Jude left the school gates without noticing Layla had waited ahead of him outside school premises , along with Clara and Julie. Jeffy , Barry and Clyde hid well behind the flowers and wall , in an area the students and locals called Rock Pack as the City Council workers had arranged the flowers there, the stones and rock fragments from three demolished houses and flowers there very nicely . Jude was walking and also reading through his copy of the letter , word for word ; ' Here is to inform you Parent/Guardian of the unscrupulous acts of irresponsibility of your child/ward against school rules', it read ."Unscrupulous acts of irresponsibility?" thought Jude, Principal Blackman had really taken this over board . " ARGGGHHHHH! " Barry , Jeff and Clyde growled and jumped out from behind the wall . Jude stepped back ward, startled , saying "Oye! Gassuh yawl real doing shate ih!" Jude then heard giggles from behind him ,then Clara , Julie and Layla presented themselves. Jude walked towards Layla patted his hands on Layla's hair then broke a white rose off it's twig and fitted it in the conrow behind her right ear , closer to her temple. They started discussing what excuse they were going to use for their parents to have mercy and not beat them in order to beseech their parents not add any further punishment . " Dawggy we screwed !" Jeffy said out loud with his hands on his head " Oye do you notice it says for the sections that has to be recorded to be sent via whatsapp ...wearing an apron whilst using a duster to dust off the home area, using gloves or relevant protective wear ?" Obviously and contrarily to the orders of the Principals , they waited at Rock Pack before they could go to collect their younger siblings from school . This was the third time that Layla would be accompanying Jude to pick up his seven year old brother , Hayden from school. As they came to the Anglican Infant School, Hayden was among thirteen children waiting to be picked up from school. He was so cute in his beige shirt-jack and forest green school pants that reached slightly above his knees and was the only child sitting in the area below the steps leading the principal's office whilst others were playing foot ball using an empty soft drink bottle as the football. Hayden was swaying and eating his tuna sandwich with extra mayonnaise and then completed it with his second box juice that he deliberately left behind for after school . Their mother had always given them both two box juices for their lunch bag but now that Jude was sixteen and in form four and thought himself too man for lunch bags, Jude was now given money even twenty five dollars everyday by Mira or His Aunt or Grand Mother , for break , lunch and snacks at school . Hayden had similar features to Jude except that they both had an imprinted resemblance look of their individuals fathers . Though they didn't have same fathers their love and brotherly togetherness was very strong. Hayden's hair was reddish and curlier in comparison to the brownish gold colored hair of Jude which was of a more coarse texture. Well , their mother Mira who also had nice hazel eyes and fair skinned in complexion actually loved seeing men who were brown skinned or very dark skinned in complexion ,medium built and with coarse but sexy voice but surprisingly neither of her children were from a man of dark skinned complexion.It was only after finishing his box juice Hayden noticed his brother and Layla approaching him and the last gulps of his orange flavoured Pinehill bottled juice made him feel all his veins pumping in synchronization as he finished the bottle of juice off in one go . Pine hill to him was the best produced bottled and box juices manufactured in the Caribbean in Hayden's opinion especially the fruit punch flavour . Hayden instantly held out his hand , like a crack head seeking his next fix from his dealer . It was a good thing Jude had purchased his hush candy earlier this morning in Miss Suzie's tray . The treat for today was candy canes and Jude did not hesitate to find out Hayden's request from the day before . Of course this particular treat was for him not telling mother about his lovely Layla and many other top secrets . Jude and Layla now was quickly taking a chance of kissing as the other children were away and Hayden back was finishing his biscuit and water. Hayden was very intelligent and he had a system of separating his snacks in his lunch bag into three thirds ;some for ,break time ,some for lunchtime and the balance for after school. Well , the free school feeding program aided with Hayden's eating system. Layla's bus stop was nearby the Anglican Infant School, the Gros Islet Route. After Jude and Hayden dropped her off they took a bus on their Pavee bus route and headed home . Mariel and Mira sat like two investigating officers in the balcony area of their baby blue painted wall house which sat on tall pillars with panoramic views of the harbour of the capital of the country , Castries, the entire City and of the Mindoo Philip Park where The Great Nelson Mandela was celebrated upon his visit to St.Lucia years ago. You could even see the full view of the island Martinique in full on certain days. Jude prayed whilst they headed home in his mind and he had let Hayden climb up the stairs to enter the house like five minutes before him . It was as if God's express presence was truly with Jude because as he entered at 3:51 pm a gust of cool breeze gushed into the balcony together with him . His Grand Mother and his Mother sat like two