At that, Dave is silent for a moment, his expression slightly confused, but his frame unwavering and unbothered.
"And no, Chriss never talked to anyone about your grandparents, or your sister, or anything beyond your rights, beyond you. Including me. But only, just about you. His friend. But I can see the confusion and surprised expression on your face, and I can tell you Dave, you're good. Not anyone can really read your expression, or maybe... Could it be because, I knew you before they even moved to Chingola that season? Before James introduced you to me as his first born? Before... the tragedy? Does that answers the 'who is this guy? How does he know about me and my family, more importantly... My father?' questions? I may not look it, but I'm Thirty-Eight this month, kid. And I know your family, I knew your parents, and I know you, Dave.
Jeff turns his head to Chriss, who's now approaching them with three monobloc chairs in hand before turning back to Dave and continue.
"We'll continue this. I want to know and understand why you're here, why you would leave your grandparents and come here. I want to understand the real reason behind all this make-up, nigga. And I ain't gonna go easy on your ass either." Jeff says, his voice low and heavy with anger, and his expression crossed, before changing back to he's usual friendly self as Chriss approaches.
Dave, trying to understand and sink in Jeff's words about everything, turns to Chriss, his face still unbothered, not in the slightiest as he goes along with Jeff's act of normalcy in order to clear the somewhat intense air.
"You sure took your sweet time." Dave says, his voice light and firm.
"Yeah, sorry, bro. The guys were, suddenly out of nowhere all over my bac-."
"Just be a homie and spit the truth, he can see it all over your face," Jeff cuts him off. "Just say you couldn't resist the leaves, nigga. A nigga who's honesty and royal, is a man who is loved. No cap. Jeff corrects.
"Jeff, damnit men! I was about to get to the honest part. Why are you always on my case? Always on my back, bro? I ain't your mama!" Chriss blasts, his embarrassed face clear.
Dave, seeing his friend's embarrassed face, just laughs warmly as the two continue to bicker like kids.
Time seems to fly without notice, the three chat and laugh for two hours, and Jeff and Chriss continue to argue, mostly because Chriss hates to be corrected and put in place.
"Are you saying you could, and without no mercy drag my ass behind bars just because you can't bare seeing me in streets." Chriss asks, his face pale.
"Yes, nigga. Believe it. And I would always make sure you recieve full treatment if I were a police officer. You're so stubborn.
"So... Is it always quiet like this around here." Dave asks.
"No. Sometimes, my men, yeah." Chriss replies, as he turns to Dave.
"I'm glad it went still for a moment. If it was as bustle as usual, I wouldn't have the chance and time to meet and talk with you propery. You came on the right day. Any other day would be alright, but this is perfect. I'm glad this piece of crap picked a right day, as if he knew," Jeff says, turning to Chriss. "And hurry up and buy my Mother Nature a phone already!" Jeff exclaim.
"I know, chill." Chriss replies.
Just then, a fellow co-worker, slightly older than Jeff, enter the windmill palm-trees and approach where the three are seated, turning his head to Dave.
"You must be Dave, eh? You good? We've heard a bunch about you." He asks.
"I'm really great. Thanks, uhmm?" Dave pause, unsure of how to address him
"Fred." Fred replies.
"Thank you, Fred." A walm smile forming on Dave's lips.
"Nice," Fred says, then turn to Jeff. "You didn't give them orders about lunch. What should they get started on with? Dried fish, fresh, or steak? Come on, you got to stop forgetting about this, they tend to get restless. One of these days they gonna eat me alive," Fred says, before turning his gaze to Chriss. "So this is where you've been hiding, eh troublemaker?".
"Whatever is alright, Fred." Jeff says.
"What the crap, dude," Chriss hastily turns to Fred and adds. "Beef, Fred. Beef, my men!" Chriss recommend.
"We're ain't eating what the guys don't want just because you love it!" Jeff exclaim.
"Who doesn't love steak?" Chriss says, a smug on his face.
