SOLLY
A baby is God's opinion that the world should go on.
Carl Sandburg
Far from suffering from the effects of post partum psychosis or depression that Betty had been victim to in her other three pregnancies, she was filled with joy daily since the birth of Solomon Figan Simba, known to his adoring family as Solly. Since the day Solly had opened his green eyes so like his father’s, he had thrilled his siblings, parents and household staff with his lovability. He was a happy cub, sleeping in a crib to the side of his parent’s bed in the State Mansion. He would lie awake until his mother would awaken naturally and find him staring at the ceiling in contentment awaiting his night bottle. His sister, Staci and brothers, Sean, Joshua and Jason could hardly keep their paws off of him. They would pick him from where ever he lay anytime they saw him. Miss B and the other nannies couldn’t help from spoiling him absolutely rotten. The good news was that Solly seemed immune. He continued his good behavior probably pointing to the adages of shrinks everywhere that one cannot have too much love. His father would come home from a hard day at the State House and call to no one in particular as he stepped off the elevator: “Where’s Solly?” Betty would bring him, kissing Shane and they would go to the den where a fire had been lit. There the family – at least those who were home – would gather and enjoy a time of togetherness and their latest addition. It was agreed that it would be a great day when Solly was able to sit at the dinner table in some capacity and enjoy the give and take of that meal. However, one didn’t want to rush his maturity since watching the small cub develop was going to be a pleasure savored by all close to him.
Betty and Shane enjoy their son in their bush home......
The first day Betty went to her office since the birth, she took Solly with her. The halls of the State House were alive with cooing adults all focused on the small cub in the carrier. In his mother’s office, he got further attentions from Bernice Bear or who ever entered. If Shane had a free moment he would stride down the hall to Betty’s office and see his son who had been named for his sibling murdered by hyenas so long ago in a different world from today.
On a more serious note, Shane joined with Ethiopia in closing the borders of Kenya to Somalis. There were check points every few miles manned by the Kenya military. Our warships still rested in the waters of the Indian Ocean as a warning to that troubled country. We held a three day summit which garnered leaders from the nations that felt the threat of Somalia’s growing Islamic fundamentalism and militant rogue government. Shane also signed a pact with Ethiopia in a cooperative front to handle the threat of Somalia.
A lovely party was held in the newly erected home of Leland and Caroline (Cheetah) Leoparde. The night was lovely with servants carrying drinks for all on silver trays. I went with Lachlan. Betty and Shane were invited but sent their regrets. I didn’t see Sloane Simba there but many of my friends were present, including Dorian and Cynthia Cheetah, Sylvia and Bernard Cougar and others. Caroline seemed a bit drunk despite the fact she is pregnant. She did cling to her husband’s arm all night. The home is wonderful and full of effects only the truly affluent can arrange.
Shane and Betty attended the official boating races of Kenya. They took place on Diani Beach in Mombasa. It was the couple’s first sojourn to their beach place since the birth of their son. They couldn’t resist bringing Solly and the paparazzi went wild taking pictures of a relaxed Shane as he held the cub and watched the races. They took note of the fact that the first lady looked terrific, having gotten her figure back in record time. Interest in the presidential couple was at an all time high. There was a time in the ‘60’s in America that John Kennedy and his wife, Jackie, excited the world with their attractiveness and very young children. I think the world loves a first family of any nation that evinces the same characteristics – thus the excitement with Betty and Shane. Tabloids, glossy publications and major newspapers could not get enough of their pictures with baby Solly. Paparazzi lurked in the shrubbery surrounding the tennis courts at the sporting club in order to catch Shane playing break neck tennis sets with his daughter, Staci. They placed long range lenses on the family’s bush home to catch them frolicking with their children. Betty and Shane, in a newly fired family ardor, gave them all they needed for media fodder. Not only were lenses focused on the children and family activities, they also caught the president and his wife in romantic moments. It was readily apparent that there was a new intimacy between Betty and Shane since the birth of their mutual son.
Shane and Betty at the boating races with their son, Solly.....
We were filled with pride when Junior Lyon, the coach of our professional Masai Mara All Stars Soccer Team, won an international award as best coach for a professional team. The award was to be presented to him in Germany. Shane insisted that they take Simba One to the event. They invited the Simba cubs, Joshua and Sean to attend with them since the boys are budding soccer stars. Ralph and Mildred, Sylly Cougar Lyon and their children, Ashley and Leah among other pride members accompanied Junior. A proud Ralph and Mildred watched their son receive the award among much pomp and circumstance and the playing of the Kenya National Anthem.
Junior Lyon, honored for his coaching of our soccer team... His legendary father, Ralph Lyon watches as Junior is honored in Berlin.....
Sloane Simba was not making as much headway as intended in his blossoming affair with Cate Ocelot. Cate had come to the Mara intent in building a firm career as a psychiatrist. She saw her opportunity in the trust that Lachlan Lion put in her. To make a long story short, Cate was driven by career. She was falling in love with Sloane Simba but refused to short change her job in order to pursue it.
On the return of Junior Lyon to the Masai Mara, Betty and Shane threw a party in his honor in the State Mansion. It was a glittering affair and packed with the A List animals.
