The River That Saved Me

By Kara Benson

The young photographer Tess is determined to follow her own path in life against her father’s wishes. Leaving her sheltered life in Germany behind, she travels to Africa on a photo shoot, finds love and is thrown into a turmoil of emotions when she is confronted with death. Events lead her from Kenya to Zimbabwe and the Dark Continent casts her spell ... it is the majestic Zambezi which helps her to heal and grow, but that spell is relentless ...
Kara Benson’s style stands out due to its lively, powerful, and evocative way of narration which is, at times, pointedly ironic.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Kara Benson
• Release date: Nov 24, 2013
• ISBN: 9781311508690

Kara Benson

Kara has always had a passion for travel and exploring new countries and cultures. Years spent working in Asia and Africa have given her plenty of material to write about. Some subjects, like environmental issues and anti-poaching are dear to her heart and she supports all those who work for the preservation of our planet’s rich flora and fauna. Some of her happiest times she spends on horseback in the African bush.We cannot travel everywhere but luckily we have books to share our adventures and experiences with our readers. That's what books are for. So lean back, get comfortable and enjoy reading!Kara Benson

Book preview

The River That Saved Me

By

Kara Benson

Text and photographs copyright @ 2012 Kara Benson

Smashwords Edition

Book Cover Design by Kara Benson

Artwork Design by Kuhinda, Zimbabwe

Smashwords License Statement

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, without the prior permission in writing of the author.

This book is a work of fiction and any resemblance to persons, living or dead, or places, events or locales is purely coincidental. The characters are productions of the author’s imagination and used fictitiously.

Adult reading material

Find out more about the author and any future releases at the end of this book

http://www.karabenson.info

Acknowledgements

I profoundly thank Anne Fischer of Harare, Zimbabwe for her inspiring ideas for this book. She made time available in her very busy schedule, and painstakingly read the manuscript during her rehearsal breaks. Many thanks go to my friend Vicki Butler in Australia who hunted down those elusive mistakes and typos.

Thanks to my excellent teacher Marg McAlister for this advice:

Do what makes your heart sing!

Table of Contents

Cover

Title Page

Acknowledgements

Chapter 1 Wings to Spread

Chapter 2 Kenya

Chapter 3 The Accident

Chapter 4 Tom

Chapter 5 Cloud Nine

Chapter 6 Back Home

Chapter 7 A New Life in Kenya

Chapter 8 The Zambezi

Chapter 9 Ashes Over the Rift Valley

Chapter 10 On the Zambezi Again

Chapter 11 Chivimbo

Chapter 12 Another Goodbye

Chapter 13 Goodbye Jim

Glossary

About the Author

Preview of Blood Moon

Book Description

Prologue

1 Return to Kenya

Chapter 1 Wings to Spread

Reluctantly, Tess turned on the windscreen wipers. Especially for today she had prayed for good weather. This was quite futile in Northern Germany. Rain meant that they could probably not have a barbeque in the garden, but would eat in the stifling dining room full of old, dark furniture her mother loved so much. Ok, they were expensive antiques, but Tess had always felt small next to those huge, dark cabinets with their carved leaves. Just the thought of that particular musty smell of her parent’s dining room with its dark, thick, red curtains in front of the tiny windows which never let in enough light, made her flinch. She sighed as she changed down a gear to take the exit from the highway onto a smaller country road. Paddocks with cows lined the road. It was still dairy country up here, not far from the Dutch border. Modern times had forced many smaller farmers to give up and tree nurseries were now everywhere. Some had become huge and were players on the global scene. Twenty years back her father had also made the brave jump into a new business and was successfully manufacturing machines for industry. She took another turn, allowing her sports car to pick up speed again. It was late Sunday morning and there was not much traffic. Tess enjoyed the drive, speeding just a little. Her determination came back to her. Yes, today she would finally tell her father. She’d tell him everything she had planned for herself and she would not let him push her into anything else.

