snip

Yibanathi caught the hesitation and smiled slightly. “Don’t fret, dear.” and she ran an old-fashioned manual peeler across a sweet potato, dropping the shavings into the sink before her. “We made peace with Mthunzi’s decision many seasons past. We are used to him being gone, so far from us. But we hold him in our hearts, and know that the spirits protect him and he, in turn, protects those around him. The Universe may be a big place, but love isn’t based on geography or proximity.” and she looked up from the sink where she was peeling and washing vegetables and looked at her oldest child with pride. “He is always with us, and we are always with him. He knows this.” and then she looked at Cross and, with an insight that only comes from being a mother, said very softly “And now he has you, if my eyes do not deceive me? Or am I speaking out of turn? I do not want to… complicate… anything, child.”

Yibanathi, Nkosenye’s Mom

Cross glanced at Nkosenye’s then back at his mother ‘’Yes ma’am I love your son,that is the only thing I can say for I have no idea what the future holds ‘’ the doctor had learned the hard way not to take anything or anyone for granted.

Her words provoked a huge smile from the ebony-skinned woman and she danced a little in a circle. When her daughters looked at her, she said “Mind your own, girls! Let the women talk!” with a big smile.

‘’He’s lucky to have a family who seem to love him dearly,on the other hand I have no one .......or perhaps now I do?’’ Cross asked with a slight smile.
Cross Dr.

Yibanathi looked at Cross, directly in the eye. She reached down and took Cross’s hands in her own and said “You have a family and a home to call your own if you want it, child.” and she looked at Nomusa and Zanele. “Girls, come here to me.” and the two tall Zulu women came and stood next her. “We were right. They are together. And our dear one here has no family of her own to share the news with.” At that Nomusa, the one who scowled at Cross when they arrived, stepped forward and said “You break his heart, I will feed you to the lions. If you take care of him as yours - honor him, protect him, and make sure he is as loved by you as he is by us- then you have a family, and we have a new sister!” and she reached forward and wrapped her arms around Cross and lifted her off the ground in a massive embrace. Yibanathi and Zanele laughed out loud, loud enough Nkosenye looked over at the kitchen. “What is going on over there?” his voice boomed out and Zanele yelled back “Mind yourself, you big ox! Set the table and don’t you worry about what your betters are doing!” Nkosenye shook his head and turned back to his father and resumed talking.

Nkosenye Family

She reached down and took Cross’s hands in her own and said “You have a family and a home to call your own if you want it, child.”

‘’Indeed I do…it has always been my wish’’ Cross replied in a strange clear voice’’ then she pointed a finger at his sister ‘’I hope your brother does not break my heart,he’ll take care of me,honor,protect and love me..dear sister it goes both ways’’ and with that the female doctor hugged Nomusa with a swift gesture.

At that instant Miriam scratched her head absent minded while oblivious to her gesture My,my… their names are so strange for me to recall hoping it would not bother their brother.

It was not long before Miriam started to feel tired,it had been a long day yet also satisfying, fulfilling and definitely rewarding .All she wanted was to snuggle in bed with Nkosenye.

Cross Dr.