Maurice & Friends

Betty and Shane took their children to Mombasa the weekend after the exposé in Animal Enquirer. Joshua and Jason, Staci and Sean accompanied their parents. Staci was quiet during the ride. Arlon wasn’t with them. Ashley had taken him on an air safari into Botswana. On that Friday evening they attended a fish fry at Tookie Simba and her new husband’s home. Staci remained subdued. She exhibited no anger toward her father, just a quiet sadness. Since the Lyon’s weren’t in residence, there was not as much watering excitement. Staci spent the night with her aunt and new uncle. She was to go deep sea fishing with them the next morning.

“Betty, I am thinking more and more about taking an extended Christmas vacation in England with Arlon and the other children; maybe spending Christmas there. Do you think Ashley would mind if we did that? I know he wants to be with Arlon before he goes to school. And of course you won’t be seeing Josh and Jason if Sam lets them be with you Christmas. We could spend some time together and see Arlon off to his school and I can meet with Tony Blair.”

“I can ask Sam for Josh and Jason before Christmas. I don’t think Ash will mind at all. He is taking Arlon with him on safaris before Christmas. Staci needs some fun. I think it’s a wonderful idea, darling.”

“Betty, I am so sorry about all this shit going down with Caroline and the media.”

“Stop beating yourself up, Shane. It’s all over except the shouting. We’re moving on, remember?”

“You are one wonderful wife, Fifi. I plan to make this all up to you.”

“You are doing that by being my husband, Shane. It’s my dream come true.”

“I wouldn’t be anything but that, Betty. Now that I know what a real marriage is.”

Joshua, Jason and Sean came running to supper. Shane and Betty had a lively meal with the cousins turned step brothers. After that they spent the evening watching Disney movies with the three cubs. Staci arrived late Saturday evening in a much better frame of mind. She had caught a major sea bass.

Bernard and Sylvia Cougar decided to go to their home in Montana the day after Christmas. They issued the invitation to all their children and their families. Caitlin’s parents were also joining them. Chloe decided to go without Roy Lee but wanted to take their two youngest cubs. Lee and Troy didn’t want to go to Montana. They preferred to stay for the holiday parties with their school friends. Junior and Sylly (Cougar) Lyon were going with all of their kids. Lucy was too iffy with her pregnancy. In fact, Bernard and Sylvia almost ruled out the trip to be near in case their youngest daughter needed them. Lucretia Leoparde promised them she would be in close touch with her namesake.

There were tears in many eyes as Predator High held its graduation ceremony. Among the graduates were Arlon Lyon, Tigger Tigeres, Ralphie and FrankieTigeres (sons of Melanie (Lyon) and Tommy Tigeres and Lee Simba, daughter of Chloe and Roy Lee. Lee was going to a finishing school in Nairobi for a year. Tigger was going to the States, Arlon to England and the others to Johannesburg, South Africa. The group accepted their diplomas and filed off the stage among uproarious cries of joy and excitement. Tonight was to be the big party and all night affair that Ashley Lyon was giving for his son, Arlon, at the safari club. Staci Simba was a bit unhappy because she had not been invited by Tigger and Arlon, not being among the graduates. She got up with dear friend Delilah Dik Dik for a night of watching movies at Shane and Betty’s.

Arlon, Tigger and Lee Simba at their graduation from Predator High....

“You lions grow up so fast, Shane. Chimpanzees stay at their mother’s sides for years,” said Betty after their return.

They were having drinks before the fire in their bedroom.

“Well, Fifi, that’s what we lions do for a living. Reach horny adulthood and set out in the big wide world,” he laughed. “You should have installed baby chimps instead of lion cubs in that uterus of yours. They’d still be hanging around.”

Ashley Lyon took his wife, Leah, his son Arlon and Staci Simba on a four day flight safari to Botswana. Leah was ready to take over the mayoral office after inauguration and Arlon was heading for school. Betty had mentioned to the couple that Staci was depressed so they invited her to tag along. This also cheered Staci immensely. Tigger Tigeres was invited at the last minute. Ashley was also happy to consent to Arlon’s going on a ten day Christmas vacation to England and then being escorted to his university by Betty and Shane. Sam Simba cooperated in allowing Jason and Joshua to spend the Christmas holidays early with their mother. It was okay with him to have them home for Christmas. So, all was set for Shane and Betty’s family Christmas in England.

