Trinity : My 3 Sons (Pt 1)
We all had a reason to be there, well by law we get 12 years of education. Good or bad write or wrong the subservient education we got in the south, the poor lower class section of Mississippi still in the late eighties try to hold on to its segregation practices. One of us will take what ever the system gives, the other will build on the blocks of red clay, and Selena well continue to thrive back east. How here we are facing each other, all a little older, a bit wiser and each of us with a grown teenage son, by the same man tiny Alexander. In our small high school of the county set, it was over following with blacks in every shade of darkness, dotted with the minority of whites, a few Mexicans and Indians, something called a Puerto Rican. The Johnson family with its 12 children most at Jefferson middle school, Clara the mother could have stated her own little red school house. A set of twins said to be part Indian lead the way, Ike and Isaiah in my class and four others in lowers grades. The few Indians of Chickasaws or Natchez where of the local nearby parcel, where they have farm land sold corn and other vegetables throughout the year. They sit on the edge of two counties, run a general store like in the old days, providing the community with the items that the city and state have to overlook, the women there make the best fruit pies in the county, there is a smoky little bar on the land where many locals run to after a long week in the quays or wood farms.
Set along a narrow winding crawfish creek they have a few good meals on the menu but it’s the woman and the straight grain liquor that keeps the crowd going and causing a ruckus. If Clara got herself in trouble with Ike or his brother, then she’s not alone, cause Brenda Alexander gave birth to Tony the only son of Ahote Ike’s older brother, this being the laid rumor on this small area. About 5 years later Brenda took up with a new cat working in the Woodlyn pines cutting down trees for the big company, a dam good job if you have the straight and stamina. Having a baby girl and setting her family in motion, she kept it strong with her hard work, and kids with proper respect. It must have been that wavy hair, or his skin at this toasted shade of caramel. No big fat lips of brown on brown tone below a big wide noise like most of us black folks. Watching Tony grow with out a father was like that of a fine piece of artchtures coming together a tall board building of brick, steel. Its no wonder by the time we got to high school with all of its first time experience we would fall victim to Tony one fresh new flower at a time. But it will be Victoree that with claim a hold on him and that the crazy take hold til the day he dies. Like a large overpowering conglomerate he acquired a small unassuming company like reading the weekly reader. Not sure who taught him how to speak to girls, to gain their confidences, head held high, legs spread wide. He was quite and unassuming not the school jock, but loved to ride his bike on the street and play baseball at the dusty clay park near the back of Ol’Miss. Like the ice cream man when the girls saw him on the street peddling his way, it was as if he had a bell, and every girls secret was expressed as she watched with envy hoping she would be the choice today. At a tender age, this member of the track team was the talk for the town, most kept their secret interest in him locked in the recesses of their mind. Always in tuned with the rumors of his birth father, men envy him and all women wanted to have him, for Anthony it was beyond a mystery having no clue to his good looks and natural well built physic. But he was very aware of his special gift, when he talked with a girl, women for that matter, and showed true interest in what they have to say-he in turn would get anything he wanted. So it would stand to reason that Tony had a lot of work to for the cute New Yorker Selena when she had come south to visit family over the long Christmas break.
The new girl in this country town only in for the next two months; weeks of red clay and dust to brush off her running shoes each night. It was a flash of her that caught his eye as she was out for a jog along by the blood cheek and back again, a 2 mile bike path that saw her bright yellow stretch pants catch lots of attention. Tony was seating with a friend joined at the concert portico of Victoree as a few high school friends laughed and played. Lamar jumped to his feet when he saw the yellow flash as he ran to the driveway, followed by Tony wishing and hoping for attention. Always playing the slow and even role, and was pushing Lamar to run after her even giving up his bike to give chase. It wasn’t for blocks of peddling that Lamar caught up to Selena to revisit the thoughts in his mind that Anthony always wins. Returning to the spot the boys huddled for only a brief moment, to share notes, as not to get the present girls in an angry mood. It would be days before ant would have his own run in with the new flash of yellow in the hood, learning her route and taking his time, on this night it was like a stalker waiting for his prey. He positioned himself to run out of a lesser known path around blood cheek, crossing before her with precision to catch her attention. It worked like a spell of black magic, still in her line of sight as she made her short turn; he falls to the hard ground grabbing his leg, with a loud expletive. She caught up to him to see if she could help, she could see the tightness of his, veins bulging, sweat dripping; it’s a charley horse she said. In the dusty red clay she straightens out his thick muscular legs, so unaware that he had been on the trail doing calf stretches and waiting her arrival. She was going to be a hard cookie to crumble, because she helped him, talked with him, promised to run with him, but gave no indication to what she was feeling. This first year went on like this and he tried to keep up with the long distant runner every now and then, he was not match for her nightly jog of 3 or 4 miles depending on her mood.
