Child of Africa

by T. M. Clark

  Joss frowned. ‘I don’t know, but I want to make sure she’s alright while I decide what to do with her.’

  Maggie nodded, and she gave Sophia to Joss to hold while she put on gloves and took a blood sample.

  Sophia screamed at the needle.

  ‘It’ll take about half an hour.’

  ‘We’re not going anywhere.’ He soothed Sophia, and wiped her tears away with a tissue. ‘Come on, beautiful. It’s okay. You’re fine now. That one was for a special test. Come on, shh ...’

  Sophia looked at him and hiccupped, and he put her dummy back in her mouth as she settled in his arms again.

  Maggie put the blood sample in a dish and the needle in her sharps bin before she removed her gloves.

  ‘Is she healthy, other than her legs?’ Joss asked.

  ‘If you’re asking if she’s also mentally handicapped, I don’t think so. She seems fine. Alert. Her eyes follow perfectly, she listens and responds. I’m not sure why she doesn’t talk, but that might be that she’s shy. She needs more tests than I can do here to confirm that. I think she’s okay, a little underweight maybe, but then as I don’t know her birth weight it’s hard to say; she might have been a small baby. Unless you can find the mother, we’ll never know. She looks to be about eighteen months old, looking at her teeth and size, so she will be at that stage when she’s about to enter the terrible twos.’

  ‘Great, so the mother gave her up as she starts to be hard work,’ Joss said.

  Maggie smiled. ‘You don’t know the circumstances as to why she left the child with you. Don’t be so quick to judge.’

  ‘I’m not judging—’

  ‘Since you are undecided, I’m going to fill you in on a few things. Zimbabwe Welfare don’t like black babies going to white families. Not without good reason. But in this case, it looks like the mother gave her to you, so if you can prove that you are a good father, there shouldn’t be too much of a fuss. You would possibly get custody of her.’

  ‘I understand that. Is there any way you know that we can find her mother?’ Joss asked. ‘I’d like to look for her first, give her a second chance with her baby.’

  ‘If they bring their kids to the clinic, I see them. I haven’t seen this child before, which means either she moved here after the birth, or she’s kept Sophia hidden. I’m not going to do any of the vaccinations, in case she did them at another clinic. Until you can take her to Bulawayo and run proper tests, I don’t want to stress her little body. Other than some nappy rash, which I see you already have cream on, she appears to be a healthy girl.’

  ‘Perhaps I should look in at an orphanage in Bulawayo, see how they handle children with special needs there?’

  Maggie nodded. ‘Give yourself time; don’t rush into anything.’

  ‘I won’t,’ Joss said.

  ‘Do you have everything needed for a toddler at home?’ Maggie asked.

  ‘Charmaine and I went shopping before we came here. I bought what we could locally, and I’ll go into Bulawayo next week to get the rest.’

  ‘Stop by Mrs Jenson’s; she has some nursery furniture that she offered me last week and I haven’t had a chance to collect. Take it, use it while you need it, then once you have made a decision either way, you can either keep what you want or you can bring it back to the clinic for another person who needs it,’ Maggie said.

  ‘Thanks, but—’

  ‘No buts, Joss. You are going to need to accept help from people with this little girl while you have her. You have a lot on your plate. Having a child thrust into your life is not easy. Having a disabled child will mean extra challenges too. Go see Mrs Jenson. She’ll love to be able to help you; it will make her feel needed.’

  Joss nodded. ‘I’ve only recently relearnt to be independent.’

  ‘Phaaa ... being part of a community isn’t about being proud and hanging on to your independence, it’s about learning when to let other people who need something in their lives help you with something in yours, even if you don’t need help. It’s not always about you.’

  ‘Suppose you’re right.’

  ‘Let’s take a look at Samson since he’s here.’ Maggie took Samson and examined him. ‘He’s putting on weight nicely; I’m very happy with his progress.’ She looked back at Joss with Sophia on his shoulder. ‘I take it you are employing Charmaine full time to look after Sophia?’

  Joss grinned. ‘As full time as she wants, but I do understand that she has her own family.’

  Maggie smiled. ‘Good to know.’

  ‘You realise she’s in the room and you are talking about her like she’s not?’ Joss said.

  ‘Of course. That’s why I’m saying it so that she can hear too. She would never ask you for anything; it’s not her way. She might be our age, but her upbringing is old school.’

