December 20th 2017

A college student with a heavy backpack and a heavier heart wandered into the bar of my inn. In silence, he sat down at the very end of the bar and pulled out a newspaper. In lieu of reading it like a normal person, he began to fold it into an origami swan. I shrugged it off.

About three hours later, an army of paper swans had invaded my counter space and the guy was still going strong. Fold. Flip. Crease. Flatten. Repeat. Fold. Flip. Crease. Flatten. Repeat.

“Hey, kid, what’s the deal? Did you take every newspaper in Soweto?” I joked.

He didn’t reply. Instead, his face reddened and his eyes narrowed with concentration as he pushed to ignore it. I moved a little closer to him and noticed that his fingers were trembling with every movement. Then, I started to really see him

His clothes were in tatters. Hair an oily mess. He didn’t order anything since he walked in. Yet, he kept folding.

I slid him a glass of amarula.

“I didn’t order anything…” He began, sounding a bit tired.

“I know. It’s on the house.”

“Thanks.” he fiddled with the drink before taking a sip and folding more swans.

“Kid, what are you doing here?”

“Don’t call me kid, I’m twenty-two.”

“Congrats, I’m twenty-eight. You’re basically an infant compared to me.”

He snorted at my joke.

“Finally! He laughs!” I exclaimed.

The kid opened his mouth, like he was about to say something, then closed it and bowed his head. He kept his head bent and continued his swan making process. I glanced at the newspaper’s headline. Mysterious Fire at South West College. I checked the date. A week ago. I wonder…

“Were you a South West student?” I inquired.

The guy nodded.

“I’m guessing your dorm got destroyed in the fire.”

He took a large gulp of the amarula, draining it halfway.

“So, you’ve been out on the streets by yourself since then?”

I saw hesitation in his folding.

“Didn’t the college give you some kind of place to stay?”

“They did.” He mumbled. “A hotel room. I asked to split one with my girlfriend. Then, she broke up with me.”

I slid him a second glass of amarula.

“Thanks.”

“What’s your name, stranger?

“Imari.”

“Nala.”

Imari glanced around the inn. “I never noticed how strange this place was last time.” He commented.

“Oh?” I asked. “How so?”

“It’s a fucking tree. We’re inside a tree. And it’s still alive.”

I chuckled. “Trees can survive while hollow. And this is called a baobab tree. There are a few other folks crazy enough to make bars inside of them, so it’s not just me.”

“But an inn?” He raised an eyebrow. “With three rooms and a bar?”

“Okay, so maybe it is just me.”

Inside the bar, the noise began to die down as patrons got up to leave. Imari glanced around nervously. He began to fold more swans.

“Well, Imari, since you don’t have a place to stay tonight and I happen to have an extra room tonight, I’ll give you it for the price of… three swans.”

He smirked and gave me four. “Keep the change.”

December 21st 2017

Drowsy and rubbing his eyes, Imari stumbled down the stairs and into the bar. “Morning Sleeping Beauty.” I sang. “Did you get a full night’s rest?”

“Hardly.”

“Oh?’

“I think you know why.”

“Those love birds keep you up all night with their love making?”

“Why would you rent out a room to a pair of newlyweds in heat?”

“Because I need the money since someone is staying here for free.”

“Got anything to eat for breakfast?”

“Yes.” I slammed a liquor bottle on the counter. “Amarula.”

Imari raised a sly eyebrow at me.

“And mandazi. They’re cooking in the kitchen.” Under my breath, I added. “Amarula mandazi.”

“What was that?”

“Nothing, just the desperate calls of mandazi to be pulled from the fryer.” I trudged into the kitchen and smiled to myself. I’m not sure why, but I liked having Imari around.

Before I could reach the mandazi, I felt a sudden burning in my lungs and grabbed a washcloth by the sink and coughed into it. Removing the cloth from my lips, it had been stained red. It’s getting worse.

I patted my pockets for my meds. I stared at its grim contents. A pill a day. That’s what the doctor said. I swallowed one. I hate my life being bound by chemicals.

“Who wants mandazi?” I cheered heading back out.

“ME!” A squeaky voice called from the counter.

I opened to the kitchen door to find Marigold and an incredibly frightened Imari. “Nala, I have no idea where this kid came from.”

“Oh, that’s easy, she comes up from the woodwork. Like a termite.” I explained. “And her name is Marigold.”

