Hot Summer

by Judy Powell

Monisha’s cold stare softened at that. “So you think I’m that big, huh?”

  “No, but with my help you can be.”

  “Really, now.” Monisha’s looked offended. She flipped her ponytail over her shoulder and stalked off to the production tent.

  “Oops!” Derrick chuckled. “You got her good. What a dis’.”

  “No, it wasn’t,” Summer turned to him, hands on her hips. “Do you think I have time to waste feuding with the likes of Monisha Stone? I wasn’t putting her down. She’s a talented singer and no-one can take that away from her. All I meant was that talent, without promotion, would be lost in the crowd. Lots of people have talent but it’s the ones who are thrown in your face who make it big.”

  “Oh. I thought you were trying to mess up her head.”

  Summer smiled. “Don’t look so disappointed. You’ll get your cat fight some other time…but I won’t be in it.”

  “Oh, come on.” He turned puppy dog eyes to her.

  “No, you come on. The crew is leaving us behind. Let’s go.”

  The rest of the video shoot went just as smoothly as the first scene. The weather had been picture-perfect all day and they actually finished thirty minutes early despite the late start. With all their work behind them the entire group disrobed and took off for the falls. Super Cool, Monisha and Franklyn joined a group of tourists and went climbing up the rocks while Abe and the two cameramen went scouting the beach for free and single ‘honeys’, as they put it. Summer sat with Derrick in the serene pool at the bottom of the waterfall.

  Although she’d been excited about making the climb somehow she couldn’t get herself into the right mood. No matter how hard she tried she couldn’t put Lance out of her mind. She wondered if he was still back at the hotel.

  “Derrick,” she said softly, trying to screw up the courage to speak.

  “Yup?” He opened one eye then yawned. “What’s up?”

  “Have you heard from Lance today?” she asked, deliberately avoiding his eyes.

  “Oh, yeah, he called about twelve o’clock to see how the shoot was going.”

  “And…he didn’t say anything about coming down here?”

  “Nope. He’s spending the day with Michelle. She just got outta the hospital so he’s gone over there to spoil her, as usual.”

  Summer’s breath caught in her throat. She felt her heart plummet and she lowered her gaze to hide her confusion.

  Derrick rubbed his eyes and yawned again. “You know about Michelle, right?”

  “Yes. I…I heard she has sickle cell anemia.”

  “Yeah. Poor kid. That’s why Lance dotes on her so much. Just trying to make it up to her, I guess.”

  Summer nodded but remained silent. Her thoughts were in a turmoil. How could she have forgotten about Lance’s other life - his Jamaican life? He had a little girl who was sick and needed him. Of course, that would mean he had a woman here, too -Michelle’s mother.

  She’d been such a fool to believe there could have been anything between the two of them. She would never be satisfied to be just one of his many women. She wanted all of him or nothing at all. Then I guess I’ll have nothing, she thought, and suddenly felt despondent.

  “Are you okay?” Derrick peered at her. “You just got so quiet, all of a sudden.”

  “I’m fine,” she said and gave him what she hoped was a convincing smile. She rose and the water streamed down her lithe body. Derrick’s eyes shone as he stared up at her. She stretched a hand out to him. “Come on. Let’s go tackle this monster waterfall.”

  12

  Summer shook her head and sighed in regret. How was she going to get out of this? Derrick had asked her to go out with him to the Ambrosia Night Club. Caught up in the moment she had accepted but now that she was back in her room she was loathe to leave again. She was just feeling the effects of her exhausting day. The video shoot had been hectic and the evening at the waterfall had been tiring. But how could she get out of it without hurting his feelings?

  When Derrick came to get her she put on a brave face and gave him a warm smile. When they arrived at the Ambrosia the place was full of dancing, laughing people. It lifted Summer’s mood and soon she relaxed and began to enjoy the music, rocking with Derrick on the dance floor. They were dancing in the middle of the crowd when someone tapped Derrick on his shoulder. Summer paused as he turned to a tall bald-headed man wearing dark glasses.

  “Hey, Zeeko. Long time, man,” he exclaimed, and both men embraced, clapping each other on the back.

