Africa's not for Sissies

Chapter 3: Good News and Big Apples

With only a week to go before we were scheduled to leave, Ammon said he had good news and needed to see me. He said it was urgent.  

"Good news?" I asked. I couldn't see how this news was good.

"Will, it's not just any job offer. It's a dream job! It's a government job. Good pay, great benefits, and best of all – I'll be stationed in New York City. New York! I'm going to get paid to travel."

"But what about Africa?"

"Africa will still be there. This job won't. I have to take it – if I don't someone else will jump at it."

I felt the world swoon around me. I'd sold or given away all my stuff. I'd quit my job and given up my apartment. My arms had been pin-cushioned with vaccination needles. I was homeless, unemployed and my bags were packed.

Then it hit me, I could move to New York. "I'll come with you! We'll get a place together. We can be roommates in the Big Apple!"

Ammon shook his head. "It's not that easy, Will. You need a work permit. They're not that easy to get. You'd need a job offer before you could even apply for one. Of course you could always visit anytime."

I hung my head. "I guess I could ask for my old job back." Just saying the words made my stomach clench.

"I think you should go to Africa without me. You'll have the adventure of your life. There's no reason you shouldn't go just because I can't."

"I can't go to Africa by myself." There was no way I was going to Africa by myself.

"Yes, you can. Listen, I didn't tell you this part before, but I've already arranged our accommodation for the first week. It's a girl I used to know, and she agreed to let us stay with her. I figured it would help ease us into the trip."

I raised my eyebrows. "A girl you used to know?"

"Date, whatever, anyway, she said it's OK if you come without me. She's willing to show you around and you can still stay with her. You've got nothing to worry about, Will. She's even agreed to pick you up at the airport in Johannesburg. You'll like her. She's cute."

Of course she was cute. Ammon only dated pretty girls. "Did you tell her I was your brother?"

"Of course."

"Yeah, but did you tell her I was... you know... not really your brother?"

"What do you mean? You are really my brother."

"Ammon, I'm nothing like you! She probably thinks I'm tall and good looking like you."

"No, I'm sure she doesn't think that – I'm sorry – I don't mean that – I mean – she knows I'm adopted. Here, I brought a picture." He held a photo out for me. "That's her. Her name's Annalie"

She was cute, early twenties, olive skinned, dark hair, hazel eyes. I had to admit the thought of spending a week with her held some allure, but she wouldn't find me attractive, not if she liked Ammon's type. I shook my head. "I can't go without you."

"You can. You will. There's nothing holding you back. Go for me little bro. Send me lots and lots of emails and tell me everything, everything, and no making stuff up. I know how you like to spin things. Haven't you always liked writing stories? Think of the stories you'll have to tell!"

"I don't think anyone is going to be interested in reading about my vacation."

"I will."

"Sure, but you'll be the only one."

"Go! You'll have the trip of a lifetime. Do it for both of us. It's like it was destined to be."

I rolled my eyes. "Ammon, there is no such thing as destiny."

"Then how do you explain it?"

I put my head in my hands and shook it. This couldn't be happening. I knew I wouldn't be able to change his mind. He could be very stubborn when he put his mind to something. Despite being best friends, Ammon and I were very different. I realized at a young age that I'm not like most people. I'm not prone to "magical thinking" – that's what I call the tendency most people have to believe in things like destiny.

"It's not about agreeing to disagree," I said. "What if I said two plus two equals four and someone else said it equals five – wouldn't you agree that I was right about that?"

"Why do you always have to be right about everything, Will?"

"It's not about me being right. It's about what's real and what's true."

"You say tomato, I say tomahto."Ammon folded his arms and grinned at me like he'd won the argument.

I shook my head in defeat. I knew I couldn't change his mind. In truth, I've come to realize that I can't change anyone's mind. There's nothing harder than to change someone's mind about something once they've made it up.

"Go to Africa, Will, for me," he said.

"Why?"

"Because if you don't go, I can't go to New York."

"Are you saying that you'd give up this job opportunity if I won't go to Africa without you?"

"Yes."

"And then what?"

"We'll go to Africa, together, as planned."

A feeling of elation swept over me, but it left me almost as quickly, and then my stomach sank. I couldn't make Ammon give up his dream job.

"Damn you!" I said.

He chuckled at me. "Go to Africa Will. Go for both of us. Have the adventure of a lifetime."

I knew then I had to go, even though the thought of it frightened me to death. I didn't really have a choice. I could never say no to my big bro.

In the days leading up to my flight, I had a really bad feeling. I kept telling myself it was just my nerves, but I wasn't just afraid for myself. Something told me Ammon was making the wrong decision. I knew this was "magical thinking," but I just couldn't shake the feeling for all the logic in the world.