Arrival in Zambia

Sunrise

The morning sun was a burning eye of fire. Its gaze beat through the clouds and onto a head of short black hair.

Samuel straightened and then wiped a sheen of sweat from his forehead. Muscles rippled in his powerful arms. He believed that his strength was a gift of God.

A gift that needed to be used.

He could see the tips of pots bobbing along the trail to the south. A long line of water-carrying women was on the way over.

His knees buckled as he bent and then filled another bucket of water from the river flowing past his feet. He struggled to steady himself against the undertow that threatened to pull him under.

He straightened. Success! Once again he had beat the river and the reptiles in it.

Samuel Kyanamina was young, handsome, and full of life. His sculptured body was bare, revealing the moisture glistening on his ebony skin. All he wore was a pair of tattered brown shorts and a gleaming white smile.

He headed over to the long row of clay pots lined up on the shore.

Water gurgled and splashed as it flowed from his wooden bucket into a fat little pot near the end of the row.

Would today be the day? It could, but only if he kept working. He would need all the time he could get.

Samuel bent down again, careful to keep his eyes on the wide river.

Crocodiles were notorious in this area. They would swim just beneath the surface toward their unsuspecting victims. Still, if one kept their eyes open, they could usually be avoided.

As he continued to labor, the rising sun pierced the clouds and drew a beam of light across the surface of the river.

The crimson blood of yesterday’s victim still stained the dull brown sand of the riverbank. A foolish tourist had wandered near the river and been attacked by a hippo.

Hippos were violent when disturbed.

Even more so than crocodiles.

Samuel paused in his work. His eyes squinted as he stared across the river. Just as he suspected, those were two elephants on the other side. There was no danger from them.

The joyful singing of the women grew nearer.

Samuel increased his pace.

Perhaps Lebo would have come with the women today.

Samuel had noticed her smile on their last visit. His heart had skipped a beat, then before he had been able to speak to her, she was gone again. Off on the long trek back to her village.

Would today be the day when he could finally spare a moment to approach her?

He was hopeful. The long row of pots on the sand had been filled. The effort of waking up early had been worth it. Samuel would have time to introduce himself to her. He felt the pace of his heartbeat picking up again as he rehearsed his opening lines.

The joyful singing was descending upon him.

Samuel turned to examine the crowd of women in colorful motion as they filed around the row of pots.

Where was Lebo?

The women began removing the empty pots from their heads and placing them on the sand.

Samuel’s eyes continued to search the chattering mob.

Where was she?

***

“You know, you and Jolene would be a perfect couple.”

Rob stopped before the office water dispenser. He stuck his paper cup beneath the spout. His fingers twisted the release lever.

It stuck.

He applied more pressure.

“You gotta jiggle it a bit, then it works. Come on man! You gotta be serious! Work it like you’re doin the macarena! There ya go. Anyway, like I was saying about Jolene…”

Rob kept grumbling as he watched the water flowing into his paper cup. “You’d think they would have something better than this garbage in here. The company makes enough money after all.”

“Yeah yeah…I get you…but you know how it is. Politics. The managers get all the perks while we get all the work. But, listen, man, I’m trying to help your love life here…the least you can do is listen to me.”

Allen was the resident computer tech. If you were the Sherlock Homes type you’d be able to figure this out by his pale, narrow face. If you were like the rest of the human race, you’d figure it out pretty quick when you saw the rest of his attire. The white shirt, casual black dress pants, and tacky red tie. As one might expect, the front pocket of his shirt was overflowing with pens.

Rob’s square-framed glasses bobbed as he nodded.

“Jolene… got ya. Now let’s be clear. You want me to defy common sense and go on a blind date. The problem here is, I’m not blind and neither is she!”

“No, I’m just saying you should consider it. Seriously…”

“Seriously, huh?” Rob laughed and then down his water like it was a shot of liquor on Saturday night.