  “Yeah, man,” the man said in a deep voice. “You not been around lately, eh?”

  “Well, not this side of the island.” Derrick nodded. “Just got here a couple of days ago.”

  “Come on. The rest of the guys are in the back.” The man indicated with his head. “I know they’d want to hail you up.”

  “Oh…okay,” Derrick said then took Summer’s hand. “We’re right behind you.”

  They followed the man to the back of the dance floor and went through a narrow passageway to a green door. He knocked and it opened to a slim light-skinned woman in a very tight red dress. She opened wider and, without saying a word, waited for them to pass through the door.

  The room was a private lounge with lamps that threw soft lighting around the room, illuminating the deep red of the couch and the rich black carpeting. Two men lounged in the couches and another sat around a glass table smoking what looked like a very fat stick of tobacco but Summer knew it was anything but that.

  “Hey, who’s this just dropped from the sky?” The stout man in the couch sipped his drink and nodded to Derrick.

  “Derrick, my youth,” said the one with the spliff. “Long time no see.”

  “Yeah, man,” Derrick said, “but I’m here now.”

  He pulled Summer over to an empty chair.

  “I see you have a lovely girl with you, man. Your wife?” the fat man asked.

  “No, she’s my friend,” Derrick replied. “Summer, these are my longtime buddies from school days. That’s Michael over there,” he said pointing to the one smoking, “that’s Cliffie,” he nodded towards the plump man, “and that’s Germaine.”

  Germaine sat silent, still staring at Summer without a word. She nodded to him but felt uncomfortable under his intense look. He was well-dressed in a suit and tie and gold rings flashed on his fingers. Without his having spoken a word she knew instantly that she didn’t like him.

  The tall man who had brought them into the room came over to her and said in his deep voice. “And I am Zeeko.”

  “Yes, I know,” she replied. “I heard Derrick call you that.”

  “Cool,” he nodded then went over to sit at the glass table. Summer’s eyes widened as he pulled out a piece of paper, sprinkled what looked like dried leaves into it and rolled it up. He lit it and stretched his hand out to Derrick. “Dis one have your name on it, man. Come take a draw.”

  “No, man,” Derrick said. “Thanks, but I not into them stuff, okay.”

  The man lifted his eyebrows at Derrick. “Boy, you getting soft.”

  “Jus’ cool, man,” Derrick said. “I jus’ not into them kinda things right now. No more rude boy stuff for me.”

  The man nodded. “Cool. Your choice, brethren. You missing out, but is your choice.”

  Summer glared at Derrick.

  He cleared his throat. “Guys, it was nice linking up with you but I have to make a run now. I have the lady out kinda late so…nuff respect.” He took her hand and she rose.

  “Cool. No problem, man,” Zeeko said. “We’ll see you ‘round the place.”

  Cliffie nodded and Michael continued smoking. Germaine never took his eyes off Summer and never said a word.

  She was very quiet as they left the nightclub and walked back to the car. Her entire mood had changed. What she had just seen was a reminder of the sordid side of life, and a revelation of another side of Derrick.

  As she buckled her seatbelt Derrick turned to her. “Summer, you
okay?”

  She nodded but stared straight ahead.

  “Summer, please talk to me.”

  She looked across at him. “About what?”

  “I know you’re upset, and I’m sorry.”

  She didn’t reply, but just raised her eyebrows.

  “I’m sorry I took you in there. I shouldn’t have. That’s a part of my life that’s in the past.”

  She remained silent.

  He continued. “I have to admit I was a part of that crowd but not anymore. It was a mistake to have taken you in there. Do you forgive me?”

  Derrick looked so distressed that she nodded. “Yeah, it’s okay. I understand.”

  “So you forgive me?” he asked again.

  She stared back at him for a moment then sighed. “You’re forgiven.”

  He grinned then switched on the ignition and they drove off.

  Summer leaned back in her seat and closed her eyes, enjoying the balmy breeze blowing in through the window. It smelled slightly salty, like the sea. She was beginning to drift off when Derrick broke the silence.

