Trevor introduced Brian to Jacob, Zanz, Andrew, Earle, Royce, and Lloyd.
Angelina and company descended from the porch: Lou introduced himself as the architect; Brian’s advisor dipped her chin, telling them her name was “Kaya,” which prompted a long pause, followed by approving smiles.
And Angelina, Trevor spoke up, wrapping an arm around her was, “Mother and Skipper.”
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After a few minutes of back-and-forth, sing-song sentences, hand clasps and friendly slaps, Trevor offered to take the crew to cabin five. His eyes checked Angelina’s for approval—ordinarily Polly checked in the lodge visitors. She nodded, saying, “And another thing, Trevor. No ‘Mother.’ ‘No Skipper.’ I’m just Angelina.”
She and Kaya and Lou moved back inside, but Brian lingered, watching his brother. If he weren’t aware of how mid-morning sunbeams sometimes cut through the surrounding forest, he might think Trevor’s back and shoulders emitted a honeyed light.
The Jamaicans stood around, smoking ganja, (aka, kaya), and admiring the Black Mountain scenery. In no hurry, Trevor smiled and smoked with them.
And Brian watched, until Royce, who was slightly older with short hair and graying temples, indicated that Brian should step aside with him. Royce was the contractor, the crew’s leader.
Brian listened carefully and searched for visual clues, because he didn’t get every word, and not necessarily because of Royce’s gentle, unfamiliar speech.
Trevor stood facing the biggest man, Lloyd, while the rest had stepped back near the central boulder. Focusing cordially on Royce, and nodding, Brian strained to hear his brother’s conversation.
Trevor was asking Lloyd, who was very big and muscular, about Vivi. “I thought she might come. Everyone says she’s still longing for me.”
“Vivi longs for Rufus,” Lloyd shook his head and suddenly shoved Trevor. “You can’t go back there.”
“Did she say that? Did she say, Tell that Trevor never come back?”
“You best not think about her, rudie. Vivi’s the mother to four children. Not like you.” Lloyd grabbed Trevor’s throat and Brian’s pulse beat against his temples, his muscles tensed for action. “Vivi’s children are Rufus children!”
Turning toward them, Brian yelled, “Hands off!” and Lloyd dropped Trevor, who scrambled upright.
“Easy Brian,” Trevor stopped Brian in his tracks with a wink. “This is nothing. All of it’s nothing. And all of it’s all, all right.”
Royce wanted to move inside with Brian. “Trevor knows. Don’t worry ’bout your brother.”
Indoors, Angelina replaced Trevor’s water, coffee, and cookies with a set-up for Royce, who wondered where was the material that Trevor had promised? The thermopane glass walls? The lumber and turning machines?
Lou the architect cleared his throat. “I have the specs right here.” He reached below the table and brought up a laptop. “Home Depot will deliver everything on Saturday.”
Kaya told Brian, “We need you full time now.”
“So should I give Bed Bath & Beyond notice?”
“They don’t need two weeks’ notice,” Angelina said. “Call whoever you need to and quit. From now on, you’re Royce’s assistant. And my number one.”
“Mine, too,” Kaya said, relighting a spliff that had gone cold. “Until the buildings are up, we’ll start a summer program in Asheville. It’s your whole project, Brian.”
With Trevor off with his friends, Brian glanced around the table. “Don’t leave Trevor out; he initiated this.”
Royce said, “In Kingston, Trevor made his name as a fledgling conduit, a force against evil. Despite the trouble he cause, people respected him.”
Angelina took the spliff from Kaya and grinned. “I have big plans for him, Brian. Even though, despite what I told Polly, he needs to clear out of cabin four and stay with you temporarily. Polly can’t recover if I’m around. Or, more precisely, I can’t stand to have her muttering and cursing within hearing distance.”
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