNO: AndBobodeser vesbett
erthanyou
stormingi nli
kearagi
ngbul l
.Respecthi
sdamn
funeral
, andletPuni
ehav ewhatever
’scoming
toherlat er
.Nothere,notnow.
MONK:
Whyt
hehel
ldoy
ouev
encar
e.
MONK: Idon’
t,
butCr
issydoes.Andyouar e
r
ight
,shegetstomakeherdecisi
ons,despi
te
howbadt heyare.Shewant edmet ost opyou,
that
’swhyshet oldme.Shewi llbebrokenifyou
endupgoi ngt ojailorget
ti
ngadeat hsentence.
Letitrest,br
other…l eti
trest
..
.burryyourson,
mour nbothy ourkidsanddeal wit
hPuni e
accordingly.
MONK: Sheki
lledmyki ds,man…sheki l
l
edmy
babies,shedeliber
atel
ygaveCrissyshttoki
ll
mybaby …cal
ledmysonabur den.Whatkindof
cruelshtist
hat ?Shekil
ledmykids,Arno…my
ki
ds…
Hecov
eredhi
sfacewit
hhishandsasast
ream
oft
ear
srandownhischeeks.
*
***
***
***
***
***
***
***
**
Lat
eri
ntheev
eni
ngReubenwasdr
oppi
ngNel
i
off
.
NELI
:Whydon’
tyoucomei
n?
REUBEN:Forwhat
,Neel
o?Anotheral
l-
nightsex
marat
honthatamount
stonot
hing?Thatisfun
andall
,butNel
i,Iam 37!Iam t
oooldt
obe
anyone’
sbootycall
.Iwantastabl
e
rel
ati
onshi
p…Iwantt ohaveafamil
y.
NEELO:Soyouaregoingtoguil
tmei nt
o
f
orgi
vingyou?Icannevert
rustyou,
Reuben.
REUBEN:So,Iam accepti
ngt hatakere.Il
ove
youNel
i,buti
fyousaidtherei snochanceatall
ofuseverget
ti
ngbackt ogether ,t
hat
’sok.I
havet
olearntomov eon.Ibet tergo.
NEELO:
What
ever
.
Sheopenedt
hedoorandwal
kedof
f.
Reuwat
chedherf
orami
nut
e,t
hensi
ghedand
rani
naf
terher
…
*
***
***
***
***
***
***
***
Afewday sl
ateratBobo’sfuner
al,
Puniesat
withhermotherandsi st
er.Monkhadbeen
avoidi
ngherallweek,butaftert
hatev
eningin
thecar,shewassur ehewi l
lcomebackrunni
ng.
Tal
ki
ngaboutMonk,
wher
ewashe?
Shelookedupandsawherarri
vewithCri
ssy
.
Theysattoget
herint
hefamil
ytent
,Cri
ssy
hol
dinghishand.Hehandedherati
ssueasshe
sobbed.
Whatthehel
lwasgoingonher
e?Howwashe
st
il
lal
lovert
hatgi
rl
?
Shelookedupast
hef
uner
alpr
ocessi
onwent
on.
Itwasst il
lsosurreal
thathisboywasgone.
Likehewasgonnawal kintothei
rhomeandhe
wouldt hrowsomet hi
ngatherorsomet hi
ng.
Tearscl oudedhereyesast heybroughtthe
coffi
nfrom t hecar…shescr eamedout,
hyperventil
ating,
andfaintedastheylowered
thecoffindown.
Monkcarriedthecoffi
nwit
hhisbro’
sand
wal
kedittowardshisboy’
sfi
nalrest
ingplace.
Hi
slegsfeltweak,buthehadtodothisfor
Bobo…
Tear
srandownhischeekasFadzwast
art
ed
pl
ayi
ng‘Jeal
ousoftheAngel
s’i
nthepi
ano.
HerememberedhowBobousedt otellhi
m she
wasamazingatpiano… heknewforsureBobo
wouldwanthert
opl ayandsi
ngforhi
m onelast
t
ime
“
Idi
dn'
tknowt
odaywoul
dbeourl
ast
Ort
hatI
'
dhav
etosaygoodby
etoy
ousof
ast
I
'
m sonumb,
Ican'
tfeel
any
mor
e
Pr
ayi
n'y
ou'
djustwal
kbackt
hrought
hatdoor
Andt
ell
met
hatIwasonl
ydr
eami
n'
You'
renotr
eal
l
ygoneasl
ongasIbel
i
eve”
Thewordbrokehi
m al
lov
eragain…God,
hewas
goi
ngtofal
l
…hi sl
egswereshaki
ngsomuch.
Kodiwal
kedoverandtookoverfrom hi
m,whi
l
e
Cri
ssyl
edhim backt
ot hechai
r,hol
dinghi
s
shaki
nghandasherownt
ear
srandownhi
s
cheek.
Hebarel
yev
enr
egister
edaspeopl
eranov ert
o
Puni
ewhohadj
ustfall
endownandfai
nted.
*
***
***
***
***
***
***
Thr
eedayslat
erPuni
elai
dinbedaspeopl
e
wer
ecleani
ngupandpackingaway
.
Monkhadnotevencont
act
edheroncesi
nce
t
hatdayonthecar
.
Shet
ext
ed.
‘
Ijustcan’
tbel
iev
eourboyi
sgone.I
t’
sjust
f
inall
yhitt
ingme…’
Themessagedi
dn’
tgot
hrough.
Shet
ri
edt
ocal
landi
twasn’
tgoi
ngt
hrough…
Whatthehel
l…whywouldhebl
ockher
?Ithad
tobethatgi
rl
,shemusthav
ebl
ockedheronhi
s
phone.
*
***
***
***
***
***
***
**
Monkl
aidi
nbedbesi
desCr
yst
al.
CRI
SSY:Wow…sot hefi
rstt
hingyoudowhen
wehaveanargument
,istogof**
kthatho.
Wow,r
eall
y,wow,Monk!
MONK:
Iwasn’
tthi
nki
ng…Ij
ust
…
CRI
SSY:Atl
eastt
ell
mey
ouusedpr
otect
ion…
pl
ease…
MONK: Idid…Iswear
…Crystal
,Iam sosor
ry…I
shoul
dhav ebel
iev
edyou…Iwasst upi
d…if
you’
ll
sti
llhaveme…I’
dsti
lll
i
ket ogetmarr
ied.
*
***
***
***
***
***
***
***
***
1YEARLATER
*
***
***
***
***
***
***
*
LI
KE,
SHARE,
COMMENT
ATHUG’
SLOVE115
Lubafi
nishedbreastf
eedi
nghersonandput
hi
mi nt
hecot ,
put t
inghi
mt osl
eep.
LUBA:
Arey
ousur
eyouwi
l
lbeokt
owat
chhi
m?
KARTEL:Comeon,Ir
unthreecompaniesthat
hi
reupto300peopl
e.Icanhandleafourmonth
ol
dforoneeveni
ng…howhar dcanitbe?
Besi
des,
Arnoiscomi
nginwi t
hhisson…
LUBA:(l
aughi
ng)NotthatArnoknowsmuch
ei
ther
…y oudoknowaunt yi
scomi ngt
oo?It
’s
j
ustyouandthekids.Weshouldjustl
eav
ethe
ki
dswithmma- Sesha…
KARTEL:I’
m gl
adyouinvi
tedher.Wewil
lbefi
ne.
Also,
FadzwaandDedearer i
ghtacr
ossthe
room i
fshtget
stough.
LUBA:Theyar
ehav
ingamov
ieni
ght
.Ser
iousl
y
babe,
mmaSeshasaid…
KARTEL:
Gir
lgoenjoyy
ourbachel
oret
te.We
ar
egonnabefi
ne.
Shewenttotheshowerandcameoutwi t
h
makeupdone,i
nat i
ghtli
tt
lewhit
ebust
ierthat
ci
nchedherwai
stwithamat chi
ngwhit
et utu,
andasheerwhi
tevei
lthatcover
edherf
ace.
Kar
tel
whi
stl
edashest
aredather
.
LUBA:Thet
hemei
sbur
lesque,
whatdoy
ou
thi
nk?
KARTEL:Damn!I
’
mj eal
oust
hosegi
rlsgett
o
spendt
heeveni
nglooki
ngatal
loft
his.
Thegir
lpar
kedoutsi
deandLubakissedKar
tel
bef
oresher
antothecarwi
thherhel
per.
*
***
***
***
Monkarr
ivedatKar
tel
’sandsatdownasthey
hadabeerwhil
ethebabiessl
epti
nthei
rcots.
KARTEL:
Kant
ear
engj
aanongPuni
e?
MONK:Argg… hewee,youar
egoingt
okil
lmei
f
Icomeback,
heweey ouwil
ltaket
hebaby
.
ARNO:
Att
hispoi
nt,
wast
hisbi
chev
en
pregnant
?Shej
ustt
ext
edy
oushewasaf
ter
sheleft
…
MONK:Shekeepssendi
ngmet
hesepi
ctur
esof
ababy
…
EA:
Itdon’
tev
enl
ookl
i
key
ou.
ARNO: Right
?Ijusthaveabadf eel
ingabout
thi
s.Thebabywoul dbet hr
eemont hsbynow,
youreall
ythi
nkt hatcl
i
ngybichwoul dn’
tbe
milki
ngthesituati
ontodeathifshereal
lywas
pregnantandhady ourbaby?
KARTEL:Word… Iam al
soquest
ioni
ngi
tbi
g
ti
me.Anyprogr
essonf i
ndi
ngLoki?
ARNO: Li
ter
all
ynothing.Maxineuppedher
famil
yandIcan’tfi
ndwher etheymov edt o.I
hir
edapr i
vat
einvestigat
orandhest i
ll comes
upwi t
hnothi
ng.Iam wonder i
ngiftheybought
him.Lastweekhet oldmehehadsomet hing…
wewer egonnameetatar est
aurant,
andwhenI
arr
ivehewasseatingwi t
hMax’ sbrother’swi f
e.
Thatblueeyedone.Sheleft
,andt
heguy
l
iter
all
ysaidhehadnothing.Whenhehadbeen
surejustear
li
eronthephone.
KARTEL:
Theyboughthi
m… shewasobv
iousl
y
pay
inghi
mtohidethetr
uth.
ARNO: IhatethatSeshaisnotevenconcer ned
atall
,sheseemst ohaveleti
tgo.Sheisthe
bestmot hert
oDe’ Andre,
heisherworld,loves
hi
m somuch… butshenev erev
enment ionLoki,
andwhenIdoIgetasenseIam of f
endingher,
evenifshenev ersaysanythi
ng.
KARTEL:Itcan’
tbeeasyforher.Ibetshesti
l
l
feel
sguil
ty.Soi
t’
seasiert
ojustpushi tt
othe
sideandfocusonthehappystuff.
ARNO: Sheismychil
d.Iwantherback!Idon’
t
wannat al
kaboutt
hisbef
oreIrui
nev er
yone’s
eveni
ng.
KARTEL:Igetyou,man.Any
way
,Ruei
spoppi
ng
thequest
iontoday
.
EA:Kemoisasweetandhumbl
egi
rl
…It
otal
l
y
appr
ove.
ARNO:
Hest
il
ll
ovesNel
ithough.
KARTEL:Neliwashiaaker
e.Howlongi
sour
boysupposedtobeg?Botshel
oboamosia,he
agrownman, heneedsawife.HowisMsCl
eo?
EA:
( si
gh)Thi
ngsar
egoingreal
wel
l
,man.Real
wel
l.Ital
kedt
oherfat
her…
MONK:
Youmean…
EA:
Yup…
ARNO: Gasekamanyal
othi
syear!Sht,Iam
tempt
edt orenewmyweddi
ngvowst oo.
Congratsman.Whenar
eyoupoppingthe
quest
ion?
EA:Ineedy
ouf**
kerstohelpmewithideason
howIcanmakeitspeci
al.ButIf
eel
li
kethisgi
rl
i
stheone,man…Ijustf
eelit
.
KARTEL:
HowdoesRonf
eel
aboutt
his?
EA:Ij
usthaveafeeli
ngRoni
sdeal i
ngwit
h
somebrokenheartorsomet
hing.Shedoesn’
t
car
e…
MONK:
Ron?Br
okenhear
t?Unl
i
kel
y.
KARTEL:Trynever
… girl
isadri
ft
er… Idon’
tsee
herf
all
i
ngf ornoniggaenoughf
orhimt obr
eak
hi
sheart.Arno,
didshetelly
ousomething?
ARNO:
What
?Whywoul
dyouaskmet
hat
?
KARTEL:Becauseyoulookuncomfort
abl
eas
hel
lsi
nceRon’slov
elif
ewasbr oughtup.
ARNO:Youar
eimagini
ngt
hings… anyway
…
damn… l
ookatus,
huh?Marri
age,ki
ds…
KARTEL:Tell
meabouti
t.Somet
imesit
’s
sur
real
.Ican’
tbel
uev
ethisi
smylif
e.
*
***
***
***
***
*
LubalaughedasSeshaheldtheKahluatoher
whil
etheotherschant
ed‘dri
nk,dr
ink,dr
ink’
LUBA:
Guy
s,y
ouknowI
’
m br
east
feedi
ng…
SESHA:Ev
enmor er
easonyoushoul
ddr
ink!
Youpump,fort
henext48hr
syoucanbott
le
feed.
ShelaughedasSeshapour edt
heal
cohol
int
o
hermouth,theot
hercheer
ing.
NEELO:(slur
ring)Youknowwhatweare
missi
ng?Ast ripper
!WhydoesFr
anci
stownnot
havestr
ippers?
LUBA: You,mydrunkdear,ar
eaf r
eakybi
ch…
butIagree…thi
sismyl astchancetot
ouchabs
thataren’
tmyhusband’sandIdon’tevengett
o
dot hat
…
RON:I
fast
ri
pperi
swhaty
ouwantI
’
mreadyt
o
obl
i
ge.
Shelookedsogoodi nabl ackandredtinyl
it
tl
e
corsetdress,
somebl ackkneehighsockswit
h
redli
ttl
ebows, andamazinglyhi
ghsti
let
toes,
withaseacapt ai
n’shat.
SESHA:
OhmyGod,
yes!
!Yes!Isweari
fIhadt
o
f*
,kagir
l,i
twoul
dbeRon… oops,
didIsayt
hat
outl
oud?
NEELO:
Iam sur
eifanyonewastof**
kagi
rl
,i
t
woul
dbeRon!Rightgi
rl
sCri
ssy?Oneh?
Cri
ssylaughedandr
aisedagl
assasshe
nodded,Luba’
shel
perOnehal
soagreed,
l
aughing.
BOPAKI :(
ti
psy)Shei smybr other’
sex,so…
ki
ndanotal l
owedt othinkaboutt hat
… butI
agree…andman, Ineedf un,
Iam getti
nga
div
orce,sof**kDerekandhi smi sogyni
sti
c
bull
sht,
hewant sadi vorcebecauseIam not
poppinganymor ekids,hecanhav ei
t.NowI
canf**kwhoev erIwant…
SESHA:That’
sitthen… br
idewantst
otouch
abs… Ronistheonlyoneherewit
habsandshe
saysshedances…
RON:
It’
supt
othebr
ide…
Shesai
dasshel
ookedLubai
ntheey
eswi
tha
smil
eastheot
her
schant
ed… ‘
dance,
dance,
dance’
Lubal
aughedandshr
uggedandshookherhead.
LUBA:Yeay,
nope.Husband’sbestf
ri
endand
al
l…Iguessnoabsformet oni
ght.
SESHA:
Yousuck.Boooo!
LUBA:
(laughi
ng)Youar
edr
unk.
NEELO:
Andy
ouar
en’
tdr
unkenough!
Shesaidasshepushedanotheral
coholbot
tl
e
toLuba’
smout handot
herscheeredasshe
pouredi
tinhermouth.
SESHA:
Fine,
fine,
Kar
aoket
hen…
Theytookt
urnssi
ngi
ngsongst
hatcameont
he
scr
een.
BonJovi’s‘Al
ways’cameonandRont ookher
gui
tarandwentont hestageandst
art
ed
si
nging,al
lthi
sti
mehol di
ngLuba’
sgaze.
 Thi
sRomeoi
sbl
eedi
ng
Buty
oucan'
tseeherbl
ood
I
t'
snot
hingbutsomef
eel
i
ngs
Thatt
hisol
ddogki
ckedup
I
t'
sbeenr
aini
ngsi
ncey
oul
eftme
NowI
'
m dr
owni
ngi
nthef
lood
Yousee,
I'
veal
way
sbeenaf
ight
er
Butwi
thouty
ou,
Igi
veup
Ican'
tsi
ngal
ovesong
Li
ket
hewayi
t'
smeantt
obe
Wel
l
,IguessI
'
m nott
hatgoodany
mor
e
Butbaby
,that
'sj
ustme
AndIwi
l
llov
eyou,
baby
,al
way
s
AndI
'
llbet
her
efor
everandaday
,al
way
s
I
'
llbet
her
e't
ilt
hest
arsdon'
tshi
ne
'
Til
theheav
ensbur
standt
hewor
dsdon'
t
r
hyme
AndIknowwhenIdi
e,y
ou'
l
lbeonmymi
nd
AndI
'
lll
ovey
ou,
alway
s
Lubaranoutsi
de,
hidi
ngt
het
ear
sthatr
andown
hercheeks.
SESHA:
Babe,
youok?
LUBA:
Ijust
… Ineedt
opee…
Thever
ydr
unkgir
lswentonwi
tht
hekar
aoke
asRonqui
etl
ysl
i
ppedoutandf
oll
owedLuba.
*
***
***
***
Kesegolai
dinbedlooki
ngatInst
agram
pi
cturesofLuba’
sbachel
oret
tepart
y.
God,shewi
shedsomuchshewashavi
ngone,
butPuni
ehadranof
faboutay
earago.
Kesegohadover
heardKart
elonthephone
tal
ki
ngaboutMonkknowingPunieputan
abort
ionpi
l
lonCrissy
’smil
kshake.
Shehadt
oldPuni
eandPuni
elef
tthatv
eryday
.
AsforNaomi,t
heyhadnotev
ent
alkedforso
l
ong,andshewasn’
tevensur
eNaomi wassti
l
l
i
nthecountr
y.
Basi
call
yshehadnofri
endstothrowher
part
iesl
ikeLubawashavi
ng.Sheevenhadt
o
gethercousi
ntobehermaidofhonor.
Herweddingwasaweekaf t
erLuba’s…andshe
wassogonnaout shi
neher.Shecouldn’twaitt
o
seewhateverLubaputupf orherweddi ng,t
he
gir
lwasfullofherself
,soitwasobv iousl
y
gonnabesomet hi
nggrand.Ohwell,shehadher
owngrandpl annedup,Nkemi’swhiningabout
moneyandal l.
*
***
***
***
Thegi
rl
splay
edgamesi nsi
de,
bar
elynoti
cing
LubawasnotbackorRonwasmissing.
Seshawasposti
ngsomethi
nginherI
nstagr
am
andFacebookwhenshenot
icedsomeonein
hert
imel
i
nehadshar
edsomet
hing.
‘
Heasked… Isai
dyes’
WithapictureofReubeninonekneeinfrontof
ashortchubbygirlwhoheldoutherhandwitha
ri
ng,t
heot herhandcov er
inghermouthin
somestagedsur pr
ise.
SESHA:
Wait
,babe… It
houghty
ousai
dyouand
Ruewer
ehooki
ngup?
NEELI :
Weare, f
rom ti
met oti
me,notof
tenas
I’
dlike… t
hemanf *
*kssogood.Butnostri
ngs
though.Iam actual
lyt
hinki
ngofgivi
nghima
secondchance…
SESHA:Soitwil
lbeabadti
metoshowyouhe
j
ustgotengagedtosomebi
chcal
ledKemo…
NEELO:
What
?
Shesnat
chedherphoneandl
ooked.
NEELO:
Thi
spi
eceofsht
!
ShegotonherownFacebookandf
oundt
he
post
,comment
ing.
‘
Aww,congrats,ourmanf
inal
l
yset
tl
ing.
Key
word‘sett
ling’
.
BOPAKI:Ohno, honey,y
oudon’tdr
unk
comment… delete… del
eteandhopenobody
tookascreenshot.
NEELO:(slur
ri
ng)No… f
**kthat.Andf*
*k
Reuben.Iam cal
li
ngt
hisuselessmotherf
**ker
!
Seshatri
edtogr
abthephonef
rom her
,butshe
ranoff
,call
i
ngReuben.
RUE:
Nel
i
?
NEELO: Youareapieceofsht ,
Reuben!Alyi
ng,
stupi
d,ok,goodd**k,butstupi
dpieceofsht.I
am gonnablastyoualloversocial
mediaforthe
l
iaryouare.
REUBEN:
Youar
edr
unk…
NEELO:Andyouareapieceofsht
…thati
swhat
youar
e,Reuben.Acheat
ingpi
eceofsht…you
gotengaged?
REUBEN: Neel o,t
ocheatony ou, wouldmean
wewer edating.Andwewer en’t,y
oumaket hat
cl
eareverytimewear etogether.Youwanted
nostri
ngsat tached.Igaveyout hat.Ir
eal
i
zedI
wasdoingKemowr ong.Iconfessed,
apol
ogized,andpr oposed.Whi chendsourli
ttl
e
whateverthatwas.
Seshat
ackl
edNeel
odownandt
ookherphone.
SESHA:F**kyou,Reuben,
wear
egonnat
hrow
dar
tsatyourpict
ure.
ThenshehungupandputNeel
o’sphoneonher
pocket
.
NEELO:
Ineed…
SESHA:Uh-uhl!Nomoredrunkcal
l
ing!Wecan
tr
ashtal
khimi fyouwant
.Butweareabove
beggi
ng,babygir
l.Hei
sadog.
*
***
***
**
Ronwalkedout
sideandf
oundLubai
nthe
ki
tchen,
cryi
ng.
