Vydia 3

Three days later, I return from editing to find Mum in a pensive mood, "you ok Mum?"
"Fatima's Mum came to visit me in the store. She's really worried. Husband hasn't come out of Ramroop's in three days and nights."
"Mum look at the bright side. By now his motor skills are zero. She's big enough, one punch could send him into dreamland if he tries anything."
"You really are getting to be a smarty pants. Wonder which relative you're taking after?"
Go on, gentle reader, just guess who that might be.
"After supper honey, time to clean your room. Hasn't been done in a donkey's age."
The word "donkey" sends me into howls of laughter.
"After all, you might get that roommate soon. What is so funny about cleaning your room?"
"Mum it's a kid thing. You wouldn't understand."
We've just started cleaning when Fatima's Mum shows. Obviously one who believes children should be seen and not heard. Shows Mum a palm pilot, "well, least I know why he's been drinking for three days."
Mum smiles gently, "you really should look at the bright side."
"There IS a bright side? Enlighten me."
"If he were Guyanese, people would laugh at him. But foreigners, it's a taboo on the Guyanese psyche, deathly afraid of offending foreigners. There are lots of men in Ramroop's who would think that's a huge joke. But not one of them would ever say anything about it when he's in there."
"You really think so?"
"I am Guyanese."
She leaves, looking convinced, but not 100% so.
Derek and I are ready for our first day of school. Mum says, "Vydia honey, come straight home after school today. I need to go to the market."
"Yes Mum."
"When you're in the store, you can study, do homework, with Derek if you like. But only when no customers are in. It wouldn't look good. Besides they could ah..."
She means shoplift of course.
As we set out, Derek pulls a face, "she always repeat herself?"
"You don't know the half of it. Got the Reader's Digest condensed version because you were there."
"Vydia what do you hear on Mrs Beharry?"
"Kind, tolerant. Race, religion, level of stupidity mean nothing, she shows endless patience. But not with laziness."
He blushes, "yeah, gotta watch my step."
I laugh, "look around, there are as many lazy girls as boys."
He gasps, "and now you're joking?"
"Nope. Boys, they get deathly tired of women pushing them around. It becomes rebellion, get way too obvious."
"And girls?"
"They keep it sneaky. Don't brag to their friends."
"And you indulge?"
"Of course. Difference is I don't brag about it, like you do."
"They say the old bat makes you divide up into pairs. You and me, better stick together."
"Sure."
Earnest smile, "you got a real talent. Can make me produce without getting me huffy. Mum and teachers, can't do that."
I laugh.
"But don't think I'd grow up and marry you. Too sneaky, too manipulative, you'd end up ruling everything."
I give a loud mock groan, grab his collar, "is there someone awake in there? Are you for real? I have a newsflash for you. All women are so. So don't marry me, you'll just get the same somewhere else."
A serious look washes over him, "you are joking, and yet serious, both at the same time. Right?"
"You learn fast."
"Maybe I'll grow up and be gay instead."
I can't help it, I flinch.
"So you knew all along?"
I nod.
Derek and I are first to arrive. We won't sit up front with the sucks. Teachers get too demanding with that set, quick to use guilt and shame. Nor at back with the laugh it up set. Too many group detentions. Middle is just fine for us, side by side.
Fatima arrives next. Without one iota of hesitation, she slides in next to me. I groan inwardly. Gonna be a long year.
Everyone present, Mrs Beharry rises, "good morning class."
In unison, "good morning Mrs Beharry."
"When you came through that door, you ceased to be children. Now you're partly adult. We all know the law, school is compulsory to Grade 3. So everyone here is by free choice. Some, that would be your own free choice. Others, the free choice of your parents."
Some kids laugh nervously. I don't, sense danger.
"Over the years, we have tried everything. Almost no one functions well as a lone wolf. Groups of three break down into a pair and a loner. Groups of four break into two pairs. Only one concept has stood the test of time. You and a partner. We'll take today getting you paired off properly. For most of you, that will be a free choice. For four, it won't. Fatima, you are new to Guyana, deserve the best, you get Vydia. Sunil, parents returned from the States, Derek."
Derek's hand shoots up, "ma'am, I'd prefer Vydia."
Mrs Beharry turns to me, "your preference?"
"Derek ma'am."
"When we cruise too long on the highway we get sloppy, bad habits creep in. You two have been together so long, it's like a machine. Instead you'll take the hard road to the backdam. You'll learn material more thoroughly by drilling into your partner. Learn leadership skills, responsibility for others. You see the number one failing in intelligent people is easy cruising. It's why so few people reach their true potential in life. Both of you have greatness in you. It's my job to pull it out."
Derek's face clouds over.
Kinder tone, "I'm not saying you can't be friends. Once the bell rings, your choice. Just within these walls, you will do your duty."
He looks partly mollified.