Solitaire.
Chapter 1.
Sam pulled over to the side of the road with the Yamaha XT 500. He inspected the sign over the entrance to the game farm. It said simply 'The Mullers'.
The farm was about one hundred kilometers north of Windhoek, covered almost five thousand hectare and was well known to all in the vicinity. It was a game farm specifically geared towards game viewing, it was not a hunting enterprise. The Mullers were known to be very well off. Sam did not know much about the rest of the family, but he knew the old man's wife had passed away several years ago, and that he had never remarried.
It was late in the afternoon and the sun would be going down soon. His appointment for a job interview as a game guide on the farm was not until the next morning. He turned the big off-road motorbike around and headed back up the road a few kilometers. He made camp under a clump of blue gum trees a little way beside the road. He hid the motorbike from view under a few nearby bushes.
Then he made a small fire and cooked some tin food that he procured from his backpack. After he had eaten he looked over the outstretched veldt to where the sun was slowly sinking in the east. He took out an old and worn pack of 'Bicycle' playing cards, and made himself comfortable on a nearby log. He took out the cards and laid them out in seven neat rows, turning the last card in each row face upwards. Then he sat back and contemplated his strategy.
As he was pondering his moves, he thought about the last fifteen years, since the war, since the army. He had been in and out of jobs at the rate of one every two or three years, which meant that he, had had six different jobs in that time. None of them had been anyone's dream jobs, being low paying and manual labor related occupations. They called it the Recession, he wondered hat the difference between a Recession and a Depression was. As far as he could tell there was not any. Not as far as he was concerned, anyway.
As he maneuvered the cards about with varying success, he thought about the women he had known in that time. He had a few serious relationships in his late teens, and early twenties, but when those had not worked out he opted for the occasional one night stand with whatever girl he would happen to meet that night. He wasn't in the financial position to really get hitched, anyway, and kids were out of the question.
With darkness falling he gave up his game and returned the cards to their little cardboard box. He rolled into his sleeping bag, which was underneath a small clump of bushes; his backpack was stashed under the brush nearby and within his reach.
The night settled quickly, and soon the heavens were filled with a brilliant cascade of stars, strewn out over the Milky Way above. The stars shone majestically in the dark night sky as Sam thought about tomorrow's prospects of a job at the Mullers. It was not long before sleep found him and his dreams tumbled into darkness.
Early in the morning as the sun rose on the western horizon, he awoke. He prepared the small fire again, and lit it. He made himself a small meal, and two cups of coffee.
He was still fairly clean from the day before, and only changed into a set of fresh clothes that he took out of his backpack. He brushed his teeth, and rinsed out his mouth with water from his water bottle. Then he moistened his black hair a bit, and combed it.
He took out the cards again as he went and sat on the log once more He played a game of solitaire again, and while he did this he pondered his private thoughts, fears and aspirations. He could handle everything, the poverty, the hardship. But it was the loneliness that got to him.
It was always being alone and lonely that really got to him. He wished he could meet a nice woman his age, or a few years younger than him, maybe. He sure hated being always alone. Always alone and lonely, playing solitaire by himself.
He saw an opportunity for a good move, and quickly made it, he flipped over another card, and found to his joy that this one also fitted in somewhere in his plans. After that he made two more quick and successful moves, before the laws of the game caught up with him, and he was bogged down again.
He struggled with the possibilities a while, but when he saw their was no way out, he re-shuffled the cards and started a new game. He played a few games in this manner, before he got up and made his final preparations to leave.
The veldt was alive with birdsong and insect noises, and the sun rose slowly higher. He climbed on the big off-road bike, after he had secured his bags, and rode out of the clearing with a small path that led to the main road.
He hoped he would be presentable enough, he thought to himself, as the motorbike roared underneath him, and charged forward over the black tar.
The motorbike sped smoothly and effortlessly over the black road surface, as it had done for thousands of kilometers.
