So sometimes I complain that’s its tough living with 5 women, but that’s not true when I’m sick!
I had a parade of my wonderful friends coming into my room this morning to make sure I was okay – Rachel, Emily, Maggie, Baati, Sandrah and Aggie all came in to check on me. They even bought me a bag of good “sick food!” What good friends. Word had spread I had a fever and here people that fevers pretty seriously. Everyone urged me to get tests to make sure it wasn’t malaria since I had a lot of malaria symptoms – but I told them im on malaria propholactics and couldn’t get it. They reminded me there were plenty of other fun diseases that cause fevers – dengue fever, typoid…yay!
When I finally got out of bed I took my fever again. It went from 99.9 the night before to 96.9. Weird. It was a good thermometer too. One of those digitial ones. Hmm…
I ran out of water so I walked to Mercy to get some more.
“How are you feeling?”
“Better.” I said. “Still not 100% but definitely making progress.”
“That’s good.” She said. “You should drink tea and sit in the sun. That will make you feel better.”
I nodded.
“Also make sure you check for malaria – I don’t want you to die.”
Whoah! I had a 24-hour bug. Whats all this death talk?!? Haha
Then Mercy invited me to her daughter’s graduation party on Thursday. My second official community event – woo hoo!
I said I’d go.
“I’m so glad.” She said. “It’s nice that you can attend functions on the spur of the moment. I get invited to national and international business conferences, weddings and parties and I always have to go late or leave early because I work 7 days a week and cant leave my shop. I need the money.”
“You work harder than anyone I’ve ever met.”
She nodded. “When I retire I want to build an old woman’s house.”
“You want to open up an old person’s home?” I was confused thinking she wanted to start another profession as the proprietor of a geriatric ward.
“No!” She chortlted. “The old woman’s house is for me! I’m the old woman.”
“You’re not that old Mercy! You’re 48.”
“That’s an old woman and I’ve worked hard enough to buy a nice house when I retire.”
“When is that?”
She pointed behind her. “As soon as the house behind me is sold I’ll close down the shop.”
“How long has it been on the market?”
“8 months.”
“Selfishly I’m happy the house hasn’t sold.” I said. “I wouldn’t have met you if it did.”
“I’m happy too.” She smiled.
“And then I will be able to to retire and attend functions properly. I’ve spent my whole life working.”
“You deserve it.” I said.
“Do you think we’ll remain friends after you leave?”
“Of course.”
“That’s good.” She replied. “Maybe you can invite me to your wedding one day. I’d love to come.”
“You have my word Mercy.” I said. “If I get married.” J
“You will.” She laughed.
When I got back to the compound Rachel, Maggie and I cooked potatoes and lentils. I swear I am tempted to eat my hand just so I can eat meat once in a while. It’s pretty bad. Now I understand how people can come here and become anemic.
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