*12*

i've been waiting for Ernestine to call me and bring me to the hospital to tour the maternity ward. this morning i walked over to Gilbert's (senam's brother) room and knocked on his door.

He poked his head out from behind the lace curtain hanging over the entry way.

"Oh hello Kacie. How are you?"

"i'm doing well, thank you."

"what can i do for you?" he asked.

"have you seen Ernestine today? I am supposed to go with her to the hospital and i wasn't sure what time we were leaving."

"oh riiiiight. okay. let me just put on my shoes and go figure that out for you. here, come in, i'm sure you wouldn't mind passing some time by watching a little James Bond, would you?"

"of coarse not." i said. i am starting to like the movies. so i sat down on the couch and sort of nuzzled in. i was feeling more comfortable with Gilbert now after our tro tro ride the night before. he gave up his shoulder to me as a pillow, and kept checking to see if i was comfortable.
somehow having 4 people and a stickshift all tangled up with each other promotes intimacy.

"i'll be right back" he said.

i didn't notice when he came in because i was so enthralled with what i was watching.

its 5:30 and Ernestine has yet to call. i've watched 3 movies today and walked from internet lab to internet lab, looking for one open on a sunday.

"are you open?" i asked a man standing outside some barred up doors.

"oh misses, we will be opening at 3:00."

i shot him an 'are you sure look'.

"oh yes, 3:00 we will open, most certainly."

i looked at my watch. "but it's 4:00" i said.

"oh" he pulled his neck back and frowned. he looked at his watch. but from having observed people recently i've found watches are more for style and proof of class than function. Gilbert wears a watch that doesn't even tick.

"well then" he said "my boys should be coming soon. you just wait here, the lab will open. take that chair."

some random person brought the plastic chair over to me and dusted it off. they held out their hand to sit, so i did.

i sat and sat and sat, until i had to give myself a little talking to.

why was i still sitting waiting for this place to open up? who knows when or if it really was going to? where was that man who seemed to know it was going to open? for all i knew he was sprinting down some road to tell his brother the internet lab had business and to come quick and unlock the door. if that was the case, it would take hours before the computers and internet were actually hooked up.

i'm out of here, i thought.

i left feeling like i had to sneak away. i made up some excuses just in case i got caught, and then jumped in a cab. the driver took me to a working internet lab, where i'm typing... a little bored... don't have a lot to say... but don't have much to do either... maybe i'll go watch some more movies. tommorow is my last day here, which means my last day with electricity and close friends...