The engine purred with a mighty throaty roar, and the powerful machine bore its rider quickly and swiftly towards his destiny. The sun was heating up over the machine, the rider and the road. And still they rode on. When he came to the farms entrance once more he looked again at the sign; 'The Mullers'.
Then he drove into the farm along the rough gravel road, and headed for the main house.
Chapter 2.
Driving up to the farmhouse and main buildings, Sam got a good look at the outlay of the place. First he passed the kraal of the black laborer tenants and their families. Approximately two hundred meters further on where the complex of main buildings.
There were half a dozen large rondawels for the tourist, the main farm building and several other structures such as an office, tool sheds and garages. Large trees provided ample shade from the hot African for the buildings and the beautiful garden. A stream ran through the garden and there where several water features, the most notable of which was a small wooden bridge that crossed it.
Sam drove up to the office and was pleased to find the old man inside it. They had only spoken on the telephone previously, when he had applied for the position.
"Good day, young man, said Muller cordially "you must be the lad that applied for the guide job. Nice to see you here bright and early, what's the name again.
"Sam Venter. Said Sam as they both stuck out their right hands and shook over the table.
"Pleased to meet you Sam, said Muller as he seated himself behind the desk and indicated for Sam to also be seated.
"Have you got a CV here? asked Muller.
Sam took out a small folder from his bag, which contained his matric certificate, army papers and some references from previous employers. He handed the folder over to Muller.
"Thank you. Said the old man and then proceeded to inspect the documents. After a while he said.
"This all seems to be in order, where did you serve?
"In the Infantry, on the border. Replied Sam.
"Which year? asked Muller
"1988. Said Sam.
After another small pause, Muller said, "Well I can't see any reason not to give the job young man, so I guess you've got it. Congratulations.
They shook hands again over the table. Then Muller told him a bit about the run of the farm and the business. The rondawels were self-catering units, which meant that the tourist did their own cooking. There were only two guides on the farm. He would be the one and the other was called Louis Labuschagne. The two of them would share a rondawel.
The rest of the staff consisted of a cook, a gardener, errand girls and a few young trackers. Muller said that his daughter still stayed with him, she was thirty, divorced, and had returned to the farm to stay with her father. Her name was Erica. In the evenings he and Louis would have supper in the main house with the two Mullers.
Muller impressed it on him that this was a game viewing farm and that no hunting was allowed by the tourists. The little bit of culling that would be necessary from time to time, would be done by himself and Louis.
Then the old man took him to his quarters and showed him his room. Then he left him to make himself at home saying, "Don't forget, supper is at seven. Don't be late or you'll never hear the end of it from my daughter.
Then Muller left closing the thick wooden door behind him.
He lay back on the bed thinking and wondering of how things would pan out at this new job. Old man Muller seemed like a decent enough sort.
Louis would be back from the veldt soon and then Sam would meet him face to face. He sincerely hoped Louis was not an asshole. He would hate to have to share a room with an asshole, and then still work with him all day. No, he had better be a nice guy, other wise there was bound to be problems.
Sam lay back in the bunk relaxing for a while, as the birds chirped and sang in the garden outside. As he relaxed he fell asleep in the cool rondawel, away from the blinding mid-day heat outside.
He slept until late afternoon, and then he awoke.
He sat at the table in the lounge of the rondawel and took out his worn pack of cards.
He played a few games, as he meditated subconsciously on his thoughts. He and Muller had not even discussed the pay and working hours. It had not been necessary as they had discussed all that on the telephone the first time that they spoke.
Two thousand rand a month, board and lodging included. Certainly no pension plan or medical scheme, that was for sure. Ah, what the hell, he thought to himself, it was a job. And the pay wasn't that bad, he'd get by.
If he saved up for a year or two he be able to buy himself a nice little second handcar. And then maybe he would head for South Africa and see if he could find himself a real job down there. For the present however, he had to concentrate on the present.
He had a job and would be earning a bit of money again. It was a start. Just then the front door opened and a large blond headed man entered
Sam stood up to greet him. They both stuck out a hand and greeted one another.
