by Leylah Attar
“I can see that. I’m glad you’re all right,” she said to Jack.
“We’ll be right in to fill out the paperwork.” I nodded at the stack of forms she was holding. “Could you give us a few minutes?”
“Of course. I’ll be in my office.”
“We?” said Jack, after she was gone. “I like how you dragged me into that. I’m not sure my penmanship is up to filling out any forms.” He flexed his raw, bloody knuckles.
“Well, I’m not letting you out of my sight. But first, I want to see Bahati. And I want to know exactly what happened.”
“What happened was that K.K. and his goon beat me up pretty bad.” He reached for my hand as the guards swung the gate open for us.
“Yeah. I was there for that part,” I replied, thinking how ridiculously happy my hand was, holding his. And my heart. “Get to the good stuff. You know, when you whooped their sorry arses.”
“That’s not exactly how it played out.” He chuckled. “So, there I am, flat on my back, pretty sure I’m done for when they start arguing. K.K. is mad because he told the other guy to stop the driver, but now the train is leaving and the kids are still on it. The other guy’s yelling that he turned around to save K.K.’s ass when he saw that I was getting the upper hand. So K.K. shoots back that he’s doesn’t need anyone’s help, and that’s just disrespecting him.
“Meanwhile, I’m on the ground by Bahati’s car. The door is open from when they dragged him out, and what do I see? Bahati’s bag—the one he uses when he puts on his full Maasai garb at the Grand Tulip. It’s toppled to the floor, and sticking out of it is his spear. So while K.K. and his friend are bickering, I’m inching my way toward it.
“The rest happened so fast, it’s all a blur. I got his friend first, swung the spear around and slashed him in the leg. Then I went for K.K., but he’s small and quick and vicious. He kept dodging my jabs, waiting for me to tire out. He knew I wouldn’t last. Not with an injured arm. The more time I wasted, the farther away you got. So I cornered K.K. into the back of his van. Tied him and his buddy up, back to back. I locked them in there, where they’d kept the kids. No air, no windows, no light. He laughed as I was leaving. Creepy little fucker. He said he liked the irony of it.”
“He gives me the chills,” I said. “We have to tell the police where to find him. Which reminds me—we have to call Goma. She’s putting together a search party—” I stopped in my tracks when I saw the car. “Oh my God, you managed to drive Suzi all the way here?”
She was dented, dusty, and badly banged up. Her bumper was lop-sided, one headlight dangling, the other shattered.
“Ro, is that you?” I heard a mewling from inside the car.
Ro. He called me Ro. I grinned like an idiot. He considered me his friend now. “Bahati?”
He was lying on the back seat, wrapped up in a shiny, metallic emergency blanket, like a potato about to be baked in the oven.
“Are you all right?”
“My eye is still swollen.” He peeked at me with the other one. “You don’t think it’s permanent, do you? I make a living off this face. And I’m very cold. I think I might need a knee replacement. Everything hurts. I can barely move, but I’m so happy to see you. Oww,” he moaned, trying to shift to his other side.
I shot a concerned look at Jack, but he rolled his eyes. “I’m sure we can ask someone at the orphanage to give you something for the pain,” he said. “Until we get you to a doctor. You want to come in?”
“I don’t think I can get up.”
“Food?” I tempted. “You hungry?”
“No. I don’t think I can eat. My jaw is bruised. My nose is bloody. I can’t taste anything, and I have this cut right here.” He stuck his tongue out for me to see.
“The kids are all waiting for you. The staff, too. You’re a hero, Bahati,” said Jack. “They want to take pictures with you.”
“They do?” Bahati rolled his tongue back in.
“Yeah. But don’t worry. I’ll tell them you’re not feeling up to it. Come on, Rodel.”
“Wait.” There was a loud rustling as Bahati unpeeled his blanket. “Maybe I can pop in for a bit.”
“You sure? You’re in pretty bad shape there, buddy.”
“I know, but I don’t want to disappoint them.”
“All right. Come along then.” Jack held open the door and stuck out his hand.
