Bongani thought Jack was going to die, the way he was screaming in the hospital as they attended to his bleeding. And then when it seemed he was going to live, he sat next to him, worrying about how his father was going to rip him apart. None of the boys had spoken to each other since they had been arrested. Even in the ambulance with the police they hadn’t said a word, they had only answered the police officer’s question about their school and where they stay. 

For the first time, the two friends cut the silence in the early evening. 

“Yeah, mfanam, we really messed up,” Jack said, softly. “And it was my fault.”

“Stop that talk. What kind of a soldier are you now with a criminal record?” Bongani tried to joke.

“Welele, how about you? A whole criminal captain. Are you not going to steal the ship, mara?”

For a moment the two boys forgot everything and laughed. 

Reality dawned on them when the sergeant working on their case came in and told them to get ready to go home. In relief they prepared to leave the hospital. But their mouths had a bitter taste. They knew that the other side was going to be tough. They knew that once the sergeant left and each one of them was behind closed behind doors in their homes, all hell would break loose. The skeletons of their actions would bring them terror.

The sergeant made a phone call. Bongani’s father would pick him up at Jack’s home, so they headed back to Soweto in the police car. They sat silently as the car sped off, leaving behind the town that drove them to the edge. The car left Jozi and took the long freeway to the township. As soon as the boys saw dust rise, it hit them that they were closer to home. The fear they felt earlier resurrected and tormented them. There was danger over their heads.

Right outside the gate were the boys’ parents. Ma Khumalo was pacing up and down when the car stopped. She opened the door quickly and Bongani jumped out of the car. His father met him with a smack in the face. Bongani ducked the other slaps that followed and hid behind the sergeant’s shadow.

“What is wrong with you boys? Where’s that friend of yours?” his father shouted at the top of his lungs.

Jack was still dragging his numb body out of the car when his mother screamed at the sight of the bandage around his leg.

“What don’t I do for you, Jack? To steal a whole car….is it money that you want?” Tears streamed down her sorrowful face and her hands were still on her head. 

Jack dropped his head, feeling the weight of his mother’s feelings. 

“Flo tells me that you haven’t been to school at all last week!” Bongani’s dad said, and then looked at the boys with angry eyes.

“These boys are really out of line, but they’re still too young to spend time behind bars, their little arses will be ripped apart before they even make it to the real prison,” the sergeant said, stepping into light. He shook his head and there was silence again except for Jack’s soft cry. 

“Can you give them a chance?” Jack’s father said, gruffly, and handed the sergeant an envelope stuffed with money. Jack watched as his mother brought out an envelope from her bra. “That’s all I’ve got,” she said. 

The sergeant nodded to them and then got back in his car and raced off. 

Bongani and his father tailed the trails of the police car to their home. Jack could still hear Bongani’s father shouting when they disappeared round a sharp corner. 

Jack’s mother supported him on her arm, heavy-hearted, and they both limped into the house. He watched his mother fall apart and then he started crying beside her.

“I’m so sorry…” he said, attempting to wipe off his tears.

“Why, my son….why, Jack?” She looked deep into Jack’s pupils, searching for the truth, for the innocent boy that she gave birth to. “Police, guns, and theft, my son, really?” Her tears returned.

“Uhmm…I’m sorry, Mama, I miss him so much,” he wailed like a baby.

“We miss him too, my son, I don’t sleep at night thinking of him…thinking of how to fill the gap he left in your lives…but you don’t see me mugging people and dodging work, Jack!” Ma Khumalo’s hand stretched to her son’s and began caressing it.

“This is not what he wanted you to become, my son. Make him proud in heaven.” She embraced her son.

For a minute, Jack could feel his heart resting. His shoulders loosened, and he felt as if his daddy was right beside him, forgiving him. There was a peaceful silence between them until a familiar sound echoed from the door. Sbo came in running, carrying a lollipop for his uncle, and his mother trailed behind him.

“Mama! Jack! I heard what happened.” She put her arms around her brother and little Sbo just joined them. There was a comfortable silence in the room and, for the first time in a while, Jack felt the warmth of his family’s love. He felt secure in their presence.

“I promise I won’t do it again, Mama, I’ll change for him and for you guys,” Jack said. “I’m sorry for stealing your iPad, sis.”

“That’s water under the bridge,” Kea brushed it off.

“Huhh?” Jack and their mother looked at her, shocked.

“Don’t worry, I found a job. I’m gonna buy a new one and later extend the house. It’s at Bara Hospital, I’m starting next month,” Kea announced, joyfully. The rest of the family congratulated her as little Sbo danced around at their feet.

“Do you want to talk to him, boy? Should I take you to his grave?” Ma Khumalo asked. Jack nodded in agreement and reached for his pills to soothe the sharp pain in his leg. Ma Khumalo handed him a glass of water.

Their late father’s photo smiled at them from the wall. It was as if he was in agreement with their new beginnings.

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