Satisfied that she had become a friend, even talking on the phone a time or two, he was all to willing to wait for the second coming, a new year and another visit south for the Christmas holiday. Selena on the other hand had played with the smooth criminal for weeks as she learned of his ways and means, from distant cousins and school friends of his, even Lamar was so easy with information. The passage of school year gave way to a long hot summer, unlike those of times pass, it’s this thing called global warming; this thick dense heat made us all a little crazy. Senior year and the playful days of a sweltering summer still turned in the minds of these youths soon to be caught up in a family tragedy. Victoree will return to school with Ant some what under lock and key, given notice to most girls that she is not one to fuck with, known as a fighter, she was clear to show that she was with Ant for good. Her shy cousin Debbie, the want to be registered nurse or home care aide, only went to school in the morning and then off to the vocational center in the afternoon. The studious girl was always on time, and gave very little time to other event at the high school or for the rumors that flu by the dozen. October had Ant walking around in the daze, not only did he have two girls pregnant at the same time but he would soon learn that they where cousins.
It was Lamar that came to him with the news, after sending hours with Debbie who skipped afternoon classes and took four hour to explain that she was some what sure that she was pregnant. Lamar busted onto the back porch of the house with the news that Debbie had just beat the hell out of her cousin (Jeff) – called her stupid for getting pregnant in high school. Ant only heard part of what he was saying ran off to find Victortee or meet her in the cut, (a special spot) where she was trying to calm down before going home. As he listened to her, she told him that Jeff the leader of the basketball team got into her face after over hearing my conversation with the school nurse. She sad I was mad as hell, he all up in my business and I don’t even know how to react right now, so I just started slapping him…that I starched his eyes to bleed. Ant was relived that it was a boy but so unaware of all her family. He is your cousin! Yeah, she said I got about 6 more up in there, but he is only my half cousin cause my Aunti Bea got remarried, you know mousy Debbie that’s my cousin and you know tall Paul and his sister, we all family. It would be about 2 weeks later that Debbie came thru to confirm that she was pregnant. It would be the ultimate betrayal if we where to look at it that way, or a classic who done it when we take a good look at all the pieces and lay them before the jury on the table.
Debbie never had a doubt that she would carry her baby and never took the time to contemplate what the future would hold. No her first concern was the unborn child, holding him close and guarding him thru the hard and fast world. With her somewhat slim shape and strong healthy body it would be almost to the end of March until she began to show and by now her dear cousin was having a baby shower in her 7th month with the general population at school aware that she was having the baby of her one time boyfriend. With the thought clearly in her mind to confront Victoree, she sat and watched the antics she would display when it came to what she called the finest man in the school. No there would never be a time and a place for the unending thoughts that crowed the head of the scholar and soon to be valedictorian. The questions the uncertainty, the family drama that waits in the distance, where clear crystal pictures with load angry words that she could not escape. Anthony was born on the 22 of May, having taken all her exams she was hopeful to make it to the graduation that Saturday but gave birth that Friday night. Victoree was the strong one with a lot of mouth so not to many got in her face about being the first girl to ever be pregnant through the 12th grade. No all the shock and rumor was saved and expelled on Debbie cause it was surprise to learn that she had given up her virginity and that some lucky guy was the first for this average but very smart girl just turned 17. It was a short and quick word of wisdom that she gave to the graduating class of 1977, a nice round belly was just starting to peak, with Debbie so in shape and perfect health, she gained very little weight by average, and had her baby boy on June 20th it was Sunday just after church. She named the baby Anton using the birth fathers name (well a version) and keeping her name firm as the family head stone, Jordan.
