All Patty wanted to do was go to bed. She wanted to lie in her warm bed and think of Tefo. She wanted to savour the time they had spent together. She touched her lips where he had kissed her. Boy, it had sure felt good.

Patty was sixteen and still a virgin. She knew other girls thought she was crazy because she was still a virgin. Up to now Patty had felt sure she was doing the right thing by staying a virgin. She had wanted to wait until that special person came into her life. And now that he was here, she was more than willing to lose her virginity. She visualised Tefo making love to her. He’d be gentle and kind. He was the type of man who knew how to take care of a woman.

“Thank goodness,” Mom said, breaking her out of her fantasy.

Patty looked at her mother and saw that Thulani had fallen asleep in her arms. Very gently her Mom laid him down in his cot.

“It’s the first time he’s been quiet all night,” Mom said. “I’m so thirsty. I’d love a cup of rooibos tea.”

“Sit down. I’ll make it for you,” Patty said.

Mom did as she was told.

When she finished her tea, Mom looked across the table at Patty. She looked very serious so Patty knew she was in for some kind of lecture.

“It’s hard bringing Thulani up on my own,” Mom said. “I was Winnie’s older sister and I helped raise her when our own Mom died.”

“You were very brave,” Patty said. “Aunt Winnie was lucky to have you.”

“I loved my sister very much,” Mom said, looking sad. “I miss her more every day, if that is possible. Sometimes I think I spoilt her too much. I blame myself for what happened to her.”

“Oh, Mom it wasn’t your fault,” Patty said. “Aunt Winnie was so full of life and adventure. She thought the world was her oyster.”

“She was just so beautiful,” Mom carried on. “And she liked men too much. Then when she met Thulani’s father she fell head over heels in love with him.”

Patricia nodded her head. She knew all about falling in love. It was the most wonderful feeling in the world!

“Winnie thought she was the only woman Desmond wanted. She had no idea he was such a womaniser. She believed all the silly lies he told her. Some were so outrageous you’d wonder how she believed him. But when you’re in love, all sense goes out the window.”

Patricia sat transfixed. She had never heard her Mom talk like this.

“You do understand, Patty, that Winnie died of an HIV-related disease? Up to the last moment she refused to accept that she had contracted HIV from Desmond. Even when she fell pregnant she refused to go to the clinic. And because of that she has passed the HIV onto Thulani. If she hadn’t been so stubborn she could have got medicine from the clinic and at least saved Thulani from getting HIV. Now she’s gone and I’m left to care for him!”

Mom put her head in her hands and began to sob.

***

Tell us: Do you think Patricia will think differently about Tefo after hearing about Desmond?