Bucket List

Chapter 7

"So what brings you to Africa?" Sam asks, handing me an open beer. I grabbed it from him, and held it close to my chest, temporarily relieving me from the evening heat of the sun. We sat on the dry ground outside, in some torn lawn chairs.

"A bucket list." I answered, taking a sip of the beer. The bitterness stung my tongue as it made it's way down my throat.

"Getting a head start?" He asked. I smirked, shaking my head.

"Finishing it for someone," I answered. His face turned in confusion and I set my bottle down next to me on the ground. "My best friend died a couple months ago, she asked me to finish it for her."

"She wanted to volunteer in Africa?" He asked, leaning forward.

"Give back, I guess it's up for interpretation."

"So what's next?" He asked.

"African Safari."

"Sounds fun." He sips his beer

"I'm terrified."

"Would she be?" He asked.

"Who?"

"Your friend, would she be scared?"

"No," I smiled. "She wasn't scared of anything."

"Everyone is scared of something," He argued, his arms crossed over his large chest. His amber eyes sparkled in the sun, matching the golden sand on the ground.

"Not her." I answered, shaking my head.

"Sounds like quite a girl."

"She was." I answered, gulping down the last of my beer.

******

"This looks delicious, Ethel."

She gleamed in satisfaction as Sam and I sat at the table and took the first bites of the dinner she's made us.

"Did you two have a good day?" She asked, oblivious to the day's events.

"It was alright." Sam answered, grinning at me as he jabbed his fork in some steamed vegetables.

"Ellie, what happened to your hand?" Ethel gasped. I looked to see dried blood across my palm, a couple of inches long. I had forgotten about my injury from the piece of glass.

"I accidently cut myself at the clinic today." I answered shortly, going with Sam's secrecy.

"Ellie delivered a baby today!" Sam sang out, with a wide grin plastered on his face.

"You what?" She asked, her jaw open in surprise.

"Ife went it to labor, and Ellie delivered it." He explained.

She grabs a rolled up newspaper and leaned over to Sam, smacking him on the head.

"What the Hell Ethel?" He asked, feeling his forehead.

"You call me when stuff like that happens, ya dumbass." She ordered, composing herself as she sat back down.

I smirked to myself as I spoon some mashed potatoes into my mouth. Sam shoots me an icy glare which causes me to giggle. Ethel smirks, shaking her head.

"Dumb ass." She repeats.

The front door opens and Rahim steps inside, shutting it quickly behind him. I still felt the warmth confiscate the room, and then rise to the ceiling.

"You delivered Ife's baby?" Rahim asked Sam.

"No," He shook his head with a grin. "She did."

He pointed to me and directed Rahim's attention. He nodded.