"I do not fuck the dead!"
"I never said you did. But I'm also sure you aren't going to want to give her a nice Christian burial," Gillery said.
"We will do things to her and then dump her naked body in a white community. It will send a message." The others smiled and looked at one another in anticipation. They were well aware of how beautiful and sexy their prey was. They trusted Hector would give them some time with the body. Hector was good that way. He shared. Some said he had AIDS, but he said he did not. They believed him. Just like they believed that he could do the magic that allowed him to talk to the spirit of the great Shaka.
"The important thing is to get the job done. I think Agia will try to warn Allen not to see me, but she'll come. I know the type. She's headstrong."
"You had better be right," said Abute.
"I'm always right. That's why I'm still alive and very, very rich. You just remember to stick to the plan," Gillery said.
Gillery took the sting from his words by taking a few more bills from his wallet and putting them on the table. If he hadn't, Hector Abute would have had him killed to save face.
"I'll be in touch," Gillery said. He slipped from the wood bench and left the bar.
Hector Abute watched Gillery with eyes burning with hate. He would use Gillery, and when he had achieved what he wanted, he would kill him. That is how Shaka had explained it to him. Shaka had been a great warrior. He had led the Zulu in many victorious battles against the whites. But Hector knew in his heart that his victories would be even greater. He would not fail. He would fight on until all of South Africa was Zulu and every white was dead.
He wiped the white yeast from the corners of his mouth. The doctor said it was a sign of the AIDS, and that there was no cure; only expensive drugs would help. Hector could not afford the drugs, and he was too proud to go to his father for help. He was strong, and he would make his own magic and make the disease disappear. He thought that ginger root would help, and the meat of a lion.
Across the table Luck watched his leader. Luck was only fifteen, and Hector knew that Luck felt himself privileged to be allowed sometimes to come with Hector to the bar. Hector smiled. Luck worshiped him, but he was also scared of him. That was good. Shaka would approve. People worshiped and feared Shaka, too.
Like Shaka, Hector did unpredictable nnd violent things, but it was necessary.
Luck was not smart, nor did he have the talent Hector had to talk to the spirits. He didn't always understand the reasons behind Hector's actions. But he did as he was told and was loyal. Luck believed Hector was Shaka returned from the spirit world, so Hector tolerated him.
Hector wasn't a bit like his older brother, Charles, or his father, Fortune. Fortune was the manager of the Agia estates, second only to Danielle Agia. Charles was the foreman of the work crews. He would follow in his father's foot steps. They dressed like whites and talked like whites. Charles had even been to the agricultural college. Hector's lip curled in contempt. They might be rich blacks, but they had no honour. They were not real warriors like he was. They were weak in their souls and had no pride in working for a woman. Hector was embarrassed by his family. He often argued with them.
Hector's men sat talking in low voices about the game they had shot and the money they had made. Hector was buying guns with it. They were preparing to arm their people and raise the great Zulu nation up from its knees once more.
Very late, they wove their way back to the township. Hector watched his followers stagger off. In the glare of artificial light, he surveyed the world that had become his home. The light came from a bank of arena lights mounted on a thirty-foot metal pole. It blanketed the area in a harsh glare, offsetting in sharp relief the shacks of corrugated steel sheeting, cardboard, and scrap lengths of wood. The government put in the lighting a number of years ago. The single row of floodlights through the black township allowed them to tell the world they had provided power and lighting to the area, and at the same time, made it easier for the police to observe them.
A stray dog, thin and mangy, limped by. Flies buzzed after it, waiting to bury their eggs in its carcass. The air smelt of sewage and rotting garbage. In the distance, a baby cried and a radio played African music. He hated this place. Some day he would live in a palace.
He knew it was his destiny to lead his people to victory.
He smiled and ducked under the dirty canvas that served as a door to the one-room shack he now called home. In the corner, Promise slept. She was his latest woman. A fifteen-year-old with a crush on him. Her parents lived on the next dirt street over. They did
not approve of Hector but were afraid to complain when Promise moved in with him.
