Peeling Back the Top Layer 🇯🇲

48| Blindsided

Ominous dark clouds gather overhead on Saturday morning when I'm getting ready to drive to my house. Chaunard urges that I stay put, arguing that it's about to rain heavily and I could get stuck.

"So what if mi get stuck? I will be at my house," I reply. His eyes sadden as he gives me that puppy dog stare he always uses whenever his arguments crumble. It's usually the last resort and I'm growing immune to it.

"Stop look pon mi suh. Yuh have work fi do and if yuh really want me to move in then I need to go sort out the place."

"Okay," he relents, walking to where I stand at the door. He wraps his arms around me, pulling me closer to his chest and looking down at me. We stand there staring into each other's eyes, neither of us flinching until we kiss.

His hands reach down to my ass and squeeze tightly, drawing a moan from me. He's trying to use sex to keep me here but as tempting as that is, I must resist him.

"No babe...Nuh bother wid it. If yuh start dat now none a we nah go get nutten done today and yuh need fi go do yuh work," I chide, pushing him away with the little strength I can muster.

"Alright, drive the van. It can hold more stuff and at least if di rain fall heavy and di road flood you have a better chance in that." I'm still using his vehicle since I gave in and sold my "piece of contraption", as he called Mr. Benson.

Every time I bring up buying a new one he appears disinterested and pushes the conversation aside so I'm planning on just buying what I want and can afford in the next few weeks.

Since I am so ignorant about what I should be looking for in a car, Marsha agreed to help me pick out a new ride when she gets back from her honeymoon. She and Ethan tied the knot in a private ceremony two weeks ago so he could get started on her paperwork for migration.

The intimate occasion took place in the United States. The two had been arguing for weeks over the date of the wedding with Ethan suggesting a change of venue in order for them to get married sooner so she they could officially start their lives together.

My headstrong bestie would not back down. She has had her sight set on the beach property in Ocho Rios since she first saw it as a teenager. Ethan's brother is the one who suggested that they exchange vows at city hall and go ahead with the wedding as planned. It was a good compromise for them both.

My own home feels almost strange when I walk through the doors. Many memories, both good and bad, were created in this space and it holds sentimental value. When I completed my studies abroad, it no longer felt right to live with my grandmother. I wanted to be on my own. So after I got my current job I decided to rent this house.

About a year later, the homeowner died and her adult children, who inherited it, didn't want to hold on to it. They offered it to me for sale below market value and I just could not refuse. With the help of my mother and a hefty bank loan, I bought my first property.

Now, as I prepare to pack my belongings, I can't help feeling like I'm closing one chapter of my life and about to embark on another. I just hope I am making the right decision by moving in with Chaunard. While I don't have any doubts, there's no telling how things will turn out.

A call comes in while I'm getting my mind wrapped around all the packing and sorting I have to get done.

"Yes mother," I answer, settling into the couch.

"Lawks. Why yuh a answer mi suh like yuh tired me?"

"Nutten like that. What's up? Everything alright?"

"Yeah man. Just checking up on you and mi need to ask yuh sumn."

"Mi good enuh. I'm at the house now putting some things together."

I told her about Chaunard a while back after she kept trying to find out my whereabouts. She noticed on a few different video calls that I wasn't in my home and grew even more curious when she realized that my surroundings remained consistent.

Surprisingly, she warmed to him in an instant, expressing fondness after each conversation they had. It was quite the opposite with Steven. She had no interest in saying more than hi and bye to him but she always remained civil.

What bothers her about Chaunard though, is his invitation to "shack up and play house", as she sees it. Her preference is that we continue living separately and only move in together after marriage... if that should happen.

"Mi nuh too happy bout you living wid him enuh. He seems like a nice guy and everything but when man get comfortable dem nuh bother waa married."

"Suppose mi nuh waa get married mommy? Wah difference di ring mek?"

"Mi naw fight yuh mi dear. You mus know what yuh doing. I jus don't want you live di life that I did." I know she means well and her advice isn't unwarranted but we practically live together already and I'm still keeping my house. If things do not work out I can always move back. Right?

"Okay mommy. I hear you. What did you want to ask me?"

"Two things. Mi want yuh fix up mi resume fi mi. Mi tired a mi boss now and this work is too stressing. Since mi nuh have nuh baby again mi nuh affi a kill up miself suh. Mi looking sumn weh mi do in di office and when 5 o'clock come mi done. Mi no waa affi a carry home nuh work."

"So what kinda job yuh want then? You have to be more specific."

"A friend of mine says there are a few administrative positions in the hospital where she works and since I have nursing experience I could probably get one."

"Okay. Ask your friend to send you the job description and I will do the resume to match the requirements."

"Alright. I will email it to yuh when I get it. Next thing now. Mama a turn 80 dis year. What yuh think bout doing a family dinner to celebrate her birthday."

"That's a good idea. Would you come?"

"Yeah man. Me and yuh uncle were talking about it and I tell him I would run it by you."

"Why yuh love draw me inna everything?" I ask, ripping open the stack of cardboards to be assembled into boxes.

"Mi jus like get your opinion and a you alone mi trust fi manage mi money."

"Alright mommy. I can suggest a few venues and check the dates they are available. From there you can decide."

"See. That's why mi need yuh because yuh uncle don't know weh fi start."

"No problem. Gonna get back to what I'm doing. Talk later."

"Bye bye mi baby. Love you. Muah."

"Love you too mother," I reply, quickly ending the call before she starts protesting about me not returning her kiss. Mothers – can't live with them, can't live without them.

Turning back to the task at hand, I try to settle on a starting point. There isn't anything major to pack really. My furniture will stay since I'll be renting to students. All I need are my personal belongings.

The major part of my work will be my home gym since that will revert to being a bedroom. I'm putting some more boxes together when I hear a voice calling outside. A quick glance through my living room window and I notice a woman at the gate.

"Hello," I reply, opening the front door.

"Hi," she smiles politely, "Can I please get a moment of your time?"

"Ummm, what for?" She doesn't look like a Jehovah's Witness nor a beggar and she doesn't look like someone I know so of course I'm skeptical.

"I'm trying to get through to Chaunard and I believe you can help me," she says.

I scan the woman from head to toe before going through the door. She's about an inch shorter than me, slightly darker in complexion, and has about my build. Her processed hair is cut in a pixie style.

When I am approaching the gate, a gust of wind picks up and blows in her direction causing the loose-fitting dress she wears to cling to her body. And that's when I notice the baby bump.