The rain had stopped by the time she pulled into her parents’ driveway. Huge oak and slender birch trees lined the paved tracks up to the house. At the fork, a silver gray metal sign read ‘Klaus Steenblock – Industrial Machinery, directing business people to the right, where the huge manufacturing workshop was hidden behind a dense stand of trees. Tess followed the driveway to the left and her parents’ home came into view. She did not really consider it her home anymore, but it still gave her a homely feeling when she saw the thatched roof pulled low and wide over small windows in the traditional way people had built in the North. Today only rich people could afford a thatched roof, but then, her family was rich now. Her father’s hard work and determination had done that.

Tess parked the car in the visitor’s parking and Binga, the old Labrador came limping to greet her. Binga had been part of her growing up and it hurt Tess to see her old and frail.

Ah, there you are, love, her mother called from the door.

Hi Mutti. Tess grabbed her bag from the back seat, while she looked over towards her mother, trying to gauge what kind of a mood she was in.

Your father’s in the garden. He’s got the fire going already. Her mother had started to walk slowly towards her.

She looks fine today, Tess thought, which was good because she was determined to break the news to them. She briefly kissed her mother on the cheek and handed her the flowers she had brought.

You didn’t need to do that, her mother said but took the flowers, smiling.

Tess placed an arm around her mother’s shoulder, Papa never buys you any flowers, so here you are.

On their way to the kitchen Tess glanced around the large entry hall, the set of matching antique chairs and tiny table where nobody ever sat, the expensive Persian carpets spread on the tiled floor, the massive bouquet of dried flowers on a stand under a dark oil painting of some sailing ship. No, nothing had changed here. Once, she had suggested to her mother that she change the entry, to make it more bright and cheerful. Of course that had not been an option. We like it as it is, her mother had said, but really it served also as her father’s business card. The entry told you that you were entering a wealthy, civilized home where traditional values were cherished, a peaceful haven from confusing modern times.

Coffee? her mother asked when she had found a vase for the flowers.

Ah, yes please. Tess studied the bowls with salads on the counter. Any other people coming?

We had invited the neighbours, you know the Jensens, but they’re not coming. Something came up. Her mum did not look at her daughter while she made the coffee. It’ll be just be the three of us.

There was a silence. Unspoken words reminded them of the fact that they would have been four, had Mark not been killed.

Great, that’s fine. Tess hoped she did not sound too relieved. She could not stand her parents’ next door neighbours, anyway.

Outside, her father was busy at the barbeque. Hi! Tess called out to him, you look great!

He turned around to look at her. Ah, but I’m overworked. Really, too much work in this damn business and it will stay so for months to come. He placed steaks and sausages on the grill.

Tess grinned. This was his usual topic.

And then your mother makes me cook. Even on Sundays, no respite! He started rolling the sausages on the grill, tongs in one hand, while nursing his beer in the other.

They carried on their usual small talk. Her father was complaining about too much work, the stupidity of the Union regulations and the laziness of his workers, the taxes which were too high, leading to his usual comments about how he needed someone else around to help him. Tess held her tongue until they had finished eating and her mother brought out cake and coffee, together with some brandy. She knew her father would be more mellow now, though never enough to understand her point of view. There was no way around it, no more putting it off. She had to tell him here and now. Tess decided to go to the toilet first. Much to her friends’ amusement, Tess had always found the quiet and the pleasant, floral cleanliness of the bathroom, the best place in the house to compose her thoughts. While she sat on the toilet, she rehearsed her speech. Doubts crept up. How can I be so ungrateful, so cruel, such an unfaithful daughter? No, this is my life and it’s going to be the way I decide. She almost stomped out of the big house across the lawn, towards the covered patio where both her parents were sitting and now looking at her. Ok, she thought, here we go. Let’s get it over and done with.

Papa, Tess coughed once to gain time.

Yes, dear, he smiled at her.

Oh no, she thought, you will not get me again. I’ve come to a decision, ah … about my future and … I know you’re not going to like this … but I’m not going to change my mind!

