A STORY: The next generation

By Alvin Peters

“Father, you do know you’re in a bar, right?” Ronald whispered to him as he and his best friend Jean-Paul or ‘JP’ looked around awkwardly. The priest smiled broadly. He mockingly pulled at his left eye patch, looking around pretending he was shocked in the realisation that he was in this “forbidden” establishment.

He raised his glass of beer and nodded to the other patrons who nervously raised their drinks too.

“Why come in here?” asked JP. “I had to meet both of you,” the priest said. “You know what has been happening ever since our project to renovate the school playground has stalled. I thought it would have been a good way to bring your families together. Unfortunately, the animosity has begun again and it’s spreading. School is reopening soon, and I don’t think we’ll meet the deadline.”

“We know that” Ronald said while JP nodded. “Why you don’t do something, Father?”

Fr Stephen took another sip and traced an outline on the cold glass. He was seemingly oblivious to their nervousness about him being there. Ronald and JP between mouthfuls glanced at Miss Suzie, the proprietor, but she seemed uninterested in the trio.

“I don’t think they’ll listen to me. Perhaps both of you can help your families to come to their senses. Your parents’ generation did not start this nonsense, but they have helped it along. Hopefully, your generation has not yet been blinded to the truth and will make things right.”

The two young men looked at each other. “What do you suggest we do?” JP asked.

Father finished his beer, laughed and said, “I have no idea.”

“What!” Ronald said in a hushed urgent manner. “How are we supposed to do something if even you don’t know.”

“Yeah,” JP said, “You’re the priest here.”

Fr Stephen stood up and said to them, “Don’t worry, have faith.” He pulled his rosary out of his pocket before placing his hands on both their shoulders. “I believe both of you will come up with something.” He nodded to Miss Suzie and left.

They wondered what Father expected them to do. Their families were upset with each other because of an accident that occurred while they were renovating the school playground. They blamed each other and the feelings of distrust were increasing to the point where family members who once respected their friendship suggested that it should come to an end.

“Why couldn’t they put aside their differences?” they asked each other. They knew somewhat of the history between the families and the tensions that flared up from time to time ever since they were children. However, they considered themselves above that.

Miss Suzie came at their table with another round. “I’m sorry to hear what is going on,” she commiserated.

“Thanks,” Ronald said. “Father thinks we can help end this mess but we’re just two people. He’s expecting a miracle.”

“Miracles have happened with greater odds,” Miss Suzie said. “Both of you have gone against what’s expected of you. Maybe that’s because you have been friends since you met on that playground. Not even one week infested with lice could’ve ended it! I’m sure you’ll think of something.”  She left them to get back to the counter.

Some moments later JP exclaimed, “That’s it! Lice!”

“Lice? Really? No more drinks for you,” Ronald said.

“No, not the lice but what our families had to do to get rid of it. Don’t you remember how everyone laughed when we returned to school and forgot for a moment that they disliked each other?”

“I remembered the laughs alright,” Ronald said ruefully. “Do you have a better idea?” Ronald sighed, “Miss Suzie, we’ll need another round.”

Sometime later, members of their families were facing off in the churchyard. They were complaining about each other and demanding that Fr Stephen do something. The priest raised his hands so he could be heard. He held on to his rosary and wondered what to say.

He was about to speak when he heard the most raucous sound. He saw the two friends walking towards them with their arms around each other’s shoulders. Their heads were covered with towels. They were singing a song that was one-part Soca, two parts Parang and all parts awful.

That appeared to have been the plan as everyone was silent when they approached. They stood silently for a while and then they pulled off the towels. People were shocked. Both of them had half their hair and beards shaven off. One on his left and the other on his right.

People gasped in shock. The priest approached them said, “Ronald, Jean-Paul are both of you…”. The men turned and pointed at each other. “You look chupid,” one said. “You look dotish,” said the other. Then suddenly they burst out laughing. It was such a ridiculous and happy laugh. Fr Stephen couldn’t contain himself and he began laughing as well.

The families looked on incredulously. At first, they were dismayed but then there was a snicker here, a giggle there and a guffaw somewhere else. Ronald and JP together approached the two groups shaking hands and making stupid faces. Most of them just cracked a smile but others chuckled along with them. For a few moments, once again, the families forgot their quarrel.

“Perhaps we’ll meet the deadline after all,” the priest said to himself. “Maybe this generation holds some promise.”

The priest looked on and made two mental notes. First to thank them for their very unusual but effective plan, and second to get two strong cups of coffee to help them sober up.