The next several days follow a generally predictable routine with Matt, Betty, Kristin, Kelly, and Rosalina arriving at the village around 9:30am each morning and leaving for the hotel around 6pm each night. Once back at the hotel, they tend to eat a light dinner followed by some family time. Betty, and, to a lesser extent, Matt also do some writing and other activities related to the debut issue of their magazine. All of them sleep soundly due to the combination of physical labor and touching stories shared by the villagers and volunteers as they work side-by-side building the waterway and also a new school building.
As they all prepare to resume working after lunch, Betty looks at Mothusi and reminds him, "You promised me an interview. While I've gotten a lot of excellent quotes and stories, we only have two more days before we leave. Our magazine will definitely be missing something if we don't have an article based on your specific insights into your people."
"Ee, nna direle, tswee tswee itshwarela" (Yes, I did, please forgive me), responds Mothusi.
Gesturing in the direction of the partially constructed waterway and school, Mothusi remarks, "On the one hand, it is hard to believe that your time here has passed so quickly. On the other hand, looking at all the progress that has occurred in the past week is evidence of your presence."
"I will leave Itsen in charge while we have our talk," comments Mothusi as he directs Betty to a shaded area.
"Nna fatshe," (sit down) instructs Mothusi.
"Ke itumetse," (Thank you) replies Betty, "I'll try not to ask too many questions."
"Botsa (ask) as many dipotso (questions) as you need to, for this will help my village," answers Mothusi.
"Remember that you said that," teases Betty, which makes both of them laugh.
"What do you see as your greatest challenges?" asks Betty, as she turns on her recorder.
"I know that Kagiso has already told you about the impact that HIV and the drought have had on our very existence. Another big issue for us is our country's dependence on diamonds and other natural resources as those will be used up eventually," states Mothusi.
He continues, "We are trying to expand the job opportunities available to both men and women to beyond the most common ones of farming and mining. We are doing this by focusing on education. But, even with more education, the number of jobs remains scarce."
"You all must be doing some things right as your people seem upbeat, and, with the numerous obstacles you both described, that could easily lead people to become negative and stop trying," says Betty.
Mothusi responds, "Unfortunately, there are some among us who have given up and bring shame to themselves and others by engaging in foolish and risky behavior. Most, luckily, value themselves and others enough to make us proud of their efforts to help change things for the better."
Betty and Mothusi speak for approximately 10 more minutes, with Moreni translating as needed, which is not very often as Mothusi's occasional representation of the village at government and fundraising events has helped him become quite fluent in English.
As Betty and Mothusi walk in the direction of the construction, Kagiso calls to Betty, "You'll need to wait a few more minutes before getting back to work. Rosalina batla wena (wants you)."
"Well, our timing was good as you didn't have to send anyone out in the heat and rain to fetch me," remarks Betty as she sits down in Kagiso's hut.
"Rona nkuku (we grandmothers) are called the wise ones for a reason," states Kagiso with a smile.
Rosalina is nursing happily when Betty suddenly yells out, "Ouch, what is that," and quickly, yet gently, removes Rosalina from her breast.
"I believe that Rosalina is cutting her first tooth," comments Betty as she tries to examine her daughter's mouth, which leads Rosalina to protest loudly as she is still hungry.
Matt, who has begun to wonder where Betty is since Mothusi returned to the site nearly 30 minutes ago, knocks on the hut door and says, "Instshwarele, (excuse me) I wanted to make sure everything was alright as Mothusi is back directing everyone and I still hadn't seen my lovely wife and very vocal daughter."
"Tsena," (come in) replies Kagiso.
Betty tells Matt, "Rosalina has decided that Botswana was the country she would be in when she got her first tooth, which she let me know about in not the most comfortable of ways."
"Oh, I'm glad that everyone is OK even though our daughter will need to learn quickly that you are not her teething ring," comments Matt.
Matt adds, "Wow, that hurts more that one would expect," as he winces when Rosalina bites down on his finger while Betty tries to decide on how to continue nursing with this most recent development.
"I suggest flicking her check lightly if she bites down followed by taking her off your breast entirely if she continues to bite you and doesn't get your hint. She'll quickly get the message not to use her teeth on you if she wants to have a full belly," remarks Kagiso.
"I'll definitely try both ideas as I'd like to continue nursing Rosalina for a while longer and I don't want to stop doing so suddenly," responds Betty.
As Betty manages to finish feeding Rosalina with only a few light flicks on the cheek to deter her from biting, Matt whispers to Betty, "I'm more than glad to help soothe your chest later if you would like."
Blushing, Betty replies, "I'm sure you would be, as you are the cream professional."
Matt suggests, "Perhaps we want to go to the restaurant everyone speaks of, Montle Dijo (Beautiful Food), this evening, as we don't have much time left here in Botswana and Rosalina might appreciate you more after having a bottle for dinner."
"Sounds like a plan to me, as long as Mothusi won't mind us leaving at least an hour earlier than usual in order to get ready for our outing and still be back here at our regular time tomorrow," states Betty.
Kagiso says, "Even Mothusi appreciates what it means to be young and in love and you two should be able to enjoy that while you can. I'm sure he'll be fine with it."
