by Inia Jardine
‘Good evening then Prof Hibbert and Mrs Lamonte, enjoy the rest of your evening’ the detective says. 'Come Miss Hope, we have some issues to discuss’ and with that he half drags her to his vehicle.
‘Jonah what on earth was that all about? Who is this woman. Did she see us...hmm, what was that about Babylon?’
‘Afraid so Lilia, she is one jealous, immature little bitch. A mistake I made a while back. She must have followed us from the restaurant. I’m sorry. Come, let’s get inside and forget about this. Babylon was directed at Detective Jefferson. It is a slang word for the police.’
I cannot but think of Jonah’s chequered past as we lock the door behind us this time.
‘Hope you got rid of the joint Jonah. I am so embarrassed. I have acted like a tramp tonight, I’m sorry. That stuff we smoked affected my judgement, I think you should leave. Let's call it a night.’
‘Lilia, no. I threw the dope in the bushes after I caught up with Hope and got your bag back. Do not let that jealous little bitch spoil what just happened between us. You and I both know that this is meant to be. We have the few days in bed to look forward to. Come here’ and he pulls me into an embrace.
'I have interesting and exciting plans for you. I will stay with you tonight, hold you tight so that you can sleep peacefully and tomorrow we talk, OK?’
‘Have it your way Jonah, I’m too exhausted to argue.’ With a quick kiss I extricate myself from his hug. After we both have a shower we fall asleep in each other’s arms. It has become fairly stuffy after we closed all the windows and doors but luckily there is a huge ceiling fan in the room. Jamaica should actually be experienced with open windows, letting the breeze in. It is a shame about the criminal element which has now ruined it for me.
I wake up with a start as I sense someone looking at me in the first morning light. For a while there I have forgotten that Jonah was with me.
‘You sure are lovely when you are asleep, all drooley mouthed. Don't look so scared, surprised to see a black face in your bed?’
‘Uncalled for Jonah. For somebody caught with his pants down you are quite cheeky Monsieur Prof. And for your information, it is not my first time OK?'
‘For somebody who looks as sleepily sexy as you, you have way too much to say’ Jonah murmurs as he rubs me slowly in a circular motion on an extremely sensitive spot. 'Is that saying 'once you go black you never go back' true then?’
‘I don't know; can you show me some more tricks to make up my mind? Being facetious is most probably your solution to most problems, hey Big J. It's all about the white vs black thing is it not?' I snap while pushing his hand down harder. 'Doesn't it look beautiful though, the white pussy against the black hand, such lovely contrast. Feelings aside. I could never understand though why any dark man would prefer a white woman over a black one in bed, we are such pasty lumpy things against the smooth silky dark skins.'
Jonah shakes his head and gets out of the bed. ‘If you feel that way Lilia, if you want to make this less than what it was, I will leave. I won't let my blackness pollute your whiteness any more. I want to be Jonah the man with Lilia the woman. Let me know when you are ready to accept that situation. And what Hope did had nothing whatsoever to do with me. She acted on her own, she is of legal age and I have broken up with her months ago. I have moved on. Stop blaming me for her foolishness’.
He pulls on his jeans, shrugs on his shirt and leaves. He actually has the audacity to leave.
What arrogance. I didn't really want him to leave. I am just embarrassed. I feel so inferior to the lovely Hope. How could he honestly want me in this old blubbery body?
The room suddenly feels unbearably empty. I groan and fall back down on the bed. No wonder I am single.
Lilia, you old fool. Once again you have ruined what could have been good fun.
A couple of hours later I have leisurely bathed and dressed for my last day of archive work to make up for the information I lost in the rain shower yesterday. It is so sad but my short holiday is almost over and I will have to get into my new job wholeheartedly in a few days’ time. I can't wait to see my cats when I get back though, it has been too long. I miss them. I wonder if I will run into Jonah today. I have to give his clothes back.
As I arrive at the library a young woman stops me. The library where I did my research forms part of the St Thomas Educational Institute and there is always young people about.
‘Mrs Lamonte?’
‘That’s me, can I help you with something?’
‘Prof Hibbert asked me to watch out for you and give you these.’ She hands me a batch of files with a note addressed to me.
‘Mrs Lamonte, if you need assistance working through this, you know where to find me.
J Hibbert.’
Attached is a pile of computer printouts regarding Caribbean slavery especially in St Thomas.
Something like a magnetic force pulls me towards his first floor office. ‘May I come in?’
‘Sure Mrs Lamonte. Can you close the door and sit down please?’
‘Where, on your lap?’ My attempt at breaking the ice works.
He laughs that laugh of his. ‘I am forgiven then?’
‘I was childish Jonah and I have no authority over you, or control over your past. I am sorry. I really like you. Sometimes I am very impulsive, act stupidly and then blame everything but myself. This time however I take all the blame and I am sorry. What I said was wrong and unnecessary. I believe it, but should not blame it on you.’