“No. Not like this. Pass me my bag. I will go in my Maasai clothes.”
“You’re not serious.”
But Bahati insisted, so we turned our heads and ignored the thudding and swearing as he changed in the car.
“So how did you find him?” I asked Jack.
“I hopped into Suzi, trying to catch up with you, and found the rest of the train, unlinked from the main body. I thought they’d got you. God, Rodel, I kind of lost it. I picked up a couple of tracks and was heading that way when I heard something. I followed the sound until I came upon two tufts of grass. It was Bahati. Sneezing. He’d jumped off the train and covered himself up with dirt to escape the men he thought were still looking for him. It wasn’t until he told me you’d managed to get away that I could breathe again.”
“I was so worried for you.” I cupped his cheek in my palm.
“And me?” Bahati piped in from the car.
“You, too.” I laughed, letting my hand fall away. “I’m so relieved that you managed to escape from those men.”
“It was a very clever camouflage. You think the kids will want to see it? I have a memento.” Bahati held up an uprooted sprig of grass.
“Here. Let me get that for you.” Jack took it and helped Bahati out. We supported him as he limped to the gate.
“Name?” asked one of the guards. He already had Jack and me on his list.
“My name is Bahati. Well, that’s not really my name. It’s my nickname. Or rather, a part of my nickname. I never really got my warrior name, but I’m a real warrior now. I saved my father. He’s the chief. And I saved the children and Ro here. I have been invited in, so open the gates. They are waiting for me!” He held his spear out as he said it, in full drama.
The guard quickly confiscated it and left him standing there, with his fist out. Jack inserted the yellowing tuft of grass into his hand, and we waited solemnly as the guard looked from me, to Bahati, to Jack. Seconds ticked before he shook his head and called the office.
“Miss Josephine says you can go in.” He unlocked the gates and stood aside.
“See?” Bahati shook the grass at him as he limped by.
The children surrounded him when he entered, cheering as if they were meeting an old friend. Bahati’s back straightened, his eyes brightened, and suddenly, he didn’t need us to prop him up anymore.
“I think we’re okay for a while,” said Jack, leading me toward the office, where Josephine was waiting for us. He called Goma while I filled out the paperwork. I could make out the relief and the swearing, the laughter and the threats from the other end of the line.
“How is Scholastica?” asked Jack. “Any updates from Inspector Hamisi about her father?” He was quiet for a moment. “Okay. No. You stay put. I’ll see you soon.”
I shot him a questioning look after he hung up.
“Nothing on Gabriel yet,” he said.
“I already talked to Josephine about him.” With her permission, I showed Jack the register and all of Gabriel’s entries.
“He’s legit,” said Jack, flipping through the pages.
“Gabriel?” Josephine’s eyebrows shot up. “Absolutely. You had doubts?”
“I wasn’t sure what to make of him. So now the question is, where do we find him? His sister is worried, and his daughter is eager to be reunited with him.”
“Like I told Rodel, he’s building a house in Wanza. You may want to follow up with that.”
“I think I’m done here.” I slid the pile of paperwork across Josephine’s desk. Thirteen children, a gazillion forms. “I filled them out as best as I could, but
there’s a lot missing. Birth dates, place of birth, name of mother, name of father . . .”
“It can’t be helped. We’ll try and fill in the blanks.” Josephine walked us out to the courtyard, where Bahati was re-enacting how he’d jumped between the freight cars. It was more of a hop, given his bad knee, but the kids seemed suitably impressed.
“You must have some food before you leave,” she said.
“Food?” Bahati spun around. “What about the photos?”
“That’s a splendid idea. I would love to get some pictures of you with all the children you brought in.” Josephine ushered us out through the back gates and went to get her camera.
The lake lapped around us, dotted with purple blossoms floating on mats of waxy green leaves. Boulders lay scattered in the water, some balancing precariously on each other, as if put together by giants playing with pebbles. We lined up against the shore, sixteen of us, brought together like random threads in a tapestry, to meet at this junction, for one big, bright flash of the camera.
“Another!” said Bahati, striking a pose.
