📍Havendale, Kingston
7:30 P.M.

JODIE

I don’t even want to be here, but Leah begged me to come.

Apparently it wouldn’t be the same without me here, and I needed to “come outta di house and touch some grass.”

Her words, not mine.

I definitely wasn’t in the mood, but I said yes. Mostly because it’s Leah. And partly because I really could use the change of scenery.

The get-together is in Havendale.

Her boyfriend's friend's place or sum'n.

Really couldn't care less, honestly.

Because that's not important.

From where I stand, I scan the small backyard. Mismatched chairs are everywhere, a tarp hung over a section by the fence to create a makeshift outside kitchen —— a man is under there scraping the last of the soup from the giant pot on the wood fire.

The music’s playing off a Bluetooth speaker on top of a fridge that’s seen better days, but the vibe is decent. Laid-back, all types of people milling about. A few are dancing, most of the others either talking, drinking, or simply vibing.

It's not the usual party scene, but, somehow, it works.

My eyes fleet over to Leah who's wrapped up in her boyfriend’s arms, giggling into his chest like the lovesick puppy she is.

His name's Vaughn but those around him call him 'VJ'. He’s dressed casually in blue cut-off foot jeans, white Tees, and matching kicks. He's tall, brown, like Leah, and easy on the eyes. Not really my type, but he treats her good from what I can tell, so that's all that matters.

VJ peers down at the woman in his arms through half-lidded eyes.

Fi some reason him always look high.

Probably because that man burns weed for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

I can never understand how some men do it, and how their women put up with it.

Regardless, I smile at them. They're cute together. Or whatever.

I internally giggle at the thought.

“Jo Jo, yuh good?” the sound of Leah's voice breaks my reverie.

I lift my cup. “Yup.”

I’m still on my first drink. Sorry, but I have no intention of being drunk tonight.

Especially since I'm unfamiliar with almost everyone here outside of VJ and Leah.

Time a run too seriously nowadays brah.

Satisfied with my answer, Leah smiles and returns her attention to her man.

Taking another sip of the concoction I'm drinking, I hum along to the Keyshia Cole song that's playing now, as I continue to take in my surroundings.

But that peace is short lived. Feeling like someone's staring me down, I turn to look behind me.

That’s when I notice him.

Sitting on the back verandah steps, leaning against the grill. He's dark skinned, sporting a low haircut, which complements his face, clean white T-shirt and black jeans. I notice that most of the guys are in white.

His head is down, staring into the  red party cup in his hand, one hand casually draped across his knee. His eyes flick toward me once. Hold my stare for a second. Then go back to his drink.

Mrr.

I quickly look away.

A few minutes pass.

I don't know at what point Leah and her man disappears, but when I glance their way, they're nowhere to be found.

That likkle sodomite couldn't tell mi say she a move?

Juss gone leff mi yasso so.

The venue seems to be getting more and more crowded by the minute. People keep coming and going. Then if a this Leah say is a small get-together, mi wouldn't waa see wah she call big...

Somebody switches the souls that were playing since we got here to dancehall and turns the music up.

Mumma in the pink batty-rider was obviously waiting for this moment all night, because she steps forward and takes center stage.

Why is there always one of those kinds of people at a party?

Bold bad.

A group of guys cheer her on and that's when she starts showing out. And if she did a do sum'n sensible mi woulda understand.

Shaking my head at the sight, I laugh below my breath and lean against the railing, swirling the bit of liquor that's left in the cup in my hand.

Might as well mi entertain miself since mi nuh have noth'n else fi do.

I zone out until I feel someone come up behind me.

I turn on reflex and a chill creeps up my spine when I see who it is.

Why this man a creep up pon mi so?

Mr Red Solo cup stops in his tracks when our eyes meet. He then smiles. “Yawh who? Leah friend?”

I quirk a brow. “Depends on who's asking...”

“Just someone curious to know.”

“Didn't they tell you curiosity kills the cat, sir?”

He shrugs. “Well, that's a risk the cat may be willing to take.”

I give him an unimpressed once over. His energy is surprisingly calming. Maybe it's his voice?

“OK, since the cat seems to be suicidal, the answer is 'yes'.”

He grins. “The cat says 'thanks' for sparing its life.”

I bite back the laugh. Him corny like.

“You look like you bored though, Leah's friend.”

I smirk. “Do I?”