Theownerhadletthenleavet
heirdei
nksand
snacksintheki
tchenasitwoul
dbeempt y
overni
ght.
Shewal
kedinandhuggedLubaf
rom behi
nd,
ki
ssi
ngherneck.
Lubapushedherbackandslappedher
.Ron
rubbedhercheekandl
aughed.
LUBA:Whatwasall
that
,Pat
ronel
la!Whatwas
that
!Backi
nther
e,whatwasthat
!
RON:
Thesong?Idedi
cat
edi
ttoy
ou…
LUBA:
Itol
dyouwear
edone.
RON:Il
oveKar
t,andIhat
esayi
ngthi
s,butdo
wehavetobedone?Hedoesn’
thavet
oknow…
LUBA:Youarecrazy… andevenifIagreeto
that
,whichIwontbecauseIam fai
thfult
omy
husband,unt
ilwhen,
Ron?Untilwhen?You
cannotwantt
obeasi
def
orev
er.Yougot
ta
wantmore.
RON:
What
every
oucangi
vei
senoughf
orme.
LUBA:
Pleasedon’
tdot
his…
RON: Look,Luba.Inev erl
ov edany oneenough
towantt ostay… Kart,Ea… t herewereot hers
too… bothmenandwomen.Noneev ermade
mewantt ostay… buty oumadet hisnomad
wantt ostay.Ibeeninl ovewi thyoulongbef ore
wegott ogether
…backwhenwewassl anging…
thatti
mewhenwewentt oZambi atomakea
dropandwegotat tacked…howy outookcar e
ofmewhenIwashur t
…t henwewentt othe
devil
’spool,
tothatsaf ari
,thatroadt r
ipbackt o
Francist
own…bestt i
meofmyl if
e.
LUBA:
Ron…
RON:It
riedtouseKart’
slunati
cmothert
o
makeyouleavehim soIcouldsli
dei
n…butyou
j
ustweren’
tseei
ngme.Thatni ghtwhenyou
cameoutoft hepen… Iwassohappywhenhe
threwyouout.Ifi
nall
yhadachance,andwhat
thehell
doyoudo?Gobackt ohim!Af t
erhe
playedyoul
ikethat!Themanputyouinawell
!
LUBA:
(sni
ff
li
ng)Youdon’
tunder
stand…
RON: Ido… andIf eelli
keshtbecauseKar tis
mybr o.Ididn’tchooset his,ok,Luba?Idi dn’t
chooset olovey ou!Idon’twantt ol ovey ou,you
aremybr o’swi fe.Butlovedoesn’ twor kthat
way,doesi t?Iam Kar tel
’sbestf *
, ki
ngwoman, I
am gonnabest andingbehi ndhim andl istening
toyoupledgey ourlif
eandl ovet ohi m,andt hat
i
sgonnaki l
lme.Buti t
’swhaty ouwant ,soI’l
l do
i
t.Butlosingy oual t
ogetherLuba…
At earr
andownRon’
scheek,andLuba’
sheart
broke,t
hinki
ngi
twast
hefir
sttimesheever
sawRoncr y
.
Shemovedi
ncl
oserandwi
pedRon’
stearwi
th
hert
humb.
Ron’shandssl
ippeddownthesmoothcurv
eof
Luba’ssi
destorestonherhi
psasshedrewher
i
n.
Thensheleanedi
nandpl
acedt
hesof
testki
ss
onLuba’
slips.
Sheshoul
dstopt
his,
Lubat
houghtasherhear
t
bestsowi
ldl
yshecoul
donl
ytakel
it
tl
esipsof
breat
h.
Shewasgett
ingmarr
iednextweekf
orGod
sake,
sheneededt
ostopthis…
Butherl
i
pswer ewor ki
ngint
heirownvoli
ti
on,
par
ti
ngtor ecei
veRon’s,mel
dingtoget
herina
si
zzl
ingrhy
thm thathadherpanti
ng…
RON:
Ineedy
ou,
Luba…
Shesai
dast
heypul
l
edapar
ttocat
chabr
eat
h.
Tongentlypushedherdownthesoloof
fice
chai
rthatwasi nt
hekit
chen,
undoinghercorset
l
acesandpul l
ingthet
hingof
f…
*
***
***
***
**
LI
KE,
COMMENT,
SHARE
ATHUG’
SLOVE116

Ipacedabouti ntot alpanic.Like,whatthehell,

whydopeopl et hinkit’
sokt ojustsharesht
aboutotherpeopl eonl i
ne?Tur nsoutt herewas
someCCTVi ntheki t
chenandsomesecur i
ty
offi
cerssawitanddeci dedi twasaf unideato
putitonl
ine.Wel l
, par
tofi t.Specif
icall
y,thepart
ofRonandIhav ingsex.Thati swhatIwokeup
to.Plusaterr
iblehangov er..
.
Kar
tel
wal
kedi
nst
il
lfumi
ng.
KARTEL: Italkedtot hatlady,theyhave
scrubbedthef ootage, andbot hthesecuri
ty
offi
cersaref i
red,andwi llhaveaper manent
viol
ati
onint heirr
ecor d.Ihav ehadmyl egal
team contactandt hreatent hepeoplewhohad
downloadedi tandr esharedi taft
ertheori
ginal
wasdel eted.Thosehavebeentakendownt oo.
Somear enowshar i
ngitonWhatsApp,but
that
’sbet t
erthanFacebook.Can’tst
opthe
conversationspeopl
earehavi
ngev enwithout
thevideot hough.
ME:
Kar
tel
,Iam sor
ry…
KARTEL:Forwhat
,Luba,
huh?Makingmel
ook
l
ikeacucktotheworl
d?Youf*
*kedmybest
fr
iend!
ME:
Inev
eri
ntended…
KARTEL:Isawthewhol
efoot
age,
notj
ustt
he
par
ttheyshar
ed…IknowyouandRonbeen
doi
ngshtbehindmyback…
ME: That
’sunf
air,
whateverhappened,
happenedwheny ouwerelockedup…thiswas
thefir
stt
imesinceyoucameback.
KARTEL: Soi
tjusti
fi
est
hings?Huh?Yout
hink
becauseIwaslockedup,it
’sokt
of**kmy
fr
iend?IswearI’
ll
…
ME: You’
lldosht,t
hesamewayIdidn’tdo
anythi
ngwheny ouf *
*kedmynanny,gother
pregnantandtri
edtomar r
yherwhi
leIwas
l
ockedup!Hur t
swheni t’
sontheot
herfoot,
huh?
KARTEL:So,thi
siswhatal
lthi
sisabout
,huh?
Revenge?It
houghtwemov edon…
ME: Youknowwhat ,no.Iam notgonnaletyou
reducewhatRonandIhadt opettyr
evenge.It
hadnot hi
ngatall
inthewor l
d.Itwasjusta
reacti
ontobeingtr
eatednice.
KARTEL:
Whati
sthatev
ensupposedt
omean,
huh?
ME: Youknow, forthef
irstti
me…Iwasbei ng
madepr i
ori
ty.Ididnothav etocompet ewith
thestreetsorot herwomenorbusi nessfor
att
ention.Nol unaticmothertel
li
ngmehow
i
nadequat eIam andhowshepr efersyourbaby
mama. ..noannoy i
ngbabymamaonmyback. .
.
Iwasbei ngli
st enedto,whichsomet imesisall
I
needKar t
el,y
oudon’ thavetosol v
eev erydamn
problem…somet i
mesy oujustneedt oli
sten…
forthefirstti
me, Ifeltworthy…notj ustanot her
gir
lingr eatKgathaloMoseki ’sli
fe,fill
ingaspot
anyot hergirlcanfil
l.Ronis…peace.Iam t otal
ly
atrestwi thher,becausey ouknowwhat ?No
mat t
erhowmuchIangerher ,Ronwi llneverdo
anythingt ohurtme.Shepr otects…t akescar e
ofme…andInev erhadt oquest i
onherl ove.
Shei speace.
KARTEL:Thatiswhatyouthi
nkofus?Thatany
ot
hergir
lcouldfi
l
lyourspot?
ME: Itdidn’tt
akelongatallf
ory outobepay i
ng
magadi foranotherwoman.AndIhaddone
nothingatal lbutwenttopri
son…f orcoveri
ng
yourasst oo…that’
swhatIgot .I
nsteadof
sel
lingy ououtandget ti
ngav eryshort
sentence, Icoveryou,andf
ort hatIgetyou
tr
yingt omar ryanotherwoman, humili
ati
ngme
i
nmyabsenceandusi ngmyf earsagainstme…
KARTEL:
Iapol
ogi
zedf
oral
lthat
…
ME: Exact
ly.WhatIam t
ell
ingyouis,
toerri
sto
behuman.AndIam apol ogizi
ngforwhat
happenedy est
erdayt
oo…Itwaswr ongand
unfairt
oyou…
KARTEL: Youhavebeensl
eepi
ngwit
hmybest
fr
iendforyear
s!Andyouareapol
ogi
zi
ngf
or
yester
dayonly?
ME: Iam notsorr
yaboutall
thoseyear
s
becauseIwashappy .Takethatt
hewayyou
want,butit
’sthetr
uth.
KARTEL: So,
what?Youwanttobewi t
hRon,
huh?Huh?Whataboutourkids?Fafa,
Dedeand
Kut?Kutendaisonl
yfourmonths,
forGod’
s
sake!Youcan’tdot
histous,
Luba…
ME:(sighing)Ineversai
dIwantedt obewit
h
Ron,Kartel.Il
oveyou…Iwanty ou.Ilov
eour
famil
yandIhopey oucanforgi
veme…butI
havenor egretsaboutmyyearswithher.
*
***
***
***
***
***
***
***
**
Reubenwokeupandhi
sfi
ancéewasont
he
bathr
oom,sobbi
ng.
REUBEN:
Kemo,
arey
ouok?
KEMO;ItoldyounnaIdon’tdodramaReuben..
.
yousai
dy ourbabymamamov edon.Nextt
hing
yousayyouhav ebeensl
eepingwit
hher.
REUBEN:ButIt
oldyouIst
oppedaker
e?Iam
done.
..wear
egetti
ngmarri
ed.
KEMO: Shewasonl i
nesay i
ngy ouset
tl
edfor
meandal l
..
.becauseshei sfr
iendswit
h
Lubal
ashe,peopl
ef ol
lowher,andpeopleare
shari
nghercomment ,nowf ol
lowingmetoo
aski
ngifIam goingthroughwiththeweddi
ng..
.
REUBEN:I
gnoret
hem...Ipr
omiseIdon’
thav
ea
col
orf
ull
if
eli
keKart
,so,peopl
ewill
beoverthi
s
byendofday.
KEMO:
Nnammekekopaobual
emmagwe
Reobecausegakebategoar abi
sanal
emogol
o.
Shei
smyel destsi
ster
’sage!
REUBEN:
IpromiseI’
ll
got
alktoher
..
.Il
ovey
ou
ok?Comehere.
..gi
vemeakiss
*
***
***
***
***
***
***
Neelolai
dinbednursi
ngahugehangov eras
shereadtheaft
ermathofherli
tt
lecomment.At
l
eastherdrunkcal
lsandthebreakdownthat
fol
l
owedwer en’
tonli
ne.Ther
ewasaknockand
shewenttoopenforReuben.
NEELO:
(sheepi
shsmi
l
e)Iwasdr
unk?Sor
ry?
REUBEN:Youcan’
tkeeppul
l
ingshtl
i
ket
hat
,
Neel
o..
.
NEELO:
Iwantt
ogi
veusachance.
..
REUBEN:
Excuseme?
NEELO:Iwantustogi
veourf
ami
l
yachance.
..
l
et’
sgiv
ethisatry
..
.
REUBEN:
Youhav
eissues.What
,Iam at
tract
ive
t
oyounowbecausesomeoneel
sewant
sme?
NEELO:Reuben,kanannaIt
houghtwewer
e
t
akingt
hingsslow..
.
REUBEN:
Byconst
antl
ytel
l
ingmey ouwi
l
lnev
er
for
giv
eme,wedon’
thaveachance?
NEELO:Youwer
ebusyget
ti
ngengagedbehi
nd
myback!
REUBEN: Iwasbusysleepingwithmyexbehind
myfiancee’
sback.Iapologizedandshef
orgave.
NEELO: Whywast hat,Reuben?Huh, whydid
yousleepwi t
hmewheny ouwereina
rel
ati
onship.Iwil
ltel
lyouwhy .Becauseyou
l
ovemeandy ouarejustsett
li
ngbecauseI
wouldn’thaveyou.ButIam herenow, Iwantto
giv
eusat ry
.
REUBEN:
Iam af
rai
dIcan’
t.
..
NEELO:
Letmetell
youwhathappenst
opeopl
e
whoset
tl
e.Youendupunhappyand
dissat
isfi
ed,andbef
oreyouknowi
tyouar
e
cheati
ngwi thsl
ayqueenagai
nandmaki
ng
yourselfbr
okeand..
.
REUBEN: Yousee?Yousee, Neelo?Icannever
doany t
hingtoredeem my self
,inyoureyes.I
wil
lalwaysbet heguywhohur tyou,andyouwil
l
al
way sbringi
tupwhenwear gue.AndIjust
can’tl
iv
el i
kethat.Goodbye,Neelo.Iwanna
i
ntroduceKemot ot hekids,andIam hav i
ng
custodyrevi
ewedsowecanhav eco-par
entan
equalamount.Hewal kedouti nfrustr
ati
on.
*
***
***
***
***
***
***
***
***
***
*
Theint
ernetwasal
lov
ert
hest
oryoft
hev
ideo
ofRonandI .
..
Ihatehowwej ustgotthrusti
nthespotli
ghtli
ke
that
,nowev enasmal l
thingaboutusget st
he
i
nternetstr
eet
sbuzzi ng..
.whatmor esomething
thi
smassi vel
ikeasexv i
deowithnotjust
anyone,butmyhusband’ schil
dhoodfriend.
..a
weekbef
oret
heweddi
ng.
Peoplewer ehavingallsortsofspeculations
andopi nions.Hewasgonnal eave.
..no,he
shouldn’tleave,it
’sj
ustagi rl
.It
’snotcheat i
ngif
i
tswithagi rl
..
.bacheloret
tesgetwi ld,
Kar t
shouldgetov erit
..
.Lubaisashamel essho,
Kart
el absolutelyadoresherandshedoest his.
..
al
lthat.Bat hong,isKartsingl
ekei t
ekel esego?
SaidKar
tel
waspacingaboutunt
ilt
her
ewasa
knockandNiki
tawal
kedin
KARTEL:
Niks!ThankGody
ouar
eher
e
NIKI
TA:Ili
ter
all
yjustarr
ivedf
rom my
honeymoonandIam j et
-l
eggedl
ikea
mother*
*ker,
Kartel
!
KARTEL:
Ipayy
out
ogetmeoutofshtl
i
ket
his.
..
NIKI
TA:Iam onvacat
ion!Youknow,t
o
honeymoonwithmyhusbandIam loyal
to.
KARTEL:
Niki
ta.
..
NIKITA:(
laughi
ng)I’mjustsayi
ng.
..youl
ostout
onme, hun..
.you’dhavenoneofthiswit
hme
becauseI’dnevergetcaught.
..
KARTEL:
Niki
ta!
NI
KITA:Fine,
f i
ne.
..i
tbeenafewhour snow..
.
wedon’twanttoseem desperat
e..
..
butdon’
t
wantpeoplerunni
ngwiththei
rownnar r
ati
ves
f
ortoolongeither
.
KARTEL:
What
’st
hemov
e?
NIKITA:Defl
ect.Weareusingy ourhistor
ywith
Ront osaythatyouguyscasuallyhav eathi
ng
withRon.Ineedheretocomeher enow.People
aregonnabesohel dupony ’
allbei
ngi napoly
thi
ng,thesexv i
deowillj
ustbebur i
edunder
thoseconversati
ons.Cal
lPatronell
a.
KARTEL:
Luba,
cany
oucal
lyourgi
rl
fr
iend?
Ir
oll
edmyey
esandcal
l
edRon.
Fewmi
nut
esl
aterRonar
ri
ved,
andKar
tel
just
i
gnor
edher
.
RON:
Kar
t,I
..
.
KARTEL:
F**
kof
f.
NIKI
TA: Y’
al
lcandoallt
hiswhenI
’m gone
becauseIdesper
atel
yneedtosl
eep.Weare
basi
call
ygonnadoal i
vesayi
ngKartknew.
ME:
So,
wel
i
e..
.
NIKITA: Wouldn’
thav etoifyoudidn’
tdoal l
thi
s
drama, hon.
..myj obistomakemybossnot
l
ookl i
kef *
*kingWi l
lSmithandt he
entanglement..
.andont hatnote,Kart,
Ineed
yourAgame. .
.total
lysellt
hefactthatthi
sisa
thi
ngf oryouguy s.Wepr acti
cethisunti
lIam
sold,t
henwegol i
ve.
*
***
***
***
***
***
Cri
ssyandMonklai
dinbedwhenMonkshowed
heramessagef
rom Puni
e.
‘
Thebabyhadmedi
cal
needsandwer
anoutf
or
moneyf
orf
ormul
a’
‘
Iam notsendingy
ouanymoremoneyunt
ily
ou
br
ingthatchi
ldher
eandIdopat
erni
tyt
est
s’
‘
Fine,
Monk...l
ety
ourchi
l
dst
arv
eanddi
edl
i
ke
Bobodid.
..
’
MONK:
WhatdoIdo?
CRI
SSY:
Idon’
tknowbabe.
..whatdoy
out
hink?
MONK: Kar
tandAr nothinkshei slyi
ng.
..t
her
e
i
snobaby ,shewasnev erpregnant.ButI’
mjust
scared.
..whatifsheistell
i
ngt hetruthand
takesthefrustr
ati
ononmychi ld?Shehas
alr
eadykill
edtwo, soIknowshei scapabl
eofit
.
CRI
SSY:
Ist
il
lsayy
oushoul
drepor
ther
..
.
MONK: I’
m scared,babe. .
.whati
fthereisa
chi
ldandIdosomet hi ngtoant
agonizePunie,
andshehur t
sthechi ld..
.Imean,shedoessend
babypict
uressincet hebabywasanewbor n..
.
andthi
sbabydoesl ookl i
kePunie,doesn’
tshe?
So.
..Idon’
tknow.
CRI
SSY:Soy
ouaregonnajustkeepsendi
ngher
moneyf
orachi
l
dy oudon’
tevenknowexists?
MONK: (
sigh)WhatcanIdo...i
thasbeent hr
ee
dayssinceIsaidIwon’tsendmoney ,andshe
j
ustwentqui et
,Iam sowor r
iedforthebaby.
..
whatifPuniehurther.
..shei
sonlyusing
Facebookmessages, soIdon’tevenknow
whereshei s.
*
***
***
***
***
***
***
***
**
Aft
eraboutabi
l
li
onpr
act
ices,
Niki
taf
inal
l
ylet
usgoli
ve.
KARTEL: Yoh,waddup...Iam i
nt heFacebook
streetsagain,
ay ?AtthispointIam star
ti
ngto
feel l
i
keaKar dashian.Y’al
lneedt ost
op
wat chingourl
ivessomuch.
ME:
Forr
eal
though,
guy
s..
.
RON:
(laughi
ng)Keepi
ngupWi
tht
heKar
tel
i
ans
Il
aughedandhi
therwi
thapi
l
low.
KARTEL: Anyway,wesawt hevideo.
..andit’
s
beinghandled.
..t
hesenaughtygirl
sshouldhave
thoughtaboutwheretheywereget t
ingfr
isky.
..
nowt hey’
veputourbusinessoutthere.
Comment
swer
egoi
ngwi
l
d.
‘
Whatt hehel
lisgoingon?Howishesochil
l.
..
’
‘
sht,don’
ttel
lmet heyar
eoneofthoset
hroupl
e
t
hings..
.’
RON: Aynow,youknowtheki
tcheni
sal
way
s
fun.Icoul
dn’
thel
pmy sel
f.
KARTEL:Per
sonal
l
yI ’
m acarguy..
.dri
verseat
..
.
l
egonenotpull
edallt
hewayback, ther
eis
somethi
ngaboutt
ightspaces.
..
Il
aughedandpunchedbot
hoft
hem.
ME: (
laughi
ng)Ser
iousl
y,y
ouguy
s.St
op.Thi
sis
ser
ious.
KARTEL:
(laughi
ng)Iam ser
iousl
ythi
nki
ngof
reenacti
ngthatvi
deo,t
histimewithmear ound
too..
.hey,wehaveakitchen,t
hekidsar
enot
around..
.what?Thesepeopleareall
overour
sexlif
e,sowemi ghtaswellgivet
hem theraw
detai
ls.
ME: (
laughing)Kartel!Butheisright,getoutof
ourbusiness.Ok, whatIam t ryi
ngt osayhere
i
sthatwear esorr
y.Notbecauseofwhat
happenedbecauset hatisnoneofy our
busi
ness, butbecauseofwher eithappened.
RonandIshoul dhav ebeencar eful onour
i
nti
mat etime.Iassur eyouthisnev erhappens.
..
wearenotsomeexhi bit
ioni
sts.
..
RON:Bummer .
..Il
earntofthi
ster
m‘doggi
ng’
andIbeent
hinkingofit.
..
ME: Ron!Guys,t
hesetwo( l
augh)..
.any way,we
shouldhavebeenmor ecareful
,eventhought he
buil
dingwasclosedforthenightforour
functi
on.Sotoourknowledge,therewasno
oneel sear
ound.Itwaspri
vate.Wedi dn’tt
hink
ofCCTV.Sti
ll
,nobodyhasar i
ghtt
oshar
eour
i
nti
mat emomentwi t
ht hewor
ldli
ket
hat
,it
’sa
di
srespectt
oourprivacy.
KARTEL: Notcool ,guys..
