Jumbie Story

By Arc

Simeon and Simon Watson, sons of Rudy and Joanna Watson, graduated at the top of their high school class at seventeen years old. They were top athletes at school, participated in many volunteer activities, and despite coming from the richest family in their housing community, took part in cleanups and other volunteer activities. It came as no surprise to anyone when they were offered full scholarships to Doverden University, in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United Statesone of the most prestigious schools in the world. Their parents, though ecstatic, were a bit apprehensive over their only sons leaving home in Guyana, South America, to live so far away. Leaving the dormitory on their very first day of school, Simon and Simeon disappeared. They vanished like ghosts. They disappeared like jumbies, Guyanese would say, which was their term for ghosts. What happened to the twins? This book will take the reader through a labyrinthine, mysterious, and highly dangerous excursion to find the truth.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Jun 29, 2017
• ISBN: 9781543431964

Book preview

Chapter 1

Rudy and Joanna were sitting at the dining table having breakfast. Her left leg perched on Rudy’s knees, under the table; her most comfortable position, when they sat there for meals, or conversation. The kitchen table was the social hub of the house. If you are a visitor and was invited to sup at the Watson’s, in the dining room, you were not a regular to the home.

The house was empty, but for the maid, who was busy in the kitchen, as maids usually are. The children, Simon and Simeon, had left for, God knows where, Joanna thought, and Rudi was across the street, at her aunt and uncle’s kids.

Joanna sighed. That was her third sigh, in about a half an hour. She looked out the kitchen window, to the back of her home.

Allison her neighbor, best friend, and sister-under-God, Joanna thought, was reclining on her deck chair, an umbrella shading the top half of her bronze body.

Allison was reading a book. She is an avid reader, Joanna thought, and wondered what she would have done, if she didn’t have a friend like Allison, whose blonde hair had bleached white, living in the tropics, these past twenty years or so. Allison had settled into being an almost native, since marrying a Guyanese and leaving her homeland, England, for this hot tropical country.

Joanna glanced at Rudy. He was studiously trying to avoid what was coming.

This is killing me, baby. Joanna said, a crease forming on her otherwise smooth forehead.

What honey? Rudy asked absently.

He was not going to work today. The kids were out of school and he had correctly guessed that the boys would go down to help in the office.

Oh, don’t make me fret. Joanna fretted, removing her leg from Rudy’s knee.

He knew the signs well, when Joanna removed her leg, or didn’t place it there, in the first place. It meant he had better pay attention to her.

You know the children are going to leave us soon and I don’t want them to go. Joanna whispered.

She was almost tearful.

Rudy let go of his newspaper and slid his chair around to where Joanna’s chair was located. He placed his arm around her shoulders. He took her chin and gently tried to raise her face, to look at him, while she half-heartedly resisted.

Oh, stop! Joanna commanded, not with much conviction, in her voice.

What? Rudy asked, feigning surprise.

You always… Joanna’s voice trailed off, as Rudy kissed her on the lips, for a good ten seconds.

Ma’an, that don’t change the situation y’know. Joanna said, a bit accusingly. The children want to go overseas to study and we can’t stop them. She continued, forlornly.

Of course, we can’t, and we mustn’t. And, do you know why? Rudy replied.

Joanna looked at Rudy, with his eyebrows arched, in demand of an answer, but not waiting for one.

Because we did, at least one of us, and the other would have done the same thing. Rudy said, trying to win over Joanna. We have to let them, flew the coop, dear.

Oh, shut up. Joanna said, but she was laughing.

They both looked at each other lovingly, knowing what each other was thinking.

The children had reached college age. Simon and Simeon had won 4-year scholarships to Doverden University for the next school year. Their sister, Rudi, would get a scholarship, probably to Yale, since that was her choice, the following year. She planned to take some classes at University of Guyana, then leave, when she became eighteen, which her mother had felt was a more appropriate age for her to leave home. Rudi would have met the legal adult age also.

