GWEH (Go Away)

5. Gyal Perfume

My first examination finished after two and a half hours. I prayed to God I did as well as I felt I did, but as the seconds passed, I felt less confident about my performance.

Well, it's in God's and examiner's hands now.

I quickly ate my cold food during my thirty-minute break, then rushed to my final exam for the day.

The exam was difficult, but I gave it my best. One hour and thirty minutes later, I exited the exam room and gathered my belongings. Then, without tarrying, I started walking home. Even at school I kept my own council so I had no friends. I said hi and bye to people but that was it.

***

The sun was up in the sky, blazing hot so 'til I regretted not accepting that man's money. But it's all for the best; next thing I take his things, and he demands repayment in coochie currency. I had to keep reminding myself that my situation was only a season. Plus, exercise is good for me.

Almost two hours later, I was back home dripping with sweat. As soon as I reached in, I peeled off my clothes. I bet if I had tried, I could probably wring water out of my uniform.

Mommy was not in, and by the look of it, it seems like she has not been home since last night. I hope she is alright. But this was not new. She is probably at her man's yard. It's better that way because it's only one room we have.

Mommy has her ways, but at least she does her thing on the road and doesn't carry it around her one-gal pickney. But I have a feeling she will soon put me out, with me finishing school and all. She always sings to me that her mother put her out at sixteen, so I am lucky she kept me under her roof so long.

I put my uniform in the clothes basket to wash tomorrow morning, then I go sit dung pon the toilet with my hands on my jaw, considering my life. It's not an easy road, but I'm determined to make lemonade with the lemons life threw at me and then drink it because I'm thirsty for a breakthrough. Mi just ago keep mi head screwed on my body.

I started dreaming, thinking about how I applied to two fashion schools close by. I also decide to start taking on more jobs to earn extra from sewing clothes. I love sewing. The usual school uniforms that I got to sew were a bit boring, to be honest. I want to sew fashionable clothing but I don't usually get much of those.
Beggers have no choice. I just have to take the job that comes unless I go work an entry-level job like wholesale or call center. But I am not about to fall into that trap worst mi nuh like people already. Where can I find a job weh mi nuh have to chat with people all the while?

At least clothes don't talk, well it expresses but that different.

By the time I came back to reality, I had realized that so much time had passed. I wiped and stepped into the cold shower.

***

Bum! Bum!

I jumped up from the bed and dived on the floor because I thought it was a gunshot firing. It's a usual thing around these parts, so the action kind of became a reflex.

I listened well and realized that the sound was actually someone knocking heavy-handed on the window, and my mother was shouting out my name. I froze for a second, forgetting my senses, until I finally went to open the door.

"Good night Mommy."

"Gal pickney, yuh sleep dead enuh, look how long mi a knock and a call your phone," She shouted and pushed past me going in, then rushed to the bathroom, and the sound of heavy urine flow was heard.
I went to my bag from where I left it on the couch this afternoon. I retrieved my little LG phone and checked to see that the battery was dead.