Katani's Jamaican Holiday Read online

  Grandma Ruby whispered in my ear. “Katani, keep your head high and don’t let anything they say bother you.” Grandma walked by and nodded to the nosy gaggle of ducks—that’s what they all looked like to me. “Good afternoon, ladies, lovely day in Jamaica.”

  I had to give it to Grandma Ruby. She sounded like a queen. Cousin Cecil and Selvin looked at her with these big, wide grins. They were obviously impressed.

  Apparently, the news that we were the culprits and were on our way to apologize to Miss Eva had spread, cell phone-fast. It was shocking how fast! “Nothing is private in Jamaica, Katani. You just have to ignore those gossiping girls,” Olivia leaned in to tell me. “They just like to talk…and talk…and talk.”

  I giggled. “I know lots of people like that at home.”

  As we walked by the group of chattering ladies I heard one of them say, “There they are. Sneak out in the middle of the night and scare someone like that. What dem naughty girls think?” Everyone around was nodding as the big woman in the purple dress spoke. I figured she was the leader of the gossips.

  I was totally embarrassed to have all these people staring at me, but at the same time I wanted to laugh. It was like I was in one of those bad reality TV shows. If only the BSG could see the Kgirl now—walking down the street on her way to apologize for the dumbest mistake of her whole life, followed by a group of people she didn’t even know on the sunny vacation island of Jamaica. Was this really happening? Reality check!

  By the time we started walking up the lane to Miss Eva’s house, even more people had appeared. We were now like a parade. I almost expected someone to start selling balloons and peanuts. Grandma and Cousin Cecil were marching in front. Olivia and I had managed to fall in behind them—kind of like two prisoners. Then came Selvin, who seemed to be enjoying the growing crowd. I could hear their excited chatter and laughter. I honestly didn’t know what all the gawkers expected would happen. Did they think I was going to fall down on my knees and weep and wail and beat my hands on the ground? I almost laughed out loud at the image of me acting like some fragile, tragic heroine from an old movie.

  When one of the women following the party gave me a funny look, I really longed for one of those closed carriages from the olden days. Or even the baseball cap I had left on the bed in Olivia’s room because I thought it would mess up my hair. Pride, foolish pride—I could hear my mother now.

  My whole vision of a nice little private apology party with Miss Eva was fast disappearing. This was like an inquisition! I looked over at Olivia and Grandma Ruby. They were chatting up a storm, as if they were strolling to a garden party. But as I sidled up to Olivia, I heard her complaining to Grandma, “Mek dem so fass! Mek dem nuh leave us alone and gwan a dem yard go mind dem own business!” She had slipped into speaking pure patois, and I could hardly understand her.

  “Olivia, what are you saying, girl?” I asked her.

  She grabbed my arm and gave a huge smile. Then, through her gritted teeth she whispered to me, “I wish everyone would just mind their own business, don’t you?”

  I understood the game now. I smiled and nodded at everyone. “Yes, I do. I wish they would go home and watch Oprah,” I told her out of the corner of my mouth.

  “Good afternoon, Miss Seldon.” Olivia nodded graciously at an old lady wearing a muumuu and carrying a giant white cat.

  Just when I was about to hand my beautifully wrapped present to my grandma and tell her I was too tired to party, the apology parade reached Miss Eva’s gate. It was too late to escape.

  Cousin Cecil called out, “Afternoon, Miss Eva. It’s Cousin Cecil Palmer and some other folks come to see you. Hold the dog.”

  I couldn’t tell if Miss Eva was surprised or not. She turned her head, got up a bit shakily, felt along the veranda rail, and walked toward her little mangy dog, which was acting like he was some huge guard dog. He kind of reminded me a little of Marty (except Marty lacked the guard dog personality). Miss Eva held the little mutt by his collar, dragged him toward the door, nudged him inside, and closed the door behind him. She might have been really old, but she seemed stronger than she looked. We could hear the dog barking and trying to get out.

  “You shush now, little man.” Miss Eva’s voice was surprisingly strong.

  As we went through the gate, Selvin turned to the crowd and said as he raised his hands, “Show’s over, folks. Gwan home now. We have private business with Miss Eva.”

