Simply Portland...Utterly Devine

[*vi*]

Had my music streaming through these fabulous earbuds while I stroll the shore line feeling so happy to be here. My buzz has been reignited as these final minutes on the beach drift away.

I was feeling the right kind of mellow listening to my Billy Ocean set starting with his cover of the Long and Winding Road. I’ll listen to that twice before letting Love Zone play followed by three more of his soulful melodies. A man with a face that could stop a clock but a voice that is handsomely timeless.

I only snap 4 pictures in between steps and sips. Totally occupied in taking it all in. Being amazed at how content I was feeling and acknowledging the fact that I only know such complete self-satisfaction when I’m here in Jamaica. Portland confirms that this is the right place for my soul by accepting me, flaws and all.



Fifteen or so minutes into the walk I remembered I left my wallet in my beach bag which was sitting on the bench. Wasn’t much in it. Actually it wasn’t the money that jolted me into a minor panic but my room key, phone and bank card were in it. I never have to worry about walking away from my things when I-Cliff is here, but since he’s not I need to be more responsible so I made my way back.

[*vi*]

From a few yards away, as I trudge through the cool, thick sand, I can see someone sitting next to, if not ON my stuff. He was that close to my bag.

I slowly walk around the young man settled comfortably in my spot on the bar bench. My spot because it’s the only open space next to MY bag. I stagger a little having to rest the bottle on the counter before reaching for my bag.

“This you property?” he asks without even looking at me.

I turn to see him focused on whatever he had in his hands. He’s got a look of intense concentration on his brow. Not with what’s in his hands, that’s just a distraction and from what I was feeling, so was I.

“Yes” I answer while lifting it off the bench and away from him…My phone falls to the ground just an arms length from him. He doesn’t reach for it.

Picking up the phone to dust off the sand he looks at me.

“Your driver called. Said he will be here in 20 minutes or so.”

I take the buds out my ears because it sounded like he said my driver called.

[*vi*]

“Excuse me??”

He repeated the line. I’m confused. Does he know my driver? Did the driver call him? How long ago did they talk??

Sat down to gather my thoughts before asking him anything else.

He, on the other hand obviously dismissed my presence and onto his project a long time ago. I see him pinch a measure of greens between his fingers and place it in a small pile on top of two sheets of whisper thin paper.

Oh great he’s about to blaze up. Why I got to smell that stuff??? I was here first…well technically…and I should tell him, I mean “ask” him to relocate.

I needed a calmer so I hooked the player to the speaker then swallowed a mouth full of rum & red stripe. Music oh sweet music what would I do without you. Close my eyes letting the alcohol harness my nerves and my lips so I don’t say what I’m thinking.

I check through my bag. Money still there. Card still there. Extra batteries still accounted for. Wait…where is my…oh that’s still here too. All that worrying for nothing. I could still be enjoying the surf washing over my feet and the melodies of the next vocal set on the player. Oh well…it’s getting late and my ride is on the way. Let me call to see how close he is.

The second I looked at my phone I knew…

[sammyb]

YOU KNEW WHAT........come with it

[*vi*]

YOU KNEW WHAT........come with it

lol

[*vi*]

“YOU ANSWERED MY PHONE????!!!!”


PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE let this man say.....

“you crazy-in-de-head american ooman. Cha!!!! me nuh touch you phone!!!!! Insult me, you insult me bad. Me nuh check you property atall!!”

Please let that come out of his mouth….or something like it.

[Sam I Am]

The pessimist in me is thinking he answered and also took credit

[JitterBug]

otis's bar looks deserted. . . does icliff stock it?

[Schuttzie]

Oh, you sweet lady, I'd love to be there when you are there and Jitter's, too. I enjoyed my time hanging with Jitters very much. Portland has a very special way about it and a very special place in my heart... "MAGICAL" sums it up

I would be so upset to see that answered your phone, too, after he obviously rummaged in your bag to get to it. Hmmm, what did have to say for himself?

[Schuttzie]

Hey, sweet lady, Jitterbug! I think I Cliff wasn't there that day so all of his stock is tucked away somewhere.

Otis and I Cliff always watched out for people that left their things there. I've seen Otis shoo some boys away from another tourist's bags and put napkins over their drinks while they were swimming and enjoying the beautiful beach.