The Beat of Safiri Bay (10 page)

“We should play together sometime,” I surprise myself by offering that. I never play with anyone but Matt. “That would be nice, but I promise you, I am no good,”

“Famous words of a good artist,” and she laughs at me while shaking her head. As we leave the building we see Sarah behind a tree talking to someone. We make our way to her and she sucks on her cigarette as if it might disappear at any moment. I am surprised to see that it is Alex she is talking to behind the tree. We join them and Sarah’s attitude has changed completely. She has gone from sulking to seductive in a matter of five minutes. It is shocking to see a girl just two years younger than me so confidant in her ways. “Lane, I was waiting for you but Sarah needed a light and we moved to the tree so her parents can’t see her mess up her lungs.” He puts the emphasis on parents and Sarah blows out the smoke in his direction. Alex moves then and comes to stand next to me. “Alex this is Emma,” I say and Emma blushes so brightly she matches the tablecloths in the tent. “Pleased to meet you Emma,” Alex says and shakes her hand. It is difficult to think that two sisters could look so much alike but be so different. I hear Matt’s voice coming toward us as he talks to everyone on his way. “Lany baby, you ready to rock?” he asks and slips his arm around my waist. This has never bothered me before but the look Alex gives me makes me squirm and I wiggle myself out of Matt’s embrace without him noticing anything weird. The five of us make our way back to the tent but someone calls my name and I turn back to see who it is. A fat man with very little hair is standing by the tree we just left. I am wary of strangers in particular but this guy’s figure and aura gives me a chill I would rather avoid. I walk just a little bit closer and he does the same. “Lane Rose?” he asks in a whisper. “Yes, who are you?” How does this guy know who I am? “It doesn’t matter; I just want to warn you about Alexander.”

“Alexander?”

“The guy you were talking to just now, be careful, nothing good ever comes from knowing him.” He turns around and walks toward the beach. I run after him but then think better of it. There is no one on the beach and my gut tells me to steer clear. I see him disappear over the flat dune and I shake my head at no one. That was just creepy.

People are now dancing and singing along with the playlist and Matt makes the switch to live music. We play upbeat songs and everyone seems to enjoy it more than they did the playlist. Sarah has moved onto the dance floor and people start making a circle around her. She has some wild moves and I see Bessie shrink in her chair, embarrassed by her daughter’s provocative dancing. Emma is sitting at a table with three other girls and they seem happy just chatting. I think I could definitely like her as a friend. Jay makes his way to us then and I continue with the song while he talks to Matthew. Matt indicates for me to stop after this song and I wonder what is up with that. We finish off the song and Jay climbs up onto the stage. Matt hands him the microphone and we move toward the back of the stage to give him some space. “I would like to thank everyone for coming to my party tonight, I appreciate it a lot,” applause. Thank you to Matthew and Lane for rocking the tent tonight,” everyone applauds and some whistle. “I have something I would like to say tonight and I am glad that you are all here to witness this,” silence. “Lin, Love. I love you with all my heart. I have since the beginning and I will till the end.” He bends down on his one knee and holds out his hand to her. She gets up holding her face in her hands, shocked. He takes her hand when she reaches him, “Linda Cheryl Sadler, will you do me the honour of becoming my wife?” Everyone sits as if frozen in time and waits for her answer. “Yes, baby love, yes!” she cries and he drops the mike and kisses her. A deafening cheer erupts from the crowd and little Neil makes his way to his mother holding a little box. He takes out the ring and gives it to Jay. Jay slides it onto her finger and picks up little Neil. They hug again and Matt and I walk forward. He gets the music going again but I hug Lin quickly and Jay awkwardly. The ring is a beautiful white gold band with three diamonds set next to each other. One for each of them Jay explains and Lin is overcome with emotion by this gesture of his love for both her and her son. My dad is one of the many people who congratulates the newly engaged couple and then comes to the side of the stage to talk to me. “Lane, how long do you think this party will still go on for?” I smile at him. He has lasted longer than I thought he would. “Daddy, it’s okay, I will get a ride with Matt, he won’t mind,” and I sense that he is happy with that arrangement. “Matthew, is that okay with you? This body of mine is ready for bed now.” Matt laughs at his little joke,

“Off course, it is no trouble at all.” He kisses me goodnight on the side of my head and goes to greet David and Bessie.

