The Flower That Survived 19 Years of Drought

Curtains Closed

Curtains Closed

I sailed silently down a dark murky still river on a raft. I did not sail by fate I sailed by choice with my purpose and destiny in mind.

Without a father figure present in my life, somehow I managed to grow up conscious and as strong as a soldier. My life was like a battle field but my mama, in fact, raised a brave warrior. Regardless of the sudden twists and turns that shaped and steered my life, I learned significant lessons from every hardship and every obstacle that I couldn't have learnt otherwise. Consequently, I suffered occasionally from reliving the painful pass. In the back of my head, I can still vividly remember the sound of Dad's coarse voice and the smell of burnt cigarette that lingered in the air when he was around.

The phone rang. I answered.

"Hello."

"What's up rude boy?" Dad asked me.

"Nothing much but I'm cool though," I replied.

"Good to know my boy, good to know. Listen, I send ten thousand five hundred at the Western Union for you and your brother. You can tell SunShine to pick it up, but it's for you and your brother. Spend it all buy food. I'm here in Kingston hustling hard, and as you know, no work no bread. Last thing, although I'm not there for you guys, you realize I'm starting to send money regularly now. I don't forget you guys."

"Hmmm, can money replace your absence in my growing up? Don't even go there," I retorted.

"Jack who are you on the phone with?" Veronica asked loudly so I could hear.

"Tell you what bro, have to go. Tomorrow I'll call back so we can have a man to man talk, okay. Bye," he said horridly.

The following day I waited patiently anticipating the call. I was really desperate for a grown man conversation with him. Finally, I could get the chance to question why he betrayed Mom's love and why he had chosen to neglect us even though we were his. I listened all day for him to call but he didn't. Out of patience, I took up the phone and dialled his phone number. The phone rang but he refused to answer. I failed to understand why he didn't care when I was calling. This became a heavy load on my head.

"I hope you weren't trying to call your father, leave him to his own conscience," SunShine urged.

"Dad doesn't have conscience. He's like a robot, but I'm calling his ass, whether he likes it or not," I retorted.

I called several more times, still no answer from him.

"Alright I know what I'm going to do. I'm going to leave him a voicemail telling him how deeply I am affected by his reckless attitudes," I muttered inside my head.

"After the tone please leave a message then press one or the number sign," the operator said.

"You promise you'd call huh but sad to say that you have failed once more. Do you think I'm stupid? I knew that you would shatter another faithful promise just like the way you broke the vow you, and Mom made on the day you were getting married. Mom didn't break the vow. You did. I know you heard and saw when I was calling, but you refused to answer. I wonder what kind of father you are. Have you lost your humanity? How can you have two kids and a wife here and never come back to look for them after so many years? Where is your compassion and where is your conscience? Would it make a heartless man feel better if I didn't call? I bet a million dollars it would. Listen up Dad. Stand up to your responsibilities! Any father who has a child and doesn't care when they are calling is not a human being. As much as I hate to say this Dad, all I have ever had in my life is a mother who is always caring and affectionate to me. On the other hand, the only thing lacking in my life is a good father. I must admit that if it wasn't for you I wouldn't have existed. Hats off to you, I respect you for bringing me on this earth but what else can I respect you for. What other roles have you played? Money and clothes are an exception. I just want to inform you that the stone that the builder refuses shall become the chief corner stone. With the greatest of respect Dad, you should love us equally because you may never know which one will help you down the road. I'll be prepared one day, soon, to hear you say that you regret what you have done."

After I have sent him the voicemail, it didn't take him very long to call back.

"Listen up rude boy if you don't want to pay me any mind, I got my four kids here in Kingston to take care of and to treasure. After all Josh, you think you silk. Well, you're not silkier than me. I tell you that," he exclaimed hanging up the phone in my ears.

Without hesitation, I called him back.

"Is this what you think why you didn't answer when I was calling your phone? No matter what you think I am still your son. Do you consider yourself to be intelligent? You said that I wasn't silkier than you. Okay fine let us do a comparison. One, last time I checked you have four kids with a worthless trash. Something I wouldn't have done, even when I am out of my mind and going crazy. Two, you neglected your wife and two kids, and that reveal a wake hearted man. A really strong man stands up to his responsibilities, coward. Who is silkier? Let your conscience decide. Dad you want to hear something that I figured that you didn't know from the start. A wise man thinks about the end before the beginning.

"What did you say?" he asked.

"You heard me. A wise man thinks about the end before the beginning. Are you blind Dad, don't you realize that the curtain has already closed on you? Wake up!