Zinhle sat drinking tea with the mourners until Simphiwe returned an hour later with Chelsea buns and bread rolls.
People poured in all day and Simphiwe and Zinhle gave them refreshments.
“Your mother was such a wonderful person,” said the neighbour with the ferocious dog. “When I was ill, she cooked for me and brought me a meal every day, until I was better.”
“I didn’t know that,” said Simphiwe, pleased.
“Your mother went to Home Affairs with me, when I needed to renew my ID,” said a friend. “I didn’t know where to go. She came with me in the taxi and helped me fill in the forms.”
Simphiwe smiled. He liked to hear the kind things that people said about his mother.
After a few hours, Simphiwe said: “I need to get out for a while. I’m going for a walk.”
“I’ll come too,” said Zinhle.
Simphiwe was silent as he walked, with Zinhle at his side. She sensed his need to be quiet. They walked a long way in the direction of town. When they reached the Wimpy, Simphiwe said: “Let’s go inside for a coffee. I need to rest.”
“That’s a great idea,” said Zinhle.
“This is not KFC,” he said. “But I hope Wimpy will do.”
Zinhle smiled and she headed towards the door. She was so happy to be with Simphiwe again. Instead of sitting opposite him, Zinhle sat next to him, so she could be closer to him.
While sipping coffee, Simphiwe spoke about his capable mother. She had been a single mom, raising four children of her own and she had also looked after her sister’s two children when their mother died prematurely of TB. He explained that they were all given tasks around the house by his mother.
“What did you have to do, Simphiwe?” Zinhle had heard some of his stories before, but she knew it was important to let him tell them again; to remember how it had been.
“I always washed dishes after meals.” Simphiwe shook his head. “She put us all through school and it was difficult as a domestic worker. You know sometimes my mother had to work on weekends, so she didn’t have much time off.”
“Where are your cousins now?” asked Zinhle. “Your aunt’s children; I know they have all left home now.”
“Gugu is in Johannesburg. He’s a rep for a pharmaceutical company and he has his own car. Really flashy! He’s done really well. He’s bought himself a flat too.”
“And the other child?”
“Lindiwe works at a bank in Durban, but she is about to get transferred to Ladysmith.”
“And you have just been made assistant manager, Simphiwe. Your mother must have been very proud of you.”
Simphiwe smiled. Zinhle felt that although he was so sad things were going to be OK between them again. He needed her – and she was there for him.
***
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