The party continues and we play for another two hours. Matt announces that it will be the last live song and he asks me if I would sing Carole King’s ‘Will you still love me tomorrow’. I agree because usually at this time of the night the sober people have gone home and the ones remaining won’t remember this song in anyway. We start to play the melody and I close my eyes. I open it again when I start to sing and I see Alex sitting directly across from me at the other side of the tent.

‘Tonight you’re mine completely,

you give your love so sweetly,

tonight the light of love is in your eyes,

but will you love me tomorrow.’ 

I have forgotten all about the rest of the crowd and sing this as if to Alex alone. At the end of the song Matt puts on the playlist again and I pack away my guitar. “Lane, that was beautiful,” he says and takes me in his arms. I welcome his hug and his warm body feels good against mine. I look up then and see Alex’s confused expression. He turns around then and starts a conversation with Carl the butcher. We quickly pack up most of the equipment and carry it to Matt’s car. Only the laptop and speakers remain to keep the party going till everyone has had enough. Matt’s phone rings and he answers it while we are outside. “Joe, what’s up?” he stops walking and I see the look on his face change to something I don’t like. “I’ll be right there.” He hangs up and stands looking at his phone.

“What is it Matt?” I ask worried.

“The school, they broke in and stole the office computer. I’ll have to go there now. Sorry baby but I think this might take a while,” I nod understandably; “I will have to ask Alex to take the rest of the equipment.” We walk over to Alex and Matt calls him away from Carl. "Cuz, I need to ask you a big favour." Alex looks annoyed with his cousin but doesn't say a word. "The school has been broken in to and I need to go there right away. Lane and I packed away all the equipment except the last bit over there," and he points to the stage. "Its fine Matthew, I'll take it," he says a bit bothered.

"I also promised Lany's dad that I will drop her off after the party,"

"Matt, it's okay, I'll get a lift with Bessie or someone," I don't want to burden Alex when he is obviously irritated and after the absurd warning I had from Mr Bald Belly I am a bit nervous to be with Alex alone at night. "I will make sure she gets home safely," he says to Matt and turns to talk to Carl again.” Matt gives me another quick hug, “Thanks for tonight, you were a star," and he kisses my forehead once. I watch him leave and without him or my dad I suddenly feel very vulnerable. I see Emma is still sitting at the table with the other girls and I join them. They are talking about the end of the year exams and I feel a little bit out of place as have done those already. I turn to look at the dance floor and I am surprised to see so many people still on it. Safiri people sure have party spirit.