.notcool.AndIsee
yourquest i
ons.Yes, Iam awareofRonand
Luba’sr elati
onship,Ihavebeenawar esinceit
star
ted...Lubai sawareofmi neandRon’ s
rel
ationshi p.Wedon’ thavetoexplainour
rel
ationshi ptoany one,butIj
usthadt ojumpin
andl ety’allknowsoy oucancalm downand
stopcal li
ngmywi f
enames.Iknowabout
i
t..
.l
ikeit...hell
,Ienjoyit
,whatmanwoul dn’
t.I
mean, lookatt hesetwo!Damn!
Heturnedaroundandgaveuseachan
appr
eciat
ive,al
mostl
ustf
ull
ook,bi
ti
nghi
s
l
owerlip.
KARTEL:Ionl
ygetalit
tl
emadwhent heydon’
t
l
etmewat ch(
laughi
ng)Oh,whendi
d..
.uhm,
RonandIhaveahist
ory,wedatedf
orsome
ti
mebefor
eImetLuba.ThenIwaswi t
hLuba,
andallthatshthappenedt haty’al
l r
emember .
SoLubaandIwer ebrokeup, andshegotwi th
Ronbr i
efly,thenLubaandIgotbackt ogether
andshel etmeknowofhersi tuationwi t
hRon..
.
Isuggest edshedi dn’thavet oendi tifshe
wanted...andi twentonwi thmyknowl edgeand
approval.Ev entuall
ytheyi nvi
tedmei n,and
herewear enow. .
.weal ljusthav efeeli
ngsto
eachother ..
.itwasst rangeandconf usingat
fi
rst
,butwel etthingshappennat urall
y..
.and
wear eall happy..
.Ilov emywi f
e...
Het
urnedar
oundandki
ssedme.
KARTEL:
AndIl
ovemygi
rl
fr
iend.
..
Het
urnedar
oundandki
ssedRon.
..
ME:IandIl
ovemyhusbandandmymy
gi
rl
fr
iendal
so.
..
Il
eanedinandki
ssedRon,
Kar
tel
laughi
ngand
j
oini
nginontheki
ss.
Al
mostev
erymanont
hev
ideowher
edr
oppi
ng
t
humbsupemoj
ioncomment
sandcal
l
inghi
m
achamp.
‘
Whatcan’tthi
smando...copLuba,andanother
hott
iel
i
ket hat
’‘
Damn,Kart,myrespectf
oryou
j
ustwentskyhigh’
’IwannabeKar t
elwhenI
growup’‘
Realgroot
manmov es,
boss’
Whi l
ethewomenwer ecall
ingRonandIst upi
d
andsay inghowmuchKar t
elwasusingusf or
hissickf ant
asi
es.AsNikit
asaid,
the
conversat i
onhadalr
eadyshif
tedfrom t
hex
ratedvideoandourlivehadbecomet hetalk.
Bl
ackRapunzel
ser
iousl
yknowshert
hing,
Iwi
l
l
gi
vehert
hat.
*
***
***
***
***
***
***
***
***
***
Kesegoreadcomment saboutLubawi tha
l
augh.That’
swhatKar telwentforoverher?
Somelesbianbich.
..heleftaGod-f
earing
womanf orthat
?
Shet
ookoutherphoneandcal
l
edKar
tel
.
KARTEL:
Kesego?Ev
ery
thi
ngokwi
thKat
?
KESEGO:Heisf
ine.
..Iwaswor r
iedaboutyou
af
terwhatt
hatwomandi d.Lubaissocheap
wait
se.
..
KARTEL:Pl
easedonott
rasht
alkmywi
fe.Iwas
awar
e.I’
mfine.
KESEGO:Isawt
heli
ve..
.youdon’
thav
eto
pr
etendwit
hme,Kgathal
o..
.
KARTEL; Iam notpretendi
ng..
.youknow
fi
rsthandIam intosomeal t
ernati
vesht
.You
reall
ythi
nkalittl
egirl
ongirlacti
onwouldn’
t
turnmeon?
KESEGO:
Ijust
..
.
KARTEL:I
’mf i
ne.
..butIwon’tbeifmywif
e
fi
ndsoutIbeenhav i
ngnon-Katrel
ated
conver
sat
ionswit
hy ou.Bye.
Shelookedatt
hephoneangr
y.Di
dher
eal
l
yjust
hanguponher?
Nkemi
wal
kedi
n
NKEMI
:Kese,
dower eal
lyneedt
osl
aught
er
t
wocowsforeachceremony?
KESEGO; Kanagagol
ebegesent
lehel
apeopl
e
says‘kethaet
swekedi
jokol
enyal
onglaga
Kesego’.
NKEMI
:Wast
hatKar
tel
rightnow?
KESEGO:Ij
ustwantedtocheckonhi
m...di
d
youseewhatthatwomanwentanddid!Waitse
Lubaenebat
ho!Ah,thatgi
rl
!

*
***
***
***
***
***
***
***
*
Aft
erthel
iveVi
deo,Ronwentbacktoherhouse.
Kart
eldi
dn’
twanttotal
k,hewasbusysulki
ng,
sowhatthehel
lwasRonsupposedtodo?
Shelai
donbedt r
yingtothi
ng.Whatwasnex t?
Ever
ythi
ngjustl
ookedsonbl eak.Defi
nit
elyt
ime
todi
pagain.Shecouldleav
et omorrow.Sad
thatshewouldn’
tbecomi ngbackt hist
ime,
becauseshejustdidn’
twanttohur tKartor
causeprobl
emsi nLuba’smar r
iage,andher
comingbackwoul ddojustthat
Shecoul
dhearthedoorbei
ngpi
ckedeverso
qui
etl
y.I
fshewasn’
tassharpasshewas,she
woul
dhav emi
ssedin.
Shepickeduphergunfrom acupboar
dand
cockedit,
mobbingtowardsthedoor
.
Kar
tel
wal
kedi
nandpul
l
edagun,
poi
nti
ngi
tat
her
.
KARTEL: Mywife,Ron.Myf *
*ki
ngwife,
you
l
iter
all
yhaveawi derpoolt
hanmostbecause
youf**kever
ythi
ngt hatmoves,soy
oucould
havechosenany one,andyouwentformywif
e.
RON:Whatdoy ouwantmet osay ,Kart
?Ididn’
t
goseeki
ngherout.
..i
tjusthappened.And
maybeifyouhadtr
eatedherbetter,i
twouldn’
t
hav
e.
KARTEL:Don’
t!Don’
tf*
*ki
ngmaket
hismyf
aul
t,
youf
**kedmywi f
e!
RON: Itwasbey ondf**
king.Iactuall
ylove
Luba..
.shei samazing,andIhopey out r
eather
l
ikethat.Thereisnothi
ngIcansayordot ofix
theboundar i
esIcrossedandt hetrustIbroke.I
hurtyou,Kart.
..andifyoufeelyouneedt ooff
me, Iwon’tstopyou.
Sheremovedt
heboxmagazinefrom hergun
andthr
ewthebull
etsont
heground,t
hent hr
ew
thegundowntoo.
RON: Dowhaty
oumust
.Forwhati
swor
th,
Iam
real
l
ysorry
.
KARTEL:
F**
kyoursor
ry.
..
Hecockedt
hegunandputhi
sfi
ngeront
he
t
ri
gger.
..
*
***
***
***
***
***
**
LI
KE,
COMMENT,
SHARE
ATHUG’
SLOVE117
Lubabur
sti
ntot
hehousepant
ingf
rom r
unni
ng.
LUBA:
Putt
hegundown,
Kar
tel
.
KARTEL:
Shedeser
vesi
t.
..
Lubast
oodi
nfr
ontofRon.
LUBA:ThenIdeser v
eittoo.
..soshootme.Go
ahead,becausethat
’stheonlywayyouare
shooti
ngher,thr
oughme. .
.
KARTEL:Youareser
iousl
ygonnadot
his?Af
ter
whatshedid?
LUBA:
Icheat
edony
ou,
ok?Idi
dthat
,nother
.
KARTEL:Sheismyfri
end!Ofallt
hepeopl
ein
theworl
d,Ronunder
standsyouaremylif
e..
.
sheknowsI’
m nothi
ngwithouty
ou..
.
LUBA:Yea,wel
l…that’
l
lteachy
ourpunkassnot
togoaroundboasti
ngyoucoppedabadbich.
KARTEL:
What
?
Hebr
okei
ntoaf
itofl
aught
er.
KARTEL:
Thef**ki
swr ongwi
thy
ou,
arey
ou
real
l
ymakingj
okesri
ghtnow?
LUBA:
Goty
out
oputy
ourgundown,
didn’
tit
,
dummy.
Shewentovert
ohi
m andhuggedhim,t
aki
ng
thegunawayfr
om hi
m andt
hrewitt
othesi
de.
LUBA: Kil
lRon,andbreakbothy oursandmy
heart
..
.causeIknowt hereisstil
llovei
nthere
forhertoo..
.attheveryl
east.
..asoneofy our
bro’
s..
.
LUBA:
Ilov
eyou.
..
Shegotonhert
ipt
oesandki
ssedhi
.
LUBA:
AndIl
ovey
ou…
Shesai
d,l
ooki
ngatRon.
LUBA: Andbabe,Iunder
standyoudon’tshar
e..
.
Irespectt
hat.
..andasyourwife,
I’
m never
gonnacompr omisethat
..
.Ial
readyended
thi
ngswithRon,whichabsolutelybrokemy
heart
..
.butwhatwouldkil
l met hemosti sto
seethetwopeopleI’
mi nlovewi th.
..t
wopeople
Iknowloveeachothertoo..
.itwouldr eal
l
ykil
l
met oseeyoutwohat eeachot her.
..
RON:
Idon’
that
eKar
t.
..Inev
erwi
l
l.
..
LUBA: Ok..
.itwouldreal
l
ykil
lmetoseeyou
l
osey ourbestfri
endbecauseofme.Icould
neverforgi
vemy self
..
.al
lIam pr
ayi
ngfor.
..al
lI
am askingistryandhashthi
ngsoutwit
hher .
RON:Toomanyboundari
eshavebeencrossed
Luba.
..IknowIhur
thi
m deepl
y.I
t’
sbestIj
ust
l
eave.
..
LUBA:
Please,
Kar
t.
..Iam beggi
ng.
..
Shewentdownonherkneesi
nfr
ontofhi
m.
LUBA:Pleasesayy ouwill
tryforme. .
.Ir
efuse
tohaveyout hrowRonoutoft hefam andf or
ce
herinexi
le.
..thisisherfamilytoo..
.weallf**
k
up.
..RonandIdi d.
..i
fyoucanf orgi
veme. .
.
sur
elyy
oucanf
orgi
veher
.
Kar
tel
yel
l
edi
nfr
ust
rat
ion.
KARTEL:
Ithur
ts,
Luba.
..y
out
wor
eal
l
yhur
tme.
..
LUBA: Icanguar anteey oupushingRonoutof
thefam willhurtmor e.
..Ihaveforgi
venyouthe
samemi st
akes, r
emember .
..yousayyouwant
toforgiv
eme. ..allIam askingistotr
ywithRon
too.
KARTEL:(
sigh)Iguesswi
tht
imeI
’
llbel
ess
angr
y..
.
RON:
I’
ll
packupandl
eav
eimmedi
atel
y.
KARTEL:
Youar
est
il
lmybestman,
youf
ool
.
RON:(
smi
li
ng)Lady
,idi
ot.Iam y
ourbestl
ady
.
Al
so,
youst
il
l.
..
KARTEL:Ofcour se?Am Igonnamakey ou
watchmemar rymywomant hatyoutr
iedto
steal
?Absol
utely
.It
’sl
ikebreakyourheartl
it
e,
causeyougott
aseeherchooseme.I ’m pett
y,
sueme.AndRon?
RON:
Yea?
KARTEL:Youeverev
enlookatmywi
fef
unny
..
.
Iwi
llpoi
ntbl
ankshooty
ou.
LUBA:Damn...andtheregoesthefantasyof
thi
sendingupwi t
hallofussquashingthings
thehor
izont
alway .
Kar
tel
laughedandswathedherbot
tom ashe
l
edherbacktothei
rhouse.
*
***
***
***
*
Neeloparkedandwat chedKemogetoutoft
he
combi.Sheparkedthecarinfr
ontofa
supermarketandwalkedovertoher
.
NEELO:
Hey
…
KEMO:
Ireal
l
ydon’
twantanydr
ama,
so…
NEELO:
Ijustwanttot
alk.Youaregoi
ngtobe
i
nmychildr
en’sl
if
e… soIthinki
t’
sfai
rwetal
k.
KEMO:
Fine
NEELO: Ijustwanttomakesurey ou
understandthemany ouaremar r
y i
ng.Justthi
s
Decembert herewerepeopleaft
erhim andhi s
crew… wehadt obeshippedouttoSey chel
l
es
whiletheyhuntedtheguysout.
KEMO:
Hunt
edt
hem?
NEELO: Why ,
toki ll
t hem ofcour se.That’
sthe
l
ifeifathug.Ki l
l orbeki ll
ed.Thatst i
lldi
dn’t
helpany way ,
becauset heyf oundus.One
personinourgr oup, Kar tel
’sfather… waski l
led,
severalshotandi njured.OneofRue’ sfr
iends’
ki
dswassot raumat izedhej ustcommi t
ted
suici
de.Mychi l
dr enandmyf ri
end’schil
drenar e
sti
lli
nther apyfrom i t,andKar t
el’ssonis
permanent lyonawheel chairbecausehewas
shotandi tdamagedhi sspine.Youcancheck
uponal lthis.
Shesmi
l
edasshewat
chedt
hehor
rori
n
Kemo’sface.SoRuehadsugar
coat
edsome
thi
ngs,huh.
Ohwel
l
NEELO: Thesepeopl earest i
llaf t
ert hem.Fi ve
yearsago… af riendwaski dnappedandr aped
repeat edl yalongsi det woki ds, becauseofan
associ ationwi t
hReubenandhi scr ew…oh,
yeah, themanst alkedherf ory ear sand
kidnappedhert womor etimes.Butatl east
Ruebenwentt osav ethem.Theyf oundsi x
bodi esi nt hatpr emi seaf t
erReubenl eftwith
thef riendandt heki ds.Hewast heonl yone
withagun.Somebodyal sowhohadani ssue
withReubeni npr isondi edint her e.Al l
Iknow
gatwei twasbr utal… butIam sur eReubent old
youal lthis.Ijustdon’ twanti tall beingashock
toy ouandaf fect i
ngy ourrelati
onshi pwi thmy
kids, soIam gl ady ouwi llbeabl et ohandl eall
thatcomeswi thbei ngReuben’ swi fe.
Neel
osmi
l
edsweet
lyasshecoul
dseet
hegi
rl
wasdownr
ighthor
ri
fi
ed.
Anywayt hanksforthechatsweetie.
.I
apol
ogizeformyl i
ttl
ecommentt heotherday .
Soimmat ure…justbecauseReubenwas
comingbackt omeandbeggi ngmetot akehim
backevenwhenhehadawoman, doesn’tmean
Ihadnorighttoruinyourmoment .Congrats
l
ove…hopeIgetani nvi
tetothewedding.
Shesmil
edandwalkedoft
othecarasKemo
st
oodther
eter
ri
fi
ed.
*
***
***
***
*
Puni
elai
dinbedandl
aughedasMonksent
moremoney.
Sheknewhewouldev
ent
ual
l
yfol
dandsendt
he
moneyevent
ual
l
y.
Shewassogonnagot oKesego’sweddi
ng.
ThenshewasgonnagoseeMonk, i
twoul
dbe
aroundherov
ulat
iont
imethen,whi
chwas
perfect
.
Shesmi
l
edt
oher
sel
fandt
ookhersuppl
ement
s.
Shemi ssedherboysomuch… somet
imesshe
di
dn’tevenknowwhattodowithher
sel
f,Bobo
hadbecomeherl i
fe.Anewbabywoul
d
def
init
elyful
fi
lher
.
*
***
***
***
**
Afewdayslat
er,
Kar
tel
sati
nther
oom asRon
br
ushedouthi
sbear
dandfi
xeshi
sti
eforhi
m.
RON:
Cany
ouf
*,ki
ngseatst
il
l?
KARTEL:(
laughi
ng)Soy
oucanputmakeupon
me?F**kno!
RON: Justal
it
tlepr i
merandfoundat ion.
Ever
yonedoesi tforthewedding.Youdon’ t
wannabesweat inglikeadogupt here.Ok,ok,
fi
ne… primer
,justprimer…i
t’
scl ear,youcan’t
seeit
.Makesy oul ooksmoother.Ar no,passme
thespray.
Shef
ixedhi
m upunt
ilshewassat
isf
ied.
KARTEL:
Rue,
arey
ougood?
RUE:
Ofcour
se,
whywoul
d…
MONK:Cuti
tout,
somethi
ngi
sobv
iousl
ydown
wi
thyouandhasbeenf
orday
s.
RON:
Kemodumpedhi
m.
RUE:Thanks,
Ron.Youar
esof
**ki
ngusef
ul.
Nxl
a.
KARTEL:
Idon’
tgeti
t…y
ouj
ustgotengaged.
RUE:Honest
ly…guy
s.Nott
het
ime…t
hisi
s
Kar
t’
sday
KARTEL:AndIwanty
out
obegood.What
’s
down,br
o?
RUE:(sigh)Ah,shewon’ tevental
ktome…nna
theotherdayket senakol wapeng,mothoo
tser
edibag, sheblockedmemophone.Igot o
hersist
er’shesplacewheeeIknewshewoul d
go.Refusest otal
ktomeandsendhersi st
erto
tel
lmet ohoaway .Shejusttol
dmei fIdon’
t
st
ayawayf rom hershewil
lgetarest
rai
ning
or
der.Idon’
twannat al
kaboutthi
snow.It
’sa
wedding.
Kart
el’
snephewcamei
ntot
ell
them i
twas
ti
met ocomein.
*
***
***
***
*
Lubasatint
hebri
dal
room asmmaSesha
fussedov
erher
.
MMA-SESHA: Ok,
Ithi
nkwearereadynow…
yourf
atheri
swait
ingout
side.
MmaSeshahel pedherupandl edhertothe
doorwherehefathersmiledbri
ghtl
yand
huggedher,
thenwal kedheroutint
othegar
den.
Itwassimplymagical.Thefiftypeoplethat
madet heweddingguestssati nt hecream
whitewit
hgoldensashchai rs,underawhi te
canopytent
.Pil
larsi
nt hetenthadv i
nes
windingdown,withandgoldl acet i
edont hem,
hidi
ngtheelect
ricai
rfreshenert hatkeptthe
ar
easmel
l
ingsogood.
Thevideoguyswhowereli
vestr
eami
ngthe
weddinghadtheirownt
entnear
bysoastonot
rui
ntheaesthet
ic.
Charlott
eandDanai wal
keddownt her
ed
carpetedisl
ethrowingfreshgol
denpetal
roses
theflowershophadt osoakingoldpai
ntall
nightthenightbefore.
Fadzwawasatt
hepianopl
ayi
ngandsi
ngi
ng
Ett
aJames’‘
Atl
ast
’.
Shehadpr act
icedever
ydayforthepastyear
andshesoundedangel i
c,andlookedthepart
toointhatwhitedr
essandawhi terosecrown
aroundherhead.
Herbri
desmaidsNeel o,Est
her,Bopaki,
and
Bopaki
’sdaughterDidi,
plushermat r
onof
honorSeshaalllookedQueenlyinthosecream
-gol
dendressesandwhi terosecrownsaround
thei
rheads.Theyalltur
nedandl ookedather
wi
tht
hebr
ight
estsmi
l
es.
OnKar tel’
ssideMonk,Rue,Ea,
andArno,wi t
h
Ronast hebest
ladyl
ookedsosharpinblack
tuxedo,buthermanoutshonethem al
li
nt hat
whitetux.
God,itwasfi
nall
yhappening.Twelv
ey ears!Not
aeasytwelveyears,
butdamn, she’
ddoi tall
overagai
nifitmeantendingupwalking
towardscommi t
ti
ngtherestofherli
fetot hi
s
manl i
keshewasdoi ngri
ghtnow.
Herf
atherhandedherhandt
oKar
tel
.
Damn,,hi
ssmil
eashet
ookbot
hherhandsand
l
ookedather
.
Shecoul
dn’tstopsmil
ingast
hePast
orwenton
andonblahblahblah.
Thent
heyhadt
osayt
hei
rvows.
LUBA:
Uhm… so….Isoner
vous… buther
egoes.
Ir
emembert
hedaywemet … abrokengir
land
alostboy .Wewer eashi pwr eckf rom t hest art
,
butwer efusedt obebeatdown.Ref usedt o
giveup, pickedupspl intersandbui ltanempi r
e.
Middlef inger edfail
ureandsoar ed.Our
shortcomi ngshav ebeenputoutf ort hewor ld
tosee, andwehav ebeenaf or m ofr idicule,
scorn, andbei nglaughedat .St il
l.Wer efused
togiveup.Ihearpeopl ecall mear ider … wel l,
i
t’seasyt oridewhent hedr iv eri sast r
ai ghtup
boss.I tdoeshel pIgett odoi ti nst y l
e, wi t
hmy
bestf r
iend.Kgat haloMoseki , Ilov ey ou.Al lthat
Iam andal lthatIhav e, Ioffert oy oui nlov eand
i
nj oy.Fr om t hisdayf orwar dIwi lllov eand
comf or ty ou, hol
dy oucl ose, pr izey ouabov eall
others, andr emai nfai
thf ultoy oual ltheday sof
ourli
v es.Iv owt owat chi naweasy ouki ckass
andt akenames.Iv owt obey ourunr elenting
cheersquadont heday si tfeel st oomuch.On
thi
sday , Igivey oumyhear t,mybodyandmy
soulasy ourwi fe.
