"Romaric is one of the main hunters."
"He trusted me with Diddi," Kent said. "Even though he thought I'd kissed you - a woman he loves."
"Loved," Lois corrected. "And just because things didn't work out between Romaric and me, that doesn't mean he's going to resent you."
"He won't?"
"Of course not. That's not the Bangala way."
"Oh."
The sense of being hopelessly lost shrouded him again. As strong as Kent was, he had reached the limits of his endurance. "Did you give Diddi the truck?" Lois asked brightly.
"No. I thought you might like to be there."
She grinned. "Want to go and do it now?"
"OK. That would be good."
"Let's go then." She took his hand and eagerly led them towards the quarantine area. "You are going to make Diddi the happiest boy in Africa," she said.
Part 24
Clark couldn't have offered any sort of rational explanation, but his heart was hammering a wildly erratic rhythm as Lois called her son over to them. Diddi ran across the rough dirt, skilfully bouncing the slightly asymmetrical bladder-ball.
He stopped before them, beaming with expectation. "Yes, Maman?"
Lois glanced to Clark, nodding her encouragement.
Now that the moment had arrived, shyness paralysed him.
"Kent has something he wants to show you," Lois said after a few seconds of silence.
Diddi's dark gaze swung to Clark.
"Ah …" Deciding this was a moment for action rather than words, Clark brought his hand from behind his back and held the truck towards Diddi.
The boy's eyes widened as he stared at the wooden toy.
"I made it for you," Clark said, finding his voice.
"For me?" Diddi whispered.
"Yes. I wanted to thank you for letting your maman come and help me."
"But … she's a medicine woman," Diddi said, his eyes never leaving the truck. "She helps everyone."
Clark edged the truck closer to Diddi. "Take it," he said. "It's yours."
Diddi dropped the ball, and it rolled away unnoticed. His hand moved slowly to the truck. His finger stroked the wheel, spinning it.
"It's a truck," Clark said, placing it in Diddi's hands.
"A truck," Diddi echoed. "Does … does your tribe have trucks?"
"Yes. I had a toy truck just like this when I was your age."
Diddi held the truck in his upturned hands, his thumb gliding over the smooth wood of the tray. "It's mine?" he said.
"Yep. All yours," Clark said. "Why don't you try it out?"
Diddi squatted and carefully skimmed the truck over the dirt. After a few yards, he let go of the truck and stood up. He flung his arms around Clark's waist and hugged hard. "Kent," he said. "Thank you." Then, looking up into Clark's face, he added, "Nalingi yo."
"I like you, too, Diddi."
The boy stepped back, shaking his head. "No," he said. "Not 'like'. In Maman's language, I meant 'I love you.'"
Love? "'Nalingi yo' means 'I love you'?" Clark asked, fastening his gaze on the young boy.
"'Nalingi yo' means 'I like you' and 'I love you'," Diddi explained. "In English, there are two words. In Bangala, just one." His small hand grasped Kent's much bigger one. "I love you, Kent. I'm so glad you're my friend."
Swallowing down tears, Clark mumbled, "I love you, too, Diddi."
Diddi gave Clark another enthusiastic hug, and then fell into the dirt, driving his truck on its maiden journey.
Clark looked up at Lois, raising his eyebrows slightly in question.
"I told you he would be the happiest kid in Africa," she said.
When Lois had said, 'nalingi yo' and later had given 'I like you' as its translation, it had been mind-blowing enough. But love? Had she loved him then? Did she love him now? What sort of love? The sort she gave all her patients? Or something else? Was she willing to admit it? If she did, would she expect him to reciprocate?
"I have a couple of things to do before dinner arrives," she said.
"OK," Clark he said, accepting he wasn't going to get any answers now. He watched her walk towards the hut and was struck with an idea. Taking a couple of steps forward, he crouched next to Diddi. "Diddi?"
"Yes, Kent?"
"Would you teach me some Bangala words, please?"
"Sure," Diddi said, bringing his truck to a halt at the top of a little mound. "What do you want to know?"
