PART 5



^^OUT.!!!. OUT !!! OUT I SAY.. A Voice thundered from outside the car.

the voice awoke the occupants..they looked around,startled.. their

hands were locked together and someone rocked the car.

((aha-so thats what locked and rocked meant..))

Duawee opened the door..his eyes still recovering from sleep.. his

mind scambled for a meaning to the interruption.. he was confonted by

an old man with a walking stick..one pants leg rolled up ..no shoes

on his feet..his hands hard and swibble ..his teeth rotten and

broken..he was about 65 years old...

was he looking for a fight--duawee thought..what a fool.

OLD MAN; WHU WUNNA DOING IN DEH?

duawee eyes him up and down..he looks harmless

DUAWEE: WHY?..WHAT BUSINESS IS IT OF YOURS?

OLD MAN : WATCH YUHSELF .YOUNG PUPPY ..I OLD ENOUGH TO GEH YUH TWO CUFFS IN

YUH MOUT RITE THIS MINUTE.. whose dat in deh wid yuh?

the old man looks in the car.

OLD MAN; cheese ..she's a pretty wun.. man yuh lucky..she aint from

here..she look amurican.. BUT i just come tuh warn yuh..it dangerous up

here late at night..it used tuh be uh nice lovers lane, but now de bad

boys tek over..so i jest come tuh tell yuh tuh left bout here..ok..

(pause)

OLD MAN: skipper gimma uh $5.00 to buy a pack a cigarette.

duawee gave him the $5.00 .. saying thanks as he entered the car.

Veronica smiled uneasily..she didn't understand some words ,but did

read the anxious look on both faces..( danger in the night)

The old man sauntered off,the $5.00 warming his pocket and his

heart.. he danced away,singing a old song--showing his age &^%all

night all night miss mary anne down by the sea side wid

uh man. the hair pon she head wud tie a boat..and water in she

^^^^^^>> wud sink a boat.. lada lada dah dah.

The song drew a smile from duawee.. he remembered his grandfather

singing that song,but this old man chose the wrong lyrics..~he wanted

to sink a boat with mary anne..~

Duawee: lets get out of here.. i'm hungry.. we'll go by Junie's

,Marlene's mother for dinner..you'll taste some real ole -time bajan

cooking...

Veronica : OK.. I'VE had my rest. lets go.

The car engine awoke too.. shifting gears . reverse.. over

bumps..^^.. between trees..small cart road...an uneven ride to the

main road .. joining other cars to various destinations..the air was

much safer now.. Veronica drew herself closer to Duawee..~after a kiss

like that she felt it was her right. she should not have to ask

questions. he was hers today and tomorrow and ... oh damn! i'll be

leaving on Tuesday.. she thought..~damn.. i nearly forgot.. i have to

tell him..i'll wait until he asks ..it'll show he cares..~

small talk entered the journey home to Junie's ..he liked her from

the beach..he liked her more from the night-club(warehouse). he liked

her even more in the room ..wrapped in the towel.. he liked and liked

until he loved her, as she laughed .. the picture sunset had made

them love,and the calm of the day..sand /waves/ breeze had brought them

love.. the love was slow a-coming..but when it came it surprised

them..full lips and body aches..they kissed and kissed themselves to

sleep..but the love is good..they both felt new and improved.

THE car slid it way to the side of the house. .a light darkness

surrounded the area..some small children were still playing a game..

trying to steal the last bit of light from the remains of the day. the

laughter from the children held Veronica for awhile.this is how she

used to be..her childhood days filled with fun and laughter.the games

she played in the hot summer sun. the thought threw a small smile on her

lips and a wish in her heart.. what happened to those days?

today's*DAYS* were now fraught with danger .all the killing and the

drugging and the crying and the dying .dying.dying. It hurted her to

think some of her friends would go that way.its not what they had

dreamt about on the stoop of their homes..years ago.Some wanted to be

doctors.lawyers.nurses...She dreamt of being a teacher. she wanted to

teach children about her world.put pride into their lives,but somewhere

between the stoop and hop-scotch..the dream got deferred.. put on

lay-away.. some friends had gotten caught in drugs and the killing

eventually dying..their mothers crying.

we sit on the edge of tears

our lives stretching.stretching



and our hearts emptying.emptying



into prayer



Marlene's touch released Veronica from herself.She felt a small chill

move through her..like some spirits from her past were pushing her

forward.

Marlene: "American Gurl..come long we ready tuh eat..Yuh en hungry?

wheh you and Duawee going tonight? Wheh wunna went all DAY?

