Page 18 - The Mending Season

When she was not in church, she played her church music from speakers on the stoep, to give us all an opportunity to be saved. No one went into her house but they welcomed her in theirs as long as she did not try to tell them about Jesus. Once while buy­ ing bread at the shop, I stood behind two other neighbours who said she was “tiresome but sad” and that was why they let her come into their homes. I remember wishing that someone would call me sad in that same tone so that they would allow me to play with their children.When I finished in the kitchen, the aunts were sitting in the other bedroom - the meeting room - where they had been since I woke up, whispering through their conversation. I took my bread and tea and went to sit on the stoep. Normally peo­ ple do not eat where neighbours can see them because it is offensive, but the aunts let me do it.“Let them see we have food in the house,” they always said. “Eat at the gate if that suits you.” I compromised and ate with my back to the street, turning around only when I had taken the last bite.“Nanai” Mmamane Malebone’s voice startled me. She was the only one who still called me “baby”. “Come, we have something to tell you,” she said. I turned away from the door, disappointed that I was about to miss Ngemti, the madman, whose screams I could hear as he entered our street from the eastern corner.In the meeting room, the aunts were sitting on the beds, grins stretched across their faces.“School opens on January eighth for you this year,” Mmamane Malebone said, so excited that she stood up as she said this.“No, the following week,” I said, confused.“No, not this school. You’re going to a new school.” She paused, and looked into my eyes. I searched the room for answers. This was exciting. I liked going to new places and a18