Find Me Unafraid: Love, Loss, And Hope In An African Slum

Jessica and Kennedy walk up a hill to the local soccer field. It is a peaceful overlook of Kibera, a place that Kennedy goes to think and meditate, but he admits, “I’ve never brought anyone here before” (83). Jessica finds him easily switching moods from the jovial, outgoing Mayor to pensive brooder. He asks to read her palms, although Jessica says, “That sounds to me like a load of crap” (85). Kennedy then tells her he plans on spending the rest of his life with her.

Jessica sits writing out the scripts for a theater rehearsal at SHOFCO when Kennedy invites her on a walk. They eat lunch, nyama choma, roast meat, but, as they converse Jessica tries to prevent a romantic relationship from developing by lying about having a boyfriend in Zambia. As they share childhood stories, she becomes more aware of how different their lives are and feels that they might never be able to understand one another. Neither want to get married but instead prefer to focus on work. Kennedy, however, admits he would get married in a heartbeat, only if it was to Jessica. He is looking for an equal partner, not a woman who will defer to him.