SHORT STORY...,

[Bink - the Only]

Re: SHORT STORY...,

i hope you will accept this story as it has NOTHING to do with jamaica or jamaicans. it is, however, centered around one american woman who loves jamaica and many jamaicans.

deep sigh -- let's see how this one works out. btw, this is a true story.

bink went to the doctor in mid-september. she was sick and tired of always being sick and tired. she could fall asleep sitting up at work. (poor lady does not have internet access. i am certain if she did, she would stay awake posting and reading on jam.com)

bink was diagnosed with high blood pressure and was given the evil drugs. she was then sent to the lab for "tests".

she hates taking drugs, but accepted that she must do this as her mother had high blood pressure and 10 years ago had some catacylismic event that left her a PNB (pulse-less non-breather) for 20 minutes! [img]/forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif[/img] and, mother lived for 5 more years --- not a pretty picture.

next bad news is that bink gets a call from the doc and is told that her blood glucose level is high - e.g., diabetes! no drugs, just told to get a glucometer and keep track of what is going on. bink dutifully goes out and gets her glucometer and strips and lancets.

within one week, bink has been taking her bp meds and checking her blood glucose level religiously. she is having nurses at work check her blood pressure and it has been on a roller coaster -- up and down, ad nauseum.

on a tuesday, one of bink's co-workers who is a nurse made a comment about bink's feet looking "blue". hmmmm ... teach her to wear sandals in early - October.

by friday, bink was freaking. she noticed when she came home from work and changed clothes, that not only were her feet blue, she was blue all the way up to her knees.

having some knowledge of diabetes and the damage it can cause to one's feet as well as what blood pressure can do to a person, she chose to do her usual thing and just ignore it! after all it was friday evening and she well hunkered down in her home. trying to ignore her cyanosis.

around 8 pm, she starts worrying. she calls her best friend who is a nurse (albeit a psych nurse) and tells her what is going on and that her bp was taken at work today and was 144/102 and the blood glucose level she took in the morning was over 200.

"oh, and, by the way, did i mention my legs are BLUE?"

bink asked her friend if she could wait until the next day to check this out. sue, her friend, screamed into the phone "NO, you need to go to the ER now. do you want me to pick you up and take you?"

bink assured sue that she could make it to the er. bink dresses and silently (or not so silently) curses herself for making that call. she jumps into her car and starts driving to the ER. half way there, she is really po'ed at herself because it is friday night and she is going to the ER and she did not bother bringing anything to read. she knows she will be there FOREVER.

bink pulls into a parking space and walks into what she believes is the ER. after looking around a huge room and seeing only one person sitting there, she is compelled to ask the lady at the desk if this is the er.

after being assured it is the er, lady takes all the appropos info and bink is swept away by a tech who takes her bp and pulse and respirations. all is well. the triage nurse comes in and asks questions. after explaining all, the nurse is very concerned.

nurse sends bink to "check out" cause, you know, you gotta pay first! [img]/forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img]

immediately, bink is rushed into an exam room. two nurses come and poke and prod. a cute little doc comes in. bink is asked the same questions over and over -- "are you short of breath? are you dizzy? do you feel pain?"

"no" "no" "no" bink explains that she feels fine.

the resident brings in another doc to check bink out. same questions; same answers. then one more doc comes in -- he asks nothing -- just looks and sighs and leaves.

four different nurses are coming in and looking at bink. ~~ obviously, a very slow evening in an ER ~~

one nurse came in three times -- back and forth. on her third trip, she reached into a cupboard and pulled out an alcohol wipe -- opened it up -- swabbed it on one of bink's legs -- held it up and said, "dye".

bink's legs had blue dye on them!

bink is horribly embarassed by this turn of events and makes a huge effort at attempting to maintain some level of dignity.

her cute little resident comes in and tells her how lucky they all are as they were ready to do 200K worth of tests on her.

she was soooooo thrilled that he shared that!

nurse was washing bink's leg with soap and water and bink tells her to STOP. just give her her clothes and she is outta there.

bink assures all that she bathes everyday -- sometimes twice a day.

as bink makes her way outta the room in the er, her delightful little resident calls across the room --- "ah, another cure for kaiser!" bink gives him the one finger salute and she walks out.

bink looks at her discharge instructions when she got home. they said "keep legs clean" [img]/forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif[/img] [img]/forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif[/img]

next day, bink dresses to go on a marathon shopping trip. she comes home around 5 pm and takes off her clothes -- including the knee hi hose she wore.

hmmmm ... once again, her legs are blue!

no cyanosis here, just a reaction to hose.

bink laffed and laffed and laffed and laffed. she went two days later to er and handed them the "evidence".

