“People at Play” Excerpt-Enero-2025- 1 of 2

This brief glimpse at segment of Flavia’s life. Mirrors many others, taking first step in working world. Might come as eyeopener, giving cause to pause and think. Lest One goes down similar path unawares. She was out high school, heard excited peers. Discussing college invites received. Study or boarding grants at their disposal. She smiled, and. “Oh! That is so great.” Soon got a job, inhaling cholesterol from burgers and fries grill. Whilst taking part time classes in medical billing and coding. Her mom worked in medical field, and advised. This vocation had endless possibilities for autobahn advancement, if luck had it. Mom told Sebastian about her daughter, just out high school. Very motivated and quick to learn. He was setting up practice and needed qualified staff. Unable to pay going salary, he asked to meet Flavia. Was smitten by an attractive, flirtatiously outgoing young woman. He figured, with a little push she could be moulded into efficient workplace asset. Exacting patience, her incompetence often bristled his last nerve. Sensing disquiet, she initiated appeasement, to which he succumbed like block ice on summer’s pavement. Us men are so easily bribed and distracted. It’s nothing short of miraculous, we survive to be old men. But, it’s “People at Play.” With guidance from mom, Flavia quickly learned how to engage and cope with business routine. Got client records, appointments and billing. Running, like Swiss clockwork. To aid her getting to office on time, or more so to facilitate their rendezvous. Sebastian bought her a used compact car, and life was just for living. Most men swear,  playing in mittens. Robs them half game’s pleasure. Leaves it to women to employ appropriate safeguards. You know, it’s always woman’s responsibility to protect the fort. Some women, by instinct or goading. Can see gleam at rainbow’s end. Leaves field wide open, encouraging hit or miss, home run. Was no surprise, when Flavia had their child, having stridently and in tears. Denounced Sebastian’s safe abortion offer. Named the child to honour it’s maternal grandfather. She had been told, some women who aborted first pregnancy. Had difficulty conceiving later, if they wanted to. Often accompanied by life threatening, 911 ER trip. Sebastian, although uncomfortable with developments, was not distressed. No doubt, soothed by balm that calmed. He sat her down for a pow-wow and got assurance. She would take steps to ensure, her child did not have a sibling by him. Quid pro quo, he bought her a new mid sized sedan. Moved her and baby into exclusive pied-a-terre apartment. Enrolled their child in better private school. Smiles and grins teemed. In situations as we have here with these two. It’s safe to assume, One is wheeler and other is dealer. It is a barely detectable kind of coercion, that might take on semblance of blackmail. But please, let’s not dress good intentions in cloak of dishonour. Still very uneasy, Sebastian took Flavia viewing model homes. Shortly after, mother and child moved into a cozy townhouse. By this time, amorous passion of One. Other or both, had slowly vapourized. Love nest and trysts were abandoned. Flavia’s mom came to live with daughter and granddaughter. Them who knows, will not tell, but it’s taken. There was now, relationship reversion. To strict employer employee conduct, between Sebastian and Flavia. So, we ask. What’s next? Flavia’s child graduated college, a lettered alumna. Flavia’s mom, in silent reflection on years and events past. Quietly praised Sebastian for all good gifts abounding. Said to friends in sworn secrecy, he was a good man. However, there was financial void, on brink becoming abyss. Time on the move. Thirty-odd, office thanksgiving parties later. Sebastian entered another life phase, sought buyers for his business. Wanting to enjoy fruits of labour, taking family on extended world tours. Without albatross of practice to run back to. What with Flavia directing cadre of staff. All of whom were more qualified than her. But, as was PanAm’s byline. You can’t beat experience. What a travesty. Minor matters aside, the business was quickly sold. Transfer imminent, Flavia got overly anxious. Began wondering if new owners would retain her position. After all, she had been doing this a number of years. Could manage the business, eyes closed. On other hand, owners were corporate investors with network of offices. Quite likely would want, person in office manager’s position. To be lettered and extremely knowledgeable on their organizational methods and operational functions. Given size and scope of operations. They probably had qualified staff, raring for chance of upward shift. Rather than trying to retrain someone, more than likely set in her way doing things. She thought long and hard on possible outcome, but was not comforted with gut feeling on the matter. Dinner deliberations with mom, that stretched into late night, did not alleviate the stress. Question would arise, whether or not she was given gratuity or redundancy purse, from sale profits. One could truthfully argue. She was rewarded during her tenure, with unprecedented generosity by Sebastian. Could also be convincingly argued. His generosity was borne out, wanting lovechild to enjoy existence, close to that of nested siblings. Even if she was given gratuitous sum. That would have quickly melted to mere smear, like butter against warm palette knife. Had it not been for loans taken often, against equity in her townhouse. Mortgage would have long ago been fully satisfied. Grandma saw compelling need, taking lovechild on cruises and sightseeing excursions to foreign lands. Whenever Sebastian and his brood, took to oceans or sky, on expeditions of discovery and pleasure. Saga continues

