SIERRA'S LEONE

A MOTHER'S PLEA

In the meantime, Vincent discovered Sierra took the first flight for Paris, and while he grasped his hair Sierra opened the door to her house.

She hoped to find Leone sleeping, but the boy was already in his high chair, "mama, mama," the boy chirped while he jumped up and down and in the chair.

"Sierra," Jacob said.

"Don't ask," Sierra replied before the deep frown that began to form on his face settled.

"Okay, okay."

The woman washed her hands, grabbed a glass, served herself water that she gulped down in one go before taking Leone in her arms. She inhaled the smell of his hair before saying, "it's good to be home."

Jacob understood it wasn't the time to ask her what happened. He let her unpack before sitting her down in the living room.

"Sierra, why are you here?"

"I live here."

"Don't play dumb."

She sighed and threw her head back, "I just wanted to come back. Vincent stayed with his parents."

"Sierra."

"I'm really hurting right now, Jacob, don't push it."

"Sierra, I'm your older brother. Do you think I enjoy seeing you with your bee's wasps stung swollen eyes? You cried all night, and I want to know why?"

"I argued with Wincent about Leone, and he argued with his parents. The wedding is off."

Jacob slid his head back, "Wow, wow, wow, Sierra, stop, rewind."

"I can't do it, Jacob. These people don't want me to marry their son because I'm a mom. Can you believe that?"

"I can, Sierra. We all know how some communities see single parenting. Do they know the whole story?"

Sierra gave him a deadpan stare, "what does it change?"

"People have weird reactions when the information drops like a bombshell. Perhaps if they knew everything, things would be different. "

"Jacob, it's not the moment to be pragmatic. They didn't want Leone nor me. I think it's enough, besides I thought you were against it."

"No, sierra, I thought you rushed, but you were sure, and now I find it odd to see you give up like this."

"Jacob, tell me how can I fight when the man I'm supposed to form body with withers in front of adversity. Listen, I don't want to talk about this; it's over."

From that moment, Sierra put herself in a robot mode where she let no emotion filter and only focused on Leone, who had a lot to say.

"Oh, mom, you should have been here. I spoke to Dona. Did you know he has a dog and that he lives in a castle? His place isn't like ours. There are even steps in his house. Mom, you should call him. It will cheer you up. Use uncle Jacob's magic mirror."

"Gosh, you're talkative," Leone Sierra said while she continued to bathe him.

Leone frowned. Why was his mom sad?

I bet it's Black Beard, thought the boy who nicknamed Vincent.

The week went on; this time, Vincent didn't leave things as they were. He filled the woman's voice mail with so many messages Sierra had to turn her home recorder off and delete the ones he left on her mobile without listening. The same went with the texts she put in the wastebasket.

Sierra refused to sway in any way. She refuted the concept of swimming in the nonsense of his vague promises. During that time, Leone had the time of his life as once more; he had Sierra and her comforting bosom to himself.

Strangely enough, Sierra slept better. Absorbed by trying to refrain from morosity, the woman didn't even ponder on the question.

Her method worked; she survived the week and was almost looking forward to her weekend when her doorbell rang, "I'm coming."

Sierra opened and auto-mummified on the spot.

"Good evening, Sierra."

The woman blinked, "Ms. Patel. Wow, what a surprise."

"I know it's short notice, Sierra, but I needed to see you."

Sierra looked at herself; she was already in her checkered pink pajama bottom and tank.

"Come on."

What? It wasn't like she was going to pamper herself for a woman who didn't care about her, she thought.

Ms. Patel entered her eyes roamed around registering the apartment, which was huge for one person and a child.

"Mama."

Leone stood at the end of the hall and looked at the woman who followed his mom.

The boy covered his eyes, "oh, no, black beard with a bosom, go away. What vision is this?"

Sierra picked him up, and the boy directly buried his head in her chest.

"Who?"

"It's Leone, my son. Leone dis bonjour à la maman de Vincent [Leone say hello to Vincent's mom]."

The boy turned to look at Ms. Patel before staring up at Sierra thinking what Black Beard has as a mom.

Ms. Patel looked at him," he's your son, but he'sㅡ."

"Yes, he's white, I know it. The world knows it, and so do you. What do you want, Ms. Patel?"

The woman's eyes remained on the boy, Elise explained just like Vincent how Sierra got his custody, but none said the child was of another ethnicity than black. For the woman like many who met Sierra, it was a first.

Vincent was right; Sierra was exceptional, not many would endorse the responsibility she took on without blinking an eye. 

Raising someone else's child, not even one of a kin, how many refused?

 How many children were given to social welfare on the streets of developing countries because no one wanted them? 

Relatives sometimes even their parents abandoned the children who burdened them.

On top of this, Sierra was willing to marry into a community that had immutable traditions. This, too, showed her force of character, and the Patels failed miserably by refusing their support. 

Her mother-in-law's words haunted her. She was no better than the characters of Bollywood movies such as Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham or Baghban. 

"I would have wished to have the same courage as you. I would have loved to have the strength to walk out on the unwelcoming in-laws. We were unprepared and rude, and I wish to apologize. I don't want my son to suffer from his parent's misconduct."

"Ms. Patel, youㅡ."

"Please, Sierra, you came, and you gave us your gifts. It is custom to return a gift."

Sierra adjusted Leone's position in her arms, "It was nothing. I accept your apologies, but I will not marrㅡ."