As the summer creeps into a high dry season, so did the unexpected visit of Selena to her southern family. Having decided to attend college at old miss, she had arrived to a new Mississippi; with cousins pushing baby carriages only the one aware of the other, living in a bit of fear Debbie stayed to her self and outta sight mostly. Selena knew of Victoree and the baby but before she could calculate the tangled weave of her cousin, she was faced with the question and the surprise of missing a period, knowing that she had been using her new found freedom in several ways, she found the boys of the south long and strong. But it was Tony that she retuned to time and again, another one in silence, she slips back to New York in a puff having a baby boy nine months to the very day March 10. She thought for what is was worth, Alejandro, but rested on Antonio Alexander and for the next nineteen years calling him lil’A. She would not return to the small town for five years, with this toddler in hand, monogrammed clothes, jet black wavy hair and the biggest smile. Much older now she was met at the train station by Allison Mae (great Aunt) and best friend of June the grandmother of both Victoree and Debbie. Living and serving in this small narrow side of town for years and working for the big state college, they owned property a nice small home on the opposite ends of maple row. With a few members of her small clan she waited for Selena to exit and the boys’ bright smile to take her breath away and he did just that. This would be the trip and the events of the coming year that ties trinity together forever. June was just through a very extensive surgery for a growth of cancer, and would now be going through kemo, the church and her good friends really around her. However on this day Allison had taken to put all her time and love into this young boy that she would meet for the first time. Moving slowly as she was gaining in age, for the grace of God she found the strength to left lil’A into the air filling him with kisses. There was a love at first sight, and like a grandmother she was prepared to shower and to be the care giver.
The south was like one big toy for lil’A as he found something new around every corner, and as hard has he tried you could see the confusion in his little head over red clay. After a long hard fight to get thru college, Selena would visit here for the next 10 days, her mothers sister being one on the best cooks she knew she came with and open book of blank pages ready to learn. Ms. June was at home and slowly taking in the day from her porch swing when, the little boy was in front of his mother pushing a toy truck with a long oak switch. Her voice weak yet her eyes strong as the day she was given sight, she motioned to Selena in the distance, aware of her grown face from the framed pictures in the house. The two boys seem to run into each other and as they turned there back on this overwhelming woman’s presents no one could miss the left sided cowlick of hair and the amazing skin tone of toasted caramel. Holding on to lil’A for a moment he was presented to the family friends. But it was Debbie’s mind that was over running the stop clock as she was too amazed at this intimacy and quick affection for each other. It was the grandmother who made mention that they look just like twins from afar. Throughout the 3 hour afternoon visit, there was one sign or another that would catch the eye of one of the women on the porch, as little boys play so unaware of the DNA they share. It was harmony as they asked for something to drink or a small snack, aj who is shielded from the rest of his brood, found everything about lil’A to be fascinating, as he tried to talk with a Brooklyn accent as the little boy held his r’s, and breathed slowly on some words almost inaudible. It was old familiar and love as Allison came driving up to pick up the two some after a day of work, the old friends held on for what seemed like hours, this was mimicked by the two unknowing friends (brothers), Aj would ask if they could play together tomorrow, Debbie fearing moments like this was ready with a quick response, but with Selena living in New York she thought nothing of it. But for Selena who heard a thing a two over the years and took notice of the distance she took to live and to work apart from family, she knew the questions would be many and decided not to invade her privacy.
She had the foreknowledge that it was said that Tony had children all over town and that two many of the single women with children could be hiding the secret. Back in school and the year after the rumors where many as there were a girl or two that dare to terminate the life unborn, cause of a man that could not commit. This long trip ended without a sight of Victoree the one who gave birth first and the one Selena was sure of. Although she had plenty of pictures to look upon, cause she was sure to flood her grandmothers house with pictures of Anthony her first great grandchild. Selena paused one too many time to notice that their children where just one year apart, and that the three somewhat friends, willful high school mates, had children within such a time period. She waited with carefulness to meet with Tony on what might be the last night of her visit and to meet with his little son (7) giving him the full acknowledgement for the first time. There was talk over the years and a planned visit which never took place because Victoree, questioned his every move, to a trip anywhere to the north would have to give way to speculation. Early Selena gave him notice that the baby could be his leaving the door open for the typical male attitude to take place and run to hide. With Tony that was not the case; in a situation already he showed responsibility from the start.
