BECAUSE OF A WOMAN

He was resting in their luxurious lounge when he heard a knock on the front door. Esau rose to his feet and went to meet the visitor.

Facing him, standing in the doorway was his friend Jimmy Karamu, who lived in the neighbourhood. He had a small bag on his shoulders. In it, he carried his swimming costumes.

The two regarded each other for a few seconds before Esau began to speak. "Hi Jimmy! It's nice to see you around. What brings you at this time?"

Jimmy was a tall boy, his age mate. He strode into the room, smiling for a few seconds before speaking, "Nothing serious, my friend. Just thought I should come to chat with you since I was very bored sitting alone at home."

"That's nice. I am bored too, and I don't know what to do."

"Why don't we go for a swim then? It'll do us some good. It's long since we last went to the beach," Jimmy said as he looked at his friend. "Remember those Italian and German tourists with nice, stunning, curveous figures and beautiful legs?"

Esau laughed. "Yes, I do. It's okay, Jimmy. We can leave right away, my friend."

He stood up and went to the door, Jimmy following him. The two young boys were in sandals as they walked out of the compound and headed to the beach several metres away from their home. It took them less than ten minutes.

Opposite the beach was the illustrious Nyali Beach Hotel, which stood erect with its long white painted buildings. There were two large swimming pools for the tourists who enjoyed diving into the blue and shining fresh waters after swimming in the salty waters of the Indian Ocean.

The ocean roared, sending strong waves to the shores as the two friends were approaching. Some tourists were already swimming; yet other couples could be seen walking gracefully along the shores in their bikinis and swimming costumes as they held each other's waist in a loving embrace.

Esau and Jimmy watched quietly when they saw the tourists busy kissing each other as they walked along the shore. Then they walked to the reception of the hotel, paid swimming fees to the receptionist, took their receipts, and proceeded to the changing rooms.

Inside, Jimmy slid out of his trousers and shirt, hung his clothes on the hook on the wall, and changed into his swimming costumes as he stood facing his friend.

"What's the matter, Esau? Aren't you coming to swim?" He asked when he saw his friend had not changed his clothes.

"No worries. I'm still taking my time. I'll join you later. Just go ahead and enjoy yourself."

Jimmy imagined his friend was up to something. "Alright. If that's how you feel about it. You'll find me there."

Jimmy suddenly started running the towards beach, reached the waters, dived into the ocean, and began swimming with powerful freestyle strokes towards the tourists. From the distance, Esau watched his friend as he enjoyed himself.

Suddenly, the desire to swim possessed him, and he began to undress, changed into his swimsuit, and was ready. Minutes later, he joined his friend in the water.

As they swam side by side, Jimmy remarked, "Isn't it lovely in the waters?"

"Absolutely. I'm having fun."

"It's better than idling at home, isn't it?"

"Sure."

Then they started their usual game in the waters. Esau dived into the ocean and went beneath the touching the sand on the seabed and swam towards Jimmy in an effort to reach his feet and lift him up. But Jimmy had seen him coming and dodged him by swimming in the opposite direction.

When Esau emerged from the water, Jimmy splashed water on his face, but Esau swam safely away out of his reach to plan his next move.

They played in the seawater for the next two hours before deciding to leave. Once in the changing rooms, they took off their swimming costumes, put these inside their bags, slid into their dry clothes, and walked out of the hotel, chatting all the way as they went.

"You never saw funny things happen, Esau." Jim laughed loudly as he said, "Did you not see how that old German kissed his wife in the waters? You'd think the man was hungry and wanted to eat her alive. I saw it all and was quite amused."

It was Esau's turn to laugh. Then he said, "I never saw that, but only saw others kissing on the shore. It's their lifestyle anyway, may be that's how love is expressed."

Later, the boys dispersed as each boy went his way.

"So long, Jimmy. Be seeing you next time," Esau waved his hand as he opened the strong bronze gate to their house.

Jimmy waved back and disappeared into their compound. Esau entered the lounge and found Lucinda waiting for him.

"Where have you been Esau?"

"At the beach, I went for a swim. Is there anything wrong?"

"Nothing, my dear son," Lucinda said softly. "It's only your dad who kept asking for you. He wanted us to go and watch a movie but we couldn't go without you."

"Is that so? Had I known, I would have stuck around."

"No worries. We can go tomorrow. I hope it will be the same he is eager to watch."

"I hope I enjoy it too," Esau said as he entered his bedroom.

Once inside his room, Esau lay on the bed relaxing. Then he took one of his favourite books on short stories and began to read until his eyes were pregnant with sleep and he fell asleep.

The next day, they went rode in their posh Volvo and arrived at the theatre a few minutes before the film attendants began closing the doors. The Kenya Cinema Theatre was usually packed in the evenings and had patrons from all races.

"I chose the evening show because it just happens to be among the best," Alfredo said as they came out of their car. "I'd booked earlier to avoid missing the seats. You can see how people are still queuing for the tickets."

He knew Lucinda would enjoy the movie. She loved musical films. She had adjusted to his tastes, and this pleased him. But as for Esau, Alfredo hoped the young boy would develop tastes similar to his.

They went up the stairs and entered the balcony where their seats were reserved. They were just in good time to see the commercials being shown on the big screen.

Then, five minutes later, "California Holiday" starring Elvis Prestley appeared on the screen.