CHAPTER TWENTY
Last Day Of 1999- The Big Reveal
The back room of Panamanian Star Shipping & Logistics Limited was easily three times bigger than the public facing part of the store. It functioned primarily as a storage warehouse but one corner of the space was set up to do duty as a combo office/hang-out spot. That’s the area Hopeton set us up at.
‘Brón was obviously very at home there- he immediately walked over to the oversized mahogany desk and got comfy in the swivel chair behind it. Hopeton gestured towards a caramel suede sofa and told me to have a seat, then asked if either of us would like a beer. I raised my hand like I was in school. ‘Brón shook his head no. Hopeton smiled and went to get me a beer out of a stainless-steel mini fridge.
Once the freezing cold Heineken was delivered, Hopeton sat in an office chair across from Cabrón and jumped into business mode. Hopefully this conversation would reveal the mystery of why Mundo left and where he went. And how long he was going to be gone.
Imagine my absolute blanquita shock when Hopeton instantly kicked into lightning-fast Spanish. I was slightly less surprised when Cabrón responded, but his obvious ease with the language was kind of sexy.
Hopeton and ‘Brón had a 15-minute business meeting solo en Español. The only language I speak is Middle-Class English, so the only things I caught were Mundo’s government name, Olmando, and the phrase “Claro, claro,” which Hopeton repeated over and over as fucking Cabrón fired what were obviously orders at him.
‘Brón said something similar to “"Más vale que te pongas en eso ya, bredren,” and concluded the meeting. He then reached into the inner pocket of his steel grey Polo ski jacket, pulled out what I would later come to realize was an enterprise level Blackberry and slid it across the desk to Hopeton. In exchange, Hopeton slid over a zipped leather portfolio. ‘Brón scooped it up, stood and shook Hopeton’s hand.
“You can head out now, Hopeton,” said ‘Brón, sounding every inch the dondada, “Eula and I will lock up.”
Hopeton nodded and turned to me, all cordial smiles and warm Caribbean vibes.
“Nice to meet you, young lady. Happy New Year, and make sure you stay safe.”
He departed.
Cabrón and I were alone. So random.
