RICHMAINE

FRACTURED TOGETHER CONTINUED...

‘Leave her alone. If you touch her, I will kill you.’

‘I don’t see how. I have the weapon…’

‘And so do I’ The voice came from the direction of the house. Suddenly all heads turned towards it. It was Mike and he had a face that meant business.

‘Mike…are you ok?’ There was joy, fear, hope and love in Sonny’s question.

‘I’m ok Sonny, now you with the axe, drop it!’

‘You drop the gun white boy or this bitch gets it!’ As Axe man’s attention was now totally focussed on Mike and his now fully loaded shotgun he did not notice Sonny creeping up behind the car. Sonny was young and fit and fast and his final metre ended in a dive. He knocked Axe man sideways, trying desperately not to get Marcie hurt. She, in turn, had seen what was unfolding at the last moment and fell forward out of the way.

‘Good girl,’ shouted Mike. Axe man got to his feet first and he was furious. He was also fast. Sonny was still on the ground. The axe was lifted high for the killing blow when a shot rang out. Mike was closing in all the time and knew he had to act fast or Sonny would be dead, slaughtered right before him. Both barrels emptied with deadly accuracy. The middle of Axe man seemed to implode and a crimson fountain cascaded from behind him. He looked with curiosity at his missing torso and died before folding up and crashing to the ground. Mike kept on trotting toward the carnage and at the same time ejecting the barrels of their spent shells and replacing two fresh ones.

Sonny bent over Marcie who was sobbing uncontrollably. He put his arms around her shoulders and urged her to her feet. Mike reached them and took out a knife and cut the zip ties off Marcie. Sonny took her gagging away as well.

‘Thanks my broer you saved our lives.’

Mike smiled; 'Hey that’s what friends are for. Now com’on you two, back to the house and get a hot coffee down you. I also have to tend to another unwanted guest and we have to call the cops.'

Suddenly Mike realized they had completely forgotten about Gun man and he looked at Sonny and saw he was thinking the same thing.

‘Stay here, Mike said.

He darted around the car but found no sign of Gun man. He bent down and saw that the hand gun which was knocked out of Gun man’s grasp was not lying under the Mazda anymore. Mike knew that these thugs were cowards generally so would not be back after seeing the carnage done to his colleagues.

‘Come Marcie. I will help you to the house.’ Sonny looked around them and at the carnage that had nearly been their own final moments. ‘Let’s get you rested.

CALM BEFORE STORM

'After the police have been here, we can all have a shower and change. 'Mike encouraged them.

Both Marcie and Sonny had splatters of blood on their persons. They all walked back to the house, Mike gave furtive glances in all directions, Gun man was still out there! The phone was also out. His two uninvited guests had done a thorough job. Teeth man was still in the cellar, moaning in pain. No one had any desire to go down there. The doctor would take care of him.

‘Yes sir, Mooiplaas…you know where it is…good, I’ll see you soon. Mike put his cell phone back in his pocket. ‘Well that’s the cops coming and they are sending an ambulance. Said they would contact Piet Visagie at the funeral parlour to take care of the two bodies until the police head quarter’s morgue vehicle arrives from Bloemfontein.’

‘I hardly see the need for an autopsy, do you?’ said Sonny solemnly. Whilst they had beaten off this vicious attack this night it was bound to leave an emotional scar that could take some time to heal.

‘How are you Marcie?’

‘I’m feeling much better now Mike. It was just the shock and terror of it all. Sonny will have to nurse my ribs to health,’ she said with a slightly naughty tone. 'although I see your wrists are bleeding from the ties.’ she looked at Sonny.

‘They’ll be fine my Sweet,moenie worry.’

‘That’s the kettle, I’ll…oh no! I completely forgot about the dogs.

Mike hurried off to his bedroom and found the door closed. A feeling of dread made him shudder but as he neared to open the door he heard the familiar whimpering of love from one of his sheepdogs, Pepper. He rushed inside to find Georgia and Pepper fine and clearly very glad to see him.

‘Come hear you lovelies.’

They rushed up to him smothering Mike with soggy licks. During the commotion they had made their dutiful protective noises but had never seen the intruders. Mike was now grateful for this as he feared what the men might have done to the dogs.

Pepper and Georgia always slept in Mike’s room and he often woke in the early morning to find Georgia had slumped down at the door and in the process, closed it. There were new voices in the lounge and Mike returned to find Tsikane, his foreman, who lived in a nearby village and a few of the farm hands.

‘We heard the noise and I called some of the others to meet me at the gate. Looks like you took care of the skelms. Anyway Baas we would have got them to voetsek.’

‘Thanks Tsikane, I am grateful for your concern. I expect the police will be here any moment soon.'

