Here is my third part of the story at last - it will make more sense if you start at One. My thanks for your patience. "As you from crimes would pardon'd be, Let your indulgence set me free." And as always, please vote or comment if you like it. Thanks!
*****
This has been a legitimately intense day. From the get-go.
Mwali's alarm went off in the darkness. Her phone played its little tune a few times before I worked out what it was. I reached over her shoulders, grabbed the thing and tapped it a few times before it stopped.
That was all by reflex. I don't think I woke up, but anyway I couldn't make sense of where I was. The time was wrong, the moonlight was wrong, the bed was wrong... It was warm and soft, there was someone here... Mwali.
I could dimly make out her smooth back, the curve of her hips, the subtle smell of her skin and her sex. Memories floated through my mind, of making love, with her, for the first time, laughing, crying, romping with her. I smiled to myself in admiration for actually remembering some Shakespeare to quote to her. Mwali of course had lots.
The second time. In my life. In the quiet night, whispering secrets to each other.
Then the warm slipping, holding each other, falling asleep together.
Then there I was, totally confused by the jingle of her alarm, sitting up in a strange bed.
Our plan was that I would get up and go home around dawn, get organised for school and somehow take it from there. Yeah, it wasn't much of a plan, but it was all we had. I stumbled out of bed and groped around for my clothes. I shuffled out of the bedroom, only missing one sock, but couldn't remember where we'd left our school bags...
Mine was propped by the door. I remembered I'd got my laptop out to start some homework - I never actually opened it, Mwali distracted me when she led me into her bedroom. The laptop was now back in its sleeve, in my bag, waiting for me at the door.
Not really thinking about it, I walked out and down the road to the bus stop. The pre-dawn light gave everything a soft, muted version of the strong, bright colours we are used to in Australia. The air was cool, with a promise of heat later on. Dewy grass and flowering bushes scented the air. The traffic was still a quiet murmur before the day got going.
My body snapped from groggy not-really-awake-yet, to every sense speaking to me, from my feet pressing the ground to the faint breeze on my face. I brushed a lavender bush as I passed and the scent washed over me. I had a sense I would never forget every detail of the quiet morning. That old Hunters & Collectors song, Throw your Arms Around Me came to me and I laughed as I sang.
You will make me laugh and make me cry
And we will never forget it
You will make me call your name
And I'll shout it to the blue summer sky...
What was coming over me?
I did forget a few details. I must have rushed into my house, grabbed some clothes and some breakfast, talked to mum and got my usual bus to school. I turned up, but I still don't remember exactly how.
And school was a daze. I normally pride myself in having a smart-arse answer tailor-made for each of my teachers, but today, I'm not sure if I even spoke. I can't remember if anyone asked me anything, so maybe I looked so weird they just backed off. Or else they did ask, and I've lost all memory. It's possible.
At lunch I went to my bag, then remembered I hadn't organised anything. That was a jolt. Mum usually gets stuff out and she and I make a sandwich or three (She makes jokes about how much I eat while I stay thin - which is a good way to annoy your sister!). Did I have any money to get something?
There was a lunch there. Mwali's mum (I guess) had made something and put it safely in the bag for me. It was chick peas and some cold meat; not my normal, but what was normal, today?
Just as school ended the phone buzzed. "Hope not forgotten catch up after school mum"
I had totally forgotten.
The coffee with mum was... interesting, shall we say. There's a nice place near her work, with excellent orange cake.
We talked. About small stuff at first. But that obviously wasn't what the catch up was about. Mum was bursting to give me a long session, I could tell, with lots of probing and kindly advice, but to her credit she held it in. I'd mentioned Mwali and the Shakespeare stuff once or twice at home. It would've been obvious I was enjoying the friendship (actually doing a bit of homework was a bonus for the parents) and I was sure she'd joined the dots after me not coming home last night.
The tricky bit came at last: "You know we love you and we care for you..."
"Yeah, course."
"We would want you to love and care for your... friends. Treat them, properly, respectfully."
A pause. Thank you mum for looking out the window.
"I get that. I promise. This whole thing, it's special. It's totally caught me by surprise. I'm, I'm sorry I didn't let you know and stuff- "
She cut me off with a wave. "Don't apologise. Just be a decent, careful person. With us. With her. And take precautions!"
I was caught by surprise again and I laughed. It lightened the mood. Mum, you're the best.
"Don't think I can't recognise that twinkle in your eye! She must be very special, wooing you with Shakespeare! I probably would've liked to meet her first. And maybe even her parents, eh? I'm, I'm trusting you... you be as good as I hope we've brought you up to be."
She paused and took a swallow.
"I will say this much. I would like to meet Mwali's parents soon. And you'd better keep up with your schoolwork!"
I felt my eyes pricking.
A text arrived. It was Mwali, inviting me to dinner at her house. I guessed she'd had "the talk" as well as me.
It was a moment. I looked up at mum. She was smiling but uncertain, struggling. She was wanting to let me go but wanting to hold on to me. How close was it to my thoughts!
She guessed who it was. "Mwali?" she said.
"Yeah. Dinner, with the family..."
She laughed. "I think I like her parents already! Well, she got in first. Off you go, but I need you home tonight! And you owe me a dinner - two if I count last night!"
Mum had tried her hardest not to be awkward. She'd done an OK job. She kissed me as I stood up, and lightly wiped a tear from the corner of my eye, but said not a word. I think her eyes might have been shining too.
The next surreal moment was at Mwali's house. Dinner was cooked with lots of cheerful shouting in English and Swahili. Mwali was told to "entertain our guest", so we just sat and watched. She sat very straight, looking radiant and proud. She would glance sideways at me under heavy eyelids and smile. I felt like I had the silliest grin on my face, but I couldn't get rid of it. Small brothers and sisters would bring bowls of good things to the table, they would stop and stare at us, then run off chattering. When we were called to dinner the commotion got louder. Mwali's father went to the head of the table and we all sat for a moment, in total silence.
He said Grace, quietly and naturally.
After the Amen it just went mad. Everybody passed bowls, served food and talked non-stop. Then they ate and talked non-stop. About everything. How was my mother and father? Your relatives are well? The rains are good, but we need more in the country. Mwali have you written your speech yet? John Oliver is good, but the rude words! Our treatment of refugees must improve. Mwali didn't pass the sauce! Do you think Pope Francis will move Americans to better understand climate change?