Coming back for more

As I sipped my coconut water on the patio yesterday afternoon, I looked out into the garden and saw that the coconut crew, long gone, had left a pod full of coconuts, about 15 or so, cut down and resting by the girls' swing set.  I imagine that in their haste to chat with me, they'd left some behind.  I thought this morning of calling them to have them retrieve them so they wouldn't go to waste but didn't want to trouble my landlord for their number.  I also get a bit exhausted being ogled all the time by a group of young men while I am home alone on a pretty quiet street.  Didier, on occasion, does cut down the coconuts and I drink the water and he and the kids join me in eating the meat or jelly inside, but it takes forever for him to get around to it.  Case in point, we have seven coconuts sitting on our patio dining table waiting to be opened.

At noon, after Virginie's swimming lesson (to be discussed in the next post) and right before nap time, I hear the bell to the house clanging.  Outside at the gate is one of the coconut team who wasn't with the crew the day before.  He yells over the fence that he has some coconut water for me as he knows I only took a glass yesterday.  I told him not to bother, but then remembered the coconuts out back.  I told him as much and brought him around to collect them.

All of the coconut team, the gardeners, the construction workers renovating the house across the street, and random drivers who see me when I am walking the girls on the West Coast road feel it is their duty to flirt shamelessly with me and tell me how pretty, sweet, lovely I am.  It is part of the culture.  I don't believe for a second that this is reserved for me only.  But the dedication that this young man had to his craft, befits his own City Mom posting. 

First, he tells me how he was sorry he missed me yesterday but knew he would see me again soon.  Didn't I think it was fate that coconuts were left on just the day that he would be working on a house nearby.  He carries no cellphone because he believes that when someone needs him, he will be there.  As I needed him this afternoon to collect the remaining coconuts.  I sort of smirk and hold Virginie a little closer in my arms and listen, not really encouraging him but sort of wondering how he will continue with this monologue.  He tells me that he hopes to soon be done with this line of work.  What, I ask, would you like to do with your life?  Well, currently he works as a male exotic dancer and would like to create a club for ladies only where he can dance for them.  I am asked to look at his strong arms and imagine how he is built all over. Insert eye roll here.  I wish him luck on his pursuits. 

Then he mentions he also might just like to be taken care of by a rich woman at which point I let him know that I don't have any money but that I heard that rich, white British ladies take up with Bajan boys in return for "favors."  Yes, he tells me, it is quite popular but that he is not interested in white girls and prefers a "darkie, rich like chocolate" any day.  Finally, that coconut water jug is full.   I take it inside as he asks for a glass of water.   I have a stack of disposable plastic cups for just this sort of exchange, as THAT happens all too frequently when someone comes to work in the garden or around the home.  While drinking his water, he mentions that he is hungry and would like to have lunch, on me...and then I realize...he is really bringing me the coco water so that I can buy it and put some money in his pocket for lunch time.  I give him $10 BDS which is $5 USD and tell him to enjoy his lunch and his day.

Before he leaves, he asks if I would like to take his picture, as he heard I'd taken photos of the team yesterday and you know I had to oblige.  How else would you believe me?  Years in the New York bar scene well prepared me for this exchange.  I am a veteran of the NY bar, restaurant and club scene.   Not sure how the local women stand up to it, but baby, you know you have to work harder than THAT.  I have heard it all. 

I do love that coconut water though.

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