Marigold raised her eyebrows a few times at Imari. “But you can call me any time, handsome.”

I slapped the plate of mandazi in between them. “He’s too old for you, Marigold. Have a candy cane.”

“Wouldn’t it be better for her to have mandazi for breakfast instead?”

I glanced at the half empty bottle of amarula. “No.”

“Hey, this mandazi taste a little weird, is there anything--”

“No.” I answered a little too quickly.

Halfway through breakfast, the honeymoon couple found their way downstairs. “I slept great last night! Like a baby!” The woman commented.

“That’s great, baby!” The man kissed her on the cheek. Marigold gagged.

“Are you two going to have any breakfast?” I asked.

“Do you have any biscuits?”

“I have amarula mandazi?” I offered her a plate.

“I knew there was something in this!” Imari exclaimed as he picked up his bag to leave.

“Woah hey!” I exclaimed. “If they’re that bad, I can make you a batch with mampor instead! It’ll be a little fruitier, but I think I can make it work.”

“What? Oh, I’m not going because of that.”

“Then why?”

“I only gave you enough swans for one night, remember? Besides, I’ve been gone for too long. I gotta do talk to Zuri.”

“Your girlfriend?”

“Yeah.”

“Good luck.”

“Thanks. Though I think I might need something a little stronger.”

I held up a bottle of amarula and offered a half-smile.

“Maybe later.”

I hope you come back soon.

Something my heart said, but my lips never did.

December 21st 2017 (again)

It was later that night that Imari did come back. Paper swans flooded his backpack. A trail of spilled ones littered the floor. “Nice to see you back around, sailor. You missed my mandazi, didn’t you?”

“Hardly.”

“How’d it go with your girlfriend?”

“You mean ex-girlfriend.”

My heart skipped a beat. “Is that so? Well, you’re always welcome to stay in the empty room. Business has been down lately. People like drinks more that tree rooms, but I’m doing fine.”

“Really?” Imari asked.

“Yeah, no problem.”

I felt a cough bubble up. I pounded my chest with a fist and chased down the blood with glass of heavy liquor. As I began to pour a second glass, my hands trembled and it dropped, shattering on the floor. “Tomba!” I cursed as I crouched to pick it up.

“Hey be careful!” Imari called out as he rushed around to help me.

As I reached for the jagged bottom of half of the glass, so did he. Our fingers over lapped for a brief second and I realized… that I was extremely touched starved.

Instantly, Imari backed up and blushed. “Um, sorry.” He muttered.

I felt warm blood rush to my cheeks. “It’s fine.” I spit out. “Totally fine.”

“Oh, you guys are blushing!” Marigold squealed. “Imari and Nala, cleaning inside a tree! B-L-U-S-H-I-N-G!”

“That’s not how it goes.” I calmly said as I dumped the glass in the trash. From the corner of my eye, I snuck a glance at Imari, only to see him looking at me again.

The blush came back.

Part of me was embarrassed. Part of me was high on the butterflies in my stomach. All of me didn’t care.

I stretched out my hand. Imari took it in his. My cheeks went crimson.

December 22nd 2017

A combination of guilt and newfound love twisted in my stomach. I popped another pill. I had to tell him.

I checked his room. Empty. Must be downstairs already.

As I sauntered down the stairs, I almost didn’t notice it in my gloom.

The entirety of my bar was decorated in paper swans. Some hung gracefully from the ceilings. Others were stung like popcorn on a wire and placed on the Christmas tree. A few were placed as table centerpieces.

“Wow, this is… amazing.” I breathed.

Imari popped out from behind the Christmas tree. “Yeah, well, I figure this many swans should be able to let me stay for a little bit longer.”

“How long are you planning on staying?” I asked.

“For as long as you’ll have me.”

“I’ll always shelter you.”

Imari smiled. Before I could say anything more, I started to cough again. A hard breath wrecked my throat and blood spewed out. Running to my side, Imari asked. “What’s wrong?”

I reached for my meds with shaking hands. Maybe if I take more it’ll help.

“I have lung cancer.”

December 31st 2018

The day before I died, I handed Imari my will. I didn’t have any children or family to leave the inn to. For so long, I considered just leaving it in Marigold’s seven year old hands. Since Imari had stayed and helped me take of the inn for the past year, I decided to leave it to him. This has been my last holiday season.