Kart
elwi pedat earatt hecornerofhi
sey eas
hewat chedherpr ofessherlovetohim.Hesai d
hisvows, t
henKatr olledinlooki
ngsogoodi na
tuxt
hatmat chedKar t
el’s.Hehandedhimt he
ri
ngsandt heyexchangedt hem befor
ethe
Pastorpronouncet hem husbandandwi fe.
*
***
***
***
Lat
erpeopl
esatar
oundi
nthehal
laf
terdi
nner
.
Kesegol
ookedaroundi
ndi
sappoi
ntment
.
Seri
ousl
y,t
hiswasit
?
Howunderwhel
ming.Thefoodwer
ecater
ed,
andshecoul
djustseeKar
tel
’
smotherwasver
y
angr
yabouti
t.
I
twasev enmoreirri
tat
ingbecausesomany
peopl
ewer equoti
ngLuba’ssil
lyvows,coupl
e
pi
ctur
espoppingupwi th‘
…it’
seasyt ori
de
whenthedriv
erisstr
aightupboss’
Whatt
hehel
ldi
dthatev
enmean?
Rontookthemi
crophoneandcal
l
edpeopl
eto
at
tenti
on.
RON:So,t
hegr
oom hasali
tt
let
hinghewant
ed
todoforhi
sbl
ushi
ngbri
de…
Hehandeditt
oKartel
andj
oinedt
her
estoft
he
boy
sbehindKart
el.
Thesang‘Loveatf
ir
stSight
’byJor
dan
Mackampa,Fadzwaplay
ingthePi
anof
irt
hem.
Thenal
lofthem t
hrewof
fthei
rjacket
sand
wentontoJay-
Z’sBonni
eandClyde.
Al
l Ineedi
nthisl
i
feofsi
nismeandmy
gi
rl
fr
iend( meandmygir
lf
ri
end)
Downtori
de'
ti
lthev
eryend,i
smeandmy
gi
rl
fr
iend(
meandmygi r
lf
ri
end)(
that
'sr
ight
)
Al
lIneedi
nthi
sli
feofsi
nismeandmy
gi
rl
fr
iend(
meandmygi r
lf
ri
end)(
lookf
orme)
Downtori
de'
ti
lthev
eryend,i
smeandmy
gi
rl
fr
iend(
meandmygi r
lf
ri
end)
Whentheystopped,Kar t
elwentovertoLuba
andpul
ledherup, ki
ssingherashisboysand
Ronshotconfet
tigunsupi ntheai
randhergirl
s
thr
ewgoldengli
tteraroundthecouple.
*
***
***
***
*

LI
KE,
COMMENT,
SHARE
ATHUG’
SLOVE118
Iwasst i
llwashingglitt
erof fofmeaf ewdays
l
at er
,butwhew, ever
ythingwentsowel l
.Iwas
sohappywi thourweddi ng.No, wearenot
doingthetwo- ceremonyt hing,thati
swhywe
didn’
thavet heweddi ngatei ther’
sparent
s
home, butatar entedv enue.Whyt hehellar
e
twoweddi ngsnecessar y?Justnotforme.
Everyonewast al
kingabouttheconfet
tigunthi
s,
sayingitwasanodet otheboy sbei
ng
gangsters,
theywer er
ubbingitinev
eryone’
s
facesthattheyaregangsterwhocarryguns.I
guesspeoplewi l
lcomplai
nnomat t
erwhat .I
t’
s
f*
*kingconfetti
guns.Iwonderwhattheywould
sayiftheyknewwewer eal
larmedwithreal
gunsev enatthewedding?Yes,i
ncl
udingme.
What
?Wehavepissedof
fenoughpeopl
eto
al
waysbeonal
ert
.
Kar
tel
camebehi
ndmeandki
ssedmyneck.
KARTEL:
Mor
ningMr
sMoseki
..
.
ME:
(laughi
ng)Mor
ningMrMoseki
..
.
KARTEL:
Areyousur
ewecan’
tjustl
eav
efort
he
honey
moonnow?
ME: Mhh,tempting,butyourbabymamawi l
l
absolut
elystr
anglemei fy oumissedher
wedding.Wewi l
l l
eaveadayaf t
er.Besi
des,I
havetopumpmor emilkforKut..
.mmaSesha
will
mov eintotakecareofhi m whileIam gone,
becauseshesay sshecan’ ttr
ustahelper.Si
nce
shesawsomev ideoofahel persmacki ng
aroundababy .
KARTEL:Thatwomani sabl essi
ng.
..Ilegi
tfeel
badsherefusedtoreceiv
esomeoft hemagadi
evenwheny ourdadoffered.
..
ME: Isawherey eingsomeki t
chenonacooki ng
show, t
alkingabouthowni ceitwasandhow
shewoul dabsolut elyal
way sbeinthereifshe
hadonel ikethat.
..Ihavecont act
edsome
peoplewhosai dt heycangeti tandfitf
orP80
000.I’
veal soorder edauthent
icsetofLe
Creusetforher.
KARTEL:(
laughing)MmaSesha, waboay ago
dibaaondispl
aygot weket sabaeng.Haoka
mout waaikgantshetsadit
sala,
nt segotwe
‘
nnaIhavetwogi rl
s,babahumi .
..Ibir
thedone
andGodgav emeanot her
’
Everyt
hingwassocalm andnor
malIwas
actual
lywonderi
ngwhatstor
m wasaboutt
ohi
t.
Ourliv
esjustneverdocal
m.
*
***
***
***
***
***
***
**
Monksmi ledlookingathisphone.Whoeverhad
beenhelpi
ngherwaski ndofgood.Hewas
gi
venanaccountt osendmoneyt o,t
hent hat
accountcasheditandheguessedi twas
deposit
edt oPunie,makingithar
dtotrack.
Hehadl ongtrackedthataccounttoPuni
e’
s
si
ster.
.butsher ef
usedtotalkandtoldhi
mif
shedidn’tcal
lPunieeverysooften,t
henhe’
d
neverseehisbaby .
Sohehadbat edhi sti
me..
.wat chedf ora
windowwheret heywouldneverseehi m
coming.Wherehecoul dgoafterherwi t
hout
endangeri
nghischi l
d.He’
dalreadyl osttwoat
thatwoman’shands, hewasnotr i
skinganother
,
evenifhequestionedwhethert hechildeven
exist
ed.
Butt
hatstupidi
diotwassi
l
lyenoughtothi
nkhe
woul
dn’
tgr abherri
ghti
nfr
ontofpeopl
e,soshe
wascomingt oKesego’
sweddi
ng.
Oh.Wel
l
.
*
***
***
***
***
***
*
Neelofi
xedhermakeupasshepar kedin
Reuben’
sy ar
d.Shesmi l
edtoherselfasshe
usedherson’skeyandwalkedin,keyedint
he
al
arm code,andwentinsi
de.
Shetookoffhersi
l
krobeandpour
edher
sel
fa
gl
assofthechampagneshehadbr
ought
Ther
ewasaknock.
Shewentt
oopenandKemost
oodatt
hedoor
.
NEELO:
Oh,
hey
..
.Kemo.HowcanIhel
pyou?
KEMO:
Iwasj
ust
..
.I.
..
NEELO: Oh,don’tl
etmebotheryou.My
husbandandIhav easexynightplanned,butI
cangethimf oryouandwaitinthebedroom as
youtwot al
k.I’
vedeci
dedtotakehim back
sinceyoughostedhim.
Shehel
dupherf
ingerwi
thherweddi
ngr
ing
backon.
NEELO:
So,
shal
lI.
..
KEMO:
No,
it’
sfi
ne.
Neelowav
edatherwi
thasmi
l
eandgotback
i
nside.
Shewai t
edforabout15minutesbef
oreReuben
arr
ived.Hewalkedinwhi
stl
ing.
REU:Whydi
dIjustknowi
twasy ouwhenI
real
i
zedmyhousewasunlocked.
NEELO:
(laughi
ng)Besi
dest
hef
actt
haty
ou
sawmycar .
REUBEN:(
laughi
ng)Al
ri
ght
,ok.
..butwhatar
e
youdoi
nghere?
NEELO:Ali
tt
lebirdyt
oldmey oubeensad.
..
t
hatyourl
i
ttl
efiancéelef
tyou.
REUBEN:
Iser
iousl
ycan’
tdot
his,
Neel
o..
.
Shest
oodupandwentov
ert
ohi
s,ki
ssi
nghi
m,
hi
shandsroami
ngdownhi
sbody
,pul
l
inghi
st-
shi
rtof
f.
NEELO:Whynot?Iwantyou..
.youwantme,
or
youwoul
dn’
tletmedot hi
s..
.
Sheunbuckl
edherbel
tandundidhiszi
pper,
goi
ngdownonherkneesinfrontofhi
m...she
smil
edassheheardhi
m moanwhenshet ook
hi
mi nhermout
h..
.
REUBEN:
Nel
i
...Ineedmor
ethatagoodl
ay.
..
Shepul
l
edawayandhemoanedi
npr
otest
,
maki
ngherl
augh.
NEELO:
Youar
etheonewhowant
edt
otal
k.
REUBEN: Stupi
dmouth..
.It
otal
l
ydon’
twanna
tal
k..
.let
’sgetbackt
o..
.
NEELO:Let’sgetmarri
ed,l
et’
sbacktogether
,
whatev
ery ouwant..
.Iwantyou,Reuben.
..I
wantourfamilybacktoget
her.
REUBEN:
Done,
done.
..canwegetbackt
othe
i
ssueashand?
Shelaughedandwentbackt owhereshehad
l
eftthi
ngs,hi
shandgrabbingafist
ful
ofherhai
r
asheleanedbackagainstthewall
inpourbl
i
ss
athertouch.
*
***
***
***
***
*
OnSat urdayofKesegosatont hetentbesi
des
Nkemi ,wit
habi gsmileonherface.Therewere
somanypeopl e,y
ou’dthi
nkhermot heri
nvi
ted
thewhol ecountr
y.Justthewayshewant edit
.
AtleastPuniehadmadei t
,andhercousinwas
hermai dofhonor.
Theyhadhiredsever
al v
ideographers,
andthe
foodandboozewasf lowingf r
eel
y,peopl
ewere
happy,t
alki
ngaboutherdr ess.
Kar
telandLubawal
kedov
eri
nmat
chi
ngl
etei
si
out
fi
ts.
KARTEL:Wejustwant
edt
osaycongr
atson
yourweddi
ng.
Lubaulul
atedasKar
telt
ookoutat
hick
envel
opeandhandeditt
oLuba.
KARTEL: Wedidnotgetachancetobuy
anything,
mma- Mosekiaboarerelat
hel
e
sengweny anamoenv el
opl
etaabonagorel
e
dir
aj ang.
Lubahandedhert
heenv
elopewi
thasmi
l
e,
ul
ulat
ing.
Ali
tt
lepeakinsi
detoldheri
twasawadofP200
not
es,andthethi
cknessoftheenv
elopesai
dit
wasalot.
LUBA:Bat
ho,weareonourway,
wej
ustwant
ed
topassbyandcongr
atul
atey
ou.
Shet
ookKar
tel
’
shandandt
heywal
kedof
f.
Kesegolookedatthem annoyed.Theywerenot
evengonnastayfortherecepti
on.Maybeitwas
becausethatgi
rlknewKesego’srecept
ionwas
gonnaoutstagehermedi ocr
eone.Shehad
gott
enactuall
yarti
stest
ocomeatper f
orm at
herr
ecept
ion.
*
***
***
***
***
***
*
Monksati
nhiscarf
eeli
ngsodrunk.He
r
ememberedhavi
ngjustonebeer
,howwashe
t
hisdr
unk?
HehadseenPunieattheweddi
ng,andhad
wai
tedforj
ustt
her i
ghtmomenttograbher
,but
bei
ngthi
swasted,hewasn’
tgonnabeableto
domuch.
HewasabouttocallCr
issytocomegethi
m.He
hadt
oldhertogohomef ir
stashehad
somet
hingtodo.
..nowthis.
Andhewasget ti
ngar
agi
nghar
donhedi
dn’
t
evenunder
stand.
Hi
scardooropenedandPuniepushedhi
mto
t
hesi
de,gett
ingi
nthedri
verseat
.
MONK:
Puni
e?
PUNI
E:Hey
..
.beenl
ooki
ngf
orme?Her
eIam.
I
t’
sok,
wear
egonnahav
eani
ceni
ght
,youandI
.
MONK:
Wher
eismychi
l
d?
PUNIE:I’
mt aki
ngy out
oher
..
.butonl
yify
ou
behave.Seatsti
ll
andbeagoodboy ,
andyou
gettoseeher .
Shedr ovetoherhouseandledherinsi
de,
droppingherdressandstandingi
nfrontofhi
m
i
nj ustli
ngeri
e.Man,hewassodr unkhecould
barelystand,
hisspeechslur
red.
Hecollapsesont hesofahal
fasleephal
f
watchi
ngherasshedi dali
tt
lestri
pdance,
thr
owingof fherclot
hesunti
lshewasonlyon
hersti
l
ettoes.
Shecameoverandst
raddledhi
slap,
kissi
ng
hi
m assheundi
dhispants.
MONK:
Stop.
..wher
eismychi
l
d?
PUNIE:
You’
llhavet
owai
taf
ewmont
hst
o
meethi
m af
terthi
s..
.
No.
..hecoul
dn’
tdot
his.
..
I
tusedallhi
sdr unk,uncoor
dinat
edst
rengt
hto
pushheroff
,thenf or
cedhertothegr
oundas
hepul
ledouthisgun.
MONK: (slur
ri
ng)Wheny oudruggedmewi th
whateverandgavemeVi agra,di
dy ouf or
getI
wasadr ugaddictandanal coholi
cf orthe
l
ongesttime?Ihavehi ghtoler
ance,ev endrunk
asIfeel,
Icanstil
lfuncti
on.Now, wher eismy
chi
l
d!Youhav e30secondsbef oreIshoot .
Puniecower
edont
hefl
oorshaki
ng.
..no.
..no,
thi
shadgoneal
lwr
ong.
MONK:
Ther
eisnochi
l
d,i
sther
e?Answerme!
Hesai
dashekickedheronthestomach,then
dr
aggedhert
othebuilt
-i
ncl
osetandthrewher
i
nther
e,l
ocki
ngherinsi
de.
Hewenttotheki
tchenandgothersel
faglass
ofwat
er,t
hedidsomewor kout
,showered,and
l
aidonthesof
aforanap.Heshouldbesober
afterallt
his.Thenhecoul ddeal wit
hthi
sbich
proper..
.hedi dn’
tevencareaboutt hemoney,i
t
waschumpchange.Whatr eall
yupsethim was
pl
ay ingwithhisf eel
i
ngsli
ket hat,whenhehad
j
ustl osttwoki dsatthesamet ime.Shehadto
pay .
*
***
***
***
***
***
***
*
Doll
asatf r
om adi st
ancewatchi
ngKartel
and
LubaPar kthei
rstuffi
nthecartogotothe
air
portforthei
rhoneymoon.Theyhadbeenso
focusedont heweddingtheyhadrel
axedso
muchoneofhi sguyshadmanagedt ogetto
thei
rcarandmesswi tht
hebrakes.
Oncet hatbabygotamov e,ther
ewasno
stoppingitunti
li
tcrashed,andtheaccel
erat
or
wast emperedwi t
htoo,sot heycoul
dnot
controlthespeed.
Hesawt
hecarpul
loutandgetoutt
her
oad.
Twodown,
RonandDer
ekt
ogo.
*
***
***
***
***
***
LI
KE,
COMMENT,
SHARE
ATHUG’
SLOVE119

Monkwokeupt
ohi
sphoner
ingi
ng.
MONK:Arnol
d,don’
tyouhaveawif
e,li
fe,hel
l,a
whi
teboygol
fclubtokeepy
oufrom botheri
ng
me?
ARNO:
Thedel
i
ver
y,y
ouf
ool
.
MONK: Ah,sht
…y ouandRueshoul
dbeabl
eto
handl
eit.Puni
eshowedup.
ARNO:
Wher
eisshe?
MONK:Lockedinacloset
.Shedruggedmead
f
edvi
agra.SoIam verypi
ssed.
ARNI:Sht
.Idon’twi
shtobeher
.Dopeopl
e
real
l
yknowapi ssedyou?
MONK:
(laughi
ng)Weai
mtopl
ease.Al
ri
ght
.
Theguywil
lbeexpect
ingy
out
wo.I
’
llcal
lhi
m
ei
therway
.
*
***
***
**
Dol
lasatinhi
sli
vi
ngr
oom whenoneofhi
s
boy
swal kedi
n.
DOLLA:
Tal
ktomeBapt
ist
e.
BAPTISTE:Thecarwenti
nflamesbalebil
e
ai
rpor
t,thepol
icej
usttookouttwobadlybur
nt
bodi
es.
Hehandedhi
m av
ideohehadt
akenatt
he
scene.
DOLLA:Good…fi
nall
ythatannoy
ingshti
sout
ofmyhair
.Iwantyoutoinvi
tehi
sboysontoour
team.
BAPTI
STE:Idon’
tknowboss,
Ihear
dhepai
d
bet
ter
…theymaynotwanttocomeover
…
DOLLA:Iseeyourpoint
.Theymaybehoping
hi
sli
tt
lebrot
herwill
takeover.Kodi
isaboy,
he
i
snosweatonmybr
ow.Inv
itet
hem.Whoev
er
r
efuseswi
l
lfeel
mywrat
h.
*
***
***
**
Monkdrov
eoffandpi
ckedsomethi
ngs,t
hen
gothi
msel
faKFCbeforegoi
ngbacktoPuni
e’
s.
Heunl
ockedt
hecl
osetandPuni
etr
iedt
orush
out
.
Hejustlaughedandtr
ippedher
,thendragged
herbythehairandsatheri
nachair,t
yingher
uptoit
.
Besi
deitwassomebat
ter
ythi
ngwi
thcabl
es
connect
edtoi
t.
PUNI
E:Monk,
please…don’
tdot
hispl
ease…
Het
urnedont
heTVt
omaskanyscr
eami
ng.
MONK: WarengPuni
e…okaengwanake?She
shouldbet
hreemonthsbynow,
no?Keago
botsa!
Hepul
l
edaswi
tchandPuni
escr
eamedas
el
ect
ri
cit
yrant
hroughherbody
.
MONK: Justalit
tl
ebit…Idon’twannakil
lyou
toofast.I’
m gonnatortur
ey outhewayyou
tort
uredmef ormonths,l
ivi
nginfearofyou
hurti
nganot herofmychildr
en…dancingtoy our
tuneokarekesemat la…whosechi l
dwast hat?
Theoneont hepict
ures?Choset heanswer
careful
l
y .
PUNI
E:(
sobbi
ng)My
…mycousi
n’
s…
MONK: Why ?Whydot histome, Punie?Why?
Cri
ssyhadev enconv
incedmet oforgivey
oufor
ki
ll
i
ngmyunbor n,
andf ordri
vi
ngmysont o
sui
cide.Andyoudothis.Why ?
Shelookeddownsobbing,andMonkpull
edt
he
swit
chagain,l
aughi
ngashewat chedher
shudderfr
om thepai
nofthecurrent
.
MONK:
Why
!
Heyel
l
edinherf
acebefor
epunchi
ngherhar
d,
gi
vi
ngherabl
oodynose.
MONK:Whyt or
tur
emeli
ket
hatwhenI
’
djust
gonet
hroughsomuch?Why
?
*
***
***
**
Ruewalkedbacki
nthehouseandfoundNel
i
cr
yingasshespokeonthephone.
RUE:
Babe… what
’swr
ong?
NEELO:Youhavenotseethenews… kana
wenayouarenotonsocialmedi
a.GatweLuba
andKart
el’
scarcr
ashedandburnedbalebi
le
ai
rpor
t…
RUE:
What
?Noway
!OhmyGod…f
**k!
NEELO: I
tcan’
tbetrue.
.Itcan’
t.Lubacan’
tbe
gone!Wear egoi
ngt oseethekids.Iam
meetingSeshather
e.
RUE:
I’
ll
comewi
thy
ou.
Thedr
ovetoKart
el’
shouseandf
oundFadzwa
i
nthel
ivi
ngroom.
SESHA:
Faf
a,weneedt
otal
k…
FADZWA:Iknow.Isawi t
… Ihav
eFacebook,
mamaandpapadon’ tknow.Iwi
llt
ell
mysist
er,
don’
twor
ry.
SESHA:I
fy ouwant,
Icoul
dtal
ktoher
…itwoul
d
beeasi
erforyou…
FADZWA:(
sobbi
ng)It’
sbett
erIt
ell
her
…uncl
e
Kodii
sont
heway … Ical
l
edhim.
NEELO:
Baby,youdon’
thav
etobest
rongatt
his
t
ime.Weareherefory
ou.I
t’
sokt
ocry…you
FADZWA: Thati
snotgoingtohel
pmewi th
anyt
hing,i
sit
?I’
l
lgot al
ktomysist
er.Ipr
eferi
f
nobodysaysanyt
hingtoher,
Iwil
leaseherint
o
i
t.Ah,uncl
eKodijustpar
ked.
Shewipedt
earsasshewalkedt
othebedr
oom
wher
ehersist
erwasplay
ing.
*
***
***
*
Kesegosatatherweddi
ngrecepti
onwat
chi
ng
peopl
echeertheperf
ormingar
tist
e…
ShegotonFacebookt
opostav
ideo.
Wai
t,what
?
OhmyGod… ohmyGod,
no.Kar
tel
can’
tbe
dead.
.
No!
NKEMI
:Babe?What
’swr
ong?What
’swr
ong?
Sheshowedhi mthepostwi
thshakyhands,
thenjustst
oopupandwenttofi
ndhercar,
dri
vingtoKart
el’
shome.
I
thadt
obeapr
ank… i
tjusthadt
obe…
*
***
***
***
**
Byveryear
lymorning,Monkwat
chedasPuni
e
tookherl
astbr
eath,gaggi
ngwit
hblood.
