Man, lemme tell ya about my day in Mandeville. It was a wild ride, like a goat on a sugar rush. I woke up, sun blazin’ through my window on Ward Ave. I swear, it felt like the sun was tryin’ to roast me alive. But hey, I’m a butcher, not a vampire, so I got up.
First thing, I hit the market on Caledonia Rd. You know, the one with the freshest produce? I’m talkin’ ripe tomatoes, sweet plantains, and the best yams. I was feelin’ good, ready to slice some meat and make magic happen. But then, bam! My supplier calls. “Yo, no pork today.” What?! No pork? That’s like a party without music! I was fumin’.
So, I had to improvise. I grabbed some chicken instead. But lemme tell ya, the chicken ain’t the same. It don’t have that juicy vibe like pork. I was tryin’ to keep my cool, but inside, I was like a kettle about to boil over.
Then, I had this customer, Miss Clara. She’s a regular, always askin’ for the best cuts. She comes in, all smiles, and I’m like, “What’s up, Miss Clara?” She says, “I need somethin’ special for dinner.” I’m thinkin’, “Great, no pressure.” So I whip out this beautiful piece of beef. She’s droolin’ over it, and I’m feelin’ like a rockstar.
But then, outta nowhere, this dude walks in. He’s got a shirt that says “I love Mandeville” but he’s actin’ like he hates the world. He starts complainin’ about the prices. I’m like, “Bro, you think I set the prices? I’m just the butcher!” But he keeps goin’. I’m tryin’ to keep my cool, but inside, I’m like, “Dude, chill. It’s Mandeville, not a supermarket in Kingston.”
After that, I needed a break. So I stepped outside, took a breath. The air was hot, but the vibe was nice. I could hear the sounds of Mandeville – kids laughin’, people chattin’ on the corner of Main St. It’s a small town, but it’s got heart.
Then, I saw my buddy, Jamal. He’s always hangin’ out by the bus stop, sellin’ his handmade jewelry. He’s got this crazy talent. I’m like, “Jamal, you should be on the streets of Paris, not Mandeville!” He laughs, says, “Nah man, this is where the real magic happens.”
So, I head back in, ready to tackle the rest of the day. But guess what? The power goes out! Just like that. I’m standin’ there, meat in hand, like a deer in headlights. No lights, no fans, just me and the meat. I’m thinkin’, “This is it. I’m gonna lose my mind.”
But then, the customers start crackin’ jokes. “Hey, at least we ain’t in the dark about the prices!” I couldn’t help but laugh. Mandeville folks know how to lighten the mood.
Finally, the power comes back. I’m back in business, but I’m exhausted. I close up shop, head home, and just crash. But as I lay there, I think about the day. The ups, the downs, the crazy customers. Mandeville, man. It’s a wild place, but it’s home.
And that’s a day in the life of a butcher in Mandeville. Full of surprises, laughter, and a whole lotta meat. Can’t wait to do it all again tomorrow!