Maurice & Friends

The birds twittered in the trees surrounding Betty Chimpo’s house on Saturday morning. She, wrapped in a silk robe, stood with her fingers in Dickey Simba’s mane. The lion was sitting on the chaise facing Betty’s pool.

“How peaceful this place is, Betty. No wonder you keep returning to this house. You and Shane were married here?”

“Yes,” she answered pointing an elegant finger toward the fever tree. “Under that tree just beyond the pool – what a day that was.”

Dickey’s tall figure stood and poured more coffee. He stepped close – so close the gold in his eyes picked up the morning sun.

“He’s not with Alex any longer. Will that make a difference to you?”

“No, I will always love Shane Simba but I am no longer obsessed as I once was – for far too long.”

“Let’s go back to bed, shall we?” he asked, caressing her firm bottom.

“Oh yes, let’s do that,” she breathed as she kissed his lips. “The boys won’t come home from Shane’s until tomorrow.”

Dickey with Betty after the night at her house.....

Look at us!! All party happy animals freed from a noose around our collective necks. We are all positively giddy and relishing every moment of it. Sean Simba had a birthday last week. His sister, Staci Simba Lyon, threw nothing short of a blast at her home in the bush that she shares with hubby Ashley and their cubs. Ashley, being the definitive, laid back lion, helped his wife as she placed her younger brother on the front burner. I am sure the guest list was enlarged due to our recent national relief. Why else would Lachlan and I be invited to a soiree for the young sports jock, Sean? However, we did have a great time. Lachlan called my attention to Ashley and Staci’s young daughter, Catherine. . She is the image of a cheetah – no lion blood in evidence yet. I had the pleasure of seeing Cynthia and Dorian Cheetah who attended their grandson’s birthday bash. Cyn tells me that the Kenya Festival that she heads each year will be bigger and better than ever this July.

The good news from Leah Simba Tarzan’s home on Leoparde Drive is the fact that her pregnancy seems to be problem free. The doctors were delighted and gave her more freedom to enjoy the relaxing times in Mombasa that she shares with her husband, Jack Tarzan. She works diligently with her designing partner, Duke, on clothing designs for spring and summer. Jack is as thrilled over the coming litter as one would expect.

Leah and Jack in attendance at Sean Simba's birthday bash......

Dickey Simba and I both drank coffee with the president in his office on Monday morning. Dickey seemed relaxed and less somber today.

“Shane, Condoleezza Rice is coming to Kenya. Shall we give her the red carpet treatment?” I asked, taking a sip from my mocha latte.

“No,” was his short, snappish reply. “Ignore her. Kofi Annan has done all the work and now the Bush administration wants to take all the credit.”

Dickey gave a deep chuckle and I laughed. We fully agreed with our president on this issue.

As we left the office, we spotted a newspaper on his secretary’s desk showing a picture of Alexandra on the hunt in England with fox on her mind. She held her fingers in the victory sign which has always been Alexandra’s favorite way of greeting the press.

The day was still lovely as Chris Simba made his way home after a long day at the Nathan Leoparde Memorial Foundation. He went to the playpen where his daughter with Caitlin Cougar happily chewed on a rubber ring. Little Bea looked up and mewed at the approach of her father. Chris picked her up and went to the patio where Caitlin sat smoking a cigarette with a glass of wine. After some idle chat, Chris got to the main subject matter.

“If you want us to marry, we can, Cate,” said Chris, tickling his cub’s tummy.

She exhaled a smoke ring, “No that can wait for now, Chris. I’ve never been that big on marriage anyway.”

“You seemed to be with Sloane,” argued Chris, who really didn’t give a rat’s ass if they married or not.

“He taught me a lesson, Chris. Don’t trust any males,” she laughed.

“How unique,” he answered, chucking the pretty Beatrice under the chin, causing her to erupt in dainty feline giggles.

A huge bash was held at the Civic Center to benefit Mildred Lyon’s fund for Kenya’s refugees from the recent upheaval. It was a thousand Euro dollars a plate and the crowd was overwhelming. Shane Simba arrived unescorted which was terribly different for him. Of course his family of daughter, Staci, son-in-law Ashley Lyon, Sean and Solly Simba flanked him at the main table. Ralph and Mildred Lyon also sat at the table of honor. Lachlan and I were privy to the executive table enjoying the repast that a thousand dollars had given us – lobster salad, cracked crab, baby spinach salad, and Hazelnut-crusted Halibut black trumpet mushrooms with asparagus for the main course. It also gave us an evening of great drink and dancing. I noticed Betty dancing with Shane although she sat at the table with Dickey Simba, Roy Lee and Janice Jaguar Simba, Sloane Simba and Lucy Cougar and the Bernard Cougar family. My guess is that during the dance is when Betty convinced her ex-husband to lecture to her main classes at Kenya University.

Bernard and Sylvia Cougar at the 1,000 a pop dinner - Syl looking younger than some of her kids....

I sat across from Shane Simba in his presidential office. It was morning and we shared a pot of Earl Grey Tea.

“Maury, I don’t believe that Alex is in any rush to return to Kenya. She has been an excellent hostess and planner for the major events. I think we need to hire someone in her absence,” he stated, lighting a cigarette.

I looked for signs of pain on his face but there were none. How strange, I thought, that this great love has vanished like a delicate wisp of cloud in a sub-Saharan wind.

“That could be a good idea. In which direction would you like to begin our search?” I inquired wryly, my brow raised.

I knew the answers before they left his lips.

“Human and female,” he chuckled. “You should have known, Maury.”

When I told his ape secretaries this piece of news, their faces fell noticeably. They were both in love with their boss and hated to see his face light up once more at a sexy newcomer.

