Anthills and Racing Feet
A boy leaves his island village to live in big city, New York
by
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Excerpt Chapter 1 Goodbye, Sunset Village
“Don’t forget the bread and jerk-chicken in the aluminum foil. It’s for when you get hungry on the plane later”, Grandma whispered into my freshly barbered hair as she squeezed and rocked me from side to side, my head pillowed on her bosom. I thought that my chest would burst through the new, blue button-front shirt with jeans that I had just put on after a brisk rain-water bath in the metal tub. But I didn’t want her to let me go. Not ever. The aroma of pineapple, ginger and brown sugar was fragrant on her warm, square hands as she wiped away the tears running down my cheeks. “No, no boy. No cry. You going to a better life over there with your mother. You going to America.” Her watery black eyes mirrored my own sadness, but her firm voice took charge. “Go outside now to your mother, Junior. And no crying. I will call you as often as I can. And I will write you on the computer, like you showed me. Just remember everything I teach you. Don’t forget you manners. Don’t follow bad company. Satisfy with what you mother can give you, and say you prayers at night. Promise me?” Her long index finger stroked my cheek in her gentle way. “Yes, Grandma, I promise.”
That “Yes, Grandma, I promise” was forced out of me in a hoarse, dry whisper, through almost closed lips that dared not open wide, or else the big ol’ bawling that was welling-up inside of me would come pouring out in a rush of tears. My heart was too full of sorrow. My mind too confused with worry. My whole self, feeling like not myself, with so many questions and concerns, memories and all kinds of thoughts tumbling around and crowding down on me, like Grandma’s plates and pots and pans, packed helter-skelter and jostling for space on the little wash-stand at the outside pipe.
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About the Book
Junior is a ten-year-old boy who leaves his familiar home in a small, rural island village and travels with his mother to join her new husband in big city, New York. The story meets us at his emotional separation from his beloved grandmother and boyhood friends. It takes us through the many bumps along the journey as he tries to find his Sense of Belonging in this perplexing, new home. He discovers, as immigrant children do, that there are many challenges. The size and speed of life, new people, strange customs, puzzling behaviors, feelings of isolation and bullying in school all play their part in his journey. This is a modern-day story about the value of family love and support, the wisdom of lessons learned from elders and the process by which a boy finds his inner strength, just when he needs it most.
About the Author
I am a Jamaican-born writer and I live in Atlanta, Georgia. This is my first book. I worked in advertising and public relations in Jamaica for many years and wrote extensively for media in those contexts. I am married, the mother of two adult children and I am also a grandmother. I currently work full-time in the airline industry and part-time as a certified teacher of children with special needs. I have a Master’s degree in Early Childhood Special Education from Georgia State University. My husband and I have been blessed to travel extensively, and I enjoy collecting indigenous art and local artifacts from around the world.