"Are you sure about this?" Faith turned to her husband. "I don't want some wild man staying with us!"
Alan sighed. "You need to be more open minded. I think it'll be a great experience for us."
"But we have already given so much to charity. We don't have to do this."
"That may be so. I know we can do much more than writing a check."
Alan exited off the freeway en route to the airport. The traffic outside of the terminal was crazy but then again it was the start of the summer travel. They pulled into the parking and found an empty space on the third level before taking the elevator back down. The couple weaved their way through traffic and into the terminal, which was just as chaotic as the streets. There must have been hundreds of people from business men/women, vacationing families; all of whom are just trying to catch their respective flights.
"How are we supposed find him? We don't even know what he looks like!"
"We have a name, which is a start. Besides we're a little early." Alan glanced at his phone.
Faith folded her arms across her chest. "I still don't think this is a good idea. Why are we doing this again?"
"Well it's a chance to actually reach out and change someone's life." Her husband said.
"Besides several people from our church have done it."
"Have they now?"
"Yes. Everyone I talked to said it was fulfilling experience."
Faith shook her head disapprovingly; she didn't understand her husband. He had always talked about enriching the lives of those who were less fortunate. However she never imagined he would do something this drastic. Yet after an afternoon with Reverend Simms, her husband didn't hesitate to volunteer them for sponsorship. And now with the arrival of the guest imminent, there was little she could do. Never before in their marriage has he done anything this illogical.
==
"Ladies and gentlemen, we are making our final descent. Please remain seated and fasten your seatbelt." The flight attendant announced.
After an arduous twenty hour flight, Mbumasa finally arrived at his destination, America. It was his first flying experience and a very strenuous one at that. Having sat down for such duration, Mbumasa could barely stand never mind walk but he was glad to be off the plane nonetheless.
Upon entering the terminal, he was amazed at the sights and sounds. Off in the distance, planes were taking off and landing. Surrounded by such a diversity of people, it was only then that he realized that the world was much bigger than he knew.
Everyone was going about their business, passing him by without notice. However there were some people that pointed and stared at him. Mbumasa didn't understand why they were giving him strange looks.
Ignoring those people, Mbumasa decided it would be better to move on. He was starving; his stomach growled noisily but he had no money. Suppressing his hunger, Mbumasa continued onward to find those responsible for bringing him to America. It was quite a privilege for him because he was representing his village and its people.
==
"Okay. His plane should have landed already so keep an eye out." Tim said eagerly.
"Well who exactly are we looking for? You know it would help if we had a picture."
"All those arriving will be coming down that way.
I don't think we can miss him." He turned to her.
Mbumasa came to a stop when he reached the escalator. Leaning over the side, he was in awe as everyone rode the contraption down. It was going down a hill, only no one's feet move. The ground under them was moving but everyone stayed in place. Curious to try it, Mbumasa reached out and grasp the railing; still he was hesitant to take that first step. The weary people behind him were growing increasingly impatient, forcing him aside.
"Come on, man move it! You're in the way buddy!" A disgruntled man shouted.
Alan and Faith turned to see what the commotion
was about. At the top the escalator, they could see a tall, dark man clad in a bright red blanket. He stood out like a sore thumb. The couple turned to each other then back at the man.
"Do you think he is the guy?" She said.
"That must be him I am sure of it. Let's go." Alan weaved his way through the crowd. Not sharing his enthusiasm, Faith slowly followed behind him.
Mbumasa stepped off the automated stairs and turned back to look up. Just as he was getting used to it, the ride was over. Unsure of where to go next, he just stood at the bottom of the escalator looking around incoherently. Alan breathed a sigh of relief; for a second there he kind of lost sight of him. Mbumasa noticed the man making his way towards him. Maybe this is the person he has been looking for.
"Hello. Is your name Mbumasa by any chance?" The man asked him. He was wearing a light green dress shirt, black slacks and black dress shoes. His sandy blonde hair was well-groomed. On his face, he wore a pair of Versace glasses giving him a sharp smart look. Mbumasa could see the excitement in his eyes.
"Yes. That is my name and you are?" He said.
"My name is Alan. I'm one of the people who made it possible for you to be here." Alan shook his hand. "Welcome to America."
"Thank you. I am very grateful to be here."
Mbumasa nodded. "Where is the other?"
