#BTColumn – Something Sweeter Part 3

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by this author are their own and do not represent the official position of the Barbados Today.

by Jade Gibbons

Syri cut Anna a look.

“Josh was premature. He born three months before schedule and I didn’t have anyone with me. My mum was working and couldn’t get off. My neighbour is de one who took me to de hospital but she’s a prison guard and was on duty that night so she couldn’t stay.

“What happened to your other family?”

“It’s just my mum and my aunt. And my aunt was in Trinidad. But anyhow, so I was dey by myself and Andy was on duty; volunteering that is. And I don’t know, he took care of me.

He wasn’t even supposed to be in my ward that much. But he would come and check in on me and take me to see Josh and break down wuh de doctor was saying in a way that I could follow without having to think de worst.

He’s been really good to me since then. So when Josh’s dedication came around it seemed like a natural thing to have him as the godfather since he’d technically been acting as one. And I don’t know.

We was fast friends I guess.”

Through the glass doors, Syri could see the short, round frame of her supervisor gesturing to her.

She looked at her watch.

“Break done.”

They went inside.

One by one, the trucks slowly grind to a halt along Mighty Grynner Highway. The crowds of squashed bodies expand and merge with the mass of spectators.

Some spill on to the beach. The cold sand goes up on to their sandals and squishes between their toes. Sprays of water from the Atlantic, as it crashes against the shore, brush their faces and bodies cooling them down.

Others begin to make the medium length journey down to Baxter’s Road. They are heading to the collection of tiny huts and stalls that are still firing up their grills turning over dolphin, marlin, swordfish and kingfish with wedges, macaroni pie or coleslaw.

These stalls are the only hope for finding food at this time of night. Still, others wander down the sidewalk not entirely sure if they should follow their sober friends to where they say they’ve parked the cars or just sit and take a nap.

Andy and Syri follow a distance behind Paul and the others. The haze brought on by the alcohol makes what they’re saying to them seem only half intelligible.

Their arms hang awkwardly over each other’s shoulders. It’s not entirely clear who is supporting who.

Syri misses a step and stumbles and a hand that was aiming for her waist grabs her bum and naked thigh helping her back upright.

Syri presses her lips against Andy’s and wraps her arms around his torso. The speakers still vibrate.

He has been watching all along and now only sees red. It doesn’t matter that she isn’t officially his girl anymore. It doesn’t matter that the only time she speaks to him is to tell him he needs to visit his son.

It doesn’t matter that she hasn’t forgiven him and still she doesn’t trust him. She belongs to him, that’s what matters. Pulling on the wooden handle of the blade that is tucked under his shirt, he begins to cross the distance that separates him from her.

His friends shout to him, but he waves them off. Moving between the trees he steps up on to the sidewalk.

“Syri!”

He pushes past people going in the opposite direction, bumping them in his pursuit.

“Syri!”

He clears the little crowd drawing closer to his destination.

“Syri, wuh de hell you doing!”

His voice is finally audible to her.

She turns to face this unexpected interruption. Seeing her ex-boyfriend Derek, Syri turns around, grabs Andy’s hand and starts walking faster. She’s sober now. Andy pulls his hand from hers and turns around. Syri pulls on Andy’s shoulder trying to stop him. Shrugging her off, Andy closes the distance between Derek and himself.

“My man, wuh’s you problem?”

“I ain’t talking to you, I talking tuh she.”

Stepping to the side, Derek tries to get past Andy. Andy stops him.

“Well, I talking to you. You cyan see she ain’t want nain to do with you. Leave the girl alone.”

“Move!”

Derek pushes Andy causing him to stumble. Regaining his balance, Andy lands the full force of his fist into Derek’s face. The next thing he feels is the sharp stinging sensation of metal piercing his skin and going deeper into his body.

His blood adds a rich dark hue to the ensemble of colours on his shirt as he falls to the ground. Dropping the knife, Derek turns and runs.

Syri’s screams and the sound of feet hitting the pavement in hot pursuit mingle with the last song of the night that continues rippling through the atmosphere.

Jade Gibbons is an arts and business graduate with a keen interest in social issues and film-making. See https://www.jadegibbons246.com