Life had a habit of surprising me. It surprised me again today, because I was now in Portmore and I still wondered how I reached here with Vanessa at my side. Donavan had called us and here we were.

I looked around in muted awe with an intense urge to venture. This was the Maticull Field stadium, it was huge. I was absorbed within the grand high reaches of this structure. The shadow it cast gave us a nice shade and left an indomitable impression on me.

It was my first time being at a stadium. The biggest I ever was at was that field outside my old school.

It barely had more than a few rows, but this place was huge. I breathed out and looked around me with a pert nod. “Damn, this place looks nice.”

Vanessa paced around. She was dressed in a tight black and white maxi dress that ended just above her knees. Compared to her, I looked like a nobody, but we were sitting on the back seats looking through the open side door. She said, “This is cool. Looks so neat…” She turned to me. “You going inside?”

They invited me inside to this launch party. I was not sure what they were launching. My eyes wavered around at the guys. All fourteen of them were well dressed in dress shirts and pants. Malt and another tall male went towards the stadium.

I answered, “The gear is inside the van, I should protect it.”

Vanessa frowned. “Come on Terry you can just lock the van.”

“I don’t want to go inside there, Vanessa. Me look like—” I was about to say 'a wasteman', which was a useless man who lacked responsibility and maturity. No, I was not that, not anymore.

Vannessa must have recognized where my thoughts planned to go. She shook her head and gripped my collar fixing it. I stiffened, but relaxed as she patted it down. “You look fine. Come on, I hear they have free food.” Vanessa walked off behind the guys.

My eyes shifted around. The wind blew across the empty lot. Sighing, I supposed free food was not exactly a bad idea. I got up and followed.

The walk under the tall columns made me truly appreciate how big this stadium was. I was overpowered within the open space of the concrete landing where the ticket area and the various food courts settled in holy matrimony.

Soon enough, we reached within its inner layer. The roof came down to a more comfortable height with the caveat that we held within tighter walls, so there was not a lot of wiggle room to run around inside.

Our shoes made the echoing squeak that came with sneakers along the tile. We traveled through the tunnel, no cracks in the walls, the smell of a pine-scented clean. The bright lights hovered over our traverse and I was impressed at this exhibition of prominence.

They were small talks here and there. Whisperings from some of the teams that would be there by the guys, I knew nothing about most of those guys. I never hung with any of them, still, I knew Leon, Irwin, and Donavan in passing.

The guys were glad Vanessa came on this trip. Why, because it gave them a chance to talk to her. I swore to God. The laughter I tried to hold back at how hard those guys tried to flirt with her. She handled ignoring them well enough.

At least Vanessa was not easily flustered. I was worried since she was not from around here. Not that I cared very much, for I only wanted to get paid. If Vanessa made it easier for me, then she was welcome wherever we went.

We came out into a room that looked like a ballroom. The roof consisted of bright round lights intermittently appearing around the room. Two big tables held many plates of food. Party favors and decorations were tacked onto the wall and flanked us. It was not too colorful, for it was just enough to leave a light-hearted impression on the mood.

If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

The atmosphere was enlightening as it was boisterous and jovial with the restrained whispers and hushed tones of the partygoers.

Servers smiled and attended to the patrons and those patrons were not shabby.

They were dressed in sleek pants and solid color buttoned-up shirts that reflected a cool gleam. A choice few were wearing jackets over their shirts adding to the formality and power play. They were dressed just as neatly as Donavan and his crew, but I knew better. I noted the watches and shoes. They were wearing real, quality material leather shoes, and loafers that were not the average color of black.

They were flashier in colors. Some contained studded stitching, metal bucks, and gradient veiling of another hue. Watches that sparkled brighter than the sun, shun like a superstar, and spun like the jet setter lives they probably lived with jewels set deep within its core.

God, I never saw so much extravagance in my life. Did this sport pay that well? Considering how unpopular it was in Jamaica I doubted that.

No.

These were uptown people who had an interest in things of a foreign variety. Uptown people liked foreign sports. I bet they were many privileged children in this room.

Yes, that was likely. I looked to the side and saw Donavan approaching me.

Vanessa nodded her head as she laid her hands on her hip. “This is nice."

I replied, “Yes. Very nice, this is amazing. Fantastic even."

Vanessa looked at me with narrowed eyes. Even now, we were pretty much the same height, which was five ten I think. She was taller than me by a bit I think, though that could be the slippers she wore. I always hated my height. It was an annoyance that kept on giving.

Vanessa quipped, “What, you don’t think it is nice?” She read my sarcasm. I ignored her until Donavan reached us.

I said, “No, it is, I just look out of place.” My hand gestured towards her. “Except you, you look perfect.” I ended that with a thumbs up. Her face warmed with color and her eyes fluttered as she semi-twirled playfully.

Miss, I barely complimented you, please, calm yourself.

Donavan widened his eyes at her and gave me a knowing look. I averted my eyes, because I was not looking to answer no gaze from him.

Donavan said, “You can say you are our equipment manager.”

I quirked an eyebrow up at Donavan and shifted on my feet. “No make me a member of your team without my permission. Me nuh want no man tackle me thinking I am one of you guys.”

No way I was getting lumped in with these guys. It was already bad enough I drove them here. I sighed, I just had to remember I was being paid for this.

Donavan laughed and held his hands up. “Alright, I will make that clear to the other teams.”

Vanessa was looking around like a tourist. “Are all these guys players?”

Donavan replied, “Yes. This is just a little launch party for the JF Championship. Our match will be in just over one hour from now.”

“After that, we leave?” I asked.

“Yup.” Donavan nodded.

I asked, “Seriously though what happened to your car I heard it got damaged.”

Donavan's eyes squinted as his lips twisted in contemplation. “Well…”

Vanessa said in odd disgust, “Who damaged a car?”

I said, “Maybe they were trying to steal it, but a novice thing, so they must have damaged it during the robbery. I don’t know, a that me hear.”

“No, it was clearly sabotage. They cut all the lines on my engine, stole the car battery, and broke parts on the inside and outside of the engine.” He shook his head as his face deepened with sadness. “There was no way they could have moved that car after that. It was clear sabotage.”

I and Vanessa traded looks of concern.

Vanessa asked first, “Who would hate you that much?”

“I wish I knew,” Donavan said with a shrug.

Hate?

I closed my eyes. Knowing what I knew there were only two culprits really. Joshua and Tallman came to mind. Those idiots did it? I had to ask them later, because I could not understand what possessed them to do something so stupid.

Mini-Glossary

Wasteman - Worthless person