After giving their daughter a kiss on the check and settling her happily back on the mat in Kagiso's hut, Betty and Matt rejoin the others and continue to assist with the construction.
At not quite 4:00pm, Kagiso, who is holding a sleeping Rosalina, approaches the group and announces, "Our magazine related guests will be leaving in just a few minutes, Matt and Betty have local research to do at Montle Dijo."
George teases, "Sarah and I could come to the restaurant with you if you would like us to."
Gently embracing Betty as he rests Rosalina on his shoulder, Matt retorts, "Thank you for the offer and, yes, you could, but we don't need your help with this particular aspect of our trip. We'll handle it just fine on our own."
Betty, Matt, Rosalina, Kristin, and Kelly take the van back to the hotel, where they are greeted warmly by surprised staff given their earlier than typical arrival. When Matt mentions that he and Betty are going to Montle Dijo for dinner there are knowing smiles exchanged among the staff.
Betty nurses Rosalina around 5pm, with the dinner expected to take several hours so that her 8ish feeding will be from a bottle. Matt and Betty leave Rosalina with Kelly and Kristin, where she excitedly jumps in the exersaucer Victoria had delivered as a surprise.
Shortly after they enter their suite, Matt says, "While it is a shame from a water perspective to take two showers in one day, I will indulge myself tonight as we are going out."
Smiling, Betty remarks, "We could save on that water by showering together."
Kissing Betty with the perfect blend of tenderness and passion so that they both have to catch their breath, Matt replies, "That would certainly be pleasurable, but I don't think a very good idea since we would likely become detoured and miss our dinner."
"Very true, and we both deserve a night out, so we'll go with separate bathing for now, and I call it first," announces Betty as she hastily slips past him and closes the bathroom door.
Unable to stifle a laugh, Matt opens the door, raises his eyebrows, and reminds Betty, "I'll let you get away with it this time, just leave me some hot water."
With Betty having gotten dressed while Matt is showering, Matt has to pause when he leaves the bathroom and tells her, "You look gorgeous. Please make sure your wedding ring is obvious so that I don't have to fight all of the men off."
Kissing Matt erotically, Betty replies, "I've got that covered," as she shows him her hand.
She continues, "With you in that suit, your wedding band better send the message to the women that you are taken too."
Upon arriving at Montle Dijo Betty and Matt are seated at a secluded table that is adorned with a patterned tablecloth and lit by candles. Having been informed of their arrival and the upcoming magazine issue focused on Botswana, the owner makes certain that Betty and Matt are given a wide range of the restaurant's most popular dishes to taste, with larger portions of items available if so desired. The meal includes Samp (corn) soup, Boerewors (sausage), Pap (a porridge made from grain), and Vetkoek (an African pastry filled with sugar). Matt takes a few pictures at the restaurant with the owner's permission.
Getting back to the hotel just after 10:30pm, Matt asks Kelly and Kristin, "How's our baby girl doing?"
"She's been great, having slept for about an hour," Kristin informs them.
"It did take several attempts for her to take the bottle, but she then drank the whole thing," adds Kelly.
"I believe I will feed her now since we do have an early morning planned," states Betty as she sits in the reclining chair.
"Princess," calls Matt softly as he unswaddles her, "Mommy and Daddy are back and it is time for you to have your last meal of the day."
Rosalina opens her eyes and smiles upon seeing both of her parents. She eagerly nurses, with only one reminder from Betty to keep her first tooth to herself. Betty and Matt say goodnight and go to their suite.
Upon closing the door, they both sigh and say almost simultaneously, "Let me help you with your clothes," leading both of them to laugh at the anticipation both of them seem to have regarding couple time.
After assisting each other with disrobing, they lay down on the bed, where their mouths upon each other's throats lead to the immediate quickening of the other's pulse. Caressing each other with both compassion and hunger, their bodies are rapidly enveloped in wonderful sensations. Climaxing simultaneously, they both feel like they are floating on air. As Betty snuggles against Matt and he holds her close against him, they feel that the other is already aroused and responsive so they catapult each other to heights of unmatched pleasure a second time.
As Betty lays on top of Matt, both unwilling and unable to get up, she whispers, "I love you more than I know how to say."
Kissing her sweetly, Matt rubs her back as he replies, "I think we just showed each other how much we love each other and I know there is no one I will ever love more than I love you."
Spent from the physical labor of the past week as well as their own, much more personal exercise, Betty and Matt sleep peacefully. They awaken in the morning refreshed and ready to assist the village on their second to last day in Botswana, which passes quickly.
Their last day in Botswana starts out similar to the others, with hard work by all.
At 5pm, Mothusi announces, "Everyone, please gather around, we have some parting gifts for the Suarez-Hartleys."
"These are so intricate and beautiful, I hope Matt's pictures of them will do them justice in our magazine," states Betty as she examines the woven baskets and pottery.
Matt comments, "And these are our gifts to you," as he presents Kagiso and Mothusi with educational supplies for the new school.
"Ke itumetse," (thank you) say both the villagers and special guest volunteers virtually in unison, leading most to smile.
"Go siame le masego," (goodbye and good luck) they tell each other as Betty, Matt, Rosalina, Kelly, and Kristin board the van for one last trip to the hotel before heading back to New York.