Category The Second Mind

The Father Who Never Had One

The Father Who Never Had One holds his partner’s hands after learning he is going to become a father.

The Father Who Never Had One The father who never had one received a call. Maybe he was at work. Maybe surrounded by friends or family. Maybe he was alone. Mother asked him a question. “Guess what?” “You won the…

The Man Who Earned Less

The Man Who Earned Less sits quietly as his wife moves through their South African family home.

The Man Who Earned Less The man who earned less once made a promise. He made it long before he became the man who earned less. Perhaps it was before his career really took off. Perhaps even before marriage. He…

The Child Who Watched

The Child Who Watched teenage boy quietly listening from a bedroom doorway inside a South African suburban family home during an ordinary evening.

The Child Who Watched The child who watched went to school every morning. They received above average grades. Not the smartest in the class. Not failing either. Just scoring enough to guarantee a place in the next grade the following…

The Apology That Stayed

The Apology That Stayed The apology that stayed began with silence. A silence so deep it felt as though the house was empty. Cold. Haunted. All you could hear were the birds outside and the neighbours’ dogs barking somewhere beyond…

The Love You Started Performing

The Love You Started Performing — young South African man standing outside his suburban home during golden hour before losing his authentic identity

The Love You Started Performing The love you started performing didn’t begin with celebrations. It began with a whole you. An authentic version of yourself who radiated confidence. Not the performance type of confidence you later built for the outside…