ANOTHER KIND OF DIAMOND (20 page)

Man! Do you know where I am coming from? It is a city called Los Angeles. I was born and raised in LA just like you were born and raised here, so don’t worry about me, okay? I can more than take care of my shit!

Zing laughed out loud. You are right man! If you survived in LA you will surely make it in Jozi ‘cause there is not much different in lives in both cities though, you will notice as time goes on. This is your first time to South Africa, right?

It’s my first time to anywhere. I’ve never left the American soil since I was born. Wallis said.

Just like me! Never went anywhere outside this country too! Zing continued.

You guys got good night life too, ha? Club houses and good music, you know, where to go hang out with folks and dance away the night! That was Isabel who has been quite all the while talking.

Lady! If that’s what you are looking for, you’ve come to the right place. Modern African music was born right here and made popular all over the world by the one they call Mama Africa, the great Mariam Makiba. And top class babes like Brenda Fassie produce original African sounds that make this place really unique and a wonderful place for music lovers.

Great! I want to listen to some of these African sounds ‘cause that’s what I always wanted. You know, listen to music from other lands, especially Africa and feel what they sound like.

I’ll warn you beforehand though, South African music is intoxicating. Don’t say Zing didn’t tell you. And everyone laughed at that before Zing asked; how is my friend Temba? Is he alright?

He is ok, said Wallis.

Oh! Great! Great! When did you see him last?

About a week ago! Wallis responded.

Here is your hotel right there, Zing said pointing at a beautiful edifice in front of them. It is a middle class stuff but very clean and roomy which was why I decided for it. I understand you wanna stay here for a short time before moving into the places I rented for you guys.

Sure! Wallis said.

You need to relax and get your mind set right before joining the larger Society, Zing suggested. As soon as you get ready to leave, call ahead of time so we can fix every other thing that needs to be taken care of before you guys get moving. I’m also going to help with those cars coming in. Most of it will get here through Cape Coast and a few I heard will end up at Port Elizabeth. Whatever happens I’ll make sure everything works out fine. Pretoria is fast with cars, so I might have to get some down there for quick sales. Jozi is great too’ so I expect fast sales with good results.

I’ll rely on you a whole lot Zing.

Don’t worry, I’ll do the best I can for you guys. Temba sent this through my bank, Zing said and handed Wallis a bag filled with South African Rends.

Oh! Thanks a lot Zing!

Listen, don’t you guys run around so much, okay? Stay a little while in doors please. What I prescribe is a day at a time for the beginner. And with that Zingy took his leave.

Inside the hotel, Loretta and Barry checked into separate rooms. Each of them has something in mind he or she wanted so much to share with the other but at the moment both were too tired for further heart bugging issues. Besides they can’t work against their plans now by taking the risks of being seen together until they know for sure how things are going to play out. So, all they could afford at the moment was a solo dinner and shower before each of them retired from a very long day in renewed hope. And like it seemed, old things are gradually streaming away and tomorrow brings in a new dawn with fresh hope and endless possibilities under the Johannesburg blue sky.

Chapter Eleven
 

W
hen Carissa got home from the Police station that Saturday and did not meet Isabel at home, she took it she had left for Wallis’s place as usual and would be back on Sunday night on time to get some rest in preparation for another day at work on Monday. She will have to call her latter to let her know how the interview with the Police went. In the mean time she had to find something to eat.

After meal, she dilled Isabel’s number, and with that action the ordeal got even deeper. “The number you’re calling is no longer in service” announced the familiar voice at the other end of the line.

No! Not again, she soliloquized. Thinking as usual she dialed the wrong number she tried again, still nothing changed. After a long pause, she dialed several times in a row and with each try her spirit got weaker and weaker until it downed on her that Isabel was never gonna pick up the calls, so she had to stop.

Where is Isabel? Carissa’s mind jumped to that. Has something horrible happened to her or is she hiding somewhere for some reason? And what could that be? But most importantly, what would be Carissa’s next move? Go to the Police? Quickly she discarded that line of thought. I won’t go to the Police but wait and see what happens next, she thought. If Isabel is in any kind of trouble, she is sure the Police will contact her pretty soon.

Her own personal problems suddenly came to the forefront. If for some reasons Isabel never comes back home, where does Carissa go from here? She will be left all by herself in a one bed room apartment and how is she going to pay the rent without support. She is not even sure of her Job anymore and even if the job is secured, her earnings cannot pay for a studio unit and take care of her other needs talk more a one bed room apartment. Struggling in a hot pot without the route for escape an idea came to her mind. Suddenly she jumped on her feet and with much courage rushed into Isabel’s room and began a frantic search of the entire place in a move with astonishing findings. Much of Isabel’s valuables were gone, forcing her to conclude she will never ever come back to the home they shared together and she will probably never know her whereabouts or see her again. She thought of Wallis, fished his number and dialed. And just like in the case of Isabel that one was also out.

At the height of it all, she saw a flicker of light afar off when she remembered Aunt Monica, and her heart raced in that direction. It was also the moment she recalled her last conversation with Isabel concerning her Aunt and wondered whether Isabel had some sort of premonition about what is happening right now. Or was it a plan? Her Aunt’s line was already unhooked, that she knows for sure, so there is no need trying at all, but the home address lives in her mind and for that she was hopeful. Even though it’s been about a year since the girl left her Aunt’s place, she still remembers what the house she spent much of her child hood looks like and sure to get there without difficulties. Thank God, tomorrow will be Sunday, she thought, so I’ll leave early for New Port Beach. She had a vivid imagination of what her situation will look like if she failed to produce her rent at the end of the month which is fast approaching and because it’s not the kind of outcome she would like, she also worked on a plan B. That is call Tasha to see what help she can offer just in case plan A failed to pull through.