He comes up beside me and leans against the railing as well. “A little. But yuh cute wid it.”

I laugh under my breath. “How hard did you have to rack your brain to come up with that?”

He shrugs. “Just trying to make you smile. Seemed like you needed it.”

I look him over. Not bad. He's confident without being too pushy. I like that.

“What’s your name?” I ask. Don't know why but I do.

“Zac. You?”

“Jodie.”

“Jodie. Easy fi 'memba.” He nods, before his eyes drift to my cup. “Yuh waa one more a wah yawh drink, or yuh good?”

I show him my cup with the liquor I've been nursing. “I'm good with this, thanks.”

He laughs. “A girl who knows her limit? I rate that.”

I hum.

And he simply stares at me before folding his arms across his chest and saying, “So, Jodie, a long time yuh know Leah? How a di first mi a see yuh?”

“We're besties, actually. Grew up together.” Leah's mother and mine were besties, so we grew up like sisters. I smirk then add, “As for you never seeing me before, though, maybe you weren't supposed to.”

He matches my expression. “Or maybe this a just the right time?”

I shrug. “Who's to tell?”

“Only Jah alone knows doh?”

I hum.

He goes silent for a few seconds then nods toward the gate. “Yuh waa step weh likkle bit? It’s kinda too loud yasso. Can hardly hear myself think.”

I hesitate.

But then I say, “Sure.”

Not even know man from Adams.

Supposed him a serial killer, or kidnapper?

I bury the thought before it sways my mind.

Love man like dog...!

We step away from the crowd, just far enough to hear our own voices over the music. The night air is cooler out here, for which I'm grateful.

The gate’s open, and we stand near it, just outside the floodlight’s reach.

“So, what — you don’t party much, Jodie?” Zac asks, leaning against the wall.

No, him plan fi done mi name tonight eno. Mi see it clear.

“Not really,” I admit. “I like to know the people I’m around.”

“Fair. Whole heap of strangers deh yah tonight.”

Including you...

I nod. “Exactly.”

He goes silent again, eyes scanning my face. A look I can't describe crosses his face. He then smirks. “Yuh got a man, Jodie?”

Hello!?

No sah, dah man yah plain...!

“No 'Hi', 'Hello', 'Howdy do' eeh?” I tease him.

“I'm a to-the-point kinda yute. Some things nuh mek nuh sense mi go 'round di bush fa.”

“I see. But I don't know if my answer will change your intention anyway.”

He smiles again, wider this time. “It wouldn’t. But it’s good to know.”

I shake my head. “You’re very bold, I see.”

“I’m just saying — if, as a woman, you’re gonna be out here looking as good as you do, and standing by yourself, a man ago tek notice. And yuh cyaa wrong him fi waa approach yuh certain way. Mi just lucky mi first dem.”

I don’t respond right away. Just look up at the sky.

“So?” he urges me when I don't respond.

“Why yuh waa know?” I peer up at him. He's just a few inches taller than me, compared to Dario who's about a foot. “Yuh plan fi put een yuh application?”

“Sum'n like dat...”

I laugh in his face. “Zachary, please to go inside.”

“Who tell yuh say a Zachary mi name?”

“I just assumed.” I shrug. “Am I wrong?”

“Yeah.”

“Really?” I give him a weary glare. “So what's your full name then?”

Zac is usually short for Zachary...unless his name is Zacharia, and mi wouldn't waa affi laugh inna him face.

His tone is serious when he says, “Jodie's future man.”

I guffaw, not expecting that. I look away to conceal the blush. “Sir, pack up and gwaan een nuh!”

Zac laughs too. “So how yawh run mi so?”

“Just because...” Cho!

“So wah yawh seh? Di name nuh fit mi?”

This man nuh have nuh woman?
...yuh see how man determined?

I open my mouth to answer his question, but before I can do so, my phone goes off, the shrill sound of the common ringtone bringing both our attention to it.

Thinking it's Leah looking for me or something, I quickly pull it from the small crossbody bag slung across my shoulder.

My eyes furrow when I see the caller ID.

Jahiem.

Why him a call mi?

Nuh him vex and hang up pon mi wah night?

Hissing below my breath, I end the call.

Less than five seconds after, it goes off again.

And, again, I end it before it rings properly.

Then put my phone on DnD.

“A yuh man dat?”

I jump at the suddenness of Zac's voice.