I get up and slip away from the table unnoticed by anyone. I decide to get some fresh air outside; this might turn out to be a very long night. The thought of walking home has crossed my mind very swiftly but with all the wild animals and weird people roaming the forest and road, I killed that idea fast. The light that usually shines onto the flat dune at night is off and I remember Alex saying it was broken. Luckily the moon is bright and it’s easy to make out the path. I walk onto the beach armed with only my phone as a weapon, looking for the fat man. I need to know more, I want to know what he meant. The beach is empty. I look up and down and listen carefully for any sounds but there’s nothing. I look over the water and the beauty of the picture in front of me calms my racing thoughts. I am glad that there is no one else on the beach. The sand looks blue from the light of the moon. I see a little green light shining on the sand and walk closer to it. It is a glow worm washed ashore by the tide. I walk back to the dry sand and sit facing the water. The music can be heard from here but only faintly. I sing along softly to the upbeat remix of Brian Adams’ ‘Heaven’. I hear voices at the entrance of the beach. People talking way too loud, obviously affected by their drinks. I look back quickly, maybe it is fat man. But it’s just two people clinging to each other. It sounds like Sarah, it is Sarah, and she is with a boy about her age. They can’t keep their hands off each other and kiss rather loudly. She giggles and he laughs and I feel a bit sick watching all of it. “I think you need to go home.” And I see David take her by the arm and pulling her away from the boy. He swears loudly at David and Sarah protests as well but he doesn’t let go. This must be so embarrassing for him. I stay seated so he wouldn’t know I witnessed it all and the tranquillity of a few moments ago has been replaced by something completely opposite. I stare out over the water again to try and restore the peace. “Mind if I join you?” Alex asks from out of the blue. I jump a little at his voice but try to I hide my surprise, “The beach is free land,” I say rather uninvitingly. I am still not happy with the way he turned his back on me for no reason. If he wants to play games, I am not interested. “If you want I could take you home now, but just because your boyfriend is not here anymore doesn’t mean you can’t still enjoy yourself.” So that is it. He thinks Matt and I are together. Even though I told him that Matt was one of the only people I trust completely and I think I even said that he is like a brother to me. “Alex, you have no idea what you are talking about,” I say rather irritated. “I have told you before that Matt is my best friend, I have no idea why you would think differently and as a matter of fact, I do not have to explain anything to you. I thought we could be friends, I even thought that maybe there was a chance for us to...” I realise that I might have said too much and think of a way to back out of it. “What I am trying to say is that you have the wrong idea of me and Matt.” I leave it at that, maybe he didn’t notice the little slip. “Maybe there is a chance for us to what?” he asks softly and I hate my damn fast tongue for speaking my thoughts. “Lane, are you telling me that there is a chance for me and you to be together?” I shake my head at the thought. Yes that is what I was thinking about until a scary man came to disturb the angelic like picture I painted of you. Even if I didn’t meet this man I don’t think it would be possible in anyway. Not with my condition. The man who is still interested in me after I list my problems must be half mad or half deaf. “Alex, I don’t think it would be wise to get your hopes up on that happening anytime soon.”

“You said that you are not scared of me but you cringe every time I touch you. You jump into my arms at the sight of a spider and then you seem upset by the fact that I said I will take you home, what is going on Lane?” I know the time has come. I cannot keep him waiting any longer. He has too many questions and he won’t stop until I explain myself to him. “Alex, there are things about me that you need to know.” That and the fact that I am now just a little bit scared of you even though my gut tells me I don’t have to be.

“Well thank goodness; I have been waiting for you to tell me what is going on for almost a week now.”
  I sigh and put my face into my hands.

“Lane, it’s alright, whatever it is you need to tell me, it’s alright,”

“Crap,” I say, but I don’t think he can hear me.

“Alex, I will tell you what is wrong with me because there is something about you I think I might like but I will only do so on one condition,” he breathes in sharply,

“Anything,” he promises.

“Don’t run away, at least pretend to be my friend after this,” My head drops forward “that bad huh?” he asks calmly and somewhat relieved.

“You have no idea,” and I can’t keep him waiting any longer.

“I am obsessive compulsive,” I say with a sigh and I see him reaching out for me, “please don’t,” I ask and he drops his arms,

“Lane,” he sighs but I stop him.

“That’s not all,” I say quietly “I also have many fears, a list actually,”

“Go on,” he encourages.

“What? Do you want to hear the list?” I ask surprised.

“Yes please,”

“Oh. People usually run at the first sentence,” I laugh but not because it’s funny. “Well, if you really need to know,” I pull up my shoulders “I do,” is his definite answer.

“Okay, but I want you to know that there are many and even though I have most of them under control, any stupid thing can trigger it and then I have it bad again.” “I understand,” he says dryly

“Ok, here goes nothing...

Agliophobia (fear of pain),

Agoraphobia
(fear of open spaces or crowds),

Aichmophobia (fear of needles or pointed objects),

Androphobia (fear of men),

Anginophobia (fear of angina or choking),

Aphenphosmphobia (fear of being touched),