Joshua never showed up the next morning.
Not even a message.
Not even a sign that he intended to explain anything.
And that was when I knew:
Whatever was happening at home…
it was bigger than stolen taps and wiring.
It was deeper than gossip.
It was something my brothers were afraid to say.
Joshua always spoke to me.
Even when he was scared.
Even when he messed up.
But yesterday…
I saw something in his eyes I’d never seen before:
Fear. Real fear.
I sat outside Rebecca’s place, my stiff hand resting on my knee, my leg twitching every few minutes, my mind racing.
Rebecca walked out holding Olerato on her hip, a soft blanket wrapped around the baby. She immediately noticed the look on my face.
“Tebelo… where’s Joshua?” she asked.
I shook my head.
“He never came,” I said quie