Alan looked around. "Oh, here she comes now. This is my wife, Faith. This is Mbumasa."
Mbumasa set his eyes on the woman standing next Alan. Never in all his life have he seen such a more beautiful woman. What a woman she was - long, golden blonde hair draped over her shoulders. Her dark blue eyes were like sapphire gemstones, luminescent in the light. The peach blouse she had on accentuated the curvature of her 34C breasts. Her white cotton skirt showed off a pair of long, sexy legs. A pair of Steve Madden sandals completed the ensemble. Not even his brother's five wives, who were regarded as the most beautiful in his village couldn't compare.
"Hello. It's so nice to finally meet you." She greeted him with a subtle smile. "Welcome to America.
"Thank you. I am fortunate to meet you both."
Mbumasa shook her hand, enveloping it with his own. He didn't want to relinquish her hand but knew he must.
Until now, Faith has only seen his kind on TV and in the pages of Cultures of the World magazines. It was quite intimidating standing close to him for Mbumasa towered over her and her husband. His long black hair was intricately beaded. The checkered blanket he wore was called a shuka, indicative of Maasai warriors. On his feet was a pair of leather sandals that have seen better days. Strapped across his chest was a leather bag containing extra shukas.
==
Upon setting foot in his hosts' home, Mbumasa was enthralled. He followed his hosts into the living room, den and kitchen. It was very large and spacious, adorned with exquisite decorations. His humble little hut seemed so insignificant compared to their home. Faith remained in the kitchen to get dinner ready. As much as he wanted to stay with her, Mbumasa followed her husband back out.
"Come with me this way. I'll show you to your room." Alan led him upstairs.
"Is this a house for royalty?"
"That's funny."
Alan pointed out the master bedroom, bathroom before showing him to the guest room. Mbumasa walked around the room, which could easily fit his hut and a little more. He was in disbelief having such a room all to himself. Just like the rest of the house, everything was neatly arranged. He sat at the foot of the bed and set his bag down next to him. The thought that his hosts have prepared all this for him brought tears to his eyes. Never before has he been surrounded by such luxury.
Knock! Knock! Alan opened the door. "Hey are you hungry?" Mbumasa nodded.
The two men headed back downstairs, following the aroma that has permeated the entire house. There was quite a spread on the dinner table that included lemon chicken, roasted vegetable medley and a pasta side dish. Everything looked delicious making Mbumasa's mouth water.
"Would you like water?" Faith was holding a pitcher next to him.
"Yes. Thank you."
She filled his glass and sat down on the other side of the table. "You're not what I expected an African to look like."
"I don't understand." Mbumasa raised an eyebrow.
"You know thin...malnourished."
Alan turned to her. "Honey, that's not very polite."
"It's alright. You see I am Maasai, the fiercest warriors in Africa. We must always keep our strength." Mbumasa smiled.
As the meal continued, Mbumasa's hunger began to wane. He turned his attention onto the woman sitting across the table. Slowly he lowered his gaze from her beautiful face, stopping at her chest. Faith noticed he was staring but ultimately ignored and continued eating. After dinner, the two men headed into the living room. She washed and cleaned the dishes before heading upstairs.
==
"Come on. I think there's a game on." Alan turned on the TV.
"What is this game you speak of?"
A baseball game appeared on screen with a huge crowd of spectators. At first Mbumasa showed much excitement. However after fifteen minutes, he began to lose interest of the TV. Instead Mbmasa kept looking over his shoulder, hoping that Faith would be joining them at any moment. Of course when she didn't, his hope turned into disappointment. Mbumasa turned to Alan, whose eyes haven't left the screen.
"I don't think your wife likes me very much." Mbumasa stated.
His host turned the volume down. "What did you say?"
"Your wife, she does not like me."
"Nonsense you've just met. Give it some time and I'm sure you two will be inseparable."
"I hope you are correct." Mbumasa yawned.
He excused himself and headed upstairs to get some much needed sleep. It has been a very long trip and he was drained. Mbumasa paused in the hall, turned towards the master bedroom for a second before heading to his room.
==
It's been several days since his arrival and Mbumasa has tried to help Faith around the house. Of course she never let him because he was a guest in their house. Boredom plagued Mbumasa, who was use to doing his daily chores back home. He woke up one morning and was heading to the bathroom. Faith emerged from the bathroom, tightening the front of her robe.
