Say Hello to the Broken-Hearted

by Dervan Brown

  John Steelburg had just gotten off the phone with David about meeting at the Le Papillion in Runaway Bay when an email message registered. Before he could access the inbox, Karla was on line one.

  “Hey sweetie!” John answered.

  “Hey baby!” Karla excited. “I have booked the tickets, you saw the email right?”

  “I was just about to read it when you called. So when are we leaving?”

  “This Saturday, we have a Ten AM flight from Montego Bay Airport.”

  “Wow! That’s sooner than I thought.”

  “Why is something wrong?” She baffled.

  “No, not at all. Actually, I spoke to my friend Calvin in Trinidad earlier. He had let me know that there is a one bedroom studio available five miles from where he lives. It’s in a good condition. Furnished and all. We just need to have first and last month’s rent. This is twelve fifty in total.

  “Well that’s sounds reasonable…I guess whatever it is it will have to do, at least for now. Tell him we will take it.”

  “I already did babe.” John replied.

  “Great! I told you everything would work out” Karla asserted.

  “Yeah, I knew it would. I never doubted it one bit baby.” John reassured.

  “I know…I love you, John.”

  “I love you too Karla.”

  “Are you coming to see me today?” Karla asked.

  “You know, I was supposed to meet David at the Le Papillion in Runaway Bay today. So I won’t be there until the evening hours.”

  “Ok baby, no problem, call me…bye.”

  “Bye.” John closed.

  John Steelburg approached the door of the Le Papillion restaurant. It silhouetted a dark brown incandescence, which refracted from the surfaces of the Blue Mahoe furniture. John recognized David seated at the rear right corner of the restaurant indulging in the seclusion behind the trimmed bamboo tree as he devoured the free black coffee.

  “David Barrett.” John greeted from behind.

  “Hey John! You sneaking son of a bitch!” David joked as he stood to greet him, “Lover boy! You finally made it!”

  “Yeah, but don’t worry. This won’t take long.” John declared as he ushered into the opposite seat of the table.

  “Hey John… I haven’t seen you since--Lighten up man!” David encouraged.

  John sighed in a bid to take his advice and forget how the last encounter went. “So how have you been David, still running around, having fun?”

  “Well you know me John.” David replied, “Young, free and full of exuberance!”

  “Yeah, nothing has change huh?” John shrugged.

  “No, nothing really, how about you?”

  “Well nothing has changed since the last time we met, except for the fact that I am falling deeper in love with her.”

  “Oh--ok, hmmmm….” That’s all he murmured.

  John saw the same disapproval in his eyes, it was a mistake to think that David would have garnered some sort of maturity and understanding.

  “David, Karla and I are leaving the country in a matter of days. We are going to make a fresh start--Leaving everything behind us.”

  “John! What are you talking about?” David baffled.

  “I am dropping out of school David.” John protruded with a steady voice, “I have a family. I am a man now. There is no time for me to run around and make a fool of myself anymore. As a friend, I would expect you to understand that.”

  “John, you are throwing your life away!” David exclaimed effortlessly, “How can I understand that!”

  “Make up your mind David. You will stand behind me on this as a friend or leave, leave now!”

  David overwhelmed with disbelief, held steady eyes with John. Searching for an unreal gesture to convince him that everything was a mere joke. Unfortunately not even a light smirk was observed. He had a dead man’s face with dilated eyes.

  “Goodbye John.” David got up and started to leave, “Take care.”

  “Take care friend. You will never see me again.”

  David paused at the thought of not having his friend around anymore, but to each his own. He left without looking over his shoulder.

  Chapter 21

  Life itself had endured many seasons. There was a story to tell behind every aged face. It might be a story of cold unfulfilling struggles, a story of seemingly never ending sufferance, with overbearing hardship. It might just be a story of a man with a heart larger than life who found love in the most slurred places of them all. As well it might be a story of a man who was rejected and exiled for holding on for dear life to the sole belief that the sensation, the reality, the dreams and fantasies are substances of real, nothing less than the genuine, sincere love, that all the big hearted people of this world yearns deeply for.

