The One
Happy Birthday to my End Game 25.08
who puts up with my hobby and supports me like crazy
Mercy didn't spend much time at home during the week but when she did she liked to get a morning run in, she was busy at the studio, she had been front line in the music business for over fifteen years, so three years ago she decided to slow down and do some studio work, brought herself one and got tucked in
"When was the last time you had date?" her best friend May enquired cheekily watching her add her books up in the office
"When was the last time you paid a damn bill?" she asked her right back
"Come on you need a man and your son needs a man"
"My son is fine, he's spending time with his grandparents next week and hell he's excited"
"So you'll have time?" May asked laughing at Mercy's fuck off face "Don't even give me that" she told her
"Give you what?"
That damn face" she giggled "You know you need a man"
"I needed a man 16 years ago, I found a clinic, got what I actually needed from a damn man and I love him" she picked up a picture of her son saying
"You love that virgin Mary look don't you?"
"I love my life, if that's what you mean" she laughed knowing full well what May was on about
Mercy had wanted the family, house, love all of it, but that first damn man she dated wanted everything she had, money, fame, cars and took another women, it hurt, so she decided one day to give up trying, she talked to her parents and finally went to a clinic, after four attempts she eventually walked out with a bun in her oven. She had lots of love to give so the first two years she sat and nurtured her gift, at 21 she'd already given enough to the public, she was at that point, she could stop to experience parenting, after that her parents nagged her into going back to her stage life and for three years they looked after Saul, aptly named as he was long awaited. Then she tried the travel with me thing dragging him around with her along with a personal tutor for 8 years, finally on his 13th birthday she watched him struggling to make friends, she cried and decided things needed to changed for him, and for her, so she brought herself a studio and planted some roots.
Her handsome 16 year old son had light brown hair, piercing hazel eyes, just like hers but glassier and the biggest lips, he was totally the opposite to her tall, big hands with ears and feet to match, which he must have got from his biological father but they would never know. She'd sat him down on his 10th birthday and told him how he came into the world, he was upset, rightly so, and she knew she'd left it much too long before telling him, he demanded to go to his grandparents, so she took him. Six months later and he was fine loving his Mom again, whatever her parents told him had done the trick, he'd made her cry so many times since, keep hugging her and thanking her for his life "Yeah I love my life" she looked at May saying
"I know you love your life sweet, I would just feel better if I knew you were loving on a man in that loved up life of yours" she laughed
"I really don't see what my bed has to do with your vision of my life"
"Saul's growing up girl, and in say 2 years time he'll be thinking about getting someone to warm his damn bed, then were will you be, washing his dirty sheets?"
"Stop it" she cringed "Saul would never leave his Mommy"
"Wouldn't he?" she pushed her eyebrows up asking "You're sure about that?"
"Nobody can ever be sure of everything, but I don't think he'd forget me"
"Girl you go to church you know how this works" May looked at her smiling "For this reason a man will leave his mother and be..."
"United with his wife, Matthew 19:5" she laughed "I know"
"Then who do you think God's going to put you with?"
"Maybe that will be my time" she shrugged her shoulders saying
"Listen I have an idea, nothing underhanded" she held her hand up saying "I got assigned to that little island you know I love for a week next week, and if Saul's off to his grandparents maybe we could get some serious girl time in and just get away, I'll be working for maybe three days but every evening and the other days we could seriously get our groove on as Stella would say, what do you say"
"Jamaica" she considered
"Get some of that good weed, maybe screw a man or maybe two if that first one leaves us with the strength" she laughed
"I could go visit Uncle Glen" she smiled
"Uncle fucking Glen, I'm talking getting laid not visiting family"
"He's cool" she told her "And you said I'd have three free days" she smiled
"Does that mean you're coming?"
"Yeah I'll come" she flopped back in her chair telling May "I deserve a break"
She'd been away from work lots, every holiday Saul got they were back visiting her parents in Lima, there was always lots to do, she'd grown up on farm life so the simple things in life made her feel relaxed and at home. In that dog eat dog world she worked in she needed that chill out time to just be Mercedes Jones, wanna be diva from down the big house on the lake, surrounded by old people, water and that old reggae music her Dad never got tired of playing over again, getting excited about his memories, the old man could move. The past few times she'd been home her Mom was starting to look tired, she'd insisted on getting them a maid, which turned out to be a local girl Elisha from 4 miles away, she came in did some cleaning, ironing, washing and sometimes, if her Mom let the girl, she'd prepare veg for dinner.
Mercy spent the week preparing for a holiday, it had been a while since she'd even thought about donning a swim suite outside the family home and have people ogle at her, she was 37 years old now and life had played the funniest trick on her. In her younger days when she was a voluptuous size 18 and loving her curves, she was confident, fun loving, ready for life and sexy as hell, now she looked in her mirror at a shell of her former self, easily a size 14, and seriously didn't feel any of those things anymore. She sat on her bed wondering where the hell her life had gone and what the hell she was really going to do when Saul finally decided to leave the rather comfortable nest she'd built for him "May's right" she lay back thinking
"Mom" she heard jerking her out of her sleep "Mom, why are you sleeping like that?" Saul asked Mercy flipped herself up into a sitting position "God I thought you were dead or something" he told her a cry coming in his voice
"Sorry baby, I was thinking and then I fell asleep" she hugged him saying
"What are you going to do with these?" he asked her pulling way from her as he grabbed a costume off the bed, holding it up "There's nothing there, where are you going?"
"I'm going on holiday for a week with May" she smiled taking the costume off him
"We go on holiday all the time you don't wear stuff like that"
"That's home Saul, I mean a proper holiday" she rolled her eyes telling him
"So where exactly is this proper holiday?"
"I don't like your tone young man, and I'm off to Jamaica"
"Jamaica" he rolled his eyes and dragged his hands through his hair "Mom you know the stories, we hear them all the time, look at Rachel what did her yardie do to her?"
