Aunt Nandi has always told lies about Nothando, ever since she came to live with the Ntuli’s when her mom passed away. But this? What had she done to deserve this?

Had Aunt Nandi found out about the boys that came on her trip to Port Edward with her friends, wondered Nothando. She had told her foster parents that it was an all girls’ weekend away. But that was last summer, months ago, and they had hidden the truth well. So what is it that could be this bad?

She finds no answers, only more confusion and hurt, at her foster mother’s words. Nothando is a good girl. She works at her local church and volunteers with community organisations in KwaNdengezi during her spare time. She can’t understand. What could have gone so wrong, and when?

I guess I am losing my ‘perfect girl’ title today, she thinks. But I can’t understand why. All the young girls in the community look up to me and I cannot disappoint them. I have to find out what Ma is talking about.

In fact, Mrs Ntuli and her sisters resent Nothando’s good behaviour and hard work because it shows up how lazy their own children are. Their children like to make up stories about her, hoping that Mrs Ntuli will kick her out onto the streets.

Mrs Ntuli goes on and on shouting.

“Don’t act innocent, Nothando! You are rubbish and I don’t want to see your face near my family ever again.”

“But Ma!” Nothando starts crying.

“Don’t you dare cry! You should have thought about the results of the disgusting thing you did before you did it. Carrying on with my husband! The man who took you in as a father! Right under my nose! I want you out of my house now!”

Nothando is too shocked to speak. She can’t believe what she is hearing. All she can do is sit there, shaking her head; there are no words.

Mrs Ntuli goes to Nothando’s room and takes a pile of her clothes and throws them out of the window onto the street.

Nothando can’t believe this is happening.

God, please, talk to this woman. If she throws me out, where will I go? I don’t have cash to travel to Ixopo to my granny. It’s too far. God, please hear my prayers and give me a sign.

“Please Ma – don’t do this,” she begs. “I have nowhere to go – please! And I haven’t done anything! There must be a misunderstanding with Aunt Nandi. I don’t know what she told you, but if you can tell me maybe I can explain.”

“There is nothing to explain. Just leave.” Mrs Ntuli pushes her out the door and shuts it.

Nothando picks up her clothes and walks through the gate into the street. She stands there, trying to think of what she should do. She has nowhere to go.

People had told her how they had slept on the side of the road or under the bridge. Today it’s going to be me, she thinks.

***

Tell us: Do you think Mrs Ntuli was just waiting for an excuse to throw Nothando out? Why doesn’t she find out the truth?