Both of Arthur´s jet planes were used to take their group to the Safari in Kenya. One for the family and friends and the other for the staff, composed mostly of bodyguards and assistants.
The planes´ destiny was the Amboseli National Park, where the visitors expected to have the wildlife viewing of the tour of their dreams. Two swamps and a dried-up lake completed the view of this piece of semiarid vegetation land. The contrast between the arid areas of the lake bed and the oasis of the swamps made the beauty of the landscape to be astonishing.
As the first jet plane approached African land, Carol thought about how much her life had changed.
In the past, because she was a working mother and the only adult responsible for her daughter, Carol had to keep the visits to the farms like an annual event.
But since her wedding, things had changed and they visited often. Sometimes every month. Due to the practicality offered by having a jet in your yard, the g
Mark was teasing Mandy during their ride to the hotel. “Don´t you have a travel guide this time?” “You know, Mark, I almost got one. Then I thought it would be nice to be surprised. And for this trip, we count on many tour guides to tell us interesting facts about the place.” “You are right, sweetie. I was just teasing you. Also, we have some experienced travelers with us, right Arthur?” “In fact, I have been here many times. Never for so long, my trips were more of a week length and since there is so much to see, I kept coming back. Wildlife watching has attracted me since my childhood. Exactly like it does to Eric and Louis.” “I don´t think those boys will be able to sleep tonight because they are just too excited.” “Yes, Carol. Let´s hope they don´t keep all the others awake with them.” Arthur laughs as he says that and then he explains, “Our hotel-lodge is just outside the park. I hope you all like the place.” “I am sure we
Akinyi and her daughters join Mark and Mandy for breakfast. They love to see that the buffet was set outside and small tables of four places were spread all around the grassy floor. Jackson, Becca and the boys waved from their table. Louis went quickly to greet his grandma. As he kissed her cheek he couldn´t help himself but had to say, “Sleepyhead.” “Don´t mind me if I am. The bed was so comfortable that I am considering getting back there after breakfast.” “Nooooo, grandma. You can´t do that. You will delay our group.” “She is only messing with your head, Louis. Calm down, our guides aren´t even here yet.” “Do you mean your boyfriend, aunt Marie? “He is not my boyfriend, Louis. Don´t be silly.” “But the way he looks at you, I think he wants to be.” As Louis walks along Akinyi to the self-service buffet, pretending to help her choose her food, but filling a big plate with cakes and lots of sweet bread, Mandy questions
After a pleasant lunch with the principal and his sister Alice, Steph went outside to explore the garden. She had that afternoon free since her first show was scheduled for much later on that night and the interview for two days after that. She encouraged mr. Garson to maintain his busy schedule, as well as she told Alice not to cancel her afternoon classes, because Steph would just walk a while on her own. “Promise to call me if you need anything.” Alice was very nice to offer. “Thanks, Alice. I will do it if necessary, but I feel at home already. You and your brother have been so warm that I feel as if I already knew you.” “I am glad to hear that because your songs always made me feel very close to you. Well, I will talk to you later, then. I mean, if you want to sit with me again, for dinner.” “Of course I want, Alice. You can tell me all about the classes then. I hope your students will behave.” “I hope they can sit still. Everybody is thr
That night, after the show, Steph could hardly get any sleep. The girls´ dormitory was separated from the boys´ dormitory by a huge cement building. They were like in the opposite side corridors of the main building where the classrooms were. Even so, Steph knew that she was closer to Brian than she had been in the last years. At least, she thought, they were under the same roof. It was so nice to see his beloved face and see him moving around. If he didn´t use a cane, few people could tell that he was blind because he showed confidence. She loved his body, his hair, his breath, his heartbeat. And thinking about it Steph finally went to sleep, only to have dreams about her beloved Brian. TALKING TO ALICE In the morning, Steph was feeling very energetic and optmistic. She put on some jeans, a pink blouse and comfortable tennis shoes. When she entered the cafeteria, she saw Alice sitting at her regular table with her brother. On her way there, Steph felt deligh
The Safari was really wonderful. One week had passed quickly by them, with views of elephants, rhinos, giraffes and a diversity of birds. They all had more practice at watching wildlife by now. The boys had finally grasped the idea that stillness and silence would avoid startling the animals and causing them to run away. Eric and Louis had also learned surprising facts about the African animals from their guides. Barasa told them about the elephants. “These amazing animals can communicate across large distances and not be heard by humans.” “Why is that, Barasa?” “Well, according to scientists, the elephants use a low frequency that we can´t hear, Eric.” “I just love their looks, I mean, look at those trunks,” Louis had his eyes glued to his binoculars. “Their trunks are actually formed by their nose and upper lip. Did you know that by protecting the elephants you also guarantee the dissemination of a large number of pla
According to Arthur´s request, George had made reservations for dinner at a very sophisticated restaurant. It was going to be a couples-only night.Mandy was looking forward to trying the pilau that they served there. It is a very popular Kenyan dish served at social gatherings and consists of rice cooked in a deliciously flavored broth with meat, vegetables, or chicken. There was a variety of spices to be chosen to make it still more flavorful.The night was going to be romantic because there was going to be live music for slow dancing and Mandy decided to use a gown that had small flowers hand-painted on it.Rebecca and Carol were going to use social clothes too because that dinner demanded them.Marie and Makena were not joining them for the evening due to their previous engagement. Chiumbo and Barasa were supposed to pick them up and take them to a birthday party where other young people would gather to eat, dance and be happy.Akinyi dec
Gray was feeling defeated. They were entering the last week of the trip and all of her efforts of seducing Arthur had been to no avail. Between George´s and Akinyi´s interferences, she hardly even saw him. She had become a babysitter for those two brats and a personal masseuse to the impertinent old lady. George also kept her busy with monotonous tasks that kept her away from the group even at mealtimes. But she would not give in. She started planning strategies for when they were back at the mansion. Then Akinyi wouldn´t be able to interfere anymore. Gray was so fed up with that woman that she decided to ensure that Akinyi never set foot at Arthur´s place again, once she was his wife. Because she was certain to succeed in her plan. Arthur would no be the first billionaire man to have a divorce. She hoped that he had a good prenuptial agreement since she cared more about the assets than the man himself. Carol could work for a living again. She seemed to enjoy
SHOWING HER AROUNDAfter they decided to be friends, you could see them together everywhere. Even when Brian had classes, Steph would just go with him and sit by his side, absorbing his world.They sat together for meals which included Alice and some other of Brian´s friends. But what Steph most liked was to take walks with him and sit under his favorite tree where they had met. That was the place for their long talks about everything.Steph told him some fun facts about her tour and Brian insisted that she sang all of her songs for him. She did it because he loved them and she was happy to share her love for music with the love of her life.Then Brian told her about his life at school,“When I first arrived here, Steph, I still hadn´t accepted fully that my sight was gone for good. It was as if deep down I felt some hope to see again.”“I am so sorry, Brian. I wish you could!”“I know you do,