Post by goldenmyst on Feb 27, 2020 23:18:28 GMT -6
Rwanda Bound
Rowena says, “Honey, I don’t want to ruffle your feathers after our romantic night of beer and potato chips over movies. However, do you recall that French was my major in college? In fact, it is my second language.”
Doug replies, “You know I am in complete agreement. We should watch more French movies instead of American cheese. So finally I will set up our satellite TV and we’ll watch Brigitte Bardot to our heart’s content. Of course, you will be my starlet Brigitte will just put us in the mood.”
“What I have in mind will be a cultural immersion even more authentic than an evening watching foreign films. Please don’t get huffy with me about my proposal. Well, I’ve enlisted in the army as a translator in Rwanda. Intelligence sources predict another uprising there. I’ve been taking classes in the army language lab in Swahili. That is one of the official languages in Rwanda. So my multilingual background is perfect for the secret mission they have me assigned too.
They don’t want family along. It just complicates things and makes my incognito status that harder to protect. Please understand. My clandestine role in this theater of operation could save thousands of lives. I will always love you but my conscience compels me to help these people in their darkest hour.”
Doug replies, “If you don’t come back I’ll never forgive you. There is so much I want to share with you but it can wait. I understand what drives you to do more than wash dishes, mop, and vacuum floors. You go save lives and I’ll be waiting at the door when you get home with mud under your fingernails and stories to tell.”
Rowena says, “Much of my mission will be classified. But there are no secrets between us. My tour of duty will last six months. Though I’ll be in the company of Tutsis, Hutu, and Twa, I’ll never forget that I’m there as a foreigner and my place is here with you. I really should have consulted with my husband before I accepted. Now I’d be a deserter if I backed out.”
“The answer my dear to breaking from this contract with the armed forces is to fail the psychological evaluation. I bet this won’t be hard for you.”
“Do you think acting loony comes naturally to me?”
“Not saying you’d be an ideal recruit for a madhouse. But your irrationality is evidenced by joining the military without notifying me. Yet your impulsivity is charming like that of Imelda Marcos collecting shoes.”
“Doug, this is the opportunity of a lifetime. These people are on the brink of genocide again. How could you ask me to fake mental instability and have that on my record? I’ll write to you letters from the rainforest. Don’t feel jealous that I’m going overseas for adventures. One day you will accompany me there and we’ll use body language to talk to gorillas and chimps. But truly it may be braver to walk the streets of America these days. And the work you did with big brother inspired me to do this. You are my hero.”
“Please don’t go. I need you here.”
Rowena replies, “They have telephones where I’m going. I’ll call you once a week. Now don’t sulk. Wish me well. I’ll be back and will know if you’ve been naughty or good. Before I go I’ll give you some cooking lessons. Now give me a kiss and let’s go to bed. Any more pouting and I’ll spank you.”
Doug says, “Give me a Swahili name to pretend I’m with you when you are out there.”
Ro replies, “Kabili means honest and brave the two qualities that made me fall in love with you. My name is Niagh having aim and purpose that led me to marry you. Now let’s go to bed and dream of a future as bright as the past has been.”
Rowena says, “Honey, I don’t want to ruffle your feathers after our romantic night of beer and potato chips over movies. However, do you recall that French was my major in college? In fact, it is my second language.”
Doug replies, “You know I am in complete agreement. We should watch more French movies instead of American cheese. So finally I will set up our satellite TV and we’ll watch Brigitte Bardot to our heart’s content. Of course, you will be my starlet Brigitte will just put us in the mood.”
“What I have in mind will be a cultural immersion even more authentic than an evening watching foreign films. Please don’t get huffy with me about my proposal. Well, I’ve enlisted in the army as a translator in Rwanda. Intelligence sources predict another uprising there. I’ve been taking classes in the army language lab in Swahili. That is one of the official languages in Rwanda. So my multilingual background is perfect for the secret mission they have me assigned too.
They don’t want family along. It just complicates things and makes my incognito status that harder to protect. Please understand. My clandestine role in this theater of operation could save thousands of lives. I will always love you but my conscience compels me to help these people in their darkest hour.”
Doug replies, “If you don’t come back I’ll never forgive you. There is so much I want to share with you but it can wait. I understand what drives you to do more than wash dishes, mop, and vacuum floors. You go save lives and I’ll be waiting at the door when you get home with mud under your fingernails and stories to tell.”
Rowena says, “Much of my mission will be classified. But there are no secrets between us. My tour of duty will last six months. Though I’ll be in the company of Tutsis, Hutu, and Twa, I’ll never forget that I’m there as a foreigner and my place is here with you. I really should have consulted with my husband before I accepted. Now I’d be a deserter if I backed out.”
“The answer my dear to breaking from this contract with the armed forces is to fail the psychological evaluation. I bet this won’t be hard for you.”
“Do you think acting loony comes naturally to me?”
“Not saying you’d be an ideal recruit for a madhouse. But your irrationality is evidenced by joining the military without notifying me. Yet your impulsivity is charming like that of Imelda Marcos collecting shoes.”
“Doug, this is the opportunity of a lifetime. These people are on the brink of genocide again. How could you ask me to fake mental instability and have that on my record? I’ll write to you letters from the rainforest. Don’t feel jealous that I’m going overseas for adventures. One day you will accompany me there and we’ll use body language to talk to gorillas and chimps. But truly it may be braver to walk the streets of America these days. And the work you did with big brother inspired me to do this. You are my hero.”
“Please don’t go. I need you here.”
Rowena replies, “They have telephones where I’m going. I’ll call you once a week. Now don’t sulk. Wish me well. I’ll be back and will know if you’ve been naughty or good. Before I go I’ll give you some cooking lessons. Now give me a kiss and let’s go to bed. Any more pouting and I’ll spank you.”
Doug says, “Give me a Swahili name to pretend I’m with you when you are out there.”
Ro replies, “Kabili means honest and brave the two qualities that made me fall in love with you. My name is Niagh having aim and purpose that led me to marry you. Now let’s go to bed and dream of a future as bright as the past has been.”