  “If I didn’t tell you earlier, you look lovely tonight.”

  “Thanks,” she replied with her eyes still closed, “but I’m so tired right now I’m sure I look crazy.”

  “Of course not,” he said. “You do a man’s heart good. You’re a beautiful woman.” He leaned over and reached for her hand and, before she could pull it away, began stroking her palm.

  “Derrick, I…” she began, then said sharply, “remember your driving.”

  “I’ll be alright,” he said and shrugged as he controlled the steering wheel with his free hand. “I like you a lot. You know that, don’t you?”

  “I don’t think we should-”

  “Yes, we should. I like you and I think you like me, too.”

  “Derrick,” she said sternly. “I don’t think we should go there.” Then, feeling guilty at her abruptness she said, “Please, Derrick, let’s just…not rush into anything.”

  “Alright, honey,” he acquiesced. “I’m not gonna rush you. I’ll leave it alone…for now.”

  Summer hurriedly thought of another subject, just to get him off her. “I have a question for you.”

  “Yeah, baby? Anything.”

  “I want to know about Super Cool. You see, I have to come up with a human interest story about him and I don’t even know where to start. Can you tell me anything about him, what he’s like outside of when he’s performing?”

  “No problem. I was the one who found him in a talent search six months ago. He’s a cool youth. He’s from a rural part of Jamaica. Linstead, it’s called. He’s from a poor family, but he’s an ambitious kid.”

  “And he seems to be a pretty nice guy,” she said.

  “He sure is. He really wants to make a success of himself but he’s humble about it. Still goes home a lot, every chance he gets. He travels with us now but when he’s not doing that he goes to stay with his mom in Linstead. His sister lives there too, with her child. He’s got a brother in the army. His mom’s a small farmer.”

  “A small farmer?” She feigned exceeding interest, hoping it would keep his mind off her.

  “Yeah, she grows vegetables and stuff. She takes them to the Linstead Market on the weekends. That’s how she put her children through school.”

  “Really?”

  “Yeah, and she’s real nice. I’ve met her a couple of times. Kind of stern, but real funny woman.”

  “I would love to meet his family, get some tidbits about him. That would be a great way to start,” she said, now genuinely interested.

  “We can do that,” Derrick glanced at her with a smile.

  “But how?”

  “I can stop at their house on our way into Kingston tomorrow. We can leave earlier and I’ll make a stop there so you can talk to his mom.”

  “That would be great.”

  “I’ll just tell Super Cool in the morning so he can give her a call and let her know we’re coming.”

  “Sounds good to me,” she said. “Can he be there, too?”

  “Sorry.” He shook his head as he pulled into the parking lot of the hotel. “He has to go in early with the rest of the crew. They’ve got lots of work to do. We’re lucky we don’t have to be there till in the afternoon.”

  “Then I’d like to stop there.”

  “No problem,” he said, then pulled into a parking space and switched off the engine. “I look forward to spending tomorrow with you, my sweet.”

  Summer groaned inside but pasted a smile on her face. “Uh, yeah. Me, too.”

  13

  By eight thirty next morning Derrick and Summer had left the hotel and found themselves in the middle of a traffic jam in the heart of Ocho Rios.

  “God,” Derrick groaned. “I forgot everybody would be heading for work at this time of the morning.”

  Summer paid hardly any attention to him as she drank in the sights of the hustle and bustle of the tourist town. The streets were filled with cars and every so often there would be a taxi darting through the traffic with its horn honking, creating even more confusion on the road. They were almost always caught by the police patrol on bicycles because it seemed like the only vehicles moving forward were the ones on two wheels.

  “Hey, whatever happened to police cars?” Summer laughed.

  “We’ve got those, too,” Derrick replied, laughing with her, “but it’s just that in Ocho Rios we also have a lot of cops who ride bicycles. They get around easier in this congestion, as you can see, and it looks a lot friendlier in a tourist town than having cops driving around in cars all day.”

  “I guess you’re right,” she said, “and I don’t mind seeing them in those shorts, either.”

  Derrick laughed. “You would say that.”

