"It has happened...it has started, Europe has finally ignite...", Came a shout from an older man sited comfortably listening to listening to the evening broadcast.
"What is it?", I asked him curiously.
"The war...has finally started", Came the man's response.
"So this means Austria-Hungary finally marched against Serbia", i murmured.
"Yes...", Came a response and I turned round to see Ike standing, holding a pamphlet.
"What does that say?", I asked Ike pointing at the pamphlet he was holding while Ike flipped through it.
"Well, the pamphlet contains conscription prerequisites, details and form into the military service. Also calling for volunteers, young men of 18 and above", Ike replied.
"Why are you holding it", I queried with a knowing fear growing inside of me.
"Well, I'll like to go grandpa", Ike dropped the bomb shell confirming my fears.
"Are you crazy?", I shot at him.
"No grandpa", came Ike's reply.
"Father, I have received a radio signal from shi headquarters calling for assignment", Agufia announced as he came into the compound.
"Ship headquarters assignment and all lots of sad news at a time", I groaned.
"Military assignment, logistics supply and transportation", Agufia explained.
"I am aware, here's my son about to leave me again and my grandson has made up his mind to join the military. How ironic, funny and sad at the same time", I bent my head while Agufia looked at Ike.
"What?", Agufia exclaimed while Ike shifted a bit
"Ike, is that true? That you want to enlist it the military?", Agufia blew hot.
"Yes after", Ike replied unflinchingly.
"Why", Agufia queried further.
"Because I have passion in it", answered him.
"Do you think your mother would be happy seeing you take this path if she was alive?", Agufia asked Ike.
" So you think she will feel disappointed for my decision pops?", Ike fired back at Agufia.
"Yes, not only disappointed but also heart broken and sad", Agufia explained.
"Oh...I bet she'll also be proud that you left your 3years old son for 18yeaes to be a sea fairer right?", Ike shot back.
At that moment, I knew this would blow out of proportion if I don't intervene but Catherine saved me the stress.
"Hello boys, that is enough", Catherine's voice cut both men off as she announced her presence.
"I'm sorry grandma", Ike apologized while Agufia paced to and fro for some time.
"Ike, you failed to understand...I didn't leave you because I felt or wanted to...", Agufia began.
"Agu...it's okay son, one day he will understand", Catherine chirped in softly.
"But grandma, can't I join the military? It's been my dream since I was a boy", Ike pleaded looking at Catherine who just stood looking at him as though she was contemplating.
"I've known all my boys to be adventurers in nature and I can't fight against that. First or was my husband during the civil war, then my son who left home for 18years for the high seas and now my grandson wants to join the league and possibly fight in this war that just broke out in Europe", Catherine spoke more to herself than to the rest of us.
"I think it's something that runs in our blood, I came from a warrior clan, a clan whose entire family members were hardened warriors. We were the sole protectors of our kingdom back then in Africa before the slave capturing and trading people invaded, we fought and died for our kingdom. During slavery, my brother and I fought to end slavery, and now my grandson might be fighting in another war...while my son, would be sailing through bullets and possibly be fighting at intervals to deliver supplies and logistics", I held Catherine's arm as I faced her.
"Rather than letting the boy go this year, why not go next year?", I inployed Catherine who stood for sometime before nodding.
"Ike, please can you wait till your 22nd birthday before you enlist?", Catherine pleased with Ike who nodded reluctantly.
"You are our future, aside you...we don't have any more descendant", I explained.
"That's my boy", Agufia commended as he embraces Ike.
"Now this is making me teary", Catherine wiped her face as she clung unto me.
"Hey sea Lord, how long would you spend at sea this time around?", Catherine asked Agufia who moved over to her side holding her close.
"I don't know mom, but it wouldn't be that long. Let's say it's be months. When ever I am passing through this location, I'll always branch", Agufia responded.
"I look forward to seeing you again old man", Ike shook Agufia's hands as Agufia moved into his room to get his bag and returned back with his Captain's cap on his head.
