CHAPTER III: PALM ROAD
The alarm clock rings. It's half past eleven in the morning. I remember that I have to be at the Bassets' house at one o'clock, so I immediately jump out of bed. For a moment I'm in doubt: should I really go? However, the idea of refusing a gesture of gratitude pushes me to leave the hostel.
At the nearest stop, I take the bus that stops near the Palm Road district. It's about seven stops, I estimate I'll get there in forty minutes. When I get off the bus, I walk for a few minutes and as soon as I set foot on the big avenue, the guard quickly comes out of the cabin and shouts at me:
—Excuse me! Where are you going?
—The Bassets invited me to dinner. I brought their son last night.
—Who? —the security guard asks me.
—Justin, Justin Bassett—I say confidently.
—Okay, come in —he finishes.
I recall the route I took to get Justin home and head towards my destination. Before my eyes, a different Palm Road appears, very different from the one I saw in the darkness of the night. In a matter of hours, everything has changed on Palm Road, the light of day has changed its gloomy face to a bright one. A blue satin rises in the sky, making the sun shine in all its splendor. And countless flocks of tropical birds can be seen soaring overhead.
The avenue stretches straight and majestic, lined with rows of palm trees that rise in harmony. Between each of them, hibiscus bushes with brightly colored flowers add a vibrant contrast that further highlights the beauty of the place. The houses, authentic mansions of different architectural styles, are lined with their imposing facades. The front gardens are populated with geometrically cut topiaries. At every corner I perceive the aroma, where rose bushes and jasmine bushes unfold their fragrance. I notice how, behind the gates of the mansions, high-end cars dazzle. It is as if, in this place, problems do not exist and everything is perfect.
After a breathtaking walk through the neighborhood, I arrive at the Bassets' house. I hesitantly press the doorbell. The door opens automatically and I walk across the front garden of the house. A white stone path runs across the lawn leading to the entrance of the Bassets' mansion. In addition to the rocky path, there is a stone fountain from which crystal-clear water flows, emitting a soothing sound as it falls. The Bassets' house has a modern style, the facade is white and completely glazed.
Anne Basset comes out to greet me and greets me with a smile.
—I'm so glad you came! —she says to me while hugging me—. Come on in!
Inside, the Bassets' house is as imposing as it is outside. There isn't much decoration, but its minimalism makes it attractive. The floor is made of a very shiny marble and most of the furniture is white. Anne Bassett invites me into the dining room, where everything is already set for lunch. Charles Bassett is already sitting at the long dining table. He suddenly stands up and says to me:
—Thank you for everything you did for our children yesterday! Nicki was discharged this morning, in the end it was nothing serious and, although it could have been worse, thanks to you it was all just a little scare.
I don't know what to say to this, and Anne subsequently invites me to sit down. Suddenly, Nicki appears.
—You don't know how much I appreciate what you did for me —he says, looking at me with shining eyes.
"It's nothing," I say with a slight smile.
At this point, Nicki sits down and later Justin arrives, who, seeing me at his table at home, gives me a violent look and says to his mother, with some disdain:
—What are you doing here?
—Justin, don't be rude —Anne Basset replies—, after what he did yesterday for your sister, it's the least we could do, and not only for her, but for you, who didn't even know where you were.
—And you couldn't invite him another time? —says Justin Bassett. —I can't bear to have to put up with guests, especially unknown ones.
—Justin, he saved your sister's life, he's not just anyone —Anne Basset replies.
Justin, annoyed, takes a seat. We eat lunch at a long table that is not lacking in the smallest detail. It is decorated with a great variety of dishes that Anne has prepared with great care. While lunch drags on, the Bassett brothers do not take their eyes off me. Nicki does not stop observing me, absorbed in thought, as if I were someone who transcended beyond the limits of her world. Justin does not look at me that way, he looks at me with a certain abhorrence, with an uncomfortable look that I prefer to avoid. It seems as if he is waiting every second, every minute, with great nervousness, for the door to open and he can walk out onto the street. I begin to feel uncomfortable, not only with the looks of the Bassett brothers, but with that of Charles, who is right in front of me and does not take his eyes off me either. So I have no choice but to take refuge from these inquisitive looks in Anne's hospitality.
