Finally & Forever (17 page)

“What was that all about? Are you mocking my comment about your skills?”

“I haven’t found my place yet, okay? It’s probably here in the village. That’s what I’m trying to find out.”

Michael shook his head.

“What? You don’t think I could handle living in a village?”

“I don’t doubt for a moment that you could handle living in a village. You can handle anything life throws at you. But I heard about the fund-raiser you did at your college, how it pulled in a tidy sum. Good on ya.”

Katie wasn’t able to take his praise, so she discounted the compliment by saying, “Yeah, well, I heard that someone spiked the donations, so it wasn’t that big of a success.”

“Not from what I just heard in the interviews. Didn’t the fund-raiser motivate a group of college students to come over here? We went to the village where they worked, just two days ago, as a matter of fact. From everything we heard and saw, the college work team was a great success. Why won’t you take a little credit for being their source of motivation?”

Katie shrugged and looked down.

“I know it’s not my place to be makin’ suggestions about how you should live your life, Katie. But it seems obvious to me that you were made for that.”

“Made for what?”

“For motivatin’ people and gettin’ them to do things they wouldn’t normally do. If you want to do some good for this organization, why don’t you appoint yourself the official marketing specialist or whatever title you want? You can duplicate what you did at your school at other universities around the world. I have a contact at Queens University in Belfast. I could connect you with him, and he would be all over this sort of thing. Once they see the documentary, they’re going to be linin’ up to come here as teams. Who’s going be the one to organize all that and get the fund-raisers goin’?”

Katie felt as if a thousand fireflies had lit up at the same moment inside her imagination. The ideas were fluttering around like the flying termites, just a quick snatch away from being easily caught. She felt enlivened as she listened to Michael’s suggestions. Yes, this was it. This was what she wanted to do.

“You like that idea, do ya? Your face never lied to me, Katie. I see it in your eyes. This is what you were meant to do. It’s obvious. How did you miss it?”

“I don’t know.”

Michael laughed. “I never thought I would hear those words from your lovely lips.”

Katie bit the inside of her lower lip, thinking of all the great ways she could work on this by connecting with not only universities but also church groups. She had the template of how she and Eli had worked together to put on the fund-raiser as well as the training at Rancho. They could work together to do the same sort of program many times over. This was it! This was what she could do.

“It’s brilliant, Michael.”

He laughed again. “I’m the one who says ‘brilliant,’ remember? You’re the one who calls something like this a ‘God-thing.’”

Katie grinned at Michael for the first time that day.

“Ah, there it is. I knew you still had a smile in there for me somewhere. See, I didn’t forget everything you taught me. I remember all the God-things, Katie. I really do.”

Katie’s thoughts had run ahead to what she needed for this project. “So, we can have a copy of the documentary you’re filming, right?”

“Sure, not a problem.”

“Would it be okay if we put an excerpt on the website?”

“Yes, we can help you with that.”

“And you’ll get me the name of your contact at Queens University in Belfast.”

“Again, not a problem. He’s my father-in-law.”

“We’ll also need …” Katie stopped. “Wait. Did you say he’s your father-in-law?”

“Yes.”

Katie raised her eyebrows and stared at him.

Michael tilted his head and gave Katie a mischievous grin. “Did I not mention that I’m married?”

“No. You didn’t happen to mention that.”

“Ahh, well I am. Happily, as a matter of fact. You would like her. She’s a good one. She got me to church. I knew you would be in her corner on that.”

Katie still couldn’t believe it. “And how would your wife feel if she knew you were running around Africa kissing other women?”

“I only kiss the ones I seriously dated. Shall I add that list up for you? Three. And you’re the only one of the three I’ve seen so far on this trip, so my reputation isn’t as spotted as you seem to think.”

“It’s still not normal to greet someone with a kiss like that.”

“And I say, for me, it is.”

They glared at each other, as if they had come to a standoff. At that moment, Eli made an appearance, striding toward them with his focus set.

Katie looked up at Eli and smiled. She couldn’t wait to tell him about her breakthrough in knowing what it was that she could do for the organization.