"I know all of that thank you and, I'd like to add" she waved her finger at him "At no time did I mention that I was going out there to find a yardie as you call them" she laughed "They're actually Jamaicans"
"Whatever they are Mom don't get mixed up"
"I won't" she smiled "Now can I feed us?"
"Please" he smiled, that smile that melted her heart every time he produced it
Mercy packed in secret after that and Saul never actually went into her room again, anyway she'd told him that wasn't going to happen and he believed her. Soon the week was up and it was time for Saul to go to his grandparents in Lima and her to meet May in Kingston Airport, they parted at the airport for their separate destinations
Day 1
"Lets Roll" May shouted as Mercy walked into the hotel, getting herself a smile and a high five
"Lets" Mercy smiled grabbing the purple cocktail May had in her hand, May grabbed one of her cases and they went off to check in and get her things unpacked
"I booked separate rooms girlfriend, I know what I'm here for, you don't need to hear that" May laughed
"Too right" Mercy laughed as she unpacked "I need a nap, I've done forty eight hours work in less than twenty four hours I'm bushed"
"I'll wake you for dinner"
"Thanks" she replied flopping on the bed before going snow angel in the middle of it taking a breath and the next thing she knew it was dark and May was shaking her to wake up "What time is it?" she rubbed her eyes asking
"Dinner time for about 40 minutes more come on girl" she pulled her up "Bathroom"
"Why didn't you wake me up earlier?" she got up making her way to the bathroom asking
"I was talking" she giggled
"Talking" Mercy popped her head round the door asking "Don't even tell me" she waved her hand telling her shutting the bathroom door with a laugh, they quickly got dressed and went down to dinner, just as they took the last sip of their Dirty Banana Punch a dark skinned, dreadlocks rough looking guy approached them
"Good night Ladies" he smiled his voice considerably softer than his look
"Hi" Mercy smiled politely before looking back at May
"Derrick" May got up smiling "Mercy this is Derrick remember I said I was talking earlier?"
"Talking" Mercy smiled "Nice to meet you Derrick" she offered her hand as he surprised her by kissing it 'These brothers are so smooth' she thought as she smiled up at him
"Join us" May told him pointing to one of the vacant seats at their four chair table
"I was wondering if you guys wanted to swim" he looked at the sea "Cool down, you women are on fire" he smiled, surprising Mercy again as he flashed a perfect set of white gleaming teeth "Get some fresh roast fish and more punch" he added that smile still on his face
Mercy looked around at the busy beach and decided nothing could really happen to them with all these people around and smiled at May "Yes we'd love to" May jumped up saying, Mercy grabbed her sarong tied it round her and followed May and Derrick who were already in conversation. There was music playing, people dancing in and out of the water, drinks flowing and conversations going on bringing a real holiday vibe, Mercy left May and Derrick to themselves grabbed a cocktail and eventually started moving to the music. An hour later and she didn't have a clue where May and Derrick had gone, she was too busy socialising, the only thing she was sure of was that her favourite cocktail was Purple Rain, she was throwing them down.
Day 2
"Shit" she woke up looking at her phone saying, it was day two and she'd completely forgotten about calling Saul last night, she'd promised she would and got lost somewhere between sleep and the night, she quickly tapped his number "Baby I'm sorry jet lag took over" her brain moving much faster than her body "I slept as soon as I got here went out last night, well downstairs, and the cocktails took over, sorry sweetie"
"It's alright Mom I tracked your phone, I knew you'd got there" he laughed
"What you've got a tracker on my damn phone?"
"You know I have Mom, I told you when I put it on we can always find each other, safety" he reminded her
"I guess I remember something about that" she rubbed her eyes saying "Look I just woke up I need the bathroom, I'll call you back"
"Grandma and I are going out now Mom, call tomorrow"
"Oh, Okay I love you"
"I love you right back Mom" he said before the phone went dead
Mercy got up to make her way to the bathroom to find the whole room moving with her, she felt her way across the room found the toilet and stayed there, unsure she could make the journey back to the bed, she drew the towels off the rail and covered herself with them, the cold marble floor soothing her head, while the room spun her back into unconsciousness
"Miss" she heard echoing through her head like she'd gone into some wormhole, her vision fading in and out making the picture she was seeing blurred and confusing
"Whhaat" she slurred out
"You need to get off the floor" she heard, still dazed "Get up" the woman told her dragging her up as she spoke and carrying her by her waist the the bed
"Thank you" she muttered
"Here drink this" the woman said putting something in her hand
"What is it?"
"You guys call it hair of the dog, we call it hangover medicine" she smiled, Mercy took the cup and drunk the medicine, anything was better than how she was feeling right now "What were you drinking last night?"
"Prince" she replied, that being all she could remember
"Prince?" she smiled "That's a new one, who gave you that?"
