Collision (22 page)
“Really? Since when?”
“Since I had my eyes opened.”
“Since her.”
“That too.”
Through the reflection in the glass, I saw him shake his head and look down at his BlackBerry again.
“I want to make a difference in this world, James. I want to be about more than this. I don’t think I can survive if I don’t.”
“Fine. Just tell me what you want to do.”
“I’m going to Uganda in a few weeks.”
“You’re what?”
“My schedule’s free. I can go if I want.”
“You’re going to see her?”
“I’m going to see her…and I’m going so I can be a part of something bigger than myself. I’m going to find myself.”
“Find yourself? Cut the crap, Cab. You’re losing it.”
I turned to face him. “How’s that?”
“You’ve got the most recognized face in the world right now. Everyone is falling at your feet, and they’re throwing scripts at you. You have the pick of the crop right now. You can’t go getting off course. When things cool off, then you can go running off to find yourself or whatever the hell it is you need to do. Right now, focus on your job.”
“I’m going to Uganda, James.”
His jaw tightened and his eyes glared my direction. “Fine. I’ll get a press release written up. Maybe we can get some good press out of it.”
“No. I don’t want anyone to know. This is about me.”
“Cab—”
“If word gets out, you’re fired.” I turned and looked back out the window. “Are we clear?”
He didn’t answer.
I turned my head to him. “Are we clear?”
“We’re clear,” he said without looking up at me. “Just for the record, I’m against this. I think you’re making a huge mistake.”
“Guess we’ll see.”
•••••
The days crept by. I checked my phone every chance I could, and then, afraid that for some reason my phone wasn’t synching my e-mail, I also logged in on my laptop. No matter what way I checked, there was no word from Kei. I had no idea how she was or if she was even alive.
Finally, after more than two weeks of no word, I checked my phone just before going to bed and there was an e-mail from Uganda.
C H A P T E R
16
Subject: Re: WORRIED
To:
YardballChamp07
From:
UgandaKei
Date:
October 30, 2007
Worry Wart,
I’m alive! I feel like rubbish and have lost a lot of weight, but I’m alive and more trollish-looking than ever.
Are you still coming next month?
Kei
•••••
Subject: THANK GOD
To:
UgandaKei
From:
YardballChamp07
Date:
October 30, 2007
Kei,
I’ve never prayed so hard in my entire life! I’m so glad you’re better. You have no idea…
I hate this. I hate being so far away. I hate not seeing you for four blasted months, and I hate that it’s impossible to get news. I hate that you were sick and I couldn’t do anything to help you. I hate that I had responsibilities here. Otherwise, I would have been on a plane within the hour of hearing you were sick. I should have been there with you.
For the record, you’ve never been trollish looking.
Of course I’m still coming. November 24 can’t come soon enough.
Thank God you’re better.
I miss you so much!
Stay safe, take your medicine, and wrap yourself in a mosquito net, for the love of Pete!
Cabot
•••••
Subject: Re: THANK GOD
To:
YardballChamp07
From:
UgandaKei
Date:
November 2, 2007
Cabot,
All’s well. I’m sorry that you were so worried, but I’m glad it got you and God talking a bit more often. Maybe my voodoo’s working on you after all.
I hate it all too, but this is our reality, our sad reality. Welcome to the life of being friends with a missionary. Now you see why I have so few!
But in the positive, you’ll be here in less than a month! These will be the longest three weeks of my entire life, firstly because I’ll be counting down the days until you get here and secondly, because I’ll be at the house recuperating. The doctor doesn’t want me back in the camps until my immune system has time to grow strong. I suppose I will spend the time working on loading pictures and doing work on the mission website. I’ll also personally prepare your room!
Let the countdown begin!
Kei
•••••
Subject: You Name It!
To:
UgandaKei
From:
YardballChamp07
Date:
November 3, 2007
Okay. If you could have me bring anything from the States, what would it be?
•••••
Subject: Re: You Name It!
To:
YardballChamp07
From:
UgandaKei
Date:
November 5, 2007
Anything at all? Soccer balls for the children!
•••••
Subject: Re: Re: You Name It!
To:
UgandaKei
From:
YardballChamp07
Date:
November 5, 2007
I’ve already got tennis balls. And now a shipment of soccer balls is on the way. I meant for you. What can I bring for you?
•••••
Subject: Re: Re: Re: You Name It!
To:
YardballChamp07
From:
UgandaKei
Date:
November 7, 2007
All I want is you.
•••••
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: You Name It!
To:
UgandaKei
From:
YardballChamp07
Date:
November 7, 2007
Trust me. You’ve already got me.
What else do you want?
•••••
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: You Name It!
To:
YardballChamp07
From:
UgandaKei
Date:
November 10, 2007
Dear Giver of Gifts That I Don’t Deserve:
I suppose if I have to name something else, it would be a new sleeping bag or a new pillow. And speaking of which, bring yourself a pillow. We don’t have those here, and you’ll be miserable without one. It’s easiest just to carry it with you on the plane.
My parents and the team are getting very anxious to meet you! My dad even got an extra foam mattress for your bed so you would be as comfortable as possible.
Did you get the e-mail from Gregory? It should have included a list of what you will need to pack.
Kei
•••••
Subject: Less Than Two Weeks!
To:
UgandaKei
From:
YardballChamp07
Date:
November 12, 2007
Kei,
Here’s the thing about gifts: the receiver of the gifts doesn’t have any say in whether they are worthy of receiving the gifts or not. It is the giver of the gifts who determines that and in doing so, gets to determine how many gifts a person should receive and just how often they should receive them. So get used to it, girl. You’ll be getting a lot of gifts, and you’ll be getting them often. If anyone is worthy of them, it’s you.
I got the list from Gregory, and I’ve got everyone working on it. I also found out that for a fee, I can bring extra trunks. So he sent me a list of supplies that the mission needs, and we’re working on that too. Are you sure all you want is a sleeping bag and pillow? That doesn’t seem like much. If you can think of anything else, there’s still time.
I got the rest of my shots finished. Not fun. And I got the Malarone prescription filled and sent in my MedJet form. I think that’s all the medical stuff I was supposed to do.
Did I miss anything?
C
•••••
Subject: Re: Less Than Two Weeks
To:
YardballChamp07
From:
UgandaKei
Date:
November 13, 2007
No! Just shut your trap and get here already!
•••••
Subject: DON’T BE A HATER…
To:
UgandaKei
From:
YardballChamp07
Date:
November 13, 2007
Kei,
Don’t hate me for this, but I’m in Paris. Tomorrow night, London; the next night, Madrid; and then finally Sydney. We’ve got premieres all week. Next week will be busy too: LA on Monday, Chicago on Tuesday, New York on Wednesday and Thursday. And another thing. I’m flying first class to Uganda. You might be willing to suffer through the economy class, but my pampered arse can’t take it.
It’s not long now!
Cabot
•••••
Subject: Re: DON’T BE A HATER…
To:
YardballChamp07