Mi almost figot seh him deh right beside mi eno.

Rolling my eyes, I scoff. “More like people man who won't leave me alone.”

“Eeh? A so yuh t'ing large?”

I hiss my teeth making Zac laugh.

At least he has a sense of humor.

Although it's not like he has a say.

But still...certain men may have taken my comment for far more than it's worth.

Sliding my phone back inside my bag, I fold my arms. “Anyways, mi nuh waa talk 'bout that right now.”

Zac narrow his eyes at me. I can't help but notice how good looking he is now that I'm really looking at him. I especially like his lips and his eyes. They're nice.

“Cool. Wah yuh waa talk' bout then?” he says cooly.

I shrug. “Mi nuh know, I'm good with anything else you wanna talk about.”

Anything to distract my thoughts.

The one Jahiem just come ruin mi mood.

“If mi ask yuh fi yuh number, yuh woulda gimme?”

“And what if I say no?”

“Mi would disappointed, but if a so a just so. Cyaa do noth'n 'bout it.”

I hum, shifting on my feet.

“So, can I get your digits.”

“No.”

“Ah.”

I can see the disappointed look in his eyes, which brings a smile to my face.

“Just because you're humble about it though, I'll oblige this once.” I outstretch my palm for him to hand me his phone.

He does.

“No code?”

“N'ave noth'n a hide.”

“Really now?” I click on 'add contacts'. “Why am I not inclined to believe that?”

“You tell me.”

“Are you saying, as a man, you don't keep things in your phone you'd want to stay private?” I click save after typing in my number. “Or are you one of those types who delete the evidence after doing the crime?”

“No need. Mi a good yute.”

“Says every crawses man ever.”

This makes Zac laugh. He sniffles. “Nah, man, big woman thing. I'm a decent citizen.”

I hum, handing his phone over to him. “If you say so.”

“Why that sound so though?”

“Sound how?”

“Like you don't believe me.”

“Because maybe I don't.”

“Ah boi. Mek woman love hold on pon wah dem believe so?”

“Because men are liars who will say anything to get what they want.”

“No sah, nuh dissa yute yah.”

“Again, if you say so.”

Zac stares at the phone in his hand, and I see as he goes to send off the call.

I tuck a few strands of hair behind my ear. “If you're gonna call me, it won't ring. My phone is on DnD.”

“Oh. Ah. Just a mek sure ano pill yuh gimme.”

“Mi look like pharmacist to yuh, sir?”

He chuckles, locking the phone screen and sliding the device into his front pocket. “Nawh really seh that. But mi know how woman stay.”

“Well, I'm a good girl.”

Sometimes.

With a small smile stretching his lips, Zac nods. “Mi believe yuh.”

I thought he would've pulled the same card on me as I did him.

I guess not.

“So, weh yuh say, if mi call yuh mi ago get yuh?” he adds.

“Should. Unless I don't feel like talking to you.”

It's just the truth.

“Yuh blunt still eno. Rate that.”

I hum.

He studies me for a few more seconds before he says, “And mi naggo have nuh problem wid such man if mi call yuh certain time?”

Which Such Man that?

Jahiem?

Steups.

“I'm not a child, sir. And I don't live with him. Plus, remember he's not my man, so why should he have a problem?”

“Oh, yeah, yuh say a di people dem man nuh. Mi figot.” He goes serious. “But yuh know how man come dung when dem ready still. Worse yuh nawh answer him call dem. Man chip goodly lick deh now. And fi go see a next man a call yuh...trouble.”

Him lucky if him chip waa lick.

Him gwaan too friggin' much sometimes.

“Yuh lucky ano certain man. Woulda pop up yasso long time.”

“And do what?”

“Mi nuh know, but mi nuh waa be the man fi find out!” he says and then chuckles.

“But, Zachary, mi neva know say yuh coward, man!”

“Eeeh?” he grins. “Stay deh. Dem say a coward man keeps sound bones.”

The tone plus the look on his face as he says so makes me laugh.

And my laugh makes him laugh.

This man is something else.

“So, I've been meaning to ask you, Zachary...don't you have a girlfriend?”

“No eno.”

“Why man lie and wicked so?”

“Serious medz, man.” He shuffles against the wall he's leaning against. “Been single couple months now.”

“Why? Yuh impotent?”

My eyes drift to his crotch.

