Everything I Broke

Thirty Three Knives

Living in the same room as Lucy for a week was a strange experience. In fact, living in the same room and sharing the same bed as her was more memorable than living in a room with thirty-three knives on one of its walls (I didn't have neither the time nor the energy to count the rest).

However, meeting her family was even stranger.

Other than her mothers, that seemed like normal people in the beginning, I met her grandparents. Her grandmother from Samya's side, Alondra, was a peculiar, small lady with pink hair and a passion for jams, and cooking in general. She was polite and soft-spoken to us, but she always made fun of her roommate, Lucy's grandfather from Eshe's side, Phillip.

Philip, unlike Alondra, hated jams (it was the first time I heard two people arguing from something so small), liked spending time doing nothing but reading newspapers and articles about astronomy, and, of course, made sarcastic remarks about everyone and everything, even though he couldn't take a simple joke from anyone who wasn't Alondra.

I bet it took them a long time to get used to living with each other.

At some point, when we were all eating dinner in the yard, Eshe told me that they nearly broke up because of their parents. "Our relationship has always been strange." her wife commented.

"It's a family tradition!" Eshe snapped. I was confused, to say the least.

"She challenged me into a fistfight and told me that if I lost, I would owe her money, but if she lost, she would marry me. That was pretty offensive." Samya explained to me and my mother.

"Silly, I wouldn't let you lose."

Everyone remained silent for a moment as Samya realised what she heard. "You fell on purpose?"

"Did you really thought you could win? I was a champion in kickboxing for two years straight."

"The only straight thing you ever did." Philip said. Samya left the table without saying anything, and I started questioning my mother's friendships.

Philip probably saw my confused expression and rushed to fill me in. "She is a drama queen, don't worry about it little one."

"One more word about my daughter and I will break your neck again." I didn't bother to ask for the details. Lucy and I went back to our room a bit later, and Kosmar joined us.

"No comments. " Lucy warned me.

"Bold of you to assume that I care." She was about to say something, but Kosmar cut her off.

"Why don't we just play something?"

"Like what? I am not attempting to hunt the house again!" Lucy yelled at him. I really wanted to ask about it, but you know what they say, curiosity killed the cat.

"Fine. Maybe truth or dare?" I just remembered what Annika had said- people only play truth or dare to dare someone to kiss someone else.

"That's a stupid game. Like what is next, 7 minutes in heaven?" Lucy said, and I rushed to agree. I didn't want to kiss anyone.

"It was just an idea, calm down. But we both know you would love to play 7 minutes in heaven with Naira." If I was a cartoon I would be drinking water and would spit it out after hearing that.

"Actually, I would rather have the same death as my phone." she said as she glared at me.

"I wouldn't want to play 7 minutes in heaven with you either. If I had to, I would just murder you in that so called heaven."

"You don't know how lucky you are that I don't want my mothers to know about us hating each other."

"I am going to leave you two alone, you can argue on your own." Kosmar said, and Lucy told him to die in a ditch. And then we were left alone, awkwardly looking at each other. I want to narrate this story clearly, but I don't remember how or why I woke up cuddling with Lucy, and I didn't want to know.

To be honest, she looked cute when she was asleep. In fact, she looked sweet, polite, innocent and in general, all the things she wasn't. I slowly removed my hands from her body, got up and never brought it up to her.

I just went to the kitchen to get a glass of water, but the door was closed, and I heard voices from inside.

"I don't know, Eshe. Do you think it's normal for kids to question their sexuality at that age?" It was easy to recognise my mother's voice, and she seemed worried. I couldn't help but eavesdrop, especially when I knew she was talking about me. It would also help me get my mind off things.

"Didn't you have a boyfriend when you were her age, Barb?"

"I did. He is in a prison in Pretoria."

"Okay, but your second boyfriend was a good guy, I really liked him."

"He is in a prison in Bloemfontein."

"Naira's father?"

"He is in a prison in Johannesburg." So that's where he went on holidays!

"Jesus Christ. Did you ever have a boyfriend that it's not in prison now?" Eshe said a bit louder.

"I do. Quentin got out last month."

"I meant one that hasn't been to prison, like ever."

"Michael didn't get caught, as far as I know."

"Someone that hasn't done something illegal Barb."

"You got me there." I felt a hand touching my shoulder and nearly shouted. It was Alondra. I was meaning to ask her what all this was about, but Eshe opened the door, trapping me behind it.

"Good morning."

"Sweetheart, can you and Barbara go outside to gossip? I want to make breakfast for the kids and have a talk with them."

"Don't scare them too much Alondra." she said before grabbing her cup of coffee and leaving the room with my mother following her. After some time Alondra pushed the door, letting me out.

"Now, why were you eavesdropping?" I felt so embarrassed.

"They were talking about my girlfriend and I."

"Ah yes, Annika."

"How do you know about her?" I asked. I was certain I hadn't mentioned her. Maybe my mother had said something.

"Lucy tells me all about you. Now that I think of it, that's a little creepy, isn't it? But don't worry about it, she tells me about everything."

"Everything?" If Lucy did tell Alondra everything, then she knew about us hating each other.

"Of course. She can't stand you. It's weird since she only talks about you anyway." I didn't comment on that. I didn't even understand what she wanted to say until much, much later.