=============================================

wow, this third person stuff is weird!

[Nunya]

Re: SHORT STORY...,

I am dying [img]/forums/images/graemlins/704555_dwl.gif[/img]

[Queen]

Re: SHORT STORY...,

[qb]bink looks at her discharge instructions when she got home. they said "keep legs clean"[/qb]

[img]/forums/images/graemlins/704555_dwl.gif[/img] [img]/forums/images/graemlins/704555_dwl.gif[/img] Bink, mi feel shame fi yuh [img]/forums/images/graemlins/704555_dwl.gif[/img] [img]/forums/images/graemlins/704555_dwl.gif[/img]

[Chrissy72]

Re: SHORT STORY...,

The country lady's new life.

*on the intercome*

Pandora Flemming! Pandora Flemming...will you please report to the Manager's office?!

"Massy mi King, a cudda wha mi duh agen mek dem want mi inna haffice?"

Pandora's last visit to the office was for being at work late for the second consecutive day in one week. She signed the warning letter and apologized to the General Manager Mrs. Bent who warned her the thrid in a week would lead to a suspension. She couldn't afford that so she made sure not to be late again.

"Yes ma'am...mi neva late none tall afta Chuesdey ma'am" Pandora explained as she made her way to the awaiting GM.

"Calm down Miss Flemming, that's not the reason you were paged, have a seat please" the GM said pointing to the chair provided for guests to that office.
"We have gotten back the replies from the office in Boston and you are on the list to be prepared for that office...I know you are a pretty good worker and is dedicated to what you are doing but..."
Pandora could not control her excitement she did not allow the GM to finish her statement.

"Mi nah guh late agen ma'am, mi mek a promise to miself and to you arredy so yuh nuh haffi worry bout mi getting anedda late day fi miss diss trip...an ma'am a close fren ah mine work pon one farm work a Canida ah him tell mi how dem strick pon farrin work...im sey rain, shine arr su'no yuh haffi diddey early...tank yuh ma'am anyting else yuh haffi tell mi?"

"I will keep you updated and tell you the necessary things you need to prepare as the time will be soon...I am happy you know the basics rules to working abroad...I know you won't let me down doing your job, but I need to speak to you about something else, but for now that's all..thanks Pandora"

"A mi fi tank yuh ma'am...mi very greatful wha yuh duh fimi".

Pandora marched off to her work station in a gleeful manner with a wide grin on her face. The day was almost over, she could hardly wait to get the good news to her mother and grandmother home. The daily journey was 30 miles long, 15 both ways, the times the journey took varied on how heavy the traffic was. Maximum travel time be one hour and 15 minutes as Pandora clocked on her digital watch she had gotten two years ago for a Christmas gift in the yearly secret Santa at her work place. Today's 55 minutes journey seemed to be more than two hours as she was anxious to getting the good news to her family.
As Pandora approached the small house that she shared with her mother and grand, there was a small crowd gathered under a huge tree in the middle of the yard. Most of the faces were gloomy, she glanced quickly insearch of her dear mother who wasn't insight. She raced indoors without saying a word to anyone as she feared something had happen to the only parent she knew with the exception of her grandmother. None of her immediate relatives were present. She was afraid to getting the bad news as an elder walked towards her she bursted in a loud cry.

"Whey mama an granny dey?" she asked. Her cry got louder as she was informed that they were both in a place where God will keep them safe. She knew they had died when Miss Becky gave her the news as that was the favorite phrase for Miss Becky when someone died from the community.

"'Ow dem dead mah, wha kill dem...di two a dem juss dead so one time?"

"Afta yuh leff dis mawnin, we hear yuh madda dey bawl out fi help...so Mass Gustos and him son dem rush ova wid dem mashate as we tink sumaddy did bruk een pan dem...ongle fi come see yuh granny dead...tiff tone dead inna har sleep an yuh madda a shake har fi wake up...natta wud outa yuh granny mout narr a quint fram har yie dem...mi didda try fi console har, but look like sey har blood pressha rise an tek whey fi har life to..."

Pandora held her stomach in a cruch crying as the old lady spoke.

"Wha mi deggo duh now Lawd...'ow mi go survive b'dout mama an granny? Law Jeezam sumaddy elp mi...whooiii mi belly"

Pandora was consoled by the same woman who broke the news who brought her to a calm and also informed her that her mother and grand were both at the City Hospital's morgue.

A week had passed since the funeral. Pandora had kept her promise, never being late even in the hard times handling the loss of her mother and grand. She was even the most productive for that week on the job, her Supervisor and Manager were quite impressed with her endeavours owing to reach to Boston for a better life as she had told Mrs.Bent. That very month she was awarded employee of the month, had her picture hung on the bulletin board and she took home a sum of $5000 and a trophy with her name,company name and title engraved.

