Birds chirp, crickets make their last sounds, dogs bark at the passing stranger. A young man pushes his zinc gate to go do his Saturday shopping at the market. He looks into the sky, blue with puffs of white and the fresh smell of green wet grass. He smiles to himself, then smirks a little as if his contentment flew out the window. He walks pass his friends and hails them. Zimbo, Puppyman, Brown, Zut, Coolie and T all hail him back "WAH GWAAN TOUCHY".
He just nods, his name bringing him back the day he got it.. a young fiery boy who acted out at the moment of disrespect. So they called him touchies, in time it became Touchy, a name he grew into in every way. On this particular morning he seemed rather less touchies and went on his way, on reaching the stand a taxi stops and he gets in. He hails the taxi driver and the taxi driver knows him well as most Jamaican communities embrace their transportation individuals. Ten minutes drive through a middle class community then across a major road into the zinced up slums with gates similar to his. His eyes drop as if he wishes things could change, on reaching the town he walks along the road towards the market. Dust and the smell of sewage are all he notices on that day this is more than he can bare. Something needs to change as he covers his eyes, his brain running around thinking of ways and means for change. Yet nothing comes to him, he is lost.
The market is busy and people are buying all around, he makes his way through and buys most of the goods he needs, however as most persons find in hard times. The money cyaan stretch, he holds down his head and then walks away. Sees a woman who stands out among all the people as she is the only white lady, he musters up some courage and asks "Ma'am I am asking for a likkle help out." His statement is answered by a stare from head to toe as she says "What do you need young man?" He explains his situation and she kindly agrees to help him. This was very new to him as no one has ever been so kind while giving charity, she even offers to take him home. On reaching her car he looks in amazement, the first Benz he would ever sit in, he stops for a minute not sure if its real. Her driver welcomes him and opens the door, he sits feeling for the first time genuine leather caressing his back and lower end.
They talk about their lives and slowly he realizes she has been down the road he is on, she encourages him and he feels a little better about life. He reaches his corner and his friends are still there he wines down the window as his proud ways come forth. He yells "YOW MI YOUTHS!" they look in amazement, the car silver with chrome rims shines and the face of their friend is clearly visible in all this splendor. They watch as it parks at the gate and not for another ten minutes would the car door open. Eventually Touchy exits the car and it drives by with a beep, they run towards Touchy's yard and knocks on the gate. He pretends not to hear then answers eventually.
The one question on everyone's mind is ... Who is she?
Stay tuned for .. TouchFires Chapter 2 - Who Is She?
No comments:
Post a Comment