Part 34 (1/2)

Its sweet of her to try to be rea.s.suring. They both feel that to attack the Luos here in the bush is nearly impossible, but neither of them says so.

It has been a long time since they heard anything from Roberto. Iben asks him how he is doing.

His voice is almost gone. Not too good.

Iben goes to sit next to him. The darkness and the heat do strange things to time. It must be the waiting that makes time move so terribly slowly. Eventually they fall asleep. Their dreams are chaotic.

Iben is in her own corner again when Omoro comes in with a kettle full of the dreadful tea that is available everywhere in Kenya. It is always served mixed with milk and lots of sugar. Most Kenyans love their tea, and it is a thoughtful gesture on Omoros part. Iben and Cathy thank him profusely and drink, even though the oversweetened concoction somehow swells in the mouth after more than twenty-four hours of hunger.

A little later Omoro brings a dish of dry mush made from ground cornmeal. They eat with their fingers from the dish, doing their best to forget about those trips to the trench. It is a pity that Roberto has no appet.i.te, but its a relief that his soiled fingers arent dipping into the food.

Omoro sits next to Iben and whispers in her ear: If that old man with the scars wants to take you outside, you must try to get out of it.

Iben would like to ask Omoro what he has heard about Dalmas Phillip, but she stops herself. Instead, she tries to imitate the sound made by the Luos when they understand and accept something.

A fly insists on trying to land in her eye. Every time she waves it away it comes back. Mostly the native people dont seem to notice the flies, and Iben doesnt want to disturb the intimacy with Omoro by waving her arms about.

Omoro is silent for quite a while. Finally he speaks. You saw Ojiji too.

Yes. Iben knows that Omoros friend, the dead driver, was called Ojiji.

Omoro sits quietly for a little longer, before saying the same thing again. You saw him too.

Yes. I did.

You saw him in the truck with me.

Yes. She tries to come across as gentle and friendly. The fly investigates her ear. Omoro, it was dreadful.

Once more he seems not to know what to say.

Iben mumbles to show her sympathy. Even though she can glimpse his face in the darkness, she cannot distinguish the expression on it. She feels rather than sees that he is crying soundlessly. His breathing is irregular.

Then Omoro tells her about the choir to which many of the men here belong. With the support of a Christian aid organization, they went on tour around Kenya. In addition to the choir, Omoro and Ojiji also sang in a quartet together. Once, all four of them had traveled to Mombasa to sing at an event in the town council building. The mayor of Mombasa was in the audience. They saw the sea. At night they slept in a park, even though it was forbidden.

She has already heard many stories about Ojiji after the service this morning. All the men seem to feel that his death was the most important event of the last twenty-four hours. They mourn Ojiji in a different way from the other dead man, with more sorrow.

Omoro speaks again: We should never have made him drive the truck.

Omoro, you believed that it was more dangerous to sit next to the driver, holding a machine gun. No one could have known that it was the driver they They talk together for a while longer, speaking into the darkness. Then someone outside the hut calls to Omoro.

When he has left, Cathy stirs. Youre good at this, Iben.

Thank you. Its harder with the rest of them. I think Omoro and I get along well because we sat together in the trucks cab. Iben feels worn out. She lies down before speaking again. It can only be to everyones advantage if I manage to get along with at least some of them.

Cathy lies very still. She is silent.

Then, a long time later, Cathy whispers, half to herself: I could try to do the same thing. Usually Im better at it than this.

Are you still feeling ill?

Yes. No. The diarrhea seems to have stopped, but Im Oh, maybe its just because Im so scared.

Roberto and Mark must be listening.

What about the other two? How are you?

n.o.body responds, except Cathy. Mark is having a very hard time. Mark?

A deep sigh tells them that Mark has heard them. Cathy turns to put her hand on his forehead. He whispers No and she takes it away.

Iben lifts the small oil lamp and holds it close to Robertos face. Roberto, how are you?

He looks bad. She asks again, but he says nothing.

She feels a cold sweat breaking over her skin. She strokes his cheek. No reaction. She becomes aware of her heart thumping as she bends over him and gently pulls back one of his eyelids. His eye has rolled up in its socket so that only the white part is visible.

Roberto!

Cathys voice is hoa.r.s.e. Whats going on?

I dont know. Hes gone limp. He seems to be unconscious. Oh, G.o.d. Hes f.u.c.king unconscious. What should we do?

Iben moves to the doorway. She pulls the cloth back and speaks as authoritatively as she can manage. We need a doctor!

The guard outside the door is new to Iben. She keeps repeating her request. We need a doctor! Quickly!

After a while the guard calls another man. He calls out again and soon several men are milling about outside the hut.

The older man who conducted the service turns up. He goes inside to examine Roberto. When he comes out he looks worried and speaks at length in Dhuluo. Dalmas Phillip has joined the group now. The two older men discuss the situation.

Odhiambo explains to Iben: Ochieng will help your friend.

So Ochieng is the name of the other old man.

But Roberto needs a proper medical doctor!

More discussion. It is quite clear that Dalmas Phillip is the man who makes the decisions. As he p.r.o.nounces his judgment in Dhuluo, he watches Iben with calculated indifference.

Odhiambo interprets. He says that your friend will not be seen by a white doctor. It is not possible. But Ochieng will help him.

Iben easily picks up that Odhiambo doesnt think much of Ochiengs skills.

Iben turns to Phillip. His smell fills her nose. It is very important that the sick man is seen by someone who can give him penicillin. And some medicine for cholera.

She tries to catch Omoros eyes, but cant see him in the group. Then she spots him. He has hurried away from the others and is walking swiftly toward a group of trees outside the perimeter of the site.