De Rightest Place by Barbara Jenkins

Author:Barbara Jenkins
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Peepal Tree Press

17. STRATEGIC BATTLES

Bostic pointed to the large metal drum mounted on its side and standing on a wheeled frame fashioned from reinforcing steel rods.

I come to work good, good, this Friday morning and first thing I see is this thing park up right here.

Fritzie agree that indeed the thing is parked up, on the forecourt, where tables for dinner were set up a scant week before. She walk towards the drum.

But who would bring this and plonk it down here just so?

She lift the handles and the drum opens half-and-half along back hinges. There is a metal grill set into the lower half over a bed of charcoal.

Like somebody set up and ready to barbeque. But who?

Who becomes clear that afternoon when a pick-up pull up on the forecourt and Curtis and Kwesi jump off the tray. Together they tug off a big maco cooler box, the kind on wheels, a folding table, a cardboard box and two big bulging blue plastic bags. The pick-up drive off and the two fellers set about moving this and that until everything is to their satisfaction.

Fritzie upstairs busy clearing up after the daily soupa lunch trade. That still continuing, Indira or no Indira, and she nearly ready to go home – she have to be there when Precious reach, to keep her on her toes with the schoolwork. Bostic, inside the bar, all the while watching the antics of the two young men, but he not going to demean himself by going out to ask them what the ass they think they doing trespassing on people property, and who give them permission to be there. Time longer than twine, give them enough rope and they will hang theyself, and other pearls of hard-won wisdom come to mind. So he biding his time, waiting it out. And soon enough, Curtis come in.

Afternoon Mr Bostic, how you going? I just come to full the bucket.

Bucket?

This bucket here. To wash hand and thing.

Wash hand?

Hand does get sticky with barbeque sauce.

Barbeque sauce?

Yes, Kwesi and me, we trying a lil ting. With the bistro gone through and everything. Man have to live. Y’unnerstan?

Yes, man have to live. So, what you and Miss Indira agree?

About what?

The use of her premises, the water, the washroom, because I guessing you boys not going to do your business in the bucket, eh? And your customers might want to wash hands too. Barbeque sauce does be real sticky. Ent?

Mr Bostic, I come in here, nice, nice, to ask for a bucket of water and you giving me a setta talks. If you don’t want to give me the water, just say so. I sure Miss Cynthia down the road wouldn’t mind if I ask her.

When you down there, ask Miss Cynthia if you could use her gallery to set up your business too.

Why? We on the public pavement outside a here. We not on anybody private property.

My advice to you, young man, is to fill the bucket and go back outside. When you reach there, I want you to check exactly where you set up.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.