Three days before Pandora would depart for Boston. The company helped her getting ready for her trip, she was more than ready and over excited. She missed her mother and felt sorry as she had promised her mother a "good life" upon her getting the chance to work abroad from the application as she was positive she would make the trip. She counted down the days, each day she visited the twin grave and spoke to her beloved mother and grand, laughing and talking as if they were replying. On the final day, she made a promise.

"Mama, mi know yuh dey hear mi...mi pramise yuh sey mi wudda tek good care ah yuh wen mi guh a farrin...mi go kip mi pramise...wen mi come back di first ting mi go duh is fix up fi yuh an granny grave...mi neva have di money fi put unoo inna pretty coffin and pretty grave, but mi pramise to mi hawt fi mek unno atleast spend unno time whey unoo lay now inna good life...mi sarry unoo not even did get di news eida, but mi know God tell unoo arredy"

And she bursted in tears as she bent and kissed the twin grave.

Eight months later, Pandora landed in Montego Bay Jamaica, no one to meet and greet her interms of relatives. She hugged her neighbor Miss Becky, who was two hours early prior to the 4pm arrival time she read in the last mail from Pandora. Mass Gustos volunteered to do the pick up. She was happy to be back home and couldn't wait to go to her mother and grandmother's graveside to tell them about her experience and achievments.

The grave area was de-bushed, she was pleased to seeing that...she sat on the grave and started talking while the men took her belongings from the old ford truck.

"Mama, first thing tomorrow I will get some beautiful tiles and have Mister Stevens to do the mason work...I know you would love that mama...granny I know you are not the fussy type and would rather for me to do something else with the money as you always say "save yuh money Pandy, yuh fi save" Pandora smiled and while a tear fell from her eyes, she continued talking...
"Don't worry grandma, I saved enough money, I have enough for the time being for you, me and mama till I go back" She broke down in tears again as she went on talking.
"Mama I did not let you down, but I broke a promise I made to you...I met a wonderful man and we were dating upon my departure...I broke your promise and made one to him...I will be returning to marry him soon"

The next day, Pandora went to get the tiles and also to pay her GM a visit. She thanked her for the speech that helped her to brush up on her English Language and to speaking more of it.

Her life had turned completely around as she got ready for her second trip abroad. She anticipated to seeing the new love of her life who promised to return with her upon her next visit to the homeland of his Jamaican parents.

[sistactry]

Re: SHORT STORY...,

u a get nervous Neut.., [img]/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

Sorry Calvin,

Rule # 7. The short story must be an original work and should not have been published anywhere else prior to this competition.

the operative word here is ANYWHERE..,

again, I apologize for any misunderstanding..,

[sistactry]

Re: SHORT STORY...,

lawks me a get excited fe Pandy..,

nice story Chrissy..,

[neutral]

Re: SHORT STORY...,

Originally posted by Ctry:
[qb] u a get nervous Neut.., [img]/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]
[/qb]

yu seet to ctry [img]/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

[Chrissy72]

Re: SHORT STORY...,

Originally posted by Ctry:
[qb] lawks me a get excited fe Pandy..,

nice story Chrissy.., [/qb]

Thanks! Mi hope dah man is good to har.

[msportmore]

Re: SHORT STORY...,

Confession Is Good For The Soul
by Portmore.
********************************************

Confession they say is good for the soul. And as I sat staring at the empty bottle which just a few moments ago was filled with Heineken that embraced by taste buds and caused my throat to sing, I confessed. Not to man – for he too is filled with failures. Not to God for though my grandmother knew Him, He never wanted to know me and I didn’t blame him. I confessed to the only one I thought would understand. The green cold, empty and now sweating bottle. As I looked at the bottle, the events of the past months all came rolling in – just as the waves come crashing unto the beaches of Negril on a cool Summer evening.

While I sat there for what seemed like eternity in what seemed like a moment frozen yet passing by, I became angry. I became angry and my breathing got heavier. Thoughts flooded my mind and my palms began to sweat. Until I noticed that it really wasn’t my breathing…I was transfigured from the bar stool whereon I sat to the bedroom where it all began.

The breathing became heavier and the sweat poured down my face. But it wasn’t my sweat. And it wasn’t my breathing. I stared in the ceiling looking at the fan and every now and again I let out a moan – for the sake of pleasure I suppose. This was nothing new to me. It was his third trip to Jamaica in 7 months and each time he wanted me to be at his disposal all the time. It was hard trying to explain to my 3 children – the oldest being 8, that Mommy had to go on “business trips” on the north coast – or south coast – or whichever other coast he chose to explore next.