—The children say they don't know you, what is your name? —Anne asks me.
—Everyone calls me Nomad —I answer decisively.
“Nomad? How ridiculous!” Justin says sarcastically, as Anne gives him a withering look.
—And why does everyone call you that? —asks Charles.
—I like to travel, to live in different places. I feel that this name represents me —I answer.
—I think it's very original, don't you, Justin? —Nicki tells her brother in a swaggering tone.
—Of course! Super interesting —he answers ironically while looking at me with his eyes half closed.
Before finishing the dessert, Anne asks her children:
—Guys, why don't you take Nomad to the party tonight? So he can meet your friends.
Justin sighs and puts his hands on his head, on the other hand, Nicki comes out of her reverie and nods, very convinced that he is going to the party.
—No need, Anne —I intervene so as not to be a bother to Justin.
—Of course it is necessary, you will have a good time and you will get to know each other better —Anne tells me in a convincing tone.
—Didn't you hear what he said? —Justin says. —He doesn't want to come.
—Nomad, don't listen to him, you're coming with me — insists Nicki.
After lunch I return to Forest Wood, wondering whether it would be a good idea to go to the party with the Bassett brothers.
Time flies, it's 10pm and I'm back on Palm Road. I've finally decided to go, more out of courtesy than desire. The sky is starry and the lights of the mansions illuminate the avenue. The Bassett brothers come out of the door all dressed up. Nicki is wearing an impressive blue lycra dress and high heels. Justin is wearing white trousers and a lilac t-shirt with a huge flower on the back.
—Well, at least you're punctual, Justin says sarcastically.
—Thanks, I'm glad to see you too —I reply.
Nicki walks up to me and gives me a hug, then we follow Justin to his black sports car. We get in the car and head to the party.
—We're going to have a great time, Mia throws the best parties in the neighborhood —says Nicki.
"Who is Mia?" he asked with interest.
—She's a girl from high school. Last year she went to boarding school in Italy because her parents caught her having an affair with a Barracuda guy. She came back a week ago and today she's celebrating her return to the island —Nicki gossips to me.
"The Barracuda?" I ask, surprised, remembering the first place I was going to book a place to stay.
—It's the most problematic neighborhood on the island —Justin intervenes.
Justin parks and we get out of the car. The sidewalk is packed with people, and from outside you can see the countless neon lights emerging from the large windows of Mia's chalet. Music resonates throughout the street. People, glass in hand, stroll through the garden, very well dressed, with blind joy. There they drink or go out to smoke, under a wide garland of warm lights. In the background I see some young people jumping into a huge pool, competing to make the most spectacular jump. Justin quickens his steps until, after a short time, we lose sight of him in the crowd in the garden. When we reach the entrance, a group of girls approach Nicki and start talking so fast that they get lost in their words.
—Nicki, I'm going in, meet you inside —I interrupt him to escape the sudden conversation.
—Okay, go find the bar and order whatever you want. I'll be right there —he tells me.
I enter the house and walk among the people, some dancing, others chatting animatedly, while music and colored lights fill the room. Suddenly, on my shoulder, I feel a cold hand and I instantly turn around.
—Hey, I see you've lost your way! —a young man in his twenties tells me...
"I'm looking for the bar," I tell him instantly.
—The bar is at the back, but I can offer you something better. I'm Troy and I deliver flowers to your home or anywhere in the city, as you prefer —he tells me with a mischievous smile.
—Flowers? —I ask him with confusion.
—Come with me, I'll introduce you to more people! —Troy incites. —Hey, you're not from around here, by any chance, are you?
—No, I just arrived on the island —I answer.
—You're into new experiences, you must be a very interesting person. Come with me!
Troy is short, has very dark brown hair and eyes as blue as a Siamese cat. He is wearing a checkered shirt and beige chinos. As we walk through the rooms of the house, he starts to greet everyone. There are a lot of people, and with the hustle and bustle and loud music, it seems like we are in a disco. A stench of alcohol and tobacco, among other substances, permeates every corner.
Again, I see Justin appear, who nervously approaches Troy and says:
—Uncle, when will you be able to have the flowers?
"I won't have them for a few hours," Troy replies, stopping at that moment.