The mayoral inauguration was attended by many this year. The day dawned rain free and sunny. Spirits were high. Everyone turned out to bid farewell to our beloved long term mayor, Sylvia Cougar. The First Lioness added a dinner dance for the evening of the inauguration. It was by invitation only. Mildred Lyon was delighted that her daughter-in-law was following her dear friend as the mayor. The streets were jammed with a parade and the civic center was filled with the crowd that attended the event. Leah Simba Lyon gave a wonderful speech thanking the voters and mapping out her plans for the coming year. The only awkward moment at the dinner dance was when Caroline Cheetah arrived with a billowing maternity outfit.

“Sloane, Dad and Mom are going to be in Montana the day after Christmas. They want us to join their big Christmas crowd at Uncle Bernard and Aunt Sylvia’s house there. We can fly on the Leoparde family jet. It will be such fun.”

“You can go, Caitlin. I have law cases I have to tackle after Christmas and decide whether they go to court. I can’t leave Alex in the lurch.”

“Alex has got Steve and Sid to help him. Surely we can go for just a few days.”

“You go, Caitlin. I simply cannot.”

“Is it really that you don’t want to go?”

“NO, I have work, Caitlin. Work!”

A like debate was going on in the Alexander Simba household.

“Lucy, why don’t you go with your parents to Montana? You’ll be fine. You are not that far along and your pregnancy is going well. James will enjoy it,” suggested Alexander.

“What do you want to do, Alex? Have another affair while I’m in Montana?”

“No, Lucy, you just need to get away for awhile. You’re miserable and it’s written all over you.”

Daniel Lyon was greatly attracted to both of his law associates but being a firm believer that workforce romances don’t play well, he failed to ask either for a date. He was seeing Janice’s niece, Landa Jaguar for the most part. And then another daughter of Roy Lee Simba and Janice Jaguar came to town for the holidays. Her name is Stella and she is almost as adorable as her sister, Leah Lyon. She had been living in Brazil with her jaguar husband. Now they were divorced and she felt the need for a lift. So she left the country of her mother’s birth and came to visit the land of her lion father where she had grown up. Daniel met her at a cocktail party Leah and Ashley gave on her behalf. He found her totally charming and asked her for a dinner date. She accepted.

Stella Simba, sister to Leah and daughter of Janice Jaguar and Roy Lee Simba.....

When Stella Simba realized that her parents had come together romantically again, she was as delighted as Leah. She had long realized that both were the loves of their respective lives. She is staying with her mother but spends some nights in the homes of her sister, Leah and her dad, Roy Lee. She is not terribly fond of her stepmother, Chloe Cougar Simba, recognizing her to be a rather one-dimensional and uninteresting female who has grown emotionally cold toward her husband. Having watched one of Chloe’s films in the new screening room at Roy Lee’s one evening, she could see that Chloe lit up on the screen and understood her stardom. But personally, Stella found her a drag. Chloe only lights up with those she likes. With her gay leopard pals, she is stunningly lit.

Betty and Shane also gave a cocktail party for his niece. Their beautiful house was festooned with small lights donning the various shrubs and trees in the garden. The night was warm and clear with a brilliant slice of moon floating above the fringe of Fever trees. Stella tried to make the pilgrimage to visit her parents on an annual basis. She remembered meeting the late Catherine Cheetah Simba. She found Betty to be a much warmer female and sensed the newborn happiness in her uncle, Shane. She spent a great deal of time chatting with a group that included her sister, Leah, Ashley Lyon and Daniel Lyon. She remembered the days when Ashley had been her mother’s lover. Now, she found him much matured and a great hubby for her sister. Roy Lee attended the party without Chloe, who declined the invitation in order to have an evening massage and beauty treatment at Beau Visage.

Leah Simba Lyon was having a tough time her first day as the Mayor of the Masai Mara. Vonda Vulture wanted to rehash the question of who would be in charge of Christmas decorations for the town. If Vonda had reckoned that the young and very green Leah would be intimidated by her, she was in for a revelation. Leah spoke right up and told the obnoxious Vonda that Sylvia Cougar’s edict would hold. Charlotte Elephanti and her herd were in charge of the decorations and Maude Hyena and Irma Impala would share the Christmas Parade Committee this year. Leah stared the female vulture down with one of her green eyed gazes that had served her mother so well in her years of dealing in the fashion industry. It was obvious from the first day that, despite youth and lack of experience, Leah Simba Lyon was not going to be a pushover in her elected post.

