Page 88 of The Image of You

But that night, I became ill, which pushed back our leaving. A cut I’d ignored had become infected, and I fell, ravaged with a fever that racked my body for days, leaving me weak and unable to travel. Larry and Tommy stayed, refusing to leave without me. Peter wasn’t happy when I insisted on departing before he felt I was ready, but I needed to get home. I needed to get to Ally.

I shook Peter’s hand and hugged Edwina.

Then I got into the Jeep and headed toward home, allowing the part of me I’d kept at bay to leak out. I had missed her so much. My body shook with the force of my need.

I needed to get to her.

* * *

The room was small and sparse. A bed, a chair, and a small dresser. The bathroom had a shower, a chipped sink, and a toilet. The towels were thin and rough.

After the past few weeks, it was a palace.

I dropped my bag and gear and took a much-needed shower. The phone in the lobby was busy, so I’d have to wait anyway. I found the charger and plugged in my phone. I hoped it would work, having been dropped, cracking the screen and shutting down.

The shower was small, but the water was hot and felt great on my tense shoulders. Days of dirt and pain rolled off my skin. There was no shampoo, but the hard soap was fine on my hair. At least it was clean. I had buzzed it off two days after we arrived, and it was beginning to grow back. I didn’t bother shaving.

I dug through my bag, finding the one semi-clean set of clothes I had left in the bottom. I pulled them on, not caring how wrinkled they were. I wasn’t flying out until the morning, so I decided I’d find another pair of shorts and a shirt in one of the small shops and then throw out the rest of what I had left. I’d given most of it away to people in desperate need, so my bag was almost empty.

Downstairs, the phone was still in use. Larry was sitting, waiting for his turn, and I sat with him. Neither of us spoke much, other than Larry assuring me he’d looked after our travel arrangements.

“We’ll probably have to stay the night in Nairobi and fly home the next day.”

I nodded. As long as we were on the way back and I could talk to Ally soon, I could hang on.

“You okay, Adam?”

I looked up, not realizing I’d been grabbing at the legs of my shorts, twisting the material. I relaxed my hands, flexing them. “Yeah. It’s been rough.”

“I know. I’m taking some time off once this is done.”

“I’m done. For good,” I replied.

He nodded in understanding.

Once I was home, I would never leave Ally behind again.

* * *

When I finally got to the phone, the line just rang and rang. When her voice mail picked up, it was an automated greeting, so I didn’t get to hear her voice. I frowned, wondering when she’d changed that. I called her home line, becoming more confused when a recording came on, saying the number was no longer in service. I hung up, redialing, convinced in my exhaustion I’d dialed incorrectly, but I got the same recording. I tried the cell number again, but the automated voice picked up. This time, I left a brief message, telling her I was safe, on the way home, and to please call my cell. I paused before adding, “I love you, Ally. Please, please call me.”

We waited for Tommy, and we went out, seeking food. I wasn’t overly hungry, but I knew I needed to eat. When we arrived back at the hotel, I headed upstairs, hoping the charge would be restored and there’d be a message from Ally.

The screen came to life, and I scrolled through the messages, past the ones from John and various other people, frowning at the lack of ones from Ally. I finally found four and hit the earliest one first.

It was short.

I’m sorry. I love you. Please be safe.

I shook my head. Was she still apologizing for the fight we had before I left? Or the phone call? I was the one who owed her an apology.

The next one made me frown.

This is too hard. I didn’t mean to yell—I was just so scared. Why did you hang up? I don’t know if you’re okay or when you’re coming back.

My head dropped. She thought I’d hung up on her and hadn’t called her back. I needed to get hold of her fast. The third one made my worry increase.

I need you. Where are you? Please tell me you’re safe. Just tell me that.