President Shane Simba stood before a packed crowd of Betty’s students at Kenya University and described Kenya’s upheaval of the past few months. They were enthralled and enraptured by the handsome lion leader. After the lecture, departing thanks and autographs for the students, Shane and Betty drank coffee in her office.

“That was very special, Shane, I can’t thank you enough for taking time to do this for the students and me,” said Betty.

“I enjoyed it, Fifi. I need to get a bead on what students in this country are thinking – after all, they are the future of Kenya.”

“They apparently adore you, Shane.”

“Come to the mansion for dinner tomorrow night, Betty. Ashley and Staci will be there with their cubs. You haven’t seen my grandcubs yet, have you?”

“I don’t believe I have. I’d love to come, Shane.”

A pert blond figure stood before Shane Simba in his office. She had answered the global advertisement for a hostess to take the place of the absent Alexandra Simba.

“Is your name really Cutty Sark?” asked Shane with a sparkle in his green eyes.

“Yes, it is, Mr. President,” she said with a twinkle in her own. “I am American though – and I don't even drink the stuff - I love Johnny Walker Red.”

“So you are a long drink of the best whiskey around?” he teased.

“That would be me,” she giggled, her blue eyes filled with merriment.

“You are hired, Miss uh Mrs.?” he asked.

“Ms. Sark,” she noted. “I am a happy divorcee.”

“That works for me, Ms. Sark, you can stay in the guest house while we find appropriate quarters for you in the Mara.”

“By the way, Sir, my position doesn’t come with open legs in this job slot.”

Shane was momentarily taken aback and then began to laugh loudly. I was present and had to admire the sparky little woman from the USA. When the audience was finished, we left Shane still chuckling and went to the guest house where porters deposited Cutty’s luggage.

Cutty Sark, Shane's new state hostess for social occasions....

I sat on the bed in Cutty’s room while she unpacked her personal items placing them neatly in closets and dresser drawers. She had eschewed the help of maids, choosing to deal with her own things. A bottle of Scotch stood on the main bureau. The room was filling up with smoke – Ms. Sark was a nicotine addict.

“Maurice, I am relying on you to show me the ropes. I have frankly only dealt with animals in the zoo. I was a frequent visitor and gawkish in my home town. I especially liked the lion display,” she giggled.

I was getting rather tipsy and took to this young woman with her frank and open personality. “If you like the lion display in the Kansas City Zoo, you’ll love the one here in the State House,” I giggled.

“I’ll just bet that’s the truth,” she laughingly agreed, pouring more Scotch in my empty glass.

An obdurate Cutty Sark stood in front of Shane Simba’s desk. I stood near her.

“President Simba, it is just not kosher to ignore the American Secretary of State when she arrives. You may have ignored the Bush administration, Sir, but being rude to a visiting dignitary is a whole other ball game,” admonished Cutty. “We will have to welcome Condoleezza Rice when she arrives in Nairobi with some sort of reception.”

“I think she’s right,” I said, loosening my collar in a gesture of nervousness.

“Is this the American in you speaking, Ms. Sark, or the diplomat?” asked Shane with amusement.

“Both,” she snapped.

“You’re probably right. Maurice, will you go with Ms. Sark to Nairobi to welcome Secretary Rice? I have to make a day trip to Eldoret.”

“We’ll have a reception in the mansion for Secretary Rice and Kofi Annan the next evening. I’ll make arrangements,” announced Cutty, scribbling away on a small pad and adjusting her glasses.

“Okay with me,” answered Shane.

“Good, I like decision in a man,” stated Cutty.

“I’m not a man, Ms. Sark, I’m a lion, in case you didn’t notice,” said Shane with that thing going on in his green eyes.

“I see a hefty modicum of both components,” announced Cutty aiming a wink at me.

With that said, she left the room.

“Super girl,” said Shane.

“She most certainly is,” I agreed.

Sooooo….to make a long story short, Cutty Sark, our new ‘hostess with the mostest’, put on a reception to end all receptions. Even Condy Rice cut a rug with the minister of labor. Good drink and food abounded and rather than a stuffy government affair, it was fun and casual. I have heard that Americans are the greatest for informal but definitive shindigs. Cutty Sark won a unanimous vote of approval among the government staff of the State House with that event. Even Bernice Bear, a devotee of Alexandra Simba’s, cast a vote for the effervescent gal from Kansas City.

Shane with Rice..........................................................and new gal, Cutty Sark with Condaleezza at the State House......

me with the American secretary of state...

Shane Simba with his new official hostess, Cutty Sark during the reception.....

The next day was a Friday. We all felt renewed after the reception last night. Everything was cheerful and upbeat among the staff. This was a time to celebrate our country’s avoidance of genocide.

“Where is the best place to stay if one wants to engage in water sports?” asked Cutty.

“”Mombasa of course,” chimed in Shane. “I have a home there. You are most welcome to be my guest this weekend. I’m taking my kids there.”

“No, I think I’ll find a hotel, no offense, but that would be the best idea, don’t you think?” asked the ever chipper Cutty.

“If you insist,” he answered. “There is the Simba resort as well as the Leoparde-Lyon Safari Club in Mombasa.”

“Why don’t you stay with Lachlan and me? We’re going to Mombasa this weekend. You can drive with us this evening?” I offered.

“Great, Maurice, that’s a kick ass idea.”

“We’ll pick you up at seven,” I told her, giving Shane a pat on the arm.

He really didn’t care where she stayed. He had a model friend coming from Paris for the weekend. His boners would be well tended by his houseguest. I think his offer to Cutty was one of simple manners.