The Death of 1977 (Book 3)

Chapter 37

Arthur and the thirteen were all gathered inside another stately room within the mansion in which they were surrounded by three tables of nothing but delectable foods ranging from ice cream and berries to boiled plantains. Hanging in a corner of the room was a full grown green and yellow feathered parrot that would sit and stare hard at Arthur every time the man dared pass by the creature. Its beady eyes would never, not even once, leave the man's face.

Almost everyone seemed to be in a jovial mood upon hearing Arthur's passionate speech. There were a few in the crowd, however, that kept their distance, choosing instead to huddle to themselves and roll their eyes while whispering back and forth about the indecent young man.

"I applaud your initiative, my boy." One black man gladly shook Arthur's hands. "We need more young men like you in Parliament with such drive."

Smiling right back, Arthur said, "I agree, we do need more people like me."

"Ahh, and never a modest one to say the least," the white man laughed out loud.

The lone young lady who was dressed in a powder blue, silky knee high skirt, matching sandals and headscarf, came up beside Arthur with a glass of Cognac in hand which she promptly presented to the man.

Arthur took the glass before replying with a debonair grin, "I am honored."

The two stood and stared at each other for nearly ten seconds before a person outside the room and down the hallway suddenly caught Arthur's attention. It was a black woman, more mature in age, who was adorned in a white dress that appeared as if it were suited for the 19th century rather than 1977. The cagey woman kept glaring right back at Arthur with the most firm and frightful expression on her face. Arthur just looked back at her and smiled cunningly as if he was daring her to even say a word.

"Are you well?" The lady beside him asked.

Arthur watched as the woman in the hallway turned and walked away before he looked back at his new friend and confidently stated, "I am quite well."

All of the sudden, a loud crash from the hallway startled everyone in the room. All eyes were on the hallway and the kitchen attendants who were rapidly cleaning up a table and vase that were all lying in pieces on the floor. Everyone was chattering amongst themselves, everyone that is except Arthur, who only stood with his one hand inside his pocket and a self-assured grin on his dark, blushing face.

"It was probably one of the spooky ghosts in this old house that did it." One man quipped while sipping on his drink.

"I wouldn't doubt it." Arthur amusingly rolled his eyes away from the scene.

"Tell me, Mr. Bushard, just how do you propose to solve the issue of the gang violence in our country?" Another man asked. "I hate to speak without Mr. Manley being present, but I feel the need to pick your brain on the subject."

Taking a long drag of his drink, Arthur remarked, "Well, we must always remember dat de children are de future. Rejecting and ignoring dem only worsens de situation. Rallying dese young people to take responsibility in making dere communities safe is de first step in suppressing dis violence. Listen to dem, make dem a part of de process rather dan something dat needs to be cleaned up."

"I agree, we need to let the youth know how valuable they are." The white man said. "America did it back in the sixties, and Great Britain is finally catching up." Placing his hand on Arthur's shoulder, the man continued, "Someone like yourself, Mr. Bushard, would be instrumental in getting this train rolling in this country at last."

"Yes, dis political beast we call Parliament must be tamed!" One black man said aloud.

"Speaking of beasts, what have you with all dose horrible animal attacks in Negril?" The young woman asked Arthur.

The question caught Arthur completely off guard, but at least he was prepared to give an answer.

"Ahh, I just happen to be a strong believer in controlling Jamaica's wildlife issue."

"Yes, but this isn't just any kind of wildlife." Another man said. "Many have been killed over the past few days. I even heard reports that these animals caused an entire community to go up in flames."

"Mere exaggerations dat can be overlooked," Arthur reassured. "Dis country's issues go far beyond any wild creature dat is running rampant through de streets."

Snaking her arm around Arthur's, the woman looked into his eyes and said, "I agree, animals can be controlled, people on de other hand are a whole different story." She then began to lead the man out the door with a few others following in step.

"Yes, anything that can keep that foolish parrot quiet is more than welcomed." The white man grumbled. "Thankfully it hasn't squawked in almost an hour." The man then turned to Arthur and gathered his hands into his own. Then, with a warm smile, he looked straight into Arthur's face and gleefully stated, "I look forward to seeing your name on the ballot, young man. We'll have to straighten out that gaudy, gutter English of yours. But I assure you, my friend, you shall fit right in here."

***

It was sprinkling that warm evening. A slight hint of coolness breathed upon the quiet grounds making it feel overly pleasant and comfortable. The miniature white lights that lined not only the driveway but also the lavish water fountain in the middle of the courtyard illuminated the darkness, which in turn gave off a delicate wonder that was pleasurable to stroll about in. The sounds of men laughing on the porch of the mansion could be heard clear down in the front yard, but by that late in the evening they were mere background noise that could be ignored.

Both Arthur and Janai walked arm in arm underneath the long boardwalk that had white lights streaming back and forth across the walkway. All along the yard the butlers were walking and tussling with their skittish Doberman pinchers who apparently wanted to go nowhere near the boardwalk. Some actually managed to break free and run away, while others fought and struggled to keep clear of the area in which Arthur inhabited.

to settle for number three." Arthur

Shaking her head shamefully, Janai responded, "Dat's right. Little Miss Sandra Kong not only took de top spot, but she's now dating Bob Marley! Can ya believe dat?" She spoke

number three?" Arthur turned

ask me, dey chose her because she's light-skinned. Dey don't tink we dark ones

looked up at Arthur and asked, "Did you enjoy de

Chuckling, Arthur answered, "My diet consists

"I heard dat bone marrow can

Smiling from ear to ear, the

be more entranced and spaced-out

"A person could get mighty depressed having to deal

rains in Negril as we

heartbroken at de same time when you spoke of your family and de way you grew up."

and father were very heavy-handed with my siblings and me. But somehow we managed. I can only hope dat I

am quite sure

came to a stop in the middle of the walkway right beside a

"Tell me of Royson." Arthur peered

woman sighed before uttering, "Royson is, how do you say, eye candy. Bitter candy." She then

giggled and asked, "Does he make

Janai thought for a moment and remarked, "In

Arthur blatantly

Blushing, Janai replied, "Yes...was my dear friend, but strictly for image purposes. He figured dat with his lack

"What Mr. Royson does not realize is dat you are

glance before bashfully turning

Arthur placed his fingers on her chin and gently lifted her

Blushing as deep as she could, the woman said, "I do not know for sure. You have such lovely

can tell de greatest

"I'm quite sure dey could, Mr.

two continued to stare at each other before Janai asked, "Do you have

back a slight

would like very much to know if dere is any competition; I think I

some." Arthur's tone somewhat dropped. "Dere was one whom I blessed with many riches, but rather dan thank me, she instead chose to run off to the America's and

"I bet ya she regretted it de

not here to speak on my past." He drew closer to

and gave one another penetrating stares into the eyes. "I think it is so wonderful dat you came all de way out here." Janai spoke into Arthur's face. "I too want to travel near

caressed her smooth face and asked, "What if I told you

"How

dat dere was a power like no other in dis world? So much power dat it

said, "You

the wooden fence of the boardwalk that overlooked the wet grass

Janai walked up beside the man and looked at him. "What is dis

Janai at that moment. "Look out at de rain dat falls

at the rain that fell in the darkness. After a full minute had passed the rain that was sprinkling so incessantly had all of the sudden began to slow to a creeping crawl, like it were falling in slow

"Are...are you doing dis?" Janai

a whisper, "It is not me, my love, but de grace of

dis?" Her eyes nearly fell out of her head. "How do

was able to fully comprehend its potency. Because of dis power, I have been able

de future?" Janai

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