My sister, little brother, my mom and I sit in our two roomed shack. The lightning constantly roaring outside, the shack has started leaking. There are buckets catching the leaks, and a few pots. The rain has started swooping in through the front door, my dad’s old jersey is laid out to catch the water.

We sit in the benches, the two seater sofa is for my parents. My mom sits on one side, my dad isn’t back from work yet. We sit, watching the lazy flame of the candle blowing this way, and that. 

“Mama, I’m not full.” Lizo, my little brother says as he licks off his plate.

“Lizo..” Mom sighs loudly, giving him her plate.

Lizo jumps from his bench and greedily takes mom’s plate. I can see mom is not full, but she has to pretend she is so her kids can eat.

My big sister, Nhlanhla looks up from her pile of homework. She’s in matric. Her plate of pap and gravy mash, is half eaten. 

“Mama, you can have mine.” She says.

Mama looks at her and smiles gently, “No baby, you need your strength, so you can pass.” She says.

“But I’m full. I ate at school.” Nhlanhla insists.

Mama gratefully accepts the plate and eats it silently, swallowing every mouthful fast.

I sigh. When am I finishing school? So I can work like papa, and help them bring money home.

“How was school, Mbuso?” Mama asks me.

I lick my hands and try to focus on her face. 

“It was okay Mama.” I smile.

“Are those boys still giving you trouble?”She asks, she means the boys from the other side. The ones from the big houses, the legal ones.

“Not so much.” I lie, I do not want to worry her.

Mama looks at me, and smiles, finishing her food.