"Just some words. But I'd like to keep it a secret from your maman, so I can surprise her."
Diddi grinned. "That's a great idea, Kent," he said, dropping his voice to a whisper. "I'll teach you new words any time she can't hear us."
Clark squeezed the boy's shoulder. "Thanks, Diddi," he said.
"What's the first word you want to know?"
Clark's gaze fell on Lois as she wrung out some of Diddi's clothes and hung them on the low branches. "Beautiful."
"Kitoko," Diddi said. He lifted up the truck. "Ezali kitoko. This is beautiful."
"Kitoko?" Clark said, remembering the call of the young woman in the village. "What does 'monene' mean?"
"Big."
"So 'monene kitoko' means 'big beautiful'?"
"Yeah." Diddi drove his truck in a wide circle at arm's length.
The innocuousness of the meaning surprised him. The woman's tone and Lois's reaction had suggested there was more. Shrugging mentally, Clark moved on. "What is the Bangala word for 'woman'?"
"Moasi. That means 'any woman'. 'Mwasi' can mean 'any woman', too, but it can also mean the woman you're married to."
"Wife?"
"Yes. Wife."
"Kitoko moasi," Clark said. Following Lois with his eyes, he murmured under his breath, "Kitoko mwasi." The words were unfamiliar, but their implication swelled his heart. Lois, kitoko mwasi.
"Ekumbi spatial," Diddi said. "Spaceship."
Clark returned his attention to the boy and repeated his words. "Ekumbi spatial."
"Sanza. Moon. Moi. Sun. Monzoto. Stars."
"Sanza, moi, monzoto," Clark said. Lois had filled the pot with water and was setting it over the fire.
"Monzoto mwa malili. Planets."
"Monzoto mwa malili," Clark parroted. His brain clicked into gear. "You need three words for 'planets'. Or are they names of planets?"
"Monzoto is 'stars'. Malili is 'cold'." Diddi shrugged. "I guess someone thought planets were stars gone cold. Do you think they really are cold, Kent?"
"Depends on how far they are from the sun."
"What is your favourite planet, Kent?" Diddi asked, running his truck down the hill. "My favourite is Venus, because one night, I saw a huge white spot in the sky and Maman said it might be Venus." He sighed. "I saw it, but that's not as good as going there." The truck paused. "Do you ever think about other planets, Kent? Have you ever wondered about the people there? Have you ever wished and wished you could go there?"
"Yeah, Diddi," Clark said. "I've thought about another planet and the people who live there."
"Which planet?" Diddi asked eagerly. "Which one is your favourite?"
Clark reached for the truck. "Let me show you something." He removed the back of the tray, attached the ramp, and waited for Diddi's response.
"Wow!" Diddi said. "That's great." He placed the truck in the dirt. "I have the bestest idea." He sprinted away to the trees at the back of the quarantine area.
Clark wandered over to where Lois was working on her rug near the fire. She looked up at him with a smile of welcome. "Thank you," she said. "You've made Diddi very happy."
"I …" How could Clark express the depth of his gratitude to her for being there every step of his stumbling passage from the ruins of his old life?
"Want to sit down for a while?" she offered. "Our dinner will be here soon. Roast hog."
Clark sat beside her. "Do you think the hog we saw today is the same one Diddi and Sylva saw? Do you think Romaric got a different one?"
"I don't know," Lois said. "The Bangala are amazing at identifying all aspects of the natural world - plants, animals, rock. Diddi might have gotten it wrong because he's so young, but I learned a long time ago not to question the observational powers of the Bangala."
"Will Romaric kill the second hog?"
"I don't think so," Lois said. "He killed yesterday, and the river is our only means of refrigeration. He'll probably track it and see if there are others. If a whole herd is living close to the village, Romaric will organise a group of men to drive them away."
"We don't want them close to the village?"
"There's always a chance they could be carrying disease," Lois said. "And the males can attack. It's unlikely that a full-grown, very angry boar could damage Romaric much, particularly if he had his spear with him, but a woman or a child could be very vulnerable."