He had liked his wife better. She had been a good cook and didn't complain about not having anything. But she had died of AIDS. Promise couldn't cook well. She kept asking when he was going to lead the rebellion and become rich. Promise was stupid, but she warmed his bed and gave him pleasure.
He slipped in beside her and allowed himself to float in the alcohol-induced dizziness. He felt like he was flying crazily. It made him feel slightly sick. He buried his flushed face into the coolness of the pounded dirt floor and drifted off into sleep.
Chapter 4
Danny brushed her teeth furiously. The evening had been spoilt by that bastard Gillery. Now Laurie knew she had killed. No doubt she would add that to the growing list she was compiling about South Africa. Let her. I don't give a damn. But she did. She rinsed out her mouth with water and lifted her head to stare in the mirror. She saw no innocence there, only sadness and pain. She put her toiletries neatly away. Laurie's, of course, were strewn everywhere. Laurie had been quiet all evening. Danny wondered if she was lying awake in bed wondering about what sort of vicious life Danny had been leading all these years and condemning her for it. Or worse, maybe her thoughts were about the "Great White Hunter,"
Turning the light out, Danny padded silently to the available double bed. She pulled the sheets back, and the mattress sighed as she slipped into bed.
Laurie barely waited until Danny was settled. "Do you remember when we were kids, we used to lie in bed and tell each other our deepest thoughts and secrets?"
"Yeah, I remember."
"Not that you ever said much," Laurie said.
"Yes, I did."
"Oh, yeah. The vines need rain. Fortune let me ride his horse. I think I broke my arm. Do you remember that? You broke your arm breaking my fall from a tree, and you didn't say anything until that night."
"It hadn't hurt that much during the day, and besides, it was your birthday."
They thought back to those special days. "Good night, Danny. It's so nice to be here with you again," Laurie said, before turning over on her side to sleep.
Relief spread through Danny. Laurie still wanted to be here with her, even after this evening.
"Good night, Laurie. Pleasant dreams," she whispered. The night darkened. It was a long time before Danny slept.
The next day, they drove along the coast through the picturesque pioneer towns of Hout Bay, Muizenberg, and Simon's Town. They clung to the craggy shoreline along beautiful beaches that fringed the Atlantic Ocean.
Laurie relaxed into the leather seat. "Oh, Danny, I'd forgotten just how beautiful South Africa is!"
They had stopped along the beach in a suburb of Cape Town. Danny had become her old self again as she led Laurie down a path to a small beach where Jackass penguins were nesting. The foot-high little black-and-white creatures waddled about or bobbed like corks in the surf. Each seemed to have a unique personality, and Danny and Laurie laughed as they pointed out different mannerisms and antics. Laurie swung over the railing and crept close to a nest to photograph a female. The territorial penguin let out the loud donkey bray after which the species was named, and some friends trotted over to offer support, flapping their wings and joining in the braying. Laurie snapped some pictures and retreated.
"They're so cute," Laurie said.
"You wouldn't think so if you lived in this neighbourhood and had to listen to their noise and put up with their mess."
"Yes, I would. They don't hurt the penguins, do they?"
"No, they're an endangered species and protected by the government. They've only appeared on these beaches a few years back."
Past Simon's Town, they entered the Cape of Good Hope National Reserve. They drove over high rolling land with the sea as a backdrop, far below. The road twisted and curled around rocky hills covered in small, succulent brush. The air was fresh, the sky vast, and the landscape breathtaking. As they rounded a bend, two wild ostriches ran ahead of them. They held their white, fluffy wings up and out and pranced daintily on long, gangly legs. They looked like caricatures of Victorian ladies, underskirts hoisted as they ran.
At Laurie's request, they stopped so she could photograph them with the sea and sky behind. Danny leaned on their Land Rover and watched. Ostrich were very dangerous animals. In a split
second, they could jump up and slash down with one of their three-inch claws and open a person's chest from top to bottom. Each year, people died from forgetting the power of these unpredictable birds.