  None of them left, but at least they didn’t come right into the yard with us.

  “Come on now.” Miss Eva invited us onto her porch with a little wave. She reminded me of the birds she made…graceful and kind of floaty.

  Grandma and Cousin Cecil almost had to drag Olivia up the steps. I knew that I couldn’t let my courage fail me now, so I marched up right behind her.

  Cousin Cecil introduced us. “Miss Eva, I have before me the two silly girls who came to your porch in the middle of the night.”

  I stepped forward first. I wanted to get this over with. I have the kind of personality that wants to get the job done as soon as I can. I hate misery.

  “Miss Eva, please forgive me for…” I stopped. Ugh, here came that glue mouth. I licked my lips and started again. “Miss Eva, I…I am Katani Summers and I am very sorry for trespassing on your property.” Even Grandma rolled her eyes on that one—I sounded like a criminal.

  “I brought you a present…something to keep you warm at night.” I reached behind my back, climbed the few steps to the veranda, and gave her the brightly wrapped present. “Just so you know, Miss Eva, it’s wrapped in really nice yellow paper and I picked a flower from the garden.” I paused again, and then I said. “Well, I hope you will forgive me.”

  The old lady ran her hands all over the gift—feeling every part of it. It was like she was seeing with her hands. Very carefully she unwrapped it, folding the paper without ripping it and holding the flower to her nose. Then she took out the scarf. I could hear murmurs of approval from the crowd.

  “Miss Eva, I am the silly girl Katani’s grandmother. She has knitted you a lovely pink scarf with a little white bird in the middle.”

  Miss Eva wrapped the scarf around her neck even though it was about ninety degrees and said in a soft voice, “Pink is pretty, and the birds are my friends. Thank you, Katani.”

  Olivia was next. I was very proud of my cousin because she took responsibility for everything. Miss Eva chuckled and said that if we had just knocked on the gate, she would have let us in to collect the necklace. I don’t know about Olivia, but I felt even more ridiculous.

  Miss Eva apologized for not having any drinks to offer us.

  “That’s okay, Miss Madda…Miss Eva,” Olivia stammered. “I brought you a gift as well. I made my mother’s favorite coconut cake, and we have lemonade and cups and napkins. We can have a little tea party right here.”

  “Well now, isn’t that a lovely thing.” Miss Eva seemed genuinely touched.

  Olivia and I cut pieces for everyone, even the parade at the gate. The big woman in the purple dress actually said, “I told you they were very nice girls. A very nice family.”

  Olivia and I could barely choke down our laughter.

  As we sat and enjoyed our cake, Miss Eva began to talk. Olivia and I were stunned when she said she couldn’t remember how old she was. When Cousin Cecil asked how she came to this part of Jamaica, I thought I saw a tear. She said she came up to get married, but her fiancé left to fight in a war (she couldn’t remember which one) and he never came back. She never made enough money to get back to England, where her family came from.

  I knew that she must be very lonely because every time we started to leave, she would tell us another story about the birds and old-time Jamaica.

  Finally Cousin Cecil said that we wouldn’t disturb her anymore but would come back for a visit another day. We all got up to shake her hand. I was surprised to find that her hand, though bony, was not as tough as I thought it would be, since she was constant
ly carving her birds. I felt very sad that she lived alone with no one to care for her.

  Grandma Ruby also shook her hand and complimented her on her bird carvings. She seemed quite pleased about that. When it was Olivia’s turn, I heard Miss Eva tell Olivia that she had known it was her all along.

  “How do you know this, Miss Eva? You can’t see me.”

  The old lady smiled and grabbed Olivia’s arm. “Oh, but I know you, Olivia. I hear your footsteps. They are light and quick and sometimes they dance.” Then she added a little shyly, “I hope you come again…and please bring your coconut cake with you.”

  A Night to Remember

  That night, before we fell asleep, Olivia and I kept having fits of giggles as one or other of us remembered some silly detail about the crazy “apology parade.”

  “Did you see that Camille? She must have been combing her hair when she heard. One side of her hair plait and the other side loose.”

  “Did you see that old man who walked with a cane?” I asked. “He walked so fast. I think he didn’t want to miss any cake.”

