Ruth is nothing if not mercurial. Some days, the woman is overly effusive, insisting that Zodwa sit next to her and keep her company. Especially on days when she opens a bottle of wine in the afternoon. Other days, she’s so standoffish that it makes Zodwa wonder what she’s done to offend her. Ruth’s mood swings generally tend toward the darker side when Mandla is being especially affectionate to Zodwa or if he cries when Zodwa leaves.

Zodwa has also noticed that Ruth’s general outlook is intricately tied to Mandla’s well-being. The woman fusses over the child constantly, treating him like a delicate object that could shatter at any moment rather than the robust boy he is. If he shows any signs of sickening, her doting becomes smothering.

It’s surprising that Mandla ever gets sick considering the amount of umuthi the woman gives him daily. Zodwa’s tried to read the labels of all the bottles of syrups and formulas to see what they’re for, but Ruth keeps the medicine cupboard locked at all times. It’s the only thing she locks—she doesn’t even lock her purse or her jewelry away—and Zodwa can’t imagine why she feels the need to.

There are many things that the whites do that confound Zodwa. They’re overly concerned with privacy and personal space yet are content to let the dog lick them in the face. Security is a big concern of theirs with bars on the windows and doors, and various panic buttons distributed throughout the house.

Zodwa isn’t allowed to answer the phone or open the door; it’s as if they don’t deem her vigilant enough to guard against the threats that stalk them from outside the walls. Whatever it is, Zodwa is convinced it’s as imaginary as the perceived threat against Mandla’s health. Delilah constantly tells Ruth not to fuss over the child, but the woman doesn’t listen to her own sister, and so she’d definitely not listen to Zodwa even if she built up the courage to comment on it.

The radio is constantly playing in the house because Ruth hates silence, and it’s on 702 Talk Radio that Zodwa finally hears more information about the rumored Truth and Reconciliation Commission that Archbishop Desmond Tutu is spearheading. She turns the sound up to listen to what they are saying, after which Delilah approaches her.

“The commission’s an important first step toward reconciliation. Are you interested in general or on a personal level?”

Zodwa surprises herself by answering honestly. “My brother went missing from Soweto in 1984.”

“Was he a member of the Inkatha Freedom Party? Because he was a Zulu?”

She’s impressed that Delilah would know that. “Yes, he belonged to their Youth Brigade. He disappeared while doing some work for them, but we never discovered the whole truth.”