"From the bar" she held her head telling her
"Nothing like that at the bar Miss" the woman laughed "You sure you weren't spiked"
"No I had that much to drink, I did this to myself" she laughed falling back on the bed, for more sleep
That first day was wasted and Mercy learned that alcohol and sun made for a very bad combination, she went to dinner when May came back from her meeting, getting smiles from the bar staff "Goodnight Miss" one of the women smiled as she passed "No more Purple Rain for you eh?" she giggled
"Purple Rain" Mercy smiled at her translation of the drink to the maid earlier
"May" Someone shouted, the two women turned to see Derrick standing there with a smile on his face and another guy, not a rough as him but his dreads were totally out of control sticking up all over the place "May, Mercy this is Levi" he smiled
"Levi" May took his hand looking at Mercy excitedly widening her eyes in favour of this friend of Derrick's
"Levi" Mercy echoed shaking his hand, he pulled it to him holding her eyes before he bent to kiss her hand
"You have beautiful eyes" Levi told her, she almost rolled her eyes for the corny she heard 'Typical sleeze' she thought sticking her false smile on
"Thank you" she pulled her hand away saying
"We were just about to eat" May told them "You'll join us yes?" she asked walking off towards an empty table
"Sure" Derrick smiled Mercy just looked on, May was never any good at acting, this shit was so staged, she smiled at Levi as he beaconed for her to walk in front of him
The night was filled with laughing, dancing, drinking and a lot of conversation between Derrick and Levi that Mercy and May didn't really understand, late, as the drink sunk in, they ventured down to the beach, the weed smelt good, so good Mercy caved in and had some, not much just enough to get the smallest buzz, she was determined not to wake up the same tomorrow as she did this morning. When she felt herself tipping over the edge she grabbed hold of May and left the party
Day 3
"Morning" Mercy heard as she sat at a table alone eating some fresh fruit for breakfast, a smile on her face as her head popped up to greet her friend
"Morning" she smiled as she saw May and Derrick coming towards her "And morning to you too" she looked suspiciously at the two of them
"I've got that last meeting today but I thought Derrick could take you sight seeing, what do you think?"
"I think don't plan for me, I'm meeting my Uncle in a while hence the early start" Mercy smiled
"But I got Derrick to call Levi and everything"
"May please, stop, if I want a man I'll find one myself" she flicked her sarong around her and left them standing at the table "I'll see you later" she looked back to tell her
She asked the doorman to get her a cab and made the 90 minute journey from St Ann's Bay over to her Uncle up in Baptist "Uncle Glen" she jumped out the cab shouting, she was excited to finally see him again it had been 6 years since he'd been to see his sister in America; her Mother, and she's got so much to show him, her cousins were big men now
"Dot" he shouted as he watched her run up the drive, grabbing hold of her when she got there "You're really drawn down" he held her from him looking at her "You look so much like your grandmother" he smiled hugging her again "I still don't know why you want to stay in a hotel when you have family out here" he laughed "You young people"
"Uncle" she laughed looking up at the 6 foot plus man
They'd called her Dot almost from birth, she was born small but it really stuck when her cousins came along three years later and proceeded to grow past her by the time she was six, technically she was the shortest person in the family hence the name Dot "Where are Gary and Danny?" she enquired of her twin cousins
"They'll be round in a minute you know waking early was never for them" he laughed guiding her into the house, it was a beautiful house and when Aunt Grace was alive, she remembered it being full of people all day and night, cards playing and swearing going on as usual round the back, the stereo on high banging out some roots music, the women dancing and her and her cousins imitating the new dances. Now there was no shouting, there was no one in the house except her Uncle and periodically her two cousins, the tables were neatly dressed with flowers but that woman's touch was missing, Mercy felt sad for that, but the music in the background picked her up when she got into the main room
"Can't leave the music Uncle?" she smiled "Done anything new?"
"I don't do new, I do original" he laughed
"What you got?" she asked a dare in her voice, she loved to hear him sing, he sent every record he ever made to his sister "Mom never said you were writing again"
"I'm not I have a writer now" he smiled "Going up in the world" he huffed "At my age"
"It's never too late Uncle" she grabbed his arm telling him
"I don't really like to sing in the house anymore, I feel like I'm moving on without Grace"
"I understand that" she rested her head on his shoulder telling him
"It's nice to have you here Dot I wish your parents would visit more"
"I guess I'm to blame there Uncle, I'm so busy they tend to have Saul every holiday, and I just fit in around all that"
"Don't apologise for being successful Dot, we're all proud of you" he kissed her forehead telling her
"Cuz" Gary shouted across the room making both of them jump "Still a dot" he walked up to her saying both arms open waiting for her to fall into which she did
"Gary" she smiled as Danny who was just as tall, both being around six foot eight or there about, patted her head "Danny you know I hate that" she brushed his hand off her head saying smiling at him at the same time "Don't make me slap you boy"
"You know I'm playing" he hugged her "Come outside" the guys walked towards the veranda and she followed
"Danny pulled a spliff from behind his ear, easily hidden by his full head of locks, neatly bunched together. When they were younger they looked like identical twins but somewhere along the line Danny had come up just a bit chunkier than Gary and Gary's hair although dreadlocks was much longer and he was hairier than Danny "You smoke?" he asked handing her the smoke
"Yeah" she smiled taking it off him, Gary came towards her with a light and she was ready to chill
"Don't do nothing with those hotel guys Cuz, those guys are nasty, they do that shit for a living" Danny warned her as they sat comfortable in their buzz
"Yeah" Gary echoed "You fancy clubbing, we can get the driver to take you back later" he asked changing the vibe
"Yeah I could do with a safe night" she smiled "But I didn't bring any clothes" she looked down at herself saying
"Use one of my T-shirts" Gary told her getting up to get her one, they finally had something to eat, washed up got changed and went to Bold and Boasty Night club, they had a good time and at 3am as planned their driver took Mercy back across Jamaica to her hotel. She said goodbye to her cousins and found her room falling asleep content and happy
Day 4
"Right works over for me time to blow out girl come on lets start as we mean to go on" May walked into Mercy's room, with a bottle of bubbly leaving Mercy standing at the door "We've got a liquid breakfast, followed by a liquid lunch, getting the picture?" she giggled turning to look at Mercy still standing at the door
"I have to call Saul"
"Is he alright?"