I lunched with Bertram Baboon at OKAPIS. When I arrived a few minutes late as always these days, he was seated at a table perusing this week’s issue of ANIMAL ENQUIRER. When I was settled with my thoughtfully preordered martini, he pushed the magazine toward me. There I saw a picture of Rhonda Rhino in a thong bikini. Next to it was Shane Simba caught in his underwear at the bush home.
“I believe Shane wins that contest paws down, hooves down or maybe even cock down,” he laughed, picking a piece of cream filled celery from the crudités and snapping his teeth on it.
Rhonda and Shane caught by the paparazzi....
Two things happened the following week: Steven Simba threw in the towel on his marriage to Dina Myers despite the fact of their baby and Sam Simba made a marital arrangement of sorts.
Sam Simba’s river home had become an armed camp recently due to his impasse with his wife over her pride members being in constant attendance there. Sam loved his wife, Allison and his eight children she had produced but he detested the cold atmosphere that pervaded his home these days. He agreed to build Allison a home large enough for her pride and herself if she would vacate the river home. He also asked that she give him joint custody of their children. He agreed not to divorce her if these things could be accomplished amicably. Allison Scar Simba was happy to comply. Her rowdy pride was really her soul source of enjoyment as were her cubs. Sam had ceased to be a pleasure for her. She signed a separation agreement. The following week Lewis Lyon Construction began work on a very large, ambling home on the Scar pride turf. The evening of the ground breaking, Sam invited his lover, Tawny Tigeres, to dinner at OKAPI’S. Heads turned at the curvaceous, bodacious tigress and the male lion, brother of the president. When a bottle of vintage French wine arrived at the table and was placed between the candles, the waiter opened it and poured for Tawny and Sam. The two clicked glasses and drank a toast to their future. Sam placed a paw over Tawny’s.
“Tawny, Allison and I have signed a separation agreement. I am building her a house on the Scar pride territory and she will live there. We have agreed to let the cubs live between us. What I want to ask you is if you will live with me at my river home when she has moved out?”
“Of course I will, my darling Sam. I don’t care if we marry or not as long as we can be together.”
“What about Frank and Melba, will they be bothered by this?”
“I’ve told you before that my parents are also my best friends, darling. They only want my happiness, Sam, and that is with you.”
“Some day when my kids are older, I am sure Ali will want a divorce and then we can marry.”
“There will be plenty of time to enjoy our lives between now and then,” said the complacent and loving tigress, product of her extraordinary upbringing. “Anyway, Sam, we are already married in our hearts.”
“You are the best thing I have ever had in my life, Tawny. Let’s order more wine on this note.”
The statement Tawny had made at the dinner table rang very true in their everyday lives. Tawny and Sam practically ran Simba Brothers’ court cases as a team. Steven now managed the firm, leaving Sam free to do the pure law and court work he had always loved. However, it was common knowledge that whatever resulted in court activity would go to the kick ass team of Sam and his lady love, Tawny.
On a night graced with a slow but steady drizzle of rain, Alexander Simba got drunk at the Watering Hole Pub and fell on his ass near the bar. Cameron Caracal almost stepped on him and tripped as the lion fell heavily. Wally Warthog helped Cameron and some others get him to Cameron’s car. Cameron knew him only as a fellow lawyer although Alexander had joined his brother running the garden center. She followed his slurred and drunken directions to his house and pulled in his drive way. She managed to help him up the steps. He fiddled with his keys, dropping them several times. Cameron finally opened his door and led him in.
“Where’s your bedroom?” she asked in a no nonsense way.
She followed him as he lurched in that direction. He was about to fall again when she managed to steady him. She began to undress him. He fumbled with her clothes.
“I’m not the one that needs undressing, Alexander; it’s your drunken ass. I’m leaving as soon as I get you in the bed.”
“Aren’t you going to stay with me?” he asked, beginning to cry.
She sat on the bed next to him.
“Why are you so freaking sad? I thought you Simbas were all on top of the world.”
“Not me,” moaned Alexander.
“What’s wrong with your life?” she asked, beginning to giggle.
Cameron lit a cigarette and offered him a puff.
“I’m sad all the time now. My wife is a bitch and is living near the Mara River and my kids don’t like me and I don’t like them much either.”
“Oh shit, what a terrible story,” she laughed.
She began to get undressed and got in bed with him.
“That’sh nice,” he slurred.
“Okay, how about my reward for bringing you home,” she teased, kissing him all over his chest.
She stayed the night, making him coffee the next morning for his fierce hangover. He stumbled to the breakfast table looking ghastly and ill.
“Thank God, today is Sunday. I could never make it to the garden center with this headache that is invading my entire body down to my feet,” he moaned.
After a breakfast of scrambled eggs, bacon and toast, Alexander began to perk up.
“Got a cigarette?” he asked.
“You don’t keep them?” asked Cameron holding her pack to him.
“Lucy wouldn’t let me smoke so I just gave it up. I enjoyed that cigarette last night.”
“I enjoyed a hell of a lot more than the cigarette last night,” she purred, opening the robe she had found in his bathroom.
“I feel that I can contribute even more to the fun this morning with this great breakfast in my belly,” he said, placing a paw on her bosom.
“Finish that cigarette and let’s go for the gold,” she answered, sliding into his lap.
He got up and took her paw and led her to the bedroom. He closed the drapes and the room fell into darkness.