Her father looked at her sharply. Yes, I am listening.

He was not going to make it easy for her, so she quickly continued to talk about how she had loved doing her diploma in photography, after finishing secondary school. Now she had started working as a free lance photographer in town, getting more and more jobs with local newspapers.

Her father said nothing. He just looked at her while her mother’s face became withdrawn.

You know, Papa, I am a professional photographer now. I’ve started my career and I really enjoy doing this … what I’m trying to say is … I’m not cut out for business … Tess’ left hand had slipped up to her neck. One of her fingers had found a strand of hair and was curling it round and round, winding and unwinding it.

It has always been your favourite hobby, her father said evenly.

Tess pulled her finger out of her hair. That’s what I am trying to explain to you. It is not just a hobby. It is a career. She looked straight into his eyes now, then quickly glanced at her mother, whose chin was slowly sinking onto her chest.

Let’s get one thing perfectly clear, her father’s voice was low now, it is a hobby which will never feed you, or at least not properly. Here is where your duty lies. This is your home and the business I have built up for you! You know our situation. I am not getting any younger. Your mother and I need you here, not running around taking snapshots of stray cats up in trees or smashed cars! With your brother gone, I need you here! I didn’t spend my life slaving to build up this business from scratch, just to have you throw it away on some silly notion of being a photographer!

At the mention of Mark, her mother threw both hands in front of her face and started sobbing uncontrollably. She jumped up. The look she gave her husband was that of an injured animal. Picking up the coffee tray, she almost ran towards the house.

Brilliant! What a wonderful Sunday, thanks to you! Her father’s face had turned an angry red. The veins in his neck were throbbing visibly and he was breathing heavily.

Tess heard her mother’s faint footsteps running up the stairway, followed by a hollow thud as the bedroom door shut behind her. They would not see her again today.

This will kill your mother. You see how she is! Her father made a gesture toward the house and grabbed the brandy bottle. The way he opened it looked more like he was strangling it. He poured himself a generous amount and took a great swig.

It was your choice to start the business! You wanted to do this. Nobody told you what to do. I just want to make my own choices. I know this is hard for you, but it is my life. I cannot be Mark. I can never be Mark for either of you. I have decided that I want to continue this career. I’m sorry, but I am not interested in running your business. For me –

Me, me, her father looked at her in contempt. You kids are spoilt. You have no idea how hard it was to build all this up. He waved his arms around at the expansive gardens and house." He downed the rest of the brandy in one gulp and put the glass down hard on the table.

I thought there was more to you than that … just running around taking pictures. He scrutinized her.

Actually, I have got this assignment to go to Kenya, and –

Kenya? Are you out of your mind? You want to go all by yourself amongst those primitives and savages?

Tess’ forehead showed a deep line now between her brows. Papa, they are not savages! I’m going to take pictures of a new resort for a tour operator. It’s a big chain and if they like my work, I will get more jobs with them in the future. It’s a great chance for me.

I remember how they blew up some of those tourists resorts in Kenya! I saw that on TV. Bombs blowing up people! That’s what you get there, or you get raped or both! Ah, he threw up his arms. Go ahead and kill yourself and your mother too, while you’re at it!

Tess got up abruptly. This is useless, I’m leaving!

Her father dismissed her with one wave of his massive hand. Suit yourself.

Walking through the dark entry Tess heard a soft thud. It was Binga lying under the stairs wagging her tail.

You’re good girl, Binga. You don’t mind what we do as long as we love you!

Driving down the highway, Tess felt guilty. Guilty for disappointing her father and hurting her mother but she also felt more determined than ever to go her own way. Her thoughts went back to her mother. Why does she never take a stand? She’s so soft. Why couldn’t she back me up just for once? Well, she never has and she probably never will. Maybe she’s afraid of Papa? It wouldn’t surprise me. Strange relationship those two have. Wonder if she still loves him.