  ‘I treat all my employees well, Maggie.’

  ‘I’ve heard that. You know the bush talks, and since you’ve come home, they’re all talking about you. That even with your steel legs you are still very strong.’

  ‘I think the bush exaggerates,’ Joss said.

  * * *

  They put the white wicker crib and rocking chair that Mrs Jenson gave him into his room. When Sophia was accustomed to the house, he could move her into one of the other bedrooms.

  Sophia slept in the crib while he tried to make sense of the day. His head was spinning.

  Bongani came and sat on the bed next to him. ‘Your mother, she would have liked this, having a child in the house.’

  Joss nodded. ‘Taking on this little girl is not a light decision—’

  ‘No kidding,’ Bongani said.

  Joss snorted. ‘I tell you, the disposable nappies are so much easier than those cloth things, but they’re going to bankrupt me. I’d no idea how much baby paraphernalia cost, and we didn’t even buy that much of it.’

  Bongani humphed. ‘Do you remember Ndhlovy, when you were ten? You put all your energy into that elephant and I can see you have that same mindset now with Sophia. You want to do what is good for her. Letting that elephant go almost ruined you: you began to get into all sorts of mischief; you were in trouble all the time.’

  ‘You think that I was in trouble because Ndhlovy left and went to live in the bush where she belonged?’

  ‘You telling me differently?’

  ‘Yes. Most of that trouble was because of Courtney. She was always braver than me, and I followed her lead and did everything with her. It was way more fun that way.’

  ‘Ah, she was a wild cat, that one. I am sorry that she died and you were not here to wish her well on her crossing to the other side,’ Bongani said.

  ‘Me too. But I think perhaps this time, with this little girl, I will have a chance to be more like Ndhlovy’s matriarch. I’ll do what I need to for the good of Sophia.’

  Bongani was nodding. ‘I hope so, my friend, I hope so.’

  CHAPTER

  14

  Dames and Dust

  The sign to Yingwe River Lodge could still be made out despite the failing sunlight. She tried her phone and to her surprise, there was a signal. She called Tsessebe’s number, which rang once before he picked it up.

  ‘Peta. You okay?’

  ‘We’re fine. We’ve just got to Joss’s.’

  ‘Good to hear.’

  ‘The lion seems to have doubled back. Sixpence and the others are still following it.’

  ‘I will let your father know,’ Tsessebe said. ‘Be sure to tell Bongani; he knows that park better than any other person, except maybe old Sixpence.’

  ‘I will. Bye for now,’ she said, ending the call.

  Amos shifted in his seat.

  ‘What?’ she asked.

  ‘This Joss, he is a good friend of yours, and you have talked of him often since he came back. He is a British Royal Marine Commando. A trained soldier.’

  ‘When I was growing up, he was almost like a baby brother. Joss was my sister’s best friend – his parents and mine, they had lots o
f history. To be honest, I can’t believe that I’ve taken so many years to come back here after his parents died.’

  The headlights shone through the gate. She slowly drove up to Joss’s house and parked next to his bakkie. Joss came out the back door as she jumped down from her Hilux.

  ‘Welcome to my humble abode.’ He put his arms out and she stepped into them awkwardly. He wrapped his arms around her and held on tightly. ‘Hello, Peta,’ he said, close to her ear.

  She could feel the goose bumps forming on the back of her neck. ‘Hey, Joss, it’s great to be here after so long.’ She cleared her throat as she stepped back; her body’s weird reaction she would examine alone later. ‘This is Amos.’

  ‘Good to meet you at last,’ Joss said. ‘Come on in. We’ve had an interesting day, and I think you will be surprised. Amos can meet Bongani ...’

  ‘I know Amos,’ Bongani said from behind him, and they shook hands.

  Peta smiled. ‘I’d love to freshen up a bit, get to look a little bit more like a tourist for the weekend and less of a khaki worker. Amos and I jumped in the bakkie after breakfast, so we’re starved. When’s dinner, Joss? You did remember the warthog pie?’

  ‘As if I’d forget. But before I walk you to your room, you need to meet Sophia,’ Joss said.

  ‘Sophia?’ Peta took her small overnight case and three plain knopkieries from Amos. ‘Who’s Sophia?’

  ‘A baby that I was given this morning.’ Joss put his hand out to take her case but she shook her head.

  ‘A baby what?’ Peta asked.

