Petionville, Palace Pizzaria
It’s late one night, after the blackouts are over for Petionville. Kevin is catching up with Ashley at the Palace Pizzaria, a dive bar that never really closes. What’s left of civil and social life is fragmented between rumors of violence, blackouts, and violence. So many friends and trusted colleagues are being disappeared or evacuated, it’s impossible to keep up. Standard custom is to leave one empty chair and glass for anyone who should be with them, but cannot be.
They’re each finishing a Haitian fruit punch which sounds innocent enough, but is really just rum, rum, rum, and a splash of grenadine juice. After quickly covering the usual topics, Ashley seems to be distracted. She starts to say something but stops when the waitress clears their glasses and leaves a fresh ashtray. Kevin asks, “What’s up? You seem somewhere else. Trouble back home?” No answer from Ashley so he asks, “Whatever happened with Jocelyn? You never told me the rest of that story.” Ashley smiles wanly and seems to have trouble meeting his eyes. When she doesn’t reply he asks again, “Is she OK?”
Ashley takes a deep breath and it all comes out in a jumble. “We took Jocelyn along to a meeting with an American pastor in Petionville. He was building a team to start new churches for “outreach to the upper classes”. Our NGO doesn’t involve itself in church planting but donors are insisting that we start working with missionary schools. Jocelyn was great in the meeting and by the end, the pastor offered her a full time position as project manager including salary, housing, and sponsorship for a US green card. She reviewed the details with Matt and me later. We were skeptical about such a perfect arrangement but couldn’t offer Jocelyn any comparable job. Besides, at some point you have to believe that God gets involved otherwise…”
Ashley’s face falls and she wipes her eyes before continuing, “We supported Jocelyn’s decision to leave NGO Education, met the pastor’s family, and helped her move into their guest room. Matt and I attended a few of their worship services. She was leading the songs and seemed very happy. I tried to stay in touch but the pastor doesn’t have a house phone, so I often missed her when stopping by.” Her voice cracks as she continues, “Then last week, I stopped by and the pastor answered the door himself. He’s gained so much weight, I barely recognized him. He said Jocelyn was preparing for Sunday services and couldn’t be interrupted. When I promised not to stay long he suddenly became angry and shouted at me. “I don’t want to see you here again and neither does Jocelyn. You need to let her move on.” Then he slammed the door in my face!”
Kevin sits upright and he takes a long swallow from his glass. Ashley continues, “I was starting the truck when Jocelyn stepped onto the back porch and waved to me. One side of her face was bruised and covered in bandages. I heard someone shout at her to come back inside. Then Jocelyn gave me the help hand signal before disappearing again.” Ashley’s sobbing now, her face in her hands, tears flowing onto the dirty barroom table. Kevin walks around the table, gives her a hug, and adds his own tears. Finally he exhales and asks, “When do they have services at that church?” Ashley replies absently, “Every Wednesday night and Sunday. Why do you ask?” Kevin pauses before saying softly, “I have an idea but I don’t want to talk about it here.” After they settle their bill, they get in the Land Cruiser and Kevin explains his idea while Ashley drives him back to his apartment. After debating the plan and imagining all Matt’s objections Ashley finally says, “It’s pretty flimsy, but less risky for Jocelyn than doing nothing. If our friends agree, have them contact me with the details.”