The Ghost-Eater and Other Stories Read Free Page B

just chaos, as I said. Later, when things had calmed down, Lumka told me that Andiswa was so excited about starting grade three that she had been ready long before the time and asked her mother if she could wait for us outside the gate. Lumka gave her permission and as usual Andiswa opened the gate using the remote control button next to the front door inside the house and ran. The next thing Lumka heard were dogs barking. This was unusual because the dogs know Andiswa. They always walk with her to the gate and she plays with them sometimes. So when Lumka heard the barking she went outside to check what was happening. And there she was, Andiswa under this heavy, heavy, gate and the dogs all around, all five of them barking as if they had gone crazy.’
    â€˜And where were the owners of the house?’ Mrs Ndlovu asked.
    â€˜Sleeping, but Lumka cried so loud that they came out of the house. When I arrived, Mrs Lloyd was still in her nightie and gown and Mr Lloyd was in his jockeys, his chest bare.’
    â€˜A woman in my stokvel said that Andiswa was dead before they could remove the gate from her body. Is that true?’ asked Phaphamile.
    â€˜Yes, that’s true. When I arrived they had just, just managed to remove the gate. Mr Lloyd called the garden boy, Bhuti Menzi, who works for both families and lives in the cottage next door with his wife. He came quickly and the three of them lifted the gate while Lumka was kneeling, her head on top of her knees, crying. Bhuti Menzi is the one who went into the house to get a blanket for Andiswa.’
    â€˜And the police? Did they call the police?’
    â€˜What for, Mama Mfundisi?’
    â€˜If there is a death, you call the police whatever the cause of the death is.’
    â€˜No. As soon as I arrived, I took care of comforting Lumka and Mr Lloyd changed and got into his car with Lumka and me and Khwezi. We dropped off Khwezi at her school and went to Johannesburg hospital. It was so strange because we could all see that Andiswa was dead. There was blood flowing down her face but nobody uttered the word.’
    â€˜Oh, you all must have been so shocked.’
    â€˜Mama Mfundisi, even Mr Lloyd was crying as he drove his car to the hospital. I have never heard a white man cry but he just cried and kept saying words to himself that I didn’t even understand.’
    â€˜Jesus Christ have mercy!’ Mrs Ndlovu interrupted.
    â€˜I was sitting on the passenger seat next to him and Lumka was sitting at the back with Andiswa’s head on her lap.’
    â€˜Mr Lloyd drove like a mad taxi driver. When we got to the hospital, he jumped off leaving us in the car and came back with a doctor who told us what we already knew.’
    â€˜And what did you all do then?’
    â€˜I don’t know, Mama.’
    â€˜What do you mean you don’t know, Sebenzile? Phaphamile, can you make us more tea please, my child.’
    Sebenzile’s tears started falling again but she continued. ‘Because I don’t know what happened to me, I think I just died inside and lost consciousness from the confirmation of Andiswa’s death. When I woke up, it was late in the afternoon. I was in my bed and Khwezi was sitting next to me in her school uniform, my Bible in her hands.’
    â€˜Shwele Mkhululi, that must have been such a difficult time for you all. But the Lord has saved you; here you are telling the story.’
    â€˜Mama Mfundisi, I am not sure I have been saved.’
    â€˜What do you mean?’
    â€˜Remember what I said on the phone? I think there is a bigger problem in my hands, so I came to you to ask for help.’
    â€˜Continue, Sebenzile.’
    Phaphamile walked back in with the same tray and a fresh pot of tea. ‘The rusks are finished. I brought the Romany Creams.’
    â€˜Thanks, Phaphamile. Sit with us; the Lord wants you to be part of this conversation.’
    Phaphamile pulled a chair and joined