(It was December 3, 2001, when Mariska got a letter from a shelter in Kenya, Africa looking for volunteers for a pediatric residency. She was one of five of her classmates they selected to be a part of this great experience. She was in her apartment with her roommate/best friend when she got the letter.)

Mariska: (screams) Oh my god, oh my god.

Kelli: (comes running) What, what is it?

Mariska: I was picked to take a six-month residency in Kenya, Africa. They have a shelter there where they keep orphans and they send for five people from my school.

Kelli: That's awesome Marsha, this is what you've always dreamed of doing right?

Mariska: Yes, helping the less fortunate and living in another country.

Kelli: (roll her eyes) Yeah, just don't forget about us here.

Mariska: How could I forget about my best friend?

Kelli: I wish I could go. You're always doing all the fun stuff, while I'm hollering at kids all day.

Mariska: I leave on January 19, and start the next day with a doctor who will be like my mentor.

Kelli: Mmm, I wonder if there are any cute guys there.

Mariska: I'm sure but I'm not there to find a guy. Besides the last guy I dated turned out to be a total jerk.

Kelli: I'm glad you dumped his ass. He wanted to live off of you and control you at the same time. Thank god your dad stepped in a set his ass straight, I have never seen a guy wet himself.

Mariska: (laughs) You think that was bad, you should have seen my brothers. I think Peter ended up packing up and moving to another state.

Kelli: Well since you are leaving me for six months...

Mariska: Don't worry, I'll talk to my dad and see if he can help out until I'm back. Or you could find a roommate for the time being.

Kelli: (makes a face) Eh I'll think about the roommate part.

(Mariska chuckles before she places the letter on her bed.)

Mariska: I need to make some calls and get everything in order before I leave. (squeals) I can't believe I am going to Africa, I'm so fucking excited.

Kelli: Hey just try not to get kidnapped alright?

Mariska: (pause for a second) Wait they do that down there.

Kelli: It's everywhere but a gorgeous, sexy American like you, it's best to be safe than sorry.

Mariska: OK now you're scaring me.

Kelli: I'm just kidding, I'm just jealous right now.

Mariska: Hey I'll bring you something back.

Kelli: Cool, so what do you think your dad will say?

Mariska: He going to be so proud, it's my stepmother I'm worried about.

Kelli: Yeah, poor Shelley.

(With that Kelli leaves Mariska alone so she can sort out her next plans for the rest of the month. She decided that she would call her dad and let him know, and tell her stepmother about Christmas. Mariska picked up her cell phone to call her father, and on the second ring he answered.)

Mike: Hello.

Mariska: Hi Daddy.

Mike: Hey baby girl, what do I owe for this call?

Mariska: I have something to tell you.

Mike: Oh god Mariska don't tell me your pregnant.

Mariska: What no daddy. I got a letter from the pediatric residency from school and guess where I will be for six months?

Mike: (sigh) God Marsha you scared me for a second. So where are you going?

Mariska: Kenya.

Mike: No way.

Mariska: Yep, and I will be working one-on-one with one of the doctors there, learning the ropes.

Mike: Thats great baby I know how much you always wanted to travel and help the less fortunate.

Mariska: I do, but you have to promise to not tell Mom until I do it on Christmas.

Mike: It's not guaranteed, but I promise to not blurt it out before then.

Mariska: Dad!

Mike: Fine I promise.

Marisa: Thank you, Daddy, I'll talk to you later love you.

Mike: Love you too baby girl.

(She hangs up with her father and goes to search for Kelli. They spent the day at the mall before stopping for something to eat. By nighttime time she was in bed texting a guy she met two weeks ago who had just been a cool guy to pass the time.)

(In Kenya, Chris was just walking in his door after a very traumatic day at CM Shah Pediatric Clinic. He has been between the hospital and the clinic, checking on his patients. He lost three today because of the lack of supplies for the respiratory infection that's going around. He's been living there for five years now, and he's the best they have that actually cares for the young adults and children.)

(After the long day he just wants to shower and get into bed just to start all over again. It's a little after one when he climbs in bed and pulls his girlfriend of two years to him.)

Rachel: Mmmm.

Chris: Hey.

Rachel: Hi.

Chris: Go back to sleep it's late.

Rachel: How was work?

Chris: (sigh) It was a lot, I lost three patients today but I was able to save four. It pisses me off that we don't have the medicine we need for these children. On top of that were short-staffed because people were quitting or were sick.

Rachel: (runs his arm) I'm sorry to hear that bae, maybe it's time to think of going back home.

Chris: I not doing that Rach, I love it here and there is nothing back home for me.

Rachel: Well what about me?

Chris: (sigh) Look Rachel can we talk about this tomorrow or when I'm not busy worried about these kids?

Rachel: (rolls her eyes) Fine, hopefully, you will make time and we can have a decent conversation without one of us blowing up.

Chris: I'm sorry baby, I promise we will talk, I am yours the whole weekend.

Rachel: OK, just don't break that promise.

Chris: I won't, now got to sleep.

Rachel: I love you.

Chris: I love you too.

(Rachel moves deeper into Chris's arms and closes her eyes before sleep takes her again. Chris closes his eyes and tries to sleep but he just can't get those small children out of his head. The youngest that died was only ten months old. Trying to calm himself he closes his eyes and buries his face in Rachels's hair hoping sleep finds him.)