HeartWorks

by Charmaine Gordon

  “Piet, you are going to ruin that hat of yours...just look at what you are doing.”

  The hat has been wrung like a rag between his hands...feeling his face heating up...he grabs her suitcase...avoiding her eyes...and leads the way across to her tent...the wild flowers waiting in a glass jar.

  “I forgot I was holding it...Ag never mind...I can always get another. Peggy, this is your tent, and I hope you will be comfortable...th...th...thank you for coming.”

  “The pleasure is all mine big man...thank you for inviting me...I guess I have not told you, but I have always wanted to live in the wilds...I am fascinated by the animals of Africa.”

  Her words sent shivers through Piet...anticipation of being able to share what he loves, with the person he had lost his heart to. It gives him courage, and not before too long he has Peggy totally captivated with tales of days gone by. As they walked towards the banks of the mighty Zambezi River, she slips her arm through his...so engrossed in sharing his love of Africa with this lovely woman...Piet does not even notice.

  That was the outer shell he projected...inside he just turned to mush each time she touches him, and his heart soars above the vast river...his heart pounding so hard, he is afraid she will hear it. One question is burning away at him...he has to know how much time he has with Peggy...how much time he has to build up the courage to tell her he loves her.

  “Peggy...how long are you going to spend here in the camp?”

  “Why Piet, I only just got here...you want to get rid of me already?”

  “Nee, nee...moer, know ways...that is not what I meant...I...I just was wondering how many days I have to enjoy your company...that’s all.”

  “Well, seeing as you put it that way...you are stuck with me for a week Mr Man...Think you can handle that?”

  A feeling of absolute joy the fills the burly South African at these words and makes him want to do the dance of joy...but he sucks it up...looks down at her...and kisses her softly on the tip of her nose.

  “I’ve got lots to show you...I am glad that you will be here for a week...welcome to my world Peggy.”

  Chapter 6

  The days passed too quickly for Piet, he finds that there are not enough hours in the day. With the dawning of each new day, he strengthens his resolve, determined to tell Peggy how he feels about her...marches out of his tent, brimming with confidence...today is going to be the day, and before he knows it, the day has gone and they are saying good night, moving off to their separate tents.

  That night he lies awake in his bed, thinking of her. The flickering flames from the campfire dancing on the outside of the tent...the lonesome howl of a jackal rings out through the still night, the hoot of a hunting owl and the call of the creatures of the night...all looking for the same thing...a mate...someone to love.

  “Moer...I bet she is fast asleep...man she is just something else...she makes me feel whole. Damn I wish I had the courage to take her in my arms...look into those eyes of hers and tell her how I feel. Five days gone by van Zyl...it is slipping through your fingers boet...get a grip man...get a grip.”

  Across the open space between the flickering camp fire, Peggy lies awake in her bed. Her head filled with thoughts of Piet van Zyl. She knows without a doubt that she is in love with the big man...she is almost sure he feels the same way. Call it woman’s intuition...but she knows like she knows.

  “I bet he is fast asleep...nothing at all on his mind. Wow! But he is really an amazing man...I could very easily just throw caution to the wind and tell him how I feel. I wish he would just take me in his arms and hold me close...forget about being scared and tell me he loves me.”

  As the moon climbs up into the clear African sky, the fire starts to die down...a small breeze sends whispers through the trees, both Piet and Peggy fell asleep...each one with their dreams...each one not knowing that you should be careful what you wish for...it just might come true!

  The cry of the Fish Eagle echoes across the Zambezi heralding the arrival of another day in Africa, the snorts from the hippo pod and the faraway bark from a troop of baboon, the songs of the wild birds in the trees around the camp, mingle in with the chatter of the resident primates as Piet and Peggy make ready for what Piet hopes will be the highlight of her visit...a day trip into the Zambezi Valley...then a walking safari into the savannah grasslands.

  Most of all, he hopes that today will be the day that he finds the courage to tell her how he feels...even if he just slips it in quickly...sort of ...

  ”Oh by the way Peggy...I love you.”

  Peggy watches the big man...a smile playing on her lips...she can see him fighting with his inner self...the inner turmoil...trying so hard to be Mr Cool. Then it struck her...

  ”Today of all days...the 14th February...Valentine’s Day...The day for lovers...hmmm maybe just maybe he has something up his sleeve.”

  The camp drops behind them as they head off in the direction of the valley, the sun climbing up into the sky...both with their own thoughts...both wanting nothing more than to belong to each other...both wanting this to never end.

  The day is perfect...almost perfect because as far as Piet is concerned he dries up every time he starts to tell Peggy how he feels, so he loses himself in acting as a guide, allowing himself to be swallowed up in her company...the parked Land Rover gets further and further away as they walked through the grasslands. Peggy marvelling at everything Piet points out...the herd of Impala, the buffalo, a pride of well fed lion in the shade of a cluster of thorn trees, the tall giraffe moving with grace across the open plains, the leopard with its kill up in the fork of a tree.

  Both are so absorbed in the wonders of Africa, that they fail to see the thunder clouds building up overhead...the wind picks up and with it the rain comes...suddenly...soaking both of them...their cloths sticking to them like a second skin.

