CHAPTER EIGHT
I spent the next week shadowing Michael and taught my first classes at the college. It was an exhausting week, for I had to rework my old lecture notes to include new material, recent research and new developments in technology so I was up late every night writing and reading, and then up early every morning to go to the hospital for rounds and surgery.
I often missed supper and only arrived home late, joining Kate for a late swim in the pool and drink of hot tea before bed. Despite wanting her, I was too exhausted to have sex and so the week passed with little in that way. I hoped to make it up to her on the weekend, when I could sleep in and relax, recharge my batteries. They hadn’t been worked that hard since I was a new surgical resident.
Kate didn’t protest and for that, I was thankful. She understood how much of my energy was taken up with teaching and surgery, and I loved her even more because of it.
Finally, moving day arrived and since I had no classes, I took the day off.
Kate was so eager to see our new place, she was practically bubbling with enthusiasm. I was as well, but was still a bit weary from my week. Her excitement was infectious and I found myself eager to get the keys. We took a taxi to Kitusuru Village and met Jan at the house. The movers came and delivered our furniture and I brought over our luggage and housewares in the taxi so we spent the morning getting settled.
I walked up behind Kate, slipping my arms around her waist.
"We're finally here, Ms. Bennet," I said, kissing her neck. "Our own house. I can't wait to make it our home. Buy some groceries. Cook a meal. Christen the bed."
"Christen the bed, you say?" she said, in mock innocence.
I pulled her more tightly into my arms, kissing her neck.
"What do you say we get a taxi and go for lunch and then hit the market?"
She squeezed her arms around me. "Sounds wonderful."
Our taxi driver, Jomo, took us through the streets of Nairobi, talking to us about his time in Manhattan when he attended a Model UN. He was a student at the University of Nairobi, and was a very bright articulate fellow who was pleased to show us around the city. He took us to a local hangout known for its fresh fish and left us with his card so we could call when we were ready to go back to the hotel.
We ate at a small restaurant that was busy with locals—a sign that it had good food. Then we walked through the open-air market and selected fresh produce and meat to stock our refrigerator.
Once we were finished, we sat on a bench and watched the locals while we waited for Jomo to return.
"You didn't haggle over prices like the locals do," Kate said, poking me in the ribs.
"I don’t really get the money system yet," I said and laughed. "Maybe we should have asked Jomo to be our agent. We probably overpaid for everything we bought today."
Kate shrugged. "Maybe, but we can afford it."
"Who knows? I may have paid a small fortune for those vegetables,” I said with a laugh. “We should probably shop at the mall until we get to know prices and the money a bit better."
As the only Americans in the market at the time, we were quite noticeable and were the object of interest for all the children passing by. One small child called out "Mzungu," as her mother pulled her quickly by us.
That meant 'white person' in Swahili.
"We're curiosities," Kate said, waving at one small girl.
"Definitely." I smiled and waved at the girl as well and then she disappeared back into the crowded market.
After about ten minutes, Jomo, our taxi driver, returned and took us to yet another furniture shop where we bought a table for Kate’s studio and some shelves for supplies. Our last stop was a computer store at a local mall where I picked up some paper so I could print off handouts for my class.
We arrived back at the house some time later and after I gave Jomo an extra large tip for being so helpful. He promised to be our personal guide whenever we needed one, if he was available.
We brought in our bags and put the food away, collapsing onto the couch.
"I wish we were back in Manhattan," I said. "So we could order delivery from Marcellus or go to the bagel shop across the street from your apartment."
"There's that bag of potato chips," Kate said and yawned. "We could eat that. No cooking. No cleaning."
I pulled her into my arms and kissed the top of her head. "What happened to our plans to cook real food?"
"Exhaustion happened,” Kate said with a smile. “I think I could go to bed and stay there all night. Like John Lennon and Yoko Ono. Only we wouldn't be protesting anything except sore muscles."
I laughed. "The pool guy was here. Luckily, Jan thought of everything. We could go have a swim, then eat the bag of chips and listen to some music. I doubt I'll be able to stay awake much longer than nine o'clock, the way I feel."