Being from the county, I was never use to the finer things in life. Many of my friends were wealthy but not I. My mother could barely afford to feed us. She had 6 children for 4 different men. The one I came to call Daddy died when I was 12 years old. Gunshot. Execution style. After that, there were different men but none was stable. I was the middle child. Always looking up to my older siblings and doing chores they forced me to do and always looking after the younger ones when Mama went to work up at Miss Claudette’s house overnight. My older siblings eventually left for Kingston and the rest of us stayed with Mama. Sometimes, we would go to bed with nothing in our stomachs but a glass of water and some oranges we got from our neighbour’s tree. Those nights were bad. Hard. But we made it. Me and my siblings would curl up on the bed and go to. Except for the occasional sob of Mama from the next room, my little brother sucking his finger, the creek of the bed that had me and all my siblings, and of course, the groans from our stomachs, the house was always still during those times of childhood hunger. I knew Mama was trying her best to keep a roof over our heads. One day she would send my brother to school and the next day my sister.

It was during those formative years that I made an unspoken vow to myself and to my children. I would never allow them to go to bed hungry. Regardless of what I had to do. They would always be fed. And they would get an education…so that they could feel as if they were of worth when they became of age.

Whenever he showed up, my 2 youngest children would call him “Uncle Frank”. They knew him only as the man who gave me a ride to my business trips – the one who gave them little gifts and made them laugh. But my oldest child knew. I could see it in her eyes whenever I left. It was the kind of stare that an 8 year old should never have in her eyes. Perhaps she did know, or had an idea. Did she really know that her mother was on her way to the North Coast to sleep with this man in order to get money to pay bills? I was too ashamed to find out.

Frank seemed to be in a particularly chirpy mood and I wasn’t sure why. I wasn’t saying much because all I could think about was the look in my child’s eyes as I dropped them off at my friend’s house for the week. I didn’t want to do this. I didn’t want to go off and be with this man. I wanted to go home. To hug my children. To find what I considered a decent job. And provide for them. But I couldn’t get a good job. Times were hard and I didn’t have much of an education. What would you do?

We got back to the hotel and I could see the look in some of the patrons eyes as they saw Frank and I emerge from the car. A look of disgust. From foreigners and non-foreigners alike. Were they looking at us? Now that I think about it, I’m not sure. But it certainly felt that way at the time. And I hated myself for it.

After 3 days of the regular and not-so-regular, I was utterly disgusted with myself and just wanted to leave this place. I kept seeing my daughter’s eyes every time I looked in the mirror.

So as I lay there and he pumped, I cried silently. Praying – though I wasn’t sure who I was praying to - for the morning to come. Finally, it came and I crawled out of bed and took a nice long hot shower. That’s one thing I loved about being here. The hot showers. It gave me a chance to think and try to wash away my sins with the heat of the water.

I stepped out of the bathroom and told Frank I wanted to leave. I was sore and miserable and I just want to be paid for the 3 days. You don’t even have to take me home. I’ll take a taxi. Frank got angry. Why did I want to leave? He said. Why not stay the whole week? Why do you think I came all this way to this place? Certainly not for 3 days. Just give me my money so I can leave – I say. Frank decided he wouldn’t pay me unless I stayed with him the whole week. As the words came out of his mouth I felt my temperature rise. Maybe it was my blood pressure. Maybe both. He became to me every man in my life that had ever hurt my mother. Every man in my life that had ever hurt me. He became the society that refused to give me a job. He became my father who died when I was only 12. He became poverty that I grew to hate so much. He became my frustrations. He became every thing I hated.

By the time I was through, the glass vase on top of the tv was broken and bloody and Frank lay on the floor. Lifeless.

Without thinking, I stepped over him and headed for his wallet. I took every dollar he had in it and all his traveller’s cheques. I didn’t take the cards. I took another hot shower, calmly got dressed and went downstairs to get a Heineken.

So now here I sit. Bottle in hand, cash & cheques in pocket.

I need to get a taxi so I can go home and hug my children.

[Calvin]

Re: SHORT STORY...,

That's a very sad story, Portmore. I enjoyed it but it made me feel a little depressed. It has the ring of truth to it, though. Is it in any way based on any personal experiences of yourself or any family members? Just curious. Don't feel you need to reply if you don't want too.

Calv

[msportmore]

Re: SHORT STORY...,

Calvin, in response to your question, no.

[sistactry]

Re: SHORT STORY...,

very nice Ms Portmore, very nice indeed.,

[Calvin]

Re: SHORT STORY...,

Thanks Portmore. I didn't mean to be intrusive and I certainly wasn't suggeting that you were on the run for murder!!!! [img]/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]

It's just that most stories I write have some autobiographical element to them, even if they are not direct factual accounts. What I do is take bits of my personal experiences and other peoples, add them to the pot, stir it around a bit and see if something readable comes out.