  The season is about to sleep. The summer sun sets. Last chance to see its ever bright condescending twilight rays.

  Wait! There is a ray of hope, the orchids smile and the rose blue petals dances with the charming zephyr. The romance shared under the summer sun was electrifying enough to keep the passion burning until next time around.

  John and Karla Steelburg arrived at the Donald Sangster’s international air-port in the back of a taxi cab. It was the last day of summer and despite all the rain that fell over the last couple of days, the sun was determined to make a lasting impression. Nevertheless life was beautiful. The excitement in their eyes was hidden by sunglasses but the radiant smiles spoke volumes of the contentment that warmed their hearts.

  “Today is the day.” John thought as he gathered the rest of the luggage.

  “Have a wonderful flight Mr. and Mrs. Steelburg.” The taxi driver delighted. That instantly touched their hearts and the simple joy fizzed into giggles. Karla squeezed her cheeks and managed to hold back the tears.

  “Thank you so much.” Karla praised the driver and tipped him heavily.

  “Alright Baby let’s go!” John requested. We wouldn’t want to miss our flight now would we?”

  Karla walked up to him held his collar and reduced herself to a comfortable fit within his arms.

  “I am so excited John! Its making me nervous, I can’t control myself!” Karla proclaimed.

  John removed his sunglasses and tilted her forehead. He was beautiful. The sun light reflected in his brown eyes, the smile of his pretty lips reached his cute dimples on his cheeks. For Karla Steelburg, that moment in eternity was different. It was extra terrestrially surreal. Love had found a whole new world, far beyond this galaxy in an entirely new dimension. A new discovery was made. Love was far more sophisticated than first thought. It was extraordinarily marvelous…

  “Hello…” John whispered, realizing that Karla had swayed from his arms into a place far far away.

  She heard his call. Her eyes widen and her smile thickened as she answered.

  “Hello…”

  …”There is no turning back.” John said.

  “I am ready.” Karla assured.

  “Then let’s take off!”

  “Ladies and gentlemen please bring your seats to the upright position, turn off all electronic devices and fasten your seatbelts, we are ready for departure. This is a five hour flight to Trinidad and Tobago, please enjoy.”

  The pilot made the final turn onto the stretched runway. The engines shifted into higher gear and the turbulence projected into a heavier pitch as the Boeing five forty-seven accelerated for takeoff.

  “Thanks for letting me have the window seat,” Karla gratified.

  “No problem, since this is your first time traveling, I wanted it to be an unforgettable experience.” John assured.

  “Aww…Everyday with you John is an unforgettable experience.”

  John smiled at her charming charisma. He knew the words were genuine. The feeling he knew well. The ever deep infatuation was very mutual.

  “This is the end of the runway. We have made it through the struggles, to the end of the tunnel. There were days when we thought that the ra
in would never cease, that the sun would never rise to give us a renewed sense of hope. But now we realize that it is true; there is indeed a silver lining behind every dark cloud. There is in fact a new beginning beyond every horizon. This is the end of the runway baby. Now we will fly. We shall fly into the sunset, leaving every shade of grey behind us. Where we are going, our days will be filled with bright forever glowing sensations of sky blue serenity, red rose carnations, pink and white feminine dresses, clear wine and ravishing cuisine. That was the end of the runway. Beyond this sky sets a whole new world. Let our un-quenching passion and our inseparable love for each other guide hearts and souls into this place where we seek true happiness and divine tranquility.

  “Welcome to the Trinidad and Tobago International airport. We wish all first time and returning passengers a wonderful time here in Trinidad.” Voice over intercom.

  After clearing the checked baggage, John and Karla Steelburg hurried to see the site outside the airport.

  “It’s beautiful John! Oh my God!”

  “Yes it is…Just as anticipated.” John agreed.

  “You know John, if I may, it feels somewhat like back in Jamaica. Just more developed-- more commercial. There is a revived high spirited mystical sensation that appeals to me so badly. I am totally ecstatic!”