  The lightning flashes across the dark African sky, lighting up the rolling storm clouds, as the thunder hammers down, the rain hitting their exposed skin like darts...stinging and a chill sweeping through their bodies.

  “Man Peggy, sorry man...I got carried away...we need to find some shelter from this storm. The Land Rover is just too far away...come let’s run.”

  With his rifle in one hand, Peggy’s hand in the other Piet leads the way through the tall savannah grass, moving as quickly as possible, heading towards a cluster of trees off to the right, from the path they have been following, when suddenly Piet loses his grip on Peggy’s hand as she trips over large rock, hidden in the grass.

  She lands hard; her ankle twisting under her as she falls...Piet can see the pain written on her face as tears mingled with the rain. Without thinking, he stoops down and picks her up effortlessly, and then as the storm increased its attack, he moves down the steep muddy slope of a donga...hoping for some kind of shelter...cursing himself for the situation they are now in.

  The bottom of the donga is filled with thick brush, so he carefully makes sure they hve the place to themselves, moves Peggy under the bushes, and then joins her...holding her close...acting as a shield against the driving rain.

  The donga into which they have crawled seeking shelter from the sudden fury of the storm starts to fill with the downpour from the heavens, a small river flowing under their shaking bodies. Piet can feel the woman shivering against him as the cold sets in and the burly South African pulls her closer, his strong arms holding her close, offering her what warmth his own body can supply.

  Over and over the safari owner curses himself for not paying more attention to what was happening around them, but he had eyes for nothing but the blonde blue eyed woman with him...damn he felt like a bloody schoolboy with a massive crush on the head cheerleader, and now the woman who has stolen his heart lies next to him...dripping wet...shivering with cold and with a possible sprained ankle.

  “Fok, after this is over, and we get out of here alive I doubt if she will even smile at me again in the bank...fok Piet, you are so bloody stupid...you find s
omeone that could be your soul mate, and you flush it all down the toilet. Shit I don’t even have the courage to tell her how I feel...but I know in my heart, this one is made for me.”

  The woman beside Piet groans in pain. Her beautiful features twisted in a grimace as the cold from the storm washes over her...her face is a mask in the dim light but he can see how pale she is. He looks down at her left leg and can see the redness of the skin and the swelling starting up around her ankle. Piet pulls her closer...savouring her closeness...he kisses her softly on the forehead...Peggy looks up at him...he can see the pain in her eyes...but a small smile touches her lips.

  Piet removes his soaking wet jacket, and starts to cut strips from the material with his hunting knife. The ankle needs to be splinted, and slowly he moves the leg out, removes her shoe and places padding around the swelling and then applies the makeshift splint. A soft groan escapes from Peggy’s lips causing him to look at her in alarm, but thankfully, she has passed out, giving the lovesick South Africa a chance to complete the job.

  Once Piet is happy that the ankle has been stabilised, he settles back next to Peggy, puts his arms around her once more, offering her what warmth he can...his mind flies back to three months ago when he walked into the main bank in Lusaka...stood in the queue waiting for his turn with the teller, and was then rendered speechless as he gazed into those lovely blue eyes that looked back at him across the counter...her smile dazzling him...how his heart thumped in his chest.

  A flash of lightning forks earthwards, splitting a mighty monarch of the African bush in two. The rain increases as it hammers down on the two people huddled in the donga. The woman burrows closer to the big man...seeking warmth...and a smile plays on his lips as he remembers Jacobs words...as he remembers the impact this woman has made on him.

  “Bwana Piet...you must take your courage in your hands...Eish!...the man that will hunt a wounded buffalo is scared of a woman...ai ai ai Bwana...you must speak what your heart feels, for if you lose her...your life will be meaningless.”

  Piet pulls the shivering woman closer...kisses her softly again on the forehead and looks into her beautiful face...gathers up his courage in his hands and whispers softly to the unconscious woman...or so he thought.

  “Peggy ...um...wat ek wil sé...I mean...ah...Ag fok...I love you.”

  He feels her arms tighten around him...pulling him downwards towards her face, and before Piet can protest...finds himself being kissed...softly, gently and then with more urgency...the burly South Africa allows himself to get lost in the kiss...returns the kiss...holding her close...not wanting this to ever end.

  They pull apart...look deeply into each other’s eyes...both realising that something magical has just happened...and then without saying anything, they kiss again...long...deep...with the passion that they both feel, until finally Peggy pulls away...looking up at Piet...that smile on her lips.

  “Wow! van Zyl...you really know how to get a girls attention...talk about fireworks...is that you or the lightning.”

  Piet opens his mouth to say something, but the rolling thunder drowns out his words.

  “Hold me Piet...I’m cold...and tell me big man...was I dreaming just now, or did you say something like... Ag fok...I love you...I’m not sure I heard you.”

  Piet feels his pulse rate increase, looks down at her upturned face. The falling rain washes away the big man’s misgivings, his fears and as if he is killing for the pot...he shoots straight for the heart.

  “Peggy...I just want you to know how I feel about you...I...I...I’m in love with you lady...I would like to grow old with you...share my life with you...that is...um...that is if you will have me.”

