Village Story

The rain had finally stopped falling and Kimorra could see the steam rising off the recently paved road. She liked the smell of it but not so much the heat that comes with it. If she was sweating she could not tell, already dripping wet, a shard of her long semi soft hair had escaped and stuck to her face. Her tears had long been made part of the downpour. She kept on walking to the little house that appeared as she turned the corner. Madame Jean was expecting her.
Rain had turned the dirt yard into mud her feet sinking with every step she took; it soaked slowly into the front of her shoes where the rips that told of their age were. This visit had better be worth it. It had been four months since Michael left and she had not heard from him since. She wanted to get out of this village, off this God forsaken island and make something of herself. She was not quite sure what yet. School had never been her thing but she had heard of a nursing program in the states where she could practice. She could do that. She needed her ticket out and he had built her hopes sky high in the little time they knew each other.
She blamed most of this on her mother. She had not asked to be the eldest child, the eldest girl. “You have to get up there, just make him think you like him, make him marry you do whatever he asked.” The rain was falling that day too, beginning just as the money had changed hands “Do whatever he say.” Her little brothers had been outside playing then, the two month twins started crying just as he came to her that night. Now she was almost ready to show, Jason had come to her rescue and agreed that she should not have this baby. Michael would not be back she knew that. She would marry Jason. He was going to the states too, already had a job and a place to live. He was born there but grew up on her island. Her Romeo. Her mother tried to make her believe or maybe make herself believe that Michael would be back. The last thing he said to them was “I’m going to get a house ready for us. Don’t worry Baby, I love you.” Kimorra knew he would not be back.
There was a noise to her left as she drew nearer to the house that startled her. A wet chicken its feathers dirty and clinging sat looking directly at her. The fowl did not move even as Kimorra pelted after it. She was protecting her eggs she sat through the rain it seems and refused to move. Kimorra’s toe hit into something as she stepped onto Madame Jean’s stoop. It was a bible, a big black bible with “Holy Bible” written in gold letters. She remembered walking down this same street in earlier years and hearing Madame Jean and her church members singing loudly “Put mi bible in front ah mi door, no man shall enter in.” she always wondered what it meant surely a man could just step over it, as she did now.
“Madame Jean?” she knocked softly and whispered again “Madame Jean.” Slowly the door opened and there stood the little old lady the village knew as mother. She wore her long blue worship dress and her hair was tied in a bright yellow wrap done up almost a foot off her head. Inside was dark, lit only buy three white candles placed around the room. There was no rug on the floor and close to the walls the dirt floor was damp. There was a pan in the centre of the room catching the drips from the leaking roof. She could smell the fresh fish that mother no doubt gotten from the fisherman Froggy. His house was just behind hers. “Yes child, talk to Mother.” Tears were already streaking Kimorra’s face.





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I did not feel how I thought I would. I was sick for a week but that’s all that happened. I didn’t expect the hot Guinness and blue soap to work. Madame said a prayer afterwards and put a hot cloth around my stomach. That was 3 weeks ago and my mother still has not looked at me. I thought she would not have known. The baby was little more than blood washing into the water in the toilet. I could see the body somewhat but it didn’t look like in the books it was more blood. I still feel sort of sick and there is a smell coming from me but most times I could hide it well enough. I have to bathe at least five times a day. I thought all of it would have been over by now. Jason I can’t wait to see you again I hope everything works out well for you there. Mammy thought that all our dreams were over I haven’t told her about you just like you asked. Write me soon Jason I’m waiting.

Kimorra things are not going quite as I had expected them to. I have a job. I spoke to a man here who told me he could get my songs sold his name is Darien, but everyone calls him Bishop, he was from the Caribbean too. He said that it would take a while and that I should find a job. In my building a met a man named Troy, he’s my age and he wanted to help me. All I have to do is carry packages for him. It’s easy money Kims and all I have to do is carry maybe one package a week. I hope you feel better and remember that you’ll come meet me one day. It was best that you didn’t have that child it would only hold you back. The girl I met is smart and young with her future ahead of you. I don’t know what to tell you about the smell though I don’t know what is supposed to happen. Maybe you should go to the doctor. I sent the book that you asked for, I flipped through it, didn’t get most of it but you are so bent on this nursing thing I thought it’d do you good to have a head start. We’ll have a good life you and me wait and see. Take care.

Hey,
I feel worse everyday I don’t know what’s happening and I can’t go to the doctor. Mammy has her eye out for me now so I have to sneak around to get the letters. The post lady told her that a letter came for me, I didn’t know and I lied. She won’t let me go for the mail again. I’ll figure it out. I can’t go to the doctor I wasn’t supposed to do this remember. I feel so horrible and the smell keeps getting worse. I’m scared Jason. I feel like I’m going to die just like the rest of me that I killed she wants me to come to her. Last night I dreamt that a baby was calling me. She wasn’t crying just calling my name over and over. I know it means something I know. I can’t wait till I can get up there. I love you so much. I want to get away from here. Write soon Jason.

Kim,
The police have started hanging around the apartment and so I haven’t been able to go out. I can’t work and so I have no money. Troy keeps telling me that everything is ok and that soon everything will die down and I can work again. I’m starting to wish I don’t have to do this though. Bishop came to see me yesterday and said that there is no market for my type of music out here. He does not think he can help me Kim. What am I going to do? He said that the only way I can get my name out there is to work with someone. He put me on to a girl, just starting like me. Danielle. She does not sound very Caribbean but I think that’s the point. I met her and she’s really very nice I hope you can meet her when you come.
Kim I need you to go to the doctor that smell thing seems very serious. My grandmother used to tell me that the dead never forget their roots. Maybe the dream does mean the baby is calling you but I don’t know. I’ll try to write again. I hope you can get it.

The nurse looked at the child in front of her and her heart swelled. She did not feel pity or anger anymore. At first she hated them, now she knew it was not the way to feel. She did not know how to feel and so felt – nothing. The child’s insides were beginning to rotten; the infection had started eating away at the little left of her womb. Why did they not come to the doctors? She did not know how the child had done it but the placenta remained. Kimorra Sanders she read on the chart, only seventeen, so young. What a pain to imagine what her death would have been.

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Kimorra sat at the window re-reading the letter she could not believe what she was seeing, Jason loved her he said so, and they would have a life together away from here. She had finished reading the book, cover to cover, and she understood most of it. She was going to be a nurse. Everything was already planned and although everything happened she was going to be a nurse. Jason loves her.
“I think he said so.”
Everything will be fine she would move out and go to America to meet Jason. Kimorra stared into the far corner at the shadow covered arm chair. The cries were heard coming at her again. The constant crying, almost like a screech but she can shut it out now she knew what to do.

“Hush little baby
Don’t say a word
Mommy’s gonna bye you…”

Finally with the stars barely shining in through the menacing black of the leafy trees outside Kimorra’s head slowly fell onto her own shoulder.


Kimorra,
We have been friends with potential all along and I think you are a great girl with your whole future ahead of you that has changed as of now. Daniella and are engaged to be married with the wedding planned in October. I am sorry for all that’s happened but I know you’ll understand. If you ever do get to America feel free to write me.
Your friend
Jason.

© Krys-Darcelle Dumas