  ‘Human. She’s more of a toddler.’

  Peta frowned. ‘You have a baby? Biologically?’

  ‘No! She was put on my doorstep in a basket.’

  ‘You got given a child? Why?’

  ‘She’s got crippled legs, so I guess her mum thought she would be better off with me.’

  ‘That’s terrible.’ Peta put her hand over her heart. ‘How are you going to tell her when she’s older that her mother abandoned her? How are you going to explain that she was given to you because she was deformed?’

  Joss shrugged. ‘I don’t know.’

  ‘How old is she? Is she pretty? Don’t answer that last one, it’s a stupid question ...’

  ‘She’s beautiful, a little on the thin side, but she’s quiet, unless she’s hungry, then she’s very loud. I’m not sure how something so small can be so noisy.’

  ‘I’m lost for words!’ Peta said.

  Joss laughed. ‘I must warn you, she stinks when it’s nappy time. Charmaine said it’s because her diet wasn’t so great.’

  ‘I’m a vet, Joss, I think I can handle a little kid’s poo.’

  ‘I’m betting ten bucks you can’t.’

  ‘The bet is on. I want to see a royal marine changing nappies.’ She laughed.

  ‘All part of the job description.’

  They dumped the bags in the kitchen and moved into the lounge, where Sophia sat safe in a playpen, surrounded by soft toys.

  ‘Do you want to hold her?’ Joss asked.

  ‘Me? No. I love the idea of kids, but they don’t love me.’ She stepped back so that he couldn’t do what so many of the women in the camp did when they had babies, pass her their offspring, saying that she would be a natural if she just gave it a chance. ‘They always scream when I hold them; it’s like they know I’ll drop them or something ...’

  ‘They are no different to a young animal, or a sick baby monkey, and I know you’ve nursed plenty of those.’

  ‘Not quite the same. They don’t have possessive parents who would never forgive you if you drop them,’ Peta said, shaking her head.

  Joss frowned. ‘Okay.’

  She watched Sophia playing with her toys and eventually reached over the small fence and touched her face. ‘Hello there, Sophia. Aren’t you so beautiful,’ she cooed. ‘Oh, Joss, she’s so sweet.’

  ‘Wait until she farts. Then see if you still think so.’

  Peta laughed and continued stroking the baby’s cheek.

  ‘She’s due her night-time bottle and bed. Give me a second and I’ll be right back,’ Joss said. ‘Make yourselves at home.’

  He returned, shaking a bottle of formula. He picked up Sophia and then sat in the lounge chair and fed her in the crook of his arm, as if he’d been doing it all his life.

  Peta sat on the couch. ‘It’s quite overwhelming that you’ve been given a child.’

  Bongani laughed. ‘I think that is how we all feel at the moment, so welcome to the club.’

  Sophia finished the bottle and let rip with a loud burp.

  Peta looked at her. ‘Did that really come out of something so small?’

  * * *

  Sophia was sleeping at last. She had been fussing in Joss’s arms, then she curled against him and was asleep. Even moving her into the crib in his room hadn’t disturbed her. This toddler slept like the dead.

  ‘Take Peta and Amos to their rooms. I’ll stay with her,’ Bongani said. ‘You should join them for dinner. I’ll eat with my dad later.’

  ‘Come on, I’ll show you the way,’ Joss said, standing up.

  They walked through to the kitchen to collect their bags. Peta picked up her three knopkieries.

  ‘Strange luggage, that,’ Joss said as he took her case and stepped out the door.

  ‘It’s for if we come across the man-eating lion,’ she said.

  Joss shook his head as he led the way down the path, walking carefully in the low light, even though the lanterns he’d installed were on. ‘You have access to all the tranquilliser guns in the world and real guns to defend yourself with, and you chose a stick?’

  ‘Never underestimate what a knopkierie can do.’

  Joss laughed. ‘You are good for the soul, Peta.’

  Amos was laughing behind her. ‘She is playing you. Tsessebe asked us to get one of your guys here in the village, Julian Seziba, to carve them for Rodger. Apparently, his walking sticks are looking a bit dry and Tsessebe wanted new ones made. Julian is the best woodworker in this region.’

  ‘I didn’t know that,’ Joss said.

  Amos said, ‘I will sort this with him tomorrow.’

  They walked a little down the path towards the lodge and then stopped.

