Leon saw Bothata as she rushed from her door to his car and his heart dropped. She looked so beautiful and happy. What did she think this dinner was about?

“Hi, Baby,” Bothata said, getting into the car. “Where’d you get off to today?”

“I had some things to do for my mother.”

“Your mother again? That woman acts like a child.”

“Please, Bothata, don’t speak like that about my mother. She’s had a rough time. I just like to do what I can for her.”

“She’s not the first woman to ever get divorced. And besides, you’re really not thinking about your career at all. Mr Holmes was not happy that you asked for the rest of the day off. I heard him talking about it.”

Leon kept quiet and drove. There was no reason to start a fight when he’d soon be free of her. As if he cared at all what Mr Holmes thought of him. If anything, a bad opinion from Mr Holmes was nearly a compliment in Leon’s book.

Leon purposely chose a chain restaurant; he didn’t want Bothata to get the wrong idea. She was overdressed in her miniskirt and spike heels, but he had warned her it was nothing important, just dinner.

“Here? Is this where you’re taking me?”

“I like the food here, and so do you.”

She walked in and followed the waitress to a booth at the back Leon had indicated. He wanted to be away from other people in case Bothata made a scene.

They ordered and waited for their food. He decided he would tell her after they ate. He thought about the afternoon he had had. He and Crystal had sat on the beach for some time but then she had to get back to her table. He wandered into town not paying much attention to where he was going. When he looked up he was in front of an office for Sefofane Flight School.

He had gone in and spoke to the woman at the desk. He’d never really investigated becoming a pilot. He’d been too stuck, too scared. Crystal showed him how fear was keeping him from living. The flying lessons were expensive, but he’d saved some money. He took all of the paperwork, and had even filled some of it in. He wanted to start straight away. He’d already waited too long. He’d talked to his mother and she was in full support. She always knew Leon was better than that call centre. He decided tomorrow he’d give his notice to Mr Holmes. Not a month’s notice, he couldn’t manage that – a day’s notice. He didn’t care if Mr Holmes gave him a bad reference. He needed to be free.

“What are you smiling at?” Bothata said.

Leon hadn’t realised he was smiling. “I wanted to tell you something. A few things, actually.”

Bothata sat back so the waitress could clear their plates. “Anything else then?” the waitress asked.

“No, thank you,” Leon said.

When the waitress was gone, Bothata said, “So what is it, Leon? What did you want to say?”

“I … I mean we … I think we don’t want the same things, you and I.”

“What does that mean?” Bothata asked.

“I mean I think you think we’re going to stay together, that we’ll get married one day. But that’s not what I want.”

“Are you … are you … breaking up with me?”

Leon was surprised she didn’t seem sad; instead, she seemed angry. Bothata was used to things going her way.

“Yes, Bothata, I’m breaking up with you.”

“What are people going to say at work? I’ll be so embarrassed; I won’t be able to talk to anyone.”

“That doesn’t matter. Who cares what they think?”

“I care! That’s the problem with you, Leon, that’s why you’ll never be successful at anything. You don’t care what anyone thinks. You live at home; you drive that ugly old car of yours. Look at how you dress!”

Leon looked down at his T-shirt and jeans. What was wrong with the way he dressed?

“And your friends? Don’t even get me started? Milo is a train wreck!”

“Milo’s okay. And you like Beano. You said you liked Beano.”

“I like Hildy. I accept Beano.”

Leon sat back and looked at her. How had they ever lasted for six months? “Well, you’ll be happy to know I’m quitting at the call centre tomorrow so there won’t be any embarrassing situations. I’ll be gone.”

“Better.” She stood up with her handbag. “Let’s go. I think I’ve had more than enough of this evening.”

On the way home, Leon was surprised how well it had all gone. He’d been so fearful, but now he felt like a huge weight had been lifted off his shoulders. He could feel himself rising up in the quicksand. It didn’t hold him too tight – he was sure after tomorrow he’d be able to walk freely again. He couldn’t wait to thank Crystal.

Tell us what you think: Do you have things you’d like to do but don’t because you’re afraid?