Shewasastr
onggirl
,shehadact
uall
ylast
edal
l
ni
ght
.Hehadtort
uredment wi
cehersi
zewho
di
edbythesi
xthhour.
Hewr
appedherbodyi
nat
arpaputheri
nthe
companyt ruck,t
hendrovetohi
swor kshop,
throwingthebodyintothei
ronmelti
ngfurnace,
alongsidethetar
phehadwr appedherin,and
thetarphehadl aidoutint
hecarincaseofand
bloodspill
s.
Hesathav i
ngabeeruntil
hewassur e
everythi
ngwasburnt
,thencleanedupthe
furnaceandmelt
edsomei rontocoverupthe
stench.
Hepar kedthetruckandtookhiscarhehadleft
her
eear l
ier
,thenwentbacktothehousewher e
hecleanedev er
ythi
ngup,showered,andl
ocked
up,
thenwenthome.
Cri
ssywassti
lli
nbedashegoti
nbehi
ndher
andspoonedher.
CRI
SSY:
Wher
ewer
eyoual
lni
ght
?
MONK:
Itol
dyouIhadat
hingt
ohandl
e.
CRISSY:
Wasitsomecov
erupf
orKar
tel
and
Luba’
sdeat
h?
MONK: What?Whatdoy
oumeanKar
tel
and
Luba’
sdeath?
CRISSY:Youmeani t’
sreal?OhmyGod… ohmy
God!Ithoughtitwasfakeyouguyswer
e
or
chestratedforwhat
ev err
eason.
Shesai
dcr
ying.
Monkhuggedhert
ight
lyandki
ssedher
.
MONK: I
’
llgother
eandcheckbabe… thatcan’
t
bet
rue.KartandLubacan’
tbegone.
*
***
***
**
LI
KE,
COMMENT,
SHARE
ATHUG’
SLOVE120

Kesegopar
kedhercarandr
ani
ntot
hey
ard
seei
ngKodi
.
KESEGO:(cr
ying)Kodi,pl
easesayi
t’
snott
rue…
pl
ease… Kart
elcan’tbedead…
KODI
:Kese,
isn’
ttodayy
ourweddi
ngday
.
KESEGO:Whocaresaboutt
hat
!IsKar
tel
ok?
Pl
easeGod… pl
ease…
KODI:(si
ghi
ng)Iknowasmuchasy oudor i
ght
now.Iheardofmybrother’
sdeat hthr
ough
Facebook… butapol
iceoffi
cerjustcal
ledto
saytheypul
ledtwobodiesfrom thecar,badl
y
burnt
.
Shesatdownscr
eami
ngi
nsadness.
KESEGO:I
tcan’
tbet
rue… Ir
efuset
oaccepti
t…
i
tcan’
t.
KODI:Gohome,
Kese.Ipr
omiseyouIwil
l
updat
eyouwhenIknowanyt
hingsol
id.
*
***
***
***
Nkemiwalkedi
ntothei
rhouseandf
ound
Kesegoi
nbed,cryi
ng.
NKEMI:Whatthehellwasthat
!Whatwasthat,
Kesego,
youleftdur
ingourweddi
ngrecept
ion.I
hadt
oli
eandt
ell
peopl
eyouhadaheadache.
KESEGO:Howdoy ouexpectmet
ost
aywhen
rr
agweKatjustdi
ed!
NKEMI:
Ican’
tdothi
s.Ican’
t!Iam annul
l
ingt
his
r
ubbi
sh,onMonday.
KESEGO: Dowhat ?Youforgetthatyoukil
led
twopeopl eandstol
ethei
rmoneyt gati
sst i
l
l
beinglookedfor
… ohmyGod, sorrybabe,I
didn’
tmeant osaythatoutloud.I’
m sorr
y…
NKEMI
:Ar
eyout
hreat
eni
ngme,
Kesego?
KESEGO: Threaten,no… nobabe… Iam j ust…
I’
mjustt ired… babe… pl ease… Ijust…I
panicked… hei smychi ld’
sfather,andonceI
heardofhi sdeath,Ijustcouldn’
tstaywithout
rui
ningitf oreveryone.Itwasj ustarecepti
on
anyway .Peopl ewer edrunk,Iam surenoone
evennot ice… babe… I ’m sor
ry…come, Ihave
somet hingt oshowy ou.
Shet
ookhi
shandandl
edhi
mtot
hebat
hroom,
handi
nghi
m apr
egnancyt
est
.
KESEGO:Wearehav
ingababy
!Youar
egonna
beafat
her,
babe…
Hesmil
edhappi
l
y.Nkemi
hadal
way
swant
ed
ki
ds.
NKEMI
:Ar
eyouser
ious!Wow… me,
adad…
KESEGO: I’m sorryifImakey oufeel
disr
espect edsomet imes.IswearIam gonna
dobetter..Iam goingt obet hebestwifeever…
Ipromise.Andy ouaregoi ngt obethebestdad.
Imean, youal r
eadyar esogr eatwithKat.Iwant
agirl
,whatdoy ouwant ?Ibety ouwantaboy..
Menal way swantt heirfi
rsttobeaboy …
*
***
***
***
Ronwalkedinandwenttofindt
hekids.She
huggedthem andDanai
lookedatherconfused.
DANAI
:Ron,
whyar
eal
lthesepeopl
eher
e?
RON:
Theyar
ejustwei
rd…Faf
a,packy
ouguy
s
abagforaweekorso,
andaskaunt
ytopack
f
orKut
.
Thehel
percamei
ncr
ying.
ONEH:
Isi
ttr
ueRon?I
sitt
rue?
DANAI
:Whati
str
ue?
RON:Youknowwhat ,
cometothecaryouguys.
Oneh,packaweekl
ongbagforal
lthr
ee.Then
youhaveat woweekspai
ddaysoff.
ONEH:
Wher
ear
eyougoi
ng?Theki
ds…
RON:Iam t
helegalguar
diani
ncaseof
somethi
ngli
kethi
s.
ONEH:
Wher
ear
eyout
aki
ngt
hem?
RON:
Awayf
rom al
lthi
sdr
ama.Comeonguy
s.
Sheledthem t
ot hecar,whereshelef
tthem
eati
ngsnacks.Kodi metheratthedoorwit
ha
coolerf
il
ledwit
hf r
ozenbreastmil
kforKut,
plus
bott
lesandwarmer s.
Monkj
oinedt
hem ov
er.
MONK:
Whatdowedo?
RON: St
artt
hefuneral
proceedi
ngs,ofcourse.
Thesekidshavebeenthr
oughsomuch, Iam
taki
ngthem somewheretheydon’
thavet odeal
withi
tall
.
Apol
icecarpar
kedandi
nspect
orKgar
ewal
ked
ov
er.
Seshar
anov
er,
cry
ing.
SESHA:Sayi
t’
snottr
ue,Ron… i
fany
oneknows
thei
n’
s,i
tsyou.Sayt
hisi
snottr
ue.
RON: Idon’
tknow,
Sesha… Iam j
ustas
shocked.
SESHA:No.Iwi
l
lbel
i
evei
twhenIseet
he
bodi
es.
KGARE:Thati
swhatIcametotal
ktoMr
Kgodi
soMosekiabout
.Whataref
uner
alpl
ans?
Thebodyisst
il
latt
hehospi
tal
morgueand
needmov
ing.
KODI :
Iwil
lcomefaci
li
tat
ethetr
ansferof
bodiestopri
vat
emorgueaftermyniecesand
nephewhav ebeent
akenawayfrom al
lthi
s.
SESHA:(
cry
ing)Iwantt
oseet
hebodi
es!Luba
i
snotdead… sheisnot
!
KGARE: I’
m af r
aidthebodiesar ebur ntbey ond
recognit
ion.RreMoseki ,ntshwar ekost ati
oning
withupdat esonwhat ’snext.ISomeNi ger i
ans
wer emur deredattheirhomel astni ght,no
witnesses.Iam suspect i
ngsomef ami l
yy a
mabur ubecauseat r
uckbel ongingt ot heir
busiensswasseenar oundt hatar eawat ching
theplace.Samet r
uckwasal soseent aili
ngKar t
andLuba’ scarbef oreitexploded.TheSt uart
s.
Hear dofthem?Wi l
ltheyhav ereasont oki l
l
thosetwo?
MONK: Iknowthem.
..theyr
ecent
lythr
eatened
us.Kar
tandI,werunthispr
ogram t
hattakes
kidsfr
om thestreets.Givethem jobsandj ust
coachthem onl i
fethings,hel
pt hem become
something… wear etryingtoavoidf orthem
thesegangli
vesanddr ugs,becomi ngt hi
eves
andall
.TheSt uart
ssai dwear est eali
ngtheir
runner
sandsai dwewoul dregretit.
KGARE:
AsIthought.Woul
dyoubewi
l
li
ngt
o
comemakeastatement?
MONK:
Yessi
r.
KGARE:Good.Lei
thokomel
e,i
tseemsl
i
kea
gangwari
sbreaki
ngout.
MONK: Forthelastf**
kingti
mewear enota
gang,God!Wear ethehoodguy s.Weare
keepi
ngkidsawayf rom gangs.Butanyway,
yea.
Thankyouof f
icer.
KGARE:
Ibet
tergo.
RON:Cool
.Igot
tagot
oo.You’
l
ltal
ktomet
oo
aker
eKodi
.
Shewalkedbackt
othecaranddr
oveof
fwi
th
theki
ds.
*
***
***
***
Dol
l
aparkedhi
scarandwat
chedt
heact
ivi
ti
es
i
nKart
el’
syar
d.
Sot
hiswast
rue… t
heywer
ereal
l
ydead?
Itsti
llf
eltsurrealthathehadf inall
ymanagedt o
takeKar telout.Andatt heendoft hedayhe
didn’
tev enneedt ouset hecont actshehad
reachedoutt ol i
ket heIndians, whoKartelhad
f**kroyallywayback, wit
ht heirpatr
iar
chended
updead.AndDuncan’ sbrother,whoDol l
ahad
convincedt ogoaf t
erKar t
el… andofcour se
therewer etheNi geriansthatheknew Kar tel
hadst ol
enf rom, andt heAf r
ikaanswhoal so
hadsomebeefwi t
hKar tel.
Theyhadal
lbeensecret
lywantinginonthe
mantheyhadcomet ofearbecausehehad
madehimsel
fagiant… anapexpr edat
or.
Andthestreetswerewil
li
ngtobowt ohi m.
Especi
all
yafterhesingl
ehandedlytookouta
manl i
keDuncan?Nobodywant edtot ouchhi
m.
Butwhenhepr oposedworkingtogether…al
l
thecowardscameoutoft hewoodwor k.
Heendedupdoi
ngi
tonhi
sown.
Whatwasthatabouthi
sbeingi
mpul
siv
eand
unabl
etopl
anlikeKart
el?Whowonnow,bi
ch!
Thebigproblem nowwasthathehadheard
therewasinstabil
i
tybet
weenall
thosegr
oups
afterhehadbr oughtt
hem t
oget
herli
ket
hat.
TheI ndiansaccusi ngt
heNigeri
ansofst eal
i
ng
theirdrugterri
tor
y…Duncan’sbrothertr
yingto
establi
shhi mselfandtakeoverhi
sl at
e
brother’sestat
e…t heBoerswanti
ngt ocontr
ol
mar ketsandownt hatt
ouri
stysi
deoft he
count r
y.
Ohwell,
nothi
sfi
shtofr
y.Hi
sprobl
em was
sol
ved.Kar
tel
wasgone.Nowhewasgonna
t
akeoutRon,
thenhecanr
eti
reandenj
oyhi
s
money
.
He’dletabitoft
imepassbef
oregoingaft
er
thatRon,soastonotbri
ngheatonhimsel
f.He
mayev engetsomeonetofol
lowherwhenshe
eventual
l
ygoesabroad,t
hentakeheroutt
here.
*
***
***
***
*
LI
KE,
COMMENT,
SHARE

ATHUG’
SLOVE121

Kart
el’
smot herarr
ivedattheyar
dwithherey
es
swoll
enf r
om cryi
ng,bothherdaught
ers
support
ingher.
MME:It
oldhim… It
oldKgat
hal
othatgi
rl
comesf
rom acul
t…osalwamoragokemewae
maswe,
akerehabarapel
eModimo.Nowlook…
l
ookatwhathappened,
mysoni
sgone!
KODI:Ser
iousl
y,st
op.Howi
sanyoft
hisLuba’
s
faul
t?
MME:Mysonwouldst
il
lbeher
eifi
twasnotf
or
t
hatgi
rl
.Hewoul
dsti
ll
behere.
KODI:Bopaki
,cany
ouguy
sgethert
otheguest
bedr
oom?
*
***
***
**
Seshawalkedint
oKart
elandLuba’
sbedr
oom
tochooseclot
hesfort
heburi
al.
Whatwaseventhepoi
ntwhent
hecasketwas
goi
ngtobeclosed.
ButKodihadsai
dheneededt
obri
ngsome,and
shefel
tli
keLubawoul
dwanthert
ochooseas
sheknewherbest.
Kart
el’
ssi
sterBoiwasinLuba’
swalkincl
oset
weari
ngLuba’sshoesasshecheckedoutt
he
handbagsect
ion.
SESHA:Whatar
eyoudoi
ng!Whatar
eyoudoi
ng,
taket
hoseof
f,t
heyar
enotyour
s.
Seshayell
edasshesmackedt
hegi
rlwi
tha
nearbyhandbag.
BOI
:It
’snotl
ikesheneedsthem anymor
e.Kana
mmaobat l
agodi i
peela?Iam t
akingmyshare.
SESHA: (
yel
li
ng)Bopaki
!Bopaki
!Comegety
our
si
sterbefor
eIkil
lher
,nxl
a!
Bopaki
camer
unni
ngi
n.
BOPAKI
:Whatt
hef
**kdoy
out
hinky
ouar
e
doi
ngBoi
pel
o!
BOI: Whatisthebigdeal?Shei sdead.Iam
takingwhatIlikebeforebadi gopel
e,bythe
ti
medi kgaoganwatherewillbenothinglef
t.
Eish,butthi
sgi r
lenetotakaparinaei t
se.
Bopakisl
appedherandpushedherdown,
taki
ngoffLuba’
sshoesbefor
edraggi
ngher
outsi
de.
BOPAKI
:Makesur
eyoul
ock,
Sesha.
Seshaclosedthedoorandsatont hefloor
cry
ingasshehuggedherbestf r
iend’sdressto
herchest.Howwast hi
sfai
r.Howwast hisfai
r
atall
,Luba’syoungestchi
ldwasonl yfour
monthsf orGod’ssake.
*
***
***
*
Monkarri
vedatthepoli
cestati
ontomakea
st
atementabouttheStuart
s.Hesatdownas
Kgareandaconstabl
et ookhi
sstat
ement.
MONK: So,that’
saboutit
… wejusti
gnor
edthe
thr
eatbecausewedi dn’
tthi
nkt
heymeantmuch
aboutit
.Yout hi
nktheyki
ll
edKart
elandLuba?
BecauseI’
ll
…
KGARE: Donotmakei ncrimi
nati
ngst atement s.
Theyar eunderacti
veinvest
igat
ions.Lastnight
thoseBanglas,theonespeoplecalltheIndians,
theygotattackedandtakenout,andt heir
neighborsalsotal
kaboutseeingawhi t
ev an
somet i
meswat chingt hepl aceatoddhour s,
tr
yingtobehi dden.Weshowedt hem api ct
ure
i
ftheSt uartbusinessv anandt heyconf ir
medi t.
TheseBoer sthinkt heyar eclever,theytri
edt o
makei tlookli
kear obber y.Kegor eLubaand
Kartel
,thentheNi gerians, nowt heIndians..
.Ij
a,
Iam say i
ngtoomuchi nf rontofy ou.AllIam
sayingis,youguy swat chout ,
Idon’ tt
hinkthey
meantt ostopwi thKar t el
andLuba.
MONK:
Whyhav
en’
tyouar
rest
edt
hem al
ready
.
KGARE:
Notenoughev
idence.
MONK:Fi
ndt hatevi
denveandar r
estthem ee!
Wecan’
tli
veinfearli
kethis.Ibet
terl
eave,we
ar
ebusywiththefuneral
ar r
angement.
KGARE:Wait
,whileyouareher
e,wearel
ooki
ng
i
ntoamissi
ngper son.Pul
aneOagi
le?Havey
ou
seeheri
nthelastfewdays?
MONK:
Yes… IsawheratKesego’
sweddi
ng.
KGARE:
Thatwast
hel
astt
imeshewasseen.
MONK:
Shei
smi
ssi
ng?
KGARE: Hersi
sterr
epor
tedhermi
ssi
ng
yest
arday.
MONK:
Elegor
ePuni
eoi
l
ekaenebat
ho?
KGARE:Hersi
stersay
ssher
anawaybecause
shewasafr
aidofyou.
MONK:
Afr
aidofme?How?Why
?
KGARE:Shesai
dyoubl
amedherf
ory
ourson’
s
deat
h?
MONK: What?Puniewasanamazi ngmot her.
Oursonwasnoteasy ,hewashi ghfunct ioning
aut i
sm… hewasv eryaggressive… hehashi t
bot hPunieandIsev er
altimes..Threwt hingsat
Puni e,cussedheroutallday.Thenhest opped
talking…butPunienevercompl ained.She
dil
igent l
ytookcareofhim.Oursoncommi t
ted
suicide.Onhi sl
astmessage, Puniefeltli
kehe
blamedherf ori
t.Shewasnev erthesame.She
saidshecoul dn’
tlivei
nthathouse, everyt ime
shewal kedbyt hatroom, shesawourson’ s
bodyhangi ngf rom ther oof i
ng.Soshemov ed
toheraunt ’
s.Iof feredt herapybutsher ef
used.
Saidshewant edt of eelthatpain.Iwatchedher
deteri
orateinment al health.Shestar
tedsay i
ng
shewaspr egnant …andshebel i
evedit.It
alked
tothi
spsy chol ogistmanabouti tandhe
thoughtshemayhav esomement al
disorder
knownaspseudocy esis.
KGARE:
What
?
MONK: Ament al healt
hconditionwher eone
thi
nkstheyarepr egnantbuttheyar er eal
lynot.I
readuponi t,
triedt oshowPuni eshewasn’ t
well
,butsheinsi stedshewasok.I tupsether
whenIsai dshewasn’ tpregnant,soIst opped
andwentwi thitt hi
nkingwhent herewasno
babyafterni
nemont hs,shewoul dst op.Buthe
cousi
ngav ebirthandPuni ebelievedt hechil
d
washer sandmi ne.Shewoul ddemandchi l
d
supportandIdi dn’twantt ohurther ,
soIsent
money.I
twasnoski
noffmybackany
way
,I
washappyt
ohelpher
.
KGARE:Tal
kaboutt
heweddi
ngday
.Di
dshe
tal
ktoy
ou?
MONK: Shedi d.Shel ookedbet t
er,happiershe
saidshewasbet ter.Thatsheknewt her ewas
nochi l
d,shewasn’ tpregnant… knewshe
neededhel p.Sheaskedmef ormoneyt omov e
awayandst artov erwereshewasnotj udged
becauseherf amilylookatherl i
keshewas
crazy .IcareaboutPuni eandi fshethought
goingawaywaswhatwoul dhelpher ,
Iwas
happyt osuppor t.Idisnotseemuchi fheraf ter
asIwaswi thmyf iancéeandshewast ending
rothebr i
deasherbestf ri
end.Attheendoft he
evening, Itr
ansf erredP10000t oher,youcan
seei tonmybankst atements.Shewasv er
y
gratef ul
,andsai dshewoul dletmeknowwhen
shehasset tledwher eshewasgoi ng.
KGARE:
So,
yout
hinkshemov
edsomewher
e?
MONK:
Thati
swhatshet
oldmeshewasgonna
do.
KGARE:Thankyoufory
ouri
nfor
mat i
on.Please
l
etusknowifyourememberanyt
hingelse.
*
***
***
***
**
Afewday slateratthefuneral
,Seshasat
hol
dingherhusband’ shandsobbingasthey
l
ist
enedtospeaker stalkaboutbothKart
eland
Luba.Shecoul dn’
tdoit.St
andupt her
eandtal
k
aboutherfr
iend.
Neel
ohadhadtodoit,
butshedidn’tev
enlast
t
womi nut
estal
ki
ngbefor
eshewasacr yi
ng
messandReubenhadtotakehertoherseat.
NowKodi
wasspeaki
ng,hi
seyesswol
l
enand
r
ed.Hemusthav
ebeencry
ingal
lni
ght
.
I
tal
lfel
tsosur
real
.
Arnoki
ssedherfor
eheadandhel
dhercl
ose
thr
oughoutt
hefuneral
.
Ronwasbesidest
hem,weari
ngshades,
and
Seshasuspect
edt
hatshet
wohadcr i
edtoo
hardandwasmaskingi
twit
hthelar
ge
sungl
asses.
ShewasholdingTafadzwa’shand.Theyhad
deci
dednottobringDanaiastheysaidshewas
notdoingwel
l,soshewasl ef
twithEstherand
thei
rli
ttl
ebr
otherKutenda.
God,
Lubawasgonef
orr
eal
!
Ther estoft
heboysl
ookedsosol
emnand
broken… God,howcoul
dthi
shappen?
Shestartedhyperv
entil
ating,f
eelingananxi ety
att
ackast hecof
finswerel owereddowni nto
theground.Thesingletearthatrandown
Fadzwa’scheekbreakingherev enmor e.Poor
thi
ng.Shewasbecomi ngabi ggirl,
neededher
motherev enmore.Andshewasgone.Godhow
werethosechildr
enev erbeok?Kut endawas
nevergoingtoevenknowhi sparents.