[Vi]

Re: SHORT STORY...,

Infiel

Charles approaches the door to his home. His place of refuge from all the events that transpired in his life over the last 10 hours. Just thinking about what’s waiting for him on the opposite side of this door, brings a slight smile to his face. He places the key in the lock but was stopped by the aroma of a very familiar scent. Curried goat. Nina, his wife, was preparing curried goat for dinner. Nina cooking this good meal wasn’t always a good thing. Most times it meant that she was angry about something. For her, preparing curried goat was therapeutic because there was so much involved in making it. In the process she was able to work off both physical and emotional energy. The kitchen would be cluttered with dirty pots and pans. Open jars of spices scattered from one end of the counter to the next. A finished pot of curried goat meant she worked off her anger and all was fine. If she was still cooking when Charles got home, that meant he was the problem and nothing could or would be resolved without him

He turned the key and opened the door. He could hear the piercing clash of metal against metal. He closed his eyes and softly whispered; “Please Nina, not tonight."
He entered the house and sat his briefcase next to the recliner near the closet door. After a quick thought, he picked it up and sat it in the closet where Nina had insisted he do at least a hundred times. "I'm already in some kind of trouble; don't need to add to it."

Taking a deep breath, he went into the kitchen.
"Hi Baby" he said as he wraps his arms around her waist and kisses her neck. "You okay??"
Nina quickly shifts her body to the side hoping Charles didn't feel the folded letter in her apron pocket.
"Charles, I'm fine."
"Looks like you've been cooking all day. No school?
"No." She offered not further explanation.
After a moment of silence, he gives her another quick kiss on the cheek and goes up stairs to shower. Tired, hot and hungry, he is in no mood to play therapist.
Nina turns towards the window and breaks down in tears. She lowers the volume on the stereo and listens for the sound of the water falling in the shower. The shower starts. This is her cue. She heads to the phone and speed dials Misty, her best friend since college.
"Hello?"
"Misty??"
"Yes..Nina is that you???"
"Yeh." Nina’s voice begins to crack.
"Nina, are you alright? Are you crying? What's wrong??? Is Charles alright??"
"YES, yes, he's fine. VERY fine as a matter of fact."
"Nina...."
"Misty, Charles is having another affair."
"What!! Nina no. I can't believe that. Nina, Charles has been nothing but faithful to you since...well..for the past 3 years. I'm sure he still is."
"I thought he was too until this afternoon."
"What happened this afternoon that changed all that??"
"A letter came for him and I opened it."
"Oh Nina...girl, why?"
"Look, I don't usually open Charles' mail, but there was something about this letter that I could not ignore. I had to open it."
"What does it say??"
Nina's eye begin to water even more as she reaches into the apron pocket and unfolds the sweet scented letter. She cleared the knot within her throat and read.
"Dearest CJ, I will be in town on Friday, August 17th. Festival Inn, room 407. Won’t you join me at 7pm. I look forward to getting to know you better."
Oh Nina...Baby girl, I'm coming right over."
"No Misty...Charles is upstairs. We wouldn’t be able to talk"
"Did the hussy sign it?"
Yes...Olivia. She even left a very expensive signature line. She laced the letter with "Infiel"
"Infiel??? Please don’t tell me she sprinkled a $75. an half ounce perfume on some paper??"
"Misty!! I don't care if it was soaked in gasoline and burst into flames when I opened it. That's not the point. The issue is it comes from a woman. A woman MY husband is seeing."
"I'm sorry girl, but you know how I am about my fumes. But Nina, it's been over 3 years. He would never hurt you like that again.."

Nina had almost forgotten about what happened three years ago. She went to visit her family in Jamaica for 2 months. Charles couldn't go because he had just made partnership with the firm. Married 2 years, they thought they could handle the separation so Nina went without him. It was easy for her because she was constantly busy with family things. Charles on the other hand had no one. Being without Nina all those days and nights, evolved into being without a woman. One evening in a moment of weakness, he gave in to the advances of a co-worker. Although neither he nor she wanted anything other than physical satisfaction, it still didn’t make it right. He told Nina everything. She was devastated. However, she forgave him with two promises…1) She would never bring up the incident again, 2) She would leave him and never return if he did it again – no talking, no explanation, no forgiveness.

“Nina??? Nina??? NINA!!”
“What?!”
“You just can’t jump the gun on this. You’ve got to know what’s going on, if this is true.”
“Misty I’m holding the proof.”
“No, you’re holding is a piece of paper that smells good.”
The sound of the shower stops.
“I gotta go Misty. I’ll call you later.”
“Nina..!!”
“Misty..gotta go…bye..” Nina hangs up the phone, dries her eyes, tucks the letter back into the apron pocket and goes upstairs.

