by Nia Arthurs
She laughed, “You’ll get the hang of it soon. And yes we did.”
“Hey Susan!” Mia called from the seat right in front of us.
“Yeah?”
“You’re studying law, right?”
“Yes, I am,” I said politely.
“Did you know that Archie’s a lawyer?”
I did a double take as the motorcycle gang leader look-alike faced me, his silver eyes twinkling.
“I- I would never have guessed.”
The car erupted into laughter.
“I get that a lot. Melody didn’t believe me when we first met either.”
“Hey!” Melody yelled, “Maybe Archie can tutor you some time.”
I forced a wan smile, “That won’t be necessary.”
“You don’t trust me?” Archie asked.
“I don’t know you.” I bantered.
He laughed and I felt warm when he did.
“I like you.” he stated firmly before facing forward in his seat. The car was strangely quiet and I glanced over at Nicole’s face. She wore a strange expression before covering it with a smile. That was weird. Was I flirting with Archie? Had he been flirting with me? The whole exchange had been innocent in my eyes, but maybe I’d missed something.
“We’re here!” Melody exclaimed. I ducked my head to see out the window and smiled at the tall brown building with suspended letters proclaiming that it was “Sky Restaurant”.
“You ready for this?” Nicole, who had grown silent beside me finally, spoke up.
I knew her question only related to the restaurant experience but even as I said ‘yes’, I wondered if I were truly ready for all of it. Maybe I was and maybe I wasn’t. Either way, I was here.
Belize, here I come.
CHAPTER FIVE
The middle aged waitress with the beautiful ebony skin seemed acquainted with Melody, Peyton, Spencer, and Mia. She laughed and made jokes with the women as the men worked to put two tables together to fit our large group and we all sat down.
“This is Susan,” Mia introduced me. I smiled shyly at lady with the name tag proclaiming her name as ‘Lorraine’. She grinned warmly at me and replied,
“I hope you enjoy your stay here, little lady.”
“Thank you,” I responded and then gladly found my seat. I sat across from Archie and between Mia and Melody.
“Hey Susan, remember the fried chicken.” Peyton reminded me.
Mia rolled her eyes, “Ignore him. Order whatever you want.”
I ended up taking Peyton’s advice and ordering the fried chicken. It was the single best decision of my life. Belizean fried chicken is so flavorful, so fresh tasting.
“Is the chicken organic?” I asked the natives.
“Almost everything in Belize is organic, hun,” Melody assured me.
“That’s incredible.”
“We think so,” Mia piped in beside me.
“So,” Archie eyed me as I stabbed a French fry into my mouth, “Why’d you choose law?”
I blinked slowly, “Me?”
“You’re the only other lawyer here.”
I pushed a curl behind my ear, “I’m not a lawyer yet.”
“Trust me; with those two behind you, you’ll get badgered into doing great things.”
Mia threw her French fry at him.
“Food fight?” Peyton teased.
“I’m down.” Spencer raised his tomato into the air, “I hate tomato anyway.”
My eyes widened as I caught on that these people were serious.
“Guys, cut it out.” Mia announced, laughing hard, “look at how big Susan’s eyes got. You’re all scaring her.”
“I’m the only sane one of the bunch.” Archie addressed me. “I brought Nicole in for reinforcement. You can join my team if you want.”
“Your team is lame!” Melody pointed out.
“My team is younger and better looking.” The silver eyed lawyer retorted.
“Archie, I can still sneak into your house and shave your beard. Don’t play with me.” Mia threatened. “Then your team would have one less good looking person.”
Spencer laughed, “Mia, if you ever do that to Archie, please don’t include my wife. She’s pregnant and I don’t want her climbing through any bedroom windows.”
Melody protested, “I’m her partner in crime. I have to help her.”
Archie rubbed his beard, “Nobody is coming close to my baby.”
After the laughter had settled down, Archie returned his attention to me.
“You never answered my question. Why law, especially with all the bad press going on about us lately.”
