True Story: Andrew Jah I Ash - Save the life of Officer Allan Palmer

The year was 1995 the month was April, I had just graduated from the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police Training School. There I was being trained in the art of policing, with the hopes upon completion of becoming a police officer, serving the people of St. Vincent and the Grenadines. I was as fit as when I was roller skating in the 1980s. In the 80s we will roller skate every day from 4:00PM to 10:00 PM at nights without any major rest. On Sunday we will roller skate twice as much, going on some long roll in the morning we may go a few miles out of town to Calliaquia and back we may skate as far as Layou on the Leeward side of the Island, or to Bridgetown Biabou on the Windward side just for the heck of it. 

At the police Training School, I had Renald “Sadam” Hadaway as my physical training instructor, at this point in Sgt. Renald Hadaway police career, he had developed folk hero status within the SVG Police Force. This was in recognition of the reputation he had developed around the Caribbean, as a master instructor with the Regional Security System. Anytime you meet a police officer from around the region, with Special Service Training, they want to know if you know Sgt. Hadaway; then the stories will follow..

Hadaway took his duties serious and the fact that he had just return from the RSS training assignment, he still had that no nonsense approached to his assignment at the Police Training School. Sergeant (Sgt.) Hadaway whipped us into shape. After regular classes were finished, Franklyn Graham and I will meet with Hadaway for weight training. Sgt. Hadaway who later became Commissioner of Police: Hadaway; developed within me a stamina for running, and running was a thing that I hated.

So after we graduated, we were fit and could have out run any criminal. We were sent out to different community police stations and department on a six weeks internship; where we were to be introduced to policing in the real world. Policing in training school and policing the streets are two different things. I was sent to the Questelles Police Station for my internship. Other members of my graduating class that was sent to Questelles were Earnell James, Leroy Myers, and Brenton Smith, Dominique Stow, Noel Burk and Calvert Wyllie. Stow, Wyllie, and Burk were trained with particular assignment for the course guard and was not to happy to be at the Questelles Police Station.

The only person in this group who I should describe is Ernel James AKA Break Nail. Ernell James father was a police officer, who was assigned to the National Police Band. Ernell was a problem child, he did what he wanted to, when he wanted to and he did not look over his shoulder after the damage was done. Ernell’s Father though the discipline of the police force would be good for him and ensure that he enlisted in the Royal St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force as soon as he attained enlistment age. I did not know Ernell before we were brought together at the Police Training School; but I sure did saw why he was forced to become a police.

When we got to the Questelles Police Station, there was a staff of three supervisors: and one could detect that something was wrong, there was Corporal (Cpl.)Thomas, who was second in command and the Senior Constable (SC) Gregg, who managed the station in the absence of bother the Sargent and Corporal. Both the Cpl. and the Senior Constable was definitely dissatisfied with the way the Sergeant in charge Sgt. David “Cowpork” Mc Dowall was running the affairs of the station.