"Hello, I'm Louis. Said the blond headed man.
"Hi, I'm Sam, said Sam.
Chapter 3.
The two men greeted each other and made their acquaintance.
"Were are you from? asked Louis.
"Originally from Swakopmund, but I've been traveling around quite a bit these last few years. And you? asked Sam.
"Oh, I'm from around here, Windhoek actually, replied Louis and the two men got to talking about the farm, the job and their employers; the Mullers.
Louis explained to Sam how the work was done. Both of them would go out with the two Landrovers loaded with tourists and take them on sight seeing and game viewing drives. The game drives always took place during the day, because several prides of lions were active on the farm, and therefore it was not advisable to venture around it at night.
Other tasks the two of them had were doing fence patrols with a small crew of workers, to find gaps in the fence, and repair them. Sometimes it would also be necessary to dart and handle a wild animal, and call in the vet, but this rarely happened. Louis gave him a booklet with some basic wildlife discussions, which he was to memorize, and recite to the tourist while out on the game drives.
He was told that he would be given two khaki uniforms, which was what the two of them were expected to wear on the job. After discussion about the job had petered out, it turned towards the old man and his daughter.
According to Louis she was very attractive, and recently divorced. She was often talking of her ex-husband who apparently farted excessively in bed. She always referred to him as 'the-missing-stink'. Since the divorce she had moved back to her father's farm, which made the old fellow very happy. She had no children.
Her ex-husband was also the child of a wealthy farmer, and was himself a farmer. Apparently he had been an abusive drunk, as well as a philanderer, which was the reason why Erica had left him, and not because of his excessive flatulence.
So the two men talked until the daylight grew dim outside, as the sun set.
"We had better get ready for supper, said Louis "Erica will be furious if we aren't there by seven.
So the two men went to wash up and dress, taking turns at using the small bathroom.
As the two men crossed the rich green lawn under the dim glow the garden lights, they made small talk.
"What do you think is for supper tonight? asked Sam.
"Fish, said Louis "It's always fish on Fridays with Erica. Almost as if she was a Catholic, which she is not.
"I like fish, said Sam "What kind of fish do you think it would be? he asked.
"Probably Hake, she gets a fresh consignment from Windhoek each month when the old man goes in for supplies. Said Louis.
"I like hake as long as its fresh and good quality, said Sam.
"This is, Louis assured him.
"You were in the army? asked Louis.
"Yeah, in the Infantry, and you? asked Sam.
"No, I missed it, I'm only thirty now myself, said Louis.
"Oh, I see. Said Sam.
"Did you see any action? Louis asked him.
"A bit, he said "Not much.
"Did you kill anyone? Louis asked him.
"No. he said.
A few finches were darting about their nests high up in the trees overhead, frogs creaked contently in the garden stream, and the night air was abuzz with sounds of multitudes of nocturnal insects.
The wind brushed their faces gently as they walked, and overhead the heavens were a brilliant kaleidoscope of stars. The taste of the African night was in their nostrils and on their tongues. The rich, pure, fresh earthen taste of an early evening in Africa.
"Race you to the front door, said Louis, and as he spoke he had already started running.
Sam took up the challenge and the two men ran along the garden path towards the big house. Their shoes creaked on the gravel pathway, and they both reached the front door at the same time.
Arriving at the diner table they seated themselves, and quickly had to rise again when their hostess entered.
"Hello, I'm Erica. She said with a smile, and Sam saw that Louis had not lied, she was really beautiful.
"Hello, said Sam as he shook her outstretched hand gently.
Chapter 4.
"I hear its fish tonight. Sam said.
"Always fish on a Friday. Erica responded with a tiny laugh.
"I heard so. He said equally bemused.
"So where are you from originally? Erica asked him.
"From Swakopmund originally, he said "But I've been traveling around quite a bit these last few years.
Then the three of them got to talking about the farm and foreign visitors, and what would be expected from Sam in his new job as guide. Eventually however, the conversation did rotate towards Erica, and inevitably her ex-husband.
