SAM AND TAWNY MARRY
There are some men who possess a quality which goes way beyond romantic or even sexual appeal, a quality which literally enslaves….
Lucille Kallen, Introducing C.B. Greenfield, 1979
“What the hell is going on with you these days, Shane?” roared his brother Sefu Simba from his magisterial office in Nairobi.
Sefu was an older brother to the President and thought nothing of dressing down who he still perceived as his ill-disciplined kid brother. Shane, in a favor to Sam Simba and Tawny who had three cubs and had waited patiently for the time they could wed, had tossed out the law forbidding new marriages before ten months post divorce. Sefu Simba had been the architect of that edict and it had passed approval and been signed into law by Shane. Now it was off the books to the relief of our horny and super charged populace.
“Sef, I’ve told you before, few are as happily married as you and Cass,” he argued, alluding to Sefu Simba’s long running marriage to Cynthia and Dorian Cheetah’s daughter Cassandra.
“The real problem as I see it, Shane, is that all you wild animals out there can’t keep your dicks in the pants you’ve chosen to wear. We’re nothing but wild animals playing at being people. I try to take the high road but you, Bro, with your affinity for human flesh and changing females like they were socks, can’t manage to attain even a small degree of civilization.”
“Cool down, Sef. It’s no big deal and by the way, it’s the humans who bitched the most about that edict of yours,” argued Shane.
“It IS a big deal, Shane. It keeps heads straight that would remarry and regret it later without a cooling off period.”
“Nonsense, Sef. We can’t all be as well mated as you are. Most of us don’t give a shit about ‘cooling off’ as you put it.”
“You have obviously never gotten the knack,” roared Sefu and hung up the phone on his executive younger brother.
Sam and Tawny....
Sam Simba married the mother of three of his children and the love of his life in a lovely service on the lawn of his Mara River home where he and Tawny had shared such joy and would share more. Having loosened up considerably due to his happiness with the daughter of Dr. Frank Tigeres and his wife, Melba, he invited all to share in this event. He even invited his first wife, Betty and of course he invited his litter mate, Shane, who was his best male since Roy Lee, the pride benefactor, was making a film in Italy. He even issued invitations to Lachlan and me. Betty went with us. I’m sure she knew Shane would be there. She was rather close to Sam and Tawny these days. I kept adjusting my collar as I went about Sam’s lovely home with Lachlan behind me.
“What’s wrong with you, Maury? Pardon the allusion but you’re as nervous as a cat on a hot tin roof,” he told me at one point.
“I’m nervous about Betty meeting up with Shane,” I confessed.
“Maurice, they are NOT our problem,” he reiterated for the umpteenth time.
Despite the delightful and cheer filled party, my disturbing vibes proved true. There was a hush in the room and I looked up to find Shane entering with his arm protectively around Alexandra Delamere. To my knowledge it was her first time in the Masai Mara – at least since she has been linked with Shane Simba. She looked devastatingly gorgeous and he looked at her as if she held his entire life in her slim but rather mannish hands. Lachlan and I were standing with Betty when they came in just before the actual marriage ceremony. Betty gave a loud gasp and ran from the room.
“Do not follow her, Maurice. She is a big girl and has to take her knocks. We have coddled her long enough,” instructed Lachlan with, I must say, a bit of fire in his tawny lion eyes.
“Right you are,” I said but wasn’t truly convinced.
Thank goodness, I saw the caring Melba Tigeres head in the direction Betty had taken. Sam seemed a bit leery of Alexandra when he was first introduced but Alexandra Delamere has the gift of unfaltering charm. She had him eating out of her hand before the evening was over. She made her way about the crowded rooms at Shane’s side, appealing to all who met her. Betty was the exception. When Alexandra stuck out a perfectly manicured hand to her, she looked as if a pit viper had reared its head in a hiss and threatened her. I didn’t see Betty anymore after that incident.
Sarah Lee Simba, the mother of the groom, was there with her sister, Leander. Sarah Lee would have loved to see her fair haired boy, Sam, marry another lioness but since Tawny is the daughter of the revered Frank Tigeres who is also Sarah Lee’s doctor, she acquiesced. On top of that Tawny Tigeres is much like Alexandra Delamere – those who meet her fall headlong for her charm, warmth and wit. I made note of the fact that Sarah Lee and her son, Shane, never spoke or went anywhere near the other. I doubt she met Alexandra.
I must say that the wedding was lovely and I have never seen a happier couple in my entire life. Melba and Frank Tigeres joined in the joyousness of the occasion by gifting the newly weds with a home in the Tigeres clan compound in Mombasa. I learned later that Ashley and Lucy Lyon had taken Betty home and allowed her to moan to them for the next couple of hours. I suppose that was a fair swap for the improvements Betty has brought about in their marriage.
Shane and Alexandra at the wedding of Sam and Tawny....
Bertram Baboon was settled happily in his favorite eatery, OKAPIS’ grandiose restaurant with the super muted and elegant ambience. I was a bit late and Bertram cast a glance at his Rolex by way of subtle reminder. He had thoughtfully ordered me a martini.