On this day the big meeting with little man, they took precautions to meet on the other side of town, as thought it was a mishap meeting in the new park development. He could see himself in the young toddler full of life, pointing out a birthmark that they both seem to share. It was civil, the approach was cool and no one came in demanding something from the other. For the past five years Selena had taken good care, with the help of family to raise her only child and attend college, her career was still on track. As they spent time hiding away from the rest of town on this slow and easy Monday, it would be Tony to be questioned over the likelihood that he helped to father two other boys and by cousins no doubt. He didn’t want to confirm or deny the claims, but the months, the biology and those that ran the rumor mill where continually putting two and two together. Here on this third Monday in the month he did everything but lay claim to all three boys so close in age and bound together over the years through family relations. Though time, distance and Debbie work visually to keep the boys apart. However it would be the tragic accident at work on that Tuesday afternoon which would bring all the boys together for the very first time.
An explosion at the physical plant, the large fire and walls which caved in the number of workers there for the evening shift where the major calls from house to house as the small university community raced to the scene. The Jordan family had so much to be concern about not only did Victoree’s brother work there but 2 other cousins and the father of her young 8 year old son Anthony. The number of fire trucks and emergency vehicles help to keep the distance of the raging and growing crowd, family member of those known to be inside cried in anger as they pulled another body from the rubble. Another wall fell as the body of two where pulled from the back portion near the practice fields. Although Victoree was held at the front, it was a quick reaction of others that passed word though the crowd, Tony was found alive at best and rushed by helicopter to a major trauma center in Memphis. Victoree although not currently with Tony in there on and off again relationship, took speed to her car as she was going to be sure to meet him at the hospital. Tonight there would be only one death at the university, the fire took 12 hours to control, the town standing vigil at nearby hospital for the injured. Where Victoree found her way to the hospital, she found his mother there in full grief as she told the story how she had to have her son’s leg and left hand amputated to save his life. He would need a host of blood after these long surgeries, his life still lye in the balance after loosing so much of a vital substance. She asked Victoree to join her in this crusade, as they reached out to each and everyone in and around the neighborhood to drive up to the trauma center in the morning to give blood if they were able. They sat in the phone center, call after call was made to put of the word regarding Tony’s condition and the pressing need. It was a very late hour when the final word had reached the house of Allison and other street neighbors which had been gather on the street in prayer and words.
Set along a narrow winding crawfish creek they have a few good meals on the menu but it’s the woman and the straight grain liquor that keeps the crowd going and causing a ruckus. If Clara got herself in trouble with Ike or his brother, then she’s not alone, cause Brenda Alexander gave birth to Tony the only son of Ahote Ike’s older brother, this being the laid rumor on this small area. About 5 years later Brenda took up with a new cat working in the Woodlyn pines cutting down trees for the big company, a dam good job if you have the straight and stamina. Having a baby girl and setting her family in motion, she kept it strong with her hard work, and kids with proper respect. It must have been that wavy hair, or his skin at this toasted shade of caramel. No big fat lips of brown on brown tone below a big wide noise like most of us black folks. Watching Tony grow with out a father was like that of a fine piece of artchtures coming together a tall board building of brick, steel. Its no wonder by the time we got to high school with all of its first time experience we would fall victim to Tony one fresh new flower at a time. But it will be Victoree that with claim a hold on him and that the crazy take hold til the day he dies. Like a large overpowering conglomerate he acquired a small unassuming company like reading the weekly reader. Not sure who taught him how to speak to girls, to gain their confidences, head held high, legs spread wide. He was quite and unassuming not the school jock, but loved to ride his bike on the street and play baseball at the dusty clay park near the back of Ol’Miss. Like the ice cream man when the girls saw him on the street peddling his way, it was as if he had a bell, and every girls secret was expressed as she watched with envy hoping she would be the choice today. At a tender age, this member of the track team was the talk for the town, most kept their secret interest in him locked in the recesses of their mind. Always in tuned with the rumors of his birth father, men envy him and all women wanted to have him, for Anthony it was beyond a mystery having no clue to his good looks and natural well built physic. But he was very aware of his special gift, when he talked with a girl, women for that matter, and showed true interest in what they have to say-he in turn would get anything he wanted. So it would stand to reason that Tony had a lot of work to for the cute New Yorker Selena when she had come south to visit family over the long Christmas break.
