Crickets' Serenade

by Blythe, Carolita

  “Is my name still Souci Alexander?”

  “Nothing’s been changed. You’re still twenty-five. You have a best friend named Michele. Be yourself. That’s all I want from you.”

  “What if they ask me something I can’t answer?”

  “I can’t imagine what that would be. Besides, Mrs. Eldermeyer will always be near you, as will either James or I. Are you ready?”

  In an attempt to control the excited smile that began spreading across my face, I shut my eyes for just a moment and inhaled deeply. Lewis extended his arm toward me, then led the way through the hall and out onto the back verandah. When I realized just how many people were in attendance, I stepped in a little closer to his body. He placed his free hand over mine and squeezed tightly. With all the people crammed within, the backyard, which had seemed so expansive before, now seemed little larger than my own yard in Stepney.

  James Alvarez stood at one end of the verandah staring down into his empty wineglass as an older woman prattled on to him. His eyes met mine, and he raised his glass. Paulette Benson was standing a few feet away, next to an older, distinguished looking man. Based on Marcia’s description, I was convinced that this was Mr. Benson.

  My eyes roamed through the crowd before settling on Charles Lane, who was standing off in the distance. I had to force myself to keep from screaming. Michele and I had read every article about him ever printed in The Gleaner. We were his biggest fans. It didn’t matter any that we had never actually seen any of his movies.

  “It’s not good for the future Mrs. Montrose to be staring so raptly at another man,” Lewis whispered.

  “Oh, sorry,” I said.

  “That was a joke,” he responded.

  “Oh, sorry.”

  “Well, I believe it’s time to mingle,” he said as he guided me down the stairs. Within seconds, he was swallowed up into the sea of people. There were more white people in this one place than I had ever seen before in my life, and even the black people appeared to be white, or damned near it. Hardly anyone looked like me, except the help. And the words coming from everyone’s mouths … they had too many syllables, and the jokes made no sense to me. No patois was being spoken. It was almost as if it had been banned at the door. The situation was completely overwhelming. I was on sensory overload.

  My adrenaline was flowing, my heart was thumping, and I had to do everything within my powers to will my legs to move. But I hardly had time to panic as Mrs. Eldermeyer quickly moved in to the rescue. She arrived with two glasses of white wine in hand.

  “If you fill it up to the top,” I remarked cheekily, “you don’t have to make as many trips back to the bar.” Mrs. Eldermeyer just looked at me.

  “That was a joke,” I said.

  “Was it? Because a lady doesn’t guzzle her alcohol, she sips it. You don’t want to become overwhelmed.”

  “If by that you mean drunk, you don’t have to worry. I’m not gonna get drunk. I can handle as much white rum and Red Stripe as the next person.”

  “Hopefully, you handle it better than you handle proper English. There is no such word as ’gonna.’ ”

  Mrs. Eldermeyer handed me a glass, then greeted several people as they passed by. I was introduced to all as, “a good friend of Lewis’ from St. Ann.” As my mentor chatted away, I tried to re-locate Charles Lane. That’s about when I sensed someone’s gaze. I continued to look around, only to discover that Paulette Benson had distanced herself from her husband and was standing with Marilyn Walker and an unfamiliar woman. All three were looking off in my direction. The unfamiliar woman eventually separated herself from the other women and wove her way through the crowd. Paulette and Marilyn continued to stare.

  The woman who had been bending James’ ear on the verandah, greeted Mrs. Eldermeyer. She was introduced to me as Mrs. Parks, an administrator at the University of the West Indies’ Mona campus. While the two women talked, I was able to wander off unnoticed.

  Lewis had made his way back up to the verandah. The same tall, graceful woman who had been keeping company with Marilyn and Paulette, sauntered up to him. She moved in as easy as the wind and placed her lips against his cheek. He smiled at her and slipped his arm comfortably around her waist. This woman looked like most of the other guests, but at the same time, stood out from them. I continued to watch her until I felt a tap against my shoulder.

  “Excuse me,” Paulette Benson said, introducing herself. “I don’t think we’ve met.”