I took my seat just as Bertram said, “Maurice, Betty is at our home most evenings with her diatribes concerning Shane. I am at my wit’s end. Gloria is spending an overabundance of time with her and……”
“…neglecting you?” said I, completing his thought.
“Well, rather,” he looked slightly taken aback at my cheek.
“Bertram we must both be there for our long time and very dear friend. She is going through a terrible time. I believe we all know how things are when one’s heart has been broken,” I told him, sipping my martini which was very cold and delicious.
“I have NEVER had my heart broken,” he contradicted raising his brow as only a baboon can manage.
“You most certainly have. You have told me ad nauseam of your unrequited love for Roy Lee Simba which could never be assuaged because he is straight.
“You are like a bloody elephant, Maurice – you never forget a freaking thing.”
We, who worked closely with Shane Simba, couldn’t get over the change in him. He was a different animal – mellow, completely relaxed and jovial at all times. Shane is famous for being tense and intense most of the time. We all chalked it up to his relationship with Alexandra Delamere. His good mood took a hit when Betty arrived at the State House asking to see him. He came out of his inner office and greeted her warmly. I was a bit fearful. I had seen a look in her eyes that I felt augured trouble. Apparently Shane didn’t pick up on the same vibe. He closed the door behind them.
“Shane, darling, our divorce has been such a mistake. Can’t we rectify that mistake……remarry? I still love you and want to be with you. The cubs miss you….”
“Betty, let’s move on. I will always love and respect you as a friend and the children of my sons but we both need to get past this divorce of ours,” he said, removing her frantic hands from the front of his shirt where several buttons threatened to be dislodged.
“As a friend? Never…nooooo, I am the mother of three of your children. You can’t dismiss me so lightly,” she cried. “We had it all, Shane. We can have it again.”
“Betty, our marriage was a mistake. You must have thought so too for you are the one that filed for divorce twice. I only gave you what you wanted……”
“A mistake? No, not a mistake, Shane. We have three kids together….the divorce was a mistake. I’m sorry for that but it can be remedied.”
“Betty, let’s not do this. I want to be your friend and have you consider me one as you do Ashley, Montecore and recently, Sam. I want to be your friend too. We have three sons to consider so we must remain civil at least,” he protested, trying to keep her frenzied hands from their mission on his shirt front.
She began to shriek loudly and despite her makeover, Betty still has the vocal chords of a chimpanzee. She was pummeling him and he was trying to restrain her. Her screeches drew the guards. You can’t assault the president of a country like you would any garden variety ex-husband. He has a great deal of protection surrounding him. The Masai guards, on Shane’s instructions, took her very gently to Bernice Bear’s office down the hall. I went with her. We managed to get her quieted and at Shane’s request, I accompanied her in the official limousine to her home on Leoparde Drive where Wilda Wildebeest opened the door to see her frazzled friend and me on the threshold.
Another perquisite to being a president is that things get done for you – in triple time. Lewis Lyon had completed Shane’s estate in the far bush country of the Mara. He had put three of his crews working almost around the clock. It also helped matters that Shane and Lewis are very tight friends and tennis partners.
the new home in the bush country of the Masai Mara...
Luke Leoparde, probably one of the most accommodating animals in the world, helped engineer his ex-wife, Simone Serval’s move from Shane Simba’s penthouse. Simone had frantically called Luke from Rome and told him of her predicament. He even found her an apartment of lovely proportions in the same building – Lyon Towers. Now it was up to Shane to convince his pregnant lover, Johanna, to move to the vacated penthouse. His secretary called CHANGING SPOTS and requested them to check on what furnishings needed to be refurbished after Simone’s lengthy tenure.
Jane, Luke’s reporter wife, was on the lawn of the State House when Shane gave a press conference as he usually does once a month. A familiar voice asked a question from the midst of the gathered reporters.
“President Simba, it is rumored that you will be marrying Miss Delamere sooner than later. Is there any validity to that assumption?” asked Jane Leoparde.
“I have no comment on this matter, Jane. It is of a highly personal nature and I am entitled to privacy in personal matters,” he answered.
He asked me after the conference if I would have Jane come to his office. I made his request and she refused him.
“No, Maurice, I don’t want to see him. I have to get home. It’s my husband’s birthday and we’re going to a party for him at Ashley Lyon’s house. Sorry,” she said, giving me a pat on the shoulder.
Luke Leoparde....
Betty attended Luke Leoparde’s birthday bash held in Ashley’s new bush home. She arrived with Jack Tarzan. It was a gala evening and for a while Betty didn’t think of Shane Simba and all she fancied she had lost with that marriage. Then Jane took her aside and told her of quizzing Shane that same day.
“Do you think he will marry that girl, Janie?”
“Probably he will, Betty.”
“How can you take it if he does?”
“Betty, I have moved on. I have a wonderful husband and four children now. You have to do the same. Jack is a very special animal. Just be glad you have him for your friend. You have many rooting for you, Betty. Shane Simba is a male who has the kind of magnetism and attraction that females who have loved him can never forget. But there is a life after him, Betty. You’ll find yours, I promise.”
“I have three children by him, Janie,” argued Betty.
“I have two, remember? Let’s get back to the party. Ash is about ready to have the cake brought out.”