A green-eyed girl suddenly appears behind Justin.
—How romantic! Are you going to give me some flowers, my love? —she asks with innocent astonishment.
—Yeah, sure! —Justin replies.
Troy looks at him with a cynical smile and Justin sighs in relief.
—See you in a few hours, Troy —Justin finishes.
It's then that I realize these two are up to something... Troy and I go up to a higher level of the house, where there are fewer people and the atmosphere is less stuffy. On a long white sofa there is a group of girls and boys holding balloon glasses while they talk.
—Look who's here guys! Our favorite gardener! —says Logan, the boy who made fun of my necklace at the dock.
Troy approaches and passes them some bags of plant fertilizer, in a furtive and discreet manner.
—Here you go. Now the money —he says seriously.
Logan pulls a wad of cash out of his pocket and tosses it onto the table.
“Happy?” Logan says arrogantly.
—If you want more, call me... —Troy answers.
"Don't doubt it," he replies.
Logan turns his head and fixes his gaze on me.
—Haven't they told you yet that only the kids on the island wear the white collar? —he says, making fun of me.
—Logan, shut up. He saved Nicki —the boy next to him says, defending me.
"Are you the one who saved Nicki?" he asks me sarcastically.
"And you're the one who ran away when he was drowning?" I ask him.
Logan glares at me as his friends hide their laughter and whisper amongst themselves. I suddenly turn around and notice that Troy has disappeared.
An awkward silence forms in the meeting and Mia intervenes:
—Get rid of those long faces, it's my party and we've come to have fun!
—Mia, no one messes with me —Logan says.
—Logan, relax, let's dance —Mia asks him, livening up the situation.
Mia takes his hand and leads him out onto the dance floor. They walk past me and Logan whispers to me menacingly:
—Be careful what you say.
The rest of the group follows them and starts dancing, it's the perfect moment to disappear. As I head towards the stairs to find Nicki, I reflect on Logan's words: the kids from the island? Why did my grandfather keep that necklace? A heated shout breaks me from my thoughts. It's a hooded boy arguing with Troy. Suddenly he grabs him by the shirt and yells:
—What the hell is wrong with you? You were supposed to be there at twelve!
—Dude, Alex, calm down —he says with a hidden smile—. It won't happen again...
—It won't happen again! —Alex shouts desperately—. Do you know the mess you've gotten me into? I've traveled half the island with your damn merchandise!
—Wait a minute, how did you pay them?
—Since you didn't pick up the phone, I had to call Noah —Alex answers.
—Fuck! —he says, putting his hands to his head—. Noah is going to kill me...
—Take care of your filthy drugs, Troy! I've been turning a blind eye enough.
Alex fixes his brown eyes on me and notices that I'm listening. I quickly prepare to flee and pretend I didn't notice anything. I search the entire house for Nicki. I look around, but I can't find her anywhere. I walk until I reach the entrance and leave the noisy mansion. The garden is full of people who are up to their necks. Some, lying on the grass, look at the stars with fascination as if it were the first time they've seen them. Others walk unsteadily on the edge of the pool. While some get into fights, others celebrate their conquest of the night. In a remote corner, I see Justin sitting on the floor with a lost look and a bottle of whiskey in his hand. I hesitate for several seconds to approach, but finally I do.
"Are you okay?" I ask him.
—You again, what are you trying to do to save us all? —he answers, stammering.
—It doesn't matter. You're drunk —I reply indignantly.
—What are you saying? Yes, I'm better than ever —he tells me with a crooked smile.
—Yeah, sure. Good night, Justin —I say as I prepare to leave the party.
—Palm Road, a dream life: mansions, sports cars, parties... You live in paradise until one day you discover that this perfect world only exists from the outside.
I stare at him in surprise, not knowing what he's talking about.
—Don't try to be one of us, believe me, this world is not made for you —Justin reproaches me.
A great indignation invades my whole body, I leave the garden and a jet-black blanket covers the whole neighborhood with its blackness. Appearances are deceiving. Who would say that, behind those perfect lives, luxury houses, high-end sports cars and harmonious gardens, there are hidden secrets, lies, betrayals and an emptiness that no one dares to recognize. In Palm Road, nothing is what it seems.
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