  “We did,” I said, “I was at the salon the other day.”

  “Oh, I’m sorry,” Paulette said without the slightest hint of recognition.

  “Well, we didn’t really meet. I just sat down next to you and your friend. Me name’s Souci. Souci Alexander.”

  “Is Alexander your maiden or married name?”

  “Maiden.”

  “Let’s see. The only other Alexander I know is Lester.” Paulette looked in the direction of a blond-haired gentleman. “But I don’t think you’re related to him.” She followed this up with a high-pitched cackle that didn’t seem right coming from her. She tapped her right index finger against her temple.

  “I don’t believe I know the Alexanders. They must not be from Kingston.”

  “No. This is me first time here.”

  “So, from where do you hail?”

  “Stepney,” I said. But it was obvious Paulette had never heard of it, so I added, “It’s in St. Ann … near where Runaway Bay is.”

  “Runaway Bay?” Paulette’s voice brightened. “Oh, well, my husband and I have a home there.”

  “Well, not exactly Runaway Bay. Higher up in the mountains. A good ride on the bus.”

  “The bus? That’s fascinating. Well, how did you come about meeting Lewis?”

  “On one of the campaign trips.”

  “I see. Do you still live there … in Stepney?”

  “No. I live in Kingston now.”

  “Oh,” Paulette said, dragging out the word in such a way, it sounded as if it had three syllables. “From campaign trip to Kingston. Very nice.”

  Paulette continued to look at me with a strange smile etched across her face.

  “So, I can ask you something?”

  “Of course.”

  “You win a beauty pageant?”

  “Oh, you recognize me. I’m flattered. But it was so long ago now. Just something I did on a lark. I tell you, I never thought I would beat out all those other girls. There were sixteen of them in all, you know, and they chose me.” She reveled in the memory.

  “Well, I’m glad we got the chance to speak just the same. You know, if you stick around Kingston for a while, we might just have a chance to become big friends.” She cupped my hand. “Any friend of Lewis Montrose’s is a friend of mine.” She flashed a great, big smile, then excused herself. I continued to look after her as she made her way back to Marilyn Walker.

  “Souci …” I heard Lewis say. But before I could fully turn around, I heard another voice.

  “Hi, dear. Are you working this evening?” It was the woman I had earlier seen with Paulette and Marilyn. Convinced that she couldn’t possibly have been talking to me, I turned to look behind me for the person she was addressing. Lewis buried his lips near her ear.

  “Agnes, she’s a guest.”

  “Oh, forgive me, dear. It’s just that, well, I’d never seen you before and you don’t quite look like the other guests … which is not a bad thing.”

  “Souci Alexander, this is Agnes Gooding,” Lewis said.

  As if she was about to share a great secret, Agnes placed her face uncomfortably close to mine.

  “You fit in just fine. I never should have said that. It’s just, I thought I saw you with the housekeeper before. Anyway, I really hope we get to know one another.” She turned to face Lewis. “Lewis, I think James needs you. It’s about that time … isn’t it? For the announcement.”

  Lewis shook his head and fixed a stern gaze on Agnes. She responded with a playful smile.

&n
bsp; “Souci, would you like to come with me?” Lewis asked. “You could have a front row view.”

  “Oh, Lewis. Stop being so protective. We’re just going to talk a little politics,” Agnes said. “She’ll be fine right here.”

  I saw James raise his glass to Lewis, and Lewis started backing away. “Behave yourself, Agnes,” he said. He was waving his index finger slowly, and though his facial expression was playful, his voice was not.

  “Well, he’s taken quite an interest in you,” Agnes began, “not unlike a child might take in a stray dog.” A large, insincere grin broadened across her face.

  “Seeing that you are new to the city, I’m sure he’ll do whatever he can to help you out. That’s just the kind of person he is. Anyway, since I told him we would be talking politics, I don’t want your first impression of me to be that I’m a liar. So, how do you feel about his running for office?”

  “Is what he love, so I guess is good,” I said quietly.