Veronica got confused with all the questions. she grabs her new-found

friend's arms and hurried up the steps.. entering the room..a sweet

smell wafted towards her nose.. she was ready to eat. Duawee was

playing with the cute little baby.. he was making baby sounds.

Veronica wondered how would he be as a father. (hold that thought).

Everyone gathered around the table .prayers were spoken and the sign of

the cross + was made.. thanking god for the meal and praying the

world's children would soon end their hunger. RICE & PEAS. CHICKEN

.SALAD .MACARONI PIE. SWEET POTATO ON DE SIDE. A PIECE OF YAM TO KEEP

THE POTATO HAPPY. CUCUMBER..TOMATO GREEN..BEANS..

Veronica wow! all this food..it looks great.

she was very impressed.

Everyone remained silent for awhile..so much food. this was the only

time Marlene hardly spoke..except to ask for the salad bowl to be

passed to her.. Junie kept looking at the door as if expecting someone

to enter. Duawee kept playing with the baby.Marlene's sister was not

there. the baby kept Duawee busy./smiling a cute smile filled with

curiosity.. A small face appeared at the door. a boy

full of smiles

BOY: ms Junie uh here.sorry uh late..gud evenin evvabody.. muh muther

seh thanks for duh rice and tin uh corn beef..she gine cook them .

tomorrow Sunday..she seh she also praying fuh yuh.. and she gine come

tuh see yuh monday..

The boy was poor.his appearance betrayed his plight..there were holes

in his trousers(pants) and holes in his shirt .he sat on the mat near

the door,his eyes on the bowl of food and ms Junie..they both smiled

at each other . the small face did not look up from the bowl..his hunger

was too strong. the baby looked at him sitting there. She wondered

who he was.he came here every evening except sundays.he was part of the

family,but under a different name..Marlene liked him too..he passed on

messages to another boyfriend who lived up the road.and he would husk

coconuts and give the milk to her..not wanting any money for this

deed..he was a generous boy always ready to help/ At the end of the

meal.empty bowl .he stood up..his eyes catching Veronica. he turned away

quickly,full of shame..he thought of himself poor and half-naked..his

plight exposed to a stranger and a pretty stranger at that. he hurried

to the kitchen to lay the bowl down.

BOY; MS JUNIE (his voice brighter now)..ms Junie. can i go watch t.v in

de front room? ...cartoons on . ms Junie nods her

approval.

the boy skips his way through the room ,making sure not to make a

noise .he turns the television nob.the power lit up the room.. he sat

on a small chair and his smile returned happy

cartoon/happy boy.a happy life.

The table diners were still in the midst of their dinner.the food was

good .At the end of dinner Junie cleared the table..asking if anyone

wanted desert..NO NO NO..the 3 replied..too much food.

she returned with a pitcher full of mauby. a real bajan drink. Junie

asked Veronica if she would like a soda . Veronica wanted to be

native.she would drink anything Duawee drank. she asked for a long

glass of mauby .Everyone waited to see the glass -iced with the brown

liquid- squeeze its way pass her tongue.(if you are not bajan or

caribbean for that matter--this drink does surprise.)--its bitter taste

-first/ then ice takes over second/.then a sweet taste lasting to the

end of the empty glass..) how will she handle this? IT TURN OUT TO BE

AN EVENT

^^^ VERONICA DRINKING MAUBY^^^



SHE took the glass..looked at the ice floating on the top. held it to

her lips. everyone held their breath.even the boy and the baby

gathered to witness the initiation.the tv went on pause .it's sound

muffled..they all swallowed as she drank . her head held back.

at first the bitter taste made her eyes tightened,then the ice broke

her free ..melting her into a sweetness to the last bit of sugar .she

had never tasted anything like it .it left her refreshed ,ready for

another glass.her body tingled..(ohhh sweet.).she laughed at the

audience who had gathered to watch her fate.they all shot back a

surprise laugh..the boy returned to the cartoon. the baby crawl up the

little boy looked at him. smiled,then sat down to watch cartoons.

A phone rang. Marlene rushed to answer it

Phone Voice:: hey Marlene...how yuh gine?

Marlene: i'm fine. who is this?

Phone voice:: its Brian. yuh play yuh en know me de other night at de

warehouse..uh see yuh dancing wid Tony..man yuh brek he up. yuh

couldn.t try dat wid me.



Marlene: oh i din see you ..i had a good time though..you?

Brian: yeah i had a good time ..dah dj..from england..whu he name

again..ammm ammm..yeah yeah JAYLO.. he badd boy..he real vex wid he

music..and i like the local tune that he play too.. by the way is

Duawee there? i have to tell him something.

***

Marlene; yeah he here...wheh you gine tonight? i gine mackys?