“Everyone is gathering.” Eli’s eyes were set on Katie and her crazy hair. The girls had finished their creation, and all but one had gone across to the shade of another hut where they were busying themselves with another willing patron who had much shorter and coarser hair.

“I told her she looks like a cartoon character,” Michael said. “And then I asked her to marry me, and she said yes. Too bad. You missed your chance.”

“Michael, don’t say stuff like that. And, Eli, don’t listen to him. He has a warped sense of humor. But here’s an interesting news flash. He’s married.”

Eli looked like he was trying very hard to swallow the words he wanted to say. The response that popped out of his mouth was, “Congratulations.”

“For what?” Michael asked. “Having a warped sense of humor?”

“Congratulations on your marriage.”

“Thanks. And for the record, Katie and I have made our amends. So in case you’re thinking you’ve come over to defend her honor, we’re squared.”

Katie remembered how Michael had a way of slipping out of his sarcastic tone and turning serious. This was definitely that sort of transition. She hoped Eli picked up on the adjustment. Katie felt more comfortable around Michael now that she realized his status, and she hoped Eli did as well.

Michael said, “You know how they say that when you know, you know? Well, it’s true. I knew. She knew. Right away. Within the first month after we met. It was all over but the negotiating. That took a year and a half.”

Michael paused, and Katie watched Eli’s expression. Eli seemed to be trying to discern if he could trust Michael or if he was being sarcastic again.

Rising to his feet, Michael turned to go. “I hope the negotiating doesn’t take that long for you two. Life’s too short.”

Katie met Eli’s gaze and held it for a moment. She wondered if all the relational bumps they had experienced the last few days were about to be smoothed out. Was this the turning point? Were they ready to acknowledge that they were a great pair? All they had to do was figure out who got to pursue his or her ideal vocation and who was going to make the sacrifice to support the other one’s vision.

If that was true, she was ready to start the negotiations with her fresh insight into how she and Eli could work together and set up a desk in the office. She already knew where they would put it — up against the wall that held their hidden valentine heart. They could get to work right away on fund-raising. This possibility hadn’t been on Eli’s radar when he made his declarations about wanting to be involved in the villages for extended periods of time. Surely he would change his mind about that now.

“I don’t agree with him,” Eli said after Michael was out of earshot.

“About what?” Katie wondered if Michael’s insinuations that Eli and Katie were headed for marriage were too much for Eli to grapple with at the moment.

“I don’t think you look like a cartoon character.”

“Thanks.”

Eli held out his hand to help Katie stand up. “Did the two of you really settle things? Did he apologize?”

“Yes and yes.” She rose and brushed off her backside, but she knew it was pointless. The dust from the dry earth had managed to cling to every inch of her. Even that didn’t bother her the way she thought it might. It’s different being dusty and dirty when everyone else around you is. A shower would be nice, but she didn’t crave the luxury and decided she made a pretty good outdoorsy woman.

“Actually, we had a really good talk. And Eli, I need to apologize to you. I shouldn’t have gotten so aggravated and upset with you earlier. I know you and I have a lot to talk through, and I also know that we’ll be able to have that talk eventually.”

“Yes, we will. I’m sorry I took my anger out on you too.”

Eli pulled her close and whispered in her ear, “Mimi na wewe pete na kidole.”

“No fair using Swahili. Say it in English.”

“No.” He started walking to the tribal gathering area, and Katie had to scurry to keep up with him.

“No? What do you mean, no?”

“You already know what it means.”

She knew it wasn’t the “God is the sustainer” blessing, nor did it contain the word for “water.” Then she remembered. The little girl who had clung to her all morning had said that phrase to her. Katie repeated the meaning in English. “I and you are like a ring and a finger.”

Eli grinned at her and, as they walked, bumped his shoulder up against hers in his chummy way.

Katie bumped his shoulder back. “We still have a bunch of stuff to talk about.”

“Yes, I know. We’ll talk after this evening’s gathering.”

As they walked toward the center of the village, a cluster of Katie’s little tribal fairies gathered around her and scrambled to be the one to hold her hand. For the first time since Katie had arrived in Kenya, she
felt as if she had clarity and direction about what she was supposed to do. It was such a liberating feeling. She couldn’t wait to get started.

