Maurice & Friends

King Mohammed VI of Morocco invited Vice President Shane Simba of Kenya, to visit his country. Shane conferred with Ralph Lyon and they decided that Morocco, being a strategically situated Arab nation, was an important place to visit. Shane went home that evening with the news. He and Betty were on the patio having their sundowners.

“This will be your first trip with me as my wife, Betty. How will you handle this with WMM-TV?”

“Irving will be delighted, Shane. I can feed back material to a substitute anchor.”

“Good. We’ll see how you cut the mustard on this trip. Hope it’s better than your windsurfing,” he ragged.

She had grumbled to him about her inability to master the most difficult water sports. Now he had added this to his list of items to kid his new wife with. It was all in good fun and Betty took no offence.

“If I don’t perform on this trip better than I wind sail, I’ll just leave in the middle of the night,” she giggled. “You’ll understand I’m sure.”

Betty went to see her old friend, Janice Jaguar Gorilla at JAGGERS. Janice promised to have some new outfits designed and completed before the Moroccan sojourn. Her next step was to consult with Irving Impala, the head of WMM-TV.

“Irving, I hope this is not problematic for you, my being the vice president’s spouse. You know I have to travel with Shane on important junkets and can’t perform my job when I’m with him.”

“Betty, it’s such a plus, your being his wife. I’ve hired an excellent reporter, Judy Lioness, from the Masai Mara Daily to fill in when you’re away. Bob Bushbuck doesn’t mind as long as he doesn’t lose her. He knows she can use the extra income.”

“I know Judy well from my days as the Daily news director. She’s wonderful and very professional. You do remember when she was wounded in Iraq. Judy is a valiant lioness.”

“I thought you’d approve. By the way, I’m sending one of our reporters on the plane with you. He already has his clearance from the State House. You know him – the leopard chap. He’ll cover you two as you go about your official second female chores,” laughed Irving.

A fire was beginning to tamp down in the barbecue pit built in the corner of Ashley and Leah Lyon’s patio on Leoparde Drive. Ashley was overseeing four large chunks of red meat on the spit. Leah came out bringing some beer for the cooler.

“Leely, are you sure you’re doing the right thing introducing Luke to Caroline Cheetah. They say she puts Catherine Simba in the shade as a bitch.”

“Don’t speak ill of the dead, Ash. She’s Christine’s sister and pretty new in town. She wants to meet a nice beau.”

“I feel like I’m throwing my best buddy to the jackals,” groaned Ashley.

“That’s not such a bad place to be thrown. After all, you were in partnership with one and liked it,” giggled Leah, giving her husband a hasty kiss before returning to the kitchen.

Luke was already on the patio with Ashley, drinking a beer, when the doorbell rang. Leah escorted Christine Cheetah, Micah Mbube and Caroline Cheetah to the terrace to join them. Caroline looked very sexy and Luke got a certain light in his emerald eyes that usually accompanied a feeling of desire. When Caroline was introduced to Luke, she turned the heat up and focused on him the remainder of the night. He offered to take her home. Luke and Caroline left together. It was not difficult to deduce where the enamored twosome would end up.

After the barbecue, when Leah and Ashley were in their bed, Ashley was a bit troubled.

“I hope that Caroline doesn’t eat Luke alive, Leely.”

“Ash, you’re underestimating Luke. He is a very worldly wise cat. Shut up about that now and kiss me.”

Ashley was happy to act in accordance with her wishes.

Ralph One was sitting on the tarmac when the official government limousine pulled up, disgorging Shane Simba and his wife, Betty. The paparazzi and reporters went wild getting sound bites and photos of the couple’s first official trip since wedded. Betty and Shane, plus two aids and the required body guards, boarded the 747 first, followed by the approved reporters. This time, Betty sat in the seat next to her husband. The plane ascended into the bright blue of the Kenya sky. It banked and turned northwest toward the Arab kingdom of Morocco. The pilot turned off the seat belt light and Shane, joined by Betty, went about the cabin welcoming and bantering with the various reporters. Betty, who had always been a sophisticated and witty female, was in her element jesting and talking with the news corps. Some of them she had known from her years as a reporter. The vice presidential party was so relaxed that the trip seemed much shorter than it actually was.