Diddi rushed up to them, his grin wide, and his eyes dancing with excitement. "Look what I have," he said, holding up a stubby twig of about three inches in length.
"What's that?" Lois asked.
"It's a spaceship," he said. "I can put it on the back of the truck and take it to the launch pad before lift-off. And when it comes back from its journey through space, I can put it in the truck to take it to the cleaning place to get it ready for the next space trip."
Lois smiled. "That's a wonderful idea, Diddi."
"Got to go," Diddi said. "We're counting down for a launch."
Diddi sprinted away, leaving Clark alone with Lois. "I should have known he would find a way to turn a land vehicle into something to do with space," she said.
How would Lois feel if she knew she had almost kissed an alien? "Would you like some coffee?" Clark asked.
"The water won't be hot yet. I only just put it over the fire."
"OK."
Lois reached for another strip of fabric. "You need something to do," she said. "Would you like me to ask for more wood? Do you have any other ideas for things you'd like to make?"
"I could make a rocket for Diddi," Clark said, snatching at the first idea that floated into his mind.
"You don't have to make anything else for Diddi," Lois said. "You've been so generous to him already."
"I'd like to," Clark said, thinking how much he'd like to make something for Lois, but completely devoid of ideas for what she would want.
"When Tsumbu brings our dinner, I'll ask him to talk to Clyde."
"Thanks."
Silence fell, broken only by the brush of fabric strips slipping through the rug and distant engine noises from Diddi as he explored the realms of space.
Clark stole a look sideways at Lois.
She was beautiful. Her newly washed hair hung around her shoulders. Her cheeks were pink from the heat of the fire. Her skin made him long to slide his fingertips the length of her jaw.
To her mouth - which was rose-red and elicited a memory he wished he could forget, but just as strongly wanted to remember forever.
The smoothness of her skin did give him something to say. "How do Bangala men shave?"
Lois looked up, smiling as she always seemed to when he sought her attention. "They use a razor."
"Would it be possible to get me one?" he asked, rubbing his hand across softening bristles.
"Sure. I'll get Romaric to talk to Kahindo."
"Are most Bangala men clean-shaven?"
"It varies. Matymbou shaves every day. The younger men shave less regularly. Nlandu has a long black beard that always makes me think he looks like a fierce warrior. I still find it amusing that he spends his days making clothes." She threaded another strip of fabric. "I like your stubble. It makes you look ruggedly handsome."
"Oh," Clark said, bogged in self-consciousness. "I like your hair loose."
She smiled at that. "I can't braid it myself. I have to wait until I'm back in the village. Sylva usually does it for me."
"Do you have to wear it in braids? Is it a rule?"
"No. But it's practical."
Tsumbu's call came from the other side of the gate, announcing the arrival of their dinner. Lois rose from the rock.
As Clark watched her, the truth rose from his heart like steam. "Nalingi yo, Lois," he murmured.
~|^|~
They ate dinner - lashings of roast hog, dripping with fennel sauce, and fresh crispy bread with vegetables baked in pots under the ground alongside the fire that had been slowly cooking the meat since early morning.
Diddi talked nonstop - about his truck and all of its imagined journeys as it ferried the spaceship from launch pad to launch pad across a galaxy of planets.
Lois and Kent shared smiles, relishing his enthusiasm.
The feeling of family had crept upon them again. As Lois ate, listened to Diddi, and stole numerous glances at Kent, she wondered if he could feel it, too.
And if he could, did if feel like acceptance? Or coercion?
Diddi had told him that 'nalingi yo' could mean 'I love you'. Did that fill his heart with joy? Or trepidation?
One week. Just one week ago, he'd been a married man, living a life not significantly different from millions of Americans.
But then, his world had crumpled, his marriage had ended, and his dream of fatherhood had been shattered.
Knowing it had happened so recently provided answers for many of the questions lurking just below the surface of her conscious stream of thoughts.
