Mangled Shoes

CHAPTER 3

Not so long after that, she dished out the soup with bread on the side. left it on the cabinet so that everyone could snatch their plate once they had returned from the day's duties.

Deborah headed over to the kraal, where she met 'omukuruha, a San man employed on their farm.

"Tji David, ove uri imba noho? "David, you're also here?"

"Hey, Motjavii Debbie?" David responded

"No, I've just come down here to milk the cow; nothing much, Grandmama's order."

"Okay, be careful. Now you would have to use up that milk within 7 days, or else it becomes omaere omaruru uri—the milk will turn bitter, thus becoming sour milk."

David let Deborah explore the kraal on her own. He then began to combine the herb's potent, intoxicating mixture with tobacco; it could be smoked or made into cakes. While milking the cow, Deborah whistled; the bucket was now halfway filled. She cast a glance at David as he arranged the mixture in a newspaper with precision.

"Ah, madjet," he exhaled.

"Give me." The curious and experimental Deborah asked

"No, I don't want problems, and that's not how I lose my job."

"David, what do you mean you do not want problems?"

Deborah made an effort to convince him that this was nothing new to her, but with such innocent childlikeness, how could he possibly believe her?

"If you take this, there is no turning back; once you go back home, you're doomed; your life will never be the same again, and your grandmother will see it in your eyes that you're high thinking I forced you into it. That's how I might lose my job."

"Ugh, everyone likes complaining, from the workers to the family members... I'm asking for a drag, not a lecture on life choices."

"Well, nice try, Debbie, but not today," David responded, then diverted his attention back to the neatly placed mix, this time licking the other end of it so it could all be rolled up. Now the air was covered in smoke, dust, and cow dung!

"It's getting dusty back here, David. I will need to get back to the house and take these milk buckets before the dust of cow dung falls inside."

"Perinawa Debbie" *coughs while beating his chest*

Deborah's concerns were raised. "Are you alright? David, you're coughing so badly. Would you like me to grab you some water?" Deborah asked the man if he seemed to suffer from a chronic respiratory illness. Perhaps it was because he smoked so much.

"Yes, yes, Debbie, I will be alright. I am alright, thanks." I still have a few more years on these lungs," he said in a woozing cough while trying not to laugh at the same time.

"What's so funny?" She wondered if the man sounded as if he was ready to hit the bucket but somewhat seemed to find pleasure in this. Whatever it was, it probably brought him abundance, knowing he would die a happy man.

"Bye David, I'm taking the milk back now before Grandmama wakes up."

"Mbye, mbye, Deborah." He responded while still breaking out in laughter.