  ‘This is your room, Amos; Peta is in the next rondavel along. See you in about half an hour – is that enough time?’

  Amos nodded.

  Joss opened the door of the Shangaan Suite for Peta and she walked in. Each lodge had been decorated differently, either portraying a tribe of Zimbabwe or a bird native to the area. The Shangaan Suite had been one of Leslie’s favourites when she decorated it. Unlike the Livingstone Suite that Amos was occupying, which was packed full of antiques and old travelling cases to depict the colonial lifestyle of Livingstone’s era, this one was decorated in all the colours and patterns of the Shangaan people: bright oranges and burnt browns, with grass mats and simple wooden furniture with riempies strung into the seats. There were big paintings on the walls too, of pots and silhouettes of black women walking on a road, carrying water on their heads. The picture had always called to Joss when he was a kid, made him want to join in the walk.

  The small lounge area opened onto a patio area, which held a small plunge pool, and off that was an open-air bathroom, which faced the cliff and the lake; secluded but natural. Even in here his mother had kept the vibrant colours of the Shangaan with big glass double basins and a green bath.

  The bedroom was huge, with a king-size bed dominating it. A heavy four-poster, its posts were carved with pictures depicting Shangaan life, and its drapings in faded hues of purple, orange and turquoise. The room had a large grass and leather mat on the floor, which enhanced the effect of being old world and yet belonging to a nation. The bedspread was tie-dyed orange, blue, green and yellow.

  Peta heaved her case onto the bed. ‘Thanks. Now I’m going to use that outdoor shower, and then I’ll meet you in the dining room.’

  ‘Sure,’ Joss
said, as he turned to walk out. ‘Peta, I wanted to say thanks for coming; I’m so glad you’re here.’

  ‘Me too,’ Peta said.

  * * *

  Early Saturday morning, Peta stood on the deck of The Ladies’ Plan, looking at the lake. The wind whipped her hair all over the place but she didn’t care.

  Bongani and Amos had plans to disappear into the village later, looking for Julian to carve the knopkieries, and Charmaine was watching over Sophia – Lwazi had insisted on helping her. When Joss had suggested they go out on the lake, Peta had jumped at the chance. Now, skimming over the water as Joss piloted the catamaran with the natural abilities born of growing up around boats, she felt a little like a water nymph.

  ‘I think that bay over there looks good; we can try for some tiger fish,’ Joss said as they came around a small island.

  ‘Perfect.’ She paused. ‘How are the nightmares?’

  ‘They’re still there, but not every night. Lwazi wakes me like I showed him. Actually, the first time I had one, he had his grandfather’s walking stick, and was poking me harder and harder with it: “Joss, wake up. Wake up, Joss!”’ he said, mimicking Lwazi perfectly.

  Peta snorted, then stopped herself. ‘I shouldn’t laugh at that.’

  ‘I know, but it was like something out of a comic book. He was too scared to shake me and then step away like I’d shown him to do. I think I had bruises from him having to poke so hard. He’s got a bit braver now, shakes me quickly and steps away, which is a lot less painful. I’m lucky he’s a light sleeper.’

  ‘Lucky for all of you.’

  They lapsed into silence for a while. Then Joss said, ‘Bongani thinks I should get a dog. He’s convinced that something like a Labrador or a German shepherd, or even a ridgeback like my mum used to have, would be good company while I’m around the lodge and when I go running, for days when Lwazi can’t be with me. He seems to think it would wake me up when I need it too, quicker than Lwazi can get to my room, so the nightmares wouldn’t get as bad.’

  ‘There’s a place in South Africa that could help you with a dog like that. They’re pre-screened for good temperament, obedience, socialising skills and their ability to interact with people with different types of problems. Some are really good with physical disabilities, like one I heard of that was paired up with a disabled child. When the dog met him, he licked his toes in greeting, then sat next to him, forcing his hand to touch his coat. He would lick the little hand every now and again, and continued sitting there. Then the small boy turned his hand and gripped the dog’s fur. This was the first time the child had ever shown any emotional response, as well as a conscious control of his muscles, and he did this every time the dog sat near him. I have also heard of dogs for older people that can be trained to pick up remote controls that fall on the floor, open the fridge, even wake people from PTSD nightmares. Bongani’s right. It’s a great idea. You’ll be given a slightly older puppy, but they’ll help you train it. I can put you in touch if you want?’