“Nickoi, yuh temper? It likkle bit too short fi me. It neva dat deep,” she continues.
“Mi cousin might be different and act girly but him nah disrespect yuh. So don’t disrespect him. Worse, not in front of me.” She’s looking right through me.
“And mek mi tell yuh this straight. Two place mi nah go wid yuh, and a back and forth. We a big people. Two innocent human beings bout to call we Mommy and Daddy, so don’t ever hold me up like that again. Especially over something that trivial.” She pause, just long enough to make sure I really hear her. “Don’t play wid me.”
I lean back slightly in my seat. Silent. She didn’t shout. She didn’t cuss. But mi feel every word. I open my mouth, then close it. Whole time mi just stare at her, genuinely stunned. Like who is this woman? Is this the same Zara mi know? The one who used to fold up even if mi nuh raise mi voice? Mi not even know wah fi say. Mi rate it still… but mi shock. She gasps, hand flying to her belly.
I sit up straight. “Zara?” She smiles, wide and soft, rubbing her stomach gently.
“Nickoi… dem move!” My eyes light up same time.
“Fi real?” I ask, moving closer to her, placing my hand on her belly. She puts her hand on top of mine.Stubborn pitney dem wait till eight months fi start kick.
Then her mom pops her head through the window.
“How unuh still in the car s—?”
Zara cuts in. “The baby dem just kick, Mommy!”
Her mother gasps, eyes wide. “Wow… really?! Gavin, Mommy, come here now!”
My hand still on her belly, watching her. Mi brain still a catch up to how she handled me just now. But mi can’t even be mad… I’m impressed.
ZARA
We’re seated in the front row at church, listening as the pastor preach. Mama has her legs crossed, fanning herself like the true veteran churchgoer she is, while my mother wraps her arm around me with a soft smile. I lean into her, feeling safe, comforted, and just… at peace. I glance to the side and see Gavin with his head bowed. For a moment, mi feel proud, until mi spot him recording voice notes.
All inna God house? Disgusting.
I bite my lip to stifle the laugh.Time and place, Zara.Amen. Not me turn holy all of a sudden. Mama spots him and without hesitation, uses her fan to give him a good slap. He jerks up, looking shocked, and I have to cover my mouth to stop the giggle that’s bubbling up.Yes, man! Discipline him!
“Pay attention. Yuh inna church,” she whispers sharply, cutting him one deadly church-woman look. He nods and turns back ‘round, chuckling under his breath.
When the ceremony wraps up and the crowd begins greeting us and sending baby blessings, the pastor walks over, smiling warmly.
“Greetings, gentle people. How unuh do?” he chuckles.
“Bwoy, pastor, the service was lovely,” Mama beams, straightening up. Gavin? Still glued to his phone. Why him a act like Nickoi so today?Stop compare them, miss ma’am.But still… him nuh normal today.
“It was good, Pastor,” mommy adds, and I smile politely when his eyes land on me.
“I see a lovely bump here, sister,” he says, beaming. “Congratulations. I pray the Lord covers you in that hospital room and grants you a smooth, safe delivery.”
“Thank you, Pastor,” I say sincerely. I’ve been low-key worrying about labor, so his words calm me a bit.
He nods. “And when the baby comes, I want to welcome you right here for the Christening. Since your grandma is the choir leader and senior member, it’s only fitting. Think about it.”
“Okay, Pastor,” I smile, but mi already thinking: Mi nuh know if Nickoi a go wah dweet. Mi affi wait ‘til him in a good mood fi ask.Yes… and cook sup’m him love first. Coconut shrimp… rice… something…
As the pastor moves along, I walk over and nudge Gavin, side-eyeing his phone. “Hello, why you so deep inna the phone?” He doesn’t look up. That’s not like the usual goofy Gavin mi know.
“Wah happen?” I ask, suddenly concerned. He sighs, jaw clenched.
“Sash call me and a bawl. Now mi cya get har back.” I gasp.Laad Gad.
Mi and Sash nuh chat like one time but mi still care. That girl don’t cry for nothing. “Yuh see if deh bwoy deh put him hand pan mi sister,” Gavin mutters, voice tense. My chest get tight. Mi nervous now. He keeps trying to call, but she still not picking up.
“Zara, Gavin, unuh come on!” Mommy calls from the rental, already halfway inside. Mama’s buckled up in the front. I tug Gavin’s shirt.
