The Death of 1977 (Book 3)

The rain is a delight. It races down from Heaven above like shimmering crystals. Its glare blinds my eyes as the flourishing, green pastures cascade over one another in a...

Out of frustration, Lynnette scribbled over her writings before attempting to retry her hand at her craft, only, her hand all of the sudden saw fit to remain stationary.

She looked up and around at her environment, from the withering branches on an old bamboo tree that she was seated underneath, to the oversaturating rain that was causing her already deep depression to worsen by the day. By that point, writing something as simple and plain as the word "The" was about as prolific as jumping into a lake.

She watched lethargically as various people went in and out of The Kabal restaurant; a nice little dive located just a hundred yards from the shoreline.

Clothed in an orange and black, tie-dyed mini-skirt, matching blouse and headscarf, Lynnette listened to the thumping of music that was coming from the reggae-themed establishment. By then, however, the brand of music had all but worn thin on her. It wasn't that she didn't enjoy or like reggae, but so much of it back to back was starting to cause her to lose her own natural rhythm.

"Lynn!" A young, black woman from the backdoor of The Kabal called out waving.

Rolling her eyes, Lynnette took her notepad and pen, stuffed them into the backside of her skirt and proceeded to climb down from off the wooden fence she was sitting upon.

With only a newspaper covering her head, the young lady ran back across the sand and towards the restaurant until she approached the backdoor.

"You almost late, little girl," the woman scolded Lynnette as she held the door open for her.

Cleaning off the wetness, Lynnette dropped her newspaper onto the floor before saying, "Clea, I still had three minutes left on my break."

Making her way back over to a simmering stove where three other black men were steadily cooking, Clea responded, "It no matter, child, we just got de afternoon rush in. You should be used to dis by now."

The kitchen possessed the aromatic smells of both seafood and fruit. There was a tiny, steamed up cracked mirror that was perched upon the wall next to the backdoor. Lynnette checked her facial features and straitened her scarf before rushing by Clea on her way out into the dining area.

Bob Marley's, 'Three Little Birds' was playing on the stereo system as people either sat and waited to be served or were exiting the building. Lynnette whipped out her notepad and pen and approached the first table she laid eyes on where a white couple was already seated.

From one table to another the woman took orders, chatted with and at times laughed with patrons. Plates were brought in and out, tips were taken, and at most times, flirtatious actions from men were politely ignored until six p.m. crawled around. The restaurant remained open until 2 a.m., but Lynnette and a few others' shifts were complete for the day. She, along with Clea and the three cooks all began their nightly trek to their various homes. With umbrellas being their only shield against the rain, Lynnette and Clea carried on towards a nearby shantytown where cars, trucks and mopeds were careening through the streets, carelessly splashing water to and fro without a second thought to who they could have been offending.

"Did ya ever manage to get de pads dat ya needed, girl?" Clea asked.

Blushing, Lynnette whispered, "You don't ask that out in the open public, girl."

"And why not," Clea shrugged. "We all women need dem!"

"I know, but—

"Hail up!" A young, black man with a multi-colored beanie cap approached Lynnette to her side.

Startled, Lynnette inadvertently bumped against Clea. "Oh, where did you come from, Jose?" She laughed.

"I be around, here and dere." He smiled from ear to ear.

Clea playfully nudged Lynnette's shoulder in the attempt to get her to walk closer to Jose. Lynnette only grabbed the woman by the hand and squeezed as tight as she could.

"Weh yud deh pan?" Jose asked.

Appearing confused, Lynnette turned up her nose, "I didn't quite understand."

"I asked, what are you up to?"

just say

to get you used to our language, since you be

Clea's hand. "How are things down

Jose remarked. "When will you

said. "I gotta see how much money I can make due

get home to me kids and feed dem!" She whimsically parted ways with the two. "I see you tomorrow at work,

as the woman cut down an alley and out of sight. That in turn left both her and Jose all alone. It wasn't what she desired, but at least she could divert her attention

learning a few

Jose perked up. "And what

know that Irie

Jose clapped his

you, thank you." Lynnette

long

in a playful fashion, Lynnette stated, "You always ask

to know, Lynn!"

"Why is that?"

then stood in front of Lynnette and stared her straight in her eyes. The woman stared right back at his

own warm hands. "I really have been wanting to take you to de end of de mountains, where de waterfalls lie. And den after dat, I wanted to show you where dey

Lynnette winced with a giggle. "To tell you the God's honest truth, I think I've only seen one 007 movie in my life. I never really was into those

cares for him either."

second. She could sense the man's good intentions, and yet, it was the intention that caused her heart to

head, Lynnette replied, "I'll think about it. As long as it's not raining

Jose skipped a beat before kissing Lynnette's hand. "I shall see you tomorrow

told Cusha that you would stop by for

rain, Jose yelled, "I must go and tell my

she had been standing at her shelter all along. Passing by two old men playing dominoes underneath an umbrella at a small table, she ran up the corroded,

to the laundry that was perched outside on various strings. The smell of marijuana hanging deftly in the warm, rainy air combined with cooking food and the raw stench of urine

back around and twisted the doorknob. Almost immediately she was bombarded by the aromas of jerk chicken boiling in a pot that was dangling over an open fire. On a mat that was lying next to the pot were cut up avocadoes and what looked

usual, but at least Lynnette was out of the soaking rain. Getting dry quickly never seemed to be too much of a chore. Lynnette placed her umbrella down next

cloth skirt came in through a blanket that was blocking

to pause for a second or two while trying to comprehend what Cusha

today."

heavily while carrying a basket full of avocadoes into the room, only for her to drop them

outside." Lynnette answered before rushing over to aid Cusha. "What are all

wiped sweat from her face and said, "Dere be a big party for dear old Master Goodun. A big birthday bash, ya

"I hate it when you call that man master. He may be your employer, but he's not your

well, girl. Well enough

to begin with, lady." Lynnette snidely

"Dere be more dan enough for

at the little table for two and watched as Cusha sat Indian-style down on the floor and started

to go and lie down. There was something always startling to her about Cusha's laborious detail that seemed

work today?" Cusha asked without

was okay." Lynnette sighed. "This rain is really getting

to what we had to see way

bring that up, lady."