The Saturday morning brunch was a disaster. Caroline came dressed to the nines with silk designer panty hose on her slim legs. The first thing Joshua did was to stick a claw in them during his rambunctious greeting. Sam apologized and asked her if she would like to hold baby Jason. Her answer was a firm NO. She lit a cigarette and inquired about drinks. Allison Scar, Jason’s nanny, brought her one. Sam politely hosted the wonderful meal that ended early with Sam making the excuse that he had to go to his office for some last minute briefs. As Caroline drove off in her new Lexus, Sam stood in the door with Allison and shook his head. Caroline was not for him, after all.

    Micah Mbubé was preparing for a new movie role, having completed his play’s run at the arts center. He was going to play Thomas in The Thomas Crown Affair, Baboon-Simba’s next big production. The studio was looking for a new leading female to play opposite him. Simone Serval was not the type and Micah had gotten enough clout that he could flatly refuse Bop Boon. Chloe Cougar Simba was pregnant so she was out. That’s when Roy Lee Simba picked up the phone and begged his daughter, Leah, to take the romantic lead. Micah’s heart beat faster at that prospect. Meanwhile, he was alternating dates between Betty Chimpo and Caroline Cheetah.

"Oh, Dad, you know I can’t act," Leah had protested when Roy Lee called.

"This role doesn’t demand much acting, Leah. The tough acting is done by the male lead. You just need to look beautiful and the wardrobe will be drop dead gorgeous."

"Dad, I don’t want a contract. It’s just this one time and I’m doing you a favor---it’s for no other reason than you’re my dad and I love you."

"Thanks a million, Leah."

    Tookie Simba was filled with melancholy these days. She had truly loved Catherine Cheetah Simba, her late sister-in-law. Catherine had been her champion and good friend. Now Tookie was rising in the pride by managing, with great skill, the Mombasa Simba Resort and Marina. She was on good terms with most of the pride members, except Sam who she considered a prude. She decided to email her brother, Shane, in Botswana. They had never been terribly close but she felt for him. She realized that, despite his playing around, he had adored his wife, Catherine. She was in for a real surprise when he emailed back, inviting her to Botswana.

"The children and I would love to see you. We see few familiar faces in this country. We live in a spacious villa with a guest room and pool," he wrote.

She made arrangements to take the following week off and visit him there.

    At a board meeting for the Simba Corporation, which Sam had rejoined after his snit with Tookie, she accosted him afterward.

"Why the hell don’t you let poor Betty see her sons? That is so shitty of you and terribly mean spirited, Sam."

"That just happens to be none of your G-d damned business, Tookie."

"She has even called me to intervene. So she fucked Shane. So what?"

"Go to hell, Tookie."

    Leander Simba sat with her sister, Sarah Lee. They were in Leander’s home. Sarah was drinking tea and Leander had her usual martini on the rocks.

"Our pride is being destroyed by those two books written by Betty and Christine," moaned Sarah Lee, pressing a lace hanky to her lips.

"Horse feathers, Sarah. The pride is almost as rich as the Lyons and Leopardes now. Scandal is good for making money," argued Leander, placing a Camel in her long cigarette holder.

"Thanks to my boys and Tookie, we are getting along financially," muttered Sarah Lee into her hanky.

"What did you say? Your boys? Tookie, the former hooker? Bullshit!"

And the two competitive sisters were off to the races, so to speak.

    Tookie arrived in the airport in Gaborone, Botswana in the early evening. There stood Shane and Staci waiting for her. He greeted her warmly and Staci buried her small face in her aunt’s skirts, hugging her around the waist. Tookie was touched at the little cubs warmth toward her. Of course, she had been in Catherine and Shane’s home many times discussing the future and management of the Simba Corporation holdings.

    They arrived in the villa and Miss B and the housekeeper were also welcoming. This felt good, thought Tookie. Shane and Tookie had drinks while they watched the cubs swim. Then, and this was something new, they all sat down to supper with the children present. When Catherine was alive, they had mostly dined after their children. Now things had changed. Sean’s booster chair was present and the table was set for four. They all chatted about Tookie’s trip, Shane allowing his children to speak up as much as they wished. After that, he asked the cubs what they did in school that day. Staci quizzed him on his day at the Botswana ministry. Tookie felt it was a warm and loving family unit. Shane seemed to be focused on his motherless children.

While there, the grieving family took her on another side trip to the magnificent Moremi Tree Lodge which is elegant and shaded by giant ebony trees. The youngsters clung to their aunt and father. In the evenings when the children were in bed with Miss B to over see them, Shane and Tookie would go to the bar for night caps.

"I am so sorry about Catherine, Shane."

He put up his paws in a defensive manner.

"Please, Tookie, I know you mean well but I can’t speak of this right now. I guess I am still...." he seemed to stumble for words. "Too raw. I can’t speak of her yet."

"Just know, Shane, if you ever want to talk, I’m here."

The formerly estranged brother and sister bonded in Botswana. When Shane took her to the airport to return to the Mara, he hugged her to him.

"Sis, please come again. We would love to have you anytime."

Tookie had tears in her eyes. Her other brothers had often called her ‘Sis’ but Shane never had. She gave him a kiss on the cheek as her flight was called.

"You hang in there, Shane. You are doing a wonderful job of being everything to your children at this critical time."

She looked back to wave as she entered the boarding area. He was still standing there, dressed for work in his impeccable attire. He waved back.