The long drive to pick up the maid from her countryside village hadn't been as bad as I had imagined. In fact the scenery, blue skies and the occasional wildlife had made the two hour drive enjoyable - Kenya was indeed a beautiful place. As soon as we got to the house, I prepared us a quick bite to eat - after all it was her first day and she was not at all familiar with the lay of the land so to speak, then showed her to the servant quarters. This was a small self contained area at the rear of my townhouse. The following day, she would start her training at the neighbourhood Domestic Center in order to perform the household duties required of her.
She was what I'd describe as a typical village girl - somewhat naive and a bit timid. She had just finished high school but like so many who lived in her village, didn't have many options as far as her future was concerned. She was short in stature, about 5'2" and about 115 lbs soaking wet. Her hair was combed in a neat afro that I have to say accentuated her high cheekbones and bright eyes. She did seem knowledgeable about current events and we had an engaging conversation during our drive back from her village to the city. I thought she'd be a great fit for my household.
In a few weeks, Kendi had settled in and learned enough to run my household without much hand holding. I woke up each morning to a hot breakfast and came come to find a clean home and dinner on the table. She kept out of the way but always seemed to pop out of nowhere when needed. My fellow expatriates were skeptical about the arrangement but I can bet you my last shilling that none of them had it as easy as I did. With time, we settled into a smooth routine and easy relationship ... until the day I came home unexpectedly in the middle of the day.
It was one of those warm days that beckon you to take the afternoon off and laze by the pool sipping something alcoholic or fall asleep in a hammock. With that thought in mind, I left work early to start my afternoon of relaxation. I came home to a seemingly empty house and went upstairs to put together a bag so that I could head to the club for a swim. As I walked by my window I happened to catch a glimpse of her standing in the bathroom in her quarters taking what I imagine was a cooling shower. I can't say I saw more than a flash but there she was, bare back, lightly muscled, slender waist, round buttocks and firm thighs all covered in wet chocolate skin. With that glimpse, my world tilted on its axis and the perfectly balanced world that was my home away from home became tormenting hell. I stood there for a moment, a little light headed, hard, and rather shocked by my reaction. In a few minutes she came out into the courtyard in one of her demure village dresses and got busy hanging the laundry clueless that her boss had just seen her naked. Suffice to say, I left the house that afternoon and didn't come back until much, much later.
I couldn't get the image of her naked goodness out of my mind. In fact that was all I thought about for days and nights. It took all I had not to jump her bones and have her on the kitchen floor. What kind of mzungu (foreigner) would that make me? I found myself noticing small things about her; like the way she swung her hips walking through the living room, her soft feminine scent when she walked by, the way she raised her hand over her mouth whenever she smiled ... so endearing. My world was definitely wobbling! This was not what I had imagined but exactly what everyone had predicted.
Shortly thereafter, I was glad to receive a two week assignment that would take me away from the city and the "dangerous" situation that was waiting to happen. My assumption was that the time away would clear my mind and hopefully I'd meet someone interesting - there was no shortage of female expatriates or local girls where I was headed.
After two days, I missed her and everything about her including her numerous failed attempts at making American food from the cookbook she had acquired during her training. She liked singing as she worked especially when she thought I couldn't hear her and blushed furiously if I happened to come around the corner as she did so. I missed the sound of her accented voice so of course I called her. Just to hear her voice and to hear her call me "Mr. Frank." That's what she called me no matter how many times I asked her to just call me Frank. It was always Mr. Frank this or Mr. Frank that and I had resigned myself to it. For some reason it made me feel a bit special.
So you can imagine my shock the day I got back and saw them taking a stroll down the street, holding hands. Her hips swaying, skirt skimming the back of her knees, the sun glinting off her afro. He was taller than my 5'9", lanky and walked with a jaunty spring in his step! I can't tell you what he looked like because I only saw the back of his head as I drove past leaving a cloud of dust in my wake. I parked my car in the driveway and got the luggage out slamming the door and the trunk just as she came around the corner with a smile on her face.
She did not realise just how gutted I was and nor did I understand why I felt so strongly about this fellow.
"Who was that and where were you."
"That is my new friend Mr. Frank, he works in the house at the corner." The bright smile on her face was quickly turning to uncertainty and the hand she had stretched out for mine was now clasped tightly by its mate. This was not the welcome she had anticipated.
"Are you here to make friends or work?"
"I had taken your clothes to the dry cleaner like you asked me to. He was just walking me home." She answered, wringing her hands
Is that what you do when I am not home, allow men to walk you home?"
"No Mr. Frank, it was only this time." I could hear the tremor is her voice. I had never seen her cry but I was almost sure I was about to and felt bad. No, horrible! I had no reason to use this tone with her. But I had no idea what had come over me or how to stop it. Tears pooled in her eyes threatening to stream down her cheeks,
"Here, take my bags in." I said, handing her the bags and unlocking the door.