Investigative Officers from the CID local investigation department , both with their hands well folded expecting this offender Jude , to begin confession without interrogation . Jude had thought it over , he was thinking to himself like the great R n B singer sang ' if they asked us why we did it , we did for love' . Imagine all that candy it took to hide this now it seemed like the very honest and only excuse that would pardon him and appeal to his Mom to spare him now. He went on his knees first saying "Mother...Mum... I am sorry for fooling around in school ...it's just there have a girl I really like and we were just having some fun ." He had long been meaning to let the secret of Layla out of the bag for some time now anyways , so why not let it all out now? He then walked to his grand mother , sticking closer to her space and placed the copy of the letter in her hand because he knew among the two , this one would be more lenient . His Uncle Dave , who was dark skinned , smoothed dougla hair , well trimmed , with his tough built frame and bright eyes , who was on three months vacation from the cruise ship sat on the ledge of the balcony with a Piton , the local beer in his hand , with the other hand across him mockingly shaking his head and grinning in disbelief at Jude's rash choices of taking school for fun on the first day of a very important term in Secondary school . In the Caribbean form four and for five were no forms to be joked with as CXC or O Level examinations would proceed after . This scenario of them three , reminded Jude of the tribal meetings shown in the African movies headed by the Chief as his Grand Mother braced on the broom used for the balcony as the Chief of this tribe and meeting. Well thank God Almighty for whoever produced African movies. It was the Nigerian movies in that made many people in Saint Lucia and throughout the Caribbean Region that Africa was not only the illusion of half naked and hungry children , men and women , entouraged with a embarrassment of flies all around them , living in ruined shambles for homes that survived solely by digging through debris and rubbish dumps for food and clothes substance . No, these were only the images and videos depicted by the Americans to gain profit , using these poor souls' disposition , to ask for help via they get rich quick scheme platform, of showing these individuals off and leaving a bank transfer number that money could be sent to stating that only one dollar a day deposited was able to feed the entire family of ten . These acidic poor individuals were amazing . No, these movies produced by the Nigerians clearly boasted the opposite, with astonishingly furnished, huge gated compounds , even better looking ,stronger , more beautifully designed than those houses of the nation of the USA . They even had male and female servants , big top brand jeeps and vehicles too. They also showed their business centers, shopping malls , beautiful garments , nice gourmet local foods they ate, their lavish of palm wines, their restaurants ,hotels ,office and home departments even modern phones that they used. It was a shock in the whole of Saint Lucia for months as we thought that it were only the poor struck that inhabited Africa because of what the media solely depicted about them before these African movies came out. These movies truly showed us that Africa was truly not only a fallen , poverty struck nation but Africa was also a nation of lavish , wealth , beauty , joy and abundance.We here in Saint Lucia were even appalled to see them living better than us. Well as for the US of A it was in their historical nature to sabotage and deceive the perception of others so that they could paint themselves right night in shining armour and the victims as villains so that they could have their way.Always being sneaky and still having their way. This is how we all ended here in the Caribbean in the first place. No repairs or compensation from or by them , no forty acres and a mule, no monetary compensation for all the treachery , displacement of culture and heritage and animosity ; these humanity criminals had never been brought to court with same urgency of R.Kelly, no , not to this date. If someone's child or relative did something wrong wasn't it another family member who compensated the victim , if they couldn't pay for the wrong done ? Further more, there were also severe cases of poverty in the USA why didn't they commence this dollar day scheme in their country ? One the other note, as for these Africans, how were they still able to engage in sexual intercourse in such a poor , depressed , discouraging and unhealthy state was a very great mystery to all until this day .
His mother whose eye was amazingly recovered from the black eye only showing a hint of redness was the first to shout and start bashing his rebellious ways . Of course , Mira had learn the many ways to clear the appearance of a black eye by now , the right foundation brand and shade by now , and she could have definitely take some good punches and slaps and kicks from a man too . Mira's brother David who was very jovial with whom there was never a dull moment when he was around as he was always the life of the party or center of attraction wherever he went , hence his employment for eight years with the cruise line , Dave , always joked saying that it is not a relationship or love that Mira was looking for but a battle field that's why she was always in bodes with guys she with. Mira would just roll her eyes at David and ignore his words.