Arnot ookherasidetocalm down,
thenledher
tothrow soilonthecoff
insalongotherpeopl
e,
beforetheboy sstar
tedtaki
ngshovelsand
putti
ngmor esoil.
Doll
asighedi
nsat
isf
act
ionashet
hrewsoi
lon
thecof
fin.
HehummedEmi
nem’
sly
ricsonhi
shead.
Yousai
dyouwaski
ng,
youl
i
edt
hroughy
our
t
eeth.
Fort
hat
,f*
*ky
ourf
eel
i
ngs
Inst
eadofget
ti
n'cr
owned,
you'
reget
ti
n'
capped
Hehadtost
ophi
msel
ffr
om l
aughi
ng,
thi
nki
ng
howaptt
heywer
e.
Ohwell
.Jobwelldone,Damon.Youar
eabso-
f*
*ki
ng-
lut
elyamazing.Asusual
.
SoonRon,
andi
twi
l
lal
lbeov
er.
*
***
***
***
*
LI
KE,
COMMENT,
SHARE
ATHUG’
SLOVE122

Kgar
ear
ri
vedatt
hehomeofDamonLedi
mo.
Ther
ewasanat
tackont
hehousel
astni
ght
.
Foll
owi
ngthetwodaysearl
ierat
tackonMi
l
ton,
brot
hert
othatdeadgangst
erDuncan.
Theyhadbr oughtintheStuart’
spat ri
archy ,but
hadnothadmucht oholdhim wit
hbesi des
peoplewhohadseenawhi tevanmat chingt he
Stuartbusi
nessv an.Notthatanyoft hose
peoplewereev enwill
ingtotesti
fy.Sot heyhad
toletStuar
tseniorgo.Hedeni edev erything,of
course.
Kgarewal
kedi
ntot
hehousebr
aci
nghi
msel
ffor
car
nage.
Theli
vingroom wasnotbad.Ther
ewassome
cani
stersofsomegaswhichcouldhav
ebeen
usedt
oknockwhoev
erwasi
nther
eout
.
KGARE:
Howmanyv
ict
ims?
OFFI
CER:
Thr
ee,
Dol
l
a,andt
woofhi
sboy
s.
Hewal kedt
othebedr
oom wher
eDetect
ive
Legacywashelpi
nguni
for
medoffi
cer
ssecure
thescene.
Thisonewasevenmoregr
uesome.Dol
l
awas
beatenupbadl
y,t
henamult
ipl
est
abwounds.
KGARE: Damn… anyleads?Pl
easet
ell
mewe
foundsomethi
ngthisti
me.
LEGACY:
Likeallt
heother
s… notali
ckofDNA,
andwebeensweepingthescenef
oranhour.
Thi
swasprofessi
onal
s.Themaidcall
edi
tin.
Anof
fi
cerwal
kedi
n.
OFFICER:Theint
ervi
ewwi ththehelperisdone.
Shetalksaboutadi
fferentcarhangingar pun,
hi
dingbehindabusht hi
cketabitfrom her e.
Shesawi ti
ntheeveningwhenshewasl eaving.
Thecarmat
chesoneownedbyReny
ardSt
uar
t.
KGARE:
IthoughtIsawCCTVatt
heent
rance?
LEGACY:Nogood.Itwast ur
nedoffaround
8pm yest
arday
.Butitshowshisgir
lf
ri
end
Zendayawasherebeforeitwastur
nedof f
.
KGARE:Andwher
eisshenow?Shebecomesa
suspect
.
LEGACY:Unl
essshedr
uggedthem,t
herei
sno
wasapunyli
tt
lethi
ngt
ookall
thosethr
eemen
outbyhi
mself
.
KGARE:Isawsmal lcani
ster
sIsuspectwere
somesortifgas.Shecouldhav
eusedt hatt
o
knockt
hem out.
LEGACY: Coul
d.ButIdoubt
.Thedefensi
ve
woundsheretell
meDol l
awasconsciouswhen
thesewerei
nfl
icted.Whoev
erdi
dthishas
Zendaya.
KGARE:
Ori
tcoul
dbeZenday
a.Butsomet
hing
tel
l
smei t
’st
heSt
uart
.Therehastobe
somet
hingwecangettheseguy
swith…
LEGACY:Theylawy
eredup.Nowal
lwegav
eto
doishopeforsomeevi
dence.
KGARE:Thisi
sembarr
assing.Onmy
r
eti
rement
,andthi
s?Imustcloset
his.
Hi
sphoner
angandhepi
ckedup.
KGARE:
What
?What
?Ohhh… ok… ok… I
’
m on
myway…
Whenhehungup,
Legacyl
ookedathi
m.
LEGACY:
Whatnow?
KGARE:Ati
pcamei nofRey nardStuartforcing
ati
edupandbruisedgir
lint
ot hei
rvan,att heir
home.Thenal
lthreebr
otherplustheirfather
goti
ntheVananddr ov
eof f
.
LEGACY:
Dowehav
eanI
Donher
?
KGARE:Herdescr
ipt
ionmat
chesthatof
Zenday
a,butt
all
,ski
nny,
dar
kskin,l
onghai
rcan
beadescr
ipt
ionofmanywomen.
LEGACY:Thi
scouldbethebr
eakwewer
e
l
ookingf
or.Anyt
hingel
se?
KGARE:Ther
ewassomear gumentandfat
her
Stuar
twashear
dsay i
ng‘Idon’
tunderst
andwhy
youhadtobr
ingthi
sbich’
LEGACY:
Doweknowwher
etheyar
e?
KGARE:
Hol
don…
Hewentont
hephoneagai
n,t
henhungupand
t
urnedt
oLegacy
.
KGARE: Apatr
olcarhasspott
edthem and
giv
ingachase.Wearesendingmoreunits.I
thi
nktheyaretr
yingt
omakef ort
heZim
boarder
.
*
***
***
***
**
Kgaresatont
hepol
i
cecarast
heychasedt
he
whit
ev an.
Bul
l
etscameatpol
i
cecar
s,andt
heyst
art
ed
shoot
ingt
oo.
KGARE: Thewheels.Aimf ort
hewheel
s,bat
ho
babat heyhav eki
ll
edt oomany ,
wearenot
l
etti
ngt hem getaway !Seewhyweneed
choppersatourdispose?Nxl a!
OFFICER:
Therei
sapersonatt
hewindow… sht
,
heisaimi
ngri
ghtatus…sht…t
her
e,i
t’
sthe
ol
derbrot
her
… andanother
…
KGARE: Taketheshot.Taketheshot
,ali
veis
notpri
orit
y.Theyareverydanger
ous!I
fy ou
don’tt
aketheshot,Iguarant
eehewill
!It
’susor
them…
Theolderbr
otherwastakenoutf
ir
st,
thent
wo
other
sandthefather
.
Nowthey
oungestwoul
dbet
heonl
yonel
eft
,
whowasatt
hewheel.
Kgareai
medatthewhenwhent
hecarcameto
asteepcur
vei
nthegrav
elr
oad,
for
cingitt
o
sl
owdown.
Heai
medatt hewheel andtookashot,heari
ng
i
t’
swhizzbefor
eitexploded,sendi
ngthecar
i
ntoazigzagorbi
tforsomet ime,butReynar
d
St
uartmanagedtobringittoahalt.
Hecameoutwi
thhi
shandsup.
‘
Isweary
ougott
hisal
lwr
ong.Wedi
dnot
hing’
Hey
ell
ed.
KGARE:
Arey
our
eadyt
ocomei
ntocust
ody
?
‘
Yes… I
… oww’
Her
eacheddownt
ohi
shi
p.
Kgar
escreamed‘gun’andtookashot,nai
l
ing
hi
m onthechest
,thenwatchingast
hebody
wenttot
heground.
KGARE:
Ift
heinfowehav
eiscor
rect
,that
’sal
l
oft
hem.Movein.
Theymov edtothevan,wher
etheyfoundthe
bodies,
thethr
eeotherStuar
tsi
nfront,
the
youngestoutt
here,
andZendaya’sbodystuf
fed
i
nawoodencr at
e.
KGARE: Itwast hem al
lal
ongaf t
eral
l
.That
meanst heyt ookheraft
erki
ll
i
ngDol l
a.Who
knewwhatt hepoorthi
ngwasputt hr
ough.Nxl
a!
Sickbastards!Allt
hepeopletheyhaveki
l
led!
*
***
***
***
**
Afewday sl
ater
,Kar
tel
andLubadi sembarked
t
heirpl
aneandwentthroughcust
oms, pul
l
ing
t
heirbags.
LUBA:OhmyGod, Ican’
twai
ttoseeKutonthat
l
itt
lesul
uIgothi
m.Wedef i
nit
elyneedt
otake
them t
obri
ngthem t
oFij
i.
KARTEL:
Youhav et
oadmitt
hesil
enceand
ti
metooursel
veswasamazi
ng!Paradi
se.
LUBA:(l
aughi
ng)Wecanal
way
ssel
lthem on
eBayorsomethi
ng.
KARTEL: (l
aughing)Now,thati
sanidea.Butthe
mostnov elofitwasnosocialmedianegati
vit
y.
Iam promisingmy sel
fthi
smor eof
ten.Justget
offal
ltheinter
net,tur
noffmyphone,andseat
connectwi
thmythought
s..It
’ssorefr
eshi
ng.
Babe,doyour
eal
i
z edpeoplearelooki
ngatus?
LUBA:Sincewetookthefl
ightinEt
hiopi
a.The
twoBatswanal
adieskeptl
ookingatus.
KARTEL: Mustbef r
om theweddinglivestr
eam.
Alotofpeopletunedin.Ori
t’sthatgl
ow… y ou
l
ookr adi
ant
,babe.Thesunl ovesyou.Ineedto
holi
dayyouinislandsmore.Ormay beyouar e
pregnantaf
terthesetwoweeks…
LUBA:Yoh!Ibet
ternotbepregnantKart
el,
my
babyi
sf ourmouthsold!Joh!IswearIwpuld
cry
.Aobatho!(l
aughi
ng)
KARTEL:Youdoknowi
t’
shi
ghl
ypossi
ble
though.
LUBA:Pl
easesonotgiv
etheuniv
ersei
dea.
Modimo!Kutwoul
dbejust13monthsbythe
ti
meIgivebi
rt
h!Nothankyou.
Theimmigrat
ionladywhowashelpi
ngt
hem
st
aredatthem i
nshock.Shecoul
dmoteven
gether
sel
ftof
orm wor
ds.
LUBA:Babe…whatt
hehel
lisgoi
ngon?
Ser
iousl
y.Whyar
epeopl
elooki
ngatusl
iket
his?
KARTEL:Ri
ght
,youseei
ttoo?Whatscandal
are
wecaughti
nnow?
Thei
mmi grati
onladyf
orcedher
sel
fthr
oughi
t
andqui
cklylett
hem pass.
Peopl
efol
l
owedt
hem cl
oseandcur
iousl
y.
Ast heycameoutoft
hearr
ival
area,
some
cleaningl
adyscr
eamedandfai
nted,
looki
ngat
them.
KARTEL:
Ok,
thi
siswei
rd…excusemema’
am…
Hesai
dtoal
adywhowasf
oll
owi
ngt
hem.
KARTEL:Excuseme, butyouseem toknowus,
andther
eisaweirdv i
be.Wepr et
tymuchdi dn’
t
haveaccesstoi
nternetorphonesfortwo
weeks… sowehav enoi deawhatit
’ssai
dwe
di
dnow, andpeoplearelooki
ngatuslikethey
hav
eseenaghost
…
LADY:Thatisbecausetheyhave…youtwo…
you…youdied.Iwenttoyourfuner
alsi
n
Franci
stownaweekago.
LUBA:
Excuseme,
what
?
KARTEL:Whatthef
**kdoyoumeanwedied?
Whatthef*
*k!Whywouldany
onethi
nkt
hat?
LADY:
Yourcarexpl
odedwhi l
eyouwer
eheaded
tot
heair
por
ttogotoy ourhoney
moon.
KARTEL:
Airpor
t?Whatcar
?What
?Whatt
he
hel
li
sgoingon!
LUBA: OhmyGodKar t el
,thekids…theki ds…
theywouldbesodest royed.Whatiswr ongwith
people?Isthissomesi ckprank?Thi shast obe
yourboysplay i
ngapr ankonus.Di dt heyhire
youalltoactallshook?Di dthey?IswearIam
goingtokil
l t
hem!Whatsi ckshtisthis!
Shet
urnedatt
hel
ady
,scr
eami
ng.
LUBA:Didtheyhir
eyou?Didthey?Fi
ne,y
ougot
us,weareproperfr
eaked.Youcanhahanow.
Youcancomeout .Ron?Hast obeRonwithher
si
ck.Senseofhumour .Comeout!Wher
eare
y’
al
l.Yougotus…
LADY:I
t’
snotapr
ank… t
her
ewer
efuner
als…
her
e,l
ook.
Peoplerecordedt
hei
rpanicasthel
adyl
etthem
seepostsinherphone,
includi
ngvi
deosfr
om
thei
rfuneral
s.
LUBA: OhmyGod… ohmyGod!Theyhada
funer
al andev
eryt
hing… lookatt
hisKgathal
o,
l
ook...Mypoorbaby…l ookatTafadzwa.Oh
God…Wher eareDanaiandKutenda?Why
wouldtheythi
nkwear edead… wel i
ter
all
ywent
forourhoneymoon.
KARTEL:
Ser
iousl
y…What
.The.F*
*k!
*
***
***
***
LI
KE,
COMMENT,
SHARE
ATHUG’
SLOVE123

KartelandLubasatintheint
err
ogati
onroom
acr
ossKgar eandLegacy.Theyhadcomeback
toFrancist
ownimmedi at
ely,
sawthekids,and
off
icerKgarecall
ed.
LEGACY:
So,
howdi
dyoudoi
t,andwhy
?
KARTEL:
Dowhat
?
LEGACY:Don’
tbul
lshtme,
howdi
dyouf
ake
yourdeat
h?Why?
KARTEL:Wenawatsenwawait
se.Ithoughty
ou
peopl
ewerecal
l
ingmeheretoexplai
nwhat
happened.
LEGACY:
Yourcarexpl
oded.
KARTEL:
Yes,
thecart
hatIhadgi
vent
otwo
ki
dswhoworkforme,
KgosianWame.
KGARE:Legacy,i
sn’
tthoset
hekidsrepor
ted
missi
ngbyaf r
iendafewdaysback?Whatare
t
hei
rlastnames?
KARTEL:Thef**
kdoIknow?Ihelpthesekids,
butIdon’
tkeptt
absonthei
rli
vesorpersonal
i
nformati
on.
LEGACY:
Whywer
etheyi
nyourcar
?
KARTEL:Igaveitt
ot hem totakesomeclot
hes
toanopeningupshelterkodi si
dengt
saair
por
t,
thent
akeitforser
vicingsinceIwasgone.I
heart
hecarwast emper edwith?
KGARE: Yea,fr
om examini
ngthecar
,thebr
ake,
accel
eratorandfuelt
ankweretamperedwi
th…
theSt
uar twantedyouout.
KARTEL:
Thosebastar
ds!Eewhenhesaid
MonkandIwil
lregr
etnearaat
sonedil
otse.
LUBA:Howcanpeopl
ebet hi
sevi
l
?Wehave
youngki
dsf
orGod’ssake!Whywantt
oor
phan
them?
LEGACY:
Youst
il
ldon’
texpl
ainwher
eyouwer
e?
Sur
elyyouwoul
dhav
eseeni
nsoci
almedi
aor
somethi
ng.
LUBA: Ourl
ivesareaconstantsocialmedia
spectacl
e.Andit’snoteasytonotpeakev en
wheny outol
dy oursel
fyouwont.Itjustdr
aws
youin.Sowel eftourphones.I
ti
nerari
esallf
ull
y
pri
nted.
LEGACY:Sohowwoul
dyounav
igat
eFi
j
i
wit
houtphones?
LUBA: InFijit
her esortpickedusf r
om the
air
portandt ookust ot heisland.Thewhol e
i
slandbel ongst other esor t
,sowher everwe
went,therewer esi gnsandempl oyeest oguide
usbackt ot hehot el.Ther esortencouragesthat
peopletonothav ephones.Encour agespeopl e
to‘l
ogof fandt unei n’that’sthei
rslogan.Get
outofy ourphonesandf ocusonnat ureand
surr
oundi ngs.Weonl yhadacamer a.
LEGACY:
Someonewoul
dhav
eseeny
ouatt
he
ai
rportl
eav
ing.Ev
ery
oneknowsy
out
woar
ound
here.
LUBA:Weleftt
hroughRamokgwebanabor der
i
ntoZi
m.Theguywhohel peduswasol derand
di
dn’
tlookl
ikehehasFacebookorInst
agram.
LEGACY:
TodowhatIZi
m?
KARTEL:God,doyouwantthecol
orofour
under
weartoo?Howisthatanyofyour
busi
ness?
LUBA: It
’sokbabe.Thi ngis,
Irecentl
ymade
connectionswit
hmygr andmotherinGweru…
mymot her’
smother .Iknewshewasal i
veand
sufferi
nginpovert
y .ButIheldgrudgesbecause
theybasical
lysol
dmymot hertoacruelman
whenshewasj ustfift
een.Amanwhot ort
ured
me…abusedmesi nceIwasf ive…mentall
y,
physicall
yandsexual l
y…
At
earr
andownhercheek.
KARTEL:
Wedon’
thav
etodot
hisLuba.Of
fi
cer
s,
i
fyouhavenot
hingel
set
ohol
dus,
wear
e
l
eavi
ng.
LUBA: It’sokbabe…t heyj ustwantt osol v
et his
asmuchaswedo.Any way ,Iwantednot hingto
dowi thmygr andparent s.ButIhav ebeengoi ng
totherapy ,andIhav emadepeace.AndIknow
mymot herwoul dwantmet ohelpthem.Sowe
wentt her eafterourweddi ngaswehadt i
meof f.
West ay edt woni ghtsi nGwer u,t
henl eftvi
a
Ethi
opi anai r
way st omakeourwayt oAust rali
a,
wher ewecaughtasmal lflighttoFiji
,tothe
Isl
andofLaucal a,forourhoney moon.Our
entr
yandexi tVISA’si nall theseplacescan
corrobor ateourst ory.Wehav etonsofpi ctures
ther
et oo.
KARTEL: Theborderwasnotmuchact iv
eon
ourexit
..ourcountr
y’slackofconnectede-
system,akerenkaboer i
lekosepatel
awhen
theyenteredadeathcer t
if
icat
eorsomet hi
ng,
aboborderr ecor
dsdi r
eno, bat
hobabat sene
moZi
mbabwe.
KGARE:Eowabuat
ota.Weneedsy
stems
i
ntegr
ated.
KARTEL: Whatshocksmei
showwer et
hose
bodiesj
ustconfi
rmedasuswi
thoutDNA
test
ing.
KGARE:Itisnotstandar
dwhenf amil
yhasID-
ed
thebody.Suchtestscanbeexpensi
veandwe
areshor
tofresources…andlabshavewait
ing
l
ists,
wecouldhav ewaitedamonthofthe
famil
ywaiti
ngtobur r
y?Whygot hr
oughallt
hat
hustl
ewhent hefamilyI
D-ed?
LUBA:Soy
ouj
ustacceptedweweredead?Do
youknowt
het
raumay ouputourki
dsthr
ough?
LEGACY: YourbrotherinlawID’
edthebodies…
herecognizedyourdr essandsomel i
mited
edi
ti
onsneaker sthatbelongedtoKart
el.
LUBA:Wejustsaidwegavethem cl
othesf
ora
shel
ter
!Somay betheyt
ooksomef or
t
hemsel
ves.
LEGACY: Howwerewesupposedtoknowt hat
?
Heightandbodysi
zesmatch,
theywereinyour
carandtherewasnofoot
ageofyouenteri
ngor
l
eav i
ngtheair
por
t.
KARTEL:Thisissl
oppypoli
cewor kandnow
youwanttoblameitonus?Cany oui magi
ne
hear
ingyouhadaf uner
al?Iam goingtosuet
he
hel
loutofyoupeople.
KGARE: Ao,MrMosekil et
’stalk…kear et
ire
thi
sy eartheMorenasent sheny etserecord.I
havekeptani mpeccablerecordt husf ar
.Iana
respectedofdi
cer.Don’Yestdot hiswhenIan
reti
ri
ng.Wecoul dhav edonebet t
erinmany
way s,butwhathappened, happened.
KARTEL:
Howt
hef
**kcanKodi
thi
nki
t’
sus!
LUBA:Wedi
dn’
ttel
lhi
m wechangedplansand
weregoi
ngt
oGwerufir
st,
so,asfarasheknew,
i
twasusint
hatcar
.Andthoseki
dscouldeasi
ly
bemi st
akenf
oruswheny
oudon’
tseet
he
faces.
KARTEL:Youpeoplemessedup.Youshoul
d
havedoneDNAt est
ing.Idemandapubl
i
c
apol
ogybecausewhatt hef*
*k!
LEGACY: Youar enotspecial
,Kartel
.Therewas
nothingt hatsuggestedi
tcouldbedi ff
erent
peoplei nt her
e,sowedidnotseeaneedf or
DNAt esting.Wehaveunidentif
iedbodiesand
bodypar tst hatshowup,thosearethet hi
ngs
wet estbecausewehav enoi deawhoi tcould
be.
KARTEL:
Buti
twasn’
tus,
wasi
t!
LUBA:Babe,cal
m down.Can’
tyoupeopl
ejust
apol
ogizeandweallmoveon?
LEGACY:Apologiz
eforwhat?Wef ol
l
owed
prot
ocol
.Mistakeshappen.Wear egonnaneed
toseeal
lthoseVISASandpr obabl
ypictur
e.
