Chapter 9

Sean woke up with a terrible hangover in the fat lady’s hotel. He remembered drinking way too many beers and talking to the same two white down and out guys that were there before when Charlie played his game with the treasure map. He kept his mouth shut about where he had been and why he was back in town alone.

After a small breakfast, he packed his horse and left town for the big city of Mombasa. He had some money in his pocket and with the sale of the horse he could go where he wanted. Where? He had no idea at the moment, but try as he might, he couldn’t get Clare out of his mind. Mounting up he left town slowly as the fat lady looked on with sorrow at her boarder knowing something very troubling was bothering him. Life was like that, she thought. Never seems fair and why such bad things happen to nice people completely eluded her.

His head hanging down against the rising sun, Sean tried to get his spirits up and get on with his life. He knew the safari would be leaving soon and would end in Mombasa. He would have a reunion with Slim and tell him goodbye. It was time for him to move on alone. The run with Slim had been a good one, but now, at the age of over thirty, it was time to seek a look at newer horizons.

 

The safari plodded along without mishap or having any hungry lions feeding on them the entire way back to the port. It was a rather solemn group, but friendly. Slim and Jasmine were very happy and if one looked closely at her, you might see a little bulge in her belly. Clare noticed and smiled wondering what the baby would look like? Slim seemed to get stronger each day and he and Matt talked about future business together. Clare took notice and was sorry to not see Sean involved with them. She also wondered where he was and longed to see him and apologize for her rudeness knowing full well he was not schooled in relationships.

Sean arrived in the port city and sold his horse at a nice price. He went to the steamship office and inquired about passage to Ireland. He hadn’t been home for many years and even though he had very little family, an uncle and aunt or two were what he remembered. He needed a break from Africa and with good and bad memories; he needed to touch base with his homeland. Maybe it would only be for a little while and then he might go to America where opportunity still existed for a young smart guy like him.

He found out from the shipping company a passenger ship leaving in two weeks. He asked about cargo ships and was told there were two in port loading now for England at about the same time as the passenger ship was due to depart. He got the names of the cargo ships and left to inquire about passage in exchange for work. After two hours of looking and finding the captain or first mate of the cargo ships, he signed on one of them as a ships hand for the exchange of passage to Liverpool England.

Sean was staying at a hotel that when he and Slim were in town they always stayed there. It was owned by a German guy who stayed on after the war and after dabbling in this and that, bought the hotel and slowly modernized it into a clean well run place that was reasonable. He and Sean were on good terms as the safari big game guides such as Slim and Sean used his place for an office. As Sean walked in to check in, Dolf was leaning on the check in counter and when he saw Sean, he broke into a big smile and held out his hand for a shake. He asked Sean, ‘Where is your partner?

Sean told him, ‘He'll be along in a few weeks or so as he's still with the safari and they'll be returning here soon.’

Doff had a frown on his face and sensed something was not right with Sean here and Slim still out on safari. Inwardly he thought, none of my business and said to Sean, ‘Your room is available and after you clean up, let’s have a glass of wine together and you can tell me what the news from Nairobi is.’

Sean nodded and took his key and went up the stairs to his room. In his room, Sean looked around and all was the same as usual. He sat on the bed and wanted no part of talking to his friend Dolf. He sent him a message that he was tired and would see him the next day. However, the next day came and Slim was gone to England. Dolf found a note telling him to give his rife and other things to Slim when he came to town.

Slim and the other members of the safari checked into Dolf’s hotel. Dolf told him he had news of Sean and would see him in the bar at Slim’s convenience.

Slim after washing up, went down to the bar where he found Dolf. Dolf had given him the high sign and Slim was anxious to know what he wanted. He guessed it was about Sean. He found him standing at the bar talking to another safari guide Slim vaguely knew. Slim took his beer to a table and waited for Dolf to join him. A few minutes later Dolf sat down and told Slim about Sean. ‘Well Slim, Sean left his rifle and knife with me for you. He left yesterday on a cargo ship bound for Liverpool. He never smiled the whole time he was here and every morning early, he would go out and not return till dark. I asked him a few times where he had been and his reply was always out walking.’

Slim sat there in silence and couldn’t believe his ears that his friend and partner was gone. He said out loud, ‘God will I ever see him again? I don’t believe it. He can’t be gone.’ Dolf saw a tear in his eye and got up and left Slim alone with his thoughts.

Clare was lying on her bed staring at the ceiling. Her father was fussing around and talking nonsense to no one in particular. Clare was thinking about Sean and what could she do about finding him. She got up and went to Jasmine’s room and knocked on the door. Jasmine opened the door and said to come in. Slim was not there, Clare noticed. Jasmine told her to sit down and tell her what the trouble was, if she didn’t know. Clare said she needed to find Sean and tell him she was sorry for the way she acted. Jasmine said to have patience and all good things will come in time. Clare didn’t want to hear that, as Slim walked through the door carrying a rifle and knife.

Clare recognized the rifle as Sean’s and the knife too. She blurted out, ‘That's Sean’s rifle and knife! Where is he? Please Slim tell me what you know,’ she pleaded with him.

Slim sat on the bed with a long look on his face and said through trembling lips, ‘He’s gone. He's on a ship headed for England. He left yesterday and he told Dolf he was going to Liverpool and then to Ireland.

Clare completely broke down and Jasmine kneeled on the floor in front of her and held her while she cried it out. The three of them were sad and after awhile, Clare said she was fine now and went to her room. She cried herself to sleep and in the other room, Slim cried in Jasmines arms too. They both couldn’t believe he was not in their lives anymore.

Next morning they all met in the restaurant to finalize the safari and to check on the ship they had booked many months ago for the return trip to England. After breakfast the girls went shopping in the market. Clare was starting to come out of her depression and Jasmine wanted to buy her something to remember her by. Walking around the market Jasmine spotted what she was looking for: a handmade bag from the skin of a Zebra. Jasmine told Clare she would put in a few trinkets she had in her room and then give it to her just before she left on the ship.

The ship came in the next day and was scheduled to leave in two days back to England. Lucky for Slim a rich European from Belgium was looking for a guide to lead him to see some gorillas. They made a deal at the hotel and were scheduled to leave in a week’s time. Jasmine would go with them of course and Slim rounded up some porters.

On the day of Clare and the professor’s departure, Jasmine came to Clare’s room. She told Clare she almost forgot to give her the bag and handed it over to her while Clare was finishing packing a few last minute things. Jasmine helped her and when all was ready, they departed for the ship. At the ship, they said goodbye and promised to stay in touch as time went on. Clare hugged them both and said to name the baby after either Sean or Clare. She laughed and waved good bye and boarded the ship.