Life, Above All Page #2

- He asked for them.

- What for?

He's going to Jo'burg.

- When will he come back?

- I don't know.

I want Papa to come home. Now!

Iris!

- What are you doing?

- I'm playing with Sarah.

- What?

- Sarah lives here.

That's impossible.

Why?

Because she's an angel.

She doesn't want you playing here.

How would you know?

You and Mama don't love her

anymore, not like me and Papa.

Jonah?

He'd be with us

if he loved us so much.

He loves Soly and me, not you.

You're jealous because

he's not your father.

You'll be sorry when he comes home.

You should stay with us.

Esther is waiting for me.

You should see less of her.

I don't understand.

- I like Esther, she's nice...

- I don't care what people say.

Chanda, I don't think

she's a suitable friend.

You understand?

I say this because I worry about you.

Worry?

Is this you talking, or her?

How dare you!

I saw her sell herself to truckers.

- That's a lie!

- It's God's truth!

- Chanda.

- Let her go, Lillian.

- Why don't you go in?

- They took my key.

You want to see my new room?

- You sleep here?

- They think I'm dirty.

They're crazy!

A good thing my sister and brothers

are at our uncle's.

Otherwise they'd live like me.

Sorry your mother is sick.

Who says that?

Nobody. You miss school a lot.

Looking after a family is hard.

And I saw her with a cane.

Not a cane, a walking stick,

to avoid stumbling at the cemetery.

You're my best friend.

- I do love you.

- What do you mean?

- She's very thin.

- She's fine!

You may be clever,

but you can be so stupid.

- Talk like that is stupid!

- My parents said so too.

- So what?

- You think she's different?

- Will your aunt care for you?

- Shut up, Esther!

- It's just that...

- That's enough!

Forgive me. I'm sorry.

Esther, it's not...

Forgive me. I'm sorry, Esther.

Mama.

You still think about Papa?

It was hard, darling.

The family abandoned us.

You were already on the way.

I know you don't like Mrs. Tafa...

...but she was there

for your father and me.

She helped us a lot.

It's not her.

It's you who worked so hard.

I was naive, my darling.

I was in love.

A village girl.

I didn't know what would happen...

...if I disobeyed.

I was courageous...

...but I was too ignorant...

...to manage...

...to do what I wanted to do.

But you, my darling...

...you're smarter...

...than I was.

You amaze me.

She's resting.

- I have to speak to your mother.

- She has a headache.

When my Emmanuel was killed,

I slept all the time.

But life goes on.

The headache will go away.

Hello!

- We are fine!

- Fine.

Tell her I have a plan.

I won't budge until then!

Tell her I have a plan.

You're going to love Dr. Chilume.

He's a genius.

He has six degrees.

They're hanging on the walls...

...framed with gold seals

and red ribbons.

He can cure anything.

Cancer, colitis, TB.

He knows everything.

This other thing too.

He has a secret potion.

I wonder if his potion

can also cure farting.

Do you remember?

My father built that.

If he's so rich,

it's because he's the best.

So smarten up.

Breathe. Again.

Again.

You're suffering from insomnia...

...depression and rheumatism.

Can you help me?

Yes. I have all sorts of remedies.

Before long,

you'll be feeling better.

And you'll quickly be back

to your normal life.

Doctor, how much will it cost?

Six hundred rands.

- I can't afford that.

- You can't afford not to.

Dr. Chilume,

are these your degrees?

Yes, indeed.

All your medicine

comes from Herbatex?

You seem like a well-educated girl.

That's true.

She reads my mail to me.

She's clever.

Scholarship material.

Should I read them to you?

I think I can offer an alternative

remedy for your mother.

Doctor, will it be just as good?

And cheaper?

Chanda! How rude!

No, it's okay.

That I can guarantee.

Your daughter's loyalty and

intelligence really touch me.

I've decided to give you

a month's free treatment.

You've got nerve interrupting

the doctor like that.

Is that how you raised her?

Mrs. Tafa, she did well for us.

Lillian, the garments are so beautiful.

It's good to see you at church again.

- Lillian!

- You're looking good.

- I need money.

- Go back to school.

It's only 100 rands an hour.

No, go away. Get lost.

What are you looking at?

Go back to your hallelujahs.

Get lost.

What are you doing?

They all think I'm doing it anyway.

This way, I make money.

- You don't need to.

- What are you doing here?

Go away! We don't want kids here!

Go away!

She's right. Go home.

- I want to help you.

- You turned your back on me.

Come here, baby. Over here.

- I'm sorry.

- Yeah, sure.

Don't bother. Go home, I need to work.

Don't play with your food.

Sorry.

Finish eating.

Take me to the bedroom.

You're feverish.

You must go to the hospital.

- So the neighbors can gossip?

- No, because you need help.

I just need to rest...

...then I'll be fine.

It's nothing.

It's just a bruise.

Don't say that, Mama.

You should see a doctor.

A real doctor.

To examine you.

To be tested.

What, Chanda?

What are you saying?

Nothing.

I didn't say anything.

It's just that... Let me take you.

Please, Mama.

You worry too much.

That's enough.

I just need to rest.

- Is your mother here?

- She's lying down.

- I must talk to her.

- She's sleeping.

I've brought Jonah back.

- What?

- He was staying with us.

- He was with you?

- Yes, he seems to be going mad.

He's a drunk!

We don't have all day here!

- Go inside!

- Call your mama.

- Get out!

- I don't want to.

Get out, I tell you!

Kill me, but don't leave me here.

I'd rather die.

Get out!

Sorry, Chanda.

We can't keep him anymore.

Her milk killed my daughter.

My blood is good, my seed too.

You put a curse on me.

We have children.

Forgive me, brother.

Listen to me.

We'll find you a doctor.

A doctor?

I don't want your doctor.

You did this to me.

Dudu?

Is that you?

Help me.

I don't know you.

You're a dead man, a skeleton.

- I don't know you!

- But you and me...

Shut up! Don't talk to me!

Leave me alone! Shut up!

Go back to your homes.

Jonah, I'm sorry. Forgive me.

You can stay here

or come into the house.

Either way, we'll bring you

some water or clothing.

I'm going to the hospital to get help.

There is no help.

Number 325, 325?

- I need an ambulance!

- Get in line!

It's an emergency!

Everybody has an emergency!

Wait your turn!

There's a man who was beaten up.

He's under a cart.

You have to bring him here.

The doctors don't make house calls.

If he is hurt, call the police.

- Maybe they will bring him.

- They won't.

They won't touch him.

They won't even get close to him.

Nobody will.

He's very thin.

I think...

I think he's got...

Where is Jonah?

He's gone.

Is he dead?

Did somebody

do something to him?

He left on his own.

He wanted to go.

Mrs. Tafa told me.

An evil wind blows from the north,

from a village.

- Do we agree?

- Yes, we agree.

I see...

I see a raven.

It's hopping on one foot.

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