LUBA:
Idi
dn’
tev
engetachancet
ochangeout
myhandbag, soImayhav eeveryt
hinghere…oh,
here…mypasspor t
,Kart
’spassport…oh,look,
wehav epamphletsfr
om acti
vit
ieswedidandI
havealit
tl
epen.Wei r
dhabitofmine.Ialway s
takeapenf r
om anyhotelIst
ayin.Ihavea
wholedrawerfil
l
edwithhotelpens.Oh,pictur
es
too.Andvideos.
Shehandedhi
m hercamer
a.
LUBA:I
fy ouscr
olltoomuchy
ouar
egonnaget
aneyef
ul.SoIsuggestnot
.
Hel
ookedatt
hepi
ctur
esi
nthecamer
a.
LEGACY:
Youwer
ereal
l
yinFi
j
i.
KARTEL:That
’swhatwebeent
ryi
ngt
otel
lyou,
dum-dum.SeeVISAdat
esandall
.
*
***
***
***
Aft
ert
hel
eftt
hepol
i
cest
ati
on,
theydr
oveback
home.
Thei
rcarpar
kedt
hesamet
imeKesego’
scar
didandshecameoutandr antowardst
hem,
throwi
nghersel
fint
oKart
el’
sarmsforahug.
Lubaroll
edhereyesandl
aughedasshegoti
n
thehouse.
KESEGO: OhmyGod, ohmyGod, Ir
eal
l
y
thoughty
oudied!Ist
il
lhadn’
ttol
dKatbecauseI
j
ustdidn’
tknowhow.
KARTEL:
Phew.ThankGod!Howi
she?
KESEGO:Great,
heisatmymom’ s.OhmyGod,
youcan’
tbeli
evewhatIbeent
hrough!
KARTEL:(
laughi
ng)I
’m al
lgood…shoul
dn’
tyou
beofft
oyourhoneymoonorsomethi
ng?
KESEGO:Iuhm…anyway
,ni
ceseei
ngt
haty
ou
ar
egood.Ibett
ergo.
Hewalkedinsi
deandhismot
herwasseat
edi
n
t
heli
vi
ngr oom scr
eami
nghol
l
yhell
.
Hegreet
edherandwentt
ofi
ndLubai
nthe
bedr
oom.
Hepul
l
edhercl
oserandki
ssedher
.
KARTEL:
Myr i
der
…hav
eIt
oldy
ouhowmuchI
l
oveyoutoday
?
LUBA:Mhhh,butInevert
ir
eofhear
ingi
t.I
s
yourmot
hersti
llscr
eaming?Ij
ustr
anoff.
KARTEL:
(laughi
ng)Whati
sshebl
ami
ngy
ouf
or
now?
LUBA:
Kil
l
ingy
ou.
KARTRL: ShedoesknowIam notdead,r
ight
?
Wouldbemuchbet teri
fshestay
sthinki
ngso
though,
causeitkeepsherof
fmycase.
Fadzwast
oodatt
hedoorwi
thasmi
l
e.
FADZWA:
Daddy
,gr
annyi
sreadyt
ogonow.
KARTEL:
That
’smygi
rl
.Youhandl
edi
t?
FADZWA:
(smi
l
ing)Idi
d…
LUBA:
Whatdi
dyout
wodot
othecr
azyol
d
woman?
Kar
tel
justl
aughed.
FADZWA: Imayormaynothav et
oldheryou
guyscontr
actedzikavi
ruswereyouwere,you
gotbett
er,buti
t’
ssaidyoucansti
llspr
eadit…
ki
dscan’tgetit
…buttheolderyouare,
the
deadl
ieri
tis.Shewantstotakeacab.
Kar
tel
laughedandf
istbumpedher
.
LUBA:(l
aughi
ng)Ihatet
hatIappr
ove.Andbaby,
havewetoldyouhowproudofyouwear e?You
tookcar
eofyoursibl
i
ngsreal
lywel
l.
Theybot
hhuggedher
.
Kar
tel
’
smom y
ell
edgort
hem i
nthel
i
vingr
oom
Whent heycame, tr
yingtohidet
heirsmil
es,she
keptadistancefrom them,andinsist
edan
arr
ivi
ngSeshat akeherhomei nsteadofKart
el
andLuba.
Af
terdr
oppi
ngher
,shecameback.
SESHA:
Yougotzi
ka?
LUBA:(
laughi
ng)Fadzwa’sdoi
ng.Wecoul
dn’
t
gett
heoldhagtoleave.
Seshahuggedheragai
n.
SESHA:
Babe!Iswearmyhear
tdi
ed!OhmyGod.
LUBA:Howam Igonnadiebeforewebecome
hi
ghlyi
nappr
opri
ateoldl
adiessippi
ngof
champagneandjudgi
ngeverybody?
SESHA:Kanakgang!Andwear egonnabeso
i
nappropr
iat
e!Rocki
ngbiki
nisat85.
LUBA:
Twer
king!
Theybot
hlaughedandhuggedagai
n.
SESHA:Andy ougott
hegr
eenhai
rback,
ohmy
God!Imissedthi
s…
LUBA:
Youshouldr
ockyourcot
toncandypi
nk!
Rememberwhenwestar
tedout?
SESHA:Dij
otsamma-
Nsibesi
det
hatgi
rl
’s
sal
on.Theonewewor
kedfor.
LUBA:Yho…t
hatl
ady’
smokwetj
epeslappedbig
ti
me.Man,wehavecomesofarbabe… lookat
usnow.Wesomer i
chbi
ches.
SESHA:Wives,
mother
s,andbadass
busi
nesswomen.
LUBA:Tal
ki
ngaboutt
hat
,howdoesi
tgowi
th
fi
ndi
ngLoki?
Shel
ookeddown.
LUBA:
Sesha?
SESHA: Ihat
ethisbutIdon’tknowi fIwanther
back,Luba.Maxineisagreatmot hertoher.
Sheemai l
edmesay i
ngsheisnotgi vi
ngback
herbaby.Sai
dshet oldLokiGodgav ehert ome
soIcanpasshert oMax.Iam f i
newi ththat,
I
don’twantherhurtknowingIthrewheraway .
Whenshei solderandwant stomeet ,Maxwi l
l
di
recthertome.
LUBA:
Butshei
syourbaby
…
SESHA: Iwil
lalwaysfeelguilty,andIknowt hat
wouldaffectourrel
ati
onshi p.Ifeelli
keI’dj
ust
fai
lher.Shehasagr eatl
ife, sheisahappyl i
ttl
e
gir
l.Iam happywiththest oryMaxgav eher…
whot hehellwantstobet oldy ourmot hert
hrew
youinthebushandl efty
ouf ordead?
LUBA:
DoesAr
noknow?
SESHA: Hewil
lneveragr
ee… andwear enot
tal
kingaboutt
hisanymore.Weneedsome
champagnegirl
.Youjustresur
rect
edorsome
sht.Ibett
henoisyoneatthedoorisNeel
o.
Neel
owal
kedi
nandhuggedt
hem bot
h.
NEELO:I
fyoueverdi
eonmeagai
nLuba,
Iwi
l
l
r
aiseyouandki
l
l y
ouall
over
.
LUBA:
(laughi
ng)I
sn’
tthatabi
tredundant
?
NEELO:
Lubal
ashe!
LUBA:(
laughi
ng)okay
!Okay!Gapetot
aIl
i
ter
all
y
j
ustwentonhoneymoon.Neverdi
edorev
en
sai
dIwas.Eoyadeadkeeut wakal
ona!Il
ove
yougi
rl
s,shem.Let
’sgodr
ink.
*
***
***
***
**
Lat
erLubaandKar tel
satonabedweari
ng
ni
ghtrobes,Luba’
sfacecover
edwi
thadryface
moist
uri
zingpapermask,weari
ngasil
kbonnet.
KARTEL:
Andwhat
’swi
tht
het
heat
ri
csagai
n?
LUBA: (
laughing)Becausewecan?Also,ali
ve
whil
edr essedupandl ooki
nglikewearer
eady
tohitapar t
ysceneadayaf t
erour
‘
resurr
ection’wouldlooksuspect.
KARTEL:
Iseewhaty
oumean.Al
ri
ght
.Let
sdo
thi
s.
Kar
telst
art
edoffl
aughi
ng,
thensi
ngi
ng
Fr
anco’ssong.
KARTEL: l ehagotwemet shamekoemehut
a,
keganawamal oba… nnanekeile
honeymooni
ng,kautwabant at
olaket
shel
a
LUBA: (
laughi
ng)Hello,hel
l
o, hell
oyouguys…
ok,300people,l
etswaitforabi tmore… ok,I
thi
nk500i soktostart…bathong… wear enot
dead..Neverwere.Butwedi dloseourfr
iends
though.Twokidswhor emindedmesomuchof
KartandI’shumblebeginnings.
KARTEL: Likef
orrealthough.Thoseki
dswere
hustl
ers.Kgosi
’sstoryismuchlikemine.Bor
n
i
npov erty
,hewast r
yingtopushhisway
thr
ough…Igav ehim achance.Hewoul dhave
becomesomet hi
ng,Itel
lyou.
LUBA:
AndWamewassost
reetsmar
t,sweet
,
andahar
dri
der
.
KARTEL: Thedaywel eft,mywifegavethem
someofour sandourf ri
endandkids’cl
othes
wenol ongeruse,todropoffatt
hatshelt
erfor
womenandki dsthatj
ustopened.Mycarwas
dueforservi
ce,soIgav eKgosithekeystogo
dropi
tof faf
ter.
LUBA: Ronawecaughtar i
deonmycousi n
Rufaro.Backst or y.Mygr andswer ereal sht
peopl ebackt hen.Ort heywer ejustpoorand
whenaweal thy‘ manofGod’ showedi nt erest
onthei r15y earol di nexchangef ormoney ,they
gavei n.That‘ manofGod’ wasMoses, andIam
surey ’allsawhi sconf essionv ideomanyy ears
back.Any way , Ihat edmygr andsf orwhat
happenedt omymom andI ,becauset heywer e
thecat aly stsofi tal li
naway .ButIhav ef ound
peace, Ideci dedt ot r
ackthem andhel pt hem.
Ont hatt ip, Ifoundmycousi nRuf arofirst.He
hadcutt hem of fal ongtimeback, andwasi n
Francist ownal l along.Weconnect edrecent ly.
WhenIaskedhi mf ordir
ect i
onshedeci dedhe
want edt ogi vepeaceat rytoo, hismot her
woul dhav ewant edhi mtohel pout.Sohedr ove
usther e.Thecart hatexpl odedhadKgosi and
Wamei ni t.Ourf ami l
yandf riendswer enot
awar ewewer egoi ngt oGwer uf ir
st,becausei t
wasal astmi nut ething,Rufar osaidIam
l
eav ingt omor row, andwesai dhell,
wemi ghtas
wel l
got ooaswear eonvacat i
onandal ready
packed.West ayedi nZimf ortwoday sand
wentt oAust rali
awher ewecaughtaf l
i
ghtt oFiji
,
Laucal aIsl
and.Wehadl eftoutphoneshome
becausewewant edt omakei tjustaboutus.
Hadani cet i
me, picsonmyI nsta… any way ,nna
har egor ogamogae, goraoraohel a,bathoba
i
dibal akoai r
port,gat weKartleLubadi ed,
funer alswhatwhat !Theshocky ’
al
l!Theshock!
Itellyou, nothingdi sori
entsyoul i
kebei ngt old
youdi edandgotbur ri
ed.Yoh!Butweseehow
thismi st
akecoul dhav ehappened.Wef orgive.
Weal l mov eonandcel ebratenotbei ngdead!
Whent heyendedthelive,Kartelki
ssedher
andt heypulledoffrobes,Lubar emov i
ngthe
maskt hatwasonherf ace, hermakeupf ul
ly
i
ntactunder neath,wearingabl ackleat
her
corsetandt i
ghtblackleatherpants,Kart
el
mat chingherinaf ul
lblackout fi
t.
LUBA:
Dang,
wegood!
KARTEL:Don’tgetcocky,
that
’showthe
gr
eatestf
ell
.Butyouar er
ight
.Let’
spar
ty.
Theygotoutoft her oom whi chwasami ni
bedroom i nthenewof ficebuildingbecause
youcoul dt r
ustKar teltoexpectt hem toneedt o
useabedwhi leatwor k.SheandSeshawer e
mov ingtheirheadquar tersherf rom t
hei rrented
place.SowasAr no,Monk, Ea,Reuben’s, and
Kodi’soffices.Pl usNel i
’sbaker yandcof f
ee
shop, andar estaurant,att hegroundf l
oor ,to
caterfortheempl oyees.AndEst her’
stai l
oring
shopt oo.Kar thadal way swant edthef am al l
together,andt heyal l
agr eed,nextmont ht hey
allst
ar tmov i
ng.
NowLubaandKar t
elwal
kedi
ntothelar
gestof
theconfer
encer
oomswheret
heircrewsat
arounddri
nki
ng,
danci
ngandtal
ki
ngexcitedl
y.
KARTEL:
Her
eist
ousal
lbei
ngf
**ki
ng
magni
fi
cent
!
Theyr
aisedt
hei
rgl
assesandal
lcheer
ed.
KARTEL: WhenIcamet oyouallwit
hthispl
an
fourweeksago, Ihadnodoubtwewer egonna
pulli
toff
… becausemyf amil
yismadeoft he
best.Ae,mdala,putchampagnebot t
ledownga
sekhadi.(l
aughing)Thebannat shwarang
Kgaretogaar egolega… anywayli
keIsaid,I
wasasconf identofyourabi
li
ti
esfourweekago
asIam today .
*
***
***
*
FourWeeksAgo….
*
***
***
**
LI
KE,
COMMENT,
SHARE
ATHUG’
SLOVE124
Kar
tel
sati
ntheof
fi
cewi
thBapt
ist
etal
ki
ng.
KARTEL:
Ihav
efoundoutwhoDol
l
a’smol
eis.
BAPTI
STE:Iknewyouwoul
d,wenay
ouar
e
smart
,bi
gboss.How?
KARTEL: Igaveall
ofyouguy sadi
ff
erentand
part
iculari
nfor
mationeach.Theoneyoujust
tol
dmeDol l
ahasistheoneIgavethatli
tt
le
couple.KgosiandWame.
BAPTISTE:Thosesi
ll
ythi
ngs.
..bosslady
act
uall
yli
kedthem,shesaidt
heyr emindedher
ofyoutwo.
KARTEL:Iknow..
.that
’swhyi
t’
sso
di
sappoi
nting.
BAPTI
STE:
What
’st
henextmov
e?
KARTEL:Fornowwekeepitl
owkey.
..l
ett
hem
be.Whentheti
meisr
ight
,you’
ll
gett
hem.Ware
arengDoll
a?
BAPTI
STE: Hehasr al
l
iedeveryonetocome
aft
ery
ou.TheBoer s,t
heIndians,t
heNiger
ians,
andDuncan’sbr
other.
KARTEL:
(laughi
ng)Damn,
her
eal
l
ythi
nks
muchofme, huh.
BAPTISTE:Theywereeasytoral
l
y..
.seemsli
ke
theyal
lbeenholdi
nggrudges,
buttoop*ssyt
o
comeaty ouonthei
rown.
KARTEL:Gr
udgesarebad..
.peopl
ewhohol d
gr
udgesbecomeinconveni
encesl
ater
..
.they
mustal
lgo.
BAPTISTE:
Hee?Boss,
wecan’
ttakeal
loft
hose
out.
..
KARTEL:Bapt iste,myboy ..
.wedon’ tdo‘can’t
’.
Leavemet othi nk.Remembert okeepy our
hoodieupanduset hebackdoor .Don’tlet
anyoneseey ou, younev erknowwhoi sDolla’
s
eyes.Oh,bytheway ,tel
lhimt hebesttimet o
getuswillbejustbef orewel eavefor
honeymoon.Saywewi l
lbeoccupiedand
rel
axed.
..tel
l himy oucansneaki nandmess
upourbrakesandaccel erator.
BAPTI
STE:(
laughi
ngandshakinghi
shead)
Whatar
eyouplanni
ng,boss?
KARTEL:
AHoll
ywoodworthpr
oduct
ion.
..now,
l
eavemetot
hefinedet
ail
s.
*
***
***
***
***
***
***
**
Aweeklat
erKart
el l
ookedaroundt
hegr
oup
t
hatsati
nhisconferencer
oom.
TheO.
G.
Ron,
Ea,
Rue,
Monk.
..
ThenAr nowhohadproventobeanamazi
ng
assetandanevenbet
terbrot
her
..
.
Kar
tel
’
sownli
tt
lebr
otherKodi
,whohadpr
oven
t
obeawhol
ebeasti
nhi sownri
ght
..
.
Esther.
..sil
ent,butal
way
sthegl
uet
hatget
s
underestimated.
Bapti
ste.
..hi
ssilenteyesandear
s.His
under
coveragent .Hehadhandpickedthekid
fr
om thestreetandtrainedhi
mtogetaj obwit
h
Dol
l
aandkeepwat
ch.
Kgare.Thatcr ookedcopwhohadpr ovenhis
l
oyaltyov erthey ears.
..orhejustlovedt he
money .Kar thadwant edt otakethef oolouta
l
ongt i
meago, butLubasai dhewasanasset .
Besttoal way shav ehim around.Evenwhenhe
ret
ir
es, hewi l
l al
way shav epoli
ceofficerfri
ends
i
nside,andcoul dpullstri
ngsforthem.Andas
usual,hisqueenwasr i
ght.Hisplanwoul dnev er
workwi thoutsomeoneont hecop.So, Kgare
tur
nedoutt obewor thhiskeepaf t
erall.
Butmostimport
antl
yofallpeoplehere.
..hi
s
queen.Thi
samazingwoman.Theonewho
madehi m.
..t
heonewhor efusedtolethim be
anyt
hingbutaki
ng.Anddespi t
eherbeingthe
queenshewas,shesti
l
lrespectedhim and
tr
eatedhimli
keherki
ng.
KARTEL: So,guy
s..
.weareall
abouttogohard.
Wear egonnaneedt oputt
hebestactofour
l
ives.
..becausewearetaki
ngoutfourgangs
whocanbr
ingev
erysi
ngl
eoneofust
oour
knees.
KGARE: TheSt
uartt
ri
edt
obr
ingheatt
oyou
maloba.Idi
ver
ted.
KARTEL: That
’swhyt heirassesgonnabethe
scapegoats.WearetakingouttheNiger
ians,
theIndi
ans,Duncan’
sbr other
,andtheStuar
t.
Theyal
lst
artedt
alki
ngatonceofhow
i
mpossibl
ethatwouldbe.
KARTEL:Ihaveaplan.
..Arno,
youthi
nkyoucan
repl
i
cat
et heStuar
t’
sbusinessvan?Ar
tandall
?
ARNO:(l
aughi
ng)Thi
nk?I’
minsult
ed...Ij
ust
needt
oseeitandyougonnahaveitexact.
..
KARTEL:Soli
d..
.Kgar
e,cany
oubeont
hecase
att
hestati
on?
KGARE:I
’
mtheboss.Ideci
dewhoi
sonwhat
case.
KARTEL:
Ok.Ar
no,
getont
hecar
.Wheni
t’
s
done,IwantyouandEat okeepsurvei
ll
ing
areasaroundthesepeopl
e’shomes.Hidet he
vehicl
e,butal
somakesur epeopleseeit,
and
real
izether
eisanattempttohideit
.La
ntshwara?
EA:
Goty
ou.
KARTEL:Good.LubaandIwil
ltakethe
Ni
geri
ans.Who’supfort
heIndians?
Mul
ti
plev
olunt
eer
ing.
KARTEL: Fine,Ron, MonkandBapt i
steareon
theIndians...Arno, EaandKodi onMi l
ton.Rue
i
swi thusont heNi geri
ans.Esther,youwat ch
thekids.Kgar e, keepaney eonthecaseandwe
aregonnaneedy ouonf i
nalshowdown.Luba
andIar egonnami sst hatonebecauseweneed
tobei nFijislashdead. .
.butItr
usty ouguyswi l
l
handlei t
.Ev eryone, youjustdoy ourpartand
thenr est
, weneedev eryoneattheirAgamef or
thefinalshowdown, thatwhyweeachhav eone
j
ob.Wesol
i
d?
RON:
Wai
t,Dol
l
a?
KARTEL:Oh,bestbel
i
ev eIam comi
ngbackf
or
thatf
ool
.That.
..i
spersonal.
KODI
:But
..
.you’
l
lbei
nFi
j
i
KARTEL: Ihavebookedaf i
ve-dayFi j
iIslands
crui
seoutoft hatIwi l
luset oleaveLaucal a.
Thecr ui
sestopsatmostofFi ji
’
sislandf or
touri
st stoexper i
encethecul ture.Lubawi ll
stayint hecruise.Iwil
lgetoutatt hef i
r stisl
and
andt akef i
shermenboat st ot hemai ni sland.
Myf riendMi dnighttel
lsmet heycangety oui n
withnoquest i
onf oraUSD100.Oncei nFi j
i’s
maini slandIusemyot herpasspor ttot akea
fl
ightbackhome, ar
riv
et hroughZi m, sneak
backi ntothecount ryundocument ed,andcome
forhim.That ’swhyhei sl ast.
RON:Sti
l
ldoesn’
texpl
ainhowyouwil
lcome
backf
rom Fi
ji
.Youneedanexi
tVISAfr
om Fi
j
i
att
hedayy
ouar
eexpect
edt
oret
urn.
KARTEL: OnceDol l
aisdone,Il
eav eagain
throughZi m,stil
lonsecondpasspor t
,arri
vein
Fij
i’
smai nislandwher ei
tisthelaststopforthe
cruisebeforeitgoesbackt oLaucala..
.soIhop
ont hecruiseandwegobackt ot heresort
,and
hav eablissf
ul one-
weekhoney moon, then
comeback.Thatshoul dbeaboutaweekaf t
er
ourf uner
al.Everyonesoli
dwiththeplan?
