THE BATHTUB

The Bathtub

FOR MOST CHILDREN IN AMERICA, WHERE I GREW UP, BATHTIME IS ASSOCIATED WITH RUBBER DUCKIES, BUBBLES AND TOY MOTOR BOATS. BUT NOT SO FOR A TWO YEAR OLD JAMAICAN BOY LAST WEEK IN KINGSTON.

THE NEIGHBOR HEARD THE CHILD SCREAMING AND FINALLY BROKE THE LOCK TO GET INTO THE SMALL APARTMENT IN THE GHETTO NEIGHBORHOOD TO FIND A YOUNG MOTHER TRYING TO DROWN HER SON. AFTER GETTING THE MOTHER AWAY FROM THE BOY, THE NEIGHBOR TURNED THE CHILD INTO THE CHILD DEVELOPMENT SERVICES IN KINGSTON.

I WONDERED HOW A YOUNG MIND OF TWO YEARS PROCESSES THESE EVENTS. ONE NIGHT I’M IN MY BED IN WHAT I’VE ALWAYS KNOWN AS HOME AND TONIGHT I’M IN AN ORPHANAGE DUE TO LACK OF AVAILABLE FOSTER HOMES. I NOW SHARE A SMALL, TWIN BED WITH ANOTHER TWO YEAR OLD BOY BECAUSE THERE ARE NOT ENOUGH BEDS FOR EACH CHILD TO HAVE HIS OR HER OWN BED.

BREAKFAST IS NOT WHAT I’M ACCUSTOMED TO; A SCOOP OF PORRIDGE FROM A VERY LARGE POT. THERE IS NO MILK. I NO LONGER HAVE MY OWN DRESSER FILLED WITH MY CLOTHES BUT AFTER BEING RINSED OFF IN A WASH TUB EACH MORNING I AM DRESSED FROM A LARGE STACK OF CLOTHES ON THE TABLE THAT ARE FOR BOYS OF ALL SIZES. I NEVER SEEM TO WEAR THE SAME OUTFIT TWICE.

WE PLAY AFTER BREAKFAST, THERE ARE ABOUT 45 OF US AND ONE TRICLYCLE. WE STAND IN LINE TO TAKE OUR TURN ON THE SWING. ONE OF THE HELPERS GIVES US EACH 2 MINUTES.

YESTERDAY WE ALL WERE BATHED, CLEAN OUTFITS PUT ON AND OUR HAIR COMBED. I WASN’T SURE OF THE OCCASION UNTIL I SAW A YOUNG COUPLE LOOKING AT EACH OF US. THE LADY WAS VERY PRETTY AND I LOVED HER AMERICAN ACCENT. HER HUSBAND LOOKED VERY SERIOUS; I THINK IT BROKE HIS HEART TO SEE SO MANY OF US AND THEY WANTED ONLY ONE LITTLE GIRL. I FOUND MYSELF WONDERING IF ONE DAY SOMEONE WOULD COME FOR A BOY AND WOULD IT BE ME; OR WOULD MY MOTHER GET THE HELP SHE NEEDS AND COME BACK FOR ME?

EACH DAY I LOOK OUT THE WINDOW AT THE DRIVEWAY. IT IS A LONG DRIVEWAY WITH A VERY TALL GATE AT THE END WHERE THE SECURITY GUARD SITS TO MONITOR THE ARRIVALS.

YESTERDAY A MISSIONARY CAME AND SAID WE ARE NOT ORPHANS. SHE SAID GOD DIDN’T MAKE ANY MISTAKES AND WE ARE ALL HIS CHILDREN, NONE ARE ORPHANS. I WAS VERY GLAD TO HEAR THAT ALTHOUGH WITH 45 OF US I MISS CRAWLING UP IN MY MOTHER’S LAP ON THE FEW NIGHTS SHE WASN’T GONE WORKING. I STILL REMEMBER HOW SHE SMELLED….SO SWEET LIKE THE PRETTIEST FLOWER IN JAMAICA. HER HANDS WERE SOFT BUT HER FACE ALWAYS WORE A SAD FROWN. I WOULD IMAGINE HOW SHE LOOKED WHEN SHE SMILED BUT I HAVE NO MEMORY OF THAT SMILE.

DEAR GOD,

THANK YOU I’M NOT AN ORPHAN. THANK YOU THAT I BELONG TO YOU. WOULD YOU BLESS MY MOM TONIGHT. PLEASE LET HER KNOW I’M ALRIGHT HERE AND I HOPE SHE IS GETTING HER LIFE BACK TOGETHER. TELL HER PLEASE, JESUS, I’LL BE WAITING RIGHT HERE BY THE WINDOW WHEN SHE COMES AND TELL HER I FORGIVE HER FOR WHAT SHE DID. TELL HER I MISS HER VERY MUCH.

 

LOVE, 

JADEN