Dear Red

Twenty Six

The bus stopped on the main road close to Ken's home. Melissa and Esther had already been dropped off. Rachel was acting secretive because of her mystery date and Joan was making calls. I saw no reason to stay on the bus. I hugged Rachel, Joan, Sandra and Rose good bye and got off the bus. I took a motorcycle up to Ken's place and arrived shortly. The front door was open so I went in and deposited my duffel bag onto the sofa. I met him in the hallway coming from his room.

"Surprise!"

He looked confused. "Hey Tina. What's up?"

"We just got back from Entebbe. I'm on my way home to change."

He glanced at the wall clock in the living room. "It's half past four. Will you make it in time?"

"Yeah. How come your front door was open?"

At that moment, someone came through the kitchen to the living room. We both looked at him. He was tall, broad shouldered, handsome and dressed in a Pearl's Anthem shirt and jeans with a hot pair of shoes.

He was eating chaps. He leaned against the doorframe and regarded Ken and I with cool eyes.

"That's the reason my front door was open," Ken said tilting his head in the man's direction. At the same time he put an arm around my shoulders turning me in that direction. "I would like you to meet Derrick Mukasa, my close friend, mentor and fellow DJ," Ken told me.

"Derrick, this is Bagaine Tina."

"The girl you're always talking about," he completed and said to me, "It's a reward to finally meet you, Tina."

Derrick and I drew close. I wasn't sure whether to shake his hand or not. He took the decision clean away from me when he encircled me with his arms and hugged me close.

I hugged him back. "Nice to meet you, Derrick."

He pulled away and put an arm around my shoulders, drawing me to his side. I inhaled his masculine scent and sensed the corded muscles of his arms and chest.

"Now I have a complete puzzle. Everything has fallen into place," Derrick said.

Ken simply smiled. "You know Derrick is home when your doors are hanging ajar. He's never learnt to shut a door in his life."

"Except the bedroom door. Give me credit for that one," he said and turned to me. He took my hand and spun me round in a slow circle. He whistled.

"God was in a generous mood when he was molding you because girl, you are pretty. I don't know what clan you come from but whatever it is, you ladies have fine body shape. I need to know what it is you get fed on to be this gorgeous. In fact...." Derrick trailed off as he brought me to his side again with a hand on my shoulders.

"I think we can draw the line there, bro," Ken said firmly.

"No wonder Rugamo lost his mind last year," Derrick added.

"Thanks, Derrick," I said humbly and looked at Ken, "What are you up to?"

"Derrick came over to help me get dressed. Unfortunately, his price tag is cleaning out my whole fridge."

I laughed.

"Here you go, sweetheart," Derrick said as he fed me the last bite of his chap. He gave my shoulders a light squeeze, patted Ken on the back and went for the door. "I'll give you two some privacy."

When Derrick was gone, Ken removed a smudge from the corner of my mouth with his thumb. "Thanks."

"Do you want me to drive you home?" he offered.