by Lee Quail
I arrived at Dirk’s fifteen minutes before the others and stood with him in the kitchen while he prepared a welcome coffee liqueur for the group. “Mission? I don’t know anything about a mission,” Dirk said, lowering his voice.
“The General wants to see me tomorrow morning at eight. Apparently it’s urgent. I thought it might be another mission.”
“Nothing’s been communicated to me, Greg. I would have told you.”
“Then it’s something else.”
Dirk slapped me on the back and laughed. “Maybe it’s a promotion.”
“Yeah, right.”
“Change of subject,” he said. “Last week you mentioned you had met another guy at the cottage.”
“What about him?”
“Is there…how do I put this? Is there a romance there?”
I knew he’d ask. It was just a matter of time. It really had nothing to do with him, but I indulged him anyway.
“There is.”
“I can see you’re in love. It’s in your eyes.”
“He’s something special.”
“When do I get to meet this special guy?”
“Soon, I hope. What about you? Have you met someone?”
“Actually, yes. He’ll be here tonight.”
Dirk’s boyfriend sat on the couch opposite me, continually staring as though he’d seen the Virgin Mary. Here was a fine young man, in his mid-thirties, looking like an A-list movie star or front-page model. I thought Dirk’s taste lay in rough, adventurous men, wild and untamed. Seems I was wrong. Parker’s suave attendance bordered on the flamboyant side, not too much, not too little. Short, dark hair, trimmed close to his head, a slight three-day moustache and beard livened up his face. The ring on his small finger had his initials: PB. Parker Bester.
“I’ve heard a lot about you,” he said, standing beside me on the patio during a short break.
“Dirk and I go a long way,” I said, not looking his way.
“Dirk is a fabulous guy. He thinks the world of you, by the way.”
“After all I’ve done to him?”
“He told me he was once in love with you. That you’re a little confused about your way forward. I’m a psychologist, if you need any help let me know.”
“He said that?”
“Not in a bad way. He’s concerned about you.”
“I’m sure he is. Truth is Parker, I know where I’m headed and I didn’t have to pay for the advice.”
“Who said anything about payment? It’s an offer of goodwill. If you think I can help, call me.”
I didn’t like this conversation and excused myself. Parker’s words brought back all the advice that Shane had given me and I rushed to the bathroom and teared up.. In the mountains, time stood still. I wanted those memories forever. The first time I held Shane’s hand. His smell. His eyes. Those eyes that lit up every time he saw me.
My phone chimed. I grabbed it from my top pocket and immediately my heart skipped a beat. It was Shane using Raw’s phone, and my whole face smiled with delight and joy.
Colonel. Can’t wait to see you at gym Sunday night. I love you.
Part Two
11
Gregory marched into General Miyani’s office, saluted and stood to attention. His heart, anxious for what was about to happen, thumped in his chest so hard he thought he might faint.
“At ease, Colonel,” Miyani said, staring at him with intense brown eyes.
Gregory moved his feet apart and placed his hands behind his back.
“Have you enjoyed your leave so far?”
“Yes, thank you General.”
“I’m not going to offer an apology for breaking your leave. What I have to say is urgent and it needed to be said to your face. I’m sure you’ll understand when I have explained.”
Gregory felt sweaty under his armpits.
“You seem pensive, Colonel,” Miyani said, gesturing for him to take a seat.
Gregory sat down in the plush, high-backed, ornate chair opposite the general. “I’m fine, General.”
Miyani collected some papers into his hands and handed them to Gregory. “I think it’s best if I hand you this. It explains it so much better than I could. Read it.”
“Now?”
“Yes. Right away.”
“Am I in some sort of trouble sir, because if I am I can…”
“There’s no trouble, officer. Just read the damned thing.”
“Yes, Sir.”
Gregory unfolded the page.
“By its resolution 2154 (2014), adopted on 8 May 2014, the Security Council of the United Nations, has noted:
‘With deep appreciation how Lieutenant Colonel Gregory Basye Sander of the SAAF and of South Africa, and in the face of extreme danger, saved an entire command of United Nations soldiers, and in so doing, saved hundreds more Congolese civilians outside the city of Kivu, by deterring rebel forces, using only the flares from a single Oryx helicopter.
Resulting from Colonel Sander’s unselfish and co-operative initiative with great risk to his own, as well as the lives of his crew, the Security Council has nominated Lieutenant Colonel Gregory Bayse Sander as a candidate for The Captain Mbaye Diagne Medal for Exceptional Courage.
The outer limits to which Colonel Sander stretched his bravery were motivated by a determination to protect and save innocent human lives while upholding the principles and values of the United Nations (see Annex A for achievements of Lieutenant Colonel Gregory Bayse Sander).
The benchmark for recommending a candidate for the award of the Medal is the standard set by the late Captain Mbaye Diagne. Those eligible for the Medal are military, police and civilian United Nations personnel and associated personnel who demonstrate such courage, while fulfilling the mandate of their missions or their functions, in the service of humanity and the United Nations.