The new girl in this country town only in for the next two months; weeks of red clay and dust to brush off her running shoes each night. It was a flash of her that caught his eye as she was out for a jog along by the blood cheek and back again, a 2 mile bike path that saw her bright yellow stretch pants catch lots of attention. Tony was seating with a friend joined at the concert portico of Victoree as a few high school friends laughed and played. Lamar jumped to his feet when he saw the yellow flash as he ran to the driveway, followed by Tony wishing and hoping for attention. Always playing the slow and even role, and was pushing Lamar to run after her even giving up his bike to give chase. It wasn’t for blocks of peddling that Lamar caught up to Selena to revisit the thoughts in his mind that Anthony always wins. Returning to the spot the boys huddled for only a brief moment, to share notes, as not to get the present girls in an angry mood. It would be days before ant would have his own run in with the new flash of yellow in the hood, learning her route and taking his time, on this night it was like a stalker waiting for his prey. He positioned himself to run out of a lesser known path around blood cheek, crossing before her with precision to catch her attention. It worked like a spell of black magic, still in her line of sight as she made her short turn; he falls to the hard ground grabbing his leg, with a loud expletive. She caught up to him to see if she could help, she could see the tightness of his, veins bulging, sweat dripping; it’s a charley horse she said. In the dusty red clay she straightens out his thick muscular legs, so unaware that he had been on the trail doing calf stretches and waiting her arrival. She was going to be a hard cookie to crumble, because she helped him, talked with him, promised to run with him, but gave no indication to what she was feeling. This first year went on like this and he tried to keep up with the long distant runner every now and then, he was not match for her nightly jog of 3 or 4 miles depending on her mood.
Satisfied that she had become a friend, even talking on the phone a time or two, he was all to willing to wait for the second coming, a new year and another visit south for the Christmas holiday. Selena on the other hand had played with the smooth criminal for weeks as she learned of his ways and means, from distant cousins and school friends of his, even Lamar was so easy with information. The passage of school year gave way to a long hot summer, unlike those of times pass, it’s this thing called global warming; this thick dense heat made us all a little crazy. Senior year and the playful days of a sweltering summer still turned in the minds of these youths soon to be caught up in a family tragedy. Victoree will return to school with Ant some what under lock and key, given notice to most girls that she is not one to fuck with, known as a fighter, she was clear to show that she was with Ant for good. Her shy cousin Debbie, the want to be registered nurse or home care aide, only went to school in the morning and then off to the vocational center in the afternoon. The studious girl was always on time, and gave very little time to other event at the high school or for the rumors that flu by the dozen. October had Ant walking around in the daze, not only did he have two girls pregnant at the same time but he would soon learn that they where cousins.
It was Lamar that came to him with the news, after sending hours with Debbie who skipped afternoon classes and took four hour to explain that she was some what sure that she was pregnant. Lamar busted onto the back porch of the house with the news that Debbie had just beat the hell out of her cousin (Jeff) – called her stupid for getting pregnant in high school. Ant only heard part of what he was saying ran off to find Victortee or meet her in the cut, (a special spot) where she was trying to calm down before going home. As he listened to her, she told him that Jeff the leader of the basketball team got into her face after over hearing my conversation with the school nurse. She sad I was mad as hell, he all up in my business and I don’t even know how to react right now, so I just started slapping him…that I starched his eyes to bleed. Ant was relived that it was a boy but so unaware of all her family. He is your cousin! Yeah, she said I got about 6 more up in there, but he is only my half cousin cause my Aunti Bea got remarried, you know mousy Debbie that’s my cousin and you know tall Paul and his sister, we all family. It would be about 2 weeks later that Debbie came thru to confirm that she was pregnant. It would be the ultimate betrayal if we where to look at it that way, or a classic who done it when we take a good look at all the pieces and lay them before the jury on the table.
