Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil:
for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

Tambo was listening, listening in a way he hadn’t for years. He understood very little of what the pastor conveyed but was rapt by the conviction and temerity of the woman’s words. He hadn’t expected a woman pastor when he’d arrived for church that morning. She was, to his horror and admiration, talking about rape, about the violence in the country and about activism. The weight of her words made sweat rings form underneath her arms, and she frequently dabbed at her temples throughout her deliverance of the message.

Afterwards Tambo and Dolores went to the café.

“Thandi and I argued. I think she’s going to move out.”

“Isn’t that what you wanted? For her to move on with her life.”

“Yes, but not like this. You know what I’m scared of?”

Dolores shook her head.

“That I won’t see her. That she’ll move away and I’ll never see her again.”

Dolores reached across to hold Tambo’s hand – it was shaking.

“Esther kept us as one. And even Ester’s death glued us together but … if Thandi moves out it will just break things up. That’s my fear.”

They sat in silence, sipping their hot drinks. The waiter came and Dolores ordered a slice of spinach-and-feta quiche. Tambo wanted nothing.

“How about you, how did your husband die?”

“Hijack.”

“My God, I am so sorry.”

“I try not to think about it. My husband suffered before he died, I know that. And so I try not to think too much about it. We need to preserve our minds. If I think too much about it I sometimes feel I will go crazy.”

Violence wasn’t new to Dolores. Tina was the second child; their first, Bongi, had died in a bar fight. Tambo found himself watching this woman as she spoke. Her face was unlined, her hair pulled back in a series of neat cornrows. She didn’t look like someone who had had to bury her child and then later her husband. She looked at peace and even happy. Her eyes were large and her eyebrows heavy, giving her face a show of strength that Tambo couldn’t help admiring.

“How do you do it?” Tambo asked.

“What?”

“How do you manage so well? I don’t think I could have.”

“You’ll laugh at me.”

“Try me.”

“I sing.”

Tambo raised his eyebrows.

“Yes, Mr Malawi, I sing.”

***

Tell us what you think: Dolores ‘sings’ to help her keep positive when times are hard. Is there something you do that helps you keep a positive attitude?