"I've been divorced from my ex-husband nearly a year now, said Erica "I call him 'the-missing-stink'.
They all three laughed a bit about this, and momentarily old man Muller entered and they all greeted him before the conversation fell silent.
There was not much said over diner apart from some casual mealtime conversation regarding the enterprise. As they spoke softly and ate, each sat with his or her own thoughts.
Sam was impressed by the hake, but he was even more impressed by Erica.
She was truly a beautiful woman with her blonde hair and deep blue eyes. What made her even more charming was the casual way in which she manipulated the conversation with her small talk and an occasional joke.
Yes, she was beautiful, and secretly he yearned for her, even though he had almost just met her. He would have to make a point of getting to know her better.
And then, of course, she was rich, or one day would be. Everything about her was appealing to a poor man like himself. But he had better not out step his bounds just yet, he thought to himself, it was no use losing his new job over a woman he did not know, and hose feelings towards him he was unsure of.
No, he would have to wait his chance. But hell, she certainly was a stunner. He glanced over to Louis and saw that his thoughts were similarly occupied judging by the way he was staring at Erica.
Sam would have to watch out for the competition, he thought to himself.
And yes, Louis' tough patterns followed much the same route as Sam's'.
He marveled at the beauty, the wit and the charm of their hostess, as he did each night at dinner. She was his age, and a perfect match for him he felt. Having been on the farm two years now, he also new that she found him physically attractive.
One day he would pop the question, he thought to himself, when the time was right. And once they were hitched he would be a wealthy man. A rich man with a charming and beautiful wife.
He smiled at Erica from behind his curtain of thoughts as she handed him a glass of wine, and she smiled back. A lovely, warm smile. It made him happy.
He slowly stirred the wine in the glass and took a sip.
And Erica also had her private thoughts about each of the two men.
She liked Louis and had known him for a year now. Certainly no prospective husband, but equally surely a prospective lover.
This new guy, on the other, who could tell? He certainly had the looks, and seemingly the brains to go with it. What a handsome man he was, with his straight back that made him look taller than he was, his curly black hair, and those dark black eyes.
A powerful and mystical figure, she thought to herself, like Jim Morrison. Only his hair was a bit short, otherwise he would fit the part. His frame was large and strong, and he had broad shoulders. He carried himself well, and conversed lightly and naturally.
He certainly was a lovely and charming man; she could feel herself being drawn to him already. She hoped she didn't make a bad impression with her 'missing-stink' joke.
Old man Muller unobtrusively looked at the evening's activity around the dinner table and smiled to himself, young love. Still he could already see trouble and heartache on the horizon.
He put another scoop of mashed potatoes into his mouth with his fork, and chewed thoughtfully.
Chapter 5.
Sam and Louis got along very well. From just after sunrise, till until after sun down, they were about working on the farm. They only took a half-hour lunch each day, which they fitted into the schedule of each day as it came.
They were mostly busy with the tourist, taking them on game drives early in the morning, and late in the afternoons. The tourists loved the unspoilt splendor of the African veldt, regardless of which part of the world they came from. They were always snapping away with cameras and video cameras, expressing awe when a herd of antelope, or other wild creatures, were spotted.
They seldom came across a pride of lions, and when they did it was advisable to have a quick glance at a safe distance, and then to depart. Lions were very aggressive and unpredictable cats. A tourist, who saw and got footage of a big cat, was sure to tip handsomely.
Once every week or two they made a round trip of the perimeter fence, too spot and fix any holes. The expedition could easily last two days, during which they were sleeping under the stars out in the veldt. They always took a few beers and a bottle of moonshine out on these excursions. These they drank in the evenings in front of the fire under the brilliant starlit sky.
Most evenings that the two of them spent together in the rondawel they talked and played cards. They talked about their lives and dreams, and often they spoke of Erica. They both knew the other fancied her, and it was no secret between them. Instead it became kind of a match and competition between the two of them, as to who would win her hand.