Linda Cougar was having Sunday lunch with her father, Carson, and his wife, Monica. They were on the terrace of the stunning bush house that Ashley Lyon had built upon his marriage to Betty Chimpo. After that entire ruckus was said and done, Ashley sold it to his childhood friend, Carson. The day was filled with bird song and the threesome was planning to go to the nearby watering hole after lunch. Just as the platter of meat was served, Linda pushed back from the table and went rushing from the veranda.

“What’s wrong with her?” asked her alarmed father.

“I’ll go and see about her, Carson,” said Monica.

Monica Margay Cougar searched for her stepdaughter, finding her in the guest bathroom. The instantly recognizable sounds of regurgitation emanated through the door. Monica knocked softly and finding the door unlocked, stepped inside. She put a cold cloth to Linda’s face as she slumped on the tub rim.

“You must have a bug, Linda. I think there’s one going around.”

“I’m pregnant, Monica,” she said, bursting into tears.

“Oh dear, Linda, may I ask who the father is?”

“This is the worst part,” wailed Linda.

“Tell me, Linda. We can figure this out together,” soothed Monica who liked her stepdaughter a great deal.

“The father is Alexander Simba.”

“Move over. I need to sit down myself on this one,” said Monica, who was filled with alarm.

“Please don’t tell Dad,” begged Linda.

“Not yet, but we may need him to resolve this unless you want to get an abortion. I’ll go with you if you make that choice, Linda.”

“I probably need to tell Alex before I do that. He has a right to know, Monica.”

“Frankly, I think Alex must be a bastard. Poor Lucy is trying to have his offspring and he’s screwing around with you.”

“We’re in love,” wailed Linda.

“Okay, shush for now. Let’s just go back to the table and pretend you have a stomach bug.”

Lucy Cougar Simba was having a rough go of it. Alexander was preoccupied with his own thoughts during the hours he was home. He blew it off as office and caseload problems to Lucy but she had a niggling feeling that this wasn’t true. The sutures in her cervix were paining her and the lack of her usual activities was driving her bonkers. She was into the second month of her pregnancy and was very twitchy and fearful. Having a husband who was less than attentive was no remedy for her current state of affairs. Alexander still dropped her off at her parent’s home when he went to work and picked her up every evening. During the drinks he shared with Bernard and Sylvia in their garden, he was all amiable chat. Once in the car and at home, he clammed up like an oyster shielding a prize pearl. She noticed that he took his cell phone with him when tending his plants and shrubs. He had it to his ear a great deal of the time. Lucy had every reason to be frantic.

The trip to Morocco was an enormous success with Betty charming the the royal couple and crowds as did Shane. They were gone four days, in which time they stayed at the palace and were feted with a Boujad Fantasia, the remarkable horsemen display of Morocco. Betty even got to ride one of the splendid Arabian horses from the King’s stables. A day trip to the RIf Mountains with the King as host was an added pleasure. At the end of the trip, a weary but very satisfied Shane and Betty returned to the Mara.

It was obvious now, that Betty needed a social secretary of her own. She had made a hit in Morocco and would probably achieve more praise as she traveled about with her husband. Shane was pleased with Betty’s performance on her first official trip. She had captivated and charmed the royal couple and all who met her in Morocco. The First Lioness, being privy to the mail influx for Betty, suggested she hire a social secretary. She could be placed in Betty’s home. Betty asked her neighbor and long time friend, Sylvia Cougar, if she knew of anyone. Sylvia, being the Mayor of the Masai Mara, was certainly in a position to know these things. Sylvia asked her to come for drinks in her walled garden. She went on an afternoon when the gardenias, ginger lilies and jasmine were wafting their fragrances throughout.

“Betty, I want to ask you a favor. My Lucy is going through a terrible time. I know you have worked as her supervisor at the Daily. She’s a hard worker. She needs some work that is light but pleasant. She has time off that Bob Bushbuck allotted her until she gives birth. I think she will be good for your secretary. In the meantime, I’ll look around for a permanent one for you.”

“Oh, Syl, I love your Lucy. She was one of my favorite reporters at the Daily. I’d love to have her come to my home three days a week and take care of the correspondence for me. Shane and I have a fully equipped office at the house. Lucy is actually now, being Shane’s half brother’s wife.”

“Thanks, Betts. Will you call her? I don’t want her to think her mom interfered.”