Joanna was marveling how fast the dozen years or so had passed. So quickly, that her babies were going off to start their new lives as adults! The signs were there, she thought. England and the United Stated had increased their quota of migrants, and parents in Guyana, even whole families, were taking advantage of the opportunity and relocating, before the local economy really collapsed, and only God knows what will become of the country.

Maybe she was wrong, but the maternal bond seemed far stronger than the paternal one, she felt. She wanted her kids to stay home and face whatever happened in their lives, at home.

The children, for their part were seemingly too preoccupied with all the necessary preparations, and visiting families and friends, to notice the look of dread on their parents’ face. Especially their mother! Rudi still had another year before she left, so she was assisting her brothers and getting tips, as many as she can from them, that she could later use, when her time came. Joanna felt comforted that she had her Rudy, her anchor, who would be there, as the children leave.

A week before the twins were to leave, family members began arriving. Their aunt Dora, who had already migrated from Brazil to Caracas, Venezuela, since her petroleum engineer husband had gotten a very good job there, was in the mix. Rudy was very happy to see his sister. The many problems she and family had faced due to the slumping economy, in Brazil, had made them unable to afford visiting the family back in Guyana. But now they were all here showing off their new language, Spanish, to everyone. Portuguese of Brazil and Spanish of Venezuela, Dora explained, was so similar that it was easy to fit into the Venezuelan society.

Rudy’s aunt at Linden, the nephew and niece at, University of the West Indies. His brothers, Cliffie and Doug and their wives Melinda and Elizabeth and their kids, from across the street, were in and out of the house. There was a lot of shopping and cooking going on.

This place looks like a marriage is about to happen. Remarked Rudy, as he looked proudly at his sons.

He went over and hugged his daughter, Rudi.

What’s the occasion Daddy? Asked Rudi laughing, a bit embarrassed.

She was as reserved as her father; squirming out of his embrace.

Because you’re not leaving. Rudy laughed.

Not yet. Rudi laughed also.

Her dad ran after her and playfully grabbed her around the neck.

Dad! Rudi protested, but not with much resistance. You’re messing up my hair!

Okay, okay. Rudy laughed, as he playfully chucked his daughter in the back. Don’t have time to play now, eh? You’re all grown up now, eh?

There was a hint of wistfulness in Rudy’ voice.

Rudy went over and put an arm around each of his son’s shoulders. The twins were an inch taller than he. At five feet, eleven inches, they looked like superb athletes. They had taken part in sports since primary school, and excelled in track, football and cricket. Yet they both maintained high academic standards and won awards in both areas. Rudy and Joanna beamed with pride, whenever they look at their twin sons.

Rudy proudly looked around the packed living room, at friends and family alike.

I am very proud of my sons. They are very successful, without my having anything to do with it. He said. It’s all their mother’s fault.

There was much laughter.

Now. Rudy continued. They are leaving us. Fleeing the coop, so to speak, spreading their wings, and we must let them go. To seek their fortunes and adventure. We must hope that God will always look over them, and they must never forget their roots, and us their family and friends. Rudy hugged the twins a bit tighter, before releasing them, on the pretext of removing something from his left eye.

We want everyone to know that this is the most unforgettable party we have ever had, and probably ever will, in future. Simeon said, as he raised his glass of Banks beer, in a toast.

Yes, and when we return, we will make everyone proud of us. Simon added.

The family gathered around the boys, hugging them. Rudi was crying her eyes out, not wanting to let them go. She hugged them fiercely.

Please don’t go now. Wait for me. Rudi begged.

Rudy and Joanna comforted her, telling Rudi her time was coming soon. That her brothers were going to pave the way for her, so that she will have their protection in a new country, when she gets there.

Rudi escaped their embrace and walked over to the car, across the street. She leaned on it, with her face in her hands, crying privately.

Just like her father. Joanna said, shaking her head, looking lovingly at Rudi. Such a private person.

