Naledi took the cigarette and lit it. She drew on it deeply. “You are so hard on me, Jack. But you are the only person who really knows me. You’ve known me since primary school.”
“I do know you, sweetheart,” said Jack, his voice softening, “and I love you. And the last eighteen month have been hard for you. But I think you really messed up this time.”
“I know,” said Naledi, taking another draw on her cigarette.
“And unfortunately Sipho has told everyone and anyone who wants to listen.” Jack paused to run his hand over his smooth cheeks. “Look, don’t get me wrong here. Sipho is gorgeous. Way more gorgeous than Joe. I’d take him over Joe any day, but …”
“Shut up, Jack!” said Naledi, throwing a cushion at him, and smiling despite herself.
“I’m serious, by the way, but that’s beside the point. Let’s get back to you. Has Joe been in touch at all?”
“Twelve missed calls.”
“You haven’t spoken to him?” asked Jack, raising his eyebrows.
“No, I can’t bear to.”
“You’re not brave enough, you mean. Well, you’re going to have to. You owe him that much.”
Naledi nodded, and ground her cigarette out into an ashtray.
“Come on, Naledi,” said Jack, his voice gentle now, “you’ve been working hard on all this stuff for months now. Your uncle must have paid enough to buy that psychologist of yours a house in Camps Bay by now. Cash.”
“I know, Jack,” said Naledi, shaking her head slowly. “That’s the thing. Sipho meant nothing. I hardly remember anything about last night. Nothing. But Joe will never believe that. Never.”
“Have you ever spoken to Joe about anything though, Naledi?” asked Jack, getting up and stretching. “I need another cup of coffee and then I am going to my lectures. I have to get good marks this year. Unlike some of us, who pick and choose which lectures we feel like going to.”
“That’s not fair, Jack. I do work hard, you know that,” said Naledi, joining him in the kitchen.
“You are a spoilt girl, Nali,” said Jack, pulling her into his arms and giving her a firm embrace, “but it’s time for you to face up to a few things.”
Naledi hid her head against Jack’s shoulder.
“Joe is mad about you,” said Jack, looking deeply into Naledi’s very dark eyes. “Hell, girl, everyone is. I mean, sometimes even I feel tempted, and you know girls are really not my style.”
Naledi smiled up at Jack and led the way back to the lounge.
“I suppose I should at least take a call from Joe,” she said, looking down at her phone.
“You should,” said Jack, standing up and getting ready to leave. “I’ll see you later. Maybe you should spend some time alone today. Although you really should go to university.”
Naledi shook her head. “Not today,” she said. “I can’t face them today.”
“Okay,” said Jack as he opened the front door, “but you can’t run away from any of them forever.”
Jack paused in the doorway and gave Naledi another firm hug.
“Love you,” he said and then turned and ran down the stairs.
Naledi leant against the doorframe and watched him go.
***
Tell us: Why do you think Naledi treated Joe the way she did? Why has she been seeing a psychologist?