Earlier, in the hut, Cheryl had told her that everything had a purpose. Katie no longer felt the need to contest that comment. Everything was falling into place. Even the crazy pieces were starting to make sense.

Nothing but good times ahead.

T
he good times started as soon as they entered the center of the village where everyone had gathered. Even though Katie knew she must look ridiculous with her head full of itty-bitty braids laced with foliage, and even though she must smell pretty gamey after being in the same clothes now for two days, she waltzed her way to the evening meal a step behind Eli, with her entourage close behind as if she were the queen of Sheba.

She had no way of knowing what she looked like — aside from Michael’s comment about the cartoon character resemblance — since no mirrors were anywhere around. Katie knew she wouldn’t find any clear pools of water either, where she could catch a glimpse of her reflection. The only way she could gauge her appearance was in the expressions of those who looked at her. What an interesting and different way that would be for a young woman to grow up.

Katie wondered for a moment if part of the reason so many of the young women she knew who had poor self-esteem ended up that way because they had spent their lives gazing at themselves in a mirror instead of being the mirror others gazed into.

Cheryl came up to her and smiled. “Look at you! The girls did a great job on your hair.” She repeated something in Swahili, looking the girls in the eye and clearly praising them for their efforts.

Cheryl’s short white hair was matted down in front with perspiration from her efforts with the village women in preparing food. Her
shirt was untucked and stained in several places. She looked happy though.

Katie fixed her expression so that it would mirror back to Cheryl that she was beautiful inside and out and looked perfect just the way she was.

“I’m so glad you’re able to be here with us and experience all this, Katie.”

“I am too.” Katie wasn’t sure what she expected of this great celebration. It seemed as if the number of villagers had doubled since earlier in the day. Either many of them were off elsewhere during the well’s dedication or the area where they gathered was a smaller space and that made the group seem larger.

One of the women in a colorful caftan stood in the center of the gathering and sang. Her song was composed of rich, low notes that repeated themselves and kept to an elemental, repetitive rhythm. The song was more of a lyrical chant than a melody, and it acted as a call to cluster, as everyone formed a large circle and bent their knees slightly so they could bob along with the song.

Some people clapped in beat with the meter, forming the percussion section. Half a dozen women stepped into the circle and danced a bobbing sort of dance with their elbows bent and their forearms extended to the sides. Their hands were open, and their smiles were wide, as if they were about to greet one another warmly. Clearly this was a song of celebration and a dance of praise.

A few small children joined in, imitating the movements as if they couldn’t keep their feet from dancing. Two young women entered the circle and danced beside the older women, emulating their moves. Then two teenage boys stepped in and added high-kicking moves with their legs.

Katie pulled out her cell phone to capture the festivities. More villagers had entered into the chanting-style song, and the ones who weren’t dancing remained in the circle formation and clapped in rhythm with the beat. The song kept repeating the same lines, and Katie wished she knew what the words meant.

One of the women reached out her hand to Cheryl, inviting her into the dance. Cheryl stepped forward, and with surprisingly similar motions, she danced along with the women. Katie never would have guessed Cheryl had it in her to move so effortlessly and in perfect rhythm. Jim was invited next, and then all of the men from the well-digging team.

Katie watched as Michael joined in while the other videographer chronicled the event. Michael clapped and moved with an odd, locked-knee sort of sway. She hadn’t gone to any dances with him in high school and had no idea he was so rigid. Katie felt embarrassed for him in a way, but she knew if she had been summoned to join in, her movements would have been laughable. She looked around for Eli, who had woven his way through the crowd. He was standing near one of the young men, saying something to him.

A few moments later, the sounds of a drum began, and the singer was joined by two other song chanters who changed the tune. The little girls still clustered around Katie took the change as their invitation to join in. All six of them pulled on Katie’s arms and drew her out on the dirt dance floor. They circled her, all clapping and swaying, bobbing and grinning. With the little girls it seemed there was no wrong way to do this, so Katie let go and got in touch with her inner African boogie princess.

