The Wall

31

Thembinkosi opened the wardrobe in the large bedroom. As he did so, he recalled the slip in his jacket pocket. Better not bring that up right now.

“Well?” Nozipho asked.

“Pick something out.”

“But what?”

“Whatever fits. And looks good on you. And you like.”

“Hmm… And you think this is the best strategy?”

“Can you think of anything better? The maid get-up is only good as long as no one looks too closely. Now we need something new.”

Nozipho pulled a dress out of the closet. Yellow and white pinstripes. Sleeveless. She hung it back up. Another one was red with randomly splattered ochre spots. A plain one in navy.

“What’s wrong?” Thembinkosi asked. “They’re all nice.”

“Don’t really fit.”

“What do you mean? Too tight?”

Thembinkosi picked one up and examined it. It was black, and the fabric flowed pleasantly through his fingers. Somehow the fashionable dresses didn’t fit with the rest of the apartment.

“Obviously too tight.”

“Mmhmm… Just keep looking. You’ll find something.”

When Nozipho didn’t reply, he added: “And even if something’s a little tight… I like it that way. And the boys out there will, too!”

“Get out now,” Nozipho ordered. “I’ll figure it out.”