by Vivien Vale
“Just what? Finish that sentence.”
“You just...don’t seem like an animal person. And Edgar’s friends and family did ransack your tent a few days ago.”
I shrug, at a loss for words. I just hope I don’t look as defensive as I feel.
Adelaide leans in and kisses me, and for a few seconds, I almost drop the fucking monkey. She then grabs her medical bag and throws on her sunglasses.
It’s crazy how perfect she looks without even trying. I bet she doesn’t even realize it.
“Okay, I’m heading out. Bye, you guys!” She waves from the door like a mom dropping off her kids at school for the first time.
“If you need anything, send someone to the hospital to come get me.”
As soon as she runs out the door, Edgar starts doing his best Steven Tyler impression. Who knew such a tiny creature could wail like this? He has a better set of lungs than I do.
I place him down in his bundle of blankets and start to panic. Considering all the situations I’ve been in, the stressful life-or-death circumstances that still haunt me today, it’s crazy that taking care of a baby monkey is the one task that will do me in.
I grab the bottle of milk from the basket of supplies and start to gently press it against Edgar’s mouth. For a second or two, I feel like a genius as he quietly suckles.
But when too much milk drips out of the bottle, drenching his face, he goes back to the ol’ banshee yell.
“Damn it.” I throw the bottle in the basket. “I thought we were friends.”
I grab more blankets from the basket as carefully as I can, and wrap them around Edgar’s body so that he looks like a little burrito. I pick him up and cradle him in my arms.
“Shhh, it’s okay. Come on, you’re better than this.”
I don’t know why I’m speaking to the monkey as if he took a college course in English.
It doesn’t even matter because Edgar seems hell-bent on letting the whole village know of his existence. After five more minutes of ear-splitting cries, I can’t take it anymore.
“That’s fucking it!”
I unravel Edgar from his blanket burrito and place him on the floor.
“What do you want?”
God, I sound pathetic.
“Are you hungry? Sleepy? Gassy? I don’t speak monkey, so help me out here.”
Edgar looks up at me with this little black eyes and, surprisingly, stops crying.
He actually stops crying!
He then walks around the edge of the hut, running his tiny hands across the floor, picking up the little rocks he finds along the way.
Ah, I get it now. All the little guy wanted to do was explore. Knowing that, I calm down a bit and enjoy the high of relief.
I was worried there for a second. I can’t imagine what that call to Adelaide would sound like.
“Dr. Johansen, your husband broke monkey.”
I shake my head. Did I really just think of myself in terms of her husband? The monkey was obviously fucking with my head.
I cross my legs and sit on the floor with him. Man, what a life this little guy has. Torn away from his mother and now forced to live with strangers of a different species.
In a weird way, he sort of reminds me of my own upbringing. I, too, was an orphan who bounced around from foster home to foster home. You never outgrow that feeling of knowing you’re unwanted.
As I watch Edgar enjoy his newfound sense of freedom, I notice him getting dangerously close to the window after climbing on top of the table.
I stand up slowly, trying not to set off the monkey alarm.
“Edgar, come here." My voice is so high and pathetic. I can’t stand it. "Come here, boy. Get away from that ledge.”
Edgar looks back at me, contemplating his life choices, and just like that — boom. He’s out the window.
Motherfucker.
I scramble out the hut and see his little body running down a dirt path. All the villagers ignore him because, hey, just another dumb monkey, right?
I chase him, but just as I start to get close, I trip over a bucket of laundry. My dirt-covered shoe goes right into the tub, dirtying some poor woman’s clean clothes and drenching my boots in soapy water.
“Ma’am, I’m so sorry! Um, samahani?”
The woman glares at me, her eyes piercing my soul. Considering how scarce water is, I’ve truly fucked her over. She knows it, I know it.
I wish there was some way to make it up to her, but apparently I’m too much of a worthless piece of shit to do anything right today.
“I’m so sorry.” Desperate, I try explaining the situation. “I was rushing trying to find a monkey. A monkey? The little animals who steal stuff?”
Her eyes morph from blind hatred to concern.
“Monkey?”
“Yes!” I’m relieved she understands. “Yes, a monkey. He ran that way.”
The old woman leans around me, her eyes searching the dusty path that Edgar disappeared into. She then points and starts yelling something in Swahili. I turn and look in the direction she’s pointing but don’t see Edgar anywhere.
“I don’t understand.”
The old woman rolls her eyes and, with two pinky fingers in her mouth, lets out a loud whistle. Edgar pokes his head out from behind a hut as if summoned.
The little sucker didn’t wander nearly as far as I thought he did. He skips up to the woman and climbs up her shoulder as she feeds him a small piece of fruit. Needless to say, I’m fucking amazed.
“How did you know he’d come back like that?”
It’s like a miracle. I honestly feel like kissing this old lady right now — no teeth and all. I owe this woman a lifetime of clean laundry.
But will this little trick work if I take a stab at it?
As Edgar eats his treat, I slowly walk several paces back in the direction of Adelaide’s hut. Just like the old lady, I put two fingers in my mouth and let out a loud whistle.