Tsikane had been with the Ferreira’s a long time and was a loyal worker. He was from the mountains of the Sotho people. Mike was pleased to see him and now the larger crowd all found somewhere to sit and drink coffee.

SETTLING DUST

Bleary eyed and weary, Mike made his way to the kitchen. Sonny and Marcie were still asleep, or so he thought.

‘Can I help?’ Marcie was looking fresh. She had washed, dressed and was remarkably recovered from the previous night’s ordeal. ‘Hi Marcie, yea you can do some eggs if you don’t mind; the aroma always attracts Sonny out of bed.’

Marcie giggled,’ You know you two are so close; I’m not sure that when Sonny and I are married, I turn in the bed and find you there too!’

Mike blushed. Marcie, lovely though she was, had an earthiness that Mike was not used to.

‘That I promise you will not happen; anyway Sonny’s feet stink and I couldn’t stand it’, he teased and was surprised at his own candour.

‘Did you sleep comfortably Marcie, you know that was where my parents slept and that bed was one of the few things we could salvage.’

‘I did Mike and thanks again.’

‘I’ll go and check the other room and see if Sonny is awake.’

The police had been and gone. Visagie had taken away the bodies and Mike saw that Tsikane and some of the crew had come in on their day off and were fixing the broken window. Tsikane had already moved the Mazda well off the road and had cleaned away the traces of last night’s carnage.

Mike knew these men and their families were desperate to make this new South Africa work and were outraged when the non black community were savaged. He knew that with people like Tsikane, his and their country could succeed. All they needed to do was to clean up the crime and get rid of the corrupt politicians. He smiled at himself at the thought of this virtually impossible task.

Sonny and Marcie jumped into Mike’s pick up and the three of them drove in to Ladybrand.

‘Marcie and I will go straight to the police station in Ficksburg and deal with the Beetle.’

The police had picked up the car after a local farmer reported it dumped on his land.

‘She’ll help me to bring it back.’ Sonny looked across at Mike encouragingly.

‘No worries you two, I hope the car is ok.’ They pulled up outside the Wimpy and Mike waved them off in hs bakkie and headed into the restaurant.

‘Are you sure you’re all right?’ Sonja was a face of anxiety as Mike told her the events of the previous night.

‘Really, I’m fine. I wanted to tell you before the story broke in the press and the whole town was awash with talk. Now lets eat, and really, I’m fine.’

Sonja reached across the table and held Mike’s hands. Tears formed in her emerald eyes.

'I love you so much Mike, I don’t know what I’d do without you.’

They finished their waffles and strolled down Meyer Street and then right into Van Eerden Avenue.

‘Mike, it’s going to be ok. When you called earlier to cancel the picnic, Mum had it out with Dad that you two should talk. Remember my love, no matter what he says our future is together!'

Primella Ranjukh and Sonja sat in the kitchen facing each other. Neither said much as they heard the faint sound of conversation in the sitting room. Time seemed to drag on. Not so for Mike. He liked Dilip Ramjukh who himself realized all his fears were unfounded  when he realized this man was only concerned about the well being of his daughter and was doing it the only way he knew how.

This young man really cares for my Sonja and I can see he is financially able to support her in comfort. I wish I had met him earlier. He is likable, pleasant and well spoken. I know he has been raised correctly and Sonja does love him. The town will have to like or lump it! Each man regarded the other and liked what they saw.

‘Well shall we go and tell the ladies?’

‘Yes sir,’ Mike’s face beamed with relief and delight for he knew he was inheriting a whole new family as well.

As they emerged through the kitchen door, Dilip spoke out,‘I would like to welcome Mike into our home and our hearts.’

Sonja jumped up with a shout of glee and ran over to hug Mike…not too tightly, though!

‘Thank you my sweet husband, I just knew you would like him.’ Primella walked over to her husband and kissed him lightly on the cheek. ‘By the way as you two had to cancel today’s braai, why don’t we all get together this weekend at the Rock for a special picnic?’

RETRIBUTION

It was early morning and one of those perfect African days; the air was still apart from a slight cooling breeze. The hazy blue of the sky seemed to reach over and touch down on this peaceful scene. It was early summer and already the colours of the vegetation were stunning. The bougainvillea’s crimson leaves climbed up a tree and spread to a neighbouring bush. Dark green fronds of a never fruiting banana tree swept back and forth as if on automation. Bright sparkling, tulip shaped flowers of the golden shower cascaded across a wall, attracting a large guest list of African honey bees, docile until provocted,then deadly! The wood pigeon made its characteristic mournful call and a couple of distant grey ibex’s,effectionately known as Hadi Da’s screeched their nerve jingling cry as they prepared for another day.

