PROLOGUE: THE ROAD
I was there, once again. This was a routine I never failed to miss - driving through this dark narrow road, all bloody and beat up. As I reached the end of the road, I saw a bright light. There was my freedom staring at me in the face. I ran out of the car but fell immediately. I was weak and tired for reasons beyond me. I stretched my hands towards the light. If only I could ...
'Jimmy...'
I stretched my hands as far as they could go. I was almost ...
'Jimmy! Wake up!'
I stretched again. But this time, it wasn't a dream. I could see her as I yawned. It was Maria, my aunt. She was always treating me like a child.
'Ain't you goin' to school young man?'
'What if I said I ain't? Just go away,' I said turning over to the other side. I hate it when she looks at me nastily.
'Better get up or you're gonna miss the bus again.'
'Go away Maria!'
'Jimmy Mason!'
This time, the voice was deep and coarse. It was my dad, Ben Mason. His voice was so stern I could hear him clearly from downstairs. I knew what was coming.
'Yes... sir!'
'I give you a minute to get your ass outta that bed and get ready for the bus, you little numbskull!'
'But dad, it's barely...'
'Did I hear something or was it Yes sir?'
'Yes... sir. I'm up!'
'Good! Now come down and set the table, Maria.'
As Maria left, I saw she pitied me sincerely. She knew it was still early but she couldn't disobey my dad. This was the life we lived, a life I detested. I stood up and got ready for school.
Soon, I was downstairs for breakfast. Dad began in his usual manner.
'We thank thee for the food on our table, oh Lord. We thank thee ...'
And as usual, all I heard was gibberish talk about food, God and his blessings. In fact, I wondered if God cared about the food we ate. I mean, he doesn't eat, so why'd we call his name in vain.
As dad prayed, I remembered my dream. I wondered what was at the end of that road. Why was I so injured, bloody and weak? Everyday, I had the same dream, struggling, trying so ...
'Ain't you gonna eat? I could help you with your meal you know'
It was Maria. She's always into annoying me and disrupting my thoughts.
'Can't you ever mind your god-damned business?', I asked in anger.
'What'd I do wrong by calling your attention to eat?'
'You wanna know your offence. It's simply snitching'
'At least I'm not some nerd who's always lost in stupid thoughts,' she replied mockingly.
She hit me where I was weakest. I decided to retaliate.
'Well, I'm better than someone's bitch!'
This time, even my dad shot me a deadly look. I looked down in fear. Then I looked at her, she was beaten and almost in tears. She stood up to leave but my dad, who had been quiet the whole time wasn't taking that.
'Sit down miss! And I ain't taking no vulgar words from no one on my table no more!'
She sat down. I felt so bad I couldn't look at her. In truth, her life was messed up.
Soon, the bus arrived. It was gonna be a bad day, as usual.