Brian: mackys en sehing nuttin.. um gettin dead .now that he put de

grantley-hand tuh $10.00 .it used to be $6.00..but he getting greedy..i

gine to a special function..yuh want tuh come..get duawee tuh bring

yuh..by the way who dah babes he was wid at the club. i din want tuh

come over there..it would look like uh blocking. she real pretty

though.boy he lucky as shite.. i did working pon a swedish chick.get she

hotel info..de digits(phone nbr) tuh wheh she staying. just tun muh back

tuh get she uh drink..when i get back..i see she pun de dance floor,.

dancing wid dah hard back -pouncy.-face shite-hunn ..dah guy from

st.john ..de one dat does wuk up bad pon evvabody..whu he name.?

Marlene: i hate he.. he come rubbing pon me infront uh tony. i geh he

one dirty look.. he name Desmond*de flash* Green. i can.t stan he. he

tinks he is god.s gift to woman.always in yuh ear wid he gold

teet..shining brighter than de club lights..and dah after-shave he does

use..smell real cheap.. . so wheh this special function ?who gine be

deh. i know you know some people--so string muh de hook-up.

Brian:;.awright..leh muh see whu duawee gine do first.

Marlene shouts::; DUAWEE.Brian pon de phone. he want you to bring me

wid wunna.don't left .i gine and bathe(shower).. wait fuh muh hear?

.

Duawee takes the phone. he threw kisses at the baby and Veronica..junie

saw and smile.. the little boy was still there watching t.v.with the

baby in his lap..they made a wonderful picture.

DUAWEE: yeah.whats up Brian.

Brian; boy i got a sweet hook up tonight. there.s a party being thrown

at the HOYOS BROTHERS house in christchuch.yuh know dah big house when

you drive pass wildey.de one on de hill with de big verandah. and nuff

securirty. well dats where de party is tonight.i get a special

invitation and i tell me partner i bringing you. i don.t know if yuh

want tuh bring dah chick wid yuh..nuff food((girls) gine be deh. some

from America and England.so mek a trek .i gine geh de word at de front

gate..bring marlene wid yuh. uh want tuh dance wid she..awright..heres

de phone number.. 422>......96.

DUAWEE; have it...see you there.

Brian: awrite..peace.



CLICK.. click.

DUAWEE; Veronica.we have a party to go to.so let me take you back to

the hotel..and you can change..and i'll pick you up about 10pm.

Junie..i"m going to take Marlene with me ok.

Junie: boy she don.t like to stand home and keep muh company..By the

way Veronica,uh forget muh manners yuh see de little boy sitting

there.his name is Mike Andrews. he me boy. .love him *pause* a

smile* he's the son i always wanted.

small face Mike looked up and made a cartoon face at Veronica..she

returns the look..



Veronica went over to where he was seated. touching his head as she sat

next to him. she whispered something in his ear. small face

Mike looked at her sheepishly.

Veronica handed him something from out her purse.

Veronica:..go buy some chicken and other groceries with this. and

there something extra for you..too.

small face mike look in his hand. he counted the notes from their

edges..10 ..10 ..20..20. 20 .5.. = $$$ 85.00 big dollars for small

face Mike to have..he trembled at the sight.. a tear ran from him..a

thanks speading through his heart. His love resting on the stranger

face. he grab her and kiss her. the tears swell inside of him and burst

out of his face.unto veronica.s. top..wetting it with gratitude and more

love.



small face Mike;;thank you Ver... Veronica.. now my mother can buy a

new dress to wear church and we can eat good tomorrow. i m going to the

shop before it close and get these things .. thank you again..ms junie

im gone.. tek de baby off de floor..she dribble all over muh leg.. i

gine come tuh see yuh tomorrow.. alright.

ms Junie: don't worry mike. just go get them things fuh yuh mother and

go long home and sleep.

Duawee looked and loved her more,because even though he knew mike a long

time.he didn.t see him as poor. he saw him as human. Mike was only

part of his village.his old days.he would give Mike money to buy sweets

and other things .but he didn't go that far..he felt guilty for a

minute.. maybe Veronica taught him something.. *HE GREW UP

HERE. PLAYED MARBLES HERE. WENT TO PRIMARY SCHOOL HERE..KNEW EVERYONE IN

THE VILLAGE. BUT DID HE REALLY KNOW THEM. DID HE REALLY PLAY THERE..HE

GREW UP THERE AND MOVED AWAY .WHAT DID HE RUN FROM?..was it mike .s

days he was ran from .? IS thats why he never saw mike

as poor .because he was once like Mike ? ..

small face Mike : THANK YOU. my mother will pray for you and i will pray

for you. you are very nice and pretty*** ((( notice how mike.s accent

changes now that he was addressing the pretty stranger..trying to

impress her))) .. ms. JUNIE im going tuh de shop.yuh want anything?

