GET GONE
The Beginning of an End to a Beginning
by Eduardo 

  There was a big family 'pow wow' in Nairobi this morning so we all flew up there. All the Malindi resort and property guys (and Dons) were there, my hand nearly fell off with all the hand shakes and I'm sure I lost a layer of skin from the constant cheek to cheeks.

All went exceedingly well without the slightest negativity, even from Maria who sat quietly with her uncle throughout. I never saw her leave and will never see again I doubt.
The plane was delayed coming back, which is normal in Africa and we didn't get back to Mombassa until one in the morning. The guy in the waiting limo had nodded off! So by the time we got back to Bamburi, what was planned didn't happen, just a sound nights sleep from the travel and excitement. Liam was tuckered out again after playing with a whole bunch of kids. Tomorrow it will be the gym again for him and a good work out before breakfast then swimming, playing and jet skiing. I'm looking forwards to a nice relaxing day with lots of happy chat, a few martinis and who knows what later.

Awoke Saturday morning and oh dear, the rain was teaming down. So heavy in fact that as we sat up in bed and gazed through the patio doors, the beach and the ocean were totally blotted out. We both looked at each other and smartly pulled the covers over again.
"Its better in bed." she whispered with a smile.
"Very true." I agreed as I took her into my arms and we cuddled up close.
The idyllic moment was broken by the room phone. Liam was awake and asking how long before we are ready for breakfast. I could have strangled him, in the nicest of ways.
"Kids." I exclaimed, replacing the hand set and gesturing arms high in the air.
"Tell me." She responded with a broad knowing smile and sprang out of bed.
As she wandered off into the bathroom, I looked out on the raging rain storm and felt at ease for the first time I can remember. We both knew what we wanted, but not until the time was right. I knew she was exploring me as much as I her. She had been studying all my reactions to everybody and everything. The amount of alcohol I drank and how it effected me, she took special note of and I could tell she was suitably impressed that I never became tipsy or upset with drink. In fact I think was more than impressed by all my ways and I could feel her love growing each day, as she became more certain of the man with her. I was becoming 'her man' and that was starting to feel nice.

Liam joined us and we crossed the small grove to the restaurant, not too bothered by the warm rain descending down to breakfast. All the usual offerings were available from Indian spicy to omeletes or breakfast fry up. Cakes, cereals, cheeses, yogurts and even porridge. It was all there each morning complete with our personal waiter on our reserved table and smiling people every where. It was a great start to each day. By the time breakfast was over, the sun was out again in the blue sky as if the storm had never happened. That's one of the nice things about Africa, quick downpours then within a few minutes all is dry again.

As we sauntered outside, the pool side manager beckoned that our sun beds were ready. He always reserved this lovely spot under two huge coconut trees and parasol for us and placed fresh towels ready for us each day after breakfast. One day, some Germans got there first and he was so upset in having to relocate us. Don't know what he said to them but they never set up in that area again. Evelyne and I just sat there small talking and watching Liam as he joined in with the pool fun as our waiter served fresh tea. But this day he handed me a wine list.
"Would you like some fine wine with dinner tonight sir?"
I looked at the list of well stocked wines from around the globe and knowing Evelyne liked a good red wine, chose an old Sicilian rogue. As no prices were printed, I queried the cost as he took the wine list from me.
"Oh no sir." he said shaking his head and hand at me. "This is for you from the manager." he informed me and then continued.
"If you would like to chose your table sir, then we shall reserve it for you each night."
"Er, okay." I replied somewhat taken aback by this sudden 'over' hospitality, and stood up as he obviously expected me to follow him to chose there and then. Which I did.
Thereafter, each night the table was always set with flowers and candles and our wine choice of the day.
I tell you, the three of us turned all heads when we entered the restaurant each evening. Even casual Liam likes to look smart for dinner and Evelyne likewise. Me I would put on my fine Italian salmon coloured suit or one of the cream or white ones and as we walked in, they looked at us with broad smiles of respect and approval. We must of looked VIP's to them sitting at our own table, with three waiters setting the chairs for each of us and the ceremonial tasting of the wine.
To get the picture, you must remember that apart from clearing your table, this is a self service restaurant so waiters don't dally around the tables much.
I really thought an older white gentleman with a young African woman and a teenage son would create confusion in others guests minds, but no. Just the opposite, they all looked upon us as a happy family unit and seemed genuinely delighted to greet and talk with us at every opportunity. We were certainly the most popular guests and that really made the holiday for us.

Around noon we decided to take a car into Mombassa to buy a few things and some clothes for Liam. He was happy to stay at the resort and knowing he was in very safe hands we set off. For those who have not been there, Mombassa is a very 'third world' place. The roads, if that's what you can call them are full of taxi vans weaving around the huge potholes. When it rains everything is just one big mud bath. Smoke puffing lorries, obnoxious fumes every where and certainly a lot worse than down town Delhi. But the dust laden shops and stalls sell just about everything, providing you can survive the bartering to buy it. Evelyne picked out a couple of casual tops for Liam and me, her taste is good and price negotiation skills even better. Even though everyone speaks English, I left her to do the bargaining and she is hard with them.

After coffee we phoned for the driver to come out and pick us up. The hotel had made a car available for my use during the stay, but I didn't fancy driving there, so they gave us a driver as well. He was nearly always asleep in the car just outside the entrance gates, but like everyone else had a mobile phone.
By the time we got back it was nearly dinner time and Liam was still playing in the pools, so being a hot evening we had the table set outside with a front view of the evenings entertainment, a group of acrobats. After dinner we all relaxed and watched the show.
It was amazing as they balanced chairs five high on top of four coke bottles and sat on top! And the speed at which they could shim up and down a pole was quite a feat.

Liam was well taken back by their agility and Eve explained to him they were a local coast tribe, mainly Rastafarian and specialised in this sort of body contortion and acrobatics.
It was nice to see them getting on so well together, though Eve did find it hard at first to understand his special needs which now she enjoys. He made a friend today, a seventeen year old boy with Aspergers and his nine year old brother. They are a good family and Liam took them both on his jet ski today for twenty minutes. They loved it, especially when he deliberately capsized it. The family love it that there boy has made such an understanding friend and Liam really enjoys hours in the pool with them.

We sat and chatted as the disco started and I noticed how Liam was joining in with virtually every conversation, and enjoying it. That's a long way for him, as his social skills are the weak point and tend to prevent him interacting with others successfully. He had five years of counseling for that and three years of it was daily. Poor kid had to be up two hours earlier than others every day to go to pre-school counseling. It took a long time for me to find the right school but eventually got him the best there is and this holiday was proving the worth of that school.

As a slight cool breeze blew, she snuggled into me and I placed my arm around her to protect from the little goose bumps appearing. Liam looked at us and gave me a knowing smile of approval as we stole a little kiss.
Tonight I was feeling amorous and had explored enough hard facts, it was time to stop testing the waters and dive in, head first.
Drinking up and sauntering off to our rooms, Liam said goodnight at his door and gave Eve a goodnight hug, and of course, his Papa. Poor lad was tired out as usual from a non stop day of activity and excitement.

We locked our door, undressed and showered. I walked out onto the balcony and gazed at the bright moonlight glistening on the still waters as Eve finished off in the bathroom. The air was exciting, in fact the whole moment was.