"Sounds like a plan."
And so, that was exactly what we did.
After our swim, we sat on the couch and listened to some music on the new sound system I bought. I looked over some notes for my lectures in the morning and so Kate took out her laptop and worked on a schedule for herself.
"Oh, I completely forgot," I said and reached into my briefcase for the safari brochure I’d tucked away inside. "This is the one," I said, pointing to the third safari option in the brochure. "Claire gave it to me." I handed it to Kate. The safari was for artists, and was scheduled for a weekend at the end of March.
"Our schedule for that week's ER call was posted and Michael and I will be on call but you could go with Claire,” I said. It was Claire’s suggestion and I was pleased that she had decided to take Kate under her wing. “She's an amateur photographer and wants to go to get some good wildlife photos. Michael promised to arrange it so we can all go together on a regular safari, but Claire would love to go on this one, according to Michael. I know you wouldn't want to miss an artist safari."
Kate smiled eagerly and spent the next hour checking out the safari online.
Once I could no longer keep my eyes focused on my lecture notes, I yawned and suggested we get ready for bed. We did our usual routine and then fell into bed. I pulled Kate close and she happily snuggled into my arms.
"Good night," she said as we spooned together, my arms around her from behind, one hand beneath her luscious breast.
"Good night my love," I replied, yawning. "Sorry to be so unromantic, but I'm almost asleep with my eyes open."
"It's OK. So am I." Kate turned to face me and we kissed. Then I closed my eyes and the sound of her breathing was the last thing I remembered before falling asleep.
The next day dawned bright and I was up early, showering and getting dressed, a spring in my step. I was eager to start teaching, and then checking my surgical slate so I could take charge of my own patients.
The class went well. The students were all in their last year of their programs and were eager to get into the OR and practice what they were learning. I had a busy surgical slate for the rest of the day once my class was finished and so I called Kate at about seven o'clock to say I probably wouldn’t be home until after ten. Michael had gone home with a cold and so I agreed to take over the rest of his slate instead of canceling surgeries. As a result, my final surgeries were done with Sam assisting.
As usual, she took the opportunity to refer often to our past together, reminiscing about cases we worked on while she was a student, and to our intimacy.
I smiled but didn’t engage her, and finally, she gave up trying to get me to talk more personally. I tried my best to keep our talk professional and she didn’t seem to appreciate it.
When we were finished, she stood beside me at the sinks while we washed up and I could feel her eyes on me.
“So, tell me about this woman you brought along with you. I’m surprised she’s not a nurse or a doctor. What does she do? A student?”
“She’s doing her Masters in Journalism,” I said, irritated because I was sure Sam already knew everything there was to know about Kate from Claire. “She’s also an artist and is going to take a studio class while we’re here. As to her not being in medicine, I learned my lesson with my ex-wife. I find I need someone outside the field or else it can get too,” I said and paused, trying to find the right word. “Too incestuous. You know, knowing each other’s business so well, there’s nothing to talk about. With Kate, I’m always learning something new. Art. Politics. Completely outside my world.”
She shrugged. “Many doctors marry nurses or other doctors. They understand our schedule. They don’t feel neglected when we spend every night in the OR or ER.”
I finished drying off my hands. “Kate understands.”
“Lucky you,” Sam said, but I could tell by her slightly patronizing tone that she didn’t believe me.
I went to my office and dictated some notes on my cases so I wouldn’t forget and then checked on my lecture notes for the next day. Then, I made my way out of the hospital to wait for a taxi to take me home.
As I waited, a small BMW convertible drove up and stopped beside me.
The window rolled down. It was Sam. “Need a ride?”
I considered. “No, thanks,” I said. “I’ve already called for a taxi.”
“Save your money,” she said and motioned to the door.
“No, really,” I said and pointed to the taxi that drove up behind her. It was Jomo. I called earlier to arrange a taxi and was glad that he was working. “Here he is. See you later and thanks for the offer.”
I smiled perfunctorily and got into Jomo’s cab, glad to see his face.
“Just in time,” I said.
Jomo smiled at me. “Glad to be of service,” he said and drove off.
