The morning is warm. Not a single cloud in the sky! A perfect day to walk to church and this is where Yonela is going. But not without Sylvie. She is going to take Sylvie with her, no excuses. She tries to call her. No answer. She tries several times. The phone just goes to voicemail. Something is wrong. She just knows it.

When she gets to Sylvie’s house, she is out of breath from running. She might be late for church, but she has to check up on her friend.

Damascene opens the door. He has just got back from his night shift. The place smells of the fried eggs Maman Brigitte is cooking.

“Come in!” Damascene has a broad smile for Yonela as he greets her. “Maman Brigitte, bring more sandwiches, we have a visitor,” he calls to his wife in the kitchen.

“Don’t worry about me. I’ve had tea already. I’m just on my way to church.” Yonela strains her ears for Sylvie’s voice. “I just came to see Sylvie.”

“Sylvie, your friend is here!” Damascene shouts. Yonela sighs, and relaxes. Sylvie is alive and well. Yonela hugs her friend when she comes into the living room.

“I’ll leave you two to catch up,” Damascene says, as he goes to change.

Sylvie and Yonela speak quickly and quietly, for fear of Maman Brigitte coming in.

“I’ve been trying to call you. What’s up?”

“The monster has taken my cellphone,” Sylvie whispers.

“Sylvie, I know that you are not religious, but I want you to come with me to church. It will do you some good, I promise.”

“I’m not ready. Look at me. I’m not dressed. I haven’t eaten.”

“Wash and get dressed quickly, I’ll wait for you. As for tea, we can have some after church.”

“OK, I’ll come. Wait here.”

Within a few minutes, Sylvie is ready to go. The girls are at the front door when Maman Brigitte stops them. She blocks their way. She is in front of them, and Damascene is behind them in the passage.

“Can Sylvie come with us to church? We will be back after eleven,” Yonela says, turning to Sylvie’s uncle.

“No, she cannot. There is…” Maman Brigitte is furious, but she tries to contain her anger in front of her husband.

“It’s Sunday. Let her go to church with Yonela. They are friends,” Damascene says. His voice is friendly but firm.

“Thank you,” Sylvie says, giving him a hug. She can feel Maman Brigitte’s fury. But Maman can’t do anything to stop them.

The next minute the girls are out of the house and free as the new day.

“I saw the look on her face,” Yonela says to Sylvie as they run down the street. “I can see what you mean now. There is so much hatred in that woman. Sylvie, you have to escape that house.”

“I wish I knew how,” Sylvie sighs.

“I might know how,” says Yonela and smiles at her friend. “Just wait and see.”

***

Tell us what you think: What can Sylvie do to gain her freedom?