Charles is in his robe, lying on the bed watching the news. Nina takes off the apron and throws it on the desk chair. She goes into the bathroom, closes the door and starts the shower. Charles spots the envelope, carefully removes it from her apron and quickly reads.
“WHAT?!?!?” I’m going to kill him!
After replacing the letter, Charles pulls on his slacks, grabs his car keys and heads out the door.
Soon after, Nina comes out of the bathroom. “Charles???”
She glances at the apron, but couldn’t tell if it had been moved or not. She removes the letter from the pocket and places it in her “drawer of personals”, Charles NEVER looks in there.

Knock, Knock, Knock…ring…ring…ring!!!
“Who is it???
“Open the door man, it’s me!”
“What’s up big brother?”
“Man, what have you gotten me into now?”
“Whatcha mean?”
“A letter came to the house address to CJ Everette. It was from a girl name Olivia. Do you know someone name Olivia??”
“Oh Yeah! The little honey I met at this professional job fair about a month ago. WOW! She wrote, she’s gonna be in town soon.”
“Yeh, August 17th. What were you doing at a job fair?
“August 17th, that’s tomorrow. Oh…the job fair. Picture this, nothing but fine, intelligent professional women dressed to impress and smelling their best. I just roam around from booth to booth, starting small talk, you know, make them think I’m interested in applying for a position. In the meantime, I find out a little about them, make arrangements to meet later and well the rest is blissful history. Where..what hotel is she staying at?”
“So now you scour job fairs looking for women??? Man you need help. Your obsession with women is going to cause you to make a mistake that you will bring you to tears. Oh the spot, she’ll be at the…the…(Charles snaps his fingers hoping something would click)…the Festive Inn. Yeh the Festive Inn. Man, you’re not going are you??? What for, you have a woman, a good strong, fine woman at that.”
“Yeh I know…and I love tangling with my tigress, but from time to time, I just want to cuddle up with a kitten. Do you remember the room number?”
“Look Jet, you gotta talk to Nina.”
“WHY on earth do you want me to talk to Nina???”
“Because she read the letter and thinks it is for me.”
“WHAT??? Does that mean…she…cooked curried goat?”
“Enough to feed all of Philadelphia. I think it’s her best batch ever.”
“Whoa big bro, she must be hot with you.”
“That’s why you gotta tell her the truth, the letter is for you.”
“Why can’t you tell her?”
“She won’t believe me. Besides, she doesn’t know that I read the thing.”
“Well there is your answer. She’s not going to bring it up. So just stay home tomorrow and give her what she wants…all night long.”
“We’re talking about Nina. She WILL bring it up and she WON’T believe any explanation coming from me. Talk to her before 7:00 tomorrow, Jet.”
“Man, I don’t know if I’m ready to face the wrath of tropical storm Nina.”
“Jet…you have no other choice. What’s worse…facing a storm or the claws of a wild cat???”
“Charles, that’s cold. Alright, I’ll talk to Nina. Then I’ll gab myself a big old bowl of that goat.”
“Look, just don’t forget. Before 7:00.”
“I won’t forget. What is Ms. Olivia’s room number??”

Switch to Nina laying in bed reading the card…

“Room 407, 7pm…Festival Inn…” She remembers Misty advising her not to jump the gun. “So what does that mean, I have to play detective??? No, I don’t because my man is faithful and he will be here with me at 7 o’clock tomorrow, August 17th. If he knows what’s good for him.” Nina hears Charles enter the house. She tucks the letter under her pillow and covers her head with the blanket. Charles slowly climbs the stairs wondering if Nina is going to mention the letter. The room is dark and Nina is faking sleep. That’s fine with him.

The next morning, Charles wakes up to find Nina gone. The letter lies on her pillow with a note she wrote. “Charles, do you know anything about this???”
Charles grabs the phone and calls his brother.
“Hey. Nina, left the letter. I told you she wouldn’t just let this slide by. You’ve got to talk to her.”
“Charles, all you gotta do is be home before 7.”
“We’ve already gone through this Jet. You have to talk to her before 7. I’ll wait outside until you leave. You be there at 6. Hear me?? Jet!…do you hear me???”
“Yeah, Yeah, I hear you. I’ll be there.”