JUNIE: NO MIKE. i see yuh got a crush pon veronica.what you trying tuh

do?.. he trying tuh horn yuh Duawee?(LAUGHTER). he play he talking all

sweet tuh she.and smiling. well well..yuh tink yuh is a man allready.

yuh betta guh long before yuh mother come looking fuh yuh. Here.s a

kiss (*). Mike blushed .said goodnight and

left. his eyes upon Veronica.

Duawee : well. we got to leave ..where.s Marlene.she's taking so

long.like she dressing for a wedding. Junie. im going to see you at

church tomorrow . when we get back you.ll be sleeping. so we.ll talk

after church tomorrow. ok..where's.this girl? MARLENE...HURRY UP.

Junie: so Veronica..will you be at chuch tomorrow.?

Veronica :yes.just as long as Duawee.comes for me.what time will you be

there?

Junie: ill be at the 10 o.clock service.

Veronica:ok ill see you there.

Junie: alright.. MARLEEEEENE.. MARLEEENE. hurry up..they are ready tuh

leave .

Marlene came out dressed in a baby doll dress..legs fully exposed..

-she look real good.

Marlene kissed her mother..bent over and kiss the baby.and headed out

to the car..she was ready to parrrrtyyyy.

Veronica took the baby off the floor..

Veronica: oh she's heavy.

Junie took the baby after the kisses were spent on her forehead..Junie got

her kisses on her cheek.

JUNIE (looking outside) And you Marlene.don't wake me up in the

morning singing dem old foolish songs..(shouting)- BE CAREFUL .HEAR

.. I gine wait up fuh Lorraine .(the baby.s mother).she works so

hard..awright see wunna later..don.t forget church tomorrow

Veronica..we'll be looking for you.. have a good time.. Junie calls

duawee before he gets to the car.. Duawee come here a minute.. she

whispers in his ear.

JUNIE:^^**Duawee boy she real sweet .you see whu she geh mike .dat was

a real nice gesture. and nobody asked she to do it. she real nice.so i

would like you and she tuh be friends fuh a long time..women like her

are few and far between..so you know what to do. ^^ guh long now -have

a good time^^.

Duawee answered as if being chartised.

Duawee..i know . i do like her a lot and i've only known her one

and a half days..i met her on the beach.. and went to....

Junie interrupts when she sees Veronica looking her way.

Junie; guh long .don.t keep de girls waiting.. AWRIGHT HE COMING

NOW..SEE YUH. TOMORROW ..BYE.

Junie waves and closes the door..the night was hurrying now.the day

was almost gone. the baby was sleeping.. she rushed to the room to lay

the baby down and to the kitchen to clean .

In the car Veronica and Marlene were stuck in conversation **woman.s

talk**. Duawee stay out of it..he looked forward to the night..he really

wanted to talk to Veronica .find out more about her.there would be other

days. he hoped.

The car swung into the driveway of the hotel.the night had finally

arrived..the lights of the car caught a number of tourist still in their

bikinis and swim-wear soaking up the days fun. they looked so happy in

paradise.they laughed at every utterance from their lips.. a banks beer

hung from the mens' hands..the women tried the tiger malt. they loved

everything about this beautiful island. they held stories in their

heads to pass onto friends and family on arrival home.

The men nodded their heads as a sign of gratitude to the natives of

the land * OH THIS beautiful land..thanks for letting us visit.we hope

to be back next year*

The 3 entered the room.marlene went straight to the bedroom wanting to

check out the dresses. Duawee abandoned himself to a chair to catch

what was on television.

Duawee : i'll just sit here .whilst you get dress..but don.t get

caught up in conversation with Marlene..we still have to go by my house

so i can get dress. *a slight kiss (*) passed between them..Veronica

checking around making sure marlene would not see.** she.s still shy**

she headed off to the bedroom to gather a dress and then to the

bathroom../()\

23 minutes passed ..Duawee fell asleep within that time.. the

television had forced him into a slumber.. he awoke at the touch of

Veronica.s lips on his.((she getting bold)) .marlene saw the kiss this

time..



MARLENE sang:; aye /yahhh . sweet for my sweet.. weakness fuh sweetness.

aye/yahhh.



The car left the hotel and 12 minute later Duawee was home.



Veronica was impress .he's got a nice home.

She was even more impress when she entered the home.



^^^^^^^^^ to be continued^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

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