Chapter 2

They had all rushed to the Observation Deck. Rudy, Joanna, Rudi and the many relatives and friends who had come to see the twins off. The place was crowded. This was a larger plane than usual. Air France made one stop, per month, at this airport. Its plane had more than the usual passengers, and likewise, there were many more family and friends here to see them off. Rudy craned his neck in vain, as he tried to see Simon and Simeon walking across the tarmac, to the plane. It was no use.

What with Joanna on one side and Rudi on the other, both crying their hearts out, he just couldn’t get in close enough to the glass windows to see out. He heard the roar of the engines, as his wife and daughter hugged him a bit tighter, as he looked up towards the ceiling, in time to see the plane climb, then bank to the left and disappeared, through the nearby clouds.

In a daze, Rudy had taken Joanna and Rudi, they with their arms wrapped tightly around each shoulder, back to the car. He was not even aware who was driving, with the three sitting in the back seats, they head back to the city, and home. His eyes were cast down at the floor of the car, but he was not crying or sleeping. Rudy was thinking. He was thinking of how his family was slowly scattering, all over the world, it seems to him. His world had changed. His kids were leaving to study abroad. His brothers and sisters had all migrated to other countries, to study, or settle down as new citizens of those countries. He was wondering what would become of him if his children all studied in the United States, then decided to remain there?

Rudy was wondering if his future now rests with him moving to another country. No, that he did not want, he thought, but he was grieving deeply, as if he sensed he would be bereft of his children, as they pursue a different life.

Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Air France, Flight 637, departing for Trinidad, then Martinique, where we will change to a larger plane, Air France 803, for John F Kennedy Airport in New York. A voice of one of the stewardesses came over the plane’s PA system.

It continued giving soothing instructions as the plane taxied out for take –off.

A larger plane than this one, Simon thought. They had never flown alone before. Always with their parents. Simon and Simeon looked a bit apprehensive. Simon was sitting next to an Indian man, on the left, of the two-seater section, who said he was a trader and would be going on to Canada, from JFK. He said he flew a lot. He looked quite casual doing it.

They were sitting in the first row of, Passenger Class, section. Simeon was at the window seat, of the two seats, on the left. As the plane began take-off, the younger of two stewardesses, who seemed to be taking care of the front section, pulled down a single folding seat, in front of Simon, on the other side of the, Emergency Door. She looked up, as she sat and saw Simon’s eyes on her. She crossed her legs, with a slight knowing smile on her face.

Simon glanced at the trader on his right. He was busy reading his flight schedule. He was the only one in the world that saw the glimpse of lacy white panties, and that large expanse of beautiful legs, Simon thought to himself, with a self-satisfied smile. He was looking out the window. Simon’s face was flushed. If he was supposed to be scared at take-off, he did not notice. They were in the air, when she slowly uncrossed her legs, giving him a longer and greater view, of an experience he would die for, he thought.

The beautiful, young stewardess was staring at him wide-eyed, with a look that suggested that she was innocent of any thoughts that might be going on in his mind. She slightly brushed his shoulder, with her left hip, as she walked past to begin preparing the refreshments. He could marry a girl like her, Simon thought.

It was just past lunch-time.

This ‘intimate’ relationship between the beautiful, smooth, cocoa-brown stewardess and Simon would continue when they were about to land in Trinidad, and take-off, and when they were about to land in Martinique. She squeezed his hand a bit tighter, and longer, than the other passengers, and gave him a wink. She was just a couple of years older than Simon. His chest puffed out a bit, as he smiled at her. He had never had an ‘older’ woman showed sexual interest in him before. He was a man, he thought.

They landed in Martinique around three in the afternoon. They had four hours before departure, for the United States. The Indian, ‘call me Jaisingh’, whom they had gotten to know quite well, was the only person left in their area of the plane, that had started out from Guyana. He suggested that they rent a taxi and go for a spin around the island. They could say that at least they got to ‘know’ the place, he said.

Getting a taxi and starting out was easy, since an airport guard translated to the cab driver, what they wanted to do. The cabbie spoke no English, but the guard said he understood, that he had to return us to the airport by six o’clock, for check-in time.

This is a freeking island? Simon suddenly said., some fifteen minutes into the ride.

