FACADE

21|NYE

JACEN JR.

"Anuh that dem tell her though, just me," Dadz is referring to the report made by the shadows about what went on in Portland.

Dem run go tell Mum say we disregard the thing and gone a strange beach.

The beach was less than half a mile walk from the Airbnb.

*Man dem serious so?*

No see the issue. They accompanied us there regardless, camouflaged into the surroundings as usual. One even posed as a security guard.

I would say it gave them even more practice, because they're used to blending in amongst civilians, but me give them the opportunity fi blend amongst sand and trees...

"So because ah that we can't do nuttin tonight? A New Years Eve though–"

"Never say that bad head," he releases a heavy cloud of smoke before clearing his throat and turning to me. "Yahfi understand say you can't do that. That wasn't a private beach and di man dem say them warn you and you diss dem. Duh disrespect the man dem weh have you head back killa."

*Him do dat though*

All the time.

"Anuh so–"

"Junior," he quiets me, "a million properties in Portland and you gone a somebody random Airbnb?"

Jah Know?

I rest my hands at the side of the lawn chair before shifting to lean back.

Just wah do normal things more while. Friend dem nuh always wah deh a my place surrounded by all my guards...

"Just never wah go none ah them. Neem a do supm fi him girl and ask we fi join, that's all. The beach ting different... that was–" I hold my tongue.

*That was the best f*cking night a my life so far*

My lips start to curl up involuntarily, but I catch it and try to move back to a straight face.

"Yeah, me figure," he chuckles, "just be safe. Me nuh supposed to beg you fi be careful. You get grabbed already. Nuh wah see you go through that again..."

I get it.

"So tonight?" I push the question I've been trying to get an answer to.

He ignores me, pulling on his spliff while looking across the hills. He gets to the end of it before raising himself from the lawn chair.

"Tonight you can do yuh thing if you 'carry'... and have Slyme–"

"Slyme? Wap'n to Paw?"

*Uncle Liam tooo strict bredda*

"Xavier have watch night..."

I stare at Dadz...

....and he stares at me... for a long three seconds...before the two a we start LAUGHHHH.

The statement caught me off guard. No matter how much times me see for myself say him girl a Christian... me just cyaa believe him partake, for her.