You Found Me

Chapter 25

"Korie your wife is amazing" Sakeem yells out to me. Katie whips her head at me "Wife?" I laugh "Sakeem she is just my girlfriend. Hopefully wife one day though." He continues telling me about all the surgeries she's done the past few days for the kids in their village and the treatment plans she's given the entire village. She's truly an amazing and caring doctor...one of the best in our country I'd wager. Today Meghan will be with me and Dana and will get the opportunity to see the preserve alongside me.

"You excited" I ask her. She smiles "I'm always excited to do literally anything with you." I give her my hand and hello her up on the truck. Soon Karla comes out and gets in the driver seat and I am confused by it. I thought just Dana was coming? Dana loads her gear in the truck and gets in the back with us. She pats the top of the truck to signal for Karla to drive. "I guess Karla is coming too" I question. Dana nods "Yeah she insisted on driving us around today for safety." Meghan rolls her eyes "I'm sure she did." I have never seen the jealous side of Meghan but with Karla around it comes out a lot!

After driving around for an hour we spot the herd at a watering hole. The sight is really beautiful. There are elephants, warthogs, and an assortment of antelope all drinking and relaxing together. "It's beautiful" Meghan smiles and holds me close "I'm never going to get you back from this place am I?" I laugh "No I'm coming home. I miss my family and I miss Dolly." Karla steps out of the truck "Look in the far left corner of the watering hole. You can see a female lion crouching in the grass." I get the binoculars and search for the lioness and once I find her I'm overwhelmed with joy. I hand the binoculars to Meghan "She's beautiful" I say. "Yes she is" Karla says looking right at me!

Maybe she is hitting on me? Maybe that's what Meghan hates her so much for! The lioness waits for the antelope to leave the watering hole and before we know it the chase erupts! Three lionesses jump from the tall grass and chase a Springbok antelope down towards a cavern and just at the last second a fourth lion jumps out and catches the antelope! "Amazing hunting strategy these females have" Dana says as she recorded the whole thing. I nod my head "That was an incredible tactic and it worked phenomenally for them!"

After hours of driving around the preserve we had back to the station for lunch. Upon arrival Sakeem comes running to the truck "Doctor we need your help!" Meghan jumps out of the truck and runs inside with Sakeem. A child had been attacked by a young hyena while playing out in a field with one other kid. How this child is still alive I am unsure! Meghan assessed the leg and decided it needs to cone off immediately. They prep for surgery right here on the dining table. Katie runs up stairs to get their sterile equipment and surgery totes. "You guys did an amazing job at keeping her from bleeding out" she tells Sakeem. I am standing in a corner watching everything intensely.

They sedate the child and out her under anesthesia to begin surgery. Meghan scrubs her arms and dresses carefully in the surgical gown. This isn't an OR and so she needs to take the extra precautions to be as sterile as possible for the sake of this child. Katie scrubs the mangled leg with iodine and the Meghan works her magic. I step out while Meghan does the procedure and Sakeem joins me "I'm grateful you all are here. Kaya would've died otherwise from this no doubt." I give him a side hug "I'm happy we can be of service to you and everyone. It's the least we can do after the kindness you've shown us."

The little boy who was with Kaya approaches me with his mother "Will she be okay?" I nod "I think so. You were very brave to fight the hyena off! Are you okay?" He nods and tells me he only has a scratch from falling down at one point but no bites. This seven year old boy literally fought off a ten month old hyena with nothing but a stick. I learned that the boys name is Adan. Adan and his mother sat with us until surgery is finished. Meghan comes out on the porch "Kaya will be okay. I did have to amputate the leg. So she will need a good friend through all of this" she says to Adan. He nods and promises to always be there for Kaya.

They go in to visit with Kaya and her family as she wakes up. Meghan takes a seat next to me "I'm glad we were here. This would've ended poorly for that little girl." I reach over and hold her hand as I stare at the sunset "You're a great doctor Meghan. I know you don't always like compliments but I need you to know and really hear me when I say you're really a very talented surgeon with a heart of gold." She lays her head on my shoulder and exhales "Thank you Korie. I love you so much." I hug her close as we sit and watch the sunset together. The parents thank Meghan before leaving the house with Kaya. She sent them with pain meds and instructions to remove the sutures when it's time.

"Karla the hospital will be sending a prosthetic and wheelchair for the girl to this station. Can it be delivered to them" Meghan asks. Karla smiles "Of course. Sakeem and I will be sure it gets to her." After such a long day we eat the meal Sakeem prepared for us go to bed early. I curl up in bed with Meghan and she actually spoons me. I'm used to being the big spoon and I will say it felt quite nice actually. "I've been thinking that when you return home in a few days maybe I'll come home with you" I say as we lay in the dark. Meghan open her eyes and stares into mine for a minute before saying anything. "Korie this is an amazing opportunity. I think you should stay...but I can't tell you what to do. All I know is Karla better keep her hands off my girl" she said catching me off guard.

I chuckle to myself "She can wish all she wants...but you're the only one I want to be with." She kisses my cheek "I love you. I will support whatever you decide to do." Little does she know I already got my plane ticket home. I miss her but I also miss Loren and the family I've made for myself at home. I kiss her goodnight and cuddle up with her as I drift off to sleep feeling like a weight had been lifted off my chest. In the morning I will break the news that I'm going home sooner than planned to the ranger team.