2010 –  Pierre

Mundo texted me from the hospital: El bebé ya llegó. Es un niño!

“The golden boy got his boy,” Hopeton commented.

2010 –  People Properly Planning

Hopeton would meet me at the airport and we’d fly in to Port au Prince together the second week of September. 

2010 –  Back To Back

“Wait, so you’re bailing on me?”  Olmando looked legitimately upset. 

Like I’d betrayed him.

2010 –  MIA

Lying next to Mistou felt like peace.  But I couldn’t shut my brain off. 

I had to keep moving.

2010 –  Comfort Food

It was a decent meal for our first day in Port au Prince, but I couldn’t wait to get Hopeton out to some local street food spots. 

I needed a big-ass pate kòde ak aranso in my life. 

2010 –  Foreshadowing

The next morning, I woke up, realized I was in Port au Prince and felt at peace within myself. 

2010 –  Lajan

I rapped on the table with my knuckles and said, “Alright, motherfuckers, let’s get this show on the road.  We have shit to do today.”

2010 –  Just Like Jamaica!

A four-hour drive stretched ahead of us, one that wound through Port au Prince up to the coast, past Carrefour and Léogâne, across the mountain range of central Haiti, then down to the southern coast. 

2010 –  Testing The Waters

“Fuck it,” Édo said.  “Nou bezwen manchèt yo.”

2010 –  Capicú Part III

Édo turned to Bwa and said, “Pa bwè twòp aswè a.  Demen fòk ou klè.”

Hopeton looked at Édo for a minute then turned to me, quizzically.

“He told Bwa not to get too fucked up tonight because we need him to be on point tomorrow,” I translated.

2010 –  Market Research

“Édo,” Hopeton said, “you, Pierre and myself need to have a sit down to discuss what your role would be, if you want in.”

Édo smiled.  He wanted in.

2010 –  Tent City

Mireille picked me up the next morning at 8:30, in one of those big, white UN trucks.

2010 –  Bèlè With Bwa

“Tell Bwa we’d like him to start doing some ground work on getting crews together,” Hopeton directed.  “No gang members, no gamblers, no one with beef on the street.” 

Édo and I both laughed and shook our heads.