  The morning was already hot and Summer pulled out her sunglasses to soften the glare.

  “Music?” Derrick asked.

  “Yeah,” she said. “Why not?”

  He switched to one of the local stations and the sound of soft rock music filled the car. Summer was glad for the distraction. She was anxious to get to Linstead but this traffic jam would cost her some of her interview time. At least the music kept her mind off the delay.

  Some twenty minutes later they were finally on the Fern Gully Road and on their way to Kingston. “This road is so winding,” Summer said.

  “Oh, that’s because this used to be a river that dried up. When the Spanish were here they just paved it and turned it into a road. So, of course, it’s winding in the very same way that the river used to flow.”

  “That’s interesting, but not very efficient, is it?”

  “No, I guess not. But we’ve lived with it for so long I don’t know if they’re ever gonna change it.”

  “Well, I should hope not. It’s beautiful.” She looked around. “I never noticed it last night but look at all those ferns hanging over. And it’s so calm and cool under here.”

  “It’s okay, I guess,” Derrick replied.

  When she looked at him quizzically he continued, “I guess because I’m from here I’m so used to it that it’s not anything that special for me. But I understand what you’re saying.”

  Derrick drove along a road which, in Summer’s mind, was way too narrow in some places. Still, it was a pleasant ride. She enjoyed the greenery, and especially going through the small towns where people would be going about their daily business. To Summer the trip was an eye-opener.

  When she saw a man riding a donkey with two huge baskets hanging on either side she got excited and Derrick laughed at her all over again. “The man’s going to do his work. He’s a farmer. That’s how he gets around.”

  “I know. I’m not that stupid. But it’s just that you don’t see these things every day. At least, I don’t. Not in Chicago. I like seeing all this new stuff. I mean, it’s different. Remember, I studied journalism and I’m doing Communications. All this is stuff I can use in my work. Don’t you see?”


  “Whatever you say.”

  Almost forty minutes later they arrived in Linstead. They turned off the main road and onto a narrow track that led to a small house almost hidden by the trees. Derrick drove into the yard and immediately three dogs rushed out, barking madly.

  A stout woman ran around from the back of the house, shouting, “Rex, Prince, get out of here. Go on.” She picked up some small stones and threw them at the dogs. “Lady, go look after your puppies.”

  She broke a switch from a nearby tree and hit them on the rump. They dashed away, still barking. She bent to pick up her hat which had fallen off in the flurry of activity and, with a broad smile on her face, approached the vehicle.

  “Well, finally, Mr. Dunn. Courtney called and told me you were coming so I was looking out for you over two hours ago. What happened?”

  “Traffic backed up on the road, Mrs. Kitson.”

  She peered into the vehicle. “And this is the nice lady who going to do the interview?”

  Derrick nodded. “Yes, this is Summer Jones.”

  “Welcome to Linstead, mam,” she said, smiling, and took the hand that Summer stretched out to her in greeting.

  Derrick and Summer came out of the vehicle and walked with her up the pathway to the little blue house.

  “I was planning to prepare breakfast but when it get so late and I don’t see you I change me plan.” She wiped her hands on her apron. “I was jus’ aroun’ the back trying to catch the chicken but it give me quite a chase, you see.”

  “Why were you chasing a chicken?” Summer asked, confused.

  “For the lunch.” Mrs. Kitson looked at her as if she should have known.

  “But you can’t kill a chicken now.”

  “Why not? You don’t eat chicken?” She looked perplexed, then nodded as if in realization. “Oh, you are vegetarian.”

  “No,” Summer said, feeling a little stupid. “It’s just-”

  “Good.” The woman cut in. “You too skinny to be vegetarian; you need some meat on you bones. Come on to the back with me. Let’s get a nice, big one and I’ll cook a sweet lunch for you.”

  Before Summer could say another word Mrs. Kitson grabbed her by the arm and dragged her off to the back of the yard with Derrick in tow. As they walked the woman kept up a constant chatter. “I tell the little boy from next door to catch one for me, you know, but him been running around the yard and not catching a thing, not even fly. Anyway, make we see what him up to.”