I shrugged, feeling uncomfortable now that everyone was staring at me. “I like the idea that I can make a difference. I’ve always preferred to do something about an issue, instead of complaining about it. But people can’t act unless they know and I feel like studying the law equips people so that they can take action.”
I glanced up, wondering if I’d expressed myself well enough. Archie’s gaze was approving so I figured I was not too badly off.
“That sounds very noble,” Peyton commented, “but when I’m having an argument with Mia, facts don’t mean squat.”
“So you’re just going to lay out our dirty laundry like that, Peyton?” Mia laughingly accused.
“Hey, marriage is hard work.” Peyton admitted, “But it’s worth it.”
Mia leaned over and pressed a quick peck on Peyton’s lips.
“Aw,” Melody started crying. “It’s the stupid hormones.” She apologized as her husband gently drew circles on her back.
“It’s okay, babe.”
“Guys!” Melody yelled at Archie, Nicole, and I. “Mia and Peyton had such a hard time getting together. I’m telling you! Spence and I thought they’d never work out. Every time we came here, I had to keep Mia from tearing into Peyton.”
“That’s not true,” Mia defended. “I was always civil.”
“Barely.” Peyton interjected. Mia hit him in the arm. “What babe?” Peyton asked, “You couldn’t stand me.”
“We had our differences but I always thought you were cute.”
He rolled his eyes, “You say that now.”
“Okay, okay,” Melody interrupted, “I’m sure Susan would love to hear about how you two finally got into a relationship, but the woman looks beat. Let’s get out of here.”
The three men stood as if cued. Melody turned and whispered in my ear, “Watch this. They always fight about who picks up the check when we come here. It’s hilarious.”
“I can pay for my own food.” I quipped as I watched the loping stride of the good-looking guys making their way to the front to pay.
“Nah, that takes all the fun out of it.” Mia said.
I nodded and got up gratefully when Spencer proclaimed that it was time to go and Archie proudly proclaimed that as the winner of the rock-paper-scissors battle, he had paid for the meal that afternoon. I was very tired and keeping up with this gang took tons of energy. Thankfully, the chatter was more subdued as the clan drove me to the apartment complex where I’d be staying. I was only a fifteen minute bus ride from Peyton and Mia’s house and a twenty minute ride from Melody and Spencer’s. I was in walking distance of Mia’s Designs if I chose to walk for fifteen minutes. Every location in Belize was in such close proximity. Though I knew this was one of the main cities, I felt like I was in a small town.
Peyton, Spencer, and Archie carried my suitcases and travel bag up the stairs. Before leaving, the guys checked the locks on my door and ensured that I was safe.
Spencer put a hand on my shoulder and smiled, “You’ve made my wife happy simply by being here.” He admitted, “She talks about you like family so feel free to call me if you need anything.”
“Me too.” Peyton assured, “Anytime, anywhere. I’ll come. Melody is our family too and we take of our own.”
“Thanks guys.” I nodded at them, touched by their words and the sincerity in their tones. They lef
t after a quick goodnight. Only Archie remained. The man with the tattoos stuffed his hands into his pockets and peered at me. I could only see flashes of his silver eyes.
“I’m not as macho as those two,” he joked, “But I’ll be around too.”
“I appreciate it.” I replied. He wished me a good night and left. Overcome by exhaustion, I barely took the time to glance around the place before I headed for what I assumed was the bedroom. Without brushing my teeth or unpacking to find my pajamas, I tossed myself on the bed and slept.
I woke up in a strange room. Sunlight filtered through the window directly in front of my bed and I shielded my eyes grudgingly. It was Sunday morning, too early to be up when the sun was that bright. As soon as I decided to return to the comfort and beauty of sleep, my alarm rang out obnoxiously. I barely restrained tossing my phone across the room and calling it a day. Fortunately, I checked the alarm and gasped in remembrance. I’d promised Melody and Mia that I’d go to their church today. I knew that Melody didn’t expect me to go if I did not want to but I also knew that it would make her happy. These women and their husbands had been so helpful to me; I was selfless enough to visit their church a few times.