"Take care son, we look forward to seeing you again. And please...don't forget to write us as soon as possible. As a matter of fact, the moment you arrive on the other side of the earth, write us", i instructed Agufia who nodded his head in understanding.
"Now my boy is leaving me behind with these two conspirators", Catherine joked as she embraced Agufia.
Agufia gave us a salute and left never looking back. Few minutes later, we heard orders coming from the dock, we all filed out to observe the departure of Agufia. Agufia stood at he railing looking at us with a smile on his face. The ship soon began moving at a slow pace from the dock, while we watched .
"Only God knows when I'll see him again" Catherine murmured clinging to my side.
"Funny enough, I think I'll miss him", Ike chirped in.
"Of course you would, he is your father", Catherine cut in.
"For the main time, know that you survive us", I winked at Ike while he laughed out heartedly.
"Common grandpa, I have a girlfriend already", Ike announcement.
"Wow, tell me you're joking", Catherine left my side clasping her arm around Ike.
"Let's go home", I began moving while Catherine and Ike followed from behind.
"This means you will be getting married soon son", Catherine began.
"Why so fast?", Ike asked.
"Because you're our survivor", Catherine cackled as Ike looked at her with a funny face.
"Grandma, please stop spoiling me", Ike giggled happily.
"Of course I am not spoiling you, I am only telling you the fact that your grandma needs a great grandson", Catherine joked as she opened the door for us to get in.
"Grandma, you Promised to tell me the story of how you got here and how you met Grandpa years back", Ike reminder Catherine while I shook my head.
"Yes son, I do remember", Catherine replied while I rolled my eyes at them, moved towards my favorite seat and sat down ignoring the duo.
"Oh boy, please let an old lady get some solid stuff into her stomach first", Catherine pleaded with Ike as she left us and walked into the kitchen.
"Ike, please come and give an old lady some hands here", Catherine called Ike's attention from the kitchen.
"Go get her tiger", I smiled as Ike walked towards the kitchen before disappearing through the door.
I sat down still, reminiscing on the past events. My life from childhood and now as an old man. Ike always remind me of Agufia my late brother, the Agufia whom Mr. Clifford renamed Boris years back. The man who led the slaves to fight against oppression, the man who laid down his life for our freedom, we had to fight with the union against the south. Many slave states were loyal to the union and thus came to their aid against the south who wanted slavery to be the norm.
The battle at Miami, the fall of Duke and his last words to his sister. The fall of Boris and Mr. Smith, the fall of great men who believed in the freedom. Doris didn't live long in Jamaica, she later left to Miami where she lived with her two kids who are grown ups now. She refused to remarry, and claimed staying in Miami is what can help her cop with the pain of loosing her brother and fiance, for that was where they both fell. Her grown children now live away from her save only one of her granddaughters staying with her. Her daughter married a Cuban trader while her son, like my son-also serves as a seaman. Black Duke's fiancee passed on 10years ago and her offspring is an adult. Last I heard from them, they resided in Alabama. I was the only one left in Jamaica, other slaves settled down here with me, and we made good use of the place we found ourselves. I've always wanted to go to Africa, but the thought of being treated like an invader made me change my mind. I can still recall the news about natives attacking black slaves that were sent to Freetown in Africa to settle down. I wasn't ready for such risk or direct confrontation. I was still in my thoughts and reminiscing when I felt Catherine tapped me by the shoulder.
"You seem to be in deep thought my lord", she grinned.
"You know Katty, when you think about the past...you begin to imagine how far things changed", I smiled.
"You are right, years back...we were in chains, forced to work under the burning sun with whiles dancing over our bare backs, singing songs of sorrows each passing day to mourn those that died among us", Catherine shook her head sadly.
"Grandma, when will you tell me?", Ike cut in.
"Someday my son, someday...but not today, not yet. Eat and rest, for you need it", Catherine replied Ike as we all faces our food.