WHERE DO I CRY?

CHAPTER 7 CONTINUED: Umama Ka Daniel

Daniel couldn't handle two weeks of quiet, so he went to his mother in Soweto.

Umama Ka Daniel — 58, big body, loud voice, sells chicken feet at rank — she has always sided with her son. Since Amanda married Daniel, she said "Amanda is lazy, she doesn't respect."

Daniel sat in her kitchen, with that Berea flat smell still on his clothes, and told her.

"Mama, Amanda left me for another man."

His mother didn't ask "What did you do?" She said, "I knew it! I knew that girl from Mbonambi is like that! She left you for another man!"

Daniel nodded, tears fake in eyes. "She took my kids, Mama."

Umama Ka Daniel wiped hands on apron and said what mothers who always side with sons say:

"There are plenty of girls outside, Daniel. Good Zulu girls who respect. Don't cry for that one. Just open a case to a lawyer so that you can claim full custody of the kids. That girl is not stable. She is depressed. Go to court, take Ella and Noah."

Custody. Lawyer. That word made Daniel feel power again. He thought — yes, if I claim custody, Amanda will have to come back to Berea for court.

He left his mother's house with plan.

Umama Ka Amanda in Mbonambi — 60, small, prays everyday — she read message and her heart dropped. She hasn't heard from Amanda in two years because Daniel made Amanda block family, called them toxic.

She forwarded message to Sarah — Usisi Ka Amanda who is in Cape Town, 31, the one Amanda is looking for in Salt River.

She told Sarah on phone: "Sarah, I got this message like this, like this from Daniel. He says Amanda left with kids and is depressed and has another man in Cape Town."

Sarah was at work in Mowbray, new job packing clothes in warehouse, with boyfriend who doesn't want Amanda drama.

Sarah sighed. Cold voice.

"You know what, Mom? Let's not interfere. Do not answer it. Do not say anything. You know, Amanda chose a man over us. Two years ago she called us toxic. She blocked us for Daniel. She said we are jealous. So let's not get ourselves involved, you know."

Umama Ka Amanda said "But kids..."

Sarah cut: "Just block the number and delete it. Even if Amanda tries to contact you, just don't allow her because she chose a man over our family. She called us toxic. Let her feel how toxic life is without family."

And Sarah blocked Daniel's number. Blocked her own mother for two hours because she was angry.

In Mbonambi, Umama Ka Amanda sat with phone, looking at Daniel's message, looking at old photo of Amanda at 18 before marriage, and cried. She wanted to answer Daniel but Sarah said don't.

So nobody answered Daniel.

And in Salt River store room, Amanda with R80 a day, learning to sew, praying everyday to find Sarah, didn't know her own sister Sarah just said "Let's not get ourselves involved" and blocked.

Where do you cry when your own sister says you chose a man over family?