“People at Play” Excerpt-Enero-2025-2 of 2

Late 1970’s. Henry, the broker and Ralston, the hustler were clearing goods at NMIA. Ralston sometimes side manned for him, often engaged informal importers. Lending basic expertise, hopefully for monetary reward. He brought a woman to Henry, whose needs were beyond his expertise. She wanted PD (Passenger’s declaration) extract to clear items shipped by her from the USA. She did have excess quantities of merchandise. Hastened to explain. Family and friends gave clothing, food, appliances. By unsolicited goodwill, for extended family and household. Dire importance were, back-to-school items for her only daughter, whom she feared would miss school. Customs duty, $870 had been levied on what was deemed “commercial imports.” She ardently pleaded inability to pay. Hence, Henry was introduced by Ralston, as solution to dilemma. Not only were duties mitigated. Got PD and extract for barrels coming by ocean freight. That hurdle cleared, next task was getting goods home. Granny Louise ever postulated on wisdom, not lending her horse. Borrower will ask for saddle. Neither her saucepans, as neighbour will ask for firewood or coal. Henry told her he would and the charge would be affordable. This however would not be pronto, but later when close to her address. That settled, she asked ETA number 24 bus. Added in guarded whisper, a la stage aside. ”Me work with one old Mulatto, have mercy. Him miserable like cow at pasture without tail. Next thing him take half day from me pay and it so small already.” Arriving at her home, Henry was greeted royally. Introduced to neighbours as. “The nice gentleman I was talking bout. Look after everything for me. Never pay one red cent.” Her daughter came to fore and was introduced. Shy, attractive teenager about fifteen. Beaming with pride, mom told how she passed multiple exams. Was awarded scholarship to better high school, where she continued to excel. Result of mom’s incessant oversight. She was busy in kitchen, preparing evening’s meal. Creating aroma that caused salivating and hankering. Henry indicated not tarrying. Was prevailed on to stay for dinner. Sure sign, coffers were bare, and someone would be deprived full share. He graciously declined. Just then a young man came on scene. Whisked off to a nook by the woman. Both engaged in anxious whispered dialogue. Henry caught bits and pieces, learning. Young man was asked to pony up money. Towards settling delivery fee, that was not forthcoming. Fact is, Henry had not yet been asked or stated amount due. Confirmed by eavesdropping, there was no money to pay him. He assumed, jinnalship or trickery at work. Abandoned hopes of collecting. Wrote it off to doing a good deed, that would come back to him one day. Person and source unexpected. Some incidents are funny without anyone intending. Young man went inside. Henry was joined by woman on way to street. She volunteered an explanation, he regarded as “beating around the bush.” Or, as Granny Louise would say.“Flogging a dead horse.” Futile exercise she stridently warned against. Lore dictated, the horse would come to life and kick it’s tormentor. Having taken elbow in grasp, which Henry took as being pretentious. She began.“You see the Mulatto man me work with? Me is him floorwalker, and only reason him give time off to go airpo…”  Here, teenager approached. “Excuse me, mam, Mr. Barr…” She was paused by mom, who indignantly told her. “You don’t see me talking?! No baby not in house to drop off bed. So whatever it is, it can wait.” Young lady stepped back, her face reflecting anxiety and annoyance. Mom went on. ”Yes, sir. As I was saying. The old Mulatto trying hard hard to look me. Him don’t know. This is one potato hill, him hoe not going stir up. Now or never, ever.” Henry tittered lightly. Noticed, teen winced. Initially surprised, with wide stared eyes and chin to chest, possibly embarrassed. Mom went on, oblivious to teen’s presence. “Me is Christian, me have to go church and praise me Jesus.” Henry said, he had to go. Was asked cost of delivery. Told it was gratis, she was beside herself expressing gratitude for day’s combined efforts. Redounding to her benefit and it being her rare, good fortune to meet him. When she was adrift without rudder. He had been godsend. One could think, she was testifying from a revival pulpit. Walked to truck, hugged him, too long, saying. “Feel free to drop in when you in the area, or better yet. Put yourself in the area and come visit anytime you feel like. No man not here to bust you head. Is me and me daughter alone deh here. You always welcome.” Let’s remove veil of anonymity. Mom, was Miss Doreen, to neighbours. Daughter, was Primrose. Shortly after, inevitably. Henry became frequent visitor. In course of one month, more or less, he was regarded as acting or quasi family member. Seems Primrose looked forward to, was overjoyed at his visits. Thus causing  Doreen to remark. “Poor thing, she never had a father. Me try me best give her everything. Is the one I have. Me love her can’t done, but she well want a father. That’s why she cling to you so.” By unseen degrees, Henry was taking care of Primrose, financially. Insofar as schooling were concerned. Mom showed fervent gratitude, rewarding enthusiastically and oh so very frequent. Recalls a mom whose boy could not get into school. Got in after mom convinced principal? Young lad mimicked principal’s breathless, raspy grunts. A good movie, superb acting. Despite sincere pronouncements to contrary. Guided Henry, hoeing her potato hill. No words were spoken or agreements made. Things came together, everyone understood their position and obligations in this triangle. Every situation has beginning. Primrose brought  fund raising letter from school. Mom handed it to Henry, saying. “You familiar with gibberish, as a businessman.” It was a  note asking parental support for students to panhandle, supporting a project. With award for most successful student. Henry found this morally reprehensible, but did not voice aversion.

