Change of Heart

Chapter Seven: Promises

Chapter Seven

The day was a blur of traveling long dirt roads, meeting UNICEF workers and Guineans and learning the ways of life in the hot desert country. From what Tom could tell the people were beautiful for the most part, inside and out, the children were lively and jovial, and life was happy. Life was also difficult and dangerous. It was a juxtaposition that he did not fully understand, yet he had to blog about it almost immediately after seeing it. His mind was in a whirl and his excitement was still at a peak. He had an insatiable appetite for learning new things and a genuine curiosity that was rare. Through it all he had been watching Jacks and liking what he saw more and each moment he spent with her. She had quickly become one of his favorite people. She was a problem solver and one of the most intelligent and capable people head ever met. She was funny and talented and bold and beautiful, he was completely impressed by her. He was also very aware of his behavior around her, he had after all made a promise.

As they sat around a fire that night, Luke texted away on his iPhone,elated to finally have reception again, while Jacks prodded the embers with a stick to keep the flames going.

"It seems like there should be singing and dancing." Tom said as he leaned back and looked up at the stars. "This is a campfire in Africa after all."

"I'm sure the villagers would love to come and dance with you. Go ask them."

"No. I think I have a better idea."

He hopped up suddenly and disappeared into the house they would all be spending the night in. A rather lively discussion of soccer was going on, which Tom interrupted to speak with their gracious host for the evening. Jacks watched after him for a moment then focused back on the embers, poking them though her mind was elsewhere. It was on Afghanistan, and how much she would miss Guinea, and how secretly she wished she could stay for a while longer. It seemed she was always being called away just as she got the hang of things.

She was so lost in thought that she hardly noticed Tom return with their host, each of them carrying a large drum. They sat them on the ground near the fire, and stood behind them. Tom followed the host's lead, perfectly mimicking the beat he played on the drum and picking it up quickly. Minutes later a group formed around the fire, soon the dancing Tom had imagined ensued. Jacks stayed and watched and danced for a while, she and Tom avoiding each other like the plague. He watched her dance with their young handsome driver and frowned. She glanced over to see him with Pauline, his arms placed at her waist. She quickly glanced away at the sight of the smile he gave her and the way he looked down at her...the look seemed familiar. She slipped away from the gathering unnoticed and changed for bed, the beat of the drums in the background as she crawled into bed. Her feelings were hurt though she knew that was absurd, she knew nothing was going on between them, and she knew nothing could, yet still. Despite her best efforts she had developed feelings for him, and grown attached to him; it was impossible not to. He was the reason she had reservations about leaving Guinea: she didnt want the week to end.

"Jacks are you asleep?"

She was wide awake and smiled a little, hiding her surprise as Louise came into the room, her hair up in a simple bun and her face as sweet as ever. She seemed the most shy and reserved of the group and she and Jacks had barely spoken in their time together. Jacks motioned for her to sit next to her on the bed, she looked like she wanted to say something.

"Is everything alright?"

"Oh yes. Everything's fine, the trips going great..."Her voice trailed off, as she looked out of the window."They seem to be having a great time."

"Toms the life of that party." Jacks quipped, a little annoyed at the thought of him dancing with Pauline in the moon and fire light. "He's so...friendly."