“Of course I will, Sylvia. Just let me handle it. She won’t guess that we talked.”

Betty on the king's prized Arabian stallion and with the Queen of Morocco....

A boujad fantasia and Shane Simba with Mohammed VI in Morocco....

“Oh shit!” groaned Alexander Simba, holding his head.

He was in Linda Cougar’s condo and had just learned that she was pregnant.

“Monica says she will go with me to the clinic for an abortion, Alex.”

“Monica knows? You told your stepmother?”

“I almost barfed at their Sunday lunch table. She followed me to the bathroom. So what, Alex? Don’t hand me any horse shit about this thing. I’m opting for the abortion. Now go away, I don’t want to see you for awhile.”

“Linda, I love you, baby.”

“Shut up!”

Dr. Sylly Cougar Lyon removed her stethoscope from Linda’s breast. They were in the examining room in Sylly’s office at the Exotic Animal Clinic.

“Who is the father, Linda? I need to know.”

“It’s Alex Simba, Sylly and please don’t be upset,” wailed Linda.

“Don’t get upset? Jeez, Linda, he’s your aunt’s and my baby sister’s husband. She’s younger than you are. What’s this bastard about anyway? Poor Lucy is going through hell to try and give him kids and he’s screwing you. Shit!”

“Will you do the abortion, Sylly? Please?”

“Yes, I’m going to take you to surgery now, as soon as you’re prepped. And if you have to do your uncle again, please use some birth control,” snarled Sylly.

Linda cried all the way to the operating room and up until the sodium pentothal closed her down.

Betty called Lucy Cougar Simba the day after she spoke with her mother. She told Lucy that she had inquired at the Daily and found Lucy was on leave.

“I thought this might be light work that you could do and kill time before your cubs are born,” said Betty. “I’ve always known you to be a very committed worker. I could use you until I find someone else.”

“Oh, Betty, I’d love that. Alex drops me at Mom’s every morning. I could walk to your house from there. I need some exercise.”

So it was established that Lucy Cougar Simba would work for Betty three days a week. It was a suitable arrangement for both parties.

The night of Linda Cougar’s abortion, Sylly went by her parent’s home before going to her own. Sylvia was alone, Bernard having taken the day to play golf with Ralph Lyon.

“Mom, I know I’m going against the confidentiality code for doctors but I have to talk to someone about this. And you have always been the best ear in the world.”

“What is it, Sylly?”

“Alexander has gotten Linda pregnant. I performed an abortion on her today at the clinic.”

“Oh no, how awful, Sylly. Does Carson know?”

“No, I think not. Monica brought her.”

“My poor, poor Lucy. Thank goodness Betty gave her that job. She’s working for her as a social secretary until the litter is born. I asked Betty to do this. I could see Lucy was terribly frazzled.”

“That’s a good thing for Lucy, Mom. I wish you’d quit smoking. It’s awful for you,” announced Sylvia’s doctor daughter taking the cigarette from her and stubbing it in the ashtray.

“Should I tell your dad, Sylly? I rarely hide anything from him unless I think it will damage his health.”

“I don’t know, Mom. You know Poppy better than anyone. I think you have to be the judge of that. I have to get home. Junior’s big All Stars soccer game is tonight. Our two boys are playing in it. They just moved up from the junior team.”

Lachlan persuaded me to attend two soccer games this week. We graced with our presence both the Junior All Stars and the pro game. I do believe that every animal in the Mara was there. Arlon Lyon was the ultimate star for the juniors, kicking several goals flanked by his friend, Tigger Tigeres. With the professional Masai Mara All Star team, Junior Lyon’s two sons stood out in their first game for that pro team. Betty, Shane, Ashley and Leah cheered Arlon on. At halftime, the pretty Staci Simba stole the field as cheerleader. I looked around the crowd and realized that many animals had children or grandchildren on the teams. Charlotte Elephanti’s son, Buster is a star on the pro team. She trumpeted loudly throughout that game. Lachlan and I had tried to persuade Bertram Baboon to join us but he argued us into acquiescence.

“I am a decrier of sports in any form. I absolutely loathe them. I believe them to be a potential for the ruin of civilization,” he announced.

Who could withstand that viewpoint? We left laughing.

Arlon Lyon kicks a goal, flanked by his team mate and good friend, Tigger Tigeres.....