Power of the Pum Pum (From Guns to God)

Chapter 15

Today was Tafari's court hearing. I stood nervously under a guangu tree in the court yard trying to garner enough strength to get by. When they called his name the officers pulled him from the police vehicle. I watched as he walked up the stairs with his hands cuffed behind him. I began to strode back and forth in hopes of consoling myself.

"15 years that a get eno!" a woman in a green dress mouthed to the man beside her.

"Life them fi give the pussy!" the man sucked his teeth and folded his arms.

I frowned.
I couldn't be mad at them for voicing their opinions. I knew the possibities but still, I wanted my baby home with me.

Terry was with me. She glance at me with sad eyes when Tafari came back downstairs still in handcuffs. I couldn't feel my legs. Terry must have realized because she barrowed a chair and beckoned for me to sit. Tears flooded my cheeks when Tafari glanced at me pouted his lips to give me an air kiss.

His friend walked over to me, "them say him a high profile prisoner, not jailer eno muma, prisoner" he sucked his teeth and walked off.

"Come we go home mums" Terry said and rubbed my arm.
"Him go good! Tikka know how fi take care a himself"

Tears fell from my eyes and I sniffed "Don't call him that!"
"Tafari him name!"
"Reincarnated King!" I sucked my teeth.
"Not no damn street bwoy Tikka"

I nodded. "But yeah...me know em go good"

All I wanted was to go home and cry in my pillows. It felt like God was punishing me.

Bobby: Hey pretty girl. Still on for later?

Bobby had asked to meet up again. This time not for lunch but to join him at a birthday party for his niece. Then he wanted me to accompany him to church with his grandmother. Thats too much. I knew Bobby's intentions and I didnt want to lead him on.

Me: Hey Bobby, I don't think I can make it. I have a thing.

Bobby: Lol I figured you would say that.
Bobby: I'm not trying to force anything on you Staciann.
Bobby: Just would like to catch up.

Staciann? He called me Staciann.

Me: Bobby its not that. I am having a terrible day

I haven't told Bobby about Tafari as yet. The right time hasnt presented itself.

Bobby: More reason why you need to come. I promise I wont bite.

Me: Lol ok Mr. Lynch. I'll notify you later if my mind changes.

Bobby: I hope it changes Princessa. I really hope...

When I got home my uncle was in the yard picking ackees.

"Uncle Sam!" I shouted
"I'm back"
"Me ago lay down"

"Wait deh!" he shouted back and jump from the ackee tree.
"How your face look so? Them remand him?"

I folded my lips and nodded.

Uncle Sam placed his hand on my shoulder.
"Nuh question God!"
"Him know weh him a do!"
"If that bwoy dont change for the better something bad ago happen to him"

I gave uncle Sam a dry smile and exhaled louded.
"Them nah treat him good in there!"
I wanted to cry. "Me just want him come out and change"

"God and time me niece" uncle Sam assured me. "Not fi wi way, but the way of the author"

There was a short moment of silence between us. I was happy with the way my uncle tried to comfort me even though I knew he didn't like a bone in 'That bwoy' his exact words.

"So me niece..." Uncle Sam blurted.
"Me notice a Mark X a linger at the gate now a days"
Uncle Sam watched me through the corner of his eyes.
"A who him?"

I scratched the side of my head.
"Bobby. You nuh remember Bobby from me high school days?"

A smirk appeared on his face
"No really, me just know the car nice"
"Bobby?"
"Wait deh... Joan son Bobby?"

I nodded. "Same one!"

"Yes me remember him!"
"Then me never hear say him turn officer?"

I nodded again

Uncle Sam smiled broadly."Yes bwoy! Make you madda proud"

I laughed
"Yes uncle, he did"

"Bring him inside next time!"
"Cyaa have the man just a drop off and drive off suh!"

I widen my eyes at him
"Sammmm.." I crooned
"Remember I have a boyfriend"
"Bobby is just a friend!"

Uncle Sam laughed until he snorted
"Like me affi go bring you a Westmoreland go get one a them spiritual bath deh"
"Bout have boyfriend!" he sucked his teeth
"Weh you boyfriend deh?"

I shook my head.