He had a head full of curly black hair. His face was unshaven but just enough to be manly, not slovenly. He looked like he should be the leading man in a chick flick…Or perhaps the frontman in a boy band. A smirk toyed around the edges of his dull red lips as he stared at his friend.

“And where do I find this maiden of untold beauty?”

Allen’s slightly yellowed teeth were revealed as his face split into a grin. “Wait five minutes. She’s the habitual type, she always comes over for a cup of water at ten-thirty.”

“Okay, then why haven’t I seen her in here before?”

“You just started work today, remember?”

“Oh yeah, it already feels like a lifetime…sorry.”

“A regular joker you are. As I said, you’d be perfect for Jolene.”

Rob scratched his neck. His white cotton shirt and black dress pant uniform wasn’t very comfortable.

“Why would she come all the way up to floor eleven just for a cup of water? She seems a little crazy to me.”

Allen’s emerald green eyes widened. “Why not ask her yourself. She’s standing right behind you.” On that note, Allen vanished into the maze of cubicles that populated this floor of the skyscraper.

Rob turned to face the most beautiful woman he had ever seen.

“I’m crazy am I? I’ve heard my share of pick-up lines but that’s a new one. Now please get out of my way. I’m thirsty.”

Rob felt a rush of red foolishness spread across his face like a rash.

Why did he always say the wrong thing?

It was over before it had started.

Or was it?

As Jolene began filling her cup, Rob wracked his brain for a good comeback.

***

The ivory white of Lebo’s grin caught Samuel’s eye. He set down his wooden bucket and then began to walk toward her.

She was just as beautiful as he had remembered.

Lebo wore a blue dress adorned with a gold-colored pattern of leaves. Her face was smooth. Her hands were calloused from years of hard work. She was perfectly formed in the hand of God. Samuel longed for the blessing of her attention.

The other women chattered like crows as they selected their pots from the row on the sand. When they found the object of their quest they placed it on their head for all to see.

Some of the younger women stared at Samuel’s masculine body as he walked by.

“Thank you, Samuel!”

“Don’t be a stranger Samuel!”

“Beware of hippos!”

Samuel grinned as he returned their greetings. They were only joking and he would treat them as such. The only woman he was interested in was Lebo.

He had to hurry.

She could never stay long. Her village was twenty miles away, she would need to start walking back soon if she planned to return before dark.

“Good afternoon.” He said in a voice full of confidence.

Lebo bent down to place a pot of water on her head and then straightened. At first, the weight seemed to bring distress to her round, slightly chubby face, and then this expression was replaced by cautious happiness.

“Hello Samuel.” She mumbled, careful to avoid looking directly at him.

As Samuel stared at her, his heart began to pound out a tribal rhythm. Her face was round, but not too round. Her features were almost European, but a head full of small black curls betrayed her true nationality.

“Don’t be shy.” Samuel stepped closer. “I know your family well. I’m sure you must have heard of my family. We…”

“Yes. Yes. My Father has told me all about you and your family. There’s no need to tell me any more about them.”

Some of the older women tittered to each other as they watched the two lovebirds. Samuel ignored them as he pressed on.

“Did you have a safe journey?”

Lebo’s gold-colored earrings swayed as she steadied the pot on her head.

“Yes, the rebels have moved south. The trail is safe…for now.”

“I’m glad to hear that. I…” Samuel lowered his head. “I have been praying for your safety as you travel.”

The pot of water on her head teetered as Lebo headed away from the river. “Thank you, Samuel. I will pray that God will bless you for your kindness.” Lebo stopped to steady the pot again. All the while, the other women began regrouping and heading back toward the narrow path they had come from. “I’m sorry, I must return to my home. The journey is long and one never knows when the rebels will return. ”

Her body swayed as she walked to take her place in the line of women. Samuel felt an anxious tide rising within him.

He didn’t want to lose her.

She was beautiful.

Elegant.

She had the bearing of a Queen.

Samuel’s heart pounded in his head as he ran after her. “Ah, Lebo…a moment please.”