  I listened to Olivia fussing for a while about Miss Eva’s fool-fool dog. Somehow, every time she said “fool-fool dog,” she sounded funnier and funnier. I started to laugh. She glared at me, then she must have realized how funny she sounded, because she also started to giggle.

  “I’m not sorry Miss Eva have him, though. It must be very lonely for her. So it’s good she have him. Even though he is soooo annoying.” I threw my pillow at her. She was making fun of my Boston slang.

  Olivia shook her head. “All those people make a pappy-show of us.” She howled at my inquiring expression, then explained, “They made us look like fools.”

  “Pappy show?” I repeated. I had never heard a stranger word. More laughter. We had to put the pillows over our heads or hold the sheets over our mouths so the grown-ups wouldn’t hear us laughing. By the time we fell asleep, we had pretty much laughed away our bad, horrible apology parade, and were ready for whatever tomorrow’s adventure would be.

  CHAPTER 19

  Jamaican Holiday

  Olivia and I were sitting on the veranda having a game of seriously competitive checkers. I had won two games (yay for me!) and Olivia two. We were smiling and laughing, but underneath, it was war. Checkers war. Personally, I hated to lose. Losing at anything just didn’t sit well with me, and it was obvious by the intensity in her eyes that Olivia didn’t much enjoy it either. Suddenly Olivia pulled off a huge double jump, and I was forced to crown her queen. Not good news for the Kgirl. Not good at all.

  Think, think! I wracked my brain for a move. Olivia wanted to win so badly, she was practically drooling. Of course, at stake was the two dollars we bet. Good thing Grandma Ruby and Cousin Cecil had already left.

  “You gwine make a move or what?” Olivia asked impatiently. That girl was intense.

  “Relax, mon, everything irie. I’m gwine move in a minute,” I joked as I doubled-jumped her. Now we were at a standstill. Olivia got up and started pacing. Wow, I hoped we weren’t going to get into a serious fight over this. Once, my sister Patrice and I didn’t speak for a week when I beat her at a game of checkers.

  Suddenly, I saw three steps ahead in the game. Oh, no! There it was…the Kgirl was going down. Oooh!

  Then we were interrupted by Selvin, who walked in looking all pleased with himself.

  “You girls better go pack a bag ’cause I got a number-one day planned. It includes a beach party at a very beautiful resort.” Selvin looked all decked out, so I figured this had to be some swanky resort.

  “That, Selvin, is music to my ears.” I jumped up from the table, but Olivia protested. “Katani, we have to finish the game.”

  I had one of those moments where I could have just blown her off by saying I wanted to get ready to go. But I stopped myself. I don’t like it when people are unfair, so I turned around and pulled out my two dollars and handed them to Olivia.

  “Check it out, Olivia, you’re going to beat me fair and square, anyway. So here you go.”

  Olivia took the two dollars. “Yahoo!” she shouted.

  “Okay, you don’t have to rub it in.” I stuck my tongue out at her.

  “Yes, I do. It’s part of the fun of it.” Olivia jumped up, grabbed my arms, and danced me around the kitchen.

  Selvin clapped his hands. ‘Very nice show! I’m sure Hollywood will be calling tomorrow. But we got to go. Party waiting. Aunt Ruby and Cousin Cecil will meet us at the party.”

  Olivia and I looked at each other and we both ran for the bedroom. Beach party meant important decisions. Decisions like: how to do your hair, what bathing suit to wear, shorts or a beach dress as a cover-up, a baseball cap or a straw hat, which color nail polish…I mean, this stuff is important for a fashion-conscious girl! As far as nail color, I knew immediately which way to go. Gold…definitely the gold.

  Batting Cricket

  When we were in the van, Selvin explained that before we went to the party we could stop and see a cricket game. “Yippee.” Olivia waved her arm. “I forgot that my school’s team is playing today! Thanks, Selvin!”

  “A cricket game?” I exclaimed. “What the heck is that…you have bugs chasing each other or something?”

  Olivia and Selvin lost it and began hooting with laughter. “You never heard of cricket? Where have you been, girl? It’s huge here and in England, too,” explained Olivia in between fits of giggles and hiccups.

  “Well, I’m American, I’ve never been to England, and I just got here. Besides, I’m just not that into sports.” Really, I didn’t think my mistake was that funny.