ESTHER:Whywoul
dRufar
onotcomef
orwar
d
abouty
ouguysbei
ngi
nZim?
LUBA: Goodquest ion.Rufar
odoesn’tusesocial
medi a.Andheisact uall
ymov i
ngtotheUKf ora
year.Afterseei
nggr anny,hehasafli
ghtthe
nextday .Hewillnotbeawar ewedied.
KARTEL:
Anyot
herwhol
ewedi
dn’
tcov
er?
RON:
Nah,
can’
tthi
nkofany
.
KARTEL:
Cool
,ev
ery
onesol
i
d?
Ther
ewasachor
usof‘
sol
i
d’al
lar
ound.
KARTEL:
Your
eadybabe?
LUBA:
(smi
l
ing)Let
’sr
oll
.
*
***
***
***
***
***
***
***
***
*
LubaandKart
el wal
kedint
othei
rhomeand
knockedonTafadzwa’
sbedroom.
KARTEL:
Madam pr
esi
dent
,9pm i
sli
ghtout
s!
FADZWA:
(laughi
ng)Butt
hel
i
ght
sar
eout
,
daddy
.
LUBA:(laughing)Nicetr
y,t
hati
ncl
udesyour
phoneli
ght s.Anyway,si
nceyouareawake,
pri
ncess..
.I’m gonnaneedyoutodosomething
forme.
FADZWA:
Doesi
tincl
udepay
?
LUBA:
(laughi
ng)Fi
ne,
P500
FADZWA:Mhh,bi
gmoney
..
.bi
gjob.Whatdo
youwantmetodo?
LUBA:Youknowt
her
ear
epeopl
ewhowantt
o
hur
tus,ri
ght
?
FADZWA:
LikeI
sador
a’sdadandal
l
.
KARTEL:Yup.Wearegonnamakesur
ethey
don’t
.Sowecanbefreeandnev
erhavet
o
watchourbacks.
FADZWA:
Iwoul
dli
ket
hat
..
.
KARTEL:Yea..
.tobeabl
etodothat,weneedto
di
sappearfort
woweeks.Int
woday s’t
ime,you
ar
egonnahearsomet hi
ngsi
ll
y.Thatwedied.
FADZWA:
What
?
LUBA: Ofcour se,wewon’ tbedead,wewi l
ljust
begettingt hesepeopleoutofourliv
es.WhatI
needy out odo,mybi ggirl,
ismakesurey our
si
sternev erhearsaboutt hatdeat
hsill
i
ness.
Sheislitt
le,sowecan’ ttrusthert
onotspi l
lthe
newsaboutusnotr eallybeingdead.
..butwe
don’twanthert ohurtthinkingwearedead.
KARTEL: Iam gonnaneedy out obringabout
thosefaketearsy oualway
suseonmewhen
theytel
lyou.Insistyouwil
ltellDede..
.then
auntyRonwi l
l t
akey ouaway .AuntyRonwi l
l
knowwear enotdead.
FADZWA:Iunder
standmommyanddaddy .I
’l
l
makesur
enobodyt el
l
sDede,andIwil
ltake
car
eofherandKut.HowaboutKat?
KARTEL:Wecan’ ttakeKatbecausehi smot her
wil
lgetsuspi
ciousandshewi l
lcompr omiseour
pl
an.Katissix,hedoesn’treal
lyunderst
and
deat
h,sohewi llbeconfusedatmost .ButDede
i
snine,sheisoldenought ounderstanddeat h.
Butnotoldenought okeept hi
stypeofsecret .
FADZWA:
Ok,
Igoty
ou.
..y
ouar
ecomi
ngback,
ri
ght
?
KARTEL:Wit
hsouv
eni
rsf
rom Fi
j
i.Goodni
ght
,
pr
incess.
*
***
***
***
***
***
***
***
***
***
**
Aweekl
aterAr
nosatont
hev
ancal
l
ingMonk.
ARNO:
Monk,
thedel
i
ver
y,y
ouf
ool
.
Monksai
dsomet
hingaboutbei
ngbusy
,sohe
cal
l
edRue.
Thetookt heduot hathadbeenspy i
ngforDoll
a
andthrewt hem int
oaseal edtemperedglass
boxfrom Monk’ sglassfactor
y.Arnousedthe
smallopeni ngt
opumpi nsomesmokeandt hey
watchedtheduogaggi ngandf i
ghti
ngfr
om the
smoke, t
ryingtogetoutoft hebox.
Ittookmaybethi
rtymi
nutesbef
oret
hey
suffocat
edfr
om thesmokeandtookthei
rlast
breath.
Theyt
ookthem outandburntthei
rfaces.Just
i
ncase.NobodyshouldbeabletoIDthem.
Ar
nocal
l
edKar
tel
.
ARNO:
Youguy
sready
?
KARTEL:
Yea,
wear
epul
l
ingoutofhome.
..ar
e
theydead?Theyneedtobedeadbecausewe
can’thavet
hem at
tempti
ngtogetoutofthecar
orrescuedsomehow.Andithast
obesmoke.
ARNO:
They
’vecr
oaked.
..Ichecked.
KARTEL:
Myman!Meetusatt
hatpl
ace.
*
***
***
***
***
***
***
**
Kart
elandLubapull
edoutoft heirhomeand
droveof
f,seei
ngDolla’scarevenashet hought
hewashiding.Bapt
istewalkedov ertohim and
tal
kedtohim,thent
ailedthenatadi stance
whil
eDoll
awenthome.
Thecowardwoul
dn’
twanttobeseenneart
he
sceneofhi
scr
ime.Ohwell
.
Oncetheywereoutofsi
ght
,theyt
urnedi
ntoan
abandonedhousewhereAr
noandMonkwai t
ed
fort
hem.
Theyputt
hebodiesint
hepassengeranddr
iver
seat
,anddousedtheni
npet
rol.ThenMonk
arr
ived,
getti
nginthedri
versi
de,squeezi
ngi
n
thespaceinthechai
rri
ghtinfr
ontofthedead
bodyinthedriv
eseat.
..
KARTEL:
Yougood?
MONK:
Sol
i
d,getoutofher
e.
TheygotinArno’
scarwhowentt
odr
opt
hem
offatLuba’
scousi
n.
Monkcont roll
edthecarf rom thatsmal lspace,
unti
lhewasont heempt yr oadt owar dst he
air
port.Hesl oweddownt hecart oav eryslow
pace,pul l
edoutt hehangi ngbyat hreat
acceleratorcables,putthecor psef ootont he
acceleratorandopenedt hedoorandr oll
edout
asthecarj er
kedintospeed, thedoorshut t
ing
openf r
om i mpact .Hefelltothesi deoft he
roadwi thaf ewbr ui
sesf r
om t hegr avel.Withi
n
seconds, thereshouldbeanexpl osionf r
om the
sparkst hatwereaboutt obecr eatedf rom the
ozil
it
et i
medl i
ghter,andthepet rolont he
bodi
es
Fi
ve,
four
,thr
ee,
two,
one.
..boom!
Thecarranonfl
amesforabi
t,cr
ashi
ngona
t
reeatt
hesideofther
oad.Wi
thabigexpl
osi
on.
Soonacr owdwasgat her
ingaspeople
screamedinpanicastheyhadjustwatched
Kartel
andLuba’sFacebookliv
egetti
nginthe
cartoleavef
orthei
rhoney moon.
Fi
ft
eenmi
nut
esl
ateracal
lcamei
n.
KARTEL:
Iseei
tisdone.
..
MONK:Ar
en’
tyousupposedt
obeony
ourway
t
oZim?
KARTEL: WejustreachRufar
o’splaceand
l
ookslikeit
’sreadytoleav
e.Alr
ightbrot
her
..
.
y’
al
lreadyforthefinal
showdown.
*
***
***
***
***
***
***
ATHUG’
SLOVE125
KartelandLubacr ossedt heborderanddrove
tohergr andmother’splacewithhercousin.
Theyst ayedtheafternoonandmadeapol ogi
es
thattheyhadt ogoseeaf ri
end,theywil
lcome
backt omorrow.
Theycaughtat axi backtoclosertotheboarder
,
andundert hecov erofthenight,t
heirj
umped
theboar derwear i
ngal lbl
ack,headssecured
withswi mmingcapnott odropevenal ockof
hair
, t
henhoodi esont op,pull
edup,hands
glovedinblackl eathergloves.Ruewaitedfor
them inacar ,anddr ov
ethem backt o
Francistown,droppi ngthem adistancefr
om the
Nigerianshome.Theywai tedasthesawsome
acti
vityinthehouse.
Thepl
aceev
ent
ual
l
ywentqui
et.
LUBA:
Igott
hemot
iondet
ect
ors.
..
Shecl
imbedupatr
eeandthr
ewstonesaround
wher
esheknewthedet
ect
orswer
e,making
them gooff.
..andkeptatitunt
ilshecouldsee
i
nsideasthebi gfatguygroggi
lycomeout side
tolook,
guninhand, whenseeingnothing,
complaini
ngaboutt hethi
ngsensingevenr ats.
Kar
telusedthi
sti
met oj
umpthewal
landsneak
i
nsi
deandt r
iptheal
arm,t
henhi
dunt
ilt
heguy
wentbacktobed.
HeletLubainquietl
yandtheysnuckinthefi
rst
rooms,fi
ndingtwopeopleineach.They
knockedthem outwithchl
orof
orm before
i
njecti
ngthem wit
hat oxi
nonthechest ,
then
mov edtothenextroom.
Theyfi
nall
ygottothemasterr
oom wherethe
bi
gmanwasst i
ll
up.Hetri
edtoscream but
Kart
elgrabbedhi
m whi
leLubainj
ectedhis
gi
rl
fri
end.
Themanf oughtandtr
iedtocal
lforhi
speopl
e,
butofcoursenobodywascoming.Hemanaged
toknockthejabfr
om Kart
el’
shands,andt
hey
foughttot heground.Lubapickedupa
paper weightonthesideboar
dandhithim on
thehead, andwhenhewentdownst i
ll
fight
ing,
Kartelclampedonhi m wit
hhisthi
ghsandkept
squeezingandt wisti
ngunti
ltheguyst
opped
mov ing.
Hepi
ckedupt
hej
abandputi
tinhi
sbackpack.
Lubal
ookedatherwat
chandsmi
l
ed.
LUBA:
1hour
,notbad.
..
KARTEL:
TheygotCCTV?
LUBA:Nah..
.Iknowf orsur
e.Theparanoid
bastar
dtol
dmet hepoli
cecoul
duset hose
thi
ngstospyonpeopl e.Soheonlyused
motiondet
ectors.Ohwell.
Kartelcheckedar oundstil
l,andwhenhewas
satisfi
ed,t
heyr anoffandf oundRue’scarwho
drov ethem backtot heboarder,
andthey
skippedbacki ntoZim around4am, walki
ngfor
somet i
met henhitchingaridetotownwhere
theygotahotel
,rest
ed,andwentbacktoher
grandmother
’s,
wheretheytookhershoppi
ng
andspenttwoday swit
hherbefor
etheylef
tfor
Fij
i.
*
***
***
***
***
***
**
Aweekl at
er,Kart
elar
riv
edbacki
nFranci
stown.
Heparkedatadi st
anceandl
ookedatpeoplei
n
thei
ryar
d.Thismor ni
nghadbeenhi
sand
Luba’
sfuneral.
Herodehi
sbikeoffneartoDoll
ar’
shouseand
wai
tedunt
ilhesawBaptistewal
kof f
,gi
vi
nghi
m
t
humbsup.
WhichmeantCCTVwasdown,
secur
it
yal
arm
down.Doorunl
ocked.
Thenamessagecamei
n.
‘Gav
ehi
mt hest
uff
.Hewil
lbet
empor
ari
l
yout
,
buty
oucamewakehim’
‘
Ta’
Bapt
ist
ewal
kedof
fasKar
tel
goti
nsi
de.
Hewentt otwoboy si
nt hehouse’
sroomsfirst
,
quickbel
ladonnajabtoeach,andtheywer
e
done.Theyhet i
ptoedintoDoll
a’
sbedroom and
ti
edupZenday a,muff
linghermouthwitha
headscar
f.
Gir
lwasneit
herinnocentorundeser
vingofany
ofthi
s.Al
so,col
l
ateraldamage.
HeshookDol
l
aawake.
KARTEL:
Boo,
mot
her
**ker
!
DOLLA:Kar
tel
?Whatt
hehel
l
?Am I
..
.am I
dr
eaming?
KARTEL:
No,bich.
..y
outri
edtonotki
ll
justme,
butt
hemotherofmykids?That
’sf*
*ki
ngcold,
man,Col
d!
Hesai
dashepunchedDol
l
a.
KARTEL:
Standupandf
ight
!
Hesai
dashet
ookouthi
sokapi
.
KARTEL:
Oldschool
,no?
Bef
oreDoll
acouldev
enspeak,
Kar
tel
slashed
hi
m onthechest
.
WhenDol l
abentdowni npain,Kart
el kneedhim
ont hegroin,gr
abbinghim bytheneckand
smashinghi sheadagainstthewall.Slashi
ng
hi
m wi t
ht heknifeoftheneckwhenhest art
ed
tr
yingtoscr eam.
KARTEL:Nuh-
uh.
..noscr
eami
ng.Let
’st
aket
hat
voi
cebox.
Hest
abbedhi
m ont
hechest
.
KARTEL:Fort
ryi
ngtomesswi
thmygal
all
thosey
earsback.
..
St
ab
KARTEL:
Your apedRonwhenwewer est
il
l
worki
ngforBoza.
..madeherl
eav
e..
.
St
ab
KARTEL:
Andy
ouki
dnappedmyl
i
ttl
egi
rl
..
.
St
ab.
..
KARTEL:Mydadisdeadbecauseofy
ouand
yourl
i
ttl
eassoci
ate
St
ab.
..
KARTEL:
Mysoni
sinawheel
chai
rforl
i
fe.
..
St
ab.
..
KARTEL:
Tr i
edtoor
phanmybabi
es!F*
*k!You
sonofabich!
Bytheti
mehefi
nall
ystopped,Doll
awasa
bl
oodymessonthebed,withsomanyst ab
wounds,hi
swhi
tebedsheetst
intedredf
rom hi
s
bl
ood.
Hegr abbedZendayaanddr aggedherout
wher eacarwaswai t
ing.Bapti
steputheri
nthe
cart r
unkasKartel
tookof fhi
sbloodyglov
es
andputt hem onhi
spocket .HewenttoRue’s
placewher ehehadabat handachangeof
cl
ot hes,
thenRuegavehi m backaridet
othe
boarder,
whereheski
ppedi
ntoZim andheaded
totheairpor
twher
ehewait
edforhisfl
ightt
o
Austral
i
a.
*
***
***
***
***
***
***
***
*
Threeday slat
er,Lubawaitednerv
ousl
yaround
thecruiseentranceaspeoplest
art
edgett
ingin
carr
yingallthethingst
heyhadboughtf
rom the
l
astisland..
.
Wher
ewashe,
wher
ewashe?
Shesmi
ledasshesawhim comerunni
ngon
tr
opi
cal
beachshor
tsandast r
awhatthathe
washol
dingt
ohishead.
Shekissedhim andhandedhim someofthe
souveni
rsshehadbought ,
andtheygotbackin
thecrui
se,headedtoLaucal
aIsl
and.
LUBA:
Done?
KARTEL:Anddust
ed.
..l
et’
shoney
moonbabe. .
.I
st
il
lgotal
lthi
sadr
enali
nefr
om al
lthat
,andcan
y
oubel
i
eveIai
ntnev
ergoti
toni
naboat
?
LUBA:Hmm, y
oudon’tsay.Well
,wedohavea
wholeluxur
yroom al
ltooursel
ves?Shal
lwe,
husband?
KARTEL:
Weshal
l
,wi
fe.
Hetookherhandandki
ssedi
t,t
henl
eadher
backtot
heirr
oom.
*
***
***
***
***
***
***
*
BackinBotswana,Monk,EaandArnowalked
i
ntotheStuarthomewithgunsbl
azing.
..
ARNO:I
fyouwannal
i
ve,
youdoexact
lyaswe
say
.Let
’sgo!
STUARTSR:Youaretheoneswhohav
ebeen
fr
amingus,
f**
kingkaff
ir
.
Arnoslappedhim withtheheadofhi
sgunand
thenheadedthem intothetr
uckatgunpoi
nt.
RonhadputZenday a’
sbodyintheboxatthe
back.
RON:
Kodi
,yourdr
onesr
eady
?
KODI
:Yup..
.youguy
sreadyt
omov
e.Est
her
,
makethecal
l.
Estherpar
kedoutsidetheSt
uart
’syar
dand
usedthevoicechangerdevi
ceonthebur
ner
phoneandcalledthepoli
ce.
ESTHER: Hel lo..
.yes...IthinkIjustsawa
missingper sont hatwasi nt hepolicepage...
thatgi r
l,t
all,dar kskinandl onghai r
.Zenaida?
Zunai da..
.somet hingl i
ket hat.AttheSt uar
t
resi
dence, Iam anei ghbor .
..oh?Idi dn’
tcatch
much, butIt hinkIr ememberBr andon..
.yes,
Brandoni st hef ather.Hewasy el
li
ngatReni e.
..
Reny ard,they oungone. ..hewassay i
ngwhy
Reniebr oughtt hegi r
l.
..Iam wor ri
edaboutt hat
girl
’
sl if
e.Theyal ljustgoti nt hevanandi tleft
withher .
Shehungupanddr
ovehome.
I
nsi
det
hev
an,
Arnodr
ovewi
thabal
acl
avaon,
whil
eRon,Rue,
MonkandAr
nohel
dtheSt
uar
t
atgunpoi
nt.
KODI:Thepol
i
cehavepi
ckedy
ouguy
s,expect
fi
reanymomentnow.
Thepolicesirensst
art
edgoingoffandcall
ing
forthem tostay.Monkfor
cedStuart
’sfaceout
ofthewi ndowandusedhim ascovertoshoot
atthepol i
ce,
Eadoingthesamewi t
ht heoldest
brother
.
KODI
:Kgar
eonscene.
..
Theol dmanSt uartwasshotandMonk
ret
reatedinsideastheolderbrot
herwasshotin
theotherside.Monkpushedt hesecondbrot
her
out,usedhimt oshoot,
andhewast akenout
withi
nmi nutes.
KODI:
Ok,braceyour
self
.Wheelaboutt
ogo
of
f.
..Bapt
iste,
prepthetr
uck.
Arnofoughtt
hecart
oast
opaf
tert
het
ir
ewas
shot.
ARNO: Sav
ey oursel
fReni
e.Getoutwithy
our
handsupandt el
l t
hem i
twasn’
tyourfaul
t.I
thi
nkyouareasweetboy ,soIam gi
vi
ngy oua
chancetonotdie.
Bapti
stecamebyf rom theot
herdirect
ionwith
alar
get r
uckthatstoppedbesidetheStuartvan.
Theyallusedthetruckascovertogetoutof
thevan,andintoBapti
ste’
str
uck.Ronr ol
led
underthevan.
Theywatchedast
helastSt
uar
twal
kedoutof
thevanwit
hhandsup.
Hewasaskedtocomeintocust
odyandwas
aboutt
olethi
msel
fgetcuff
ed.
Ronpr
ickedhi
m wi
thaneedl
eont
het
high.
‘
Oww...
’hey
elpedashi
shandwentdownt
othe
t
high.
Kgareyel
led‘
gun’andtookacl
eanshotri
ghton
theboy’
schest.Ashewentdown,Ronrol
led
outandgotinthetr
uck.
Bapt
ist
escr
eamedatt
hepol
i
ceashewai
ted.
BAPTISTE:Bar
enathekekopat
sel
a..
.I’
m on
schedul
efordel
iv
eri
es.
KGARE:Par
donus,wehadasit
uation.
..Guys
cl
eart
hecarsf
rom t
heroadandlethim pass.
*
***
***
***
***
***
***
**
LubaandKar
tel
lai
dinbedasKar
tel
gotacal
l
.
Whenhehungup,
hel
ookedatLubasmi
l
ing.
KARTEL:
Stuar
tout
.Mi
ssoncompl
ete.
LUBA: F*
*kyea!Honeymoonti
mebaby.
..Igota
l
itt
lesomethi
ngforthi
sverymoment
.Waithere.
Oh..
.lookint
hecloset
.Therei
saduf
felbagfor
you.
Kart
elwentint
otheclosetandsmil
edashe
l
ookedintothebag.Al
lsortsoft
oys.
..hi
s
fav
orit
e,acat-
o’-
ninet
ail
s..
.apaddl
e,cuf
fs.
..
*
***
***
***
***
***
***
LUBA
Iknowoneofmybabe’ ssi
ll
ycharactercr
ashis
princessLeiainthatslaveunif
orm, andIhad
broughtonet ocelebratewhenwewon.And
alsoboughtsomechampagne.Igotchanged
upandwal kedi ntheroom, hol
dingabot t
leof
champagne, andt hesmi l
einhisfacewas
wor thever
ythi
ngashel ookedatme.
Myt
hug.
..
Theonewhol
ovesmeut
ter
lyandwhol
l
y.
Myv
eryhear
t.
See, athug’
slov eisdif
ferent.I
t’
slookscool
fr
om t heoutsi
de. .
.allt
hef ancyandfun..
.nice
carsandal l
..
.themoney ,t
headr enal
ine.
..how
protecti
veandj ealoustheyget..
.
Butinsi
de?It’
spr et
tymuchwhatmyl i
fehas
been.Li
feont heedge.Someti
meshav i
ngto
takeshot,
li
teralandmetaphor
ic.I
tisnodream
romanceshtatal l.
Idon’
tknowaboutyou,butgi
venachance?I
wil
lsti
ll
choosemyt hugagai
namil
li
ontimes.
BecauseIam bl
essedtohaveAThug’
sLov e.
*
***
***
***
***
***
***
*
THEEND!