CLINTON CANUL LUNA
His way of life had automatically changed, since he had gotten such a good job and was getting such a hefty salary. He now lived better, he had a good house, he had his personal driver, his truck, he had his good bed to sleep in. His life had completely changed, so much so that he was no longer called John, but instead, they called him Honorable John. With time, he got into the habit of exercising. On an early Friday morning, he went out as usual, at 5:00 in the morning to do his jogging, which consisted of 6 miles, 3 going and 3 returning. However, he woke up at the break of dawn because he wanted to feel the first rays of sunrise penetrate into his body, which boosts a chemical in the brain called serotonin and that can give you more energy and help keep you calm, positive and focused.
Ever since John learnt to read, he developed a passion for books, and in one of those he read that little recommendation, and obviously he wanted to be positive, energetic, and in good condition. Apart from him greeting the sun at dawn, he also enjoyed breathing in the fresh sea breeze, so every morning he would walk on the edge of the beach. Another little recommendation he had read in one of his beloved books was that the iodine, salt, and magnesium present in sea air can reduce the symptoms of asthma, promote respiratory health, improve allergies and skin problems, and stimulate the immune system. It also helps in relaxation. On that same Friday morning, one of his old friends from the underworld named Tom, saw him and yelled at him:
Tom: “John, how are you?”
(John just raised his hand and greeted him, but Tom continued…)
Tom: “Wait for me, John. I want to talk to you! I want to tell you something! What, you don’t remember me anymore?”
Then John stood up and replied, “Of course, Tom, I remember you perfectly.”
Tom: “Well, I want to ask you a question, John, because the boys, our male and female companions have told me to ask you when I see you and now that I have seen you, I want to ask you that question.”
So, John tells him:
John: “Tom, do me a favor. You know I appreciate you and all my friends, but I want to ask you a favor. When I’m alone it’s fine for you to call me John, but when you see me in a crowd, refer to me as Honorable John.”
Tom: “That is fine, John. Whatever you say.”
John: “Let’s see, what question did you want to ask?”
Tom: “It’s that they don’t understand what is happening with the price increase and they hear that the culprit is Russia. What do you know about that?”
John: “Look Tom, it’s a pretty big topic to go into and right now I can’t do it because I’m doing my exercises and then I have work to do, but I invite all of you on Sunday morning at 8:00. I’m going to explain it to you then.”
Tom: “But where are you inviting us?”
John: “At the Rainbow Beach.”
Tom: “Rainbow Beach? Where is Rainbow Beach?”
John: “What do you mean where is it? Where it always was.”
Tom: “No, I think they call it Water Park now.”
John: “No, that seems to be a private company; it seems that it is a private beach. I do not know that beach.”
Tom: “Well, the one beside it.”
John: “Oh, I know what you’re talking about. Where there was a house they called ‘Rest House’ where the Father of the Nation stayed every time he visited Corozal. The British soldiers also used to stay there, and the children that gathered were given chocolate and biscuit. Is that the place you’re talking about?”
Tom: “No, because that place is already called Water Park.”
John: “Oh, and what happened to it?”
Tom: “Well, look, the coconut trees were planted by a man from the UDP and he also installed a public bathroom.”
John: “Well, what does that have to do with anything?”
Tom: “I’m asking if you mean that place.”
John: “No, I don’t mean that place. I mean a place that has always been called Rainbow Beach.”
Tom: “Ah, John, you haven’t noticed, but they put a sign on which says that it’s Rainbow Park.”
John: “Oh no, Tom. Rainbow Park is the one in front of Civic Center; that’s Rainbow Park; the other one is Rainbow Beach.”
Tom: “Well, look. I don’t know who is making so many name changes without saying anything and, well, we already know what Rainbow Beach is and what Rainbow Park is, but so many changes that they make, and we don’t even know anything about it.”
John: “Well, whatever it is, you know what I mean. I’m going to talk to my boss. My boss, as you know, is from the ‘Blue Economy’. I’m going to ask him to lend me a tent and chairs so you can sit down. What would you like to eat?”
Tom: “Hey, we’d like some tamales.”
John: “Well, tamales. And to drink?”
Tom: “Well, you know.”
John: “No, no, no, no. I can’t invite you to that. They won’t allow me. I’m going to talk to my boss to see if he gives me permission to be able to entertain, plus we need your votes.”
Tom: “Well, some horchata.”
John: “Well then, tamales with horchata. There, at 8:00 in the morning at Rainbow Beach.”
Tom: “But what if they’re playing volleyball?”
John: “No. Well, there’s the other piece over there; we can do it there. All that will be fixed by Sunday. Don’t worry. We’ll see each other there, and I’ll explain to you the little I know about the issue of the war and the economic situation where prices are rising everywhere. Everything went up.”
Tom: “Okay, Honorable John. Well, see you on Sunday then.”
John: “Yes, Tom.”
June 25, 2022
Finca Solana
Corozal Town