Recommendations for the Medal is based on documented evidence, such as witness statements, official records, photographs or other relevant documentation, which shall be transmitted along with the nomination.
If nominated as the sole recipient of the medal, it will be presented by the Secretary-General, during a formal ceremony to which all Member States of the United Nations shall be invited.
Signatories
I agree with the recommendation to award the Captain Mbaye Diagne Medal for Exceptional Courage to Lieutenant Colonel Gregory Bayse Sander:
(Signature)
Commander Rowland Ecclestone:
Head of Mission (United Nations Field Mission; the Democratic Republic of Congo).
Gregory stopped reading and his tongue felt heavy. The blood rushed from his face leaving him pale and wide-eyed. He handed the pages back to Miyani with trembling hands.
“You may keep these, Colonel. I have the original document. How do you feel?”
“I’m…I’m shocked, General.”
“I think this calls for a celebratory drink, don’t you? To calm you down. Important stuff, this medal. It’s an honour even being nominated.”
Miyani unlocked a mahogany cupboard filled with liquor.
“I believe you like Jack Daniels.”
“Yes…yes I do.”
“So do I. This one was given to me by Commander Ecclestone, so it has an embracing meaning for you,” Miyani said, opening the bottle and slowly pouring two small glasses.
“To you, Colonel. You’re one brave son of a bitch.”
“What happens from now on in, General?”
“We’ve already sent this communiqué out to the press, so expect a barrage of news hungry journalists knocking on your door. Say nothing that will compromise our mission in the Congo. The next step is for the United Nations to call a general assembly. They will supply a date. It will be in New York and from what I gather, you are allowed to invite one friend and your parents or wife. You do know this will change your life. I have recommended a promotion for you to Brigadier. You’ll still be a field rank, but you’re only one step away from military command.”
<
br /> Gregory’s air force career was about to change. Only a dream a few years ago. He gaped at the general with an open mouth.
“I know how you feel. It’s a huge step forward. Continue on this road and soon you’ll be a Brigadier General. Now go celebrate with your friends and don’t be surprised if you see your name in the papers or TV.”
Gregory stood to attention and saluted, then left Miyani’s office with the widest grin on his face.
At home, Gregory collapsed onto his favourite chair in the living room and stared at the ceiling with hands reaching out above him as though stretching when the doorbell rang. In a few minutes he’d leave for the Bedfordview clinic, he didn’t want a visitor right now.
He peeked through the blinds and breathed heavily, then went to the door and opened it.
“Dirk.”
Dirk stood before him in full SAAF dress code. His beret in his hand.
“May I come in?”
Gregory stepped aside. “Sure.”
“I saw your car out front. How did your meeting go with the General?”
“He gave me this.” Gregory handed him the pages and he sat down in the lounge and read.
“This is amazing, Greg. Just amazing. By the way they interviewed me for this, so I do know a little about it.”
“Should I be thanking you?”
“I told the truth as I see it. Without you, we’d probably be dead. I came by to say congratulations. Thought I’d be the first person to offer it.”
“Second person. Miyani was the first.”
“This is a big deal you know.”
“Don’t I know it. Bigger than me, us, them.”
“You’d better prep yourself for the media storm that’s going to shit down on you.”
“I’m not ready for this.”
“I’m here if you need me.”
“Thanks. I might just take you up on that offer.”
“I noticed last night you had a long chat with Peter.”
“Fishing already?”
“Curious.”
“He thinks I have a problem and he offered his services free.”
“He did? Son of a bitch.”
“Professional services. Dirk, I’d like nothing better to spend the morning chatting with you, but I have to run. I’ll see you later.”
12
Shane, with Beryl by his side, booked into the Bedfordview Clinic two hours before the operation, and while staff prepped him, Beryl went downstairs to buy coffee for herself and Raw. She passed the newspaper stand and stopped immediately when she caught the headline:
South African Air Force pilot nominated for United Nations award for Bravery.
A photograph of Gregory depicted his face in front of the UN emblem.
“Oh, my God!” Her entire body turned into a wallet of goosebumps.
She hurried the cashier and dashed upstairs lugging the coffee in a carry tray in one hand, and the newspaper in the other.
Shane lay on his back in the prep room when Beryl stormed in waving the newspaper.
She entered the waiting room and Raw immediately caught her excitement. “What’s wrong?”
She pushed the paper into his hands.
Gregory arrived while Shane read the article and only Beryl saw him. She lifted a finger to her lips, cautioning him from entering. He waited in the corridor for Shane to finish reading.
“Holy shit,” Shane said after reading the article. “My man’s a fucking hero?”
“He certainly is.”
Gregory entered the room and revealed the flowers he had hidden behind his back.
“Not really. Don’t believe everything you read in the papers.”
Shane’s heart did a double take. He couldn’t resist the urge to smile gloriously.
“My day just got better,” Shane said, eyes smiling.
Gregory leaned in for a kiss and Shane touched his face.
“I knew I was right when I met you, Colonel.”
“Right about what, detective?”
“About us. And that you’re one hell of human being.”
