Patricia’s heart jumped in her chest. Tefo pulled her closer into him. She could feel the heat rise from his body. She saw how white his teeth were and she could smell his aftershave.

Tefo told her that they were going to a party at his friend’s house. Patricia went to freshen up, and in the toilets her cellphone rang.

“Where are you?” her Mom said. “It’s nearly eleven and you’re not home yet.”

“Sorry, Mom,” Patricia said. “I guess I got caught up in my essay. I’ll be home soon.”

“What’s wrong?” Tefo asked her when she emerged from the bathroom.

“It’s my Mom. She’s not feeling well,” Patricia lied. “I’d better skip the party and head off home.”

“I’m sorry to hear that,” Tefo said. “I think I might skip the party too. I’m not going to have much fun without you there, Patty.”

Patricia looked up at him, her dark eyes glowing. She now knew she would do anything Tefo asked her to do. Imagine him saying he’d rather not go to the party because she wasn’t going to be there! She felt immense pleasure at the power she had over him. Her friend was wrong about Tefo.

“Leopards can change their spots,” she said softly to herself.

“I’ll drive you home,” Tefo said. “A friend of mine gave me the loan of his car.”

“Thank you,” Patricia said, reaching up and kissing him hard on the mouth.

As they approached her home Patricia told Tefo to stop the car a few houses down from hers. She didn’t want her mother to see them together.

“Mmm,” Tefo said, as he pulled her towards him. “I can’t wait to get to know you better, Patty. You’re my kind of woman. I think I’m beginning to fall hard for you.”

Patricia giggled and kissed him again.

“I better get home,” she whispered as he licked her ear.

“You’re driving me crazy!” His breath was warm against her skin.

He looked across the seat and smiled at her. Then he pulled her into his arms and began kissing her on the mouth. Patricia kissed him back.

He’s such a great kisser, she thought to herself. I’m falling desperately in love with him!

“See you at school on Monday,” Tefo said, giving her one final kiss. “I’ll count the moments until I see you again, Patty. You’re very special to me.”

“How romantic you are,” she said with a childish giggle.

A few minutes later when Patty had quickly changed at the side of the house and then let herself in the front door, she heard Thulani crying.

Does he do nothing else but cry? she thought angrily. She’d give anything to have quiet and calm restored in her home.

Her mother looked up from where she was feeding Thulani his bottle of milk.

“I don’t know what’s wrong with him.” Patty saw how tired her Mom looked. “Every time I try and feed him, he vomits it all up again.”

“Why don’t you take him to the hospital?” Patty said.

“I saw the doctor yesterday,” Mom said wearily. “He gave me medicine for his cough but it doesn’t seem to be working yet. He said there is nothing else he can do for Thulani right now.”

***

Tell us what you think: What do you think Patricia should do?