It's been 49 years after the Civil War that saw Our Dream of freedom coming through the date of my brother was still fresh in my memory no day passes by that I don't think about him. Agufia, a great warrior, a great man who represented his ancestral name even in a strange land. A language ended up consuming him island that drunk is not why he fought for the Freedom of his people a true son of Africa when was more that will be proud of where ever she is.
" papa... " someone called me out of my thoughts. Don't worry first to see my grandson he came staring at me.
" you are thinking again grandpa aren't you", Ike repeated himself. I took a look at my 21 years old grandson, heavily built and muscular like my father. He was the younger version of my father. But that was years ago.
"Ike...at times, it's good for an old man to meditate", i winked while trying to stand up, but my strength failed me. Ike had to rush to my aid to prevent me from falling.
"You forgot you are now an old man", Ike teased while I laughed .
"I'm still stronger than your father", I joked and the both of us burst out laughing at our own jokes.
"Only God in heaven knows what you two conspirators are planning against my son and I", Catherine's voice cut us short.
"Here she comes again, the tigress who wants to eat my boy and I up", i rolled my eyes at her.
"Grandma...we are not conspirators", Ike smiled as he moved over to Catherine to collect what she was holding from her.
"At keast i still have my husband in a younger version.", Catherine smiled while patting Ike by the arm.
"Have you heard from my father?... grandpa", Ike ask while looking at me.
"Your father is busy touring the high seas as a sea man. He prefers to stay on the sea than on land", I replied Ike who only shook his head and walk into his room at a fast troth, I sensed he needed a fathers love. Since his mother died while giving birth to him and Agufia who was so inlove with his wife Evelyn had grew some kind of disdain for his son, blaming the innocent boy for the death of his wife. He took to sailing, he was a sea man; so I heard from sources. I've noticed his love for the sea right from when he was a boy, he always talk about being an explorer touring the sea. He took to sailing leaving his 3 years son in our care. That was 18 years ago and he haven't shown fave since he cross the sea, we only heard from sailors who were acquainted to us that he was a sea man. He had refused to remarry, he rather would spend his entire life at sea than spend it with his son on land. I have tried times without number to talk him out of holding his son in contempt as far as the death of his wife is concerned. This is a crucial time in Ike's life, this is the time he needed to show his son so much love.
"You are thinking about his nonchalant attitude again right?", Catherine's voice jolted me back form my stream of thought.
"Katty, you and I both know very well that what our son Agufia did is very wrong", I faced Catherine as I held her hands passionately.
"I didn't say it's the right thing he ish doing, we both know how much he loved Evelyn and how much her death distabilized him. If staying at sea would make him better, then he should remain at sea", Catherine stroke my Palm softly.
"I understand but not at the expense of the innocent young man", I tried to make cathe see reasons.
"I understand you my Lord, but let's give him more time...I believe in my heart he wouldn't stay away from home forever, he'll return back someday", Catherine insisted.
"It's been 18years, isn't it enough for him?", I asked Catherine with my voice rising.
"Calm down love, everything will be okay soon", Catherine assured.
"I hope so, I pray I'm still alive when that day comes", Catherine moved closer and gave me a bear hug.
"You will, you are 70 years old and still very much strong and agile my love", Catherine replied while holding me close.
"Let's give Ike all the parental care and love he needs, he is our only heir now. You know, since we couldn't give birth again after the birth of Agufia, Ike is all we got now to carry on our legacy and family name", I inployed Catherine.
"He is 21 years, he is old enough to marry isn't he? Let him marry", Catherine joked while I pushed her playfully.
"He is too you g and not emotionally ready and mature for the stress and responsibilities that comes with marriage now", I rolled my eyes at Catherine.
"But you were 21 when we got married and birthed Agufia who is 48yeaes old today", Catherine pushed.
"That was then, we were at war and besides your were already pregnant before the war ended", I countered.
"All the same, he is my grandson and I need a great grandchild", Catherine stood her ground.
"Women and obsession with offspring is out of this world", I hissed as I left Catherine while she chuckled behind me.
The following week was quite very eventful, it all happened in around noon, when our hope and prayers came through. There was unnecessary commotion in town, I sighted someone running towards my house shouting excitedly.
