After the funeral. The house is packed with family, friends and neighbours. Anna is sitting on the couch with Cynthia next to her. The Pastor is approaching.

Pastor: Anna…I’m really sorry for your loss. You are…a very strong woman. I just want to tell you to no longer cry. God knows what he’s doing and believe me, everything he is doing is because he loves us. It may not seem like it for now but it is so. And I just want you to know that we are here for you. Everyone is. Especially the church as a whole.

Cynthia: Thank you father.

Pastor: Another thing… I know it’s not my business but I haven’t seen Mthembeni today. Is he around?

Cynthia: (embarrassed) He couldn’t make it.

Pastor: (sighs) Well…God bless you.

(Neighbour one, Neighbour two take centre stage. They look on at the sobbing Anna.)

Neighbour 1: Look at her. She’s miserable.

Neighbour 2: She is strong though. I can never do it. I mean…losing three babies in the row and the father doesn’t even show up for the funeral!

Neighbour 1: Yep! I’m never getting married at a young age!

Neighbour 2: Should we say something?

Neighbour 1: You think so?

Neighbour 2: Yeah…I mean…we’re neighbours.

Neighbour 3: Okay.

(They go to say a few words.)

(Honey and Mthembeni are sitting on the bed.)

Mthembeni: Honey…

Honey: Yes?

Mthembeni: Can I ask you something?

Honey: What?

Mthembeni: Who’s Lubanzi?

Honey: (frightened) Who?

Mthembeni: That day at the bar you said Lubanzi was eight. Who were you talking about?

Honey: Oh…no. Forget about him. He’s nobody important.

Mthembeni: Come on. He must be important.

Honey: He’s…he’s my son.

Mthembeni: (excited) What? You have a son? Why would you hide such exciting news?

Honey: Actually, Mthembeni…he is our son.

Mthembeni: Huh? What do you mean?

Honey: He is your son.

Mthembeni: (giggling) You’re kidding, right?

(She shakes her head.)

Mthembeni: (confused) Wait…what? Are you trying to tell me that I have an eight year old son?

(She nods.)

Mthembeni: How’s that even possible?

Honey: Do you remember that night? After the matric dance after party? Do you remember what happened? We decided to no longer use condoms because we had been dating for a long time. I got pregnant that night, I swear. I was going to tell you when the time was right.

Mthembeni: How do you know?

Honey: Know what?

Mthembeni: If he’s mine or not.

Honey: You’re the only one I slept with.

Mthembeni: What about your blesser?

Honey: I hadn’t slept with him then.

Mthembeni: Why am I finding out about this now?

Honey: I knew you weren’t ready. You wouldn’t have been able to take care of us.

Mthembeni: But Honey…I would have tried.

Honey: Mthembeni…

Mthembeni: Maybe you’re wrong. You must be wrong. He cannot be mine.

Honey: He is. He looks like you and all.

(Honey shows him a picture on her phone.)

Honey: Look…he has your eyes, your smile, even your weird laugh. He’s stubborn…just like you. He takes care of me just like you did. Mthembeni, he’s not just like you. He is you.

(Mthembeni stands up.)

Honey: Mthembeni I know it’s shocking but…

Mthembeni: I uhm…I think I should leave.

Honey: What?

Mthembeni: (walking away) I’m sorry.

(Honey rushes to stop him.)

Honey: (blocking his way) Mthembeni wait. You can’t go. I know you’re shocked but please try to understand.

Mthembeni: (furious) Eight years, Honey! Eight whole years! I have an eight year old child that I didn’t know existed and you’re telling me to try to understand? Do you know how much I wanted a child? (his eyes are tearing up) Do you have any idea how much I waited for a child? How much I’ve been through? I cry myself to sleep every night! I pray to God every single hour just so that he can give me a child! A child that I already have and didn’t know about?

Honey: I’m sorry.

Mthembeni: Don’t you dare say another sorry! Sorry won’t solve a thing! Sorry is for when you stepped on my foot or when you poked me in the eye. Not for this!

Honey: I don’t understand, Mthembeni. You said you wanted a child. Well here he is. What’s the big deal?

Mthembeni: What’s the big deal? You don’t get it, do you? It’s not about having a child. It’s about the parenting experience. (lowering his voice) It’s about being there on special moments. I missed all those special moments. I missed his first words. I missed his first steps. I didn’t get to hold him or feed him. I didn’t get to change him. You took that away from me, Honey!

(He closes his eyes and takes a deep breath.)

Mthembeni: Honey I want to do a blood test. If he really is mine…I’ll take him from you. You are a bad person, Honey! I hope you rot in hell!

(He exits.)

Tell us: What do you think about the play so far?