Lien se Lankstaanskoene | Cheers op Binnelandse Sake | English Summary

 

Lien se Lankstaanskoene by Derick van der Walt

Cheers op Binnelandse Sake

Lien begins to understand her character as Maria. She can relate to the way Maria thinks. For instance, when she ponders the meaning of life, even if they are entirely different. When Lien gets home, she sees her mom sitting on the carpet with her earphones in and her face red. She sees the coffee mug next to her, and then she smells the alcohol. When her mom sees her, she tries to hide the mug at first but then tells Lien that it is just a little wine to celebrate not working for "Binnelandse Sake" (Department of Home Affairs) anymore. She describes her mom as yellow and happy. Lien is angry. She finds her mother's wine and downs a whole glass of it. Her stomach does react well, and she vomits. When Braam arrives home, he is just as hopeless as Lien. She wonders whether her mom was fired or if she resigned and how they will pay the rent at the end of the month. Her mother carries on drinking, and Lien has to buy everything necessary in the house, and Braam is always staying over at a friend's house. Lien has saved enough money for a plane ticket to London but worries that she might need to use the money to pay for rent. She has lost her sense of responsibility and decides that Braam will have to look after himself when she is gone. 'Tannie Bets' and the pastor tell Lien and Braam that their mom has tried to steal something at the grocery shop and has now gone back to the clinic for further treatment. Lien convinces the two adults that she will pay the rent and look after herself and Braam if they can stay in the flat.

SummariesKeroshan PillayComment