imperfect life. But I depend on them to help me reach the top of Kilimanjaro? A steady, bright beam of light emitted from the flashlight and I could clearly see my tent. I depend on them to help me survive, just as they depend on people like me to help them survive. I clutched the zipper to my pre-assembled tent and climbed in next to Caroline, who was already sleeping. It took what felt like hours to fall asleep. “Leeez? Caroleene? I have water and coco,” Kenni whispered from outside the tent. “Rise n’ sheene.” “Thanks Kenni,” I said lunging for the hot chocolate. Caroline and I sat outside the tent, draping a sleeping bag over our shoulders and sipped from the thermoses. Kenni sat down beside me. “Want some of the blanket?” I asked, pulling the unzipped bag towards him. “No thank you,” he said, smiling and looking over the landscape and to the peak. “Dee sun ees about’tah come up.” Kenni, Caroline and I sat in silence watching the sunrise, watching the sky brighten from a deep black to an intense blue.
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