Defeated, Jeff just growl. "Fine, then get out of here. Go help your brothers out."
"Sweet! And don't sweat it bro, I stir to perfection. Your tongue ain't gonna belieeeeve! Alright you two, chat real good." Chriss says as he rise from the chair and follow Fred.
"Seriously, my position is not in the kitchen department." Jeff says, followed by a sigh.
As the two disapear from view, Dave finally turns his head to Jeff, his expression serious and guarded.
Sensing the change in Dave's demeanor, Jeff just signs heavily. He looks at Dave's guarded frame for a moment, the way his hands are tightly gripping the armrest of the monobloc chair, the way his posture is suddenly set in defense mood, and the way his eyes look into his with an intense, unwavering gaze, Jeff begins.
"Relax, Dave. You're acting like I'm your enemy. I get my behaviour towards you earlier, and I don't blame you for what I'm seeing now, and... I'm sorry. That ain't a way of a gentlemen. I should have approached this, especially you with much respect, find a more comfortable place, and then talk." He says
Just then, Dave's body starts to relax slowly, loosening his grip ever so slightly.
"Here is fine now. So who are you exactly to my family, my father? My... Mother?" Dave asks, his voice light but firm.
"I met your father when he approached mine in Chingola, exactly at my father's farm. He was seeking for a farm to buy, and I guess someone pointed him to us. My father was in no need of selling anything, and we don't know where or how people got that information. But, that's how we met. Despite having an enormous hectares of land, my father agreed only by letting him renting half of it. Your father settled with that and soon began the preparation on the land. I was only fifteen back then. He didn't waste time, so he had people built him a small two-bedroom simple hut just about one hundrend meters from the farm. He used to come to our place and my father and him could talk and laugh all afternoon. He was a good man, a great man. Whenever he heard of any problem, any issue my family seemed to stumble upon, whatever could befall us, he never wasted a minute to offer his aid in any way he could. And that's when I met your mother and your sister, when she came to visit the place, the farm they were about to start cultivating. Your sister was just a toddler then. Your parents would come to visit us every weekend, he could have me on the wheels of his car teaching me how to drive. And that's when I knew about you. He showed me pictures of you and your sister on his phone, and told me about this sickness of yours I didn't get. You were only about eight, nine, somewhere there. I really wanted to meet you in person, you kinda looked small and fragile, someone who needed attention and protection all the time. But you were always with your grandparents in Chambishi. I grow attached to your parents, and soon they started talking about bringing me to the city to stay during summerbreaks. I was thrilled and over joyed. My happiness was above the clouds. Of all the few I've met they were... People. They understood, loved, and comfort. They would really be there for someone, anyone.
Jeff pause for a moment, looking Dave in the eyes, his own filled with sorrow and empathy, then continue.
"8 months later, your parents came. They settled in and started with the farming. The only day and time they planned on returning to the city is when everything was done. And... And that's when it... It happened. That day was the last day of they're hard work in the field before returning home, the last day sleeping in that hut. And that's how I met your grandparents too, when they pulled the car in, and you, you followed behind, and I could see the look on your face when you stepped out of the car, the way you stared at the fire, reflecting deep in your eyes. Your sister was in your grandmother's watching people rushing around everywhere, just confused. I still don't get how your grandparents knew, and suddenly came, because... No one had they're contact. I, I didn't know what to do. But Dave... You were little. And I know there's no way you could remember the people who were gathered at the hut doing everything to put it out. But, among the few who were there that night, I was doing everything in my power to put the fire out,"
After hearing Jeff's story about his parents, Dave can't seem to speak, a weak smile forming on his lips as he uncomfortably wrings his hands, his gaze still holding Jeff's.
"No one knows how the fire started in the first place, or who was behind it, who was responsible. But, the fire was unnatural, I know that much, I promise you that. And when we finally took it out, we... I... I'm sorry Dave. Truly." He says, his voice low and sympathetic.