She was certain she looked hilarious with her braided hair flapping every which way and her white-girl moves that probably imitated a trained cockatiel pacing about on its perch, performing for a few pellets.
Who cares! I’m going for it
.

The little girls giggled, and Katie laughed with them, her chin up, her heart tossed to the heavens. Then, to add a bit of California culture, Katie tried a dance move she remembered practicing in high school when she and her girlfriends would dance at their sleepover parties. It didn’t seem to impress the girls here any more than it had impressed the girls from Kelley High. Katie laughed it off and kept going with the African beat, wondering if somewhere in the crowd
Eli and Michael were watching her and feeling a little sorry and even embarrassed for her.

The drums changed the tempo one more time, and the chanting fell off so that it was only the drums, two of them now, that were dictating the next dance. Some of the dancers slipped into the livelier pace with more staccato movements. But Katie, along with Jim and Cheryl, stepped out of the limelight. Soon all the women stepped back, and only the village men continued to dance. With their shoulders back and arms to their sides, their sinewy legs did all the rhythmic movements.

Eli stepped forward and joined the dozen men who were dancing. Katie smiled.
This ought to be good
.

She remembered several times at school over the past year when Eli had come across as awkward when trying to imitate common greetings and clever joke movements that were familiar to those in the Southern California culture. He didn’t really get the high five or knuckle bumps and had been slow to pick up the moves.

Here, in front of Katie’s eyes, his coordination skills sprang into action. Katie’s jaw dropped as she saw him slide into the lineup of dancers and follow their moves as if he had done this his whole life. He was good. Very good. His movements were natural and heartfelt. It was as if Eli heard the song, felt the beat, and was able to interpret the motions with easy duplication of the men around him.

Katie wasn’t the only one who was surprised. One of the men from the well-digging team stood close to Katie and said, “It’s like one of those dance competition shows, isn’t it? Where did he learn to do that?”

“He grew up in Africa. It’s in his heart.” She couldn’t take her eyes off him. This was a side of Eli she had never seen, never imagined. Once again she felt twinges of regret that she had judged him so hastily when she first met him.

The drums came to an abrupt halt, and so did the dancers. Food was brought out in baskets and bowls. Clean water was poured out of
gallon-sized plastic containers. Eli sauntered over and stood next to Katie, his face beaming.

“Whoa, Lorenzo! You’ve got the moves, boy.”

He grinned at her, looking happy, content. “You weren’t too bad yourself, for a California girl.”

“You’re just saying that to make me feel better. I was a total goofball out there.”

“Yes, but you were a very cute goofball.”

Katie looked at the half grin Eli seemed to be hiding, and she pointed a finger at him. “Okay, Lorenzo, I see it right there. You can’t hide it. The truth is about to come out. You do think I look like a cartoon character, don’t you?”

He gave her an exaggerated look of innocence and then, with a grin, he said, “Well, okay. Maybe a little. But a very cute cartoon character.”

Katie smirked at him then reached over and touched his arm. “Eli, I need to apologize to you again.”

“Apologize? For what?” His expression turned serious.

“Yes. I need to apologize for a couple of things, actually. First, I apologize for the way I treated you when we first met. I looked down on you, ignored you, and gave you a hard time every chance I got.”

“You don’t need to apologize for that, Katie.”

“I think I do. I didn’t give you a chance to be yourself and to be accepted for your cultural differences and your oddities.”

“My oddities, huh?”

“You know what I mean. I didn’t honor the diversity. There, how’s that for a politically correct way of saying it?”

“It’s all right, Katie. It’s understandable. I didn’t fit well in California. That’s in the past. You accept me for my oddities now, don’t you?”

“Yes. I’m just so much more aware of my little oddities. I feel like you’re giving me more grace than I gave you. So, thank you for that. And I know we said we were going to talk about this later, but the other thing I want to apologize for is waiting so long to tell you about
the money. I can see how that would make you feel as if I didn’t trust you or something.”

Eli gave a slight shrug, as if he already had tossed that tense encounter in the river and it was floating away, headed for the hungry crocodiles.

