Chapter Six
As soon as Antonie arrived back from Jeffreys Bay Otto could see the big difference in Antonie. It looked as if Antonie was healed of his cancer overnight as Antonie had a healthy rosy complexion and his eyes sparkled, filled with zest. Otto has never seen Antonie like this before and it was a joy that no words could describe. It was as if a huge miracle happened in Jeffreys Bay and he was extremely curious to find out what exactly happened. Antonie was a brand new person and it has got nothing to do with the fact that he was wearing his uniform for the first time.
Antonie smiles shyly but Otto couldn’t miss the pride in Antonie’s eyes.
“Well, a year later and here I am, in uniform.” Antonie proudly announces.
“Like they say, rather late than never.”
Otto looks him up and down and smiles proudly.
“You are made for this uniform. Fits you like a glove. I just want you to pick up weight. You are still frighteningly slender.”
“I can’t wait for this day to start. All the things I’ll see and going to experience. It will be so exciting!” Antonie’s eyes shine brightly with excitement.
“I think you’ll be sorely disappointed. This is not like in the movies where there is a wild goose chase and gun fights. You’ll have to spend time with vehicle patrols and maybe write a docket here and there. You must make sure you write decent dockets.” Otto playfully scolds him.
“I don’t want any sloppy dockets from you. It really seems Jeffreys Bay has done you so well! Did you enjoy visiting the Oelofses?”
Antonie becomes subdued.
“I didn’t stay with them, Dad.”
Otto looks questioningly at Antonie.
“Didn’t the station commander organise for you?”
“He did, Dad, but I visited Paul and his grandparents. Don’t worry, I did apologise to the Oelofses for the change in arrangements.”
“Did you and Paul sort out your differences?”
Antonie smiles.
“He is my best friend, Dad. You know, I think we were separated at birth because we look very much the same, we think the same and we have the same interests. He…he was my donor, Dad.”
Otto stares at Antonie, surprised.
“Are you serious?”
“Yes, Dad.”
Otto appears speechless.
“How is this possible that in today’s life one gets people like this who forget about themselves, wanting to help other people they scarcely know?”
“You know, Dad, I researched on the Internet last night about everything the donor goes through to help the cancer patient. Paul must have gone through hell and back to help me.”
Otto nods, deep in thought.
“Please tell him when he comes to Pretoria again that he and his parents come and visit us. Maybe we can have a braai. I was thinking of phoning Major Visser today. I wanted to thank him that they allowed Paul to help you. You know, I wish I can chat to him a little bit. I haven’t seen him a lot whilst he was doing his training here at Sinoville.”
Very bored whilst they are standing off at the station Antonie decides to phone Paul. His driver would be busy for a while anyway and Antonie wanted to thank Paul again for everything Paul has done for him.
“Hello, Paul Visser speaking.”
“Howzit my friend! How are you?”
“Good gracious! It is a nice surprise! Did you have a safe flight?”
“Yeah, nothing to report. What’s going on there in Jeffreys Bay?”
“What do you mean? Only the street lights go on and off.” Paul laughs heartily for his own silly joke.
“Nothing much, here in Jeffreys Bay we only arrest drunk people. You know how it works. What are you up to?”
“I’m working outside for the first time. In uniform.”
“Wow! That is really awesome! I’m so happy for you! Do you enjoy working outside?”
“No, it’s boring!” Antonie complains.
“Had two shoplifting complaints for the day so far. There is nothing going on in this precinct. Wish I can experience a real chase. Just like in the movies, you know.”
Paul laughs.
“Don’t worry. I think in my whole career so far I had to drive at a very fast speed to a scene only twice and both times they were negative. What is your crime statistics like over there?”
“My father’s detectives received 400 cases to investigate last month. You guys on the other hand probably only had fifty for the month!”
“No, we are not that lucky.”
“Paul, I just want to thank you again for everything you have done for me. I did some research on the Internet yesterday about the impact bone marrow transplants have on the donors. You have been to hell and back for me.”
“I won’t lie to you, Antonie. It was very difficult and there were times I considered to quit the whole process. But I couldn’t leave you like that. Bone marrow donors are very scarce.”
“I’m very grateful for you seeing it through. You saved my life. If it wasn’t for you and for the fact that God tested my faith in Him, I never would have had the opportunity to grow closer to God the way I had. My relationship with God is so strong and so deep and my parents and I are inseparable.”
“This is the best news I’ve had all day, Antonie.”
“Paul, I’m sorry but I need to go. My driver or should I say my boss is back. Time to get back to work.”
“It’s okay; I need to go back too. The AVL is running.”
“Paul, I just want to say…thanks for your friendship, buddy. You are the brother I never had.”
“That’s a compliment. Thanks, Antonie. Please take care of yourself there in Pretoria and “Gangster’s Paradise”. It is very dangerous there.”
Antonie laughs.
“At this stage nothing is going on.”
“Keep it like that. Take care my friend and send my regards to your family. We’ll chat soon.”
“Same here. Please send your grandmother a big hug from me. I miss her terribly. She is the most precious person on earth.”
