Maurice & Friends

“Good heavens, Alex, can’t they let the ink dry on Ashley’s divorce before they marry?” raged Shane Simba.

“There’s a small matter of a pregnancy, Shane, so they can’t dally too much longer. What date would suit your purposes?” inquired Alexandra Simba.

“No date, dammit!!!”

“Shane, you are not going to undo the fact of Ashley Lyon and your daughter, Staci, no matter how hard you try or continue to rage. Why don’t you just wake up, smell the coffee and go about trying to make the best of it?”

“I hate the fact of their marrying, Alex.”

“Would you like to see your grandchildren rendered illegitimate just because grandpapa continued to fret?”

“I am too damn young to be a grandfather, Alex!”

“No you’re not. As a male lion of a certain age you can well have grandchildren and those you are going to have very soon now, Luv, so you might as well sit tight and enjoy the ride.”

“You’re certainly full of British bromides this morning, aren’t you?”

“I am off for a ride on my horse to try and rid my head of your continuing silliness. Catch you later, Luv.”

She, already having dressed in her riding habit, took off for the stable.

Shane’s bone of contention was the fact that Staci had requested an early marriage to Ashley. Alexandra had talked her out of having a second wedding in flowing gown and veil. Staci had agreed to a simple gown to be made up by her cousin Leah Simba and new designer Duke. The one that could josh Shane out of his mire of depression regarding his daughter and Ashley Lyon was Lewis Lyon, the prospective groom’s half-brother.

“Think on the bright side, Shane,” Lewis had guffawed. “You will be my uncle-in-law.”

“It makes my head ache,” groaned Shane.

“We can continue being friends and partners in a family setting,” had chuckled the jolly son of Ralph Lyon.

Shane and Lewis had already brought a dilapidated hotel in Italy, servicing the Lake Como area. With Lewis’ construction crew handy and the managerial skills of both lions, a Cracker Jack staff had been hired and the hotel was as spiffy and glamorous as any gracing the shores of this popular lake. Gina Genet Lyon had suggested making it a bed and breakfast affair with cozy sitting areas for the clientele and L’hotel du Les Lyon-Simba was gaining in popularity. The duos’ next investment was a restaurant of great charm sitting adjacent to their hotel. Discount vouchers were assigned the clientele in the hotel. The restaurant called Les Deux Lions Restaurante became a must for the jet setters who flocked to this area. .

The hotel above and below, the restaurant...

Ashley was hitting the bottle a good bit. He spent a great deal of time at Luke and Jane Leoparde’s home.

“Ash, I have to know whether this marriage is because you love Staci that much or are you just afraid of her father’s wrath?” asked Luke, one evening over beers from his cast iron cooler.

“Hell, I really don’t know, Luke. I do love Staci but I don’t want Shane Simba after my ass. He is as ruthless as they come.”

“It all sounds like a big bowl of cold porridge to me, my man. Why didn’t Staci just get an abortion?”

“She wanted to keep them. She would have told Shane that I was the father, Luke,” moaned Ashley.

“Ash, you just divorced my cousin because you didn’t really love her. Now I think you are getting right back into a marriage with a female you don’t love. It bodes badly for you and Staci, Ash. You are going to end up with a bunch of kids that have to endure broken homes.”

“I need another beer – no, make that a strong Scotch.”

Staci, accompanied most of the time by her stepmother she had begun to literally adore, stood as Leah and Duke surveyed her wedding dress which was pinned on her. It was a lovely cream brocade bodice with empire waist to disguise a pregnancy should it be evident at that point.

“When are you marrying Juma, Leah?” asked Staci.

The two cousins had literally swapped mates.

“Juma and I have hit too many snags, Staci. I doubt we’ll end up married at all,” replied Leah.

“You don’t mind if I marry Ash, do you?”

Alexandra hated this discussion. She sat perusing a magazine with ears glued to the conversation tensed for repercussions.

“No, Staci, I don’t do that sort of thing. Ash and I are divorced – great friends still but divorced. He has every right to lead his life as he wishes.”

That was a slap to Staci’s wrist who had gotten riled at Leah’s engagement to her ex-husband, Juma Mnyama. Duke was amused as he made adjustments to Staci’s hemline.

“Leah is seeing the divine architect who designed my house,” he gushed.

“Are you? He is designing the house for Ash and me in the bush. Luke gave us some land.”

“Duke is getting a bit overexcited at that prospect, Staci. I am actually beginning to enjoy being single. I am so into my work so I don’t have much time for anything else besides my kids and JAGGERS.”

The next weekend, Luke and Jane Leoparde gave Ashley and Staci a much larger party despite the Cougar and Leoparde relatives’ dismay. At the last minute, Shane begged stomach pains, leaving Alexandra to go alone. Cynthia and Dorian Cheetah declined, making a decent excuse. They were between a rock and a hard spot, considering this was a granddaughter marrying a male who had divorced their best friends’ daughter to marry Staci. Cynthia Cheetah, always the lady, sent a large arrangement of flowers to Luke and Jane’s home before the soiree.

