Runaway to Africa

Phone Call

It had been a few months since our family vacation was over and I had to leave Jackson. We kept in touch as much as we could through letters and phone calls. Letters mostly, calls were far and few between. Jackson and I had written three letters to each other since I left, Jackson even slipped a note into my bag when he helped my father load the truck.

"Kat,
I know the two of us have only known one another for three months, but it has been some of the best time for my life. I know you are probably back in New York by now, but I meant what I said about you moving down to Africa. If you need proof that the two of us will work out, I am up for the challenge. Whatever you need to prove to you that I want to be with you forever, I will go above and beyond. I love you, Katherine, and I will do anything to prove that.
Jackson."

I didn't read the note until I got back home. Once I read it I cried and waited for Jackson to call, which wasn't until a few days later. "Hey, Kat?"

"Jackson?" I chuckle softly as I hear Jackson's voice on the other end of the line.

"Sorry, it took me so long to call. I haven't been able to get to town. My tours are starting to pick up again."

"Why is that?"

"Once the summer ends in the US, European countries start to take some of their holidays. Right now, we've got a group of Germans down here."

"That sounds like fun."

"Yeah, it's differently interesting." Jackson chuckles softly, "So how was your flight home?"

"Good, slept for most of it. I was exhausted from the trip."

"Have you gone back to work yet?"

"No, my first day back is tomorrow."

"Good, you needed some time to rest. Did you uh... get my note?"

"Yeah. I um... I did."

"What did you think?"

"Uh.... I think that if you really wanna give it a try, I'm all for it."

"Really?" I can almost hear the smile on Jackson's face, "that's great. I mean it I will do anything and everything it takes to prove to you that we will work."

"You'd better because I got plenty of offers going around up here." I laugh softly.

Jackson laughs as well, catching onto my sarcasm. "Well, I've got plenty of offers down here too, but I'm putting them aside for you."

"So can I write a letter to the address on the envelope."

"Yeah, that's the address you'll need to send it to. If it's been too long between phone calls. Oh, and I won't be in range for about a week, starting tomorrow morning. Abe and I are going on a tour to a nearby camp and back."

"Why does that take a week?"

"We take the group to the other camp, which isn't really a safari camp so much as an actual campsite, and take them on tours from there so we can get further. We don't normally have any in the summertime because it's too hot."

"That sounds like you'll have fun."

"Yeah, hey, I got to go it's getting late here."

"What time is it down there?"

"Uh... about ten. I remember you saying you normally get up about 1:30 to get ready for work."

"You stayed up to call me?"

"I'd do anything to get to talk to you. Anyway, I gotta go."

"Yeah, don't fall in love with anyone on the tour."

"Nah, don't worry. That uh... that's only happened once." Jackson chuckles softly, "I love you, Katherine."

I giggle softly and smile, "I love you too, Jackson."

Jackson and I hang up and I know I am still bright red. I can't believe he just said that! And I can't believe I said it back! Before Jackson gets back from his tour I write him a letter and send it. Even though it probably won't get there for about a week or so.