An American Scandal (Editing)

Chapter 25: SURINAME

Chapter 25: SURINAME

As soon as I stepped foot off the plane the heat and breeze of my native land hit me. It was both amazing and sad. I was all alone yet I was at home. I had not seen this place since I was 12 and much had changed. There was a bit more of urban development and more diversity. I pulled out my phone and then paused. I thought about it. I knew that my US phone would be traceable so, I went to the pay phone and used it. I called my friend from my town to see if she was at the airport.

“Sophia.” The person said not on the other line but behind me. I pressed the phone back down on the hook and turned around. I smiled. I looked at Tamara. I ran into my childhood friend’s arm and she rocked me to and fro.

“Hoe gaat het?” Tamara asked me ‘how are you’ in Dutch.

“Girl….” I said and then she laughed.

“I know. So this is all you have.” She pointed to my luggage. I shook my head no.

“I shipped the rest. I just brought this with me on the plane.” I said and she smiled.

“Well I am glad to have you back. I mean we all are.” She said. I looked at her confused. Tamara was 2 years older than me but I knew her because she used to live in my town and her brother was my schoolmate.

“We?” I said. “Tamara, I told you to keep my presence a secret. I sort of ran off and did not tell anyone exactly where I was going.” I reminded her.

“Well it is hard to keep a secret from someone you live with.” She smirked.

I smirked and then opened my mouth. “You got married. Why didn’t you tell on the phone? I would have got you a gift…when, who…do I know the guy?” I asked excitedly.

“No. Are you crazy? I am not even done with my studies yet. I would not even do that to myself. I was talking about…” She said trailing her words and then shifting her head in the direction of the street. I followed her gaze to the street. I saw a nicely built guy approaching us. He appeared from a nice car and he stood tall and well built. Immediately, I knew it was her brother, my friend, my schoolmate, David. He walked up to us and I don’t know why but my breathing stopped and I just starred. I thought he was in the USA, playing for some soccer team at some private school, in Florida or wherever. I was shock to see him mid- school year in Suriname. He left the country a year after me the last time I check. He was primed, and from the looks of his stature, still supposed to be heading into a professional soccer league.

“Sophia.” He said and then pulled me into a hug and kissed my cheek. I don’t know why I don’t ask questions or why I am always in some drama but I am always in some drama. I hugged him awkwardly at first but then he began to rub his hand up and down my back and whispered in my left ear how much he missed me. I just held him because honestly, I needed to be held. He kissed my cheek again after telling he missed me and how much he loved me.

“I love you too…always.” I said as we parted. Tamara looked at us as she always did. She was giving us that same look she gave us when David and I were young and we would get caught kissing under the tree or when we use to run off to the cane fields as we held each other’s hands.

“I heard about everything.” He whispered and then touched my stomach. I stepped back and then grabbed the handle of my suitcase.

“I will take care of you and whatever it becomes.” He said and then I looked between David and Tamara. I shook my head up and down as I fought the tears as I thought about James.

“We don’t live with the folks anymore, we live in Town at our own spot. I think you will like it. Just enough urban and just enough authentic Suriname.” Tamara said as she walked toward the car, looking back over her shoulders at me.