Dear Red

Seven

"Who saved your number in my phone, Rugamo?" I asked immediately I picked up. He laughed lazily. "Be nice Tina. I have big plans for the both of us." I could picture him lying on his bed or in a rocking chair, head thrown back with only one finger holding the phone to his ear. He sounded that relaxed. "What plans?" I asked. "Can I see you tomorrow?" he asked. I forgot my instant irritation by the fact that he had answered my question with another question and thought of Alex. We had rented DVDs to watch together but I had bailed on him today because of dancing with Melissa and Co. With my mum in the UK, my dad working till late and Suzan doing 8 hours a day in court, I was the only close family left for Alex to depend on. I had an obligation. "Yes. But it has to be at 4pm for only an hour," I said. "My whole day tomorrow is dedicated to Bagaine Tina. Is your day dedicated to Ken Rugamo?" he asked. "Now I'm a bit terrified," I said, stalling for time to think. "Don't make me plead, Tina. I've done enough already to put this together," he said. "Put what together?" I asked. He deftly switched topics. "I want to pick you up at 9. Where should I find you?" he asked. "Ntinda Shopping Centre." I was eager to see him anyway so there was no point in pretending. "Sweet dreams." With that he hung up. I stared at the phone, wondering why he was being so secretive. "Dad is engaging the conference call in 10 minutes. Hurry up," Alex said behind me. I jumped, startled but he was already backing away.

Without a hint of doubt, Ken Rugamo was the most inventive, unique and handsome friend I had ever had. When I was dressing up that morning in a plain white t-shirt and shorts with a suspender design, I made a short list of the possible places we would spend the day-a race track was not one of them. It must have given him deep satisfaction when he drove in and parked for I was both shocked and stunned. It was empty save for two race cars parked at the other end of the wide track. "Here we are." He opened his door and got out. I did the same, much slower.

"A race track?" I said in disbelief.

"Yes, my dear. You're going to drive at 16."

"If you brought me to a race track just to hang out, where do you take your girlfriend for a date?"

"Who said I have a girlfriend?"

He locked the car and came round to where I was standing. "This is where all those professional racers do their practice. A friend of mine runs the place and allowed us to use the track today since he's expecting no one."

Before I could comment, the 'friend' came out of the nearby shed. He was a medium height man, with a straight hair cut and round body wearing mechanic's overalls and wiping his hands on a towel. He beamed when he saw Ken and they walked toward each other. I saw the man's gaze fasten on me for a few seconds. He said something to Ken whose back was to me so I missed his expression. Ken said something and the man's eyes cut back to me. They exchanged more words then with a smile; the man tossed Ken a set of keys on a ring and went back to his shed. I walked to where Ken was and we walked to the parked cars together. 

"I'll take you for a test drive then you can get behind your own wheel." He unlocked one of the cars and I opened the door. The interior was tastefully done and air conditioned, ready for use. I sat in the co-driver's seat and found a map of the race track in Entebbe. Absorbed by it, I barely realized Ken's presence until he rolled down the windows and revved up the engine. I looked up and made a discomforting realization. The race car seats were closer together than in ordinary vehicles and much lower because of the car size. Ken's broad shoulders meant we were in a particularly cozy situation-and in contact. I folded the map and he started full speed on the track. By the time we did a complete circuit of the track, wind was rushing at us through the windows, the car was eating up the ground at mind blowing speed and the squeal of burning rubber was in the air. He slammed the car to a stop. It spun thrice and then stopped. "Whoever gives you a license at 21 is putting this country in grave danger!" I teased.