Antonie gets back in the bakkie and together with his colleague they patrol the Sinoville policing area. The silence in the bakkie is interrupted by the dispatcher from Radio Control who gives them a complaint.
“Sierra India 7, Sierra India 7, come in for Romeo.”
“Romeo, send for Sierra India 7.”
“Sierra India, I have a complaint in 396 Rigting Street. The complainant complains of a dangerous animal in her yard. Reference number is 543902. Your complainant is a Mrs Theunissen. Did you copy?”
“Copied, Romeo. If it a black mamba I will bring it personally to you at your office.”
“No ways, Sierra India, forget that one.”
Antonie laughs.
“But you wanted to give me this complaint.”
“Sorry Sierra India, I don’t mean to be rude and I don’t want to block the channel, but I see with your force number you’ve been in the Force for a year and a half. Why do I only hear your friendly voice for the first time today?”
“Very long story, Romeo. I was very ill, but I’m okay now.”
“I’m very grateful to hear that. Please take care at that complaint, Sierra India. Hope you have enough rounds to sort out the problem.”
“Will let you know, Romeo. Out.”
Antonie’s colleague looks at him.
“I’m not going to spare any rounds if it is a Rottweiler with rabies. I’m not playing games.”
“You are not serious, Sergeant! Are you really scared for a dog?”
“For Rottweilers, yes. Not my favourite dogs.”
“Oh, please. Any dog can be aggressive. Its how you raise them that make them aggressive.”
“Okay, then you are going in first.”
They stop at the complaint and Antonie and his colleague carefully approaches the scene. Mrs Theunissen greets them.
“Good afternoon, ma’am. Where is this dangerous animal?”
“Hi there.” Mrs Theunissen starts to laugh softly and shows in the direction of the shade on the lawn. It is a young water monitor, about 50-60cm long.
“How did this monitor come in here?” Antonie asks surprised.
“This house is not close to ditches or rivers.”
“I’ve got no idea. My dog got hold of him and the monitor has got two sore legs now. That obviously makes him even more aggressive.”
“Can you please bring me a water hose, ma’am? It is a very warm day for July and I want to see if I can cool him down a little, making him more comfortable.”
“Who can we phone or will you remove him from the premises?”
“Oh no, ma’am.” the Sergeant interrupts.
“We don’t have the necessary knowledge to do that. Even though the monitor is injured, he is still dangerous and can still hurt us. That is not a risk we are willing to take.”
Mrs Theunissen brings the water hose closer and Antonie starts hosing down the monitor whilst keeping a very safe distance from the monitor. If the monitor succeeds to hit Antonie with his tail and the scabs on the monitor’s tail cuts Antonie’s skin it will cause a big problem.
“Antonie, I think you must leave the monitor alone and close the tap. I know you are trying to help, but he is not very keen on the attention you give him. I’ll get Onderstepoort to come and remove him.”
Antonie carefully moves a plastic container filled with water closer to the monitor and manages just in time to jerk his hand away when the monitor hits in his direction with his tail.
“Your hair is extremely short for a policeman.” Mrs Theunissen says.
“And you are terribly slender. Strange to see that.”
Antonie gets up and pretends to dry his hands on his uniform trousers. Very self conscious he looks in the opposite direction.
“What’s wrong?”
Antonie tries politely to smile and to remain calm. He doesn’t talk to strangers about his cancer and he dislikes it when people ask him about it because he doesn’t want their sympathy.
“Ma’am, please, I don’t want to talk about it. It’s very personal.”
“It’s okay. Lots of people in South Africa have AIDS.”
Antonie turns around and closes his eyes. He takes a deep breath to control his temper before he turns back to face the complainant.
“My cancer is in recess, okay? I don’t want to talk about it; I don’t need your sympathy. I’m not a victim, I’m a conqueror. Every day I wake up is a miracle.”
Luckily for him the Sergeant comes to his rescue and he can see Antonie is in a sticky situation.
“Antonie, please get me some water. I’m parched.”
When Antonie disappears, the Sergeant looks at the complainant, slightly annoyed but trying his outmost best to remain calm and polite.
“Ma’am, please. He told you it is personal. You had no right to probe him like that. Antonie is an excellent policeman who gives everything he can. He really needs people to treat him as a healthy person.”
“Good gracious, Sergeant. You really don’t have to fight with me like this. I’m sorry I’m interested in you guys.”
“We’re not fighting with you, Ma’am. We’ll wait with you until the people of Onderstepoort arrives to remove the monitor so that he doesn’t bother you or your dogs anymore. He is injured and can’t hurt anyone, but for your peace of mind, we’ll wait here.”
He turns around and walks to the bakkie where they can observe the monitor from a safe distance.
“Are you okay, Antonie?”
“Yes Sergeant. I’m just upset, that’s all.”
“People are very funny creatures, Antonie. You’ll get it a lot in your career. Are you sure you’re okay? You look very tired. I’m not patronising you but we are there to look out for each other.”
Antonie smiles bravely.
“I’m okay, Sergeant. I’m a tough cookie. It will take much more than a whole day working outside with this heavy bulletproof to bring me down.”
The Sacrifice Page 6