Easier

Mechanic, Melancholic. Depression?

He walks out shaking his head. He brings me a tray with a slice of Pizza and a glass of water. He gives me the television remote, and I change the channel to a law series which we watch silently.
“Come sit next to me please.” I say after I wash my dishes. He takes a seat next to me.
“I like you; you are a very nice person and a potentially great partner.”
“I understand,  come let’s get you home to the princess.” The stranger.
“Please don’t interpret me, I know nothing about Depression  except, the sadness I had after Bongs passed. What does Mechanic Depression mean?”
“It’s not mechanic, Melancholic. In simple terms, I have days where waking up feels like an uphill battle, I feel numb to everything.” The stranger.
“That must be so horrible. I am so sorry. ” I say rubbing his hand.
“Yeah, it sucks.” The stranger.
“I will have to ask my therapist about Depression, I don’t trust the internet.”
“Thank you. Thank you for being kind about this.” The stranger.
“That’s what friends are for.”
“I’m not your friend, ma’am please respect my efforts.” The stranger laughs.
“We can go to your brother, what do I have to bring?” I ask.
“I don’t know, yourself.” The stranger.
“Is it a braai or a formal thing?”
“A braai. I don’t know I will ask his wife.” The stranger.
“I almost forgot. Next weekend Zamo takes her off.”
“Lesedi can come with, Ovayo will be at the house.” The stranger.
“Please confirm with them if it’s okay. I can ask my parents to babysit.”
“Why? Are you not comfortable with me being around her?” He asks.
“No, not at all. I wouldn’t be in your house if that was the case.”
“Then what ist?” The stranger.
“I only want to know if your family is okay with us bringing a baby.”
“I can bet my life that my brother will protect Lesedi as his own, because he knows how much you mean to me.” The stranger.
“Do you always see everything as rejection? I only want confirmation with the homeowner, that is their space and not yours. I would surely bring Lesedi here. Otsile wants us to inform her when the children visit.”
“Oh, I’m sorry. Let’s call her.” The stranger.
“Firstly, am I sleeping here?”
“Do you want to sleep here?” The stranger asks.
“Sir this is your house, anyway, call your brother while you think about it. I will get ready to leave so long.”
“How about we fetch Lesedi, and we all sleep here after the phone call?” The stranger.
“She’s sleeping now, we will sleep over next weekend.”
“No, you can sleep over this weekend and then the next all of us?” The stranger. I laugh walking to the bathroom. Leaving him on the phone. He has the phone on speaker when I  walk back in the lounge.
“Here she is, Fifi say hi to my brother’s wife.” The stranger, I squint my eyes and he laughs.
“Hello.” I greet.
“Hey, how are you? I heard you asked about bringing your daughter with on Saturday.” She asks.
“Yes, I would also like to know what should I bring? A salad ? Drinks?”
“Your daughter is more than welcome. Don’t bring anything,  we have it covered.” She confirms.
“Alright, thank you. I will see you on Saturday.” I hand the stranger his phone, he greets and hangs up.
“Come let me get you comfortable clothing.” The stranger. I follow him laughing.
“Why are you laughing?”
“I’m thinking of the joke the universe is pulling on me.” I say in between my laugh.
“What joke?” He asks giving me a military green vest. I laugh harder.
“Okay, please share the joke.” The stranger.
“Are you in the military?” I ask taking off my clothes.
“Is it a deal breaker?” He asks.
“No, not at all. It’s just that the last man who got me to sleep over at his house without clothes ended up being my husband.”
“Hmmmm, interesting. Would you do it again?” The stranger.
“Do what again?”
“Get married again.” The stranger.
“If it feels like home, warm and safe. I would do it again in a heartbeat.” I answer honestly.
“You feel warm, hence I am drawn to you.” He confesses and leaves the room. I am left even more confused. I finish undressing and go in search of him in the lounge.
“Hey, are you okay?” I ask crouched in front of him. He has his elbows on his knees and his face in his hands. I stand up and sit next to him after not getting a response
I rub his  back silently. He changes position and lies his head on my bear thighs; the vest has rolled up. I rub his head. His breathing slows down, a sign that he is sleeping. I text Zamo that I will see them in the morning. His phone wakes him up about an hour later, he sits up and takes it from the table.
“Mmmm.” He answers.
“No.” He says after listening attentively. I get up to give him space, but he pulls me to his lap. And he continues to give one-word answers to the caller.
“I have a visitor, let me come after church tomorrow.” The stranger. He listens to the phone the puts it on speaker.
“Hello.” The caller greets, the stranger encourages that I speak.
“Hi.” I greet.
“I thought my son was lying to me. I am sorry to disturb you. Enjoy your night.” The caller.
“Thank you, sir. Good night.” I greet.
“I’ll tell mama you will see her tomorrow, use a condom.” The caller.
“Dad, you are still on speaker.” The stranger and his dad laugh. He hangs up the phone.
“Are you okay?” I ask facing him.

Lerato, Lesedi Le Kganya.