And so as the days and the months passed, Louis and Sam became very good friends, and were almost inseparable. They worked and leisured together and shared one another's most intimate thoughts and secrets. They vowed one night, while drunk as usual, that they would never betray one another's friendship. Not even for a woman, not even for Erica.
One night the two men went out to shoot two Springbok, for the pot, and for the guests. They left early in the evening as the sun was going down. It was just the two of them and a young black boy whose job was to point the hunting spotlight.
The white Landrover sped swiftly over the rough gravel road and soon took a turn off into the veldt.
The two men had each shot a buck, which was now loaded on the back of the Landrover. The young lad was good with the spotlight; they would a have to give him some small award, thought Sam as he smiled to himself where he sat in the passenger chair. Louis drove the vehicle.
They climbed out of the car when they saw a jackrabbit running full tilt in the distance. Sam took one of the .223 rifles and gestured for the youngster to point the light at the rabbit. It was quite far and traveling at great speed, it was just a blur of movement in the distance under the white dot of spotlight. Sam took aim through the telescope.
"You'll never hit it, said Louis, but Sam did not reply and only steadied his aim.
The shot rang out in the silent night, and the rabbit was no longer in view.
"You missed it. Said Louis with confidence.
"Wait here, said Sam and ran off towards where the youngster was still shining the light.
A short while later he came running back from the darkness, and lo and behold, he was holding the dead rabbit by the scruff of the neck.
"I don't believe it, said Louis. Sam just laughed.
Once back at the farmhouse they off-loaded the two buck and the rabbit at the kitchen to be skinned, slaughtered and cut up. It had been a good hunt, and they both retired to drinks in front of the fire at the lapa.
The farm was vast and lay outstretched as mile after mile of lush yellow grass.
There were several hundred head of antelope on the range, and the business was a blooming prospect. The two young men toiled out in the veldt all day, while the old man ran the office, and his daughter the house.
Every person on the farm was fed and clothed, even if everyone was not always content. The days passed languidly and lazily under the hot yellow sun, amidst the African veldt.
And as time progressed the three young adults came to know each other quite well. And slowly love blossomed between Sam and Erica.
Their love awakened and grew as timeless as the African day.
Chapter 6.
As time progressed their relationship became more intimate. It was clearly visible to both Louis and old man Muller at the diner table in the evenings. It was in their gestures and the way in which they looked at it other.
The way she would hand him his plate of food or a glass wine, and in the way he would smile when he accepted. Sam and Erica started spending a lot of spare time together. In the evenings he would sit on the porch with her, instead of in the rondawel. On weekends they were almost inseparable, and spent each waking moment in each other's presence.
Louis was jealous, and admitted as much to Sam. But he was mature enough to accept their decision, and to give their relationship his blessing. He said in a joke one night to Sam that he would now have to travel all the way to Windhoek to find a girlfriend. Secretly however, Louis was quite pleased for both of them.
He was glad that his friend had found someone, because he had seemed a bit of a lonesome figure. Especially when he sat alone sometimes at the table in the rondawel playing his cards by himself, playing solitaire. No, Sam needed a companion in his life, and Louis was glad he had found Erica. He truly hoped the two of them would be happy together.
The old man was equally pleased with the new arrangement. He liked the quiet young man, and his daughter had never seemed so happy. Not even all those years ago with her first husband's courtship. And the only thing in the world that really mattered for old man Muller was his one ad only daughter's happiness.
If she loved the young man, which she obviously did, and he loved her in return, as he did, then their relationship carried his blessing, he thought to himself. He smiled to himself sitting behind the desk in the office; he hoped their happiness would endure. Then he shuffled some papers on the desk, and picked up the telephone to make a call regarding the confirmation of a booking.
A group of German tourists were arriving in Windhoek on the weekend, and he would have to arrange to go and pick them up at he airport.
The love of Erica and Sam grew day by day, and they were virtually inseparable. Each possible free moment was spent in each other's presence. Each waking thought of the one was with the other.
