Her Past

Past Meets the Future

The bus had left behind the bustling scene of Kingston town. Fewer houses were seen amidst vast lushous green vegetation. The atmosphere was changing. A sure sign that Mandeville is close.

The contemporary worship music filled the bus. Some passengers sang along to the well known tunes, while others had headsets on to shut out the world and were asleep.

Marcia and Jessica sat together. They were laughing and talking, even praying before Marcia dozed off.

Jessica gazed out the window lost in her own thoughts.

Olivia opted to sit next to the church choir director Chuck, and they were chatting about everything except religion.

David sat at the back, sporting his shade but was wide awake. He was alert and vigilant because the same high pitched laughter was evident on the bus. This same bus that he is on.

He was nervous, anxious and felt shaky although his outward demeanor was calm and attentive.

The boys were all asleep as he drown in the worship music that played. He observed that most of the songs were American produced but popular among the Jamaican group.

He felt vibrant when the bus sang along to a well known tune. There was a peace within him when he closed his eyes and focus on Christ. He felt like shouting out, running and bouncing on the bus. Never once did this strong feeling came on him when he was home at church.

He noticed whenever a song ended, a few persons lift there hands and shouted Alleluia, or praise God, some jumped up in enthusiasm. Others simply cried.

David remember his youth days when he use to attend the district church. Jessica, his partner in crime would snicker and laugh at the others in church who danced weird, sounded horrific or spoke in tongues that sounded like gibberish.

He recall trying to 'reach out and touch the Holy Spirit' like the women of the church use to say. Oh how he remembered Jessica's mother. The church mother. She was always trying to round up the young people at the altar, telling us to lift our hands to God, close our eyes and focus.

David shake his head in laughter when he remember how Jessica would use one eye to sneak a peak at him and vica versa. Those were the days, he thought.

He could hear her voice drowning out the music on the bus.

Jessica could sing. Man, the voice always had him floating. Taking him higher with each note. He was drunk on her sound. Lost to the world and soaked in peace.

Her soprano was the C4 on a piano, smooth like honey, yet commanding and strong. Her voice demands attention and he was addicted.

David shook himself to reality.
He scold himself for getting carried away by his thoughts. He was surprised at himself. Ever since he got on the church ground his mind wandered on Jessica quite often. He thought himself delusional, thinking he could hear her laugh and voice.

Nevertheless, the more he push the thought aside, the more his anxiety grew.

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Jessica gazed out the window. Her mum sat beside her sleeping, head nodding to every movement of the bus. Jessica couldn't sleep.

She thought about school and graduation. She knew she was the top achiever and with CSEC results coming out in another month or so she wasnt worried. She was selected school validictorian and scolded herself again. How could she mess up so badly? She sigh.

Here she was with her mom, heading to Kingston at 5am and yet to figure out why the sudden decision to pack up and relocate. Nevertheless she was too relieved and happy to complain or ask questions. This was her escape from the district. She wouldn't have to face the constant reminder of the foolish mistake, whispers her classmates may do after last weeks juicey gossip.