She saw her mother’s face white and vulnerable as it had been on the day of Mark’s funeral. Tess recalled that hollow thud when the first handful of soil had hit her brother’s coffin. Her father had thrown it down on his only son’s coffin, while holding onto his wife with the other hand almost as if he was stopping her from throwing herself in after the dirt. Her mother had stood there, motionless and white like a marble statue. Her older sister had been supporting their mother on the other side. Tess had stood behind them until it was her turn. That particular tone, which had sounded hollow, as if the coffin was empty, would haunt her. The coffin held her only brother, her mother’s favourite child and her father’s heir and future business partner.

A freak accident on an icy road in the middle of winter had made an untimely end to a young and promising life. Mark had been loved by many. He had been easy going, good natured and had got along well with people from all walks of life. From day one, Mark had accepted that he would one day take over the family business, which their father had built up from scratch without any outside help. Hard, continuous work and steely determination had brought wealth to the family. Klaus Steenblock had never been too much concerned about the career choices of his daughters. They would get a good education and an extremely good material package consisting of building plots, cash in the bank and cars once they were ready to marry Mr. Right. Her older sister Andrea had studied languages and become a teacher. Later she had followed her husband to Africa. There she lived happily, backing him up in his humanitarian work for various international organizations, while she kept herself busy teaching at a local school. With her sister Andrea safely married and mostly overseas, her father had focused on her joining the business ever since Mark had died.

In a flash it all came back once more. The phone call in the middle of the night …

Tess, come home, her father’s voice was hoarse, Mark’s had an accident –

What? Mark? She had switched the bedside lamp on. Accident? Is he hurt? Tess looked at her watch. It was three in the morning.

Your brother is dead. Come home and drive carefully, please.

Oh, no! Not Mark!

There was a silence.

Papa?

Yes, Tess, he’s dead.

I’m coming.

Ok, drive slowly, please. Bye.

With her father’s voice still ringing in her memory, she realized she was driving much too fast and slowed down. Stupid!

Tess walked up the staircase to her flat on the second floor of a modern apartment building, which she shared with her friend, Tina. Deep in her thoughts, Tess went into the living room, and barely registered the large shoes on the carpet near the sofa. Then she heard shuffling, grunting noises. She froze in her step. Burglars! Right here in the flat! Startled, Tess jumped back a little, and her eyes quickly scanned the room. Suddenly something pink caught her eye. Tess’ jaw dropped. A pink bum was bobbing up and down behind the sofa’s back rest. Now Tina’s head also bobbed up from the sofa, her hair all ruffled and her cheeks flushed. Then a second, bearded head popped up near Tina’s head.

Hi, Tess. This is Gerd, Tina said smiling, Gerd, this is Tess.

The beard said, Hello.

Tess coughed and said, Hi. Now she saw the clothes strewn all over the floor and she hastily retreated into the small kitchen to make herself some coffee. She caught glimpses of Gerd in his boxer shorts as he rushes around the living room collecting his clothes. With his shirt and trousers pressed against his hairy chest he peeked into the kitchen and said, Got to make a move now. Bye!

A few minutes later Tina walked into the kitchen in her knickers, carrying the rest of her clothes over her arm. How’d it go with your parents? Tina put her bra on and slipped into her T-shirt.

Typically Tina, she wasn’t in the least embarrassed. Well, with her upbringing by her hippy parents who probably taught her all about free love and breathing properly while doing it, Tess wasn’t too surprised. Tina had left her ‘muesli home’ as she called it, at sixteen and had made her own way. She was a journalist now, working at one of the newspapers Tess often did free lance work for. They got along well, even though Tess considered Tina a bit of a wild one and totally silly. Tina was very spontaneous and followed her whims. The thing on the sofa with Gerd was most likely one of her spontaneous bursts of affection. Tina used sex as most people used a friendly pat on the shoulder.

Well? You look a bit flustered. Tina slowly sipped her coffee, leaning against the counter studying Tess’ face.

"It didn’t go well. We always seem