The Last Elephant Keeper

Part 26

As Khumo scrutinized the poster, her eyes landed on a faint symbol in the corner that sparked a glimmer of recognition. It was a family crest, one she had seen before in her mother's old notebook. Khumo's heart raced as she tried to piece together the significance of this symbol. Then, in a moment of clarity, it all made sense. This was one of the clues her mother had left her, a symbol that featured in one of her anagrams which represented the love she had for Khumo's father. John had been her mother's lover.

The realization hit Khumo like a ton of bricks, and tears began to well up in her eyes. She could only imagine the pain and longing her mother had felt, searching for a love that was lost. But at the same time, she felt a deep sense of pride for her mother's unwavering determination to fight for what she believed in, even if it meant sacrificing her own happiness after losing her partner.

As Khumo delved further into the box of pictures, she uncovered even more proof of her mother's romantic involvement with John. She came across numerous photographs of the two of them together, captured in moments of pure joy and affection. As she examined them, she couldn't help but feel a sense of envy at the love that they shared – A similar sensation when she uncovered their portrait back home.

But it was the letters and notes that really caught her attention. They were filled with expressions of deep love and longing, and it was clear that John had been the more passionate and expressive of the two. As Khumo read through her mother's scrawled handwriting, she struggled to believe that these words of love had come from the same person who could barely write a coherent sentence.

Khumo felt a sense of reverence as she read through these notes, feeling like she was getting a glimpse into a part of her mother's life that had been hidden away. She couldn't help but wonder what her mother's life would have been like if John had been able to stay with her.

But Khumo knew that she couldn't dwell on the past. She had a job to do, to protect the elephants and the environment that her mother had fought so hard for, so she kept a memento of the letters, and left the rest of the box alone. Just like the dead lovers who might have a chance of peace wherever they were.

As she left the basement and made her way back into the world, Khumo felt a newfound sense of connection to her mother. She realized that her mother had been more than just an activist and a conservationist. She had been a woman with a heart full of love, who had fought for what she believed in, even when it meant moving through love and heartbreak.

Khumo felt the weight of the task ahead of her, but she was determined to see it through. With her mother's memory guiding her, she knew she could carry on John's legacy and continue her mother's mission of protecting the elephants and preserving the environment for future generations.

Her renewed sense of purpose gave her the strength to ascend the stairs and enter the main bedroom, where she hoped to uncover more clues and items that belonged to her mother. She felt a deep connection to her mother as she searched through the room, driven by the desire to uncover the truth about the gold and the legacy that her mother and John had left behind.

As she rummaged through drawers and boxes, Khumo's heart began to race with excitement. She had a feeling that she was getting close to something important. Finally, her hand brushed against something smooth and cool. She pulled it out of the drawer and gasped in amazement.

It was her mother's necklace, an immaculate piece of simple iron she had always worn.. Khumo felt a lump form in her throat as she ran her fingers over the smooth surface of the necklace. She had never felt so close to her mother before. It was as if she was holding a piece of her mother's soul in her hands, but if she had left it here. It could mean she had been intent on leaving John something. It was a sentimental act Khumo hadn't known her mother had been capable of.

She laid on the bed, hopeful to figure out, what sort of woman her mother had turned to on her twilight years there. Everything she had discovered had seemed to highlight a woman who had changed. Khumo's eyes had widened as she flipped through the pages, marvelling at her mother's insights and passion. It was like she was getting to know her mother all over again, through her own words and thoughts.

Khumo stood at the edge of the open plain, her heart heavy with the weight of grief and longing. She clutched a shovel in one hand and a bag filled with mementos from John and Clarissa in the other, determined to do something to bring them together, even in death.

The sun sank lower in the sky, casting long shadows across the landscape. Khumo searched for a suitable spot to bury the bag, her eyes scanning the moss-covered rocks and scrubby bushes that dotted the plain. She finally spotted a large rock that seemed to beckon to her, and she made her way over to it, the elephants watching her every move.

As she knelt down to dig a hole, Khumo's thoughts turned to John and Clarissa. They had been so deeply in love, but their lives had taken them in different directions, until they were buried in two separate places, far from each other. Khumo could feel the ache of their separation in her own heart, and she longed to do something to ease it.

With each scoop of dirt, Khumo's tears flowed freely, her body shaking with sobs. She could feel the elephants' presence around her, their gentle strength offering her comfort and support. Finally, she placed the bag in the hole and covered it with dirt, her hands lingering on the cool earth.

As she stood up, Khumo felt a sense of peace settle over her. She knew that John and Clarissa were together in spirit, and that she had done something to honor their love. She turned to the elephants, who had gathered around her in a silent circle, and whispered a prayer of gratitude. In that moment, she felt connected to them, to John and Clarissa, and to the vast, wild landscape that surrounded them.