“Nina, did you talk to Charles?”
“No Misty. I just left the thing on his pillow asking him if he knew anything about it.”
“Nina, why didn’t you just talk to the man.”
“What for, he would only lie. Besides, I can’t stand the sight of him right now.”
“Nina, you’ve got to give him a chance.”
“He’s got until 7:05 tonight to clear this mess up or I’m outta here. I mean it Misty. No talk, no explanations no forgiveness. I put in for a two week leave, on stand-by. If he is not here with me tonight at 7pm, I’m out of here on the first flight to Jamaica. Look, I gotta get back to these kids. I’ll call you sometime tonight.”

It’s 4:50 and Charles comes home to an empty house. “I guess I’m getting a taste of my own medicine.” He goes upstairs to change. Nina arrives shortly after and goes into the kitchen. Charles enters and tries to embrace her, but she distances herself from him.
“Look Nina, sweetheart, I give you my word, I don’t know anything about that letter.”
Nina didn’t answer. She just glanced at him with a look of disbelief.
“I can see that it is useless to say anything else.”
“Charles…”
“Nina, I don’t know who that is. I’m telling you the truth.”

Whether it’s true or not, it painful to relive the pain of uncertainty. Her eyes fill with tears. Again Charles tries to hold her, but she walks away. Charles glances down at his watch. 5:45. He didn’t realize the mistake he was making checking the time at this particular moment until he looked up into Nina’s eyes. She turns and walks out of the room without saying a word. He wanted to stop her, but there really wasn’t time for consoling and reassuring her. It was almost 6:00 and Jet is going to be there soon and he will straighten everything out. Charles leaves the house and drives off. Nina stands at the window and watches.

6:10. Nina is home waiting for Charles. Charles is sitting in his car a couple of houses down so that he could see his brother when he comes and goes. Jet was on his way to the motel. Misty was on her way to be with Nina.

6:20. Misty arrives. “Have you heard from him Nina?”
“No. He left and didn’t say goodbye. I’m going to that motel and turn it out!!!”
“No Nina. Let’s just wait here. Better yet, let’s watch a movie—where is “Waiting to Exhale”??
“Misty, that’s not funny. Where is he?? That’s it, he’s with her. How could he do this to me???”
“Nina, chill…please.”
“Misty, has this ever happened to you???
“Sista please. No one plays me. I can tell when a man is merely thinking about cheating. If I get that vibe, I cut em’ off before they even know what hit them.”
“Oh really???”
“Take my man. He has to be the most faithful man I have ever been with. I never have to worry about him stepping out on me.”
“So you don’t think he has ever messed around with someone else, but you just never found out?”
“Nina, there are some women who just can’t be dogged. I’m one of them.”
“Misty, I wish I could be that confident about my man.”
“Nina, Charles IS faithful to you. He loves you more than his own life. I still believe there is an explanation for all this. Maybe she’s just a trifling individual who is trying to get him in trouble.”
But why?”
“Maybe he turned her down and she’s getting back at him. I don’t know! But I do know Charles is not cheating.”
“I hope you’re right Misty. What would you do if you found out your man cheated on you?”
“I would probably shoot him.”

They both broke out into a devilish laughter. Misty gave her friend a reassuring hug and left.

Nina sat on the couch, tempted to ring Charles’ cellie, she couldn’t bear to hear his voice yet. Charles sees Misty leave. He glances at this watch. What 7:45!! Where is he??? Charles calls Jet on his cell but he doesn’t answer. He starts the car and heads for the motel.

“When can I see you again?”
“Oh that’s hard to say. I don’t have anything scheduled for this area in the near future. But you never know, things change and if they do, I’ll be sure to get in touch with you.”
“That sounds good m’lady Olivia. I hope I can last until then.”
“I’m sure you have plenty of women to keep you occupied until I come back into town. Now give me one last, strong tight hug to hold me over until next time..and there WILL be a next time.”
“I think I can handle that request.”
Olivia and Jet kiss passionately one last time. They say their good byes and Jet is on his way. He turns on his cell to check for any messages and sees the time flash. “8:10??? Damm…oh no…Nina! Charles is going to kill me. Hope I’m not too late.”
Jet gets into his car to drive away when he spots Charles’ white Bonneville parked to the side, but he wasn’t in it. Not wanting Charles to know that he was just leaving and hadn’t talked to Nina yet, he exits out the rear lot of the hotel and heads to see Nina.

“So the letter was for you??? Jet! Where did you meet this woman and how did she get our address?”
“OOhh…uhhh…she works at this cell phone joint. She was sweatin me for my number, but I gave her your address to get her off my back. I just forget to warn Charles about it.”
“Jet did you go to see her??”
“NO NINA, of course not! I only know about the letter because Charles told me about it.”
“Thanks for stopping my Jet. I mean a part of me wants to believe you, but I still have my suspicions. Where is my husband right now!!”
“I don’t know Nina.”
Jet takes Nina into his arms and holds her close to calm her. His strong embrace relaxes her tenseness. Nina was at first comfortable with sharing his space until she noticed a familiar scent. Infiel. “That Misty is so compulsive.” She silently thought to herself. “She went out and bought the perfume.” She smiled and looked up at Jet.