Groggily, I hopped up and headed for the shower observing my new home with fresh, non-exhausted eyes. The apartment was small but bigger than a college dorm room. The bedroom had a closet and a few drawers probably left over from Mia’s days. I knew that Melody and Mia had secured the apartment and returned the furniture that the fashion designer had lived with. Though Melody offered to take me furniture shopping to replace the older furniture, I didn’t mind. Mia had great taste and it was almost like having my apartment professionally designed. The walls were colored in tasteful but cheery colors. The bathroom had a gorgeous cream mosaic design on the walls near the sink and although it was small, it was clean and sparkling. I knew Belize was a developing country so I’d expected a bit of rust and morass, but I was delightfully wrong.
I hopped into the shower, bathed and then dried off. I slipped into a cute grey skirt and off-white blouse along with tan pumps. The skirt was just above my knees but I figured the blouse balanced the skank effect out quite nicely. Mom would be astonished to know I was going to church. My family had never been religious. Mom mentioned once that she grew up as a Baptist, but we really did not practice anything. I didn’t know any of the Bible people except David and Goliath and I don’t think I’ve ever read a Bible. Still, Melody and Mia and Spencer and Peyton were intelligent, successful people. Hopefully, they weren’t all brainwashed by crazy theories and mysticism.
I heard a car beep outside a few minutes later and locked the apartment before hopping down the steps to greet my driver. Mia hopped out and waved as her husband drove off.
“Aren’t we driving there?” I asked.
“Nope. I’m sorry. Did you want to do that?”
“I don’t know. I thought that was the plan.” I said, putting my hand to my forehead and using it as a visor.
“I hope you don’t mind. I wanted to walk with you this morning. I used to do it all the time but Peyton has this crazy obsession with my safety.”
I laughed, “That’s supposed to be a good thing.”
“Peyton thinks that gang bangers and murderers hide on every street corner. I’m not that fragile.”
“He loves you,” I observed as we started walking.
“I love him too. A lot.” Mia said. “But he can be way too overprotective. I empathize with our future children. They are going to be smothered.”
“At least he’ll be there.” I replied.
“I’m sorry. Did I speak out of turn? I’m always doing that.”
“No,” gravel crunched under my feet as we walked at a solid pace, “It’s just… my dad left when I was six. I could have taken a little smothering from him, you know?”
“My dad’s a complicated man, but he was always there for me. I take that for granted sometimes.” Mia admitted.
I nodded and we completed our walk in companionable silence. The trees grew in abundance in this country. The houses were small and the lawns well-kept, at least in this neighborhood. The buildings were painted bright colors and each one strove to be unique. I liked these houses better than the cookie cutter drab gray and brown pads in Los Angeles. Belize was an amazing place and I still couldn’t quite believe that I was here.
Melody stopped in front of a large, purple one-story building with the sign, ‘HOLY GHOST GYM’ on the front.
That’s a weird name for a church. I thought as I stepped through the wide open entrance. The place could do with some air conditioning. It was so hot. I saw fans whizzing at a rapid pace reminding me of colorful butterflies. We passed gray collapsible chairs aligned in neat rows until we reached the front. Mia took me to the third row on the right. Most of the gang was there with the exception of Archie and Nicole.
“Hey girly!” Melody greeted me. I noted with pleasure the absence of yelling. “Come meet my parents.”
Melody led me to the couple standing in the row before us. Melody’s parents were elegantly aging old people who grinned wide when they saw me. “She’s very excited that you’re here,” Mr. Reyes whispered when Melody’s attention was elsewhere.
“So I’ve heard,” I whispered back and we shared secret smiles. I liked him.
“Oh, it’s about to start,” Melody grabbed my hand and pulled me into the row seating me between her and Mia once again. I glanced up on the podium and was surprised to see Archie there, tuning his guitar. He noticed me eyeing him and gave me a wave and a smile. I shyly looked away, embarrassed that he’d seen me looking. Melody and Mia shared weird looks above my head. I instantly grew suspicious.
