"I understand," I said, proud of Drake. "I'm going to spend time painting."
"Kate's an artist and plans on doing some wildlife art while she's here," Drake said, smiling at me as if he was proud.
"I've always wanted to focus on my art, but have been so busy with school I haven’t had the chance."
Claire turned to me. "I can take you out on safari if you like. I know some great outfitters and tour guides. Once you get settled, let me know and I'll arrange things."
"Thank you," I said, a bit overwhelmed with everything. "I'd like that."
I turned to Drake and smiled at him. He squeezed my hand under the table.
Then, two young women walked into the restaurant, their laughter loud. I peered at them and saw that one of them was Sam. One of her fellow residents was with her, and the two of them were all dressed up in pretty cocktail dresses, looking like they were out for a night on the town.
Drake saw her and I noticed a flash of displeasure on his face. Michael turned when Sam came over.
"Hello," she said. "Fancy meeting all of you here."
Claire turned around, her face all surprised. Michael and Drake stood, pushing back their chairs.
"What a coincidence," Michael said, extending his hand to Sam. Then he shook the other young woman's hand. "Camille."
"Someone mentioned Ranalo's the other day and I remembered how good their fish is," Sam said. She barely looked at me. "We finished up with a case and decided some fresh fish was in order."
Then, she turned to Drake. "Drake, you know Camille Johannsen, from my hometown in South Africa. You met her at the faculty mixer."
Drake's face was a bit flushed, and his smile forced. "Of course," he said and shook Camille's hand. Drake fastened the button on his suit jacket. "You remember Kate, my fiancée."
I smiled and nodded at Camille and Sam. A round of 'nice to see you again' ensued and then Sam smiled at Claire.
"Nice to see you again, Claire."
Claire smiled back but said nothing.
Sam turned back to Michael and Drake. "Well, we won't keep you. There's a table over in the corner we better snag if we want to eat."
Everyone smiled and nodded, and then both Drake and Micha
el sat back down.
"Camille is an outstanding new doctor from South Africa," Michael said. "She did her MD there and is here to specialize."
Drake nodded and took a sip of his drink. He seemed unsettled to see Sam again. Maybe she made him as uncomfortable as she made me. I took his hand under the table and squeezed. He turned to me quickly and his face relaxed a bit, the tension seeming to seep out of his brow. He leaned over and kissed me on the cheek.
Sam was a bad memory, nothing more. Drake was probably only concerned with how he was going to deal with her, given their history. I relaxed a bit and tried to enjoy the night.
Claire glanced at me and smiled, raising her glass.
The food arrived and was delicious, the fish so fresh and tasty, grilled with some vegetables on the side. I drank a beer, which was refreshing, and Claire and I spent the time listening to Drake and Michael catch up on their respective careers as neurosurgeons, and reminisce about old times.
"Tell me about your father," Michael said, his face losing it's perpetually smiling demeanor. "I know he died on a trip to Somalia. It must have been such a shock."
Drake nodded, now somber as well. "Even knowing he was putting himself in danger, I didn't expect him to die in a plane crash. I thought he'd get shot in an attack."
Drake was quiet for a minute, taking a long swig of his beer.
"Tell me what happened," Michael said, his voice soft. "I read an article in a newsletter, but don't know the details."
Drake sighed. "He was flying with a nurse and a local physician to work in a field hospital with the Red Cross. The engine of their small plane failed and they crashed about ten miles from the runway. It took a few days to find the crash site. Luckily, they were still in the cabin or there might have been nothing left of them due to scavengers."