  “Good? Well, I don’t know about that. Times are tough. Violence is on the increase. They actually took a shot at Carlysle, but he’s as hard-headed as Lewis. Why else would he seek re-election after something like that?” Agnes sighed and swatted at an invisible fly. She pulled a tiny paper and bamboo fan from her purse and began waving it about her face.

  “I hate these outdoor things. It’s fine for a few minutes, an hour at most, but beyond that, the humidity’s just unbearable. Feels like somebody is wringing a wet rag out on me. The climate here in Jamaica is just not good for the complexion.”

  “It doesn’t bother me at all,” I said.

  “Well, that’s because you’re more genetically suited for the heat, dear.”

  People didn’t talk like that in the country, but I knew I had been insulted.

  “I don’t really understand why Lewis decided to get involved in politics again,” Agnes went on as she stared off at him. “He’s doing just fine now. The way he is, once he puts his heart into something, that’s it. He feels he has to travel to every little village and hamlet to campaign.”

  The gnats had taken a particular liking to Agnes, who continued to complain while fanning herself and swatting at them. Standing at least five inches taller, she seemed to take a strange pleasure in having to look down at me.

  “Oh darling, I’m not telling him what to do. It’s just that I care about him. I’ve known him all my life. You should hear him just talking about these back-of-the-wall places. What does it matter whether or not he goes there. He’s just going to tire himself out, and for what? For a bunch of people who wouldn’t notice if the lord himself was running? They can’t even read. How are they going to vote?” Agnes shifted her weight from one long, slender leg to the other.

  “He has all types of digestive problems, ulcers. Had a hole the size of a twenty-five cent piece after the whole thing with Beatrix….” She stopped herself, then began again.

  “I just can’t understand why he wastes so much time when those people are ignorant of all that’s going on around them. Leave them to their own devices. The Maroons have the right idea. They govern themselves.”

  Agnes suddenly seemed bored. Her eyes began wandering through the crowd. When they found Lewis, they softened. It was as if she had forgotten she had been talking to me. She wasn’t very agreeable, but she was well-spoken, and although I wanted to tell her how wrong she was and how narrow-minded her comments were, I knew I could never translate my thoughts into language as impressive as hers.

  “I wouldn’t call the people ignorant,” I gathered enough courage to mumble.

  “What? Did you say something?” Agnes asked. But I was too insecure to go any further.

  “Well, this has been enlightening,” Agnes said just as James began his introduction of Lewis. Her focus elsewhere, she suddenly walked off. No good-bye, no excuse me. Nothing.

  “We’re all here to honor a very special man,” James said. “A man who gives us hope. A man whose family helped to build this country. A man who, through his writings, speeches and parliamentary involvement, has worked his way toward the core of this island’s troubles, and has attempted to come up with some much-needed solutions. This is a man who will, in less than a year, lead this country, and who will chip away at what’s causing many of our problems. And now, without further ado, the next Prime Minister of Jamaica, Lewis Montrose.”

  Lewis shook James’ hand and began speaking over the applause.

  “I want to thank everyone for coming out and being a part of this celebration. The books I have written have also been somewhat of a study tool for me. They have enabled me to focus in on some of the inherent problems facing Jamaica, economically and socially speaking. But writing a book and running a nation are completely different animals. As far as this political thing is concerned, I can only promise to give it as much detail and effort as I’ve given my writings and my teachings. This nation had a rebirth twelve years ago, and it needs the proper nourishment in order to be strengthened and grow. I hope to deliver the right dosage.” Lewis faced James Alvarez.

  “Mr. Alvarez, my dear friend of so many years, thank you for your generous toast. Thank you for your confidence. Thank you for your friendship. Thank you for everything.” Lewis returned his attention to the gathering.

  “Anyway, you’re not here to hear me ramble on and on, no matter how captivating I might be.” He joined the crowd in laughter. “You’re here to party. At least I know I am. So turn up the music, refill your glasses and enjoy.”

  Agnes suddenly appeared on the verandah next to Lewis. I couldn’t help wondering what their story was. Was she being pushed aside for politics? I wondered if Lewis was in love with her. I was sure she was with him. It was impossible not to notice how she pressed her body closer to Lewis each time he turned his attention to another woman. Looks wise, she was exactly the type of woman I would have imagined Lewis with, but her personality didn’t seem compatible with his. Though the more I thought about it, the more I realized I didn’t know Lewis any better than I did Agnes Gooding.