So? Jaisingh asked, a bit argumentatively, but Simeon already knew where Simon was going with that remark.

We have been on this damn road for about half an hour, travelling at about fifty miles an hour, and all we have seen so far are cane fields. Where the hell do these people live, in the cane swamps? Simon answered a bit aggravated, with a slight worry on his voice.

Oh, yes. Jaisingh, with dawning observation commented. What is this driver doing?

Hey driver. How long more to Fort-De-France? Jaisingh asked.

The twins had deferred to Jaisingh’s age, allowing him get information from the taxi driver.

The driver made no comment, nor turned around. He kept staring straight ahead. Navigating what seemed like an endless curving road, that was to its credit asphalted.

Hey driver! This time Jaisingh screamed, assuming that the drone of the French car, a Citroen, was affecting the driver’s hearing.

Still no response.

Another fifteen minutes went by.

This man cannot speak English, remember? Simeon remarked, with a nervous look. He probably wants to drive us around until he runs out of gas, then take us back.

He has been driving for about forty-five minutes. Simon observed, unsmiling. We have to start thinking about turning back, or we’ll lose that plane. I just don’t feel like sleeping in cane fields. Besides this driver could be driving around waiting for it to got really dark, then take us to his gang. Who’s going to know?

Ten minutes later.

This shit has to stop, now. Simeon said, now seeming very angry.

Simeon turned the door handle. He was sitting behind the driver. He opened the door. A greater blast of hot air rushed in. The driver turned suddenly, alarmed.

Non! Non! He yelled.

Probably telling Simeon in rapid fire French, to close the door. Thinking Simeon was going to jump out, the driver slammed on the brakes.

The other two were looking at Simeon with their mouths open. Simon had a look of admiration, for his quick-thinking brother.

Simeon got out of the taxi, telling the other two to remain inside. He didn’t want the driver to abandon them all, among the cane fields.

The driver and Simeon seemed to be having a heated argument. It was really two men speaking loudly, in different languages. The driver telling Simeon that he could have killed himself and got the driver in trouble, with the law. And Simeon telling him he had to return to the airport, since they had to catch a plane, by seven that evening – thirty-five minutes to departure. And he had better do it now, or they will take away his taxi. It was three of them, to one of him.

It was the way that Simeon accomplished that message, that would make them laugh about it later, with as many passengers within earshot, certainly was entertainment for at least a half hour, after they departed Martinique.

Gesticulating with his hands to simulate the plane taking off, showing seven fingers, and taking a boxer’s stance to let the driver know he would beat him up, if he did not take them back immediately, won the day.

The driver clasped his hands in the universal sign of pardon and peace, and bowing his head, while saying, that he misunderstood the instructions, the latter, which Simeon did not understand anyway. They got into the car. No one seemed impressed with Fort-De-France. It seemed that there was poverty everywhere. Lots of run down, four-storied tenement apartments filled with people making an awful lot of noise. They had to concede that the last part, about the people, could be prejudicial.

Ten minutes later, they were speeding through Fort-De-France. And twenty minutes, later they were back at the airport.

As the three dashed out of the taxi, racing for the entrance, another cab driver shouted at them that the driver was calling to them.

Screw him. Said Simeon, who had the saltier tongue. He wants a tip. Yes, we’re going to stop and tip him and lose our flight. Okay.

The panic was for nothing. The flight left forty-five minutes late.

Typical of these damned airlines. Said, the worldlier Jaisingh.

He was already seated before Simon noticed that ‘his’ stewardess was not there. A bit disappointed, he mentioned it to Jaisingh, who was sitting at his left, in this three-seater section. The plane had three rows of seats on each side of the aisle. A much bigger plane.

She probably only works on the smaller plane, so her shift, for the day, ended in Martinique, then she, maybe, returns with the outgoing flight tomorrow. Jaisingh told him.

He would never see her again, Simon thought dismally. It’s just too bad how life works sometimes, he sighed wistfully. The twins were seventeen years old, with lots of experiences good and bad awaiting them.