1939- Chicago, st Louis, Kansas City New Orleans
The night was so chilly sending shivers down my spine. I tried hard not to focus on it, as I rather strained my ears to the chirping of birds, as they flew to their uttermost height. Somehow, that brought comfort to my distressed soul. voices of laughter were fizzling the air, as I walked past a bunch of men, sitting and drinking liquor at an old bar. I wrinkled my nose, as I caught a familiar scent creeping through my nostrils- smoke oozing out as a result of the cigars they burned. I loathed smoking, let alone drinking and wasting my time on unprofitable ventures . But, my chattering teeth was as a result of the hellish cold of wandering to God knows where. Even though, I wore a black old thick jacket- yet the coldness of the night was piercing into my very own soul. Winter was just six months away, nevertheless, it felt like I was submerged into a freezing water below 0 degrees.
Everything I did, walking out late at night with my hurting head and my brain spinning that felt like it would spin out of my very skull. Yet, my mind wandered back to the last conversation I had with my wife. Was this what marriage was all about?. The promised love, commitment and chastity- have it all faded away?. Her words were no like striking a javelin into my heart, as I replayed those words, over and over again.
"I give you from now till the end of month Spencer, if you fail to come up with a good job, and and provide for my daughter to feed, and for my well- being, I will serve you a bill of divorce- Spencer! trust me". She spat angrily.
I still couldn't believe it. My wife, my lawfully wedded wife. I heard those words from her, I looked into her eyes, it was like a raging whirlpool about to consume me. But, my greatest fear was reality… coming to terms with her venomous threats. "Did she really mean it?". "Was this a joke"?. "Lord please help me". I managed to say those words that escaped out of my lips. I remembered how and when we got married . Our wedding day that was the most wonderful day of my life, that I would never forget in a hurry. Walking down the aisle, and saying those words, the wedding vows, promising to be loyal and faithful to each other, till death do us part. I shut my eyes and more tears steamed down my cheeks, as I recalled the taste of her lips, when the local pastor officiating us, declared the both of us man and wife, so we could kiss. The velvety smoothness of her tongue , as our lips fused together like a sync and our hearts beating only for each other. And again I ask, " Was everything a dream?". The passion, the desire, the love, the warmth and support we shared together, were they all gone?. My parents had long told me, either I leave Alicia, or kiss my inheritance goodbye. Alicia was a negro black, and my parents were sworn racists. My family owned a baking company, that has been in existence over the years, things were pretty well for us , not until they found a about my relationship with Alicia, that ruined everything. Some news were flying around in the "Daily times" about " A million dollar donation to St. Louis church" by Mr Simon Chistopher Wright, my father,whom told me he had nothing to contribute to my wedding , when I asked him for support. According to the news headlines"The second man to hit the first million ". I scoffed when I read those words. I never bothered to ask him for support again, my heart was already heavy feeling like lead. My younger brother Jude was studying Petrochemical Engineering at the University of Georgia, Atlanta city, which was more closer to my grand parents home. I never knew till a post card letter was delivered to me by my dearest neighbor James, whom was a post man, and informed me that a letter was sent to me, he sent me some money too, for my upkeep and that for my child as well.
I was so grateful to that, unfailing support which he rendered continuously. Jude and I were really close, though I was just two years older, we had a bond- a strong bond. Maris my eldest brother, considered me a fool and rather stuck to father's decision to disown me. Neville, my elder sister was a great Chef going great in one of the businesses, my father operated, she also accepted my parents's wish and desire to marry Alicia, and Carlos, my immediate elder brother promised to support me, when the time came. I wrote letters to him, yet no reply, till the day , he sent me a letter, telling me never to talk to him again. That day, my whole world crumbled, as I had to resort to other means of lively hood…