"He's fine I think, I'm sure Mom would have called if things were any different"
"I guess" May said watching her take her phone out to do just that, sitting listening to the conversation before shouting her hello to him, and goodbye before Mercy closed the call
"So time to party?" she asked holding the bottle up
"I'm staying in this room if we're going to get rat arsed" she laughed
"Deal"
They didn't last long on empty stomachs, well before lunch time they were both sprawled across the bed flaked out , the heat not much help, waking up to May's phone ringing "What is that?" she sprung up asking
"It's your damn phone, who's calling you?" Mercy asked
"Shit I was supposed to meet Derrick at 5 it's after 6" she jumped up grabbing her phone to answer the call "I'll be there in a bit sorry" she shouted down the phone as she went towards the bathroom "Come on Mercy get dressed"
"I wasn't on your damn date"
"It's not a date, well it is but it's just down at the beach having a good time, come on" Mercy got up and reluctantly got dressed the words her cousins told her heavy in the back of her mind, the promise she made to Saul at the front
They had something to eat, drink and soon got into the party spirit, music was pumping, although there must have been couples there, everyone was just walking around bobbing to the music mingling it was a really relaxed night. Mercy was on virgin cocktails, three nights of drinking had been more than enough for someone who drunk on special occasions at home, and her conversation with Saul earlier had reminded her she was actually a Mother.
"We're going down to the beach front" May announced signalling that they were going to light up for a quick buzz "You coming?" she asked Mercy
"Why not" she smiled grabbing the beach bag they shared with their towels in and following May, Levi and Derrick
They sat on the beach talking and laughing everything was so relaxed Mercy was happy Levi and May had heard her and stopped with the come on and link up stuff, she was finally getting into holiday mode, too bad it was all going to be over in a few days, she took her pulls of the spliff being passed around and lay looking at the sky, listening to the conversation.
"Good evening" she heard opening her eyes to see a man in uniform standing over her
"Good evening" she sat up saying hearing May echo her response, and smiled
"What are you ladies doing so far away from the party?"
"Just chilling with some friends" May told him looking around to see that there was only Mercy and her sitting there "Where have they gone?" she looked around asking, visibility was limited, she could see nothing except the lights from the party they'd just left, Mercy and the police officers, she giggled. The next thing they knew the situation changed from a chat to a search and the officer was standing shouting at them "I don't understand" May shouted back at them
"I think they found drugs on us" Mercy told her looking around laughing, knowing she'd only got her costume on and May even less with a bikini
"We have" the officer pulled a parcel out of their beach bag telling them
"It's not ours, we don't buy that stuff" Mercy said in her defence
"And I guess if we tested you, there'd be none in your blood stream either?" Mercy and May looked at each other, they were in trouble
"I told you about that fucking Derrick" Mercy hissed at May as the officer led them away "Do I get a phone call?" she asked as they threw them in the car, the only person she could think to call was her Uncle Glen. They got to the police station and other than giving their names and emptying all their belongings into a paper bag, consisting of two towels, two phones and some rings, they heard nothing, eventually falling asleep.
Day 5
"You're due up in court this morning" they heard as metal hit metal ringing through the air alerting them to the fact that they weren't in their hotel room.
"Court" Mercy shouted "I haven't had my call yet" she shouted after the officer
"A solicitor will be here soon" the voice shouted back
"This is such a fucking fit up, what he hell am I going to tell my son?" she spun round asking May "What the fuck am I going to tell my son?" she asked again when May didn't answer
"Sorry Mercy I really didn't think Derrick was like this" was all she could say
Mercy had so much going on in her mind, she couldn't speak because to open her mouth right now would mean she'd lose a friend and Saul would lose his Godparent all in one go, plus she was a grown woman making her own choices she could have said no at any point. They sat in silence waiting for their fate to fall as they heard conversations going on in a language that was unfamiliar to them, people were speaking their mother tongue in a way that was alien to them, totally coded. "I feel like fucking Bridget Jones right now" Mercy covered her face with her hands saying, moving them when she heard May giggling "What?"
"Bridget Jones, as in Mercy Jones, I guess you could do a version of that" she laughed
"This shit is not funny May, we're in trouble"
"You think I don't know that?"
"I think Derrick and Levi saw us coming" she smiled "Where the fuck did they go anyway?" May just shook her shoulders
"Your solicitors here" they heard as the keys rattled in the gate they were locked behind "follow me" the officer told them, they didn't ask questions they just followed.
They were led into a room with a table and four chairs to sit and wait some more, eventually they heard talking at the door before it opened seconds later "Morning Ladies I'm Sam Evans your solicitor, I'm the duty officer for today and this looks like an open and shut case" he smiled walking towards them "And you are?"
"May, May Falkner" she held her hand out telling him
"Miss Falkner" he smiled back giving her all his attention "And?" he finally looked at Mercy asking when he realised she wasn't going to offer anything
"Sorry Mercy Jones" she grabbed the table with both hands and pulled her chair in with her butt saying, no smile on her face
"So" he looked from one to the other "Tell me what happened"
They walked him through their time at the hotel, every encounter they'd had with Derrick and Levi, the fact that they'd never brought drugs since they'd been in Jamaica and they wouldn't know how to "So what do you think might happen?" Mercy asked as he sat looking at the notes he'd written
"At worst a custodial sentence and best a fine of maybe 2K, do you guys have that kind of money?"
"Yeah that's doable"
"Great but don't say it so quickly when you get in there, they'll up the anti" he rolled his eyes and sat raking his hand through his hair telling her. Mercy sat looking at him doing that, thinking there was something familiar about that move, she sat looking at this white man, sat talking to them with a Jamaican accent in his tone, "Look" he carried on disturbing her thoughts "Just put on the lost girl look and let me do my job, we'll sort this" he got up saying "I'll see you guys in about an hour" he told them pushing his chair in
"You get us off this and dinner's on me, seriously" Mercy smiled at him
"I'll hold you to that" he turned to tell her as he got to the door"
"Please do" she smiled as he stepped through the door and shut it
"What the fuck are you doing flirting with the white guy?" May nudged her asking just as the door shut
"I wasn't flirting, I just gave him something to work towards, we're in some deep shit May" she told her May smiling for her game
An hour later they were standing in front of a judge sweating, if this had been a movie they'd have been laughing at these idiot girls that got dragged in so easily by two guys, the fact that they were Jamaicans meant nothing, this could have happened anywhere in the world. "Can you pay that now?" Mercy heard the Judge say but didn't realise he was talking to her
"Mercy, can we pay this now?" May nudged her asking
"How much?" she whispered
"10K, can we pay it now?"