  “I am glad you like it.” John elated and shoveled her under his arms. “I love it too honey. Welcome to our new home Mrs. Steelburg.”

  “Right back at you Mr.” Karla replied with a light joyful tone, “Only if we were…”

  “Only if we were what?” John’s curiosity surged.

  “Never mind…” Karla deflected, “Let’s find our guy and have him take us home.”

  “Ok, well at least we don’t have to look too hard. He is right ahead of us.”

  At a twelve feet distance in front of them was a five feet eight inches guy that had clearly defined Indian hair and complexion. He held a paper poster that read “John Steelburg” in capital letters. He wore a white T-Shirt, neatly tucked into a dark blue cotton pants, suffocating a black polished Lanvin Denim shoes. He could easily be mistaken for one of those catholic priest boys with a name tag and saintly demeanor. Nevertheless, John new that he was the devil in disguise. Calvin Peterson was an exchange student at the University of the West Indies Mona Campus for his first year of college. Calvin fell into the company of John and his friends, and within a matter of weeks he had went through a complete metamorphosis from the catholic cocoon to a promiscuous Casanova.

  “Hey John!” Calvin exclaimed as he approached him with an open embrace, “It’s nice to see you my friend.”

  John returned the warm gesture. The funny sound of his Indian accent mispronouncing English words reminded John of how he and the others used to make fun of him when he had just arrived at the campus.

  “Say pussy---Puzney he pronounced. Puzney is good for licky licky.” The girls naturally loved him.

  “It is grand to see you again Calvin. Thanks for coming.” John affixed.

  “No problem man. We have a lot of catching up to do. I am glad you are here.”

  The condescending neglect had gotten the best of Karla. It was as if John had left her on the plane like a lost luggage.

  “Eh-em.” She mustered.

  “Oh, excuse my manners, this is my wife Karla Steelburg, Karla this is Calvin Peterson. The friend I was telling you about.”

  “Hi-- Hello--Nice to meet you.” The two greeted.

  “Oh my! She is exquisite John, if I may say so without offense.” Calvin charmed.

  “Yes she is, I feel extremely fortunate.” John replied.

  “Yes you must be. I miss Jamaica so bad. When I go back, I will find me one of them just like you my friend.”

  Jovial conversations and laughter fellowshipped into the greetings. John and Karla were overly ecstatic to be in Trinidad and Calvin was already proving to be a wonderful friend. They departed the airport and Calvin gave them a tour of the city, and then took them to the apartment, their new home.

  “It’s gated.” John gave out as they arrived at the entrance of the apartment complex.

  “That’s comforting,” Karla added, “Incredible landscape too.”

  “You guys will love it here, trust me.” Calvin added, “There is a pool, a gym, a convenience store, daycare and a Kid’s playground. You don’t even have to leave.”

  “That sounds perfect. The daycare center will be much needed as soon as I am ready to work.”

  “Every detail is coming together perfectly Cuz.” John blurted.

  “Cuz!!” Calvin exclaimed in a high pitched, over curious tone as he made an abrupt stop, twenty feet away from the apartment parking slot.

  “Ahh--Ahh…” John struggled to reconcile a persuasive lie.

  In a shivery tone, Karla managed between her tightly clinched teeth, “Nahh, It’s not at all what you think.”

  “Yeah Calvin! You’ve never heard of the term Cuz before?” The white lie came together as an epiphany.

  “Yes I have heard of the word. It’s a short form for cousin, right?”

  “Yes right! But it is also the new hype slang back in Jamaica.” John lied, even Lucifer would believe him.

  Karla laughed in a jeering voice, “Yeah Calvin, everybody calls everybody Cuz these days, you follow Cuz?”

  “Calvin when you go back to Jamaica, all you need to do when you see a girl you think is hot, is walk up to her and say, Hey Cuz! What’s up with you? And that’s it.” John convinced.

  “I don’t believe you,” Calvin was dubious, “Are you serious John, or you are just fucking with my mind?”