“Bomboclaat!” Zac laughs aloud. “Aye, muma, yuh serious yuh fuck! Wah kinda question that yawh ask man?”

Quirking a brow I stare at his face. “Wah do the question? It's valid.”

He shakes head as if in disbelief. “Yow, yuh juss different, yo.”

“And that's not a bad thing is it.” That's a rhetorical question.

“Not necessarily.” He answers regardless, then shrugs. “But now mi can kinda see why yuh have such man head certain way.”

“Shut up.” I playfully roll my eyes.

“Hmm, yawh laugh? Stay deh 'til di man pop up pon yuh lateron. Ago see wah yaggo do!”

Watchya.

Who?

Jahiem cyaa come a my yard.

Matter of fact, he doesn't even know where I live.

Thank God.

“Pop up pon him madda!” I hiss.

Then laugh as I feel Zac flick my nose with his middle fingers. “Have mannaz...!”

I laugh harder, rubbing the spot.

“Same fucking thing!” he suddenly gives out. “Look like di people dem man more determine than mi think. See di Dawg come fi yuh yah.”

I pause mid laugh, the sound dying on my lips. “Wah?”

My brows instinctively furrow as I turn to look behind me just as a silver BMW pulls up at our feet.

A coulda neva Jahiem this!

Jesus Christ!

My heart skips a beat as the driver's door flies open.

But the blood is drained from my face when I see who the fuck gets out.

Dario?

What the hell!?

°

°

°

📍Bottom Lane, Warwick Avenue
Azar's Residence
45 minutes earlier

DARIO

I don’t know what the hell I’m doing here.

I’ve been sitting in the car outside Jodie’s gate for roughly fifteen minutes now; lights off, engine throttling, just watching the house.

I comb through my beard, contemplating whether to call her out or go to her.

Doubt she ago even come if mi call her anyways.

I sigh.

I told myself I wouldn’t come here. Told myself I had better things to do. That I'd give her her space. But somehow, I still ended up here.

My hands grip the steering wheel tightly, my jaws clenched so hard it’s starting to ache. There's a weird feeling in my chest that I can neither shake nor explain.

I exhale.

Might as well mi get this over with.

As if moving on autopilot, I kill the engine and exit the car.

The night air is cool, prompting me to pull the hoodie over my head.

The walk up to the house is brisk. Without a second thought, I walk around to the back door and knock, just enough for only her to hear.

Cyaa afford fi wake her parents inna di night yah.

Worse mi done deh pon fucking edge already.

Taking a few short steps back, I wait for a response.

But there's no answer.

I knock again, with a bit more force this time.

Still nothing.

I glance around. My eyes land on the window making me frown. The curtains are drawn tightly so I can't see inside, but I can tell the lights are off.

Something in my chest tightens.

Is she asleep?

So early?

Nah, I doubt that.

Jodie doesn't usually go to bed this early. Unless she's sick or sum'n.

At the thought, I pull out my phone and dial her number.

It rings once, then goes straight to voicemail.

I lower the phone slowly and stare at it.

My eyes narrow.

I press the call button again. Same thing.

Except this time it doesn't even ring.

Now I’m fucking annoyed.

Why the hell isn’t she answering her damn phone?

I look around.

Matter of fact, why the fuck isn’t she home?

Dawg, the woman a her own big woman eno.

...bredda, I don't give a fuck.

I try to tell myself I won't overreact, but I can't help it.

I walk around, inspecting the entire house.

She’s definitely not here.

Hell, it doesn't seem like anyone is.

I'm just realising all lights, except the one on the verandah, are off.

My mind strays, and I hiss my teeth.

Dawg, a dem fuckry yawh mi cyaa stand morewhile eno.

I try the number a few more times but it's the same result each time.

After about a minute, I walk back to the car, more perplexed than I was when I got out. I slide in, slam the door shut behind me and recline against the seat, closing my eyes.

My mind is spiraling.

I hate the feeling which settles over me. A kind of helplessness I haven’t felt in a long time.

I stare at her number at the top of my call log. So many thoughts race through my mind.

From wondering where she is, to who the fuck she may be with, to why the hell she can't spare a minute to answer her fucking phone.

And mi know she must see the call dem.

Unless...

Is she ignoring me?

I grind my teeth; a telltale of my annoyance.

I can't understand why I'm so bothered.

I don’t usually do this.