“It would have been nice to know so I wouldn’t have been caught off guard. But it’s okay. Don’t worry about it, Katie. You don’t ever have to apologize for being yourself around me. There’s no hope for the rest of the world if you stop being you. I’m depending on you to stay true to yourself in every situation.”

“I can do that, but you need to know I can’t guarantee your safety when my truest self is loose. I mean, talk about chasing wild monkeys.”

Eli grinned. “I’ll take my chances.” He reached for her hand and gave it a squeeze. “We’re going to go far, Princess Hakuna Matata. You’ll see.”

Katie felt as if the ever-glowing embers of the Eli-fire that had been carefully guarded in the corner of her heart were fanned into flames. Sparks rose, dancing like fireflies to an exotic beat. This moment with Eli, both of them covered with dust and perspiration and surrounded by little girls trying to hold hands with both of them, was a million times better than her prom night had been or any expensive dinner date with Rick or any birthday she had ever celebrated. This was the most golden evening of her life, and Katie didn’t want it to end. Ever.

But by the time all the stars had come out of hiding and showed their shining faces to the assembly below, the moment had waned. Young children curled up in their mothers’ arms and fell asleep. The old men leaned back contentedly, emptied of all the stories they had given as their verbal dessert to any who drew close enough to hear.

Eli walked Katie back to the car to retrieve her duffel bag. The digging crew had offered their tent to Katie and Cheryl and had volunteered to camp with Eli and the other guys on a big, blue tarp they had stretched out under the stars.

They stopped at an area that was lit by a Coleman lantern where the additional drilling supplies were stacked up. Eli seemed to have
something to say before escorting Katie to the tent where the rest of the English speakers in the area could hear their conversation.

“We still have a couple of things to talk about,” he said.

To Katie it seemed that what needed to be said for the moment had been covered in their earlier, golden conversation. They didn’t need to talk at length now. In the morning they could go for a long walk and discuss all the things that had been left unexplored for the past few weeks, including Eli’s interest in doing fieldwork for extended periods of time. Katie was pretty confident that once he heard her inspired idea of how they could work together on fund-raisers, he would change his focus. She knew his parents would like that idea. To Katie’s way of thinking, they could talk about that openly in the car on the way home tomorrow.

“You like it here, don’t you?” Eli asked.

“I love it. This was an amazing day.”

“It was.”

“I can see all kinds of possibilities for the future.”

“Good. I feel the same way, Katie. You will have to learn some more Swahili, though.”

“I was thinking the same thing. You can start to teach me anytime.”

“Okay, I can do that. Gladly.”

“I have some great ideas for how we can raise awareness and prepare more teams to come into the villages,” Katie said enthusiastically.

Eli looked pleased. “You know, I’ve been praying that everything would be clear to you after you spent some time in the village.”

“Well, then God really answered your prayer, because of all people, it was Michael who helped me to see that it’s the ideal position for me. And it’s so obvious. I don’t know how we missed it.”

“Michael helped you to figure out?”

“Yes. Crazy, I know. Your mom said earlier today that everything has a purpose, and I saw what she meant when I talked with Michael. He helped me to see that I’m suited to start more fund-raisers at colleges and churches. I can use what you and I put together for the
fund-raiser at Rancho as the template and then adjust for each group we work with. The documentary will help people to see what’s going on here, and you and I can organize the work teams that will want to come and help. It’s absolutely perfect. It’s like you said: you and I are going to go far, Eli.”

“Wait. Katie, what are you saying?”

“I’m saying that you and I can work together in the office and expand the work in the villages but, more importantly, multiply the fund-raising efforts.”

“Were we having the same conversation here? Where did that come from?”

“From the conversation I had with Michael.”

“I thought you were saying that you like being here, that you feel comfortable in the village.”

“I do.”

“Then I’m confused. I thought you had come to the conclusion today that you wanted to work with me.”

“I do.”

Neither spoke for a moment. Then Katie clarified her answer. “I want to work with you in the office at Brockhurst and do all the things I just listed: expand the fund-raising, bring in more teams. It’s the perfect position for both of us.”