I felt the warmth of Jack’s arm around my waist as we smiled into the lens. He turned and kissed me as the next flash went off.
“I’m going to wash your hair when we’re alone,” I whispered.
“Not a fan of the untamed, wind-whipped look?”
“Just returning the favor. And you’re wrong. I find it sexy as hell—I can’t wait to run my fingers through it.”
Jack choked. He actually spluttered. “You should . . .” He coughed to catch his breath. “You should ride trains more often. They seem to have a liberating effect on you.”
“Yeah?” I stood on my tiptoes so I could coo into his ear. “I can think of a few other things I’d rather ride.”
I’m pretty sure the next photo caught him with his mouth hanging open.
“You’re enjoying this, aren’t you?” he said through clenched teeth.
“Think of it as payback for playing hard to get, and then disappearing on me.” I smiled for the camera.
“You know, two can play this game.” His voice dropped a few notches as all five of his fingers slid onto the back of my neck. He grabbed my hair and tugged, holding me immobile. “Say cheese, Rodel.”
By the time the next flash went off, I was squirming.
“What’s the matter?” he teased, as he traced a long, sensuous line down my back, from my nape to my waistband. “Your English garden can’t handle the tropical heat?”
“Thank you. That should do,” said Josephine, wrapping it up.
Oh, thank God. I hopped away from Jack, thinking this must be exactly what it felt like to have a corset loosened at the end of the day.
“It’s time to go inside, kids,” said Josephine. “Say goodbye to your friends.”
My throat closed up as they hugged me, one by one.
“Kwaheri,” they said. “Asante.”
I kissed their snow-white cheeks and held on to them, knowing this was just the beginning. They still had a long, long way to go.
Please, world, be kind to them, I thought. And if not, just let them be.
I stood aside as Jack and Bahati said their goodbyes. Something whispered in the trees around us, sending shimmers of peek-a-boo sunlight through the leaves. I walked to the small boulder on the shore and unzipped my backpack. I took a deep breath and retrieved a notebook, letting it fall open to the page where I’d stored my sister’s Post-it notes.
It was time to say goodbye.
The lake was mirror-calm, reflecting angel-white clouds against a shimmering blue sky. It was hard to tell where one ended and the other began.
It’s the perfect spot, Mo. Free and endless.
I held the three sticky notes and read the first one silently: July 17—Juma (Baraka)
Then I lowered it into the water and let go.
Goodbye, Juma. I’m sorry we didn’t get to you in time.
I smiled when I looked at the next one: Aug 29—Sumuni (Maymosi)
Goodbye, Sumuni. Keep rapping. Don’t ever let them silence you.
I smoothed out the last one and was hit with a surge of emotion: Sept 1—Furaha (Magesa)
Goodbye, Furaha. We’ll never meet because you’d already left with your family when we got there. And you’ll never know. Because of you, a lot of lives were saved. We came for you and found the others. Wherever you are, I hope you’re well. I hope you’re happy.
I sat back and watched the three yellow pieces of paper float away from me. They bobbed gently in the water, sending ripples in ever widening circles until they disappeared, like echoes in a vast valley.
Goodbye, Mo. The tears gradually found their way down my cheeks.
A breeze ruffled through the grass. Wildflowers unfurled slowly, like coral arms waving at low tide. I slipped my backpack on and started walking away. Then I paused and turned around. I’d left my notebook behind. As I bent to get it, a wave broke against the boulder and splashed me.
I sucked in my breath from the shock of cold water on my sun-warmed skin.
Where did that come from? The lake is so calm.
And yet it was all over me—my arms, my hair, my face.
“Look at you,” said Jack, when I joined him and Bahati. The kids had gone back inside and the two of them were waiting for me. “You look like you just took a glitter bath.”
“A glitter—” I stopped short and held my arms out. Beads of water clung to my skin like little sparkles of silver. “Oh, my God.” I laughed. Joy bubbled in my heart as I glanced back at the water.
“What is it?” asked Jack.
“My sister. She filled a balloon with glitter and left it in my closet. It popped and I looked like a disco ball for days. I think she just said goodbye.”
