Devon inhaled the sweet aromas of jerk seasoning as he wiped sweat from his brow. He’d spent the last hour helping his mother, haul folding tables and marquee tents from their backyard shed over to the riverside. Now the pair arranged cutlery, plates, cups, and other party essentials atop the checkered tablecloths, preparing for the imminent arrival of boisterous relatives.

“Yuh think the family really need THREE jerk pans, Mama?” Devon asked wryly, stacking cast iron cookware near one of many barbecue stations his Uncle Delroy had constructed earlier from cement blocks and grates. “How much food yuh plan to nyam today?”

Norissa arched one eyebrow sternly. “I never can have too much jerk chicken, child! Or curry goat...and yuh KNOW yuh Aunt Jenny always insist on bringing her oxtail stew and escoveitch fish too despite me telling her not to...,” Norissa replied with good-natured exasperation. She nodded toward Devon's aunt manning the outdoor kitchen pit, flipping bammy fritters and checking the curried goat slowly bubbling away.

Aunt Jenny inspected the growing buffet of covered dishes, foil trays and coolers crammed with every possible picnic delight from rice and peas to potato salad. Nodding in approval, she turned up the volume on the Bluetooth speaker already pumping chirpily with Tarrus Riley’s “Good Girl Gone Bad” riddim.

Soon the Johnson clan began trickling in - Devon’s twin cousins Sherene and Shimar, both bubbling beauties he remembered as mischievous little tomboys scrambling around family gatherings just a few Christmases ago. Now the teen sisters sported immaculate braided hairstyles complementing their tight jeans and stylish tops that accentuated newfound curves.

“Wow...unnu sure grow up fast,” Devon teased, giving the twins quick one-armed hugs.

Sherene winked cutely. “What yuh mean cuz? Yuh act like yuh still peeping those lil girl ponytails. We’re full grown women now!”

“Yeah man,” Shimar chimed in with mock indignation, hands on her hips. “If yuh never notice till now that puberty hit, then yuh blinder than daddy claims!”

The twins erupted in giggles while Devon just shook his head with an amused grin. More aunts, uncles and cousins filled the riverside vista; hearty hugs, jovial banter and occasional friendly roasting punctuating the familial camaraderie.

Soon, laughter and sizzling jerk chicken permeated the air as relatives filled paper plates heaping with Norissa and Jenny’s lovingly prepared feast. The easy rhythms of vintage Dubtonic Kru had people nodding heads appreciatively when Devon felt a playful nudge against his shoulder. He turned to see Tanya dressed in a flowing rose maxi dress, her hair woven into long goddess braids instead of her signature puff.

“Nice spread yuh mother put together enuh?” she said, lips pursed coyly.

Devon blinked, caught momentarily off-guard by her graceful beauty framed so elegantly...so unlike the fierce heroine constantly at his side.

“Yeah man...Mama outdid herself for real,” he finally managed. “Good to see you Tanya. Glad you could make it after that pig ordeal.”

Tanya nodded, but her expression shifted and her ears began twitching subtly beneath her braids. Devon followed her gaze to see Mei Wen approaching down the bank, looking radiant in a jade cheongsam patterned exquisitely with golden chrysanthemums.

“Ni hao Devon!” Mei exclaimed, greeting him European style with quick kisses beside both cheeks. “Thank you for the invitation to your family river lime. I feel quite honoured to attend.”

“Uh yeah, no problem,” Devon muttered, rubbing his neck self-consciously. “I just figured since you’re new to the island and all, it would be nice for you to link up with mi folk them.” Out the corner of his eye, he noticed Tanya gazing at him intently with her brows furrowed as if piecing together a puzzle.

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Oblivious, Mei happily introduced herself to Norissa and Jenny while generously praising the sumptuous spread. Jenny happily heaped the girl’s plate with steamy curried goat, callaloo and other savoury delights. Before long, Mei found herself surrounded by Devon’s fascinated female relatives, her bubbly personality and accented patois completely winning them over.

Eventually, darkness swallowed all, illuminated by strings of festive bulbs, moreover, dancehall bangers pumped eagerly from the speakers. Devon observed Aunt Jenny and two of his cousins demonstrating the latest whining moves when he felt himself yanked towards the dance area by his mother’s sturdy grip.