Debbie never had a doubt that she would carry her baby and never took the time to contemplate what the future would hold. No her first concern was the unborn child, holding him close and guarding him thru the hard and fast world. With her somewhat slim shape and strong healthy body it would be almost to the end of March until she began to show and by now her dear cousin was having a baby shower in her 7th month with the general population at school aware that she was having the baby of her one time boyfriend. With the thought clearly in her mind to confront Victoree, she sat and watched the antics she would display when it came to what she called the finest man in the school. No there would never be a time and a place for the unending thoughts that crowed the head of the scholar and soon to be valedictorian. The questions the uncertainty, the family drama that waits in the distance, where clear crystal pictures with load angry words that she could not escape. Anthony was born on the 22 of May, having taken all her exams she was hopeful to make it to the graduation that Saturday but gave birth that Friday night. Victoree was the strong one with a lot of mouth so not to many got in her face about being the first girl to ever be pregnant through the 12th grade. No all the shock and rumor was saved and expelled on Debbie cause it was surprise to learn that she had given up her virginity and that some lucky guy was the first for this average but very smart girl just turned 17. It was a short and quick word of wisdom that she gave to the graduating class of 1977, a nice round belly was just starting to peak, with Debbie so in shape and perfect health, she gained very little weight by average, and had her baby boy on June 20th it was Sunday just after church. She named the baby Anton using the birth fathers name (well a version) and keeping her name firm as the family head stone, Jordan.
As the summer creeps into a high dry season, so did the unexpected visit of Selena to her southern family. Having decided to attend college at old miss, she had arrived to a new Mississippi; with cousins pushing baby carriages only the one aware of the other, living in a bit of fear Debbie stayed to her self and outta sight mostly. Selena knew of Victoree and the baby but before she could calculate the tangled weave of her cousin, she was faced with the question and the surprise of missing a period, knowing that she had been using her new found freedom in several ways, she found the boys of the south long and strong. But it was Tony that she retuned to time and again, another one in silence, she slips back to New York in a puff having a baby boy nine months to the very day March 10. She thought for what is was worth, Alejandro, but rested on Antonio Alexander and for the next nineteen years calling him lil’A. She would not return to the small town for five years, with this toddler in hand, monogrammed clothes, jet black wavy hair and the biggest smile. Much older now she was met at the train station by Allison Mae (great Aunt) and best friend of June the grandmother of both Victoree and Debbie. Living and serving in this small narrow side of town for years and working for the big state college, they owned property a nice small home on the opposite ends of maple row. With a few members of her small clan she waited for Selena to exit and the boys’ bright smile to take her breath away and he did just that. This would be the trip and the events of the coming year that ties trinity together forever. June was just through a very extensive surgery for a growth of cancer, and would now be going through kemo, the church and her good friends really around her. However on this day Allison had taken to put all her time and love into this young boy that she would meet for the first time. Moving slowly as she was gaining in age, for the grace of God she found the strength to left lil’A into the air filling him with kisses. There was a love at first sight, and like a grandmother she was prepared to shower and to be the care giver.
The south was like one big toy for lil’A as he found something new around every corner, and as hard has he tried you could see the confusion in his little head over red clay. After a long hard fight to get thru college, Selena would visit here for the next 10 days, her mothers sister being one on the best cooks she knew she came with and open book of blank pages ready to learn. Ms. June was at home and slowly taking in the day from her porch swing when, the little boy was in front of his mother pushing a toy truck with a long oak switch. Her voice weak yet her eyes strong as the day she was given sight, she motioned to Selena in the distance, aware of her grown face from the framed pictures in the house. The two boys seem to run into each other and as they turned there back on this overwhelming woman’s presents no one could miss the left sided cowlick of hair and the amazing skin tone of toasted caramel. Holding on to lil’A for a moment he was presented to the family friends. But it was Debbie’s mind that was over running the stop clock as she was too amazed at this intimacy and quick affection for each other. It was the grandmother who made mention that they look just like twins from afar. Throughout the 3 hour afternoon visit, there was one sign or another that would catch the eye of one of the women on the porch, as little boys play so unaware of the DNA they share. It was harmony as they asked for something to drink or a small snack, aj who is shielded from the rest of his brood, found everything about lil’A to be fascinating, as he tried to talk with a Brooklyn accent as the little boy held his r’s, and breathed slowly on some words almost inaudible. It was old familiar and love as Allison came driving up to pick up the two some after a day of work, the old friends held on for what seemed like hours, this was mimicked by the two unknowing friends (brothers), Aj would ask if they could play together tomorrow, Debbie fearing moments like this was ready with a quick response, but with Selena living in New York she thought nothing of it. But for Selena who heard a thing a two over the years and took notice of the distance she took to live and to work apart from family, she knew the questions would be many and decided not to invade her privacy.
