I went to my room and phoned Leah.

“Hey Mims, what’s up?” Leah said.

“Have you spoken to Dad?” I asked.

“No, why? I tried to phone him last night but it was like his phone was off.”

“Leah, Dad left us.”

“What does that mean?” Leah said.

“He told Mom he doesn’t want the marriage anymore.”

“No … that can’t be right.”

“Leah, listen! Dad left. I don’t know what it is all about, but Mom is not okay. I don’t know what to do.”

Leah hesitated. “I’m in the middle of a big conference here. As soon as I get a chance I’ll sort all of this out. Let me phone Dad. I’ll phone you back.”

She hung up without saying goodbye, which was not like her. She was worried. It meant this was real. A few seconds later my phone rang and I grabbed it and answered without looking.

“So? What did he say?” I said.

“Mimi, it’s Aunty E. What are you talking about?”

“I … nothing,” I said.

“So your mom is still not answering her phone. Is she sleeping? I want to come over. I can bring food. For you guys. Where’s your Dad? He’s not answering his phone either,” she said.

“No … I mean yes, she’s sleeping. Exhausted. My Dad went to South Africa.”

“So you need to eat. Let me come over. I want to see Christina. If your Dad’s not around maybe I can take her to the clinic. I don’t like this; it sounds serious.”

“It’s fine. My Dad knows everything. She was sick when he left. He told me not to disturb her. So I think it’s better that we leave her. She’ll be fine tomorrow. You can see her at school.” I could hear myself talking so confidently. Lying, covering up everything.

“Okay … if you say so. Give her my love then.”

“I will Aunty E.”

I heard someone walking up the drive and I was so relieved. I stupidly thought it was my Dad. But why would he be walking up the drive? When I looked out, I saw it was Matlho. I rushed out of my bedroom to the front door. I saw that she had a bag from the bottle store.

“So she sent you for some more?” I asked.

“Please, I’m just doing what I’m told. I need this job,” Matlho said.

She was right. It was not her problem. It was ours – it was mine.

Matlho took the bag straight to my mother’s bedroom, where she’d gone shortly after I arrived. Matlho came back out and I could hear my mother locking the door after she closed it.

I needed to do something. But what?

Back at my room I checked my phone and Leah hadn’t phoned back. I tried my Dad’s phone and it was off. I was on my own.

***

Tell us: What would you do if you were Mimi?