  “No, seriously, Katani,” Selvin tried to explain. “Cricket is a big game in Jamaica. Everyone follows it. I think you’ll like it.”

  Honestly, I didn’t really think I would. I mean, sports were not on the Kgirl list of favorite things. I didn’t even follow the Red Sox or the Patriots, and they were huge at home.

  “There’s the field, Selvin!” Olivia shouted. She was excited to watch the match.

  As we walked toward the crowd, I heard someone calling my name. I was shocked. Who in Jamaica knew my name? Usually everybody was calling for Selvin, man-about-Jamaica.

  Then I saw him. He was dressed all in white and was waving at us. When we got near the stands, I realized that it was the boy in Olivia’s class who had smiled at me when I was so nervous as the new girl at school. He was in what I figured was his cricket gear—this cool white outfit with these protective pads on his shins—and he had something that looked like a bat in his hand. But the bat wasn’t like a baseball bat at all—it was flat. I had to admit, white was definitely working for him.

  “I’m glad to see you again,” he said with a real nice smile. “I wanted to get your e-mail address and ask if we could write each other. I really liked that speech you gave in class. A girl who’s pretty and smart.”

  What?! Who was this guy spilling his guts out to me in the middle of a playing field?! None of the boys at home would ever just walk up to a girl and say something like that. Olivia gave me a knowing look. It’s not like I had a crush on the guy or anything, but he was really cute. Especially in his white uniform.

  “Um, but I don’t even know your name,” I stuttered, with a shy smile. This boy had me, the cool, confident Kgirl, completely tongue-tied.

  “Adrian,” he said, flashing me a confident grin. Whoa. This guy definitely had charm and attitude. I fumbled around in my backpack for a pen and paper, and we exchanged addresses. He had a funny screenname: Crickbatjam.

  “You want to watch me bat?” he asked. Olivia and I giggled at each other. OF COURSE we wanted to watch him bat!

  “Okay,” I agreed, and we went to sit with Selvin.

  “That Adrian, all the girls like him,” she said with a sigh. “You so lucky he say that to you! You must write to me and tell me what he says when he e-mails you.” I nodded. I was excited, but I tried to concentrate on the game. It made absolutely no sense at all to me. It
looked like a combination of croquet, bowling, and baseball. No one got dirty, and I couldn’t figure the scoring at all, but everyone looked cool and spiffy.

  Selvin tried to explain the game. “See the two batsmen at either end of the pitch?” I nodded. The pitch, I gathered, was a strip of white ground in the middle of the field. “They’re standing before their wickets, the three sticks in the ground. The wicketkeeper squats behind it. Only one faces the bowler. If the ball hits the wicket, or the keeper catches it after he has hit it, he’s out. When he hits the ball, he tries to get at least one run by hitting the ball as far away as possible. If a fielder catches the ball, he’s also out.”

  “How does he get the runs?” I asked, because all that happened after the player batted the ball was that one of the fielders picked up the ball and threw it back to the bowler. The batsmen did not move.

  “After one of them hits the ball far enough, both batsmen run to the opposite end. The one who bats gets the runs for the number of times they’re able to cross to the other end.”

  “Selvin,” I begged, “don’t tell me anymore. This would take a hundred years for me to understand.”

  “Two runs,” Olivia said happily, clapping. “If he had batted it to the boundary, he would have got four runs without having to run.” The boundary was the edge of the field. “If he bats it over the boundary, he gets six runs, the highest possible score from a hit.”

  “Mmm-hmm,” I said. Olivia was so enthusiastic, I couldn’t tell her or Selvin that I was bored out of my mind. I figured cricket must be one of those games that had to grow on you.

  Then I heard the crowd shout, “He’s out! See, he’s been bowled, he’s lost his wicket.” It was Olivia’s friend Marius.

  Olivia put her hands over her eyes. “Players hate to lose their wicket.” I started to giggle. Olivia gave me a stern look. “It’s not funny, Katani.”

  “Look,” she pointed. Adrian was up. Suddenly, the game was a lot more interesting. I wished the boys back home wore cricket outfits. They were so much more stylish then baseball uniforms.