Single Shot by Jeremy Waldron

Author:Jeremy Waldron [Waldron, Jeremy]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2023-05-24T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER NINETEEN

After our first glass of wine, Olivia relaxed. She was telling me stories about the great work she was doing in Africa, and she was such a magnificent storyteller. I could easily listen to her talk all day.

“What made you want to start your organization?” I asked.

Olivia said, “I knew it was my life’s calling after a family holiday to the Serengeti.”

It was that trip that got Olivia hooked on Africa. She volunteered with a couple of organizations that brought her back during her time at university, and soon “It just made sense that I start my own,” she said.

Thinking of her organization's name, Dawning Africa, I said, “The name is brilliant.”

“The hope is that the work we do will allow these women and children to have a new beginning in life.”

I was thinking about my own visits to Africa when listening to her tell me about her fight against childhood malnutrition, HIV, and a host of other diseases inflicting pain and suffering across the continent when she said, “The women do so much for their family and community and never ask for anything in return.”

“The world needs more people like them,” I said, as I caught a man on the bridge taking our photo.

“I’m not trying to change their culture, but what I am trying to instill is a sense of empowerment so that these women can learn to support themselves. And that’s really what your money would go toward.”

I took my eyes off the man spying on us—wanting to hide it from Olivia.

She continued by saying, “Because a healthy woman means a healthy community.” She caught me glancing toward the bridge and reached for my hands. “Oh, Lord, I said too much.”

“Not at all,” I said, refocusing my attention on her.

“I promised not to make this about business, and yet, look what I’m doing.” She put her hands in her lap, and her cheeks bloomed with embarrassment.

I said, “When you live your passion, it’s impossible to not make it about business.”

She raised both her eyebrows and was still staring at the table when she said, “That’s very true. My life is my business.” Olivia looked me in the eye and said, “Enough about me. Tell me more about what it is you do.”

“You don’t want to hear about my life. Compared to yours, it's boring.”

“No, really, I do,” she insisted.

I turned my head toward the river and glanced at the bridge, pretending to take a moment to plan a response. The man who had been taking our picture had put down his camera, and was carrying his right arm as if it had been injured. Though he was wearing a cap, I was certain it was the same man who had attacked me in the bathroom at Olivia’s gala.

“Tell me more about Mr. Jones,” I said, turning my attention back to Olivia. “You said he sits on your board?”

“Yes. I’m very lucky to have him as an advisor.”

I watched the spy walk away and disappear on the other side of the bridge.

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