The first thing Gladys does when she wakes up is go to the kitchen to look at the electricity meter – it is down to the last ten digits. She quickens her pace, making porridge and warming up leftovers from yesterday.
Noluthando gets ready for school. Gladys looks at stove she cooks on, and up at the two new tin sheets on the roof. She loaned money from EasyLoans to buy them. She bought this stove because the old one was broken, bought the sheets because the roof was leaking. She wonders if the money she borrowed to buy these necessities has come back to haunt her. In her head she counts the loans she took out, but ends up more confused.
“Have some porridge,” she says to Noluthando.
“Ngiyabonga, Gogo.”
“When last did you speak to Bathandwa? When is she coming home?”
“We last spoke two days ago. She said she will be coming home this weekend,” Noluthando replies, and blows on a scalding spoonful of porridge before she starts eating.
“I tried calling her yesterday, but I couldn’t get through.”
“Her phone has been giving her problems, Gogo. I have not been getting through as well. She said she will get a new one soon.”
“How I need her help with this card trouble.”
“Is there anything for sandwiches for my lunchbox?”
“No, child, nothing. Not even bread. You will take leftovers to school.”
“Gogo, they will laugh at me if I eat that at lunch.”
“There is nothing else. You saw for yourself at the tuck shop, they could not give us more. In this world you must learn to have a thick skin. People will have things to say about you no matter what you do. You know your situation. So would you rather go hungry than take leftovers to school?”
“No, Gogo. I will take leftovers,” says Noluthando.
“What are you writing today?”
“Maths second paper.”
“Good luck. Did you study enough?”
“Yes, Gogo, I studied enough. But Maths is hard.”
“You better study hard because you only have six months left until the matric exams. Pass well so you will get a bursary, like your sister Bathandwa.”
“Yebo, Gogo. I will do my best.”
Noluthando leaves for school. Gladys also readies for town. Before she leaves, she counts the taxi fare Iris lent her. It is only enough for a one-way trip.
She withstands the throbbing needles of pain on her knees, kneels down, and prays.
“Nkosi Mdali, help we with my card today.”
***
Tell us what you think: Do you agree with Gogo that you need a ‘thick skin’ in this world? If so, can you give an example why?