Puzzling Pieces

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The day of Vivian’s cremation ceremony came and it was going to be a short affair. He was a religious man, but felt like fire would welcome him better than earth. I thought the other way around would fit him better. But it wasn’t up to me.

I wore an all-black suit with a creased white shirt. It wasn’t as formal as I wanted it to be. But it gave me that same edge and still kept my appearance casual with my shiny shoes and a brown belt wrapped around my waist. I was going to hail a cab, But Elisha pulls up on the side of the road and offers me a lift.

“The last time we spoke, I had my blade next to your pair of congo-drums. I was going to sacrifice them.”

“For the sake of Viv, do you mind if we put aside the distrust?”

“I’ll get another cab.” -

“I’m willing to give you a free ride.”

I was sold at free. I didn’t want to be spending all my savings on these thieving yellow cabs. I sat in the back with one eye observing Elisha, and the other detecting that we’d be there soon judging by a few other cars heading in the same direction.

We got to the funeral home that offered the services of a cremation for a good price ... that's what Robbo told me. I was sure that this memorial would reveal faces that would need to be perceived. I had 2 choices to make, and both included who were the attendees?

I wanted to live in the make-believe of thinking that respects paid to Vivian were from decent, honest, and trustworthy people. But that struck me as incorrect when my eyes popped at some of the guests already. They were mainly dressed in a neatly clad uniform out of respect or wavering a flag with his face that supported the colors of Trinidad and Tobago.

Their attire was a wishy-washy beige for their soldering uniform. They each had a set number of badges; padded black sleeves; and neatly combed hair. The ones who didn’t were stark-bald. They all huddled together chanting his name; "Viv-Viv-Viv-Viv-Viv!" I listened and observed, and thought I was the only one who called the old man that? How wrong I was.

Robbo is getting things prepared: welcoming people and getting to know them on a first name basis. A good turn-out, and we’ve only just arrived: Viv was well known. I maneuver alone and give a quick check for Elisha, who I see conversing with some old pacemaker dud. I’m the only one who’s without a speaking buddy.

That suits me fine for now. I want to be free to take it in. The old man’s going to be burned to the steak. A strange way to go, but I suppose the soul doesn’t need the body anymore. Disposing of it this way is no different to me - then burying that body underneath the ground.

Robbo is now gathering everybody to come inside and witness the final goodbyes. He told me that he didn’t want it to linger. Viv would’ve just wanted to get it over and done with. I agreed with that. He would.

When I got inside it was quite hot. The human bodies were the ones adding to the intensity. I stayed as close to the door as possible. Just encase. I hated when my gut would do a somersault when a certain somebody brushes against my clothes and forgets their manners.

I don’t even say anything. I wait for him to apologize. Or, I’ll tap on the shoulder and give him the incentive to do it. No need. It’s a man with a strange mustache and a nose like a rabbit. He stares me down as if to say what am I, a boy or girl?

I start nothing. But he looks past me and nods to the ghost behind. I glare. He sees that I saw this and points to the outside. Robbo is saying a few words right now: giving a run-down of his grandad’s achievements.

It's the first time since I saw any real significance to his role as a lieutenant. This was an eye-opener for me when the last words Robbo said was, “he would always joke about his party of 3.” I balked at that and caught Elisha doing the same thing.

The mustache man glared at me again. A few other people wondered what he was staring at? And a bunch of us, without interrupting Robbo's speech, turned to see what was distracting him so badly? They all turned back. But for me … I had to head outside.

…

“Well … well … well … it sure is good to make your acquaintance, Sia. I’ve heard a lot about you.”

“Aren’t you that” -

“That cop? The one who you scared off? Yep. That’s me. I probably have a bit more meat on the bone since we last spoke. I gave up the tobacco and started to eat 3 – meals a day. It’s done wonders for me. I see you still look like you want to stab a negro.” He’s not funny.

“What are you doing here?”

“I came to see off old man Viv."

I saw the list. You weren’t on there.”

“But you don’t know my name?”

“I can tell you weren’t on that list. And don’t ask me why.”

“Well … I actually came to see both you and Elisha. But as you can see … he’s being lead out by my mustache friend.” I catch that. Elisha looks troubled. Frightened. And who wouldn’t be with that type of man behind him? His face is full of blisters and his lips are peeling off. That mustache only adds to the comedy of his pinkish-red face that should be deflated. Not quite a clown, but getting there.

“You’re taking him away?”

“And you. You’re coming with me too.”

I laugh. “You know I carry my blade like a religious book of God.”

“That won’t help in this situation.” –

“Why’s that? Because you’ve taken away that cabman that I care nothing about.”

“No. You were there that night. I saw you.”

“You saw a ghost.” -

“It was you. The same swagger … is that what they call it? Who gives a s**t. Anyways, Viv gave us all we needed on you. Some grandfather. Do you know what he said?”

“No.”

“Well, you should. He said that you know all about that framed picture of his: the doomed party of 3."