"Yes, your honour we can pay that by the end of the day" she looked up telling him remembering that their solicitor said not to agree too fast, Smiling when he gave her the nod telling her she'd done good
"Thank you" May hugged him when they finally got outside the court, having paid the fine "You saved our lives"
"It's my job, just be careful in future, that's how some of those guys make a living" he told them
"How much do we owe you?" Mercy asked getting nowhere near as familiar as May saw fit
"Well nothing money wise but seeing as your no longer my client maybe that dinner invitation could still stand for say tonight?"
"I could do with getting out of the hotel, keeping away from trouble and all that, I might be back in for murder if I ever set eyes on Derrick or Levi again" she laughed
"I know places I could take you" he smiled "Say 6pm, I'll pick you up"
"It's a date" she smiled spinning to walk off with May
"There's something going on, Mercy's getting her groove back" May said as they walked off she was excited for her friend right now
Time flew, Mercy stood outside the hotel gates waiting for Sam to turn up, she couldn't lie she was excited, this was so alien to her, but she wasn't scared, she wanted to see this man "Hi" she waved as his jeep pulled up watching him jump out to let her in and waving to May as they drove off, making their way to Anglers for a feast of an evening
"So" Sam asked as he took another sip of his red wine, and cut through his stake "What does Miss Mercy Jones do for a living?"
"I used to sing for a living, but now I run a record company, it does well I guess, but it means I don't get much free time to do holidays like this, which explains the gullibility thing I've got going on" she laughed
"What did you sing, when you did?"
"Couple of hits, I will always love you, was my biggest I guess" she smiled as Sam chocked on his meat
"That Mercedes?" he asked when he got control of himself "I guess from the off I should tell you, I wrote in my spear time" he smiled "Music that is, and for the past maybe year I've been writing songs for your Uncle Glen's new album" he smiled "He talks about you all the while"
"He mentioned he had a writer when I saw him the other day" she smiled back feeling even more comfortable knowing they had that in common, maybe there was no hidden agenda, her Uncle had the nose for good people "So you know me then, I guess it's on to you, how did you happen to be living in Jamaica?"
"Born in America, grew up with my parents till I was 9, they went off to Minister in Asia and I guess they were in the wrong place at the wrong time they got caught in some local war and that was the end of them. I was shipped out here on their wishes to live with my Godparents, they didn't get to have children so I guess I was spoilt beyond spoilt, I went to Europe to Law school, went back to America to get some well needed training and came back about 9 years ago when my Dad got sick, he's still sick but Mom can't manage so I care"
"That's so sad yet so sweet" she smiled at him
"Yeah" he smiled back "So what's your next move?"
"Back home and back to work I guess after I pick up my son"
"You have a son"
"Yeah, he's 16 well nearly 17 his name's Saul and yes there's a story"
"I'd love to hear it if you're willing to share"
"I don't know why but I am" she looked at him saying "I was in the business, rough place for anyone more so for a woman, single at that all these guys pretending to want you for you and all that" she smiled nervously, having never told a stranger this before "My biological clock was ticking and well I guess I made the decision to go it alone, went to a clinic, picked a donor and after four tries I got my wish" she smiled "Mom and Dad have been my rock"
"So have you by the sounds of it" he smiled "Doing it alone, with singing and a studio, girl you're a living legend"
"Thank you, but I can't take all the credit, he's a joy to have"
"So what does he think about his Mom being in a relationship, how does he react to that?"
"I don't actually know, I've never been in one for him to react" she looked up thinking "But he did warn me not to get involved with any Jamaicans while I was here" she laughed
"Do I count, I mean I'm not actually a Jamaican?"
"I'd have to ask" she laughed
The night was beautiful by anyone's standards and Mercy went home smiling, laying on her bed thinking about the romantic night she'd just had. Replaying their goodbye in her head
"So I guess this is the end of the evening, I enjoyed it, thank you" Sam said as he stood outside the hotel gates seeing her in
"I guess it is" she'd walked up to him saying, the look on his face boarding between sexy and adorable made her heart flutter and her lips tremble, his eyes piercing into hers, begging her to know what he wanted to ask, as his gaze fixed on her lips
"Could I..." he'd said raking his hand through his hair his face reddening with blush as he tried hard to refocus his eyes, his lips going towards their goal without permission "Could I get a ki..." he'd tried to ask as she reached up and took that kiss she'd been watching his lips for, all night
"The perfect kiss" she smiled rolling on her bed as she took in the feeling "And all day tomorrow you'll be on those honeys" she grabbed her pillow saying as her door knocked and May came bursting through
"How did it go?" she jumped on the bed asking, Mercy gave her a smile before telling her all about the night
"We're spending the day together tomorrow" she told her at the end of her commentary
"What about me?"