  “If I’m lying may God’s lightning strike me now!” It was a dry evening with pretty clear skies.

  “Oh yes! It’s true Calvin, take it from me, girls think it’s really sexy!” Karla stressed and he was pretty much sold.

  “Hey guys, room seventy-one, straight ahead. Here are your keys. I’ll give you two a moment then I’ll take the bags in.”

  “Thanks Calvin, I appreciate it.”

  “Sure, you owe me one John.”

  “I sure do.” John replied as he and Karla proceeded to the doorway.

  “He seems like a really nice guy John.” Karla claimed.

  “Yes he is, he is a tremendous guy.”

  “Ok, let’s go inside and grace our new home.” Karla expressed with due anticipation.

  “Ok here goes…”

  The couple walked into the dinning quarters of the furnished two bedroom studio. John Steelburg flipped the switch and to Karla’s surprise a navy blue white light illuminated the atmosphere. John Steelburg proceeded to the table at the center and lit the red and blue candles of peach and lavender aroma. Calvin had prepared a steak and vegetable pasta meal with Cabernet Sauvignon before he left for the airport, all at John’s request.

  “Whoa!” Karla exclaimed with an open mouth and wide eyes, “Oh My Lord! This is incredible!”

  John smile scintillated. The ecstasy he saw in her expression was heartwarming and soul fulfilling.

  “Have a seat my love.” Chivalry is not dead. He opened the chair for her and gently placed the napkin to her lap.

  He removed the covers from the dinner plates and the scent of marinated medium rare cooked steak teased the nostrils. Indeed, it was foreplay for the mouth-watering intercourse they were about to have with the seductive meal.

  “Let’s enjoy tonight my love—to us.” John proposed and they cheered with the well-aged sauvignon.

  “John this is…” She wiped the tears that started to fell from her eyes, “I am lost for words.”

  “Karla don’t cry…what are you crying for?” John perplexed.

  “It’s just that—John this is everything that I ever wanted. This is all my dreams coming into reality, right in front of me and I have not even the slightest idea of how to react appropriately or even…” She mustered a smile but the tears were too heavy to keep inside.

  “Shut up.” John blurted
softly, “Just stop. You are making me way too mushy. I am nervous and shivery. So don’t do that anymore—please. As a matter of fact,” John stood and reached for her hand to stand as well. The prince charming reached into his jacket pocket, took out a little black box and went down on his knees.

  At this point Karla was shocked out of her sanity. Her body peaked into a frenzy with quivering electrifying sensations. She was extremely elated. There was no question that heaven was filled with joy at that instance.

  John opened the box and took out a white gold ring with fine diamonds lining the circumference to the feet of the cone that housed a sparkling blue to die for diamond stone.

  “Will—You–Marry me?” John asked in a timid chipmunk voice. The nervousness drizzled into his sweaty palms.

  “Yes!! Yes!! I will marry you!!” She screamed and jumped in a tantrum.

  John stood to his feet and shouted with joy steaming from the feet of his soul.

  “Yes!! Thank you! Yes! I love you so much!” With her body in his arms and her feet off the ground, he kissed her and spun her around in a frivolous deportment. Gravity had no bearing. The love was real. That’s all what mattered. The omnipotence was forever marvelous.

  Tonight the sacred blue rose blossoms. The leaves turn face up to captivate the essence of nature, and the petals curve into a symmetrical mosaic. Tonight the ecstasy of their love pinnacles.

  Chapter 22

  The morning after the proposal, passion, love making and the whole essence of the euphoria. John left Karla under the white sheet and went to the kitchen to prepare breakfast before she opened her eyes to the morning bliss. Love does make a man do silly things. As John Steelburg was a man of much caliber but cooking he knew nothing about. He over fried the sausages to a dry, crispy texture. The eggs were scrambled without milk or salt, and to perfect the sandwich, the bread was toasted to a sounding crunch. He poured a glass of milk and along with it added a glass of orange juice to the tray.