Tanya waits for hours on end, Dylan hasn’t called. All sorts of scenarios start going through her head. She starts baking just to calm down.
Finally, she hears the gate opening and a car in the driveway. It’s almost midnight. Dylan comes through the door, he looks upset.
“Dee.. what happened? You didn’t call, I was worried. Did you find Tapiwa wacho?”
He sits on the kitchen stool and takes a minute to respond,
“ I heard you called the police…Thank you. I was about to smash that stupid boy’s skull in!”
“Did you hurt him?”
He sighs,
“ If one punch can be called hurting. The police barged in before it got worse. Tanya the boy must be sick in the head. I found him there, drunk zvake..I tried to talk to him,told him to apologize. You know what he said? Who wants that weakling of a woman anyway? No one will ever want her.. I lost it,grabbed him and I was about to send him to his grave..”
Tanya is clearly shocked at her husband’s rage. He’s never been one to give in to his anger.
“So what did the police say?”
“They took him in and charged him for assaulting Annie. I was fined ofcourse.”
Tanya lets out the breath she was holding. She’s relieved that’s all he got.
“ They’ll be a court hearing of course. And I’m sure Annie will win; she has enough evidence. Unless she chooses to drop the charges.”
Tanya hadn’t thought of that possibility. Annie might want to let bygones be bygones. And as they all believe in God, forgiveness should definitely be the next step. But do they want to?? A lot has happened and has been said, and yet they still must think about Tapiwa and how to forgive him.
They go to bed that night riddled with a lot of questions and burdens. They will call Pastor Ben tomorrow and update on everything that has happened in the past few days. He’ll surely know what to tell them.
The next day they make a Skype call to Pastor Ben.
“Baba naMai Tembo,how are you? I was beginning to think you forgot about me,” he chuckles.
“Sorry Pastor, it’s been a hard few days…” Dylan says .
“Well fill me in…”
Dylan speaks as short and precise as possible about all they’ve been through the last couple of days. Pastor Ben listens intently, never interrupting.
“How do we even qualify to mentor these young people? We have failed already!”
Tanya also speaks,” I don’t think it was a good idea for you to hand these kids over to us. We tried but…”
At that Pastor Ben raises his hand,
“No, it is not in the plan of God. Failure never is. You have not failed; you’ve simply been handed a task that you feel you have no capacity for. If you had not come into these children’s lives, they would probably be married. And who knows what might have befallen Annie. Yes it’s a sad situation, but see how God has already used you. You see, He will not give you a burden you cannot carry.
God’s plan for Tapiwa and Annie will prevail; and you are a part of it. Let Him use you. Don’t give up yet.”
And with that, he gives a short prayer and wishes them well. He also mentions he is glad to see them resolving their issues on their own, referring to the money matter. It shows maturity, He says.
Dylan and Tanya both agree that after that call they feel a little hopeful. It is true that if Annie hadn’t heard Mhamha’s testimony she’d probably be in an abusive marriage or God forbid, dead.
It’s a relief to finally see it from another perspective. Maybe they still can help Annie and Tapiwa.
Later in the day Tanya’s phone rings and she sees it’s her old boss’s number.
“Tanya, hi.. I know it’s been quite a while. I’ve been busy filling in your old position, everyone’s had to pitch in. My deepest condolences again..”
“Thank you. How can I help you?”
“Well Tanya, I’d like you back at work..as soon as possible. You’re the best at what you do and you’ve been with us for years. You know this organisation like you know your children.”
Tanya hesitates.
“We can have you back part time for now, since you just gave birth and then we can talk from there… I wouldn’t ask if I didn’t really need you.”
Tanya knows this is true. Her former boss is the epitome of professionalism and independence. She runs a tight ship; if she admits to a need, then she’s in need. Plus, Tanya knows they need the money seeing as their savings are wiped out. But if course she has to talk it out with Dylan first. Assuming always gets her into trouble.
“I really haven’t had the chance to talk to my husband about it. Can you give me a few days?”
“I’ll give you till Friday. Thanks Tanya, for at least listening.”
Tanya hangs up and feels nervous about talking to Dylan. She sincerely hopes this is not another argument in the making…
