All The Way Down: Part Four
She was still waiting.
The days grew as her mind dreamt of freedom. Her freedom from AIDS. She longed for the day when she could be a good mother, like in the beginning, when Dumisani was a child. She is fifteen now and she would have to be mother if the white man didn’t return as he had promised.
But he would return.
All would get better.
********************************
Jesus it’s hot. He stepped out of the terminal and slipped on his sunglasses. “Take one now. With the airport behind.”
The journalist hated this sort of work. But it paid so he couldn’t complain. They were meeting John from AidsOut in Durban and from there to the village. It had been an interesting trip so far. Todd was extremely driven and certainly lived up to his reputation of having an overblown sense of his own importance. To put it mildly. But he noticed something hidden behind the rock star demeanour, an honest side which this experience might bring out.
“Come on let’s go, I’m flippin' starving. Where’s that taxi?”
Or not.
*************************************
I got into the office and sat my desk. Relax, it’s just a normal day. I flicked through the letters left for me and leaned back into my chair. The door careered open and Mark strolled in.
“Morning faggot.” Chris followed him in.
“A puff in our office? We better remove the rat.”
I stood up hastily. “Come on guys, there’s no need for that.”
“Oh there is, there really is.” I knew what was coming.
“Who was that yesterday then, your mate?” Cue macho cackle.
“Danny, his name’s Danny. He’s my ex but we made up yesterday.”
“Actually, I couldn’t care less. And do you know why?”
Like big cats on the prowl, they moved their way across the office, predators ready to kill. I was their prey.
I was ready.
“Because you are dirt, every single one of you.” Mark spat on my jacket.
“Here’s something from normality, gay boy.” The first hit me square on the jaw, the second between my eyes.
I came round and left for home. I was crying, shaking but I didn’t care anymore.
At least I had Danny. This job was over. But at least I had Danny.
News Categories Creative Writing
Info Health Sexual Health Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)
Info Family & Relationships What to do if something goes wrong Bullying
Info Family & Relationships Being in a Relationship Same Sex Relationships
IMAGE: small world #5 by bass_nroll
1 Comment – Postiwch sylw
Sam Sprout (Editor)
Rhoddwyd sylw 66 mis yn ôl - 23rd November 2010 - 10:54am
Really enjoying this series.