Page 10 of Five Goodbyes

“Me too,” Philip says as he continues working on our dinner.

“How long do you think you'll stay?” I ask.

Mora smiles as she moves over by Philip and lays her head on his shoulder. “We don't know. For now, we're taking it day by day. We do feel like we have a purpose here, and we're happy to make a difference, even if it’s just a drop in the bucket. I signed a contract for one year, but we can always extend if we want.”

Philip nods. “Having you guys here makes it all the more meaningful,” he says, looking at us with gratitude.

“We appreciate you letting us be here. In only a few hours I’ll be forever changed,” I say.

“Me too. We’ll be coming back again and again,” Jasmine adds.

Philip finishes our dinner, and it’s the best meal I’ve ever eaten. I think this is the case because I understand how many go without and it makes me so much more appreciative of what we’re being given. It’s a humbling experience.

As the day ends, I begin to truly understand why Mora and Philip have chosen this life. It’s incredibly relaxing and utterly peaceful without all of the niceties of home distracting us. There’s something truly special about this place, something that makes us feel alive and connected to the real world around us. Despite the many challenges of the country, we can clearly see the sense of hope and resilience that permeates the very air.

“You know, it’s kind of odd seeing the two of you together as a couple,” Mora says as she leads us to our tiny room.

“It’s weird for me too, until I’m looking at her and pinching myself, hoping it lasts forever. I’m afraid I’m going to wake up to find that this is nothing more than a dream,” I reply.

Mora’s expression grows stern, and she rises up to her toes to get right in my face. “You’re one of my best friends, but I swear I’ll rip your ears off the side of your head if you hurt her. Do you understand?”

I smile. “Not going to ever happen. I’m head over heels in love.” She gives me a long hug before turning and leaving me to squeeze into the tiny sleeping quarters.

“Thank you for making this happen,” I say to Jasmine as I crawl in next to her.

She beams at me. “To think you protested about it when I had the idea. Sometimes you have to go with the adventure of life and not think of every possible scenario and outcome before making a decision.” She keeps speaking, but exhaustion and her sweet, musical voice pulls me into oblivion.

I wake to the sounds of the Congo. The sun is beginning to rise, and I hear chirping birds and the distant chatter of people going about their day. I look over at Jasmine, who’s sound asleep. I smile with pure happiness. We’ve come all of the way to the Congo and slept in one of the most uncomfortable beds I’ve ever been on, and yet I feel incredibly rested. As I get up to stretch, I’m interrupted with a knock on the door.

“Good morning,” I say through a sliver of an opening in the door.

“Good morning. You guys up? Ready for breakfast?” Mora asks.

“Give us five . . . or maybe ten,” I say when I glance over at a very soundly sleeping Jasmine.

“Hurry up, we’re wasting the day,” she says before leaving.

I move back to the bed and jump on it, straddling Jasmine whose eyes flash open as she looks around in a panic. Her vision finally clears, and she glares at me as I laugh.

“Time to wake up, sleepy head,” I tell her before leaning down and giving her a quick kiss. She scowls a bit more.

“Morning breath,” she mutters as she raises her hand to cover her mouth.

“There’s nothing I don’t love about you . . . not even your morning breath,” I say as I feel a shift in my body. Hmmm, maybe thirty minutes more is okay.

“Don’t you even get that look in your eyes, Hunter Sparks!” Jasmine quietly scolds. “This house has walls about as solid as a cardboard box, and there’s no way we’re torturing Mora and Philip by listening to us getting jiggy.”

I burst out in laughter. “Damn, I love you,” I say when I can get words out.

“My bladder doesn’t love you right now. Get off me you beast,” she says, but finally smiles as she raises a hand and caresses my cheek.

“It will cost you a kiss,” I tell her.

She chuckles before puckering her lips. I lean down and kiss her, attempting to open her lips. She’s having none of it. I laugh as I give up and reluctantly climb to my feet. We quickly take care of our immediate needs before finding Mora and Philip.

“That took longer than ten minutes,” Mora says with a chuckle. I have a feeling she heard our entire conversation. I’m not even a little embarrassed. Mora’s smile grows. “Good morning, Jazzy. Did you sleep well?”

“Good morning. I slept like the dead.” She pauses for a moment. “Some people say they slept like a baby which is something I’ve never understood because babies don’t sleep well at all.” We all laugh before she goes on. “Do you have a Starbucks nearby?” None of us can tell if she’s joking or serious.

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