Why mi affi go through all this just fi go pan road? Inna the same ‘safe’ community? Lizzie notices the irritation on my face. “Him affi dweet, you know. He’s the security, so when the boss not around, him affi make sure you good.”
I nod. “Mi know. Mi just nuh used to this… and to me, this nuh necessary. A nuh like say mi live inna garrison.”
Joe walks back over and hands me the phone. “He’s on the line.” I take it, already bracing for whatever Nickoi is about to say.
“Mami?” Nickoi’s voice filters through.
I sigh. “Mi cyaa leave if mi want to?” I don’t hide the edge in my voice. Mi waan know if mi affi tell security mi every move now.
“You nuh know the place. So weh yuh wah leave go?” he asks, calm but firm.
“But what if mi want fi know the place?” I snap back, feeling mi blood pressure rise. Him really a work mi nerves now.
“Place is gated, yeah,” he says, “but everybody know you a mi woman. And mi have enemies, even some weh work wid the big shots inna the so-called safe community. So why yuh wah out pon the road without protection?”
I roll my eyes. Mi cyaa bother enuh. “All mi wah do is run… that’s it,” I sigh, rubbing my forehead.
Hard ears gyal, listen nuh.
“Mi nuh wah you outta reach or anywhere Joe cya see you, yuh zimi… So no.”
I exhale sharply. Lizzie gently touches my arm.
“Mi nah go cuss man,” I say to her with a small smile.You want to, Zara… but yuh fi listen.
“The yard space nuh enough fi yuh exercise?” Nickoi asks.
I don’t answer. His tone sharpens. “The yard space nuh enough fi yuh exercise?” he repeats, more serious now.
Answer enuh.
“No… I wanted to run, me and Lizzie. But you clearly have a problem, so mi a go just stay home,” I mutter, lips tight.
He’s quiet for a second. Then: “You wah mi bring you to the gym?”
I mumble under my breath, not even sure what I just said. “No,” I answer after a few seconds, petty and stubborn, and not even trying to hide it.
“You wah mi buy a next house weh have gym?” Nickoi asks, dead serious. “In Jacks Hill or suh’m?”
I sigh. “It’s okay,” I say, turning back toward the house. “Mi a go just stay inna Joe reach or whatever.” I hang up just as he’s saying something, then hand Joe back the phone.
Zara… yuh really just hang up the phone pan him enuh.
I hiss under my breath, but quickly plaster a smile across my face, masking the heat bubbling in my chest.
“Lizzie, yuh think we can run ‘round the house a couple times?” I ask, trying to salvage what’s left of my mood.
She nods, already ready. “Definitely. The house big enough.”
We beg Joe to start us off. He hesitates probably wondering if it even make sense but eventually gives us the go-ahead. Soon, we’re jogging laps around the yard. Not even halfway through and I’m already panting, but it feels good. Freeing. Like I’m reclaiming space I didn’t even know I gave up.
By the time we’re done, we’re both out of breath. I drop to the ground, legs stretched out in front of me. Lizzie takes the lounger, catching herself.
“I’m gonna get you something to drink,” she says, already pushing to her feet.
I grab her hand gently. “We’ll get it together, Liz,” I say with a smile.
She nods, a quiet warmth in her eyes. Just as we’re ready to head inside, my phone rings. “Hello?” I answer, then gasp when I hear Anna’s voice on the other end.