Jack and Bahati exchanged a puzzled look.
“Never mind.” I grinned. “I’m happy! I’m so happy I could squish you both.” I kissed them each on the cheek.
“I don’t think so.” Jack growled and pulled me back, claiming my lips. My senses whirled and skidded. My arms went around his neck as he lifted me into the cradle of his arms.
“Oh,” said Bahati, pointing at me, then pointing at Jack. “Ohhh.” He backed off with a big smirk on his face.
“I think we’ve rendered Bahati speechless,” said Jack, when he was gone.
“Let me down, Jack.” My feet were still dangling off the ground.
“No.”
“No?”
“You need to be punished for teasing me through that group picture.”
“Jack, no!” I shrieked as he tossed me over his shoulder. “I’ll bite! I’ll bite your injured arm!”
“Oh, baby.” He laughed. “I love it when you talk dirty.”
I STEPPED INTO the shower and closed my eyes as the water poured over me. Steamy rivulets cascaded down my face, my hair, my back, dissolving the dirt and grime of the last few days. I inhaled deeply, breathing in the scent of the thin, white bar of hotel soap. I was never going to take the little luxuries of life for granted again.
A puff of cold air hit me as the shower stall opened.
“You’re back.” I smiled as Jack stood there, gazing at me, his eyes running over my naked body like a warm caress.
“You started without me.” He stepped into the shower, completely disregarding the fact that he was fully clothed. One very large, male arm wrapped around my waist as he kissed me, lifting me off the tiled floor.
Hot water, soap, and Jack’s special brand of kisses—the ones that sweep you off your feet. Literally.
I could spend my whole day right here.
“Your clothes are all wet,” I said, when he set me down.
“I don’t plan on putting them on again.” He shrugged out of his dusty, tattered T-shirt and trousers, and kicked his briefs to the corner.
The sight of him standing there in all his naked glory gave me a heady rush, until I noticed the purple welts on his body.
“Oh God.” I traced the one r
unning down his chest.
“It’s nothing,” he said. “It looks worse than it feels.” He stepped closer, keeping his arm angled away from the water. “They told me to keep it dry.” He gestured to the white gauze around the cut.
“And that’s it? The rest of you is okay?”
“Would you like to test me out?” My pulse skittered as he pulled me hard against him and nibbled on my neck. I gulped as the full, heavy imprint of his passion reignited memories of our afternoon in the tent.
“Rodel.” He cradled my cheek in his palm.
Rodelle. It made me feel like the sexiest woman alive.
“We were impulsive,” he said, his eyes pinning me down. “We got carried away in the moment. I should have been more careful. I should have—”
“Shhh. We were in the middle of nowhere, and it’s not like you carry spare condoms in your wallet. Besides, I finished my cycle a few days before we left for Wanza, so the chances that I’m pregnant are very slim.”
He let out a deep breath and rested his forehead on mine. “That’s a relief. And yet . . . for a small, selfish moment, when I considered the possibility, it made me unbelievably happy.”
I swallowed, thinking how much he’d loved Lily, and how I could totally see him being an amazing father. But I was leaving in a few days, in time for the beginning of the school year, and it was too painful to consider all of the possibilities that could have blossomed with Jack.
Steam rose around us as we soaped each other in silence, skin to slick skin—marveling, memorizing, cherishing. Jack’s eyelashes, thick with water; his bold thighs; the way his muscles rippled when he moved; the ends of his hair curled up with lather.
He slung a towel around his hips, wrapped me up in another, and carried me to the bed. The room was worn and sparse, the curtains frayed at the hem, but I sighed in tired contentment.
“A hot shower, soft sheets, a real mattress. Pure bliss.” I sat at the edge of the bed as Jack rubbed my hair dry.
“I can think of a couple of things I’d like to throw into the mix.” He grabbed a shopping bag that was sitting on the side table and put it in my lap.
“What’s this?” I rummaged through it and found an antibiotic cream for his cut, a comb, toothpaste, gum, lotion, and . . . a box of condoms.