But with her, since lately, I feel like I’m breaking every rule I ever made for myself.

Jah know.

I pull the spliff from behind my ear, light it, and take a drag. It helps calm me a little.

Emphasis on just a little.

Before I can stop myself, I check her Instagram——but there's nothing new on there either. Her last story was posted hours ago.

Plus, it's of no help. Nothing but a fucking generic quote.

I hiss my teeth louder than intended.

Then sit up as a thought pops into my head.

Leah.

I go to search for her contacts, but quickly change my mind.

If anything, Jodie goodly told her about what happened between us, so she may not be inclined to take my calls, knowing the bond they share.

Jah know.

Oh, wait, hold on deh...

I search up another contact instead, pressing the call icon and putting the phone on speaker.

“Yow, waah gwaan?” the male voice comes through after two rings.

“Yow, Mad Dawg, mi deh yah eno.” I return the enthusiasm.

“Why pree?”

“Mi deh yah, man.” I roll the window down and flick the ash off the tip of the spliff. “Yuh deh near yuh woman?”

“Yeah man she deh side a mi. Waah eh crime?”

“Mi waa ask her sum'n but mi nawh get her pon her phone.”

Lie yuh fuck.

“Oh ah. Gimme a second deh...babes.”

I hear shuffling then another, “Yo, babes...”

I hear Leah's voice faintly in the background.

“Dario deh pon eh line waaa chat to yuh likkle.”

“Mi a come!” I hear her say a bit more clearly now. Then at a closer range, I hear her say, “D?”

Judging by her greeting, I guess Jodie didn't tell her then?

All di betta.

“Waah gwaan?”

“Mi deh yah.”

“Zeen. Sorry fi bother yuh still, but a wonder mi did a wonder if yuh hear from yuh fren from day.”

If Leah nuh hear from her either then mi know sum'n wrong.

“Who? Jodien?”

Den a coulda who else?

I hum.

“Yeah. Why?”

I release a breath I didn't even realize I'd been holding. “Link mi come link her and she nuh deh home so mi did kinda waa mek sure she good.”

“Aww...!” she practically coos. “And look how Jodie think yawh avoid her. If only she knew...”

So, I guess she has been talking about me. I bury the urge to smile. “Bro, nuh bother wid dat.”

Leah laughs. “She's OK though. Yuh can stop fret now and mind yuh send up yuh pressure.”

Yow...

“Buil' nuh, Lee.”

“Alright, send it up den.”

I hiss my teeth, and  Leah laughs.

When she sobers, she says, “She's OK fi real, Dario.”

That's not all I want to hear. “She nuh deh home though.”

Why?

“She's with me.”

My brows knit together. “With you? With you where?”

Because it sound like yuh deh a VJ yard...

“Havendale.”

“Wah? Di fuck uno a do a Havendale, bredda?”

“Wi come look man.”

I hear VJ mumble something inaudible in the background which causes Leah to guffaw.

I roll my eyes.

She swear mi inna di bagga bloodclaat ramping.

“Leah,” I deadpan.

“We're at a get together ova Zac, Dario. Don't get your panties in a bunch ova a simple joke.”

You alone find that funny stillz.

“Love ramp?”

She hums.

I exhale a puff of smoke and watch it spiral into the air then disappear. “Weh exactly the place deh?”

The question comes out involuntarily.

“Why yuh waa know that? Lowe the gyal mek she breeze out likkle, man.”

She get enough breeze, fuck yawh tell mi say?

“Yo, send mi the location.”

“Why?”

“Mi a pull up a uno foot.”

“Jodie doesn't want to see you. And neither do I.”

“Yuh hear mi seh though?”

Done chat.

Leah, like the daring sum'n she is, simply laughs and ends the call.

I sigh, pinching the bridge of my nose.

I have a feeling that if I call back she won't answer.

The thought twists my lips into a bitter frown.

But my frown turns upside down when I see a message from VJ pop up.

It's the location I asked Leah for.

Leah secretly love di fuckry too yussi.

But mi glad still.

I immediately pin the address to my GPS.

Putting the car into reverse, I pull out of the side walk, and turn the vehicle around before speeding down the avenue.

It shouldn't take me more than twenty five minutes to get to Havendale.

My mind drifts to Jodie and my scowl deepens.

A go see a wah she deh a Havendale a do so dats she cyaa answer her fucking phone.