"You be careful. A male in heat has a bright red beak and legs. He'll be very territorial." The warning was barely out of Danny's mouth when she anticipated the bird's next move. She was already diving for Laurie as the bird attacked. They rolled clear of the large bird's claws, Laurie safely in Danny's arms.
"Are you all right?" Danny asked. Desire crept over her; she willed it away. "You didn't break your camera. I hope." She checked over her shoulder to make sure the male ostrich had gone.
With Danny's help, Laurie got up. She was winded and bruised from being pushed to the ground. They stood by the open passenger door of the Land Rover. "I'm okay. Oh! Your neck is bleeding!"
Danny reached up to a stinging just under her jaw. Her hand came away with a smear of blood. "It's just a scratch."
"Was it the ostrich? It could have torn your throat out. Oh, Danny, I'm sorry. I'd forgotten that in Africa, animals are still wild. That was really careless of me. I'll be more careful in the future." Laurie rooted through her tote bag, depositing all manner of items on the car seat. Finally, she came up with a small first aid kit and opened it to pull out antiseptic pads and a bandage. She moved close and reached up to wiped the scratch clean.
Laurie pulled back, dropping the swab into the waste bin, and opened up a bandage to place on Danny's throat. She leaned closer still and carefully applied the plaster. She put her hands on Danny's shoulders. "There, all better. Does it feel all right?"
The sea roared, and a gull cried across an empty sky for its mate. Danny swallowed, and Laurie stood on her tiptoes and captured Danny's mouth in a soft kiss that deepened as passion grew. The moment shattered as Danny stepped back in horror. "Wh... What are you doing?"
"Kissing you," Laurie answered calmly "I've done so before."
"Not like that!"
"No."
"That was... well... like... well..." Danny spluttered.
"Like a lover?" Laurie suggested.
"No, like a fucking queer!" Danny tried to deal with the contradictory feelings racing around inside her. Oh, God! What have I done?
"That's because I am," Laurie said.
Danny stared at her, dumbfounded. At last, she cleared her throat and asked, "Are what?"
"A fucking queer. Mind you, I find that really bigoted and rude. I'd rather you refer to me and others of my kind as lesbians."
"What? No! You can't be."
"Yes, I can, and yes, I am."
Danny grabbed her. "No, you can't be. It's a sin."
"Get your hand off me."
Danny let go. "It's wrong and unnatural."
"Oh, for God's sake, Danny. This is the twenty-first century. What bush have you been living under?"
Danny was far too horrified to deal with this issue rationally. Laurie stuffed her things back into her bag and got into the car. Danny stood rooted to the spot. "Well, make up your mind," Laurie said. "Either we go on to Cape of Good Hope, or we turn back to Cape Town."
Danny offered no reply, so Laurie waited in the car while Danny paced outside.
The rude bigotry that she had shown towards Laurie had probably ended any chance of them renewing their friendship and no doubt coloured Laurie's impressions of South Africa.
When had Laurie come to terms with her sexuality and accepted who she was? How could Laurie have married and had a child? No wonder the marriage had been a disaster. How could she be a lesbian, knowing that what she felt was unnatural and a sin? Danny couldn't get her head around all the issues that had broken through with Laurie's kiss.
She continued to pace, trying to get herself under control. Danny licked her parched lips. Her heart pounded in her chest. What should she do? Part of her could still feel Laurie's soft lips against her own, and she just wanted to get back in the Land Rover and do it again. Part of her was revolted. It was unnatural, an abomination before God. She'd be run out of her neighbourhood. Or worse, it would shame her family's name. Then there was the mounting guilt. She owed Laurie an apology. It wasn't for her to judge Laurie; that was God's duty. Laurie was her guest, and guests should be treated with honour.