Edgar, obediently, hops off the woman’s shoulder and runs to me like a well-trained robot.
Unbelievable.
I pick him up in my arms and breathe a sigh of relief. The nightmare is over. Now I know why parents are miserable all the damn time.
I seriously want to lie down and take a thousand-year nap.
When I get back to the hut, I put Edgar back into his blanket palace. He curls up and sleeps right away, clearly all tuckered out from his day of adventures.
As much stress as he’s caused me today, the little bastard is kinda growing on me. Maybe animals and me aren’t just a bad mix after all.
When he wakes up I’m going to teach him some more tricks. I’m sure I’ll be able to teach him fetch and other cool stuff.
Chapter 26
Adelaide
I tap my pen against the clipboard I’m holding.
In my mind, I’m playing the opening bars to some melody I know, but if I had to name it, I wouldn’t be able to. The tune is stuck from some television commercial. Annoying how those things worm their way into your head and won’t ever leave.
I sigh.
It’s not looking good. No matter how many times I go over the stock in the cupboard, I come up with the same result.
My supplies are running low.
Low medical supplies spells danger. And I mean in danger—in the sense of life and death. In an emergency, I need full medical supplies to be able to deal with anything that may crop up.
If I don’t have a full cupboard of medicine, patient care can be compromised.
“Everything okay?”
I spin around.
“How do you do that,” I rouse on Ford.
“Do what?”
I slap him gently on the chest.
“Sneak up on me like that.”
Without a response, he grabs me around the waist and kisses me.
Struggling against him is useless. Of course I don’t really want to struggle against him.
On the contrary—I want him to pick me up and take
me back to my hut.
What am I thinking?
There’s no time for that sort of stuff. I’ve got important work to do. And he no doubt has to go on another perimeter check or something.
He releases me.
My chest is heaving as if I’ve just set a new world record in the hundred meter sprint.
“If you keep doing that I won’t get any work done around here,” I grumble and pick up the clipboard, which I accidentally dropped.
“What are you doing?”
His eyes run over my writing.
“Writing a list of medical supplies we need.”
He furrows his brow.
“And how are you getting those delivered?”
I sigh.
It’s just like Ford to get into super serious protection mode. Whatever I’m going to say now is going to be the wrong answer.
Pity he won’t lighten up about this security stuff. It can get rather wearing. I mean, does he seriously believe I’m a risk way out here in the middle of nowhere?
I can’t see it myself.
But then again that might be the problem. I’m too relaxed, and Ford is too tense. Together we’ll bring the right mix of worry and concern to the problem.
Life sucks if you’ve got to be on guard just because you’ve got wealthy parents.
“I don’t have them sent from anywhere.”
“So someone else organizes it for you?”
I shake my head and his frown deepens. I’m not sure why I’m reluctant to spell it out, but I guess I don’t think he’ll take my news very well. I don’t want to argue with him.
“I’ve got to pick them up.”
“From where?”
I’m sure I can see his mind work already. He’s thinking ahead. He’s thinking security nightmare.
“Nairobi.”
“What the fuck?” he shouts, and I’m pleased there’s no one nearby to hear him.
“You know what attracts attention?” I put my hands on my hips. “You yelling and carrying on. And once you attract attention, people will start asking questions.”
I know my own voice is getting a little louder, but I’m warming up to my rant.
“The more you carry on the worse it gets. With all this attention, one day someone will ask what’s going on. And then they will find out who I am and then the shit will hit the fan.”
I leave not waiting for his response.
“And I’m going to Nairobi to get supplies whether you like it or not.”
I stride to my hut, knowing it’s better if I get going. I need to pack and arrange for the pilot to pick me up.
“If you’re going, I’m going.”
I wasn’t surprised that he’s behind me.
I bite my lip. Of course I want him to come. I just don’t want him to be so uptight about this security crap all the time.
“Okay,” I mutter and pull out my bag.
“How many days?”
I turn to him and shrug.
“One, maybe two.”
He nods and gets his own gear into a bag.
Suddenly, he stops, and I sense him behind me. He’s so close I can feel his warm breath on my cheek.
“I don’t want to fight,” he murmurs into my ear.
I give an involuntary shudder.
“I don’t either,” I mumble and turn to face him.
“Good,” he’s grinning now. “Then let’s not.”
I nod.
Before I can stop him his mouth is on mine. This time it’s a light, quick peck.
“Have you radioed the pilot?”
I shake my head.
“I’ll do it while you finish packing.”
Gone is the Ford who barks orders and fears an attack behind every corner and under every rock. But he’s probably wanting to radio the pilot for security measures, and I sigh at the thought.
If I leave him to it, he’ll feel like he’s doing his job.
What’s the harm in that?
None.
Before I find Ford, I went to my nurse and leave her instructions on what to do in case of an emergency. Fingers crossed, everyone will get along just fine for a few days without their daktari.
I smile at myself.
I’ve been here too long already that I’m starting to think of myself as a local.