Dialing Tasha’s number saved the day in some ways ‘cause as both girls began talking, Carissa felt relieved momentarily. She explained to Tasha in clear terms what has been going on. She returned from the Police Station to discover that Isabel was not home, so she dialed her number and all that went with that. Now she finds herself alone in a one bed room apartment without means of paying the rent. She is not even sure of her job any more considering the way her boss Mrs. Gupter has been acting ‘cause the lady was already showing signs she may no longer require her services, so she wasn’t sure how things will play out with Gupter. Her Aunt’s phone has been dead for long but she plans to go visit her the next day.

Don’t worry too much, okay? We can handle all that, Tasha said in her usual manner. You go ahead and see if you can find your Aunt and see what she can do for you then we take it from there. Relax babe ‘cause there is no problem without a solution.

Know what? Tasha you’ve been my angel all these years, I hope you know that.

Call me when you get back from New Port Beach tomorrow and we talk again, is that okay? Life is full of shit stuff and nobody understands that more than I do. Tasha added.

Babe this one swept me completely off my feet. I wasn’t expecting a thing like this will happen at all, Carissa declared.

That’s ok! We find a way! Go ahead and do what you got to do and I’ll talk to you again as soon as you get back from Newport Beach tomorrow! Right now I’m gonna get ready for my job.

Carissa kind of found something to hold on to and strength to deal with the rest of the evening. Early the next day, she took off on her journey from Los Angeles to New Port Beach.

It was a long journey but she took it in good faith. On getting down from the bus at her final stop, another four blocks or so stood between her and Aunt Monika’s house and she walked real fast without doubt everything will be fine just as she had it all planned out. Yes, all things are familiar now, she thought, faced with land marks she obviously recognized from the past as she continued with strong motion.

It wasn’t really a very long work before the house she spent much of her child hood and early teenage life stared at her. With the sight of it, her heart lipped for joy and her steps got even faster until she finally made it to Aunt Monica’s door, pushed the doorbell and waited. After a while, nothing happened but that was no reason to lose faith, so she tried again. This time around, she sensed some movement inside the house and thought Aunt Monika is finally coming to welcome her home. She held herself high in anticipation, poised for next action.

Shortly, the door opened slightly and a face peered through. It was not the familiar sight of Aunt Monica she expected but that didn’t really mean anything to her immediately. The person behind the door could be anybody, a house keeper or even a visitor who opted to help her Aunt check out who is on her door she contemplated and continued waiting in high spirit. Eventually the lady inside the house opened the door fully. Can I help you miss? She asked.

My name is Carissa! Carissa Stevens! She said in a pleasant disposition. I’m here to see my Aunt.

What is her name?

Surprised at the question, Carissa did not show it. Monica Holyfield she replied, trying to sound as normal as she could.

The woman seemed to think over that for a moment and that agitated Carissa but she still kept her cool and decided to give the matter a little more polish.

Monica is my mom’s older sister, I lived in this house with her for many years before I moved on and we lost contact. Is she home? I really wanna see her right away.

Oh! Oh! I remember now, the woman said. Monica Holyfield! I remember her name ‘cause some of her mails still get dumped here.

That’s my Aunt!

Ok! She no longer lives here. We bought this house some six months back.

Carissa stood still, confounded, confused, what is really going on? She uttered and she continued to gaze at the woman who was also staring back at her from a house she still hoped held the answer to her quest. And when she finally found the words they sounded something like this, you are kidding me, right?

Kidding you about what honey? the woman responded.

What you just said about my Aunt.

I’m telling you the truth sweet heart. She is gone and this house now belongs to us just like I told you. See, I’m a little busy with chores, so if you don’t mind I’ll be living to go continue with what I’m doing, okay? She concluded and gestured to close the door.

One more thing mam!

Ehen! I’ll be pleased to help you in any way that I can.

Did she by any chance leave any contact information with you guys? Carissa asked.

None that I’m aware of!

In eyes filled with tears she could hold back until she left the sight of the woman behind the door, she turned around and started making her way to the bus stop. But at a point, she just couldn’t hold on any longer so she let go and her tears pored so much that she took to a corner of the street to let her emotion run full course. Finally calm, she continued. As she walked now, the bus stop seemed further than it was earlier but with laborious efforts, she finally made it. The bus came quickly too and so began the home bound journey.

A fruitless effort to New Port Beach and now taking her back home she thought as she progressed through the journey. But whatever happens, she has to start seeking alternative means out of the difficult situation she faced. So, sited inside the bus, oblivious of the presence of other commuters, she buried her head like an ostrich while she worked on her problems secretly. It took her so many considerations to reach the conclusion that the key to all the doors shut at her face right now and living her out in the cold lies in the hands of sweet Tasha.

Tasha’s phone rang as soon as Carissa got into her apartment and because she was expecting the call, they got talking pretty fast. Another woeful story was on her lips and Tasha listened so patiently like the true friend she has always been. Tomorrow I also hope to know my faith at work with Mrs. Gupter. I didn’t wanna talk to you about it earlier but the lady already told me she will let me know my future in her store on Monday. As you can see, things are pretty much bad for me at the moment. It happened last Friday when the Police called me at work and I hid in the restroom to talk with them hoping nobody finds out but I don’t think my antics worked.

Why? Tasha asked.

You know, from the way Mrs. Gupter started reacting towards me soon after, I knew something wasn’t right. I could sense it! And when she came to the store the next day, the whole thing was all over her. I mean, I could tell she wasn’t feeling comfortable with my presence in her store all through the day and I didn’t need to look that far to know why.