"What about you, get some holiday in, you left me every damn day and nearly every night to be with drug dealer, it's my time sweet, Mercy needs a man, remember?" she smiled
Day 6
"Hi" she smiled as Sam walked towards her, it felt like she'd just left him and he was back again "That was the longest 4 hours" she hugged him saying
"Hi" he smiled back taking the hug "We've got some travelling to do today" he put her in the jeep saying a short time later they ended up at Dolphin Cove watching the sunrise and the beautiful dolphins jumping so high out the water you just had to gasp
"This is beautiful" Mercy held her chest saying as Sam took pictures of her feeding, stroking and kissing the animals, taking time to get in on some of those photo's himself
6am and it was time to move on "We need to get some food for where we're going next" he smiled as they jumped in the jeep and carried on ending up in Kingston at the market. Mercy watched as Sam went round feeling and bartering for the food he was buying, listening as he conversed with the natives laughing, swearing and playing. Finally he'd got everything he needed as they walked around just taking in the morning
"Can we stop at the Bob Marley Museum?" she asked when they saw the sign
"Yeah" he grabbed her hand as they made to cross the road, busy with trucks, buses and cars, all stopping to let droves of people cross the roads
"Might this not have been easier at a zebra crossing?" she asked as she hurriedly followed her hand Sam's strides making at least three of her steps
"It would but we'd have walked back on ourselves" he pointed way down the street at the crossing, hearing a horn beep for the longest time before people started shouting creating a commotion
"Can we expect guns?" she asked excitedly
"We can expect to get out of here" he laughed as they got to the gate of their destination "Two" he said passing through the gate to enter the Museum. It was 9am so they sat and ate breakfast after walking around the place Mercy buying gifts for her family and a little something for her home "I guess this bit's the long haul" he told her as they got back in the jeep and headed out of town, the views were spectacular, Mercy was taking video clips and pictures all the way
"Where are we going?" she finally asked
"St Elizabeth"
"Why what's there?"
"That's where I live" Mercy was in shock she didn't speak much after that, it was clear Sam was getting closer to home when people started waving and calling out to him as they passed, then he was calling out to houses and suddenly they'd stopped "We're here" he turned to smile at her "Make yourself at home just got to do my thing" he informed her as he jumped out the Jeep to let her out and grabbed the bags
"Mom" he shouted as he neared "This is Mercy Glen's niece" the lady smiled as Sam kissed her and put her hand out for Mercy to shake "I try to get her moving around as little as possible, her hips no good" he told Mercy making her excuses for not getting up to greet "And they refuse to go to hospital, they say you go there to die" he rolled his eyes telling her as Mercy bent to say hello "Come meet my Dad" he moved his head telling her to follow him, his hands were full "Dad" he smiled to a man laying in a bed just inside the door he walked into "This is Mercy Glen's niece" there was a smile but no movement "He said hello" Sam looked at Mercy saying "The pools out back go fill your boots, I've got to sort this out for my folks" he told her holding the bags up
The house was big for three people, with two stories, front drive and a massive pool, everything painted brilliant white and looking neat and tidy tucked away at the back of the small town. The pool was luxurious and when you were in it you felt like you were sitting in the sea because from the back of the house all you could see was the sea and what seemed like their private beach. Sam came out with drinks after a while dressed in his swim wear and sandals, setting them down before he dived in the pool and ended up in front of her, she stood watching him, adrenaline running through her body her heart pounding letting her know it was there and it was affected, the feeling of that kiss last night flooding her body. "I could be the one that would do you right, treat you like it suppose to be done"
"What?" she asked, that was not what she was expecting to hear just then
"You just brought the words to my mind" he hovered over her saying, his breath hitting her face his eyes fixed on her lips, hers looking deep into his, his hand touched her naked skin, she felt herself moving towards him, her lips forcing her head to move to find his, her eyes closed in anticipation "Beautiful" he whispered sending waves through her body as the echo of his voice moved through his hand into her waist and through her entire body. She was way past waiting, she lifted her hand and grabbed his hair pulling his head down to meet hers, opening her eyes long enough to find his mouth before going in for the kiss she urgently needed
"Mmmhh" she said when they connected, she felt his mouth smile as she demanded entry forcing his head to stay were it was with her one hand while the other found his neck.
He'd all but lifted her out the water to his height by the time they came up for breath "Cherry's" he licked his lips smiling "I love cherry's"
"Note to self" she smiled looking back at the house, making him aware she was conscious of his parents being around
"I got you a drink and dinner's in about 15, hope you're hungry" he smiled finally putting her down "I'll race you" he took off to get to the other side of the pool before he finished talking, Mercy in hot pursuit
"I won" she shouted as she watched him walking so slowly with a smile on his face "You cheated" she grabbed his neck saying dunking him for it
"You won" he came up saying wiping his face as he dunked her "That was your prize" he laughed "Dinner"
They finally got dressed and had dinner she'd established through dinner that this was Sam's routine, he'd settle them in before he left at 4pm every evening, leaving breakfast in the fridge, which Lynn; the neighbour, would come and cook for them. He'd get back from work by 11 every morning, with fresh food to cook their dinner, do what was left to do after Lynn's visit and get back to St Ann's every day, except he hadn't slept as usual after dinner today because she'd been there.
"You need to get some sleep Sam, I'll wash up and sit out for an hour or so" she told him when she realised
"No it's fine"
"Actually I insist" she got up with plates in her hands saying
"Is that an order?" he asked smiling
"Actually I guess it is" she told him as she watched him get up and do just that
Finally at 3.30 she decided to wake him up, calling him through his bedroom door he woke up immediately, rushing around getting his shower, packing his lunch and sorting his Dad out before picking his Mom up and carrying her to the bed flicking the TV on for them and kissing them both as Mercy stood around watching "God I'm late" he said looking at the clock on the wall as he glanced to see her tapping her number into his phone "Thanks" he smiled
"I'll pay the fine" she smiled at him
On the way back they talked about everything and nothing skirting round the real conversations that both felt they should be having. Mercy wondering how she'd even begun to fall for some guy on holiday doing the one thing Saul had asked her not to do, while Sam sat wondering how he was willing to try and even start this long distance relationship with his parents sick, he couldn't move an inch right now. "I can't lie Sam I like you, a lot, but I promised Saul and well, we live so far apart"
"I know" he smiled "The original holiday romance" he laughed "I guess I wish it could be more, it's been a while for me"
"Me too" she laughed "I leave straight after breakfast tomorrow so..."
"Yeah so" the car came to a stop outside her hotel gates "I guess this is goodbye"
"I guess" she smiled as he jumped out the car to go let her out, she jumped out the car and grabbed his hand as he went to walk towards the gates, she looked into his eyes her mind telling her with every breath that in walking away from this she was not following her destiny, his eyes were pulling her in she rested her forehead against his chest trying to get her breathing right fighting with her instinct
"You're having just as hard a time as me keeping this thing a friendship yeah?"