As I stride through the village looking for Ford, I acknowledge my feelings. I like it here. I may not want to leave.
What about Ford?
He hasn’t said anything about long term. It’s probably too early. But if we were to stay together, would he stay here?
Would this be too boring for a man like Ford after a few weeks?
So many questions and so few answers.
Ford waits for me by the pick up truck.
“Perimeter checked and secured?” I joke and ignore the look he gives me.
“Off to the airport,” he says and climbs aboard.
It’s not a long drive, but a hard one.
The truck seems to have almost no suspension and the road about a billion bumps. Thankfully, I had very little for breakfast, otherwise I might be wearing it again.
“Can’t you drive any gentler?” I ask jokingly at Ford who only grimaces.
It’s quite noisy inside the cabin. I make a mental note to check out the cost of a new pick up truck. Surely, we must be able to rustle up some money to replace this old rust bucket.
Ford parks it at the airport and helps me out. He smiles at me, and I’m please he’s coming along this trip.
It wouldn’t feel right to do it on my own.
Funny how quickly I’ve got used to him.
The pilot is waiting by the plane. Involuntarily, I shiver at the sight of the size of the aircraft.
Had it always been this small? Was that rust on the right wing?
“Hey, my man,” Ford greets the pilot and hands him our bags.
It doesn’t escape me that the pilot is eyeing Ford off. When he returns to get us on board, he turns to Ford.
“No stunt getting into Nairobi,” he mutters. “You not jump out of plane or you arrested.”
I look at Ford who only shrugs.
Obviously, there’s a story behind the comments of the pilot, but I don’t pursue it. If Ford doesn’t want to enlighten me, so be it.
As soon as we both have our seat belt fastened, the plane gets ready for take off.
I kept my eyes glued to the window as the dry countryside zooms by faster and faster. In the distance, I see elephants, giraffe, and a group of lionesses lying under the shade of a tree.
I swallow the lump that always forms in the pit of my stomach as the plane lifts off the ground. Suddenly, I feel Ford’s hand on my thigh.
“Look,” he whispers into my ear and points out the small window.
I strain to see what he’s pointing at.
“What?” I finally ask since I’m not sure what I’m meant to be looking at.
“Look at how amazing this country this.”
My eyes find his.
He’s grinning from ear to ear. I don’t think I’ve eve seen him so relaxed.
“I mean I know it’s dry and has its problems. But at the same time, it’s fucking beautiful, don’t you agree?”
I chuckle.
His trick is working, and I already feel better.
The plane levels off, and I take a deep breath. This trip is going to be a lot better with Ford coming with me. I could get used to him by my side.
The question is, could Ford get used to being by my side, or will he tire of me and my lifestyle?
We haven’t had the conversation about our future. We haven’t talked about anything involving us.
I sigh.
Why dwell on something that may or may not be a problem?
It’s time to just enjoy the moment. There’s plenty of opportunity to think about possible problems and how to solve them another day.
Chapter 27
Adelaide
I close my eyes and brace for
the impact.
As soon as the two wheels hit the ground, the aircraft lurches from side to side before the pilot regains control and we start to slow down considerably.
We’ve gone from a few hundred miles to just a few miles.
I glance at Ford. His calmness personified. From what I know, nothing upsets him.
When he catches me looking, he takes my hand and gives it a little squeeze.
“Made it,” he says and leans forward to kiss me.
Being the only two passengers in a small plane, it takes little time to disembark. After the pilot hands us our bags, we’re on our way. I pay for a taxi to take us to our hotel.
The expense is worth it because I reach my destination quickly. I’m no good to anyone if I fall in a heap.
What’s the point of walking to our hotel and collapse with sheer exhaustion?
When the taxi stops outside the Sangkara Nairobi, I quash any doubt in my mind.
So it’s a five star hotel. Sure, it’s expensive. But heck, I’m worth it.
It’s not as if I waste money on anything extravagant any time of the year.
I’m not using funds provided by Doctors Without Borders. I’m using my own money for the little luxury of a good hotel. Since I don’t come to town often, and I’ve worked hard over the last few months, I think I deserve the treat.
Unlike my peers, I haven’t bought a new dress in forever; neither have I been shoe shopping or putting any money through the pokies.
“You coming or you’ve grown roots in there?”
Ford’s voice rouses me from my navel gazing.
I’m not sure whom I’m trying to convince by justifying my actions, myself or someone else?
“Coming.”
When I go to the cab’s trunk to pick up my bag, I see Ford’s already got it.
We enter the grand entrance side by side and walk toward reception.
Large wall-to-ceiling glass front doors in gold and brass fittings gives guests the feeling that the hotel’s different.
In today’s market you have to stand out—be different.
“We’ve booked a room,” I say to the young woman behind the marble counter looking very efficient.
“Ford and Adelaide—”
“Mr. and Mrs. Armstrong. I’ve got you in one of our deluxe suits.”
At the mention of Mr. and Mrs., my cheeks flush. Wow.
