A good guy by Drôle d'Emploi (a court of thorns and roses ebook free TXT) 📕

You are sitting in a bar with your friends and have to explain why the police found your car burnt out 50 miles from the place where you live.

7 pm at the Old Bar which we have called the odd one. We, are James and I, old friends to.
In the room, some early in evening clients, not so much. We both are sitting in our favourites large armchairs always thinking to be in this pub where we first met.

The difference, apart that this place is just a corner bar, is that the outside temperature is still 30° C! Even here we hear the shrilling insects in dark trees, some little rain frogs under the leaves and an old Caribbean music somewhere in a house on the other side of the street.
James will never believe my story; guess that. Even with these two daiquiris’. Even myself, I’m doubtful. As James used to tell me “You’re to kind man! A gift and a curse, believe me!”.

This morning when my neighbour Claire knocked at my car glass with a silent smile I wasn’t aware of all consequences.
- Hi! Could you please help me Gaspard?
- Hi Claire! Obviously.
- My car breaks down and I need to be at San Juan at 10 am for an appointment. Future job hopefully!
- OK! Please, I was just going to make some shopping, free morning, I can bring you there!
- You’re so kind Gaspard.
San Juan is ten miles away from home. Not so much for a break in this sunny tropical morning with the charming Claire.
One mile before the town Claire makes me stop. An old woman with two baskets was on the road side walk waiting for a bus that doesn’t come with a little piece of sheet “Bring me down town, pliz”.
As I leave Claire in front of the town-hall - white walls, green palm trees - “See you Gaspard, and thanks again!”, I stay alone with the old woman. “Where do you want me to bring you Madame?” She laughs “Madame!!... Come on young guy, pliz to San Juan’s market, sea side, just turn left after the church”.
At the market I decided to make my first shopping there. It was beautiful! Don’t know this place. Lot of people on the sea side. Fruits, vegetables, flowers and animals all together in baskets, carpets and old pans. The old woman, Amanda, introduced me to his son, José, a fisherman. On the beach we drink the first rhum and discuss a lot. I like these young fishermen. José told me that he can show me good surfs spots, not so far. Why not! We take my car again, bringing with us Alonso, José’s friend, a surf addict, as I am.
The “not so far” spot was in fact 15 miles away from San Juan by little roads in the “savane”. But it was true! Great spot. Good waves. We where so happy to share that, that we decided to have lunch together. Alonso absolutely wants to bring us to his girl’s friend working place, a nice coffee shop, 5 miles away at San Sebastian.
But as we arrive there, a noisy crowd was in front of the main door. Alonso’s girl friend was in trouble with two guys. They were drunken and yelled at her. Alonso and José jumped out of the car and try to calm them down. They finally fight. I can’t stay there and do nothing. Just try to help. “Stop! Stop that, you guys!” To late to avoid a large piece of wood thrown by someone in this trouble place where everybody is shouting to someone else. Maybe it’s because I’m a white stranger there, or because I don’t belong to the village community, or because… because. Black hole.
When I woke up, I was lying on a bed in an unknown place. Alonso smiles at me.
“Hey,you! Hopefully, you’re fine! Sorry for all that. You’re really too kind Gaspard!
I was now sitting on a bed. Alonso was explaining the all story. How they - with José - had brought me to this place, the local “medicine man” (a very good one, three generations dedicated to voodoo). There was just “a remaining little problem” as Alonso said…
- And what is this “problem”?
- Well…one of the bad guys was so furious that he…well…he just took your car…
- What the hell?!
- Cool, don’t worry. They will find him quickly.
- They?!!
- The policemen. My girl friend called them. Don’t worry.

James was staring at me. Yes James, they found it, my car…burned, 50 miles from my house, one hour ago! Do you believe that?! No, you don’t! The guy was a well-known “bad guy” as Alonso said! Well, in a way, it was an old one, and tomorrow morning I will knocked to Claire’s door, tell her the all story and try to make her comfort me…just try.


Véronique from Drôle d'emploi

Publication Date: 12-01-2008

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