The yard exploded into noise and movement.
Tessa ran ahead to open the gate. Sello shouted for someone to help look for a taxi. Lungelwa held Rebecca by the shoulders, guiding her step by step while Rebecca tried to breathe through the tightening in her belly.
I walked beside them, my stiff leg dragging, my hand curled at my chest — but my focus locked only on her.
“Slow, slow…” Lungelwa kept repeating.
Another contraction hit, sharper than before.
Rebecca bent forward slightly, gripping my arm so tightly I lost feeling in it — but I didn’t flinch.
“Ai! Mama…! It’s coming again—” she cried.
“It’s okay, it’s okay, my child, breathe… breathe…”
Her mother’s calm voice did nothing to stop the fear spreading through the group.
A neighbor ran out from across the street.
“Should I call