How Doreen met her Beau, was never explained to Henry. Possibly because, there was no need, and he made no effort at fact find. Knowing he was not there for long haul. Had to be a change going come, oh yes it will. Henry was introduced. “A very dear and good friend, better than pocket money.” Now there was new man friend. Engagements of comfort between both became furtive and infrequent. This amused Primrose, who volunteered. Mr. Alfred asked. How long her mom and Henry had been “very dear and good friends.” To which, she told him. “I think you should ask my mom that question, sir.” She did not like him either. Always giving her intense, lusting stares that unnerved her. Henry and Alfred got into guarded discussion. Alfred asked after Henry’s trade, but was not familiar with practice of Customs brokerage. He was a builder, quickly adding. “But me don’t build fence. Anything me build, have to have plan draw on paper. Bad mind people have it to say, is fowl coob me build. Make me tell you, that is a big lie. Them chat what them don’t know, because them never see my work. Me mostly work in country. (Rural areas) Specialize in farmer’s chicken house, hog pen and dairy barn.” Henry had already been briefed by Doreen. On full scope of his business pursuit and their plans. Soon a marriage was announced, Alfred and Doreen. She cautiously stated to Henry. “Alfred getting restless, although me tell him from day one. We have to go before parson before anything gwone.” Realizing ambiguity of her statement, she laughed and said. ”You get way with murder. Because, you did already go before parson. You couldn’t go back, without going to jail. But Alfred never go yet, so now is fa him time. Me have to stand firm on that.” Coming from liquor store with beers and sodas.  Henry made for hasty retreat, Alfred asked he linger. Had Doreen not insisted he attend the soiree, Henry would have stayed away. It was an affair to remember, hard to forget. With foods of the earth to eat. Seemed Alfred’s farmer clients, gave chickens, hogs and steers galore. Guests ate hearty, whilst slamming cook’s culinary skills. Yet, went back for seconds and thirds. Where freeness exists, it’s folly to resist. Speech session over, it was on to next programmed item. An unfolding woman, like stemmed rose. Invites awed male stares, way an eclipse or orbital phenomenon does. Especially, when robed in delicate swaths. Accentuating virgin rounded hips and rising rump. Those tender mounds, bulbous pubescence, subtly trenching to reveal cleavage that sirens. Ah! Subtle overpowering lure, that is female’s form. So it was with gilded Primrose. Who quite innocently, was pebble in a pond. Alfred, silenced celebratory din with raised palms. Orated good fortune, finding wife and daughter so late in life’s years. Hopes having a family of his own had long ago waned. This as he grinned, ear to ear. Zealously embracing both women. I should make mention. This wedding reminded Henry of his, years before. Not one photograph was taken, moment was all committed to memory. Calling Mr. Music to please play. Alfred let go of his wife and stepped forward with Primrose in a hug. She stood ground. Stared at Alfred astounded, tried wiggling free from his grasp. Old men found it hilarious, arched heads skyward. Jabbed walking canes to ground repeatedly, grinned toothless gums. Biddies knotted pious brows, gnashed dentures in muted rebuke. Cousin Barry raced forward, tried prying prize from Alfred’s Boa wrap. Everyone in attendance instantly recognized, unexpected spectacle. Adult males, both openly sparring for this unsuspecting teenager’s affection. Impasse intensified, there was almost exchange of fists. Ere hostilities were quashed by intervening guests. Apparently put out, Alfred danced with no One that evening. Can you imagine, Henry’s euphoric feeling, not having missed this? He never would have believed. There was someone who could out-scoundrel him. His wife had convinced him, he was lowest life form when it came to women. You know, the “Jump on anything that moves” reputation.  Do you also see spectre of jealousy, as cousin Barry races to her rescue? Mongrels snarling over choice steak. It would be funny, were it not pathetic. Budding virgin has no clue. She’s temptress and source of all this imbroglio. Ah, innocence of childhood.This gets better, or worse?

//