by Alain Patron
“We have another meeting at 12:30,” says Ricardo. “And here he is. Mario Elie, these are my cousins Junior & Edner.”
Apparently, Emmanuel has known Mario Elie since their time hanging out at Brasserie Creole in Queens. “I heard you guys are interested in doing a documentary about Haiti and Haitian families living in America. Whatever you guys need--I’m in!”
“Thanks, Mario Elie!” says Junior while Edner Jr. imitates his “Kiss of Death.”
“Can you tell him to stop doing that? It’s making me uncomfortable like that kid Broderick out there.”
“How do you know Broderick?” asks Junior.
“I was a client of his, but I didn’t like him because he called the people in Starbucks baristas.”
After hearing Mario Elie tell basketball stories for a few hours, Junior needed to pack for his trip to Haiti. Tyreef went to attend whatever business he attends to, so the guys had to wait for him like he was an Uber.
“I can’t believe you guys pulled this off, but how are we going to do this documentary now? It was Broderick’s idea,” asks Junior.
“It’s our family, our heritage, and our story to tell. And with you going back to Haiti with Papa Woody’s ashes, we can do it the right way now,” says Ricardo.
“You really did have a plan.”
When the day comes for Junior, Ricardo, and Edner Jr.’s flight to Haiti, they’re sent off by what seems to be everybody they know. Jean-Claude Sr. finally gives Junior his blessing to be his own man, “I’ve been trying to protect you from making the same mistakes I’ve made in life, but you’ve earned the right to make your own mistakes. I love you, son!” Junior can’t remember the last time his father uttered those words, and it leaves him misty-eyed. As he readies to tell his mother goodbye, she points someone out to him. It’s...Monica. Junior approaches her calmly.
“I’m not in the mood for any drama, and...”
“You’re doing a lot right now. I want to say I’m sorry for how I’ve been acting.”
“Look, you don’t have to apologize. It doesn’t have to be anyone’s fault. Sometimes, people don’t mix, but that doesn’t mean either of them are bad people. We were just bad for each other.”
“Cute, but I was actually looking for an apology. Can you at least get me a ride?”
“Someone needs a ride?” asks an eavesdropping Tyreef.
“Yes. Do you mind dropping me off?”
“Depends on how you feel about Taco Tuesdays,” replies Tyreef as he winks at Junior.
Edner Jr. hugs his mother and sister and is joined by Ricardo, who gives Johanne a kiss in plain view of everybody, and they’re in shock.
The flight to Haiti is relatively quiet, but when they land, Edner Jr. immediately stands up. “Where are you going?” asks Junior. “I’m just stretching, bro.” Junior & Ricardo both let out a sigh of relief. As they go through customs, Junior realizes they don’t have a ride, “Who’s picking us up?” Ricardo laughs and points someone out to Junior. It’s Fabiola.
“I hope you don’t mind,” says Ricardo.
“No, I don’t mind!” Junior’s Cheshire cat grin returns to his face for the first time in weeks.
“Cool, but stop smiling like that, it’s creepy.”
Coincidentally, Eau Gallée, Papa Woody’s favorite lake, isn’t too far from Stevenson’s house, where they’ll be staying. Accompanied by Ricardo, Edner Jr., Fabiola, and Francois, Junior takes his grandfather’s urn towards the water when he’s accosted by two birds.
“They’re Trogons, they only go near people they love!” shouts Fabiola.
Junior embraces the Trogons and slowly allows Papa Woody’s ashes to flow out of the urn into the lake. Smiling instead of crying, Junior overhears Francois’ friends questioning where these three strangers are from, to which Junior responds, “Wi, no se Ayisyen. (Yes, we’re Haitian.)”
About The Author
A Queens, NY native, this self-published Haitian author is an instrument of truth & humor while serving as a mentor for the younger generation in the creative community.
A lover of Hip-Hop & sports since birth, Alain has been through more heartbreak with the Knicks than he'd like to mention. And please, whatever you do, never offer him coleslaw.
Alain Patron has been a photographer, TV & film producer, screenwriter, and founder of creative platforms, including The InvenTV Network. As a writer, he has self-published nine books, including five Amazon Bestsellers.
The Alain Patron Bibliography:
Thirds Eye View
Forks In The Road
Arête: Forks In The Road 2
The Book of Hova
Thirds Eye View 2
Coeur Noir
F%ck School: Learn Life
Spokes On A Wheel: Breaking The Cycle
I do it for my community.