     |
Saronda
By Sharon L. Jones
Suddenly, her stomach rumbled audibly. Lunchtime had come and gone but she was still very hungry. Startled, Saronda glanced around the silent classroom hoping and praying that no one noticed the embarrassing noise. Mrs. Toliver’s classroom was usually a hub of noisy activity, but on this particular day most of her classmates were quietly perusing the class work on their desks. Frankie (the red-headed terror) sitting in the next row was so absorbed in the Spiderman comic book on his desk, Saronda knew he definitely had not heard the rumbling noise made by her empty belly. She silently gave thanks to God. Franklin Monroe Satherfield and his family live on the same street as Saronda and her family. Frankie, as everyone called him, made a point of terrorizing Saronda each and every time he saw her. He called her skinny, bird-legs, and roadrunner. Most of the time Saronda chose to ignore the hateful comments but, sometimes her eyes welled up with tears and her heart hurt so much. She often wondered why people had to be so mean to each other. Big Momma Dell explained it simply by saying “Folks make up for their shortcomin’s by pokin fun at other people. They just don’t know no better and that is why that ole devil keeps so busy. Chile, you stop those tears, hold your head up. Don’t let them see yo tears. When they see that it ain’t botherin you they’ll stop.” Big Momma Dell always knew how to make Saronda feel good about herself. Saronda didn’t have any close friends so Big Momma’s soft words soothed the ache in her heart.Saronda Louise Toombs, according to her momma, was born on one of the hottest days of summer (August 6, 1960). She was second to the eldest child out of eight. Saronda had lived with her momma’s sister Aunt Leola until she was seven years old. Her momma met and married Willie Lee Bates and wanted her little girl to come live with her. Saronda was heartbroken on that day when her momma came and picked her up from Aunt Leola’s. Aunt Leola had been there for her when her momma left her to go to her many card games. She was there for her when she woke up crying from a nightmare. Most of the time Saronda’s mother was sleeping so soundly from alcohol consumption that she did not notice that her little girl was crying. Aunt Leola always heard and would rush to Saronda’s bedside, hold her close to her ample and comforting bosom and soothe her until she fell back to sleep. On that day, August 28, 1967, even though the sun was shining, birds were singing, and her mother was smiling, Saronda’s heart was weeping. She knew that things would never be the same. She looked at her new stepfather and knew instinctively that this man was trouble. Willie Lee Bates was a big black man with a booming voice. Saronda’s mother smiled and informed her children that Willie Lee was their new daddy. Saronda trembled inwardly, but her younger brother James Earl clapped his hands jubilantly. James Earl was six years old and excited about going to live with his mother and new stepfather. Saronda grabbed his hand and told him quietly to be still. Her mother quickly packed their meagre belongings and stowed them into Willie Lee’s black ford. Saronda tearfully hugged her Aunt Leola and sadly said goodbye. Aunt Leola slowly turned away. She did not say anything to her sister and she did not want Saronda to see the gatherings tears in her big brown eyes. Everything had been said the night before. She had pleaded with Lacie to let Saronda stay with her. She had been at the hospital when her sister had given birth to Saronda and even named the beautiful baby girl. She had taken cared of and pampered the child since that day. Lacie Mae already had one eleven- year old daughter Virginia, whom she had no time for. Why did she want Saronda? Aunt Leola knew that nothing good could come from this situation. Lacie Mae was so impulsive. She went through men like clothes. The only thing that she kept out of the past two relationships, were three children, Virginia, Saronda, and James Earl. Lacie Mae had agreed to let Virgina stay with Leola until she got settled in her new home, but she warned her older sister that she would be back for her eldest child. She was furious that Leola had all but implied that she did not know how to raise her children. She would show her and everybody in her family that Willie Lee was a good man and could provide for her and her children. He did not have a job right now but he had found them a home. And would sharecrop the land the house sat on to make a living. He also had a car and was always clean and dressed nicely. She said to herself “Folks always into my business. I am so glad to be moving from my sister’s house. I can’t do nothin’ without her fussin’. I like my liquor and my gamblin’. When I get into my house, I can do whatever I like without anybody lookin over my shoulder.” She knew she did not have to worry about the children. Her new husband had already willingly stated that he would help raise them. He said he did not mind that they were not his, but he did want children of his own. Lacie Mae would give him as many children as he wanted. She loved this man and wanted to please him. She might even give up drinking and gambling. She chuckled , shook her long black curly hair, took Saronda and James Earl by the hand and climbed into Willie Lee’s car. As Aunt Leola waved slowly to the departing vehicle, a sad and sick feeling invaded her soul. She knew that nothing good could come from this situation and she would have to be strong so that she could be there for Lacie Mae’s offspring. Virginia stood quietly sobbing by her side. Aunt Leola hugged and comforted the child left behind and drew her into the house as the black ford chugged down the gravel road taking Saronda and James Earl away. (To be continued).....................
Copyright © womens-words.com All Rights Reserved 2004. |