After making her mind known to Jude , Mira leaped into the air and grabbing the broom from her Mother's hand like a well seasoned ninja shouting "People paying money for you to go to school and you coming and say about girl you like!" Before Jude's mother could even shout her response to Jude , she had already given Jude ten blows in different areas of his body , mainly his thighs and his back . Well I guess Jude's thighs was in for some major karma today ,seeing that's was the same spot Principal beat him earlier . Had this been a well thought plan between Mira and Principal Blackman ... no one would ever know. Jude would have received more than ten blows , if his brother Hayden hadn't run in front the eleventh blow attempted , pleading with his Mother Mira to take it easy on his older brother . After all, Jude was the candy supply man where would all the good treats come from if anything happened to his brother Jude , seeing all other next of kin to him were one thousand percent anti-candy as if every single candy or sweet treat came with a guarantee to cause cavities to a child's tooth. Hayden was now attempting to hold the broom , whilst their Grand Mother and Uncle played goal keep and defender for Jude 'The human football '. Mariel and Dave were literally serving as a human shield for Jude. Uncle Dave was laughing by now, his beer spilling from his hand saying "You see you raise the tiger , you see you raise the dragon Jude?" Dave then attempted to take the broken broom stick from mother who stood as a Shaolin Master with the two pieces of broom sticks in either of her hands . Dave finally managed to , and successfully yanked the two sticks from his sister who was seven years his senior saying "Mira! Mira! we tell you already don't beat the boy so , he is a big boy already you can discipline or beat him in a better manner ! " Jude knowing he had proper defense who now had tears coming down his face growled at his mother "Wicked, plus you had me only at fourteen years old ...so why I can't like a girl !" taking a stand forth then jetting back behind his uncle and grand mother , as his mother reached out to grab him by the collar but failed every time. Jude's exclamation had only enticed Mira's fury more. "Mira leave Jude you will tear the boy school shirt man?!" Mariel shouted ." I bought it so I can tear it !"
Miss Lyrisha and Mr George, two neighbors were by the road side in view of their home that were in casual chit-chat with each other were now with hand on waist observing the scene going on in Mariel's balcony. Mr.George after lighting his marijuana stick and propping it effortlessly in his mouth shouted "Woy!" and laughed. Locals here in this island of St.Lucia have a great love a family a friendship brawl or disagreements , especially when it had occurred within circles of peace whereby they had wished to see confusion abound to exclaim " Hisalop" which was a phrase used when something bad happened to someone to express their joy and affirmation over that person's bad luck , punishment or loss. Mira and Jude continued like cat and mouse for two minutes. Jude was so grateful to God that as such a time like this his beloved uncle was on vacation with them or else he would have been cooked trotters by now. " Stop blocking him!" Mira was shouting at her brother. A voice from nowhere came , saying " Mira you mean to tell me after you break the broom stick on the boy , you still hitting him again ! I will call social services for you eh ,in fact I don't know why is here you does come with your commotion and stupidness , like you don't know how to live in peace ! I swear the next time you hit Jude or Hayden that way I filing a report to the child services for you. Mothers like you should not be having children.
" Shut Up Ariah , you always there to push your mouth in me and my children business , go make your own !" Ariah now put down the bag of bread and plastic bag of shopping she arrived home with carelessly on the table in the balcony. The scent of the hot creole bread and butter made Jude and Hayden wish that this return from work of their aunt normal return to home as by now they would have eaten at least three hot local bread was a normal usual return because by now they would have both eaten three hot creole bread melted with butter each by now .
"Girl , even though you older than me , you not just coming here and disrespect me in my mother's house, I ought to really burst your tail for you !" Arian continued. Mira clapped her hands in amusement and retorted "Come and do it uh!"
Ariah was very 'highty-tighty' the local creole word for 'stoosh' but she right now , like a 'ghetto bad gyal' , Ariah was removing her shoes and earrings and her wig that she preferred over her long natural hair look to look more presentable, so that she could give her older sister the beating she deserved for this and also to knock some good sense into her brains. Mira continued , laughing and clapping her hands and raising her voice saying " Ay Ay! Ariah coming and beat her big daughter today!"