But it also pushed many other unanswered questions to prominence.
Kent had said there were things he didn't want to discuss - things he wanted to leave behind.
She had been willing to accept that - willing to allow him as much privacy as he needed.
But the essence of Lois Lane - the Daily Planet reporter who had built her success on indomitable curiosity - wasn't completely dormant.
Her curiosity glowered like coals, flaring occasionally into flames of questions that demanded answers.
How had he gotten to Africa so quickly? He must have flown here in an airplane. How had he sustained his injuries? If the airplane had exploded, there would have been debris littering the ground and Romaric would have seen it. Had other people been involved? Or had Kent been piloting the plane?
Had Kent's injuries been an accident? Or had someone deliberately hurt him?
Had he confronted Lana's lover? Had Lana's lover arranged for Kent to be attacked and flown out of the US? Why send him to Africa? And who used green rock as a weapon of affliction?
Perhaps, one day, he would tell her his story in full.
Or perhaps she would never know.
She looked up from her plate and connected with his eyes, rustling up a torrent of feelings.
Love. The desire to protect. The yearning to heal.
And physical attraction. Not just friendship and affection, but the fiery pull of sexual attraction - the almost-forgotten primal need for a mate.
A male body - strong, lean, muscular.
And hers.
She wanted him. She wanted to express her love physically - with far more than touches to his hand or arm.
She wanted to restore him - not only his heart, but also his body.
But this wasn't just about him.
She had been celibate for over five years. She had accepted that might not change.
But now … now, she wanted to explore Kent's amazing body. She wanted to join with him. She wanted to augment their friendship with something much deeper and more personal. Something exclusive to them.
"You're quiet," he said with a little smile that made her want to capture his mouth in an enthralling kiss.
"Yeah."
"Thinking?"
She cleared her throat. "It's been a big day."
"Yeah," he breathed.
"Maman?" Diddi said. "Can I go with Romaric when he hunts down the hog?"
"No."
"Why not?"
"You know why not. No one is allowed to go hunting until they are fifteen." She ran her hand over her son's closely cropped dark curls. "That means you have to wait another ten years."
"Ten years," he groaned.
"Ten years to play with your truck," Lois said.
Diddi's eyes wandered to where he had 'parked' the truck about a yard from where he was sitting. "Guess I don't mind waiting," he conceded.
Lois and Kent shared another smile, and the feeling of family togetherness washed over her again. She had always been Diddi's sole parent - a family of two that brought her untold joy. Partly because of the Bangala customs, she'd never expected that to change. Whatever happened between her and Kent, his relationship with Diddi wouldn't be officially recognised in their society.
But Kent was American. For him, marriage would include a responsibility to Diddi.
And that thought filled Lois with joy - joy at something she'd hadn't expected to have, but now discovered she really wanted.
"You're smiling," Kent said.
"Yeah."
"Any reason?"
She hesitated, not wanting to risk the first fragile links of reconnection.
"Tell me," he said with soft encouragement that could have prompted far more from her than a few thoughts.
"I'm glad you found us," she said.
"I found you?" he said, the edges of his mouth curling most tantalisingly.
"You came to us."
"I guess I did." He lingered in her eyes for a moment, and then he added, "I'm glad, too."
"Really?"
"Yeah." She stared at him, awaiting more. He smiled. Even slightly forced, his smile had the power to fill her heart with sunshine.
"I'm glad you came," Diddi declared. "You're the bestest friend I've ever had."
"Thanks, buddy."
"Buddy?"
"It means 'friend'."
Diddi grinned. "You're the bestest buddy I've ever had."
~|^|~
Diddi's eyes began to droop while Lois and Kent were drinking their after-dinner coffees. "You look tired," she said.
Her son grunted.
"Go and wash up, ready for bed."
"Wash? I went swimming today."
"Clean your teeth."
Diddi clambered to his feet. "Can I take my truck to bed?"
"Yes, but leave it here while you use the amenities."
"Will you look after it?" he asked, directing his question to both of the adults.
