By half past one o’clock, we get off the taxi. Mom’s friend, Sibongile’s mom, also known as Mom’Thuli, is waiting for us at the stop sign.

She and my mother share a long hug. I stand there beside them, I’m holding my mom’s handbag. 

They finally stop hugging and talking and laughing, and Mom’Thuli gets a chance to look at me. She’s short and light in complexion. 

“Hhaybo! ULwandle lo?” She laughs. “Ngithi uhamba nomunye ubhuti!(I thought you were with a boy)!” She laughs more, pulling me into a hug.

I suffocate in the hug, wanting to just pull back. This feels awkward.

“You’re so tall.” She laughs some more.

I am forced to laugh too. I seriously can’t talk to adults, I fake laugh here and there..cause what else is there to do?

“You’re grown, man. The last time I saw you, you were this little!” She makes a gesture with her hand.

I smile. I don’t know what to say.

“They grow up so fast.” My mom joins in.

“They do! You’ll see Sibongile. Do you remember her?” Mom’Thuli asks me.

I shake my head.

“Oh! But I hope you’ll get along.” She laughs again.

This woman laughs alot.

We start moving. Finally, it’s so hot. This cap I’m wearing isn’t making things easier for me.

“You look like a boy.” Mom’Thuli casually tells me.

“Ay sizothini(what can we say?)” My mom laughs. She looks at me, and throws a hand over my shoulder, “ama lesbian.” Only my mom pronounces the word “lesbian” as “LizBiyeni”.

Mom’Thuli laughs and she and my mom engage in a conversation about how they both only had girl children and no boys.

“You have other kids?” My mom asks her.

“Sibongile and Sinakho. But, Sinakho lives with her father. Here, it’s just me and Sibongile.” Mom’Thuli answers.

This is going to be a long day.