Kemar's house earlier the same morning of Lamais and Cushane departure.

Kemar POV

"Moof a guh round deh so you crawny like," a familiar voice shouted, "Yuh suh fava dog cousin."

I could not help but chuckle as the familiar voice of my mother resounded with annoyance as she pushed open the small gate and made her way into the front yard.

"Moof," she shouted as the loud barks of the dog she was running away gave way to excited yelps. "Moof mi seh n guh run to yuh ownah."

The dog continued to yelp and dance about despite the angry shouts that were directed at him. It was clear to see that it was fond of the woman who swung the bag she had in her hand at him.

"Ms Shanty mam duh nuh badda kill mi dog," Odekie said from the veranda. "Mongrel a d only protection run ere when wi nuh deh bout."

She hissed her teeth loudly and limped towards the set of steps that led to the veranda her eyes smiling even though she appeared irritable.

"Weh Bounty deh?" she asked ignoring Mongrel who had quieted down a bit except for his wildly wagging tail.

"From week mi nuh se'em eno," he replied opening the grill.

She sighed clearly annoyed by his answer.

Yuh bring my ting?" he asked excitedly eyeing the checkered market bag she lugged.

"Lil bwoy yuh think mi a yuh personal delivery service," she asked before laughing. "Tell mi doh weh yuh a duh wid Baby Maker Oil an mi neva see yuh wid a woman far yuh move up yah."

He moved down the steps and took the bag and said with a chuckle, "Weh yuh nuh know oldah dan yuh Ms Shanty."

"Watch ere," she said before her customary boisterous laughter followed.

"But seriously mi affi keep a low profile as yuh son nuh waah no running up n dung in a him yawd."

"Leave Kemar out a dis," she admonished playfully. "By the way him nuh come home yet?"

"Yeah, man. Roun 3 o'clock dis mawnin so him goodly a sleep," he answered before they both entered the living room.

I am her eldest son. A medical doctor who is employed at the New Hall Public Hospital and works every Thursday at Brompton Town Health Center in Hanover.

He was right about me. I valued principle and lived by the rules and regulations that I set to govern my tenants. Even though I am easygoing and down to earth I place my Christianity in front of all things garnering both respect and reproach.

"Suh tell mi Bounty nuh memba seh Maas Cushane tell him seh him want him to cut the churchyard," she said going to the matter at hand.

"Bounty nuh stable eno Ms Shanty," Odekie said. "Him deh here one minute an d next yuh nuh se'em."

She hissed her teeth before saying. "The big convention a come up an him get the job fi cut the churchyard an help Donald spruce up the hedging an him nuh deh bout."

"Him try call him?" he asked.

"Yeah but him phone just ring without answer," she replied reaching for the bag by her feet.

"O bwoy. Mi jus nuh know how some people come suh."

They stood there thinking of Bounty's action before she said "Suh Deekie wat if mi mek Maas Cushane gi yuh the work instead."

"Ms Shanty mi a guh pan an out a town site work for a few days," he informed. "The contractor a come pick mi up in a few minutes."

Before she could respond I opened the door of the room I occupied and said. "Morning Mama I can do it."

She threw up her hands and said with delight. "Thank you, Jesus."

I laugh as she swats Odkie's hand away from the bag as he was making his way to rummage through it's contents.

"Yuh nuh much betta dan Mongrel love up in a everything mi bring come up yah."

"Aiye Ms Shanty!" he cried pulling his hand away.

"Faas like."

"But yuh nuh seh mi ting in deh," he said looking at the bag with deep interest.

"Son yuh save wi," she said smiling and reaching inside the bag for another smaller bag and handed it to Odekie.

"No worries. I'm not looking forward to having nothing to do." I told her relieved for the opportunity it provides me with having something to do.

"I can just imagine," she said. "Wid the cutting roun a church yuh will have something to occupy some a your time."

"Yes," I nodded before asking, "Suh what's in the bag."

"Msrah send two roast breadfruits and some sweet potatoes as mi did a come roun fi check Bounty d rest a tings dem mi a carry fi some people roun d road."

By things she meant some of Lamais's remedies. A few persons lived by her tonics and remedies as much as they depended on her readings.

"Suh mi can get a breadfruit an two a the potato fi bring wid mi?" Odekie grinned.

"Mek yuh ooman dem weh yuh a buy oil fah feed yuh."

"Ms Shanty lawks yuh can handle mi strong bra."

Before my mother could reply the sound of a vehicle blowing by the gate caused Odekie to rush to the door.

"Chakka reach so mi a guh cut now," he said before calling out to the person.

My mother being the nosey person she is limp to the window and stared out when satisfied she returned to the bag took out a breadfruit and three potatoes and practically chucked them at Odekie when he returned to the living room.

"Cho Ms Shanty," Odekie grinned. "All yuh a gwaan mi know yuh care fi mi eno."

Trying to hide a smile she hissed her teeth and told him to get going. After a quick goodbye, Odekie left us and I walked to my mother and hugged her.

"Suh ole lady yuh nuh here fi rest yuh foot."

"Well it's easier said dan done. From the surgery the knee nuh suh bad," she said nestling against my chest. "Dem tonic weh Lamais start mek really help."

The doctor in me wanted to lecture her but knowing Ms. Lamais all my life and have firsthand experiences of her capabilities and efficiency I just held her close.

"Mi glad yuh a get some day off," she said slightly pulling away. "Suh yuh can come up fi Sunday dinner after Service."

"Yeah, mi can duh dat."

It's been some time since I had a chance to be with my family. The thought of getting together with my siblings and nieces was a welcoming reprieve from the workload that I had to face the coming Monday.

"Mi affi guh now. Lamias want mi fi help wid sorting out some things. She and Maas Cushane going to Mobay for a Prayer Breakfast and Young Couples Retreat a mawning."

"Suh mi affi guh link Seana den fi get d tings fi sort it out?" I asked not keen on such a prospect.

"No yuh nuh affi duh dat Cullayne deh bout yuh can get the shed key from har fi get the lawn mower and d gas an start cut e church yard tomorrow."

I was not sure if I heard my mother right did she say Cullayne was here? I felt feelings I thought I had suppressed forever rip to the surface of my consciousness and render me captive.