Black & White

-23-

C H A P T E R  T W E N T Y - T H R E E

Zenande and I arrived home that afternoon to an empty house. We usually arrive home before Mama, however, the events that occurred last night have made me terrified of being home alone. I couldn't even fathom what they could have done to me if Mama hadn't been home. The horrors they could have done to Zenande and I. As soon as we entered the house, my first impulse was to lock the door. But it was pointless. If they wanted to, they could kick the door down.Every afternoon, I followed the same pattern. I assist Zenande in removing her school uniform and I change her into more comfortable clothing. I prepare her a quick lunch and wash her school uniform as she eats. Once the clothes are on the washing line outside and are being blown by the breeze, I begin preparing supper so Mama can have a full meal when she returns home from work. After supper, I help Zenande with her homework before beginning with my own. However, starting from this afternoon and continuing on, a few changes were made to my normal afternoon rituals.

When Mama didn't arrive home by her normal time, I became concerned. There have been occasions whereby she would work until late at the Bosman residence, but with police officers wandering around our neighbourhood today, I was compelled to  think that something horrible had happened to her. Did Mr Bosman and his colleague assault her? Did they track her down on her way home? Did they arrest her on the suspicion that she was involved in the murder of the white mother and daughter? What could possibly stop them from charging her with murder if they can accuse her of concealing criminals in her house? A knock on the door stopped my mind from asking any more questions. That's odd, Mama would never knock in her own house. That person behind the door was not my mother. Could it be the police again? Have they come to complete what they started last night? Do they know that Zenande and I are alone? I leapt up from my seat, grabbed Zenande, and took her into our bedroom. "Be quiet and calm. Whatever happens, don't come out till I say so. Got it?" Zenande simply nodded. I exited the bedroom and got a knife from the kitchen before approaching the door. The person knocked once again. Unlike last time, the knock did not become louder or aggressive.

With a knife in hand, I asked, "Who is it?" My voice was shaky, but I hoped that whoever was behind the door didn't pick that up. I had to keep my composure.

"It's Norman." Before I could ask myself more questions he spoke, "Ayize, I'm not here to cause you any harm. I came to express my regret for what happened the previous evening. Please open the door." I had no intention of opening the door. An Afrikaner apologizing to a kaffer? He must think that I am foolish. I was certain that his father had sent him here.

"If you open the door, I will tell you where your mother is." He stated. He got me there. He was aware of my mother's whereabouts. That implied that something bad did happen to her. I flung the door open without hesitation, revealing a pair of blue eyes and a head full of blonde hair. "Where is my mother and what did you do to her?" Tears threatened to spill from my eyes.

"Your mother is perfectly fine." Norman said, his gaze falling on the knife in my hand. "She is at my house working. If you allow me in, I will explain everything."

"Why do you want to come in? Just tell me whatever it is that you want to say and then leave."

"My dad is unaware that I am here. Him and his colleagues are still here in Soweto. If one of them sees me here, I am dead."

"So your father didn't order you to come here?"

"No he didn't. I know you don't trust me after what happened but please trust me just this once."
I stood there staring at him, unsure of what to do. After a few moments of thoughts, I opened the door wider and stepped aside to let him in. "If you try to do anything, I will stab you." I said as my grip on the knife tightened.
"I won't try anything, I promise." He walked inside and stood there awkwardly as he waited for my next move. After closing the door, I gestured for him to sit down on one of the kitchen chairs. I went to the bedroom to let Zenande know it was safe to come out.

"Who are you?" Zenande questioned Norman as soon as she spotted him.

"Oh uhmm, hello. My name is Norman. Your mother works at my house, and I came to inform you that she will working late today. But she will be home shortly."

"Go do your homework quietly in the bedroom. I will call you once Norman has left." I told Zenande.

"How come I can't do it in here? And why are you holding a knife" She inquired.
"Just go."
With a huff and a pout on her lips, she returned to the bedroom.

"That's your younger sister, right?" Norman asked. I sat on the chair across from him, my knife still in hand. "Yes, you didn't meet her last night because she was sleeping. She's a heavy sleeper."

"I see. She's incredibly adorable." He smiled. I didn't reciprocate his smile. "Why are you here?"

"Look, about last night, I sincerely apologize. I had no clue that my father would conduct such a stunt. I apologize for causing your family such anguish. You and your family are very nice people who did not deserve what happened to them. You have every right to be upset with me right now, but I was hoping you'd forgive me, and we could be friends again."

I chuckled dryly, "We were never friends to begin with."
Norman was taken aback by my remark. "Oh, I'm sorry for assuming we were."

For a few moments, there was an uneasy pause before Norman decided to clear his throat and start again, "I-I brought you something." He unzipped his bag and took out an object that caused me to stop breathing. "I made this for you." It looked exactly like the one my dad made. "I saw how devastated you were when my father broke your father's jewellery box. I assumed it held sentimental meaning for you since...you know...your dad is no longer here with you. It might not be precisely the same, but I just wanted to show you how sorry I am. I would never purposefully hurt you or your family."

My gaze remained locked on the jewellery box in his hands. It featured the same patterns and designs as my father's. The one in Norman's hands, though, had my name engraved on it.
"I love it. It looks exactly the same. But how did yo-

"When it comes to art, I have a photographic memory. I can look at a piece of art and then replicate later without having to look at it again." He smiled as he spoke and handed me the new jewellery box.

"Norman, this is so beautiful." I admitted. And for the first time since his unexpected arrival, I smiled. A genuine smile. One that reached my eyes.

"I'm pleased you like it. Does this mean that I am forgiven?"

"Yes. And we can be friends, even though we won't be able to see each other as much." I informed him. Soweto wasn't a place for white people. Parktown wasn't a place for black people, unless you were a maid.

"Says who?" He asked.

"Says our situation. White folks were killed in Soweto. Do you really think that it would be a good idea for us to be seen together?"

He fell silent and gazed into space, as though deep in thought."I will devise a strategy. Do you trust me?"
I scoffed in disbelief, "Okay now you are just pushing it. I just forgave you a minute ago."

"My bad. I suppose I have to earn your trust the same way I gained your forgiveness."

"Let me guess, you are going to make me another jewellery box?" I asked him.

"No, but you will find out very soon." He looked at the watched around his wrist and cursed silently. "I have to get going. I will see you soon....pal."

I rolled my eyes in amusement at his use of the word 'pal'. "Thank you for this." I said, referring to the jewellery box.

"The pleasure is all mine." He said as he rose from his seat and bowed his head.

He came to a halt when he reached the door and turned around to face me. A regretful expression was plastered on his face. "Oh, and about your mom...she is working late because of me. I may have persuaded my mom to have your mom perform spring cleaning so she can come back home late, and I have more time to talk to you."

"Oh wow."

"You're not mad at me, right?" He inquired.

"Bye Norman."

After Norman left, Zenande emerged from the bedroom with a cheeky grin on her face, "So you and Norman are boyfriend and girlfriend?"

"Shut up."