As part of my last wishes, I asked to be cremated and to have my ashes used as fertilizer for the baobab tree. I’ll become the very thing that gave me shelter since I first opened the inn eight years. I’ll always look over Imari and Marigold from my branches. I’ll finish my final promise.

“I’ll always shelter you.”

I ran from Sudan long ago. It was a quiet night. We were all frightened as usual, but we had not heard gunshots for hours, which meant we were far enough away from any danger to rest. We had chosen a secluded place hidden between trees, and miles away from any main roads. We knew we were lucky to have survived this long. That luck ran dry quickly just like our water supply. My Father and Mother had volunteered to search for food. Maybe in an abandoned town or a farm nearby. Nights passed as my sister and I huddled for warmth. We tricked ourselves into thinking they were still out there. Still alive. We waited for days and I finally told my sister that we had to continue. Gunshots were becoming a form of music. We weren't safe anymore and we wouldn't stay safe forever.

We walked between trees. We never ran. We had learned that saving our stamina was important. So we walked slowly and took sips every 2 hours. Once we ran out of forest to disguise ourselves in, I knew we'd have to hope no one was nearby. We were only hours away from Ethiopia. We were so close. We could've made it that night, but little did I know at the time the only person you would be stepping over that boundary line was me.

My sister was reckless, unretentive, and I would've left her in our shot up village when this journey started. If only I didn't love her so much.

She seemed to not noticed to trees slowly fading and walked right out into the open. I wanted to call out for her, to stop her, but the eyes had already seen her. In one second I hid and she fell. It was a cowards move. I put my hand over mouth and closed my eyes so tightly you'd think that was what I normally breathed out of. The footsteps surrounded my area. There were so many that I was convinced one person could see me, hear me, but they all faded away.

I stayed at the edge of the forest that night and when it was time to leave I never once eyed my sister's corpse. I didn't want to. I almost wished they would've made her into a child soldier, then just shoot her, but I know she would've shot herself anyway. I made it to Ethiopia that night, but it always saddened me that the only person in my family to make it to Ethiopia was me. I feel like I never deserved it.

(I'm not sure how factual this story it, but it takes place in Africa).

The sun scorches the sacred ground

Where mankind drew its first breath

The river searches for the sea

Blistering and parched

Impala and wildebeest huddle close

Seeking shade from the sweltering sun

Herds of zebra graze along the Savannah plain

A soft warm breeze ripples through the long grass

I cruise along the dusty gravel road

Windows rolled down

My eyes exploring the trees and underbrush

Eager to find signs of life or life itself

Wishing for a leopard lying in a tree

Or a pride of lions feasting on a recent kill

I spot warthogs wallowing in a mud puddle

A waterbuck observes curiously

Broken branches litter the road ahead

My senses on high alert

Aware of only one creature

That destroys trees with such ease

The road curves around a large baobab tree

Its engraved trunk larger than my vehicle

The path ahead obscured

Proceeding with caution, I orbit the tree

Long ivory tusks and beady black eyes

On guard and vigilant greet me

Head shaking side to size, he sizes me up

I am a threat

His ears start to flap

His movements a series of jerks and violent shrugs

He raises his powerful trunk and trumpets his warning

I shift my vehicle into reverse heeding his war cry

I am too slow

My heart hammers in my chest

I hear the blood rushing through my veins

He charges

The earth quakes beneath his giant feet

My vehicle shudders with each pounding step

I see a flash of grey and white as he thunders towards me

My vehicle slips off the side of the road

My stomach drops

My tires spin failing to find traction

A panicked scream escapes my lips

Fear paralyzes me

Instinct kicks in and my body moves

The desire to live overpowering my fear

I slam on the gas and my vehicle finds purchase

In a puff of smoke and dust, my vehicle lurches forward

I feel the earth still shaking

Closer and closer

Each stride the length of my vehicle

Closer and closer

He is right behind me

My foot pushes the peddle harder

My vehicle vibrates and growls in protest

Just a bit farther

I will my stuttering vehicle forward

Praying it won’t break down again

I watch the speedometer falter

Another deafening trumpet resonates through the air

A quick glance into my rearview mirror

He slows, head shaking and ears flapping wildly

My retreat

His victory

As the distance between us increases

My heart rate slowly returns to normal

Grateful to be alive

I spend the remainder of the drive

Reminded of my place in the ecosystem

Reminded of which species is truely

the King of the Beasts

This is their world

We are mere visitors.