THE MEETING THAT WAS ALREADY DECIDED
Days passed, and Mamutsi still wasn’t sleeping at the house. Even her children had started to notice. Her oldest daughter, Praise, helped me with the chores. We took turns cooking, and Richard did the same whenever he had enough time. He always prepared home-cooked food to take with him for lunch at work. One morning, while Richard and I were walking to the shop, I gathered the courage to speak. “I made a lay-buy for furniture,” I told him quietly. “As soon as I finish paying it off, I’ll move out and rent a room.” He stopped walking and looked at me. “Nah, Tebelo,” he said. “You’re welcome to stay here as long as you like. You’re not strong enough yet to live on your own.” “Eventually I will have to learn,” I replied softly. “Maybe all of this… is life preparing me for the future
- Writer