Later on that day in one of the corners of Little Rock resort were a group of people, all happy, laughing and clearly enjoying their day in the sunshine. They were doing the South African braai…

Marcie turned to her mother and then looked at Sonja and her mother. They were all sitting on a large tartan rug.

‘This is the one time we ladies get to sit and watch the men cook and say how good it is even though it is often burnt’, she giggled and the other women joined in knowing it was a little joke laced with sarcasm for the men were working hard around the fire giving each other advice on how to cook the meat.

‘I think it’s always best to marinate in Nandos the night before. Mike offered his wealth of culinary advice.

‘Young man, you have not tasted my spiced sosaties yet have you and don’t forget braai cooking takes place at the fire!’ Dilip retorted with affection for his new son in law.

They all laughed and took a swig from their Castle lagers and looked back into the fire.

‘So, Dilip, how are things now that the commercial district has been redeveloped?’Marcie’s father asked his new acquaintance.

‘Ach it was slow at first but it’s picking up nicely now, you know.’

Sonny looked through the flames at Mike who caught his eye and they smiled at each other. Mike turned away and looked at the women to find Sonja looking in his direction with that loving, broad smile of hers. Her eyes seemed greener out in the countryside. Mike put down his beer and strolled over to her. He called out to her,

‘Do you remember that lovely couple we met…Richard and Charmaine, they spent their honeymoon here,' his eyes twinkled and Sonja glowed.

A noise distracted him and he looked over to where it had come from. He stopped but saw nothing. Must be a squirrel or a rock rabbit. He looked back at Sonja who had now stood up and was walking to meet him. This was a perfect day.

Suddenly from behind one of the many thick bushes a man appeared. A man with a hand gun. And it was pointed at Sonja. All around him became still as he focussed on the gun man. The same man who had kidnapped Sonny and Marcie. The same man who got away on that awful night…it was Gun man!

Although his limbs felt like treacle from fear he launched himself at Gun man. He heard Sonja scream. He saw Gun man lift up and point the weapon at Sonja’s head and shout,

‘This is for killing my brother, Ferreira!’

As he squeezed the trigger, Mike took his final leap at Gun man. The bullet, meant for Sonja hit Mike in the chest. Mike landed on gun man in a cloud of dust. Gun man struggled out from Mike, got up and fled back into the bushes.

There was a stunned silence as everyone looked over at Mike’s crumpled form. It had all happened in seconds. Sonja rushed over to Mike and knelt down by his side, Sonny was quickly at her side. They turned him over and both moved in close as Mike was attempting to say something.

'I love you Sonya'.’ His eyes swivelled slowly to Sonny,’ ‘Take care off Marcie my friend.’

Sonja began to sob deeply as she held Mike’s head in her lap. His eyes shut slowly and he had a peace about him. Sonny’s eyes glistened with tears as he knelt next to Sonja and his closest friend. Sonny looked at Sonja.

‘He saved my life one time and today he gave up his for you.’

THE REAL LITTLE ROCK...FORMERLY LILLIESHOEK OUTSIDE LADYBRAND

The Smile of a Saint

NIQUE

SHE SMILED, HER EYES SHONE BRIGHT, VIGOUR EMITTING FROM A FACE OF LIGHT, A GIRL MISUNDERSTOOD, A HEART SO PURE, HER LOVE WAS FOR YASHUA, ENERGY ENERGISED BY RIGHTEOUSNESS, HER HEART FULL OF KINDNESS.

Assurance

FALLING INTO HIS ARMS

WHEN ALL IS FORSAKEN AND OUR HEARTS ARE BROKEN WE KNOW... HE WILL TAKE US INTO HIS ARMS AND THERE WE WILL REST... ASSURED OF OUR SAFETY HOPE HEALING AND SALVATION

THE SUMMIT

Walking with purpose, the man looked ahead, determined to reach his destination. He stopped and stood briefly, mopping his brow with the neckerchief. It was his prized possession.

His mind wandered back to the time he had received it. He sensed the aroma before he tore open the package. A gift from his beloved treasure... She had scented the delicate Wexford Lace with her favorite perfume... that the man had given her... Now he was eager to reach the summit,not just for the quest but for his love of this most special lady.

The man began to stride forward again... The goal was just ahead. He moved forward for the prize. His heart pounded in his chest... Pounding with anticipation...

At last he reached and swung the large wooden beamed door open and there she was in all her glory...

He reached for her and drew her into his ample chest... She snuggled there, content in his warmth... Finally, she lifted her head, looked up at his loving smile, and opened her mouth... Cackling through a dentally bereft cavity... she said, 'What took you so long grandson?'