Son of Rose

Chapter 2 (death)

The shed we were seated was built next to a guinep tree some would call "nature's candy".
This guinep tree had a huge cow chain that has been wrapped around it for ages. Unable to be removed without causing damage . Everyone cherished that tree and soon we learned why .

One day we lit a pile of rubbish at it's root which got out of control.
We tried to put out the blaze but it was too late, Uncle Eric was already at the gate.

He looked at us, cracked a smile and mumbled "hmmm ahhhh buooooy" while shaking his head .
It was unanimously understood that we were in big trouble so we ran to the back of the house seeking green bushes to rub in our palms, as this was a method by Jamaican children to prevent a spanking from hurting . So far I can't say it has ever worked for me but it was always worth a try.

About 15 minutes later we heard 🗣"Randy ! Kenny! David! Come ya"

No one wanted to face the punishment but I was the nervous one. I ran to the front where I saw uncle sitting drinking water .
"Weh di rest a dem deh?" He said
"round a back " I replied.
After which he sternly uttered..."guh fi dem"
They heard and ran quickly to my side to face their judgment.

Uncle said, " on the ground unuh have three choice of switches ; A stick, hose and belt. Each a unuh choose which one unuh like "
I immediately took up the belt , David chose the hose so by default Kenny got the stick.
We all had to line up like kids at a canteen, ready for our inescapable torture.

After such ordeal, we all went back under the shed sad and somewhat angry.
Uncle came round the corner and asked : "do you know why me beat unuh? "
Before we could answer he continued "your mother planted that tree you burnt ",
"When she was young she carved her name on the side and that's the side the fire damaged" with a stern but sad face.

While my brothers expressed remorse and regret
I sat there looking at the carving "Rose-Marie Young" , wondering where is she, because in my mind I just thought my mother wasn't around and will be back some time. I asked my brothers what he meant .

They both held each of my hands and slowly walked me to the rear of the house where I saw this rectangular concrete figure in what's left of the sun.
I've just learnt at that moment that it was a grave and there laid the woman who gave birth to all three of us.
I just then learnt what death is. That day was the day I discovered what it meant to have a broken heart.
All I could ask was " How?"
"How she dead?" I asked with a young innocent curious voice .

"She drowned" my brothers harmonized.
Things started to get distorted. Getting ready for school the next day i was wavy. I keep going to the back door looking to the distance trying to register it all.
I went to school that day , gazing at the teacher , unable to hear her voice while trying to read her lips. Recalling myself telling everyone my mom was away when they all gathered and boast about their parents.
The emptiness felt from that day onward never left me. I was already a silent child and become even more silent. I would stare out of space with no warning , conflicted and confused as to what exactly I was feeling.  There was no name for it but it hurt