The Seashore

"Sorry about that." He said. "Thanks," Lea hesitantly replied. "Cha." He dismissed. She splashed a bit more, he stayed near, warning her about the current just as the first harasser returned. "Keep moving, Cudjoe," her "saviour" said. "You're her bodyguard?" Lea asked, pretending she wasn't uncomfortable with his company. "I'd like to be." He smiled, a perfect white smile, then turned away as if it were a joke.

She gave him a study, admiring his physique then asked him his name. "John." He gave. "I'm Barbara," she lied. "Good to meet you." He said in a clear Jamaican accent. "Very good to meet you." Lea replied, wondering why she had given him a false name. That's when he asked; "How long you staying?" "Two weeks." "You have plenty of time, then." "For what?" she asked warily.

"To go to town, take the tours." He tossed as if she were confused. "Some visitors only stay three or four days which isn't enough." Lea had been suspicious when he asked how long she was staying but his answer seemed appropriate. She came from the sea, he didn't follow. She had expected he would. There was the impression he had chased the others to make a niche for himself. Yet, he remained in the sea, not moving to speak to others, not seeming to do more than swim. Lea watched him, she suppose he felt it, as he turned, met her eyes, gave a one finger wave. She felt dubious, decided she had enough sea for one day, began to pack up, assuming he'd come racing to her side. He didn't.

She walked up the beach, into the hotel, her room. She showered, put on her red shorts suit and went to get something to eat as the hotel was all inclusive. She didn't like eating alone but there was no choice. Fortunately, she had started early, so as the restaurant began to fill she departed for her room. Lea switched on the television, watched two movies on the cable before the band started up and she couldn't hear the dialogue. She put on her long white dress with the matching shoes and went down. Lea sat at the bar, looking for a man. There weren't any. Not in the way she meant.

There were locals, both black and white, but they seemed to be career drinkers. Others were old or waiting for someone. She saw fabulous drinks being prepared, with umbrellas, fruits, but it didn't seem right to order one. It was like buying a birthday cake when you lived alone. She drank a beer, pretended she was listening to the music but actually impersonating herself at her 9th grade party when she pretended to listen to the music. "If you want to really hear music you'll have to go to a dance hall." She spun quickly to the voice. It was John, dressed in jeans and a blue tee shirt. "Hmmm." she reply, her eyes looking for someone, anyone else so she could smile, wave, make John believe she wasn't alone. But she saw no one. John continued to speak. "Rarely does any first, even third rate entertainer perform at a hotel as the pay is so bad." "How much?" she asked, not really interested.

"It wouldn't really translate, you use U.S. dollars which are one to seventy of ours. Minimum wage is two thousand five hundred per week. If she told you that band receives about five thousand for their performance here tonight--." "Each?" "No. Five thousand. To share." "That's not much." "That's why entertainment at the hotel is not much." "Are you staying here?" she asked. "Not really, I live nearby, drop in once and a while. Anyway, nice seeing you, have to go."

Lea was pleased he had to go. It suggested he wasn't stalking her. It could be read as just passing by. He'd seen her difficulty this afternoon, stepped in. He just happened to be at the bar, said hello to be polite. Nothing to write home about. In fact, there was nothing to write home about. No one talked to her and she had the wonderful opportunity to watch other people dance and have a good time. Fortunately, she didn't have to wait until 10:30 to leave. she could go upstairs as soon as she felt the need. Which was two minutes after John left. She reached the empty room, turned up the sound on the T.V. watched a movie seen before, cried, then tried to force herself to sleep.

All she could think of was ninth grade, and of course, dream of watching her classmates all grown up, having a good time. Despite a wretched night, she was up early and on the beach about seven am. Two new members of the harassment posse arrived. Oddly, she wished John were there. She marched from the sea, looking to complain. The security guard seemed the best choice. When she approached and asked if he were the security he answered in the same ridiculous false accent so it sounded as if he'd said; "Yayess. Ahhhhh. Hammmm."