Community Call

THESE were trying times in Four Corners. The small rural community was experiencing some problems. Supernatural manifestations were being reported regularly. Not only were there sightings, there were also confrontations. One man was slapped so hard he blacked out. A woman’s hair was ripped from her head. Lucky for her, she was wearing a wig.
Property was also being damaged. Homes were being stoned, windows broken and animals injured. Cows were losing fat, dogs howled all night and cats stayed indoors. Things were not looking very bright for Four Corners. The village elders decided to hold a community meeting. On the night of the meeting rain poured. This meant automatic postponement of the gathering.

Later that night ‘Long Drink’ was walking home. He had worked hard at the stink yard and had stopped at his favourite liquor parlour to have a drink. ‘Long Drink’s’ real name was Edward Barnes. He did not get his nick-name from the fact that he loved to drink rum, he got the name because of his height. ‘Long Drink’ was nearly six feet, six inches tall. His friends began to refer to him as ‘a long drink of water’. The name ‘Long Drink’ stuck.
As he steered for home he staggered, fell and got up. This was a continuous chain of events that made up his journey home whenever he drank. On his way past the Community Centre ground he heard voices. He remembered vaguely about a meeting and decided to stop by.

The night was lit up by a very bright moon. Its light made the ground seem like some foreign paradise. People were standing in groups and chatting with each other.
‘Long Drink’ joined them and shared his cigarette and half XM generously. They stood around waiting. The tall villager realised that he did not know many of these people. He held a commanding vantage point and could see most of the faces in the crowd.
“Who keeping the meeting?” he asked.

No answer.
“How come me ain’t know none a yo all?”
“You don’t know we but we know you.”
The voice was a low growl with little friendliness in it.
“But none a yo all ain’t living in de village.”
“Look fella, we living hey before you even born.”
‘Long Drink’ was drunk but he was not stupid. He knew this fellow with the voice resembling Barry White was talking nonsense.
“Impossible. I am forty seven years and I live hey all me life and I never see none a yo all!”

“Yo great grandfather and me is friends.”
‘Long Drink’ burst out laughing. When his laughter had subsided he decided to be blunt with this annoying man.
“Listen mister, me great grandfather died close to 100 years ago so stop talking foolishness.”
“I know that.”

These words sent a chill down ‘Long Drink’s’ spine. Just then the meeting was called to order. He forgot about the man and tried to focus his heavily intoxicated mind on the speaker.
“The people living in Four Corner have forgotten their past. They are now disturbing the dead with their new development. Many tombs have been destroyed, that is why we started attacking them. Any of them present?”
All eyes turned to focus on ‘Long Drink’ but he was having none of that. The tall man was off and running for his life. Four steps and a hop, four steps and a drop. Hop and de drop, hop and de drop all the way home.

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