"Yeah" she replied without looking up at him "Thank you" she said her breath shaking, making it come out almost as a whisper
"What for?" his voice breaking with the upset this was causing
"For being you, making my heart wake up.." she got out before he leaned down and grabbed her lips, she pulled away forcing his hands to leave his sides and grab her head pulling her lips back into his, both their eyes open taking in every look until their lips met, their eyes closed, their kiss deepened with passion
"You did the same for me" he finally said when he caught himself "I wanna fly with you"
"What to America?"
"In life" he smiled "I don't know how that's going to happen, but that's what I want"
"Get in the car before you make me stay" she giggled pecking him on the lips "Bye Sam" she said letting him go
"I really didn't want you to do that, let me go" he stood saying before he jumped in the car, Mercy bent to blow him an air kiss, he turned and smiled at her raking his hand through his hair and proceeding to wipe his hands down his thighs before linking his fingers together and pushing the palms of his hands towards the steering wheel
"Bye" she said as he blew the kiss back started the car and drove off, leaving Mercy wondering if she'd really just seen that, she decided to shake it out of her head and carry on with her life
Day 7
The next day they had breakfast and before they knew it the coach was at the hotel waiting for loading, to get them to the airport "I'm guessing Derrick and Levi didn't turn up with that apology?" Mercy asked as they sat on the coach
"No" was all May found to say "Sorry Mercy" she said resting her head on Mercy's shoulder
"Nobody died" she nudged her saying, she was feeling sad about her own life right now she didn't have the space to take on May's life. Her parents had put Saul on a fight and they met at the airport for a teary reunion, life went back to normal Mercy working all the hours sent and Saul back to school, these were serious years for him, his birthday swung past again and suddenly he was becoming a man looking at future plans.
10 Month later
Time had flown by, conversations were still private between Mercy and Sam, even May didn't know, she had a habit of dropping hints about things to Saul and Mercy really didn't want to take that chance
"There's a parcel for you Mom" Saul shouted as she walked in late, yet again, from work
"Thanks Baby, you had a good day?" she asked walking into the kitchen to see him sitting eating a giant bowl of cereal "Is that actually a eating bowl?" she asked roughing his hair and kissing his forehead as she passed
"It's a bowl Mom" he said sarcastically "The parcel's over there" he nudged his head in the direction of the dining table , as she walked towards it picking it up and looking at the postmark
"Uncle Glen" she smiled "He must have finished his album, she smiled knowing full well he had because Sam had told her
"He doesn't usually send you a copy does he?
"No but when I was there he told me about it maybe he just wants approval"
"Uncle Glen I think not, he's been in the business longer than god" Saul laughed
"Maybe not" she laughed "I'm going to bed, if I'm lucky it will put me to sleep" she walked back to him saying kissing his forehead again as she left the room, her mind seriously wondering why Uncle Glen had sent her a copy. She got to her room threw her bag down and opened the letter "Sam?" she looked at it puzzled as to what he'd need to say that he couldn't over the phone or via text as they usually spoke weekly
Dear Mercy
I know I've worried you writing, but I just didn't want to tell you this over the phone, it's been a horrible week, Mom passed, I know, seriously I wasn't expecting it, but I was at home thankfully and it took me a day or so to tell Dad, you know how he is, but then Thursday morning I woke up and he'd gone to join her, I shouldn't even be surprised that's how they were, close you know a true love story. Anyway as if time is dictating my life the album (enclosed) has finished and I find myself ready for that change we talked about nearly a year ago, I'm coming to America; I can hear a film in there, see if this thing we have can go anywhere, no pressure. I've got lots to sort out here before I can even think about making that move but I'll keep in touch, I can see a light at the end of this very dark tunnel I've found myself in
See you soon, speak on Sunday
Sam
PS Track 6 is all yours, I sing on it too
Mercy sat on her bed put the CD on and went straight to track 6, smiling as she remembered familiar words he'd said to her 'I could be the one' by Maxi Priest it made her cry as she sat realising that her feelings for this man had somehow morphed into love, how the hell was she falling in love with a telephone relationship, he'd obviously fell in love too he'd wrote this song telling her he did, she was excited at the thought of him coming, being there with her.
4 Months Later
Christmas had finished and Easter was on the way, it had been well over a year since their week in Jamaica and Sam and Mercy were in more conversation now than ever. She was over excited because their last conversation had revealed that he'd be landing in America on Tuesday of that week, it was going to be a bit awkward for her because that was the night May, Saul and her got together but something was going to have to give
Tuesday she'd skipped lunch, left the studio for the airport to meet him off the plane, she'd planned all sorts of scenario's in her head but when he stood there all of them had gone. His eyes glistening with want, she knew what was coming, she'd dreamt to so many times as she glanced around her surrounding before focusing on him coming towards her. His hand reached under her hair grabbing between her ear and neck his thumb rubbed her cheek as he looked into her eyes looking for what he was feeling and found it, bringing a smile to his face. Her eyes focused on him as he pulled her closer to him breath heavy and sharp as their lips parted inviting each other in, hearts fluttering as he finally drew her to him and their lips touched before their bodies clashed and they fell
"I missed you" he finally reluctantly pulled away telling her
"I missed you more" she smiled before hugging him as he grabbed his case before they walked out of the airport
"Sam" she said when they got in her car "I..." she breathed hard before grabbing the wheel "I haven't told Saul about you I haven't told any one actually"
"I didn't really expect you to until we find out what this is" he smiled
"Can we give it say a month?"
