“You know why that is, Fire? Blanche has always intimidated you. When you met her you were half-formed and she was more or less complete. It was a rookie gainst a seasoned vet. You’ve never really recovered from that spanking she gave you. That’s why you took her back all those times. It was more than love, man. It was awe. Cause there you were, this bright and talented guy who could charm the drawers off any woman, and then came this person who was that much quicker, that much more experienced, and able to control you. Make you want to come back for more. But you have to be careful with this Sylvia chick. I know what’s running through your head, y’know. Deep down you think that you’re smarter than her, more experienced. And you believe, then, that with enough time you can bend her your way. But before you say another word, I want you consider this. Considering how things end fuck up, you’da really waah deal with a woman like that? She have two major strikes against her as far as me concerned. She materialistic and she self-righteous. That’s two big flaw right deh so. And to make it even more complicated, she don’t know herself. She don’t know if she coming or she going. Y’haffe know yourself in this world, y’know, Fire. If you don’t know yourself you get caught up inna Babylon system. Y’see, when we was on the road with Bob in the early days—a-play de likkle small club dem—nuff people used to say we shoulda cross over cause this reggae thing couldn’t work. Cause nobody don’t know it, y’know. Like we shoulda play funky or rock or dem ting deh. But I-n-I never even consider that. I-n-I listen those music and like them, still y’know, and even borrow from them, blues especially for the guitars, but I-n-I wasn’t going get caught up inna Babylon system and sell I-n-I soul. Cause I-n-I know who I-n-I was. And I-n-I was reggae. And I-n-I come from Jamaica. And within six years to rass I-n-I was the biggest touring band in the world. Bigger than the Stones. The Commodores. Don’t run down what is not for you, Fire. Leave da girl-deh alone. She don’t know herself. And that is something that you cyaah do fe her. She haffe come to a certain understanding in the fullness of time.”

“I think you’re being harsh on her, man. As I told you, she’s been through a lot. I mean … how can we sit here and judge her and we’ve never had to live her life … never had to make her choices?”

“I bet you any money that if she knew you was a big writer and have coupla dollars she woulda lef de bwai and come and deal with you.”

“How you know that?”

“Experience will teach you these things in the fullness of time.”

“I’m not convinced of that.”

“Because you in love.”

“Come on, I-nelik, man … think about the kinda life she had as a child. Scarcity will turn you into a hoarder, man. Look at people who came of age in the Great Depression.”