They took long strolls in the garden and the veldt, or they drove with the Landrover out to one of the watering holes for the day. Here they would leisure and have a small meal. They would make love in the private seclusion of the veldt, under the shade of a thorn tree, and afterwards they would cool down in the water. These were the most blissfully happy days of their lives, making love out in the hot African veldt, and they were fully in love with one another. They were completely in love.
On weekends they would go out Windhoek to have supper at a restaurant, and after that go to watch a film at 'The Imperial'. Sometimes they would just stroll around the streets in the early evenings and do a bit of window-shopping. They had some friends, one or two couples whom they knew and were friends with in the city, with which they sometimes visited briefly on their excursions to town.
The weeks and the months went passed and they were happy in love. She was happy to have found him, and she really loved him dearly. And he loved her completely and with all his heart. He never wanted to be separated from her, and he knew he would no be able to live with out her by his side.
One Saturday afternoon they were lying on a patch of grass next to the watering hole, just after they had made love, and made small talk. She was talking of all the antics she and her cousins used to get up to when they were small, all the funny incidents.
One day when she was little she had thrown a rock into a beehive, sending the swarm flying over the area with rage. A very dangerous and stupid thing to do. Her parents had found out, and her cousin that had been with her at the time, told them that Erica was the culprit. She received the hiding of her life. She laughed a bit after she had told the story, and then she turned to Sam and said;
"Would you ever betray me?
"No, never, he said "and would you always be true to me?
"Yes she said.
"And would you never betray our love? he asked.
"No, never. She promised.
They lay back on the blankets under the shade of the thorn tree, and relaxed. Insects were buzzing contentedly in the vicinity, the birds were flying about in the sky above, and the sun shone brightly.
As they wind caressed them gently while they lay there, they each realized secretly how happy and in love they were with the other. And in that moment their love seemed eternal.
Chapter 7.
Life on the farm went on unchanged. The days and the nights flowed on in an endless tranquil stream. The tourist came and went, but life for the inhabitants of the farm remained unchanged.
Erica and Sam remained content in one another's love. They spent their free time together, and on weekends went to Windhoek. During the week Sam and Louis toiled away the gaming enterprise for old man Muller There was always a lot of work to be done, and they labored from dawn until dusk each day.
It was a pleasant and relaxed life far away from the bustle and stress of city dwelling. But it could be an equally lonely and tedious existence. Far removed from the crowds, with just a handful of other humans around you. And this also meant that they sometimes became irritable with each other, being one another's only company.
But the laid back relaxed life on the farm meant that everyone could cope, and as such there were never any serious disputes. Life went on unhindered on the peaceful farm under the hot yellow African sun, as the wind stirred the long, tall yellow grass. And the grass swayed serenely to and fro.
The work was done by day, and in the evenings they retired to their respective quarters, to sleep and dream under the expanse of stars, and the big round moon.
Sam had to go to town with old man Muller one weekend to get supplies for the farm. Erica decided to stay on as she said that she had had enough of town for a while. So the old man and Sam set out alone on Friday evening.
Erica and Louis had lunch alone that night, and afterward he retired to the rondawel, and she watched a bit of television before turning in for the night. The following day she kept herself busy with reading and a few odd chores around the house. She basically had a relaxing day.
That night she and Louis again ate diner alone in the big house. She did not know quite how it happened, the one moment they were making casual jokes about sex, and the next moment they were in each other's arms, and quickly removing their clothing.
Then they were naked in her room, and he was making love to her. She loved the wild impulse of his lust and desire, and the element of the forbidden, and they made love until they were both exhausted. He did not spend the night with her however, and left to go back to his rondawel.
When he was gone she realized what she had done, and her guilt overwhelmed her. She and he both knew that they would have to keep this a secret from Sam. She lay there in her bed through the long night, and stared at the ceiling in the dark. She worried about what would happen if Sam ever found out. How was she going to keep it a secret from him?
The following day Sam and old man Muller returned in the mid-morning. The old man greeted his daughter and noticed nothing amiss. Sam greeted her, and instinctively her felt that there was something wrong.
