mercredi 13.12.06 Bon bon
I’m awake early after my mega snooze. I’m out on the terrace with my scrambled eggs unscrambling the remains of the Scarpetta book when Arlette comes by with oranges cradled in her t-shirt. We politely exchange greetings. I don’t know why I think we’ve ever been at loggerheads but it’s better to be civil. In fact my courteous ways earn us some freshly-squeezed orange juice; they aren’t Seville oranges but there’s no bitter aftertaste.
I’ve a private class this afternoon with Madame Bonne’s two girl’s; Eurielle and Kelly-Ann. I head into town early so I can check my email. I bump into Heather at the cyber café. She’s meeting with James but I can’t hang around as I have to get the bus. I do however spy James going into Foir’ Fouille and I motion to Heather through the window, as if I’m playing charades, to let her know he’s on the way.
The bus eventually comes. I’m at the pick-up point just in time, as Madame Bonne’s white jeep pulls up a minute after I’ve stepped off the bus. She has a friend with her and they drop me off in Mont Gerard after telling me that Caitlin, an American assistante, will not be returning after Christmas. She’s homesick and misses her boyfriend. Her boyfriend has been here for almost a month! Don’t ask me what he has been doing during that time but he has been living here with her. I feel slightly guilty that I didn’t make much of an effort to meet up with her but some people just fall through the gap I guess.
My students are in good form today; Kelly-Ann is trying on her mini-Santa Claus outfit and Eurielle has just finished decorating the dining room. It’s time for class and with Eurielle we run through her Harrods presentation and chat about Christmas. I ask her what she wants from Santa and she produces a list, a long list. There are 26 items on it – each item has the price and the store name beside it. She loves stuffed toys, board games and video games. She has five monopoly sets already, including the Simpsons and The Lord of the Rings, and the newest edition is on her list. Kelly-Ann has a similar wish list though it’s a modest 14 items including stuffed animals and whatever pink toys she could find in her catalogue collection. We talk about Santa Claus and all that goes along with Christmas as we use my seasonal cut-outs. She jumps up halfway through the class, goes to her locker and takes out a shoebox. She’s hiding something from me but I soon find out what it is: a crib with tiny ceramic figures. She has decorated the inside with ribbon and tinsel. I tell her it’s cute and she picks up on this new phrase. We end the class the typical Irish way – with the weather. I show her how to make snowflakes and we stick them on her window.
Madame Bonne pays me, gives me a 2007 calendar and pen and I’m on my way to the bus-stop. I don’t have as far to go as I thought; in fact it’s quicker by foot as myself and the scooter brigade pass out many a disgruntled driver. The bus into town is heaving. It’s another scorcher of a day. I stand sandwiched between two beefy black dudes. In some ways they shade me from the filtering rays but the body odours are stifling me anyway. I’ve just missed the bus home so I seek out the coolness of the cyber café before heading home.
I arrive home to some seasonal post. My mother tells me that this year I may be the sole recipient of a Christmas card! She explains that texts and emails are taking over and since the postal service is as slow as a wet week it’s an alternative and reliable, albeit unconventional way to send season’s greetings. It’ll be a strange Christmas at home too; Grandad called home during the summer and I’m calling Martinique my home for the time being so it’ll be odd to have two less people to celebrate with. Perhaps it will be time to reflect on the real reason for the season.
I thank God that my family are in all well. Nic and I get news that Dan’s mother has taken another bad turn. She has had cancer for the past few years and every Christmas has been considered her last. Now she has been diagnosed with lung cancer and it just seems to be spreading. God bless her and help her find solace and peace, and not our neighbour William’s dodgy prayer website.
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