Bloodlines by Frankel Neville

Author:Frankel, Neville [Frankel, Neville]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform
Published: 2013-01-22T00:00:00+00:00

“I didn’t mean to offend you,” I said.

“I’m not offended, Michaela,” he answered, still staring down into the valley, “but I am frightened.”

“Frightened?”

“That you will go,” he said, turning now to face me, “when I tell you that unless you can remain here with me freely and with an open heart, I would prefer that you take the opportunity to leave.” He raised a hand to forestall my objection. “If you choose to stay with me, the ANC will provide you with a new name and identity so that you can live in the open. But I want you to be able to make the decision freely, and I have worked hard to convince them that whether you choose to stay or go, you should have the right to start again, with a new identity, and with new papers.” He paused. “You could stay in South Africa, go and live in Durban or Cape Town under a new name, and make a new life for yourself. You could go to Australia, and get Steven to join you. Or to the United States. I don’t know if you would even need a new identity elsewhere—here we are escaped terrorists, but perhaps in other parts of the world you would be seen as a freedom fighter.” He moved towards the path, avoiding my eyes. “My way is clear,” he said. “I must stay, but you have a choice. I would not hold you, and I will honor whatever you choose to do.”

He walked rapidly down the hill without looking back. I rose and gazed down into the valley, where he had stood staring at the river. For a moment, as I thought about the gift he was offering me, I felt the flutter of freedom in my chest, and the thrill of a new beginning. Anything was possible. He had offered me the gift of a new life, away from turmoil and hardship; given me the chance to put the past behind me, to rejoin my son, whom I longed for. His timing was perfect—what woman in her right mind would refuse the offer of a different life, away from the sangoma’s dour forecast?

But the offer of ease and opportunity did not include him, and the thrill of freedom was fleeting. Because he was giving me another choice—to start anew with him, or to repudiate him, all he stood for, and the life he was offering me.

But Lenny had made it clear that he never wanted to see me again, and you had convinced yourself that I was dead. Reunion was no longer possible. I followed Khabazela down the hill, across the wild, rolling landscape, back to Lungile’s homestead, and to our Zululand life.

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