By the time I arrived home, it was even later than I thought. I crept into the bedroom as quietly as I could and got ready for bed, doing my best not to wake Kate. When I finally slipped into bed, Kate woke despite my best efforts.
"You're home," she said and turned to face me. "What time is it?"
"Eleven fifteen," I said and kissed her, pulling her into my arms with a sigh. "Sorry to wake you up. I tried to be quiet but I tripped over a box when I turned off the lights."
"Are you all right?” She wrapped her arms around my neck. "I missed you so much. I realized I didn't speak to a single soul today, until now."
"I'm sorry," I said and snuggled closer. "Your first art class is tomorrow. You'll meet some other students there, maybe make a friend." I kissed her again and stroked her hair. I would have loved to fuck her, but I was too exhausted to do anything. I snuggled in closer and kissed her shoulder.
"How was your day?" Kate said.
"Busy. Had my class. Then a demonstration of robotic techniques to some visiting neurosurgeons from Ethiopia. Then OR time. Then, I had to cover for Michael. He went home sick with a cold so I scrubbed in on his cases."
She nodded and ran her fingers through my hair. I knew she felt neglected.
"I'm sorry that you've been alone all day,” I said and stroked her cheek. “I promise I'll make it up to you tomorrow."
She said nothing in reply. Instead, she snuggled down into my arms and was silent. I lay awake beside her, despite being exhausted. Late surgeries did that to me. Your reserve had been tapped earlier in the day and you ran on pure adrenaline. Then, once the surgeries were done, you felt sapped of energy.
I lay there exhausted but unable to fall asleep. Kate did, however, and soon she was breathing slowly and deeply.
Finally, I fell asleep, but it was only temporary, for a few hours later, I woke up and could not get my eyes to close. My mind went back to my discussion with Sam about marrying outside of the medical field and how difficult it was for people not used to the hectic schedules and demands of a doctor or nurse’s life to deal with the absence. I could only hope that we were able to work things out to each other’s satisfaction. I intended to keep some balance between work and my relationship so that I didn’t make the same mistake with Kate that I did with Maureen.
Unable to fall back to sleep, and feeling like I needed to do something to take my mind off Sam’s words, I slipped out of bed and went to the kitchen where I found my guitar among the boxes of our possessions. I felt like playing but didn’t want to bother Kate so I went into the pantry off the kitchen.
I was playing away, some music I’d recently found while listening to a station that wasn’t my usual choice, when the door to the pantry opened.
I glanced up and saw Kate.
"Hi," she said and smiled. "Sorry to interrupt."
"No, that's fine,” I replied. “Sorry I woke you."
"You couldn’t sleep?" She came over to me and laid a hand on my shoulder.
"Nah," I said. " I'm exhausted but at the same time, I can't fall sleep."
"Insomnia," Kate said, and leaned against the wall across from me. "What were you playing? That was nice."
I played a few bars from the piece that I particularly liked. "A song that reminded me of you and of us. It's by a musician from LA I found a while ago when I took a break from my father's music. The song is called See You Again by Jason Falkner."
"Keep playing," she said. "It was nice and I hardly ever get to hear you sing or play."
I played for her and sang, but still felt quite uncomfortable. It was strange—I’d played literally hundreds of hours in front of small audiences, but there was something anonymous about it. With Kate here, now, it felt so personal.
When I was finished, I looked up at Kate, whose eyes were brimming.
"That's so sweet," she said and kissed me, her hands on my shoulders.
"I miss you," I said. "I'm so busy now, but I won't be this busy the whole time we're here."
"I know," she said, and ran her fingers through my hair. "I miss you, too, but I'll survive. My first class is tomorrow. I can't wait and expect I'll be busy from now on with my art."
I nodded and strummed the guitar. "Well, I guess I should put this away. My first surgery is early tomorrow." I put the guitar in the case and we went back to bed.
I yawned when we crept back into bed, but I still couldn’t sleep. Instead, I tossed and turned, worried about how Kate would handle being so far away from her life while I was extremely busy at the college and hospital.
Sleep was a long time coming.