  -11-

  After the gathering at Reach, I looked forward to seeing Lewis more often. But October turned into November and November into December and with it not one word from him. I knew he was a man who did things in his own time, but this didn’t make things easier for me. I was experiencing so many wonderful new things, but I didn’t really know where my life was going from one day to the next. The predictability of my world had gone. I didn’t necessarily miss it, but after years of living in an environment where nothing ever really changed, I had gotten used to the commonplace. My life wasn’t exclusively my own anymore. It was linked to Lewis Montrose, and I was afraid that perhaps he had woken up one day and just changed his mind about our arrangement. And if he had, where did that leave me?

  My days were spent on the verandah or in the backyard of Mrs. Eldermeyer’s Somerton Avenue home. I would sometimes see my tutor’s lips moving, but would not hear the words. Sometimes I had to force my eyes open in order to keep sleep from drifting in. I had to force myself not to think about Lewis, about what he was doing, about when or if he would call again. But I had to keep a tab on daydreams that transported me onto Reach’s back porch and into Lewis Montrose’s presence. After all, I did not want Mrs. Eldermeyer to finish reading a passage and to ask a question that could not be answered. That would only lead to the long, drawn out text being read again.

  Maxi’s Salon, a boutique or two, a few bookstores and art galleries were my only diversions. The days were long, the lessons intense, and the study breaks were given at Mrs. Eldermeyer’s whim. The problem was, Eugenia Eldermeyer hardly ever had whims, so I had to take small liberties in order to amuse myself.

  “Cau-fee, Cau-fee,” Mrs. Eldermeyer enunciated.

  “Dat’s wha’ me say,” I mumbled in the thickest patois I could muster. Mrs. Eldermeyer sighed knowingly.

  “Before you came along, I accepted an assignment with a British family. I was brought in to teach etiquette to
their three children who had grown up on the island. It seemed the little boys were no longer able to separate their manner and speech from that of their truant little native friends. If one of their friends climbed up into a guava tree, they followed suit. If one of them jumped up and down in mud, so did they. And when the youngest one came home one day and said one of the most horrible of Jamaican swear words, that was it. The mother signed me on immediately.” She smiled a far off, satisfied smile.

  “Those little hooligans were proper little English gentlemen again within weeks of working with me. At first, they tried to rebel, but the will can be broken. So, as you can see, I’ve had worse attempts at insubordination than this.” She paused briefly before looking at me.

  “Now, you said cah-fi when the word is actually,…” and here she inhaled, pursed her lips and enunciated even more, “cauu-feee.”

  “Cauufeee,” I repeated, only to add, “but wha’ me would really an’ truly like fe drink is some wah-tah.” My cheeks puffed out with the laughter. “Sorry, ma’am. I just couldn’t help it.”

  Mrs. Eldermeyer’s lips became even more pinched, but she never raised her voice.

  “That’s not very funny.”

  “I know, ma’am. Is just, I’m so tired, an’ we’ve been doing this all day now.”

  It began to rain, and my mind drifted further and further away. As strict as Mrs. Eldermeyer was, she knew when to let up. She cut the lesson short, and we sat quietly on the verandah looking off into the street. Wuthering Heights lay opened on my lap, but my thoughts were miles away from Heathcliff and Cathy and from the moors. They were on what Lewis might have been doing that very moment; on whether he was also sitting on his verandah watching the rain fall and smelling the freshness of the wet grass. The Gleaner had become a part of my daily coursework because it was “necessary for a proper young woman to be aware of current events.” It reported that Douglas Carlysle was ahead in the polls by a wide margin and that Lewis planned on stepping up his campaigning. I was beginning to get antsy. I wanted my new world to include more than just Mrs. Eldermeyer’s verandah. I sighed deeply and stole glimpses of my tutor, who sat quietly looking off into the stormy skies. There was sadness on her face.