"Absolutely," Lois replied, trying to hide her smile as Kent nodded gravely.
Diddi wandered towards the amenities screen, his feet dragging in the dirt.
"We tired him out today," Lois said, feeling a spurt of excitement at the thought of being alone with Kent. Would he be willing to talk about today? And if he were, would he want to limit it to surface happenings? Or would he be willing to open up and let her see more of the heart that had captivated her?
"Actually, Diddi's not the only one who's tired," Kent said as he drained his coffee. "As soon as he comes back from the amenities, I think I'll go to bed, too. Sorry to be such terrible company."
"It's OK," Lois said, trying to keep all traces of disappointment from her tone. "A lot happened today."
He responded with a nod, but didn't offer any follow-up comments.
Diddi returned, hugged his mother, and mumbled, "Goodnight." He hugged Kent and mumbled, "Goodnight." Then, he picked up his truck and went into the hut.
Kent stood from his fireside rock.
"Matty said it's OK if I go into the village," Lois said. "So I thought I'd pay Sylva a visit as soon as I've finished my coffee."
"The quarantine period is over?"
"Medically, yes."
"Did Matymbou say anything about moving back into the village?"
"He said we could choose when we go back."
"I guess you miss being with your friends."
"I'm really enjoying being with you and Diddi," Lois said. "But I want to check on Rolle and see Sylva. I'll only be gone for about an hour. If you need me, go to the gate and ask Romaric to come and find me."
"OK. Goodnight, Lois."
"Goodnight, Kent."
Five minutes later, when Lois's cup was empty, she picked up her book of stories and slipped out of the quarantine area.
As she approached the village, her excitement bubbled, counteracting her dashed hopes of an evening with Kent.
She'd missed village life.
Once inside the gate, Lois headed for Sylva's hut. The splash of lantern light at the doorway signified Sylva was still awake. "Sylva?" Lois called softly. "Can I come in?"
"Lois!" Sylva's voice came through the gloom. "Come in. I was hoping you come tonight."
Lois slipped through the doorway. Sylva was sitting on a low bed, her bandaged ankle resting on a pillow. She put her sewing aside and smiled up at Lois.
Lois knelt beside the bed and hugged the woman who had been her friend and teacher since the day Lois had entered the Bangala village. "How's your ankle?" she asked. Without waiting for a reply, Lois began unrolling the bandage.
"It is fine. Not broken. The swelling is getting smaller."
Lois removed the last of the bandage and peered at the ankle. The skin was discoloured with bruising, and it was still unnaturally bloated, but Lois's swift assessment was that the damage would heal completely. She prodded at a couple of places. "Hurt?"
"Only what I'd expect after falling down a big slope."
"You should rest and keep it raised," Lois said, smiling at the irony of her instructing Sylva.
The medicine woman chuckled, too. "I'm bored. I can't get out to collect plants. Have you got any more of the story? Or have you been too busy with the pretty mondele?"
Lois carefully re-wrapped the ankle. "He's not pretty."
"I saw you come into the village today. He's pretty."
"'Pretty' is used for women, not men."
"What's used for men?"
"Handsome."
"Gislane and I think spending all day with someone that handsome should give you lots of ideas for the story. George should kiss Nelda. He has waited too much."
"Perhaps he will," Lois said, trying to sound nonchalant, although she always got a buzz when either of her listeners spoke of her characters as if they knew them personally. She fixed the bandage in place. "How's Rolle?"
"I think she very close. Perhaps only few days to go."
"Is the baby still moving?"
"Not so much. But it's squashed. The heartbeat still strong."
"Any swelling? Ankles? Fingers?"
"A little. Nothing of worry."
"I'm going to visit her for a few minutes," Lois said. "I want to feel the baby and reassure Rolle that everything is going well. Then I'll come back and have a cup of tea with you."
Sylva picked up her sewing. "And read more story?" she asked hopefully.
"Just a few more scenes."
"Oh, good," Sylva said eagerly. "I will call for Gislane."
