America Calls to Me

A few minutes later, Soloe turned the volume down and the adults started talking. In our culture, it was a show of respect that kids go elsewhere when the adults have a sensitive conversation. JJ, Sophie, the two adopted girls and I made our way back home, talking amongst ourselves. Tuma stayed behind and soon after made her way back home. Mom stayed behind and continued talking with Soloe and the other fellows.

For the first time in my life, I felt like the serenity I once knew was being threatened. Arriving at the house, Mom started talking to Tuma. Tuma didn’t seem quite pleased to hear the news. She went to her room and started packing her things. Afterwards, my mother called to me and handed me some money, sending me out to the marketplace to get food. She explained: “Buy all the achecīr the woman is selling and buy twelve packs of sardines. If anyone asks you, tell them it’s for my Mom.” “Okay,” I replied and quickly raced into town. Achecīr is made from processed cassava fixed with plantains and fried fish. At my arrival the lady was packing up. I told her, “I want all the achecīr you have.”

“Why?” she asked.

“It’s for my Mom,” I said.

I then picked up the twelve cans of sardines and raced back home. The house that was once filled with laughter was now filled with silence. I could see the girls were putting their things together. My sister Sophie was still with the girls and JJ was out of sight. My mother was in her room packing.

“Mom!” I called out. “Martin, what is it?”

“I got the achecīr what do you want me to do now?” I asked, waiting for my next instruction.

“Go tell JJ to pack his stuff. We are leaving to Fetia tonight.”

“Where is Feita and how far is it?” I asked her. “It’s past Sāto, 4 hours away from here!”

“When will we be back?” I asked, hoping to have a good estimate.

“It all depends on how fast this goes away.”

Deep down I wanted it to last for a few weeks, so I didn’t have to worry about going back to school. At the same time, I didn’t want to leave the comfort that I was so familiar with. I feared to leave my friends behind and my potential girlfriend who apparently didn’t know I liked her.

I found JJ sitting alone in the storage room staring into the distance. I stood and watched him, thinking to myself, ‘what a strange kid ’. “JJ, are you alright?”

“I want to go back home,” he answered with tears falling from his eyes.

“You can go back home after all this is over; it’s not safe to go back home now.”

“Who’s going to take care of grandma? She has no one else.”

“Don’t worry, grandma can take care of herself; she’s been taking care of herself every time she sends you here. Plus, we never get to see you that much. After all, when this is over Mom will send you back to grandma with lots of money.”

He looked at me and smiled. “You think so?”