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

took de top spot, but she's now dating Bob Marley! Can ya believe

"How can anyone make you number three?" Arthur turned up his

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

The two carried on before Janai looked up at Arthur and asked, "Did you enjoy de

Arthur answered, "My diet consists mainly of

dat bone marrow can actually

to ear,

to be more entranced and spaced-out than focused.

depressed having to deal with all dis rain." Janai

"It still rains in Negril as

time when you spoke of your family and de way you grew up." Janai patted Arthur's hand. "It just

My mother and father were very heavy-handed with my siblings and

"I am quite sure

stop in the middle of

of Royson."

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

Arthur as well giggled and asked,

thought for a moment and remarked, "In small doses.

"Was?" Arthur

friend, but strictly for image purposes. He figured dat with his

are far more dan

Janai gave Arthur an appealing glance before bashfully turning her head away. "Arthur,

his fingers on her chin and gently lifted her head back to his. "Why do

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

can tell de greatest

"I'm quite sure

The two continued to stare at each other before

Arthur pulled back a slight bit before saying, "Why do

if dere is any competition; I think I

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

Twisting her lips, Janai griped, "I

here to speak on my past." He drew closer to

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 and far. I want to go to America, Australia, and

and asked, "What if I told you dat dere was

"How

in dis world? So

Janai said, "You sound like Ponce

Janai and leaned against the wooden fence of the boardwalk that overlooked the wet grass and lighted water

and looked at

that moment. "Look out at de rain dat falls from de sky. Look at

the rain that was sprinkling so incessantly had

"Are...are you doing dis?"

Smiling behind her, Arthur answered in a whisper, "It is not me, my

are you able to do dis?" Her eyes nearly fell out of her head. "How do

first be reborn. Den, you must be willing to accept de rebirth for what it is. My entire family did so, but only I was able to fully comprehend its potency. Because of dis power, I have been able

future?" Janai kept her attention at the

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