She had the foreknowledge that it was said that Tony had children all over town and that two many of the single women with children could be hiding the secret. Back in school and the year after the rumors where many as there were a girl or two that dare to terminate the life unborn, cause of a man that could not commit. This long trip ended without a sight of Victoree the one who gave birth first and the one Selena was sure of. Although she had plenty of pictures to look upon, cause she was sure to flood her grandmothers house with pictures of Anthony her first great grandchild. Selena paused one too many time to notice that their children where just one year apart, and that the three somewhat friends, willful high school mates, had children within such a time period. She waited with carefulness to meet with Tony on what might be the last night of her visit and to meet with his little son (7) giving him the full acknowledgement for the first time. There was talk over the years and a planned visit which never took place because Victoree, questioned his every move, to a trip anywhere to the north would have to give way to speculation. Early Selena gave him notice that the baby could be his leaving the door open for the typical male attitude to take place and run to hide. With Tony that was not the case; in a situation already he showed responsibility from the start.
On this day the big meeting with little man, they took precautions to meet on the other side of town, as thought it was a mishap meeting in the new park development. He could see himself in the young toddler full of life, pointing out a birthmark that they both seem to share. It was civil, the approach was cool and no one came in demanding something from the other. For the past five years Selena had taken good care, with the help of family to raise her only child and attend college, her career was still on track. As they spent time hiding away from the rest of town on this slow and easy Monday, it would be Tony to be questioned over the likelihood that he helped to father two other boys and by cousins no doubt. He didn’t want to confirm or deny the claims, but the months, the biology and those that ran the rumor mill where continually putting two and two together. Here on this third Monday in the month he did everything but lay claim to all three boys so close in age and bound together over the years through family relations. Though time, distance and Debbie work visually to keep the boys apart. However it would be the tragic accident at work on that Tuesday afternoon which would bring all the boys together for the very first time.
An explosion at the physical plant, the large fire and walls which caved in the number of workers there for the evening shift where the major calls from house to house as the small university community raced to the scene. The Jordan family had so much to be concern about not only did Victoree’s brother work there but 2 other cousins and the father of her young 8 year old son Anthony. The number of fire trucks and emergency vehicles help to keep the distance of the raging and growing crowd, family member of those known to be inside cried in anger as they pulled another body from the rubble. Another wall fell as the body of two where pulled from the back portion near the practice fields. Although Victoree was held at the front, it was a quick reaction of others that passed word though the crowd, Tony was found alive at best and rushed by helicopter to a major trauma center in Memphis. Victoree although not currently with Tony in there on and off again relationship, took speed to her car as she was going to be sure to meet him at the hospital. Tonight there would be only one death at the university, the fire took 12 hours to control, the town standing vigil at nearby hospital for the injured. Where Victoree found her way to the hospital, she found his mother there in full grief as she told the story how she had to have her son’s leg and left hand amputated to save his life. He would need a host of blood after these long surgeries, his life still lye in the balance after loosing so much of a vital substance. She asked Victoree to join her in this crusade, as they reached out to each and everyone in and around the neighborhood to drive up to the trauma center in the morning to give blood if they were able. They sat in the phone center, call after call was made to put of the word regarding Tony’s condition and the pressing need. It was a very late hour when the final word had reached the house of Allison and other street neighbors which had been gather on the street in prayer and words.
Comments
Post a Comment