He walks around his desk and pulls me toward him.
‘I really like you too. We both come with pasts Lilia; I will deal with yours if you deal with mine.’
‘Deal. Seal it with a kiss.’
Jonah kisses me with a passion that I have not experienced before. My knees go weak, jelly weak, and I have to hold onto him to keep upright. I can almost hear colours and see sounds, it is that intense.
I cannot believe that I have only known this man for a day.
'Jonah, I really cannot help wondering why you would choose someone like me over a beautiful person like Hope?’
‘I am not going to make the same mistake twice.’ He reaches behind me and latches his door. 'Have you not heard anything you yourself said yesterday? About important things being more than skin deep? I am very attracted to you Lilia and I don't care what colour or shape you come in. Okay? And I love your shape.'
‘So much stealth and security precautions for a kiss?’ I joke.
‘Can’t risk ruining the innocent young folk can we. I have more than a kiss in mind’ and he presses his erection against me.' I missed out this morning, and fully intend to catch up.'
Being pushed down into a sturdy wooden desk has never felt so right. Before anything more interesting can happen though there is a knock on the door. Jonah unlocks the door while I quickly compose myself. A very amused looking Detective Jefferson grins knowingly. ‘I see you took the precaution of locking the door this time Prof Hibbert, wise move. Mrs Lamonte. Good morning folks.’
‘Jeff, let me properly introduce you this time. Meet the woman of my dreams, Lilia Lamonte. I have waited for her my whole life.’
‘Don’t let him kid you for a minute that he waited by himself Lilia, may I call you that? He has had company for most of the time.’ He takes my hand and gives it an old fashioned chivalrous kiss.
‘Sure detective, I believe you. He has been one busy boy. I intend to keep him busy now all by myself for a while so all of those women better steer clear. Will you spread the word?’
For how long I think, a day or two? I will have to leave him behind amongst all the pretty young women.
‘Will do, will do. Just want to make sure that you folks are all right and that no other jealous ladies have bothered you.’
‘Not yet and I trust never again I must say. It was quite embarrassing.’ I have only now realised that Hope must have seen us making love and heard our most intimate entanglements! I blush hotly and sit down.
> I have never been an exhibitionist and it doesn’t feel that great.
‘What is done is done, and what needs to be done, needs to be done. Come Lilia, we have to finish your research. Thanks Jeff, keep in touch.’ Jonah steers me out of the office and down to the archives. ‘As for the other, we can catch up later I guess.' He grins that grin of his.
There are many students waiting for the printer and we have to work fast. Just past lunchtime we are famished but thrilled as we have done everything I had set out to do. Jonah’s assistance really did wonders for my research, it is thorough and I will most definitely be able to make a good story out of this. I owe him big.
‘Let the holiday begin!’ Jonah exuberantly shouts as soon as we are outside.
'It is summer and I am on holiday for only a day and a bit more in hot Jamaica! What fun! Whoop de doo’ I say sarcastically and sadly.
‘A day and a bit of intense fun can make up for weeks of drudgery Lilia! Let’s milk every second as much as we can as I have lots to show you.’
We run from the building like children, hop on his bike, just stopping long enough at my bungalow to put the papers in a small safe and grab swimwear and two beach towels. 'Can’t lose this stuff again.’
At the beach Jonah shouts ‘get your clothes off - last one in the water is a frigid bovine!’
‘In your dreams my friend, you won’t see me in public in only a bathing costume! Not in this lifetime!’ I conveniently forget that he has seen me in much less. I quickly put on my bathing costume under my dress and tie a full sarong around me. Done and decent. All my voluptuousness hidden away. Jonah undresses and waits for me dressed only in his cute blue boxers.
As I run past him on the beach I holler, ‘frigid bovine I don't think! I was an athlete in a previous life!’ and after kicking my sandals off at the waters’ edge, I run straight into the waves.
Jonah jumps into the waves seconds after me. ‘Come here let me show you what a frigid bovine can do in cold sea water.’ He pulls his shorts off under water, lifts my floating sarong up and puts my legs around his body. ‘In Jamaica it is sanctioned to publicly make love in the sea’ he grins. 'It is actually encouraged.'
'The water is not too cold to hamper performance...’ and yes, it does not hamper his performance at all. Neither does my bathing costume. The sticky slippery feeling of making love in the water is different but special. I can do without the sand as an abrasive though, ouch!
We thrash and splash like drowning victims for a while and eventually stagger to the shore.
‘What an utter revelation Mr Jamaica, I never knew that could be done so well. It’s an eye-opener to me. Pools, yes. Rivers yes. Jacuzzi’s, yes. Been there, done that. But in the sea? No way would I have thought that might work.’
‘Stick with me Lilia and I will teach you a lot more’ Jonah replies with a naughty wink. 'But a river? How did that happen? Educate me.'