Not that Dave didn't really want to see this show down and being a lover of wrestling, this scene would be like a live local episode. As it really seemed to him like these two cats would really scratch each other's eyeballs out , he had to intervene. Mariel their Mother shouted " Yawl will raise my pressure!" and she was now searching for her pressure tablets in her little pink flowered hand bag she carried about with her in the house. "Oh my Lawd !" Dave was saying with a big grin on his face "What's this ? WWE Trish Stratus versus China?" and Dave laughed heartily after . I should have applied to the US to do referee for wrestling instead of the Cruise line Mhun? " Kool out you two ! yawl Mother cannot take this, yawl no the lady have pressure!" Dave was holding Ariah back , who had made no delay and advanced for the first swing at Mira. It had been years that she wanted to know what landing her clenched fist full force in her sister's head felt like. As maybe it was just the magic she needed to correct herself, a woman's touch, because clearly, the touch of the men Mira had been with was of no effect to correct her tiger like nature and approach. Seeing their mother searching for her pressure pills made them both heed to their brother's words . Ariah took a deep breathe in then asked Jude if he was okay , tucking her hand in between his elbow joints and she walked with him and Hayden , holding them each by their arms and escorted them to her room then locked the door behind them . Mariel brought the shopping Ariah had come home with into the kitchen and started sorting them in the pantry. An hour after her episode with Jude and Ariah , Mira went near to her sister's room and called Hayden out, " Boom!.. Boom!...they nicknamed Hayden for his fast thinking and fast eating "Come to you Mother ! " Mira heard the lock being turned, then Hayden popped out of the door , hugged his Mother , whilst he played with her dread locks which had grown twenty inches now from the time she locked her hair five years ago. Hayden shyly said "Mother please , please don't behave like that , you can speak to Jude or deal with him better, I don't want the services to come , it doesn't look nice, it will not look nice." Hayden was the type of seven year old that was going on seventy with wisdom; an adult minded child . Mira rubbed his head saying " I am just calling to tell you that I am leaving to cool off my head , I going in a kareoke". " Mum don't cook today , you want me to bring a pizza or chicken and fries for you ?" Hayden responded " You choose Mother ". Mira hugged him and kissed him good bye which she always practiced with her children whenever leaving or entering their abode. " Hmmm " said Dave shaking his head in unbelief as he passed by Mira then he retreated to his room . Mariel was leaning over the balcony lecturing her daughter " Mira you just come back here days ago ...this not looking nice ...understand yourself . If you know you can't control your rage when you beating Jude and Hayden then stop beating them and find another method to discipline them."
"Mariel sorry she replied but the boy just won't listen and always finding himself in a headache" Mira proested.
"Just like their mother ?" Mariel replied .
Mira ignored these words and asked" You okay by the way Mariel?
"Not when you does be behaving that way you behave , not when you does get on so " Mariel said a bit upset.
" Okay After today , that's it, I will apologize to Jude another time , that's it for hitting him, that's it for hitting both of them okay Mariel ?" Mira tried to reason. Mira was the only child who addressed her Mother by her name due to her not having older siblings at the time and hearing all other people call her mother her name. Her mother Mariel thought it cute so she never stopped her so since she overlooked it a point now was too late too stop it. Here in St. Lucia it is highly a rejected custom for children to do so. You had to say Mister , Sir , Misses , Father , Mother , Daddy or Mummy...No nonsense !
" Mariel you know I didn't mean to break the broom on him " Mira continued .
" So what if you landed him a good blow and killed him you would have told the police you didn't mean to kill him? Mira start come back to church and prayer meetings with me okay ,change your ways , you a big woman , you needs God's direction and deliverance to destroy power of the enemy over your life and take authority his works " Mariel advised Mira . Okay Mother I will , I will " Mira said walking off hastily and shouting " I am going to Kareoke now , see you bit I will be back by eight I don't think they closing late tonight " Mariel nodded after telling Mira to be safe. There was a time that Mira attended kareokes , parties , dinners with her entourage and twin Diva but since the death of her best friend Sandra she went alone.