Jana nodded. “If that’s what you want, Imani.”
Kamila picked up her phone. “I’ll text Elsie to call ahead and have them move the children’s cot from your room to Anil’s.” She frowned. “Or have you switch rooms. Tents. Whatever. Elsie will take care of it.”
Jana’s gaze wandered to the grasslands near the picnic site and she nearly squealed like Imani at what she saw in the distance. An elephant. Just hanging out while they were all having lunch. “Look!” Jana said, pointing.
It was beautiful. No barrier between them—no wall, or window, or vehicle. Not even a crater ridge, like there was at Ngorongoro when they saw that first elephant. The animal turned toward them, and Jana swore it made eye contact with her for a few seconds. Then it turned and walked away, completely unconcerned about the humans picnicking in its habitat. It was happy to share its space.
“Thank you,” Jana said under her breath. This was the perfect start to this leg of the trip.
She finally turned back to her lunch, and that’s when she noticed that Anil was looking at her curiously. “Elephants really are your favorite animal.”
He probably didn’t remember it specifically, but she’d first told him that back when they were together five years ago. They’d been shopping in London—and she’d found a little painted ceramic elephant from India in a gift shop. She’d excitedly bought it and told him all about the elephant collection her dad had started for her.
That was the night they’d tried out that hotel shower together. They’d spent hours wrapped around each other. Talking. Always connected. It was the first time Jana had fallen asleep in someone’s arms. And it was the night where she’d first thought that the relationship could have been the beginning of forever.
Sometimes Jana’s memory was a curse.
“Well, you’re in luck,” Nelson said. “Tarangire is the elephant park.” He looked at Imani. “How high can you count?”
Imani beamed proudly. “Eighty-seven.”
“Okay, msichana mdogo, I want you to count the elephants you see today, all right? Then later you tell me how many there are.”
Imani looked at Jana, eyes wide. “Are we going to see eighty-seven elephants, Mommy?”
Honestly, Jana doubted it. But she didn’t want to crush Imani’s hopes. “Maybe! Finish your sandwich, then we’ll find out, okay?”
After lunch, they started their first game drive in Tarangire National Park. They were staying nearby for two nights this time, so there would be another game drive the next day through a different part of the park.
Within about ten minutes of driving, they saw their second elephant. Then their third. At a lush pond covered with greenery, they saw two more. They also saw the most amazing sight of the entire trip so far.
“Daddy, that elephant is little!”
It was a baby elephant. Staying close to its mother and frolicking and splashing water on itself. Jana was on her feet to take pictures of it before Nelson had even stopped the vehicle. It was the cutest thing Jana had ever seen. She lifted Imani in her arms to see it better. Everyone in the Land Cruiser was in awe, giddy with excitement. As the drive continued, they saw gazelles, the most vibrant striped zebras yet, and some giraffes. But Jana understood why this was called the elephant park. There were so many elephants. On their own, in herds, at the watering hole—everywhere. Anil kept pointing out new ones, and Imani eventually stopped counting (she really couldn’t get past forty, anyway). But they definitely saw more than forty elephants. More than eighty-seven.
Jana had never imagined a more perfect game drive. There was an intoxicating energy in the air. Everything seemed to shine so much brighter. The leaves were greener, the sky bluer, and somehow, the animals were even more alive. This place was magical. Jana hadn’t remembered smiling so much in her life.
After that amazing first drive in Tarangire, the Land Cruisers made their way to the new resort. Their vehicle was a bit behind the others, and when they finally got out, Asha’s, Nicole’s, and Jana’s phones all started buzzing at the same time. Must be the Bridal Brigade group chat. Jana looked at the message.
Kamila:I’M IN HEAVEN. THERE ARE SO MANY DICKS HERE.
Jana snorted audibly.
Asha:I think we just found the quote for Kamila’s tombstone.
Kamila:Stupid autocorrect. Dik-diks. I want to take one home.
Then about three pictures of the adorable antelopes flashed across their screens. Jana, Asha, and Nicole all crowded together, cooing.
“What is it?” Anil asked.
Jana smiled. “Bridal Brigade stuff.” She slipped her phone into her pocket.
The resort was perched at the top of a high bluff overlooking Tarangire National Park. With light cream walls and a thatched roof, the main building was less ornate than their previous hotels but fit into the surroundings well. The main lobby area was a large circular room, with two other circular rooms off of it.
After getting their tent assignments they were given a list of rules for the facility. “We ask that you don’t walk alone on the property at night. We have several guards patrolling who would be happy to escort you wherever you need to go. Or you can call here to have someone come. Electricity is available in rooms six through nine only. Please zip up your tent when you are in it, and use the monkey lock when you are leaving the tent or when you are sleeping.”
“Why do we need an escort?” Shelina asked.
