Paid and thanked Miss Theresa for the delicious meal and superb hospitality then made my way outside. Mr. B (Drivah B) was there to meet me and held the door open as I slid my over-stuffed body inside.

“Thank you for waiting.”
“You enjoy the meal?”
“Yes, it was good. You weren’t hungry?”
“I don’t eat at those places. I go to certain cook shops for soup or fish or I cook myself. What did you have?”
“Lobster.”
“I fix lobster any way you want it. Curry lobster. Lobster thermidor. Garlic lobster. Grilled…I prefer to grill lobster. You like conch?”
“I love conch.”
Where do you want to go now?”
“I don’t know. I guess somewhere on the beach. Do you drink?”
“Yes.”
“Want to join me for a drink?”
“Yes, I would like that. Can I choose the place?”
“Sure.”
“A local place up the road.”

We pull up to the side of a tiny shop. The inside was only large enough for 3 maybe four people. I stood outside the door peeking in. Two women, drenched from sweat, were behind the counter waiting on the stream of people shouting their needs and passing money.

“What do you drink, Vi?”
“Rum.”
“Me too. White or red?”
“Either.”
“I only drink white rum but will get whatever you want.”
“No…no, white is fine with me.”

I watched Mr. B dash inside, deliver his request over the other shouting customers them come out with a half pint of JB overproof, a bottle of water to chase along with two cups of ice. I take one of the iced filled cups and follow him to the front of the shop away from the small crowd waiting their opportunity to squeeze inside.

I hear music! Nice old school roots. Excellent sound, loud but not thunderous to where you don’t understand the words or can’t carry on a conversation. He twists the cap off the small glass bottle and pours the rum in my cup. Then came the water, but not too much I instructed. I waited until his cup was filled before taking a sip. An instant smile came over my face as that first swallow of rum traveled through my body.

Four domino games were in progress within the small enclosure in the front of the shop. Words and laughter could be heard over the slam of the oblong, cream-colored tiles hitting the wood tables. A faint cloud of smoke stayed suspended in the air completing the scene.

We didn’t talk. I’m sure he was giving me time to take it all it. I think something from King Yellowman was playing. I’m probably wrong because you don’t hear a lot of his music these days. But the voice reminded me of his.

No one cared who I was. I felt welcomed yet loved being ignored.

By my third sip I was rocking to the beat of each song and locking onto the pulse of the action. I took out my camera threatening to take pictures; no on second thought I want videos…more than one. I was dying to record it all and bring this visual and feeling back with me. The overproof was giving me some courage, but not enough. I snapped three shots then turned the camera off.

Mr. B came over and took the camera from me.

“You can take pictures, Vi.”
“I didn’t feel comfortable. But what I really wanted was video.”
“Set it up for video. I’ll do it.”

Camera turned back on and set to video, he presses “rec” like I showed him then walked about without objection. I stood watching quietly as he captured memories I will treasure forever.

JAMAICA! JAH-MAAAY-KA!!
JAMAICA! JAH-MAAAY-KA!!
yesss sar, dis is what it’s hall about!!!!

“Now you.”
“Now me what???!!” I take a sip waiting to hear what he had in mind.
“You get in the video. Step in the shop. Walk to the window.”
“Okay!!...No I can’t.” I looked around and saw a clear path. All of a sudden I liked the idea and cooperated.”

“Go in further. Go into the light.”

I stepped carefully across the uneven ground giggling all the way to the little window. Turned to face the camera and saying to myself, this is so not like me. Still giggling, I make my way back towards the door like a wannabee movie star.

Get this…I never look at the video just loved it happened.

It started to drizzle…I wasn’t ready to go. “Let’s stand to the side.” “No, Vi. Let’s go somewhere else. You want to go have a drink beachside?”

“Yes!”