She looked out across the beautiful landscape to the sea beyond. The wind blew softly through her hair, like the feel of Laurie's gentle fingers touching her. She had acted badly because she'd felt threatened, not by Laurie's actions, but by her own deeply
guarded feelings that had rushed to the surface. God, why are you testing me like this? This whole situation is such a mess.
Danny went back to the Land Rover. She slipped into the driver's seat and closed the door with a thud. "I need to apologize to you, Laurie. I acted very badly. Your... preferences... go against my religious and social beliefs, but it was rude and narrow of me to judge you. Your life is your own, and I respect your right to live it as you feel you must. If you're not too angry with me, I'd like to continue on. It would still be a pleasure to visit with an old friend and have the opportunity to show you my country again." Danny said all this with her hands safely gripping the wheel and her eyes fixed on some distant spot through the windscreen.
Out of the corner of her eye, Danny saw Laurie fighting back tears.
Laurie seemed to force herself to answer. "I'm sorry. I violated your space and person. Please forgive me. I got carried away with the moment. I had no right to touch you like that without first knowing how you felt. It won't happen again."
Danny wiped the sweat from her palms on her shorts and risked a look at Laurie. "Well, that's over. Let's go stand on the tip of Africa."
They drove on and down to the beach at the farthest reach of the continent, The Cape of Good Hope. It had originally been named Cape of Storms, but John II, king of Portugal, had changed the name to something politically more appealing. It was a rocky beach below a high bluff. The surfs thunder almost drowned the cry of the seagulls.
Laurie walked along the edge of the froth and picked up shells and interesting pieces of stone. She jumped when Danny spoke from directly behind her.
"You have a girlfriend, Laurie?"
"No."
"Have you had?"
"No."
"I don't understand, then," Danny said.
"I know how I feel. After Daniel was born, I spent a lot of time reading and trying to figure out who I really was. That led me into gay literature and support groups, and suddenly, for the first time in my life, I felt I belonged."
Danny wouldn't let anything go once she'd focussed on it until she had achieved her objectives. That was her strength in business, but it was also her weakness in relationships.
"But if you haven't had a relationship with a woman, then you're not gay," Danny said.
"Of course I am. I know what I feel inside, and I hope someday to meet a woman whom I want to have a relationship with."
"It's okay to be tempted, but I've been taught that it's a sin to give into temptation. Don't you believe that too, Laurie?"
"I think it's a sin for people to decide what's normal and what's unnatural. If there is a God, he made me what I am. I don't think love can ever be a sin."
Danny stood looking out at the sea. Laurie walked on. They worked their way back up the beach to the parking lot and drove on up the bluff, climbing steadily to Cape Point.
Cape Point was a towering cliff face that jutted out into the ocean. A lighthouse sat on the highest point, warning ships that they were about to round Africa and leave the Atlantic Ocean currents to enter those of the Indian Ocean. Narrow paths clung to the edge of the thin backbone of rock, affording a spectacular view of the ocean, the tip of Africa, and the beach a thousand feet below.
They took the cable car to the top. At the summit, Laurie took pictures while Danny pointed out where the allied forces had maintained a lookout to observe enemy ships passing the Cape during the war.
They lunched in the restaurant overlooking the immense valley behind Cape Point. On a clear day, visitors could see nearly a hundred miles across the rolling hills of fynbos, the natural vegetation that grew in the area. A wide variety of birdlife, reptiles, and small mammals called it home. Baboon troops lived in the area as well. Danny pointed out that the baboons had become a nuisance because tourists fed them. They were bold and weren't above stealing lunches or biting humans who wouldn't share.
Laurie sipped her coffee while Danny paid the bill.
"Can I ask you a question?" Danny asked
"Sure."
"Uh, I mean, ah... women, uh... how do they... well, you know?"
"Huh?"
"Never mind. I'll go start the car and get the air conditioner on."
Danny strode to the vehicle. Dumb question to ask. Now she 'd made it clear she was interested. It was just as much a sin to hear about it as to do it. She must be stronger. She climbed into the Rover and slammed the door in frustration.