  “Oh Piet van Zyl...a girl could not ask for a better Valentine’s Day present...I love you Piet, with all my heart...and if that is a proposal...well I’m just going to have to think about it...I mean it is not every day that a man tells a woman he loves her...sitting in the mud...in the middle of a donga in the pouring rain.”

  “Moer...it is Valentine’s Day...shit I slipped up again...I did not even know.”

  “Well big man...if you don’t tell anyone you forgot...neither will I...it can be our secret. Now van Zyl...tell me again that you love me...and then get me home.”

  The sun breaks through the clouds as the storm moves off towards the distant horizon. Picking Peggy up in his arms, Piet makes his way up the slope of the donga, relishing the feel of her arms around his neck, her hot breath on his cheek, and slowly makes his way towards the waiting Land Rover.

  “Peggy...I love you with all my heart...this I know without a doubt...I love you.”

  In the distance the roar of a lion can be heard...as if giving Africa’s approval of Piets declaration of love.

  “You hear that Peggy...the king of beasts approves.”

  Peggy holds onto the burly South Africa...tighter than necessary...why...because she just loves the feel of being cradled in his strong arms...she feels safe...warm...and most of all she knows that she belongs out in the wilds with Piet van Zyl.

  “Well then big man, I’m sure he will not object if I have something to say as well...I love you Piet, I always have, and yes...I also want to grow old with you.”

  The roar of the lion carries across to the two of them as they approach the Land Rover...making them both laugh.

  “Well Peggy...I guess that is that...Africa approves. Mrs Peggy van Zyl...moer...that’s got a nice ring to it.”

  “Oh Piet...talking about a ring...you know I saw such a nice one the other day, I mean I wa...Piet are you listening?”

  With a wry smile on his rugged face, Piet looks at the woman he loves. He knows he is caught, hook, line and sinker...and is enjoying every moment of it.

  “Ag jammer skat...I was just thinking you know.”

  “Thinking about what big man...I was talking.”

  “I was wondering if I could afford the Labola...I mean, how many cattle is your father going to want for you?”

  “Labola...Labola...for me...oh Piet my darling...you don’t have to pay Labola...after all big man, you are going to spend the rest of your life paying for coming into the bank.”

  “Ja well I suppose you are right...well never mind skat...ń Boer maak ń plan.”

  Always, One More Time

  by Chelle Cordero

  Dedication

  Dedicated to my husband for teaching me the true meaning of love.

  Acknowledgement

  I'd like to acknowledge all of the wonderful young couples in my life who were brave enough to look beyond society's expectations and find love with remarkable people — #LoveWins

  Callie took the slip of paper from her pocket and checked the address. She knew this was the place, the cab driver verified it before he drove off. Standing here was just a stalling tactic and she knew it.

  There were five steps up to the porch. She noted how immaculately the snow had been cleared from the steps and the sidewalk she was standing on. The neighborhood seemed quiet; most of the people were probably at work or staying inside shielded from the cold wind.

  “Now or never,” Callie spoke to herself. “If you stand here any longer, your feet will be frozen in place, literally.” She stuffed the paper back into her pocket and forced herself onto the first step… and the next, all the way up until she was staring at the door.

  She knocked lightly. Callie could hear people inside. There was conversation and music playing. It would have surprised her if someone had answered the door considering how quietly she knocked. Steeling herself, she knocked again, like a normal human being this time.

  The lock tumbled just before the door swung open.

  “Can I help you?”

  The man standing there was tall, much taller than she imagined, taller than Jimmy. She could tell that this man was related, they had the same build, but his shoulders were broader. He was darker and his gaze was piercing. She couldn’t find her voice.

  “Can I help you?” He repeated himself as he
watched her.

  “I… I was looking for Mrs. Bernerd.”

  “My mom?”

  “Uh, yeah.” She realized that his wife, assuming he was married, would be too young to be the woman she was asking for. “Is she home?”

  He glanced back into the house and then turned back to her. “Can I ask your name and what you want to see her about?”

  She swallowed. “I’m Callie Sanders and I, I was… I was a friend of Jimmy’s.”

  She noticed how his lips thinned and saw his Adam’s apple bob. He stepped back and motioned her in.

  Callie followed him into a busy living room. She saw a slightly overweight older black woman sitting on an overstuffed chair in front of the TV, but it didn’t look like the woman was even watching. There was a young woman in the room tucked into an equally overstuffed couch doing her nails. Across the room sat a teenage boy hunched over a notebook at a barren dining room table.

  “Mama,” His voice was gentle as he leaned over the older lady. “Mama, this girl,” he reached out to bring Callie closer, “she’s a friend of Jimmy’s.”

  The woman reached out to Callie and took her hands in hers. “You knew my Jimmy?”

  Callie smiled timidly and nodded.

  Mrs. Bernerd looked at the man, “Bring her a chair, Lawrence.” Lawrence grabbed a chair from the table set and placed it near his mother. “Sit, child,” she pointed at the chair.

  Callie sat on command and politely folded her hands in her lap.

  “How did you know my Jimmy, girl?”

  “We, uh, we met at… work.”

  “You worked at the appliance store?”