Chapter 11 ‘scotched secrets’

A story was told long time ago of a King who had everything but happiness. He called all the wizards and wise men to the palace and asked them to find a solution to his lack of happiness. A spell was made to make him happy however it was short of one very important ingredient, the shirt of the happiest man on earth. A search was made and reward put forward for the man who will bring the shirt of the happiest man on earth. After a very long time of searching, two men came back to the King with some news. ‘Your majesty we have found the happiest man on earth however there is one problem, he does not have a shirt'.

Four women and a Priest were having coffee when one of them, Ruth asked for the bathroom. ‘Come let me show you where it is’ spoke Anele. ‘Mama screamed Tami as she rushed to her mother Selina’ She had just arrived from a road trip at school. ‘Tami, say hello to Father Jerkins and Aunty Taka’ spoke Selina as she introduced Tami to the guest. ‘Ok you can go and change now’. ‘She is a grown woman now’ spoke Taka. ‘Yes she is especially growing without a Father’. ‘Oh that is so sad’ spoke the Priest. ‘Where is the father?’ asked Taka.  It’s a sad story and I have never been ashamed to share it.

‘Eight years ago, late at night, alone, coming from work I got a lift from a stranger. He looked so innocent and he wore a scotch grey jacket. I told him where I was going and he said that was his way home. On the way we spoke little until I asked him where he was taking me when I noticed he had made the wrong turn. He said he wanted to pick up his suitcase he had left at a friend’s house which was located ten minutes away. I quickly fell asleep I was tired. I was woken by a two young boys on their way to school the following morning, I had no idea of last night’s happenings. I still had my bag, money and other valuables. I lacked bruises or any signs of pain. I convinced myself that I had seen a ghost.  I kept it a secret, I was afraid of being ridiculed. It was not until five months later that I discovered I was pregnant. As far as I remembered I had not been with a man for a very long time. I sat and thought hard, I remembered the man with a scotch jacket. When I broke the news to my family, no one believed me. I was made a fool, liar and a disgrace. I was told to abort the child but deep down inside of me I knew that this little life growing inside me deserved a life regardless of how it was made. I lost friends, family and a lover but look what I have gained, my diamond in the sky.’ She stopped talking.

‘That is a very nice towel where did you get it from?’ asked Anele as Ruth was unpacking her bag to get some make up. ‘Oh I got it from my mother’. ‘She must have loved you a lot’. ‘I do not think so’ replied Ruth. ‘Why’ asked Anele. ‘Because this blanket you see is the only thing she left me with when she dumped me in front of another woman’s door. I was left to be raised by a poor widow who gave up everything good for me to be what I am today. So I made a choice in my heart that where ever I go I will carry this blanket in hope that I find my mother , when I find her I will not ask her many questions I just want to give her, her scotch towel.

The two ladies and the priest bid farewell and went to their homes and promised to come back again. Anele went straight to her room and cried like a child. She knew that Ruth was her little baby she dumped that cold lonely night. When Father Jerkins arrived at his home, he also went straight to his bedroom opened the closet and held the scotch grey jacket he wore eight years ago.

Chapter 12 to follow #keep reading

written by Hawulethu Patrice Dube

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