They got back to Cape Town in the early evening. They chose to snack at one of the many small cafes along the Waterfront and then retire to their room.
Danny saw to some business matters, sending off e-mails and phoning her estate manager, Fortune Abute, to see if everything was going well.
"The weather has been good, Danielle Agia. The grapes have just the right amount of water content and a good level of sugar. It will be a fine crop this year. I think we can do our early grape harvest in about two weeks' time."
"That's good. Anything else?"
Fortune hesitated. "Hector has gone again."
"To Cape Town? Do you want me to look for him?"
"No, but thank you, Danielle. He is bad seed. If I drag him back, as I have done before, he will only leave again. A father can only do so much. When he is home, he and his brother Charles argue all the time. Bad talk in the house brings bad spirits. It is not good."
"You've done all you could, Fortune Abute," Danny said.
"Thank you, Danielle Agia. I will look forward to seeing little Sunshine. You say hello to her for me."
"I will," Danny responded. She smiled at the childhood nickname that Fortune had given to Laurie because of her blond hair.
"Ah! One other thing I need to tell you. Peter Beit called. There is a meeting of the Elders of the church Friday morning. He wondered if you could attend."
"Me? Why?"
"He didn't say, Danielle Agia."
"Yes, I can be there. Let him know, will you?"
"Of course. That's it then. I will see you soon."
"Yes, good bye, Fortune."
After passing on Fortune's message to Laurie, Danny went back to reading her e-mails.
"Here," said Laurie, slipping a piece of paper onto the desk beside Danny.
"What's this?"
"It's an internet site that will access stories about gay women. I believe you were curious about methodology."
Danny stood up. "I'd better have my shower," she said.
When Danny emerged from the bathroom, she found Laurie asleep in bed, but she'd left the computer on. Danny had a look. Laurie had accessed a short story about two gay women and had left it on the screen. Danny started to read. An hour or so later, she sat back in her chair and stared at the wall.
"Did that help?" Laurie asked.
Danny jumped at the sound of her voice. "Yes, thank you. It was... graphic. Yes, thank you."
"Does it revolt you?"
Danny closed her laptop. "Look at the time. It's late. We should be asleep. We have a busy day tomorrow."
Laurie smiled at Danny and rolled over to go to sleep.
Chapter 5
"You don't have to go," Laurie said as they stood in line the next afternoon waiting for their turn to board the cable car.
They had gone to the Cape Town Museum that morning and now were waiting to take the cable car one mile up to Table Rock, a massive mesa towering over the area.
"I'm not afraid," Danny said.
"Yes, you are. You don't like heights, and you hate being in a situation you can't control."
"You're right. Hanging from a cable a mile above the ground doesn't make me feel secure. I wonder how often they inspect this thing?" She watched the cable car arrive. Twenty or so people could stand inside the glass-walled gondola. As it rose up the cable, the interior slowly rotated, affording a magnificent view of the shoreline below.
They piled in with the other ticket holders and began their ascent. Laurie stood against the railing so that she could look out. Danny stood behind her, keeping well back from the glass. As they neared the top, the cable car slowed and stopped. For a few minutes, they hung there with nothing below them but a mile of fresh air and a panoramic view on all sides.
Laurie heard Danny's intake of breath and reached back instinctively. Danny grabbed her hand in an almost painful grasp and leaned against Laurie's back. Thank God for cable cars, Laurie thought, as she enjoyed the feel of Danny's body behind hers.
Danny almost pulled Laurie off her feet as she made for the exit, still clinging to Laurie's hand.
"You okay?" Laurie asked, once they stood on the top of Table Rock, the wind whipping around them.
Danny looked at their clasped hands and immediately let go. "Oh, sorry. Yes, I'm okay. That's quite a ride up. And, uh, thanks for your support."
"No problem. Caves are my fear. I don't like feeling closed in."
