Eva Mazza - Sex, Lies & Stellenbosch

“I’m not asking you, Brigit, I’m telling you. Unlock your door. I need to talk to you and Pete.”

A moment later, Brigit appeared and reluctantly followed Jen to Pete’s cottage. On seeing them, he turned off the television and sat up. “What’s up?”

“Mom wants to chat to us. After being unavailable without any explanation for days, we now have to make ourselves available when she sees fit,” Brigit snapped.

The realisation that Brigit was, without a doubt, John’s daughter dawned on Jen. They were two peas in a pod: surly, bombastic and self-absorbed.

“Thank you, Brigit. That’s enough,” Jen said firmly.

“Please tell me you’re leaving him,” Pete said.

“Yes. I am. I’m sorry I’ve made it so difficult for you these past few days. It wasn’t my intention, but I needed time away from everyone and everything to try to figure out…”

Jen hesitated. She knew she had to be as honest as she could with her children. Although not everything in life had to be shared, some things needed to be divulged for clarity, and to move on.

“I can’t stay married, because your father has cheated on me.”

“We know,” Brigit said.

“He’s a cheating, lying…” Pete interjected. Jen stopped him.

“Don’t! Just remember that we’re all human. I am not defending your dad, but he is your father.” Brigit and Pete looked at each other. Jen continued. “I’m not guiltless myself.”

“What do you mean?” Pete asked.

“I have also kept a secret for years. I did want to tell your dad, but then I discovered I was pregnant. I was afraid he would leave me if he knew. So, I kept it from him to save my reputation and our relationship.”

Pete paused, a glass of red wine halfway to his mouth. “What secret?”

“I slept with Lee. Once. While Dad and I were dating.”

She waited for this to sink in, particularly with Brigit. She wanted to run away and hide, knowing the furore her revelation was about to cause.

“And you got pregnant ? Oh my God!”

It was just as she’d expected: Brigit was incensed.

“I could be Lee’s daughter?”

Jen didn’t answer.

“I can’t believe you. Pretending to be as pure as the driven snow! You cheated on Dad, and then you married him, knowing full well that I could be Lee’s child? I can’t believe you! I, I’m going to be sick.”

Brigit stumbled out of the room, slamming the cottage door behind her.

Pete called after her but stayed where he was. Then he looked at his mother.

“That’s a bit of a mind fuck for Brig, Ma!”

“Pour me a glass of that wine you’re drinking, Pete.” Pete got up, returning with a bottle of wine in one hand and a glass for Jen in the other.

“Keeping it a secret seemed like the right thing to do at the time,” Jen told her son. He handed her a full glass of red wine. She took a sip before she continued. “I felt I had no choice. My mother was already ashamed that I had fallen pregnant. My father would’ve been turning in his grave. I was already a huge disappointment, and I had to make it right. Lee tried pursuing me, but I loved your dad. You must know: I would’ve chosen your dad over Lee, even if I hadn’t been pregnant.”

“How did it happen?” Pete asked.

“Lee and I were a little drunk and a bit stoned.”

“Stoned?” Pete laughed. “Now I’ve heard it all, Ma.”

Jen looked at her beautiful son. She had to throw him into adulthood whether he wanted to grow up or not. She took a long sip of her wine and savoured the taste before she spoke.

“My lawyer, Leonard Mazwai, would like to meet you tomorrow after Lee’s memorial service. It’s important. It’s about our future and the future of the farm. Will you go?”

Pete nodded.

Jen had to sneak in through a side door of the Town Hall to avoid the book club girls who were waiting for Frankie at the entrance. The hall had been decorated with photographs of Lee from childhood. The most recent picture of him, Jen realised, had been taken at John’s party, which was the last time she had seen him.

She noticed Ron Opilet, sitting a few rows ahead of her. Surely he wasn’t there as Lee’s lawyer? Could it be that they had some other connection? Jen wouldn’t be surprised if he was one of Lee’s illicit business associates. He had a shady look that made her think he probably had a finger in many pies.

The service had been scheduled for eleven. At half past, Jen heard a commotion behind her at the entrance to the hall and, along with the rest of the congregation, she turned around to see the book club girls, led by Shelley, greet Frankie and Clive at the door with teary hugs and kisses. The congregation stood as Frankie swept to the front row, while the farm workers led the mourners, accompanied by the organist, in singing ‘Amazing Grace’.

Jen had wondered how she would feel seeing Frankie. She couldn’t help thinking she played a fine grieving widow. My ex-best friend is an expert at role-play. Frankie had played Lee’s besotted girlfriend and his vixen wife to the envy of everyone. When Clive was born, she took on the role of milf. So much so that Clive appeared to be little more than a wonderful accessory. The role of Jen’s best friend had been her best performance to date.

Frankie, appearing distraught but strong, was carefully and alluringly dressed. Patty caught Jen’s eye from across the aisle. It was as if she had read Jen’s thoughts, and they smiled knowingly at each other.

The minister took to the podium once Frankie, Clive and the group of women were seated. He welcomed the mourners and thanked them for joining Lee’s family in “bidding farewell to Lee Holms: respected husband, father, son and friend”.

Jen noticed that she wasn’t the only one to shift uncomfortably as he went on to remind them of life’s only certainty: death.

“You cannot live your life here on earth by your rules. God has given you a set of rules to live by. Remember the Ten Commandments?

“Are you living as God would have you live in this life? The party, dear friends, is not here on earth, it is in heaven.”

That was pretty sobering, Jen thought. Patty looked at her and pulled a face as if to say, I guess I’m not going to any party in heaven!

Jen smiled and shrugged, trying to convey a silent It seems we’re all doomed.

“Let us pray for the soul of the deceased, Lee Holms, and for the souls of everyone gathered here today.”

The congregation rose and sang the hymn ‘Be Still and Know That I Am God’ .

John then got up to speak. “Pastor Donald would be remiss if he didn’t remind us of our own deaths. This is, after all, part of his job, which he has carried out very well. Thank you, Pastor Donald. I speak for myself when I say that I am truly rattled.”

There were a few chuckles from the congregation.

“We’re here to celebrate the life of Lee, as well as mourn his death. I think we can safely say that we are all sinners. I am counting on God being a loving God and a forgiving God. If, as Pastor Donald says, there’s a party in heaven, God would have no guests if he didn’t make a few concessions; and I’m sure that Lee will be one God would invite to the celebration. What kind of a party would it be without him?”

Everyone laughed. Even Jen caught herself smiling. This is why I fell for him . He has a sense of humour and he can get away with being cheeky.

“I have known Lee ever since we were old enough to be aware of one another’s existence. We grew up as brothers; Lee had no siblings and I only had sisters. Our mothers were friends and from an early age we would play while they met for tea. We went to school together and that’s where we met the rest of the gang: Frans, Larry, Matthew, Jesse, Dwain and Luke. As a group, we were formidable. Since pre-primary school, we have done just about everything together. The group can attest to Lee’s and my competitive streak. We competed for everything. Instead of pushing us apart, it brought us together.