Shane Simba had some new tennis partners in his half brothers, Steven and Sidney Simba. They had joined the sporting club recently. Lewis Lyon had gotten so bogged down in business of late, he hardly played. Staci turned to playing with Tigger Tigeres who was becoming a very proficient player. An added plus for Steven Simba was the fact that Cameron Caracal, being very fit and athletic had joined the club as well. Steven loved to watch her lithe form as she played her sets. He had finally convinced her to take him on as a tennis partner. She had consented since strong players are not that plentiful. Betty was taking golf lessons so she could at least participate in that sport with her husband. Shane’s favored golf pals were Ralph and Mildred Lyon and Lewis Lyon. He sometimes played with retired vice president, Bernard Cougar. Gerald Giraffe encouraged Betty to more strength training at RUNNERS. She also began to take tennis lessons from the Englishman that had molded Staci Simba in to a player able to take on her dad. Unfortunately, still able to play tennis despite her pregnancy was the athletic Caroline Cheetah.

Charlotte Elephanti and her herd of sisters, nephews, nieces and cousins started work on the Christmas décor that would adorn the business district of the Masai Mara. With their long trunks they were able to place Christmas bangles in every tree. Cappie Cape Buffalo ran around with his wife, helping where he could.

Daniel Lyon was becoming very enamored of Stella Simba. He didn’t attempt to take her to bed but wined and dined her at the best spots in the Mara. Lyon & Associates Attorneys at Law was gaining clientele each day. So, Daniel had plenty of money to woo his lady love. Stella seemed to reciprocate. She spoke to her parents and sister of possibly staying here and getting a job. All three were thrilled at that prospect. Stella had studied fashion design in Paris before moving to Brazil. The three other Simba siblings of Janice and Roy Lee’s union had chosen to live abroad after their educations were completed. Only Leah had returned to the Mara.

“I may stay here in the Mara, Daniel,” stated Stella over a steak dinner at OKAPI’S. “Mom has offered me a position at JAGGERS.”

This was music to Daniel’s ears. “That would be wonderful, Stella. Would you still live with your Mom?”

“No, I think I would eventually get my own place although my mother is wonderful to live with. Very calm and laid back. Much better than that jaguar I just divorced,” she laughed.

“How did that go? I know little of jaguars being raised in Africa.”

“Paulo was very aggressive and troublesome. We fought all the time.”

“I hope you will stay here, Stella.”

After dining they got in Daniel’s car.

“Do you just plan to wine and dine me, Dan, or could we get to headier things? I really like you.”

Daniel, without another word, headed his car to the Lyon Pride Compound and his very attractive bungalow. The lamp was low in the living room. He made drinks and they sat on his couch for a while. Then romance and youth had its way with them. They ended up in his bed, relishing every moment of a sensual and very satisfactory sexual union.

Stella let herself in her mother’s condo. She went to the balcony where Janice sat with a cigarette and snifter of cognac enjoying the sound of the rain dropping on the banana plants below. Stella got a drink and joined her mother.

“Did you have fun?” asked Janice.

“Yes, I did. We made love for the first time tonight. I think I will stay and take you up on the job at JAGGERS, Mom.”

“That will be wonderful, Stella. Oh this is so exciting. I wish I could call your father but I’m afraid he will be asleep with Chloe next to him.”

“Is Dad going to stay with her, Mom?”

“Yes, because of their children. Your dad wants to be paws on with his kids now. He feels he failed you because he was so busy when you were cubs making a success of his film career and studio.”

“I remember him as being gone a lot but still great when he was home. Leah and I were remembering the fun junkets and premieres we attended with him around the world. Don’t you want to live with him again, Mom?”

“I’m just so glad to have him in my life again that the living together is not that important. I know he loves me and I love him. That’s all we need for now.”

The next day, Janice took her daughter to JAGGERS and installed her as an assistant designer. She set right to work helping her mother design the Spring Collection that would be showing the first of next year.

Alexander and Lucy (Cougar) Simba had a major spat. Instead of Lucy running to her parent’s home, Alexander vacated their home. He drove to Sidney’s rental in the bush and found a party going on. It consisted of Steven, who had moved from the premise, Sidney, Linda Cougar, Marci Mondo, and Dr. Carey Caracal. He dove in and happily participated in the mindless sexual banquet that was taking place.

Maude Lyon was becoming suspicious that her son, Daniel, was seeing a Simba. It was well known that the lioness absolutely detested the Simba pride. She discussed her suspicions with her sister, Doris, who was the soul of kindness and loving thoughts.

“Oh, Maude, let the boy be. The Simbas aren’t like they used to be.”

“A leopard never changes its spots,” grumbled Maude.

“They aren’t leopards, Maude. The Simbas are lions,” answered the naïve Doris.