Chapter 26

            Tabitha,  the young lady the old Pastor had recommended as a house guest for George and Juanita, appeared at the front gate of the Okinyi compound promptly at 9:00 am.  After the introductions were made they sat in the living room of the big house to get acquainted.

             “I would be most appreciative if you would allow me to come to America and live with you in your house while I attend the University there,” Tabitha began.  “I will cook, and clean, wash clothes, wash dishes and do all the household chores,” she continued.

             “Whoa! wait a minute.” Juanita interrupted her.

             “Yes, ma’am,” Tabitha responded.

             “Stop it, just stop it” Juanita said dramatically.  “Don’t call me ma’am.”

             Tabitha rocked back in her seat, eyes wide as if frightened.  “Why . . . I am sorry, Mrs. Meadows, I in no way meant to offend you,” Tabitha said apologetically.

             “Wait, stop,” Juanita sighed.  “Just hold it!  Please don’t say anything for a moment.”

             Tabitha stiffened but remained silent.

             “You Africans are always bowing and scraping, treating us Americans like we are kings and queens or something.  I know now that it’s part of your culture to show respect to men and older women, but by gosh, I’m only two years older than you.  Can’t you just talk to me like another person?” Juanita stated simply.

             “Yes, Mrs. Meadows,” Tabitha started again.

             “No!” Juanita snapped.  “Call me Juanita, please.”

             “Yes . . . Wah-knee-dah,” Tabitha said, sounding it out with the same type of accent that Elizabeth had some days ago.

             Juanita looked up and down at Tabitha, a beautiful young lady who was probably about 5’4” tall, which was only an inch shorter than herself, although she weighed maybe five pounds less than her 125 lbs.  Tabitha was garbed in a traditional long colorful African dress which came down to her ankles and a complementing head dress that many African women wore.

             I’ve got an idea,” Juanita announced.  “Let’s go horseback riding.”

             “Pardon me, ma . . . I mean, Wah Knee Dah,” Tabitha said, somewhat shocked at the suggestion.

             “You’re about my size” Juanita went on “I’ll get you a pair of jeans and a T-shirt.  We’ll saddle up a couple of Charles’ horses and go for a ride.”

             “But . . . I . . .” Tabitha stuttered.

             “You do know how to ride a horse, don’t you?” Juanita asked.

             “Sure . . . but . . .” Tabitha said before she was cut off again.

             “Look girl.  I don’t need a slave or a servant at my house, I’ve got an electric stove, a microwave oven, an automatic dishwasher and half the stuff I cook comes prepared to pop in the oven from the supermarket.  But if you want to live with us, I’ve got to get to know you and be relaxed around you,” she announced.  “Come on, let me get you something to change into,” she directed.

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             About an hour later they came back riding their horses at a gallop.  It appeared to George that they were racing each other.  As he stood at the front fence watching them approach and hearing the clip clop of the horses hooves on the gravel and dirt road, he wondered what life would be like with another female in his house.

             As the two reached the front gate they pulled back on the reigns and stopped the two horses a few yards past George.  Turning the horses around, Juanita waved at George cheerily.

             “We had a great talk and a great ride,” she stated happily.  “Here,” she said as she sprang from her saddle and landed with both feet on the ground at the same time.  “Why don’t you ride with her for an hour or so and talk.”  She said as she held out the reins of her horse.  “I think she’ll make a great guest but I know you’ll make the final decision.”

             George was shocked.  He couldn’t believe his ears.  Was this his wife?  Was this his beloved Juanita inviting him to go off and be alone with another woman?  He hesitantly took the reins, climbed on the horse, and then looked deeply into his wife’s eyes as he said, “Thanks, hon, I love you.”

             With that he kicked the horse with his heels and the two were off.

             “Juanita,” someone called her name.  She turned, surprised to see Rachel behind her smiling.

             “Hey, you pronounced my name correctly.  I didn’t think a Kenyan could do that.”

             “I’ve been practicing,” Rachel said sheepishly.  “Is my white American sister growing?”  Rachel asked.

             “What do you mean?” Juanita queried with a furrowed brow.

             “Are you coming to the point where you can allow your husband to love another woman and not be jealous?”  Rachel clarified.

             Juanita dropped her jaw and bit her lower lip.  She paused for a long while as they walked together toward the front porch.  She didn’t really think that George would be attracted to a black woman, so it probably wasn’t much of a test anyway.  But she didn’t want to say that to Rachel.  Finally she spoke.  “Let’s just say I’m not ready for graduation in this area yet, but I am trying to make progress.”

             Juanita may not have thought this was a real test but what she didn’t know was that a real test with a white American woman was soon to come.  Juanita also didn’t understand how much George was growing spiritually.  His decisions were being made less and less on what he wanted and more and more on what God wanted.  For that reason, there would also be a black woman who could be a real test in Juanita’s life.