“I follow orders, that’s all. I’m like that.”
A theatre nurse arrived and promptly dismissed Gregory and Beryl. “The operation won’t take long. You’ll be able to see him after the operation.”
Gregory walked alongside the gurney on the way to the theatre, and before the doors closed, he said, “I’ll be here if you need anything. Just holler.”
Shane laughed out loud and then the doors closed.
Turning to Beryl, Gregory said, “Shall we go downstairs to the restaurant? Talk over a cup of coffee?”
“Sure.”
They took a table outside and ordered two cappuccinos.
“He’s so happy you came.”
“What happened, Beryl?”
Beryl related the story to him and afterwards he sat stirring his coffee without saying a word.
“My brother doesn’t deserve this kind of treatment. He has a heart of gold. Everyone he meets has the utmost respect for him.”
Gregory couldn’t articulate one word. He looked away and for several long moments just said nothing.
“It’s shocking, I know,” Beryl said.
“You’re not safe staying in that house with Joe,” Gregory said.
“I know. But Shane doesn’t think like that. He doesn’t want Joe to die alone.”
“To hell with Joe. He doesn’t deserve you or Shane.”
“We can’t just kick him out.”
“You can ask him to find another place to stay. That shouldn’t be a problem.”
“I’ve nursed him and administer his drugs for his condition.”
“I hear you, but think about this, what is he going to do next? Hurt you, maybe? Even hurt Shane again?”
An hour later, Shane was back in the ward, confronted by the surgeon, his face turned red.
“You’ll be just fine, Shane.”
“Thank you, doc. I really appreciate this.”
“You’ll be here an hour for monitoring and the nurse will sort out your prescription to take home. Now, just one piece of advice. Whoever did this to you needs to be named and shamed, do it soon, okay?”
13
Beryl had made Shane comfortable on a couch in the lounge. Gregory sat on the edge of the couch holding his hand. He was still drowsy and complained that he bit his tongue.
Beryl said, “That’s the anaesthetic still working in your body. You’ll be just fine in a couple of hours.”
“You don’t have to talk. We’re here with you,” Raw said, and offered to make a cup of coffee for everyone.
A voice from the door to the lounge answered. “I’d love a cup.” Joe. Dressed in tight fitting jeans, sunglasses and a blue t-shirt. “Sorry to interrupt this intimate meeting.”
“Oh fuck!” Shane whispered.
“If I were you I wouldn’t show my face around here for the next, oh, say, fifty years, Joe,” Beryl said.
“I’m here. You might as well get used to it.” He approached the couch and leaned in for a kiss, but Shane turned his head away.
“What happened to you,” Joe asked stepping back.
Gregory clenched his fists and stood up to push Joe away but Beryl stopped him.
“You don’t know?”
“You look like death warmed up,” he continued. Laughing.
“How dare you!” Beryl exclaimed.
“I beg your pardon?”
“How dare you stand there and laugh when you did this to him. And maybe if you were at home more often, you’d know what happened, but you’re never home and you don’t care.”
“Hang on! I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“You don’t know anything, do you? You hurt my brother the other day when he got back from Canton’s Cottage. In your jealous rage you hurt him so bad that you tore him inside. He had to have an operation today because of you! How do you feel now, Mr. Humour?”
“I say bullshit! He enjoyed
every minute of it.”
Shane mumbled, “Not true.”
“You love it up the ass. It wouldn’t be the first time.”
Beryl shouted. “Stop it! Listen to me. You hurt him. You crazy fucking animal. You have no respect for him, least of all yourself. You ought to be ashamed of yourself and Shane, Shane; you should have gone to the police immediately.”
Joe headed for the door. “If you’re finished I have somewhere to be…”
“You stay right where you are, mister,” Beryl said, this time standing. Joe stopped dead in his tracks.
“Where have you been these last few days?”
“Why do you ask?”
“Answer the fucking question.”
“I was in Bloemfontein, working, which is more than I can say for every one of you here.”
Beryl pursed her lips. “Working, huh.”
“Yes. I need to pay my share of the bond on this place seeing you don’t pay a dime.”
“Don’t make me the centre of this discussion, Joe. If you were working as you so admirably put it, then explain this.”
She opened up the image on her phone and showed it to him.
“What is this?” He asked with a look of disbelief on his face.
“You tell us, Joe,” Shane said from the couch.
“This is nothing. You have nothing.”
“You lied. You said you were working instead you were having lunch and kissing a man we have never seen. You call that nothing?”
“What, so you’re spying on me now?”
“Who is that, Joe, and why did you lie?”
“I don’t need to explain anything to anybody.”
Gregory stood and approached him; he stood slightly taller than Joe and glared down on him. “Yes, you actually do need to explain. Like now. Because you aren’t going anywhere until we know what’s going on here.”
“Who the fuck do you think you are? You’re nothing to me.”
“He’s something to me, Joe,” Shane glared at him. “Not that you care. He is everything to me. Who is this person, Joe and why have you been lying to us?”
Gregory retreated and joined Shane on the couch.