Free Danger Woman by Frederick Ramsay Page A

truck?”
    â€œAh. So, here is what we will do. I do you a favor and you do me one. I will fix this truck and you will allow me to inform Rra Andersen in my own way and time. Okay?”
    Sanderson shook her head and looked at the girl. She was very pretty and, downcast eyes or not, she looked like she had her share of brains. Sanderson realized this must be something that Michael and the girl had to work out on their own. She turned to Michael, considered her answer. Her heart said no, her brain said yes. “Okay, then, but you must promise to do what you know you must do and soon.”
    â€œI will.”
    â€œSo, the grinning I received from those panel beaters downstairs was about you and…I see. Are you not missed?”
    â€œI am assigned engines fulltime now, Ma. I am moving up in the world.”
    â€œYou are being silly.”
    â€œNo, no, it is true. These cars coming here from Japan have sophisticated computer systems. I have taken the course and now I am the man they turn to on the newer models. Also, I am paid more. Soon, I will have enough to buy a little house and leave this noisy flat.”
    â€œIs this true? I am proud of you Michael, but…” Sanderson didn’t quite know how to say or what came next. How long would this relation last if the disease returned? Was this pretty girl up to nursing a sick man? Had Sanderson been? Well, not at first, but she had adapted and she learned. Sekgele had strength, she knew, but enough?
    â€œThe ‘but’ you are struggling to say is, I don’t know. I feel fine. HAART is working. I am not unusual in this, Ma. Many of us with HIV are growing stronger. We have limitations with some of the things, make that many things we can do, but the future looks pretty good to me.”
    â€œBut…?”
    â€œAnother ‘but,’ yes. Okay, I am sorry, Ma. I will be a wonderful uncle. But, you must look to Mpitle if you want grandchildren. I know this is not what you want, but it is the facts, no matter what I do. Sekgele knows this and is okay with it.”
    â€œI read where there are ways to…maybe as low as two percent of the babies are—”
    â€œIt is not something they can do here, Ma, and unless it was zero percent, I would not do it. It would mean that Sekgele…I would not wish this disease on anyone.”
    â€œNo, of course not.” Sanderson’s heart ached. “Very well, Michael. Call me when you can do the repairs. Oh, I am so sorry, Sekgele, I did not introduce myself properly. How do you do? Now that was awkward. I am happy for you and Michael. I am the mother and it is the way we operate sometimes. You will please forgive me for seeming rude. I didn’t mean to be. It is just—”
    â€œI understand, Mma Michael.”
    Sanderson smiled. “Yes, you do. I can see that. So, you will tell me if there is any…well, you know.”
    The girl looked up and her face lit up with a grin that could melt anyone’s heart. “I will Mma Michael,” she said and rushed over and hugged Sanderson. “I love him, Ma.”
    â€œGo on you two. Listen, you both will come Sunday for dinner, yes? I will ask my friend Modise to join us and you can tell me everything. Now, I think I am in the way of some unfinished business.”
    Sanderson went back down the stairs and to her truck. She had to admit that Michael seemed healthy, and happy. That Sekgele seemed a nice girl and also seemed happy. All that got Sanderson to worrying. Mothers are only happy when they worry about their children.

Chapter Thirteen
    The Air Botswana BAe 146, blue and white paint gleaming, touched down in Kasane late in the afternoon. Greshenko stood in the baking noonday sun next to the casino van and waited. In spite of the heat, he wore a black suit, shirt, and tie. The differences in the fabrics of each caused the light to reflect variously, creating the effect of three shades of black, were