Lebo kept walking, careful to keep her place in the line. “Yes…?”

“I…”

An expression of alarm crossed Lebo’s face. Her finger trembled as it pointed at something behind him.

“Samuel, look behind you…”

He began to turn. “What is it?”

“Hippo!”

***

Rob sputtered, embarrassed at another failed attempt to communicate.

“Look. I’ll be honest with you Bob.”

Rob’s face wrinkled. “My name is Rob.”

Jolene‘s thin lips twisted into a slight smile. “Rob. Check. I’ve got to get back to my office before my coffee break is over. Before I go, there’s one thing you should know. As I said, I’m pretty sure I’ve heard every pickup line in the book.” Jolene’s soft face took on a sly expression. “But, if you can think of one that I haven’t heard yet…I might just accept an invitation for supper. The keyword being, might.”

Rob stared at the vision before him.

She was perfect.

Simple minds might say she looked like Julia Roberts, but in Rob’s mind, Julia had a long way to go to catch up with Jolene.

“So is it a deal?”

Rob’s mouth felt dry. His heart twitched like a trampoline under the feet of rowdy children.

“So is it a deal?”

“Yeah, it’s a deal.”

“Great!” Jolene reached into the pocket of her blue jeans and then pulled out a business card. She handed it to Rob as she spoke. “Whenever your mind clears up enough to think of something, email your pick-up line to the address on the card.”

“Can’t we just go out…once maybe even…”

Jolene’s inner joy bubbled out of her as she laughed. “We’ll just see what happens when you send me that line…okay? Now I better get back to work before my boss comes by and orders me back.”

Jolene strode toward the door with the poise of a woman who knew what she wanted and got it. She wore a pink t-shirt and blue jeans. Who knew that there was an office in the building that had such a casual dress code?

The sweet scent of her perfume lingered. Was that a hint of lime?

Rob sniffed the air.

Hm. It was hard to tell.

Rob shrugged. Who cared. He tossed his paper cup into the trash can beside the water dispenser and then headed through the maze toward his cubicle.

He hadn’t felt so dazed and confused since the last argument he’d had with his father.

“So, how did it go? All set for the weekend I see.” The reedy voice of Allen drifted into Rob’s consciousness.

“I don’t know…I’ve gotta send her an email first.”

“Well, I hope you don’t need to do that anytime soon.”

“Why?”

“The internet is down.” Allen looked as if his best friend had died. In all likelihood, it had.

“What! Why?”

“Oh nothing much, it was just supposed to be a little upgrade. Normally it wouldn’t take long, but it seems there’s been a little snag.”

“Then why aren’t you busy fixing it?”

Allen shrugged and then laughed without a hint of happiness. “I will. I was just checking in on you to see how things…”

“Well, feel free to check out again and fix that problem with the internet.”

“Oh, we’ve got plenty of problems around here. Even your smartphone won’t work, trust me. However, on the plus side, you do have a lot to be thankful for. ” Allen altered his voice to imitate a used car salesperson. “An adequately designed desk in one corner, a computer that is certified virus-free, and best of all, a date with the most desirable woman in the…”

Rob sat in his office chair. “Just so you know, I don’t have a date yet and I won’t have one either if you don’t get out there and get that internet back online.”

“Alright then. If you want it that way.”

“I don’t but that’s all that Jolene offered.”

“Okay, be the mysterious one, I’m going to work. ”

“Good!”

“But I’ll expect a full report in triplicate on Monday morning,” Alan smirked and then shuffled off toward his task as if he were headed toward Mount Doom.

Rob exhaled, struggling to calm himself.

Some people sure knew how to be annoying.

His hand moved the mouse. The bouncing screen saver gave way to a word processing program. Work waited, but there was only one thought on his mind.

What was a good pickup line?

***

“Grrrrr!”

As Samuel turned, the sound of growling burst into his ears. At first, only the, “Beware Hippos”, sign filled his gaze. Then his eyes lowered.

The sound of feminine laughter filled the air.

