by Linda Ihle
“I did say that, Angela, and it was true. I have no idea who that woman is.” She grinned. I reckon she’s decided I’m OK after……Jesus!!” Devin hauled on the hand brake, flung the door open and leapt out of the car.
“What on earth…?” Angela gasped as she watched Devin sprint toward a tall, thin, blonde-ponytailed man, obviously a hitchhiker, who had been waiting for them to pass through the stop sign. She had observed his hesitancy, as if he had been contemplating walking on southward or turning into the school driveway. She saw that his ponytail had been tucked into his collar, concealing it, the round, blue-lensed Lennon sunglasses, blue jeans, the high-heeled wood clogs stuffed into an outer pocket of the heavy duffel bag tossed over his shoulder. She rolled down the window, the better to hear.
“Mick! Mick! It’s me, Devin!”
He turned to face her, dropping the duffel, mouth opening in wonder and delight and shock. She stopped in her headlong rush to touch him, hold him, standing still, arms open wide, vulnerability hurled to the fickle wind, swept away as a desiccate leaf on a gusting breeze.
* * *
[1] Hill.
[2] Young women/girls used by terrorists as maidservants, for sex, etc.
[3] Do-rag, scarf wrapped around the head.
[4] Jerky.
[5] Thorn trees and bushes with sharp, hooked, brown thorns.
[6] Black people - became a derogatory term for black people; from umuntu [Zulu] or muntu [Bantu] which means human.
[7] Terrorists.
[8] Tennis shoes.
[9] Afrikaans - used in this case as slang for likes/loves.
[10] Marijuana.
[11] Rock rabbit.
[12] Good evening.
[13] How has your day been?
[14] I did [have a good day], thank you.
[15] Shut up, white woman.
[16] White bitch.
[17] Belongings.
[18] What is it?
[19] Apes, monkeys, baboons.
[20] Do rag, scarf or kerchief used by many black women.
[21] Tie.
[22] Shut up.
[23] Understand.
[24] Nothing.
[25] What did you say?
[26] I’ll hit you.
[27] Evil spirit.
[28] Bitch.
[29] Please, God, please, save me.
[30] Oh, God in heaven. I am as dead as a doornail.
[31] Mates, friends.
[32] “Protected” Village.
[33] Die.
[34] Insane.
[35] Lunatic asylum.
[36] Scoundrel.
[37] White man - derogatory.
[38] Criminals.
[39] Armoured vehicle, primarily landmine-proof.
[40] Police Anti-Terrorist Unit.
[41] Lovely, nice.
[42] Love/like.
[43] Flip-flops.
[44] Bush.
[45] Morning - Afrikaans.