“What was that about?” I asked.
“What?” Mia asked innocently.
“I do not know of what you speak.” Melody agreed.
“I saw that. Don’t think I missed that look.”
Mia and Melody shrugged and feigned ignorance. I shook my head and chuckled. Whatever thoughts were running through their mind could be kept secret as long as it didn’t involve me and Archie. Obviously, the man had had a girlfriend. And even if he had been available, I was too broken for another relationship. Piecing my heart back together would take most of my energy. I had nothing more to give.
The band took their places on the stage and started singing a song in an amazingly energetic way. The drums and the bass were the main instruments carrying the tune with the guitar strumming in quick staccato beats along with the rhythm. I stood and clapped awkwardly but my feet were tapping like crazy. I had no idea that Caribbean style services were so cool. I felt like I was at a club!
After a few fun choruses, the music slowed down and the worship leader spoke about loving God and giving Him your all. It felt rude to keep my eyes open when all the people around me had their eyes closed and their hands up as they confidently sang along with the talented group at the front. Even Archie had stopped playing for a minute just to lift his hands and sing with passion. I wished I could participate, but all I could do was stand there stiffly and respectfully. After the last song, a short dark-skinned man came up on stage and introduced himself as Pastor Stanley. He was energetic and funny, cracking a genuinely funny joke or two. After a short prayer, the Preacher man opened his mouth and started talking about a Kingdom. I was enthralled. The man spoke of a country and a King and spirit people that He placed in dirt bodies. I didn’t understand some of it, but I got the gist. It wasn’t a half-bad way to spend an hour.
CHAPTER SIX
After the service, I drove with Mia and Peyton to the Reyes house. The food was out of this world. A few years ago, when Melody was in L.A. she made rice and beans with baked chicken and potato salad for a gathering of friends. Mrs. Reyes’ cooking far surpassed her daughter’s.
“So,” Alexi, Melody’s eighteen year old sister quipped, “how did you meet my sister?”
I swallowed my forkful of rice and beans before responding, “We worked toget
her.”
“Oh,” the pretty teenager intoned.
“Actually, Susan and I did a lot more than work together. She was my best friend over there.” Melody enthused.
“Hey, what about me?” Spencer asked.
“You were my distraction,” Melody laughed.
Mrs. Reyes refilled my water glass with freshly squeezed lime juice, “Do you have any siblings, Susan?”
“I have one older sister. She’s five years older than me so she’s more like a second mother than a sibling, but we’re really close.”
“Nice,” This from Mia. “I’m not close to any of my family.”
“Which is sad.” Melody added.
I nodded and sat back in contentment as the topic changed to the local news and the guys joked about Mr. Reyes’ moment of ‘age’ last week when he spent hours looking for the glasses that were right on his head. When the dishes were cleared and washed by Peyton, Spencer, and Archie (I know right), the group separated to the living room to watch T.V. or the separate bedrooms for an afternoon nap.
I found my way to the back verandah and sat in the shade with a book that Melody leant me. Earlier during lunch, Melody mentioned the Pride and Prejudice novel by Jane Austen and was flabbergasted when I admitted that I’d never read it.
“Read it,” Spencer had cautioned me, “It’s faster than the five hour movie.”
I was given a novel at once and so decided to settle down and begin. I was half-way into the first chapter when I heard the shuffle of footsteps. I closed the book, keeping my finger in between the pages to mark my spot and faced the newcomer. Archie stepped through the wicker door and joined me on the deck. He sat in the chair opposite mine.
“It sucks.” He said, amiably pointing toward the book, “You can just look up the Sparknotes version online. She doesn’t know the difference.”
I chuckled, “Thanks for the advice, but I’m sort of intrigued. Elizabeth sounds like my kind of heroine.”
“If you say so.” Archie leaned back and put his booted feet on the coffee table between us.
“Hey,” I sat up, “you play guitar really well.”