Chapter 8.
Sam noticed that there was something amiss from both Erica's reactions, as well as from Louis strange and evasive behavior. He immediately suspected what had transpired in his absence, and set about co-ercing both parties into admitting their infidelity.
In the room alone at night he asked Louis out right; "Did you have sex with Erica while I was gone?
"No, I promise we did not. Louis had lied.
Sam saw that Louis was not going to confess so the following day he spoke alone to Erica in the garden and had a long talk to her, in an attempt to get behind the truth.
He kept at her and would not let up. He repeated the same questions and suspicions over and over until it felt as if she would go of her head. He did not let up his questioning for a minute. Until at last she broke under the pressure of her guilt.
"Did you sleep with him? he asked her again for the so manyth time.
"Yes. She blurted it out, and then realized what she had said.
He was in a rage beyond words and stormed away. "No, please, she shouted behind him "You don't understand, it just happened¦it didn't mean anything. Please Sam, come back! she shouted behind him as he walked away in fury.
He packed his two bags, and took one of the .223 rifles off the wall rack, and quickly loaded it. Then he walked out of the rondawel and got on his off-road bike. He sped away on the gravel track. He never went to say goodbye to the old man or his daughter.
He drove down to the cattle pen where Louis was working. Louis stood up and turned around as Sam stopped the bike and got off. A short distance separated the two men. Sam lifted the rifle and hardly needed to focus though the telescope, but he did so instantly.
The shot rang out in the quiet veldt, and the small caliber bullet pierced the big man's skull right between the eyes. He dropped down in the red soil; dead.
Sam threw the rifle away in the bush a short distance away, got on to his motorbike and drove away, leaving the farm behind him forever.
Chapter 9.
Erica heard the shot from the farmhouse, and heard that it came from the vicinity of the cattle pen. She quickly ran down towards it with the footpath. In the distance she could hear Sam's motorbike roaring away.
When she came to the cattle pen she found a few shocked and dazed workers standing around. In a small clearing in front of his Landrover, lay the bloodied body of Louis.
Erica was torn between the horror of the scene, the shock of seeing Louis disfigured face and dead body, and the anguish she felt at the loss of her love. At the loss of Sam.
They would never be together again, and their hopes and dreams were torn asunder. And at her feet lay the corpse of Louis.
Sam discarded his number plate and got onto the highway. He knew he would be able to make a good getaway before the police came. They were stationed a hundred kilometers away in Windhoek.
He drove down the highway a while, and then took a small inland detour. He kept by the byroad and headed east towards the Botswana border. With any luck he would have shaken off any would be pursuit.
His motorbike roared onwards over the rough sand road, eastward. The sun was hot overhead and burned his face and arms. The fine dust from the road surface stung his tender skin. In the sky above him a eagle flew gracefully in the clear blue sky.
He was leaving this place forever; he would never be back again. And still the mighty machine roared on.
Epilogue.
Sam was on the run. As the sun set he pulled over into a clump off trees some way beside the sand road. Here he made his camp for the night and stashed the motorbike.
He made a small fire and cooked a tin of food for supper. Then, as the daylight began to fade, he took out his old worn pack of playing cards and went to sit on a nearby rock.
He took out the cards and began laying them out in seven neat rows. The last card in each row he turned face upwards. Then he sat back and inspected the cards, and contemplated his strategy for the game he was about to play.
He absentmindedly thought about all that had happened these last few months, as he played his game of solitaire. He thought about his friend Louis, and felt great remorse at his death. A great loss and sorrow overwhelmed him.
And Erica? Erica was gone forever, and so was their love. Fate had turned its hand against them. Their love was forever gone.
He turned a card and inspected it, he was happy; it had a place where it would fit into his plan.
"I did my best, it wasn't much
I couldn't feel, so I learned to touch
I've told the truth
I didn't come all this way to fool you.
Leonard Cohen ' 'Hallelujah
Copyright ' JP Brown ' 10/09/2005.