"That's fine" he smiled grabbing her hand resting on the glove box
"I know you're not going to understand this, but Saul has to know before we take this relationship physically, any further than it is already" she looked at him saying
"Watch the road" he told her "Don't worry about me, I'll work with whatever we decide and Saul's feelings are important"
"Thanks"
2 Weeks Later
Mercy was getting worried her schedules had changed Saul was asking questions, she hated herself for lying to him and it was impacting on her relationship with Sam, Saul and May "Mercy" May shouted one day when she'd sat pouring her heart out to Mercy to find she wasn't even listening "I've had enough of this, you need to tell me what the fuck is going on with you girl" she spun on the couch asking her
"I'm seeing someone" she blurted out "Actually I'm seeing Sam"
"What, who's Sam?"
"Sam from Jamaica"
"You have got to be fucking kidding me" May got up saying "I can not believe you, after everything you told me about your promise to Saul, shouting me out for Derrick, you shacked up with that fucking guy"
"I didn't shack up with him, we haven't even gone that far yet, but it's getting serious for me and I don't know how to tell Saul"
"He's the only person that matters in all this Mercy, and I know he's going to want you to finish this and get back to being his Mom"
"Shit" she laughed "You know that do you? what ever happened to Matthew 19:5"
"He's supposed to leave you, not you leave him"
"I'm not leaving him, life's just changing for us"
"What's making life change for us Mom?" Saul was suddenly standing in the doorway asking
"Perfect opportunity I'd say" May sat down telling her, Mercy felt like she'd actually planned it, the smirk on her damn face
"Saul come sit down" she called him in "Don't you have somewhere to be?" she asked May
"I'm fine just here thank you" she almost lay in the couch giving her response
"Okay" Mercy sat down with Saul on the couch opposite telling him about the situation and her growing feelings, promising him that nothing was going to change between them and that Sam understood his feelings were important in all this
"Mom" he gasped when he actually heard yet another grain of information she'd let out "He's a white guy?"
"Yes, but I don't actually think that's of any importance" she raised an eyebrow at his comment
"Actually it really isn't for me either, it's just that I've never visualised that as something you'd go for, actually what the hell do you need a man for, what do you want a relationship for?"
"We had this talk a while back Saul, don't play the fool" she smiled at him
"I need to speak to Grandma" he got up saying, Mercy understood that he always spoke to Grandma to get understanding whenever they disagreed
"I'll meet him" he came out an hour later announcing "As soon as" he told his Mom, she smiled but she was anxious for these two to get on
Three Days Later
Saul sat fidgeting his Mom was in the kitchen making something to eat, this Sam guy was coming over and against everything his Grandma had advised he wanted him out of his house and out of their lives pronto. He'd planned to subtly let him know exactly what he was thinking deep inside himself, that was his plan when the door knocked shaking him out of his intentions "Okay Saul he's here" Mercy shouted as she went towards the door
"Hi" he heard it was obvious they were kissing as Saul stood up to break out his get the fuck out stance for this man "Hi..." Sam said again stopping as he looked at this boy standing in front of him "Sorry Hi I'm Sam" he walked towards him saying as Mercy stood on pins watching the interaction. She was horrified as she watched Saul and Sam rake their hand through their hair almost as a mirror image, rubbing their hands down their calves, she shook her head thinking she was reading something into all this again
"Hi" Saul replied wondering where the hell that came from, get rid he reminded himself "Do you want a beer or something while we wait for lunch?" what the hell he thought wondering off to go get the beer without even waiting for the answer
Sam sat wondering why he felt a connection to this kid, surmising that he loved Mercy and of course he'd have to love her child and that was the feeling
"There's a game on do you want to watch it?" he asked I'm making this so damn easy, what h hell is wrong with me, he struggled with himself as he put the TV on and found the channel giving Sam the beer, while he wiped the top of his fizzy drink, watching Sam do the same with his beer
Mercy stood watching as the two of them put the can between their legs and wiped their hands down their thighs before opening the can and taking a large gulp, shaking her head, is that how much you want a Dad for him? She asked herself. Ten minutes and lunch was ready she was just about to call time on the TV when she heard them shout 'Alright, Alright, Alright' no way could they have planned to do that, she turned to see them looking at each other both with puzzlement on their faces "Games started" Sam looked at Mercy's shocked face telling her. She listened as they cheered, booed and shouted at the game until finally a goal came from their team and they both jumped in the air doing a fist punch shouting yes, the excitement was such they actually ended up hugging each other
"What the hell was that?" Saul jumped away asking, looking at Sam as Mercy came running into the room for the shout
"What's up?" she asked walking towards them
"We got a static shock, when we hugged" Sam smiled "Excitement from the game" he laughed
"That might have felt like static to you but it was more than that" Saul told him walking towards him as he spoke "Touch my hand again" he told him as Mercy rolled her eyes for his supernatural world beyond world stuff coming out right now. Sam's face went serous as he touched Saul's hand again, this time it wasn't a bolt it was more like a hum that felt warm, friendly even as they stood looking at each other "You feel that don't you?" Saul looked into Sam's eyes asking
"Yeah I do, I felt it as soon as I walked into the house" Sam admitted
"Felt what?" Mercy stood in between them asking
"I have your eyes" he looked at Sam telling him "Hands, feet, ears and god our lips" he smiled
"You look like me when I was 16" Sam laughed "I wasn't black obviously, but you look like me" looking at Mercy "Sperm bank in Lima Ohio?" he asked
"Yes" she said nodding with tears in her eyes as Saul pulled her to join them
"Your the one" she looked up at Sam telling him
"I told you I could be the one" Sam hugged her saying, he'd got more than he'd ever imagined but all he'd ever wanted
"I take back all I ever thought about Jamaica" Saul laughed "And guys I'm out late on Fridays, every Friday" he told them getting a friendly slap off his Mom
"Fridays alright with you?" she asked Sam
"Can we start his Friday"
"Too much, too much, child in the room" Saul walked away covering his ears as his parents laughed
The End