Part 8: DEFEND
Extract
Montana Hotel
Ashley and Matt are driving their Land Cruiser from their guest house to the Montana Hotel. It’s Sunday, so Jocelyn should be at church services this morning. They’re dressed in their best “missionary garb”; Matt in white shirt with clip-on tie and Ashley in her most formal dress. She’s even managed to pull her hair back into a frumpy bun. Matt is at the wheel to maintain their cover as missionary couple. As they approach the hotel, Ashley breaks the silence, “Best case, no one notices us except Jocelyn. When I give her the “help arrived” signal, she’ll know to join us at the truck after service. But if she doesn’t notice us, then you have to play your part.” She waits for Matt to respond. He does without hesitation, “Oh, crikey! I’m brand new here and can’t find the Australian embassy. I’d also like to buy some Creole Bibles.” Ashley laughs. “That’s perfect. The only character more annoying than the Ugly American is the Clueless Australian!”
They turn into the Montana’s large parking lot and back into a spot near the employee entrance. Matt rolls down the windows and leaves a pocket New Testament on the seat. Ashley rolls her eyes and Matt replies, “I don’t care. I still say if someone steals my Bible, that’s good karma!” In his very loud voice, Matt announces “Come on, dear! Can’t be late for the service.” He grabs Ashley’s hand and marches toward the hotel’s entrance as if he owns the place. Ashley allows him to lead her along, just a step behind.
Ten minutes later the employee door bursts open as Matt shoulders through it with Jocelyn and Ashley close behind. He jumps in the truck, starts it, and shifts into gear. Ashley helps Jocelyn into the truck and climbs in behind her. Matt doesn’t try a three-point turn, but spins the steering wheel and floors the accelerator. The rear-wheel drive truck sprays gravel and exhaust all over the American pastor as he bursts through the door behind them. Matt leans out the window and calls, “Sorry! Forgot our cash. We’ll be back in time for the offering!” The pastor stands speechless as the truck drives through a hedge of shrubs and into the street.
As the truck speeds away, a small head pops up from behind the truck’s bench seat. It’s Ti Mon. He hugs Jocelyn fiercely and then adds Ashley to the embrace. Matt looks over at him and raises his eyebrows at Ti Mon, his facial expression asking “What? No hug for me?” Ti Mon grins back at him slyly. Ashley looks closely at Jocelyn, who looks away and toward the floor. She’s reaching for Jocelyn’s hand when a small cry greets fills the truck. Everyone jumps at the sound and Matt almost drives off the road, sending a few merchants sprawling to get out of the way.
Ashley stares in disbelief as Jocelyn opens her button-down sweater. She’s hiding a baby underneath in a carry sling. The child begins crying and Jocelyn hums to her softly, “Ti Cheri…”. Then Jocelyn begins to weep and sags against Ashley. Matt wipes his eyes with the back of his hand and struggles to see through the dusty windshield. Ashley and Jocelyn cradle the baby girl between them on the truck’s torn seat. They cry together while Ti Mon tries to get his little arms around them. Ashley pats him on the head with her free hand, “Everything’s OK now”. Matt’s watching from the corner of his eye and says, “Every life is a blessing. Doesn’t matter how it arrives.” Jocelyn relaxes a bit and he asks Ashley, “Hey Sheila? Where are we going? Mother Who?”
Carrefour
Jè is able to contact Ti Legliz by radio and Henri arrives the next day, carrying only a small bag. They quickly get everything into the Geo and on their way. As pull away Jè says to Henri, “Here’s the story. You’re an engineer from the station. I’m driving you to Cap Hatien so you can help some missionaries get their transmitter working.” Henri looks skeptical, but Jè quickly adds “Don’t worry. Just sit there and look bored and supremely powerful. That’s what everyone expects from an engineer.”
Henri grins and says, “I’ll just go on about power amplifiers and backup generators. Heard enough about those on the mountain.” Jè begins to laugh, “Like Kevin always says, they only call him Engineer because Haitians assume blan need fancy titles.” He does his best impression of Kevin’s accent, “Tout moun kapab change batteries!” Both men laugh before Jè continues, “Those guards won’t know what you’re talking about but won’t admit it.” He hands Henri a few sheets of official looking paperwork. Henri asks, “What’s this supposed to be?” Jè grins, “It’s all counterfeit of course, but I’ve been through Gonaive a few times. Those Macoute cops can’t count past ten with their boots on. All you need is something with an official looking seal on it and they’ll wave you right through.”
Then Jè looks at Henri. “Solange said we’re on our way to the harbor in Port-au-Paix? Anything else I need to know?” Henri just shakes his head. “Not entirely sure myself. I’m just going to get on the first boat that will have me. Hope I get past the American Coast Guard, or they’ll dump me in Guantanamo or back here to Fort Dimanche prison.” Jè shakes his head. “It’s a shame we don’t have oil here in Haiti, instead of just freed slaves and sugar cane. It’s possible the world would care about us.” Henri thinks about this for a few kilometers and then says, “I don’t think that would help at all. Look at the rest of Latin America. Probably just make everything worse! We’d be dealing with the US corporations, the CIA, drug cartels, and macoute death squads along with a fully armed military. Thank all the loa, the generals don’t have helicopters or jets!”
They get through the downtown Port-au-Prince checkpoints without any trouble. It’s early afternoon and the guards are already enjoying a drunken Christmas Eve. Jè only needs to wave his pile of paperwork and they’re sent through without comment. Just two guys in a truck. Nothing to see here. They ride along in silence for a while. Then Henri says, “Solange mentioned the side roads in Gonaive. In case there’s a demonstration. Any idea what that’s about?” Jè laughs. “No, moche. Just the code phrases Kevin gave me. Could be nothing, could be something. I gave up trying to understand when he’s predicting or when he actually knows something. My guess is we have some friends as guardian angels. I don’t think Kevin would send us up here based on faith alone.” Henri snorts, “No. Not Kevin.” Jè grins, “I wonder if he’ll actually leave Haiti. It’s possible he’ll be waiting for me when I get back.”
They’re still chuckling when Jè turns onto Highway 1, headed north to Gonaives. When they pass the now burned-out refugee camp that used to be called Bon Chance, they become quiet. Jè breaks the silence, “At least we got those refugees out of there in time.” Then he glances quickly over at Henri with a worried expression. Henri just nods and quietly says, “And now it’s my turn”. The men stare quietly into the windshield as they continue their journey north.