“What was my girl doing with you left?”
“Oh I haven’t seen Misty all day.”
Nina’s heart dropped as she stepped out of his arms. “You didn’t see her all day???”
“No. She was gone when I woke up and I have not been home yet.”
“Oh…I see…”

Nina knew now that Charles was telling the truth and that Jet lied when he said he didn’t go to see Olivia.
“I better get home to Misty. You know how she is when I’m late. I’ll never hear the end of it.”
“Sure Jet…and thanks for coming by.”
Jet kisses Nina on the cheek. She almost became ill at his touch.
She thought to herself, “Misty is going to kill that man”.
Soon after Charles returns home. Nina was there to greet him at the door with a tender kiss and loving embrace. Charles knew that Jet had been there and all is well.
“Charles, I’m so sorry for doubting you.”
“Let’s not talk about it baby. Just as long as you know I would never, ever hurt my babygirl again.”
“I know you won’t. But you have to stop protecting your brother.”
“I know Nina. I think this will be his last time. I believe his luck has run out.”
“Yeh because the minute he walks in the door, Misty is going to know he was with that woman.”
“What do you think she’s going to do???”
“Shoot him…”

Three hours later, the night was still. In the distance you hear a resounding .. POW!”

In the midst of the darkness, Jet stands and stares at his Benz which was now housing most of his worldly possessions. In shock, and with eyes full of tears, he is bought to his knees and the only thing he can manage to utter is…damn tire.

[Yvonne N.]

Re: SHORT STORY...,

Tommy

Mrs. Major is not happy that that her dogs prefer to spend a great deal of time in my yard…even if it is only because they like Tommy. After all, Tommy is the neighbourhood “bad man” that everyone fears…but the neighbourhood friend when it comes to his pals.
He used to live down the road from me . That was until he fell in love with Mrs. Major’s Tequila, a chow chow mixed with …potcake.
He started visiting, taking a short-cut through my yard to see Miss Tequila.
Tommy and Tequila had several litters.
Lovely puppies.
Mr. Major always had takers but he always kept some for himself.
Sparky was one of those he kept. A pretty little miss: white with patches of brown. They love Sparky.
In the meantime, Miss Tequila is leaving the yard more and more frequently and nobody knows where she seems to be going but her. Forget about closing the gate. She jumps that fence with ease. She taught Gin, Sprite, and Guiness how to jump also.
In my mind’s eye I had seen her leaving for good. Something had been bothering her . I knew not what it was but I told her I would take care of her babies should anything happen to her.
One day, she never came back.
I started caring for the young pups.
The Majors did not seem to mind; I could easily reach over my fence into their built up rock garden, as it were. Feeding time was a cinch.
I now had an extended family. My two dogs had known no other family and so were pretty spoilt. Now they had a variety of “cousins" with whom they had to share, albeit across the fence.
Tommy continued to visit us in the evening hours but he seemed to start staying longer and longer.
One day the lady down the road, Mrs. T., Tommy’s owner, called me and said,
“My husband has been transferred overseas; we cannot take Tommy. We have seen that he likes your family. Is there any way you can keep him for us until we get settled in our new home?”
Somehow I knew they were never going to collect him. Somehow they didn’t seem sad about leaving him. Somehow, I felt relieved. Tommy was now, officially, a member of our family and we could shower all the attention we wanted to …on him.
On leaving day, I happened to get home from work early. The folks were just about getting into the car for the airport when I walked over to say goodbye. Tommy stood by the flower garden where they had fed him many a time, his head bowed. I called to him and said,
“I haven’t come for you; when you have said goodbye, you may come home”.
The little boy hugged Tommy.
The lady said, “Bye”.
I left for home; the tears in my eyes.
Tommy had been abandoned and I had seen it with my two eyes.
That evening I fixed party food. Tommy was going to be welcomed officially.
But you see, Tommy was already a step ahead of all of us.
Tommy had sensed that his owners were going to leave in a hurry and so he found his own new home (me) before they had a chance to farm him out like some stray German Shepherd mixed - breed looking for a freshly-dug, comfortable sleeping bay at the Humane Society’s compound up the road.
From my front lawn, I watched him.
He watched the car leave.
He stood at the gate for a few minutes.
Then, with an ever-so-slightly swung head,ears erect (or something like that) and his absolutely proud gait, he cantered home to us.
He had done his job in loving them.
The neighbourhood friend: Tommy!