“Uh uh, no sir! Yuh not sitting this one out,” Norissa declared with mock indignation. “Time to show the family those fancy footwork tricks that yuh track coach always bragging about!”

Laughter erupted as Devon felt himself swept up into his mother’s lively groove; her smooth waist-winding and flawless Bruck It Down steps contrasting hilariously with his hesitant, clunky movements.

“Like so Mama? Mi finally getting it?” Devon asked earnestly amidst the family’s teasing jeers. He grimaced attempting to mimic Norissa’s flawless shoulder and hip isolations.

“Yuh getting there baby boy,” Norissa laughed, playfully fanning herself. “At least yuh knotty dreads them seem to know how to groove even if your feet still clueless!”

More raucous laughter followed as aunts and female cousins took turns trying to coach Devon’s unsure footing; the young man chuckled through his embarrassment. Finally, he staggered over to a nearby cooler where he guzzled water while catching his breath. He glimpsed Tanya sitting with Mei, the two girls chatting intently. Remembering the strange tension from earlier, Devon wandered over just as Tanya answered something Mei asked in her accented English.

"Devon and I? No, we're not...I mean we've known each other a long time. We're close but more as friends, yuh know?"

"I see, just friends then?" Mei smiled. "That is good to know."

Not wanting either girl to spot the heat rising in his cheeks, Devon plopped down loudly beside them. “Sorry to interrupt yuh convo, but I’m just checking that everything is irie,” he ventured lightly. “Enjoying the riverside vibes I hope?”

“Most definitely!” Mei responded enthusiastically. “Your family is so warm and lively. I can see where you get your humour and charm from.” She gave him a playful wink that made Devon blush despite himself. Mei played with the decorative chopsticks in her hair and added, "I didn't know your mother was such an amazing dancer."

Devon chuckled bashfully. "Yeah, Mama and Aunt Jenny love showing off when them get together. All my female relatives actually...must run inna the family."

He glanced at Tanya curiously. “What about you? Yuh make any new friends tonight?”

Tanya eyed Mei briefly then shrugged. “I’ve mostly been chatting ‘bout school stuff with Mei. Nothing major.” She fingered her braids absently in contrast to Mei’s delighted expression. Sensing there were perhaps deeper undercurrents he was missing, Devon chose a strategic exit.

“Yeah man, Mama probably need help packing up soon,” he remarked, rising abruptly.

Just then, the opening horns of Beenie Man's ‘Who Am I’ bellowed from the speakers. Mei's almond eyes lit up excitedly. "Ooh I love this song! Let's dance Devon!"

Before he could respond, she grasped his wrist, pulling him towards the rhythmic revellers. Soon, Devon found himself bouncing opposite Mei, trying unsuccessfully not to stare as her lithe frame swayed perfectly in time to the driving bassline. Her cheongsam shimmered like molten copper under the fairy lights. Her radiance and enthusiasm proved infectious, making him forget reasons for past awkwardness.

Out the corner of his eye, Devon glimpsed Tanya dancing with her uncle, and an uncomfortable twinge needled his chest. He shook his head, torn between lingering guilt and magnetic intrigue over the delicate enigma bouncing so effortlessly inches away.

Hours later, the tired yet satisfied partygoers said their farewells, making way for awaiting vehicles or heading off into the night. Crickets chirped softly as taxis converged to offer rides home. Devon helped Mei into one such cab before digging out trash bags to help his mother clean up decorations and stack dishes waiting to be washed.

He set about gathering stray cups and bottles with superhuman speed, wanting to help his mother leave faster. Within moments the riverside was pristine.

Norissa was startled to see tables folded, chairs stacked, trash bagged, blankets folded, in mere minutes with her son grinning proudly.

“Lawd! Yuh fast enuh pickney!” Norissa exclaimed with her hands on hips. She was beginning to wonder if her son might have gotten Coco Powers from the stinging Coco Mosquito debacle that transpired months ago.

Devon chuckled. “Just trying to lend an extra hand Mama.”

Before long, the riverside was tidy and the loaded car trunk slammed shut. Mother and son drove off contentedly into the night. Neither noticed an eerie neon eye glowering after them from the dense tree line... it was attached to a hulking figure now trailing inconspicuously behind the fading taillights.