"Well, you can't feel closed in here." Danny cautiously looked over the stone wall to the range of mountains and the city of Cape Town far below.
"No, I can't," Laurie agreed. They wandered around the walkways and lookouts. "Oh, Danny, isn't it wonderful?" Laurie said at each new vista. Laurie took a picture of one of the unusual grey dassie, or rock rabbits, that lived on the top of Table Rock. They checked out the gift store on the flat-topped mountain and then they boarded the cable car for the trip back down. Laurie reached out this time, and Danny gratefully took her hand again, leaning into Laurie's back for support.
Danny led Laurie back to the Land Rover, having done her duty as a good host of her country. Buckling up her seat belt, she smiled over at Laurie. "What would you like to do now?" she asked.
"Would we have time to visit Robben Island?" Laurie asked.
"Sure, I think we can make the last ferry."
Laurie hoped she wasn't pushing her luck. She had taken Danny up Table Rock, and now she wanted to visit the island that would be forever associated with the dark years of apartheid. Robben Island was the site of the prison where Nelson Mandela had spent most of his life, his only crime being his bravery in speaking out against the oppression of the black people of South Africa. "You know my newspaper will expect me to write about the prison."
"I understand, Laurie. When the island first opened to tours, I went. Nelson Mandela is an inspiration. I wanted to see for myself what the man had endured for standing up for what he believed in. I would just ask that you give a fair view of South Africa. Apartheid was a dark time in our proud history. I like to feel we have put that time behind us and that now all South Africans can move ahead to a better future."
"Do you really believe that? There must be some deep mistrust and hate on both sides."
Danny took a second before she answered. "I believe the black South Africans have many talents and skills to bring to a new South Africa. I'm not in denial, though." She paused again before continuing. "Yes, there's a large element in both the black and white communities that's filled with hate and mistrust. We'll have to wait and see if the majority of whites and blacks who haven't been poisoned by racism and bigotry can win over these negative forces. This new government was voted in by both whites and blacks. The
greater part of the population believes it's long past time to leave apartheid behind and move on to a more just society."
She took a deep breath before finishing her thought. "I don't believe the media of the world have made it clear that it wasn't just blacks who fought against apartheid and suffered the consequences. Look at you and your father, who lived under house arrest for two years and were finally forced from the country. It certainly was the blacks who suffered the most, but there were whites, also, willing to take a stand for what they believed."
"What about you, Danny? Why didn't you take a stand?"
"I felt that taking a radical stand would breed even harsher reactions from those who supported apartheid. I felt I could do more good by lobbying for reform that would open the door to change."
"Did you?"
"Did I what?"
"Lobby for reform."
"Yes."
"You're not going to tell me, are you? You did a lot, and you're too modest to take credit for your efforts."
"There were far greater people than me. That time is past. Write about the new South Africa—what's happening today."
"I will, Danny. I promise."
* * *
The ferry ride was rough, and Laurie felt her stomach going up and down with the waves. She'd gone from white to green when suddenly Danny was there, holding her wrist.
"I'm told if you press down here it alleviates some of the effects of sea sickness," Danny said.
"You couldn't have told me that back at the dock, could you?" Laurie asked, leaning heavily on Danny.
Danny wrapped one arm around Laurie's shoulders for support and used her other hand to apply pressure to Laurie's wrist. Her hip leaning against the bow rail, Danny let the wind whip through her hair, clearly enjoying the feel of Laurie so close to her.
They walked with the other tourists past the small cells where Nelson Mandela and other political prisoners had been kept for years. The guide explained how prisoners passed the time playing Monopoly and clearing land for gardens. Laurie marveled at the
strength of character and belief that it would have taken to have one's life reduced to four walls because of one's beliefs.
The wind had dropped a bit when the last boat took them back to the Victoria and Alfred Wharfs. They walked back to their hotel.
Danny worked on business matters while Laurie wrote in her journal. They turned off the lights early, tired after two very full days.
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