'Well, it involved a flat rock. And gently flowing water. Say no more.'
Luckily all the students are still in class and there is almost nobody around. We sneak back to my bungalow like wet thieves wrapped in towels only, dress quickly – Jonah in his outfit which I borrowed after we met the first time. Damn, I wanted to steal it to remind me of him. Oh well. All dry and thirsty we head to our favourite coffee place, La Jam‘ca on the park, feeling exuberant.
Too late I remember that I have now had unprotected sex with this self-confessed promiscuous gentleman more than once. Not to worry now, I will go to the local pharmacy later if I have time. Things like this (unplanned couplings) must happen regularly in this exotic setting, and they must be geared for it. This place was made for lovers. Young lovers. Not old dilapidated ones. They probably won’t believe that I had sex. Who would?
I decide to broach the subject over our first cup of coffee. ‘Jonah, have you been tested for any bad things lately?'
‘No way Lilia! Bloody hell, we are having coffee. No such discussions at the table. Where does it come from now?'
‘No condom - no nookie' I repeat the slogan I saw in the restroom up at the College.
‘Too late now and anyway it is not meant for Professors, they are exempt’ Jonah sniggers.
‘I’m serious Jonah, we cannot just mate like bunnies without knowing whether either of us have some sort of ‘problem’. We are old enough to be responsible. I am not worried about pregnancy as that has been taken care of long ago but other things can be much worse.’
‘Phew that’s a relief’ Jonah says jokingly. ‘We are too old to have kids anyway. As a matter of fact, Lilia, after my run in with that Missy Hope, I had tests done and am clear. I have since used protection, all three times - oops I forgot, no, one time with and three times without – but they were all with you!'
‘I should also be fine as I have not been in a loose relationship for about three hundred years now and I am healthy and strong as you can see. But back at home I will return once again to my chaste self.’
Virile Jonah is my fling, my holiday romance. Nothing serious. Am I just another notch on his bed post? Most probably. I can live with that.
'Lilia, go dancing with me tonight. It is a student dance but I'm sure you will enjoy it anyway. Some students take formal dancing lessons and then they want to show off in public. We have these dances twice a month. What do you say?'
'I would love to Jonah! I can't wait. But you know that my kind of dancing is the ballroom type not disco or dance-hall type?'
'I don't go often because most students, especially the girls, do lewd dances and just shake their booties. It's not proper for me to be seen to associate with that, but if you chaperone me...there are some youngsters who actually dance properly. We can join them.'
'No problem Professor, I will protect your virtue – in public.'
I decide on a 'not too sexy but not too old' ensemble of an ankle length flowing cotton dress with swirls of bold florals in almost psychedelic circles. Then pin my hair up loosely with some tendrils framing my face. I sweat very easily while dancing and uncontrolled hair will just make it worse. I am actually looking forward to this dance. My feet love to move.
Jonah arrives on his Ducati but we walk as it's just a couple of blocks to the Institute. We actually hear the music from quite a distance away. 'I feel young when I dance Jonah, I really love it. I can't do it for hours and hours anymore like I did when I was a student but it still gives me great pleasure.'
'I will try not to disappoint you Lilia, I can dance but not very well.' Jonah does not realise that just being here with him and being able to dance with a partner I have feelings for, means the world to me. We step into the foyer hall and everywhere I see faces turning towards us in surprise and hear the welcoming shouts to Professor Hibbert. He slaps high fives and shakes hands as we walk into the hall. Wow, he was not joking. There is a lot of sexual tension in the air as many young women are doing the wine, the butterfly, grinding, hip rolls and general booty popping in the air. These girls can move like nobody else.
I start doing some of my hip rolls from belly dancing but Jonah grabs me around the middle and says 'no Lilia, that is not for this setting. The students will love it but I will never hear the end of it. Let's just dance the formal two step and cha-cha or maybe even a rumba or tango.'
'Just trying to fit in Jonah.'
I feel someone bump into me and look around after Jonah swings me around and dances away in the other direction. 'Is that Hope? She sure can dance, look at that butt twerking and rolling.'
'Unfortunately yes, that is her. We may have to leave soon as I am pretty sure she will make some sort of scene.'
Reluctantly I agree with Jonah as she follows us around the dance floor while making outrageously sexy movements and it is becoming embarrassing to us both. 'What is it with you and her Jonah? Is she one of your students?'
'No Lilia, fortunately not. Her niece is though, and she went with us on a fossil collecting weekend once. Wore tiny shorts and small tops...liked to ben
d over a lot in front of me while we were collecting, and one thing lead to another. I have never regretted anything more. She has an obsessive personality disorder and won't let me go - even though we only slept together twice before I realised my mistake. She won't move on. I was hoping that the encounter with the police at the hotel would have deterred her but I may have to get a restraining order.'