"Agufia is back, he just docked", the excited lady informed me. She went ahead to explain that there was a ship that docked and the captain of the ship was no other person than my son - Agufia. I was elated and joyous and thank the young lady for the information, she hurried off almost immediately like a spy who just delivered an important message. Although I was over joyed, I composed Myself and and pretend as if I knew not what was going on. Just then, Ike came out of his room; I'm sure might have heard the commotion or the lady delivering the news on the arrival of his father.
"Grandpa, what's the mouse all about?", Ike asked me innocently.
"Ahhh...that? An important man just landed", I replied Ike absent minded.
"Who is this important man?", Pressed.
"My son...", I answered Ike.
"My father?", Ike asked bewilded.
"Yes", i narrowed my eyes at him.
"What does he want now?", Ike shot at me angrily.
"Calm down son, he is your father", i replied calmly.
Just then, Agufia came into the house looking more bulky and gailty than he was before he left home. He wore the smile of a conqueror, like a man who can command anything to happen at the snap of his fingers. He was putting on a a Captain's cap with his beards flowing like that of a naval legend. I kept staring at him, wondering if this was the same man that was horned to me 48 years ago at the end of the civil war. Was this the same baby Agufia was was always playing around or my baby boy was switched from the innocent looking boy for this rugged looking man standing before me.
"Good afternoon father", Agufia greeted as he gave me a bear hug.
" Welcome back home my son", i reciprocated his greetings.
"It's been some he'll of a donkey years since I left Jamaica", Agufia noted.
"That's because you forgot your root", i accused him.
"Not really, just that unplanned and unexpected shits happened old man, and before I forget; how is my old woman and boy? Where's he?", Agufia enquired.
"You momma isn't home, but your boy is in there", I pointed towards Ike's door still wondering when he stole out of the leaving room. Just then, Ike came out.
"Oh my God...who is this giant man standing?", Agufia asked amid a surprised look as he removed his Captain's cap.
"That's the boy you left behind 18years ago and followed the sea", I answered him.
"Oh my son, is this really you? I can swear under my breath that I saw a fully grown man standing before me and not the little boy I left behind years back", Agufia complimented sincerely.
"I hate you, I don't want to see you", Ike spat out as he angrily stormed into his room and shut the door.
"Incredible!", Agufia exclaimed shocked.
"Calm down son, he'll come around.
I assured Agufia as I gently tapped his shoulder before going after Ike. I knocked on Ike's door, then pop in my head slightly.
"Can I come in at least? I am not with a gun", I announced to Ike who looked at me weirdly as though I was some sort of allien from another planet.
"It's okay son, just calm down. Don't let your emotions betray you, you're the one who's be craving for your father and now he's here, you're pushing him away. Isn't that cruel if you? Give him an audience, hear from him and listen to what he have to say before you pass your verdict", I spoke as I moved in, sat beside Ike and stroked his head gently. I was still talking to Ike when we heard Catherine's excited scream from the living room.
"You're grandma is back, let's go and meet her...", I held out my hands for Ike to hold and stand up.
"Don't bother old man, you can't pull me up", Ike joked as he stood up from his bed while I led the way to the living room.
"Here comes the two rascals in the house, the two conspirators and partners in crime. Both the older and younger version", Catherine hailed us mockingly as we stepped in.
"You're not serious grandma, when did we become conspirators and partners in crime?", Ike teasingly asked Catherine who let go of Agufia she was holding tight as if he would be stolen if she release him.
"Dad...I am sorry for my first reaction, I didn't mean what I said...", Ike turned towards his father who freed himself from Catherine and gave Ike a bear hug.
"The reunion of father and son", Catherine murmured as she cleaned the tears that were running down her cheeks.
"Incredible, what old age can do to someone", i teased Cathrine as she look at me with a funny face.
"Come here my old man", Catherine came towards me with open arms for embracement.
"Hope you are happy now?", I asked Catherine still holding her close.
"What's more joyous than seeing your son and grandson safe and standing with you old man?", Catherine managed to smile as she looked at me face.
"That's very nice and indeed joyous", i replied her.
"They remind me of you when you were younger, the day when you fought for our freedom from slavery...you are my hero Morris", Catherine hug me more tighter as I closed my eyes to reminisce on the pass.