But nothing topped Lewis and Gina Lyon’s party for Ashley and Staci. It was held in Lewis’ spectacular home in the Mara. No holds were barred as far as drink, entertainment and refreshments went. This time Shane attended and managed to get quite drunk. He enjoyed himself, finally relaxing with Ashley as he had in the days when Ashley was instructing him in water sports. Dorian and Cynthia Cheetah were there as well as Mildred and Ralph Lyon who brought Lewis’ mom, Doris Lyon. The lovely Masai Mara home of Gina and Lewis has an incredibly elegant garden where the party spilled over. Lewis allowed certain members of the media to attend. Glinda Gorilla was among them and quite disappointed that this affair was going to be legitimized by marriage. She skulked among the potted palms in order to catch a glimpse of a ‘baby bump’ on the slender bride-to-be. She was rewarded with a full dress but even her genius photographer couldn’t discern the tell-tale bump. Roy Lee and Janice came with Leah and her date, the lion architect from the Serengeti who is doing a great deal of Lewis’ designs these days. Lewis Lyon has given him a suite in his new office complex. He tells Lachlan and me that his name is Lion Lion and he refuses to take on another for purposes of future fame. His architecture is most interesting, tending toward the Italianate. He enjoys wearing glamorous threads as does our President. They each compared notes on their suits. Lewis Lyon is a great promoter of the various talents. Duke, the clothing designer, also attended since he is helping design Staci’s wedding frock. Lewis was wearing one of his suits. We didn’t start leaving until almost 3:00 am. I continue to be impressed with Lewis; Ralph’s son whom he never thought would make anything of himself. He is an outstanding lion and billionaire several times over. Alexandra and Shane brought his mother, Sarah Lee to the bash. Indicating the wonders that Shane’s new wife has wrought in his life. The very next morning after Lewis’ party, Shane and Alexandra flew to Nairobi where they ran for a bit with the 15,000 runners who are competing in a marathon which is part and parcel of the Greatest Race on Earth (GROE). The Nairobi run took its course down the Uhuru Highway and Mombasa Road on Sunday.

Lewis and Gina's Mara home (above)

Lewis, Shane and Ashley at the party....

Shane and his daughter, Staci, at Lewis' bash.....

Alexandra Simba starting the marathon course in Nairobi....

A word about Lewis Lyon’s latest protégé, Lion Lion. He is a very interesting chap. An architect who graduated from Oxford, he is to soon become a part of Lewis Lyon’s global construction company. He rivals Shane Simba in his love of elegant clothing. Unlike Shane, he is never caught in casual wear. I noticed at Lewis’ party that he and Leah Simba seem very enamored of each other.

Leah Simba and Lion Lion at the Lyon's bash.....

“I must make this a rather hasty lunch, Bertram,” I excused myself. “Shane and Alex have the photographers from Vanity Fair magazine coming over this afternoon. They want me to help them with the setup.”

Bertram’s face took on a decided look of distaste mixed with gloom.

“What’s wrong?” I inquired.

“Dear God, Maurice, you would think they would be more interested in a layout of Baboon-Simba Studios than covering that lion with his human mate.”

“Bertram, do I detect a note of jealousy here?” I asked, raring back with my brow raised in amazement (although I know Bertram’s predisposition to envy).

“Why is the global community so beguiled with Shane Simba and his woman?”

“They are a very glamorous couple, Bertram. He is only the second animal president of any country and she is gorgeous. Add to that the fact of their children who were conceived naturally. The world is intrigued and quite frankly so am I.”

“Humph!” snorted Bertram in a fit of gloom.

“How are things with you and Glo these days?” I wanted to get his mind off of his current snit.

“She is staying mostly at her home and I am at mine. This arrangement rather takes the strain off things.”

“That’s splendid to hear. Now I must go,” I stated taking the chit from the silver tray. “Lunch is on me, I believe it’s my turn today.”

He didn’t protest, only rubbed his head as if a headache was about to arrive.

When I returned to the State House, Shane met me on the steps and asked me to follow him to the mansion. He was dressed in a white linen suit which was unusual. He usually dons a more business oriented suit for his working hours. Alexandra had the children with her. She was wearing jeans and directing camera men in how to work around Tanya and Sacha who ran to their father upon seeing him. Alexandra missed her calling. She has a real talent for directing and should have been a drill instructor in the military - and she does it with such charm, although one is always aware that hers is the last word. She kissed me on the cheek and thanked me for answering the call for help in this situation. That afternoon, I did my own share of directing but the results looked amazing.

One of the shots to appear in Vanity Fair magazine....

The couple with each other and their children will make a fine spread in any glossy upscale publication. Finally the ordeal was over and Alexandra asked me to call Lachlan and tell him we were invited to supper. These are certainly new days. Lachlan was delighted to accept. He adores Alexandra. We had a fun filled dinner and later Ashley and Staci dropped in for cognacs.

Lucy Cougar now no longer Lyon, was about to make a vow to herself. She had invited her sister, Chloe, out to the home she had gotten in her divorce from Ashley Lyon. And, let me tell you, it is quite the estate. Chloe, having been divorced from Roy Lee Simba and not remarried, accepted with alacrity. The two sisters, who have never been particularly close, were drinking Cosmopolitans.

“I don’t think I will ever marry again, Chlo,” stated Lucy with great emphasis.

“Hey, it’s best not too. We have plenty of money being Leoparde family heirs and Roy Lee gives me plenty of alimony and you’ve got a shit load from Ashley. All we have to do is enjoy life, avoid getting pregnant and screw our brains out,” giggled Chloe, lighting a cigarette.

“Let me try one of those cigs, Chloe,” asked Lucy, taking one from her sister’s proffered pack.’

“Sure, Doll. This is a fun habit. It will kill you eventually but it’s fun while it lasts. Hey, we ought to try doing a theater musical together, Lucy.”..

“Who me?” yelped Lucy.

“Yeah, Christine Cheetah heads the arts center. If I am in it, she will take a chance on you. After all, you’re pretty. I didn’t know shit from green beans about acting until Roy Lee taught me. It’s easy as pie.”

“Hmmmmm,” said Lucy. “That might be fun.”