Jamaicarunnings Serial- "the Girl from the Lane"

The Girl from the Lane- 12th Installment

The heat of the Saturday afternoon sun had eased somewhat as a result of a shower that had blown in from the nearby Caribbean Sea. Aided by a light summer wind, the two electric ceiling fans were now enjoying a fair amount of success at dispersing the residual heat from the living room of Sheila’s 2 bedroom concrete house. Summer was always a testing time in the Portmore community, and the Braeton area had been enjoying its fair share. When the heat dissipated it would be the mosquitoes that seemed to drift in with the first approach of nightfall.
The peals of laughter from the children rang along the Walkway as they shrieked with delight from their antics in the bounce-about nestled on Sheila’s small front lawn. Delceita had settled in comfortably as hostess, passing out thin slices of Newton’s birthday cake to the group gathered on the small veranda. She made repeated trips to the kitchen to replenish the tray with cake and mixed drink. Her pride in her grandchildren was obvious. She had a special bond with Latoya to whom she was always anxious to pass on her culinary and domestic skills.
Two of Sheila’s friends from her office had journeyed over from Kingston for the occasion, bringing their own teen-aged children with them. It amazed them how children seemed to gravitate to each other, yet as they moved into adulthood, their behavior
shifted so drastically.
At the centre of the conversation as usual was Margie, rattling on about her latest love interest at the office, a Sales Supervisor who had joined the company three months earlier. All three women shared one major characteristic. They were all single mothers of adolescent and teen-aged children.
Dawn had settled in a visiting relationship, whilst Margie still juggled with two men. The latest interest would count for three, except that she maintained that one of her older consorts had been mis-firing of late and she knew that he was obviously firing somewhere else.
“His departure is imminent” she mused. It was clear that her thoughts were on the supervisor.
“I get the feeling that the supervisor has been supervising your affairs already” stated Dawn.
Margie was silent, still adrift on whatever thoughts swirling in her head.
“Margie, what happen… cat got your tongue?” asked Sheila.
“Oh no, no. Not at all” Margie replied.
“Then how is it that you are avoiding the question. That is not like you” Dawn chided.
“Actually, I was thinking about later. I had made plans to be out with him after I leave here later” Margie countered.
“Excuse meee…” both Dawn and Sheila responded together.
“What about you Sheila. I have never heard you mention any male companion at all since I have known you, or is it that you are keeping secrets.” Asked Margie.
“Let me tell you girls this” Sheila replied. “ My two children are enough work for me and I really don’t want to take any chances bringing any man in my house with these children. Moreover, my teenage daughter is at that stage where I cannot afford to send her any mixed signals by bringing a different man home when the previous friendships don’t work.”
The conversation ran along the same theme for most of the evening. All the time each woman goading the other. Delceita appeared busy as ever, her ears all the time tuned to the conversation on the veranda. She thought of her six other children and the joy she felt at how they had all developed. Today though, she was proud of her first daughter. Even though Sheila’s late teen years gave her a lot of anxiety, she was maturing into a solid woman. It was obvious that her friends from her office held her in high esteem.

Out in the parking area, Newton was with a group of his partying friends playing a game of “Ketchie- Shoobie.” (An impromptu game of cricket) with his new cricket gear. The group was having a good time. Newton’s schoolmate Marlon was at bat when he swung wildly at a delivery. The ball peeled off the outside edge of the bat and flew in Newton’s direction. Five other boys raced towards the ball as it swirled in the air. Bracing himself, Newton raised his cupped palms above his head and snared the catch just moments before the other boys bundled him over.
Dusting himself off, Newton collected the bat from a forlorn Marlon and prepared himself to face all the bowlers and “flingers” alike. The first ball came at him like a rocket, hissing and roaring through the air. Newton shuffled forward, played the ball with very soft hands, dropping it dead at his feet. The group surged forward to retrieve the ball, with Marlon showing some deft football skills dribbling it away from the group before picking it up and running in to bowl to Newton.
Newton crouched, tapping away at the makeshift crease. Marlon trundled in, skipped at the bowling crease and fired the ball at Newton. In a flash, Newton pivoted and hooked the ball out of the parking lot. The boys stood in amazement at the execution of the stroke before the crash of glass woke them from their reverie.
In fright most of them turned and ran towards Newton’s house. Newton stood transfixed to the spot. He was completely aghast at the thought that he had broken the window of someone’s house. Instinctively though, he followed the aerial route the ball had taken. As he made the turn on Barracuda Path, he saw Mr. Chin standing in the middle of the Pathway with his arms akimbo. In his left hand was the shiny red ball.
“I am sorry Sir” said Newton, before Mr. Chin could have spoken. “I am going to call my mother” he added.
Mr. Chin gave them a long look then he shook his head. “The window was already broken” he responded. “I had already changed the glass so you boys only broke the pane that was leaning by the side of the house” He tossed the ball to them as he spoke. “It’s little late in the evening for cricket though.”
The boys looked at each other for a moment then ran back down the Pathway to Newton’s house.

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