Border Secured (A Scenario) Part 10

Oh my God! I exclaimed, there was broken glass everywhere, the aquarium I had since I was twelve years old was in splinters! Thankfully the last of the goldfish had died some months ago and no water was in it. I grabbed the broom that was in the corner of the verandah. The children thought I was about to hit them with it and ran terrified to the other end of the verandah. Luckily it was away from the splintered glass. I shouted to the mother, ‘Why can’t you control your children!’ I could see by the expression on her face that she wanted to respond in an obnoxious way, but thought better of it. Clearly she did not want to be put out in the rain. I was getting so tired of dealing with these people whom I have not welcomed into my home. I started sweeping the splinters into a heap and with Maud’s help we managed to get them into the dustbin. I then warned the children to stay where they are at the other end of the verandah as there may be splinters that we had missed and if they got cut because of their disobedience

Border Secured (A Scenario) - Part 9

The rain was coming down in torrents. They were soaked to their skins, and from where I was standing I could see the little ones trembling. I turned to Maud and told her that they could stay on the verandah until the rain stopped. Maud asked what about their wet clothes? I rolled my eyes at her in exasperation. These people, whom I never asked to be here, now wanted me to be responsible for them? Go look in the bag of clothes that I was taking to Salvation

Border Secured (A Scenario) - Part 8

Listen to me child! I shouted, you are to stay where I tell you to stay! Don’t you dare interfere with my dogs! The child began to cry, the dogs began to howl which woke up the baby, which then woke up the mother. The mother had the gall to get angry with me! Telling me that if I had allowed them to come inside the house the child

Border Secured (A Scenario) - Part 7

I fetched the water for Reverend Julian and returned to the den. I handed the water to him. He took it from me with shaky hands. He took a huge gulp, wiped his mouth with the back of his hand and continued the story. Yes, it certainly seemed like one big, unbelievable story. Reverend Julian said that after a month of going back and forth to the railway stations at Montego Bay and Spanish Town, Stanley gave up hope of ever seeing Charlotte alive again. Checks at the Police Station in Spanish Town proved futile as there was no record of Charlotte

Border Secured (A Scenario) - Part 6

Charlotte, said the Reverend, was not just young and pretty, she also had a bubbling personality and Charles' mother Enid fell in love with her instantly. She gave Charlotte her room to sleep in as well as a change of clothes, which she said had belonged to her daughter who was now living in England. Mother Enid made pig's trotters and broad beans with white rice for dinner. At first when Charlotte heard what it was she was afraid to eat any but she was convinced by Charles to taste it. After the first bite she wanted it all, she wondered why she had never eaten

Border Secured (A Scenario) - Part 5

It is too hot outside here for her and the children, said Reverend Julian, I would not want the children to feint from the heat. The woman chimed in, saying that they have been walking from before daylight just to get to my home and that she and the children were tired and hungry. Not my fault, I said, I did not tell you to start your journey to come here! The children started yelling and the baby started to cry. I placed my hands over my ears. Please, said the Reverend, they won’t go inside the house, just let them sit under the tree by the gate and rest a while. The baby stretched out its hands to me but I pretended not to see this action. I refused to get sentimental. I reluctantly opened the gate and let them in. Maud happily led them to the tree where I had built a seat that went around the trunk. It was my favorite spot as I could sit and observe the people passing by but they could not see me because of the hedge that grew along the fence. I told Maud that if any of them wanted to use the toilet

Border Secured (A Scenario) - Part 4

Good can be found anywhere, I said. There is none good but God and God is good all the time. Yeah, I was saying in my mind, I can be just as cynical as you Reverend Julian. Reverend Julian again took off his glasses, this time he held them in his hands as he began to speak. Do you remember when you went overseas to study ten years ago? He asked. Yes, when I was pursuing my Masters in Population Health Management I had to live

Border Secured (A Scenario) - Part 3

As I walked with the Reverend to his Range Rover which was parked away from the gate the woman, who had stationed herself and her children under a tree across the road shouted out, 'Lady I was not stoning your dogs or your house! I was just trying to get a few

Border Secured (A Scenario) - Part 2

I have a dutiful Helper that I would recommend highly to anyone. Maud used to work with my Great-Aunt Charlotte who lived in Ironshore, St. James. Great-Aunt Charlotte had her from she was about 12 years old, she was now 47 years old. She works well and follows instructions although there are times when I believe she struggles hard to understand what I am saying even though I am speaking in the clearest of English. Sometimes I wonder if Great-Aunt Charlotte had sent her to school. Just as I was about to call her to make me a cup of tea she appeared in the living room. Miss Ma'am, why you not helping the lady and har pickney dem? I replied,

Border Secured (A Scenario) - Section One Part 1

(Knocking on my gate in Eltham Park)

Knock, knock! Who is it? Me! Me who? Come and look nuh! So I went outside. There is a woman on the other side of the gate with three young children holding on to her skirt. On top of that she is in an advanced stage of pregnancy with a baby about 10 months old in her arms. I asked her why she was knocking on my gate. She said that she