Samuel stared at the small boy before him. He was about ten years of age. He wore a red and grey shirt with tattered brown pants.

His mouth was twisted into the most horrible grimace a mischievous boy could imagine.

Lebo‘s laughter intensified. “This is my little brother Joshua. He likes tricks.”

Samuel’s deep voice boomed as he joined the laughter.

“Yes, he does like tricks. That is good…very good.”

“Don’t be afraid Samuel!”

“Be brave!”

The good-natured teasing of the women seemed to encourage Joshua. He scampered along the riverbank soaking up his moment of fame.

Lebo watched for a moment and then smiled as a mother would. “I don’t know how he can walk for twenty miles and still have that energy.”

The rest of the women began to reform their line and head south. As Lebo watched them, an air of sadness seemed to wash over her.

“I’m sorry Samuel. I wish I could stay but I really must be going.”

Samuel took a deep breath. “How is your family?”

“They are well.” Lebo reclaimed her place in the line. “They send greetings.”

“Send them greetings also…“Samuel hesitated, then plunged forward. “Tell me. Would your father agree, if…”

“Yes?”

“I mean, would you approve if I spoke to your father?”

“You wish to speak to my father about me?” Lebo’s laughter sparkled. “I’ve been asking myself why you haven’t done that already! Don’t be afraid, Samuel Kyanamina…we are not Hippos!”

Samuel’s laughter boomed again. “Then I will see you soon. ”

“Come on Joshua…“Lebo called to her brother as she continued to walk.

Concern tugged at Samuel’s mind. “Watch out for that one. The rebels would like to catch a young man like him.”

Fear flashed across Lebo’s soft face. “The rebels are gone now. Joshua should be safe…”

“Only last week they kidnapped a group of children not very far from here.”

Lebo’s dark eyes widened.

Samuel thought for a moment and then made up his mind. “I know this won’t help much…but, I will come with you.”

“With us? But, you need to stay here and fill the empty pots for the next group.”

Samuel grinned. “No. I’m done here for today. I can walk with you and your brother.”

“I’d like that,” Lebo said and then smiled a shy smile. “Speaking of Joshua, can you see where he’s gone?”

“There he is!” Samuel pointed toward the prodigal lagging near the end of the line of colorfully dressed women.

Relief flooded Lebo’s face. As they carried on their way, the two love birds came to enjoy the rare freedom of indulging in relaxed conversation.

Looking out at the plain from a distance it seemed as if a slender veil of sand hung in the sky, obscuring the sun. Powerful waves of heat shimmered up from the barren ground. Through all this, a line of black dots moved like army ants across the brown landscape. A joyful song marked their progress.

As day fell into night, the silhouette of a water tower could be seen in the distance. Easy water for those who could pay the price.

***

“Friday at six sounds perfect.”

Rob stared at the email message on the screen before him. It was only one line, but it made his heart pound with anticipation.

“Email working?” Allen’s head popped into the cubicle. He looked a lot more cheerful now, everything must have been fixed.

Rob spun his office chair to face his friend. “Yeah, thanks, man. I appreciate it.”

Allen wriggled his eyebrows. “Success, my son?

Rob grinned. “Success.”

Allen stepped into the cubicle and slapped Rob across the back. “There you see. What would you be without me?”

“Sane.”

Allen looked pained. “Now now. Is that any way to talk to your best friend? The one who helped you stave off another weekend of loneliness?”

“I don’t know if I’d go that far.”

“You wouldn’t huh?” Allen grinned as a look of mischief filled his face. “Great pick-up line by the way.”

“What! How did you…?”

Allen winked. “I told you, you wouldn’t be able to do anything without me. Anyway, good luck on Friday. I’ve gotta get back to hacking…I mean…work.”

Allen vanished as quickly as he had appeared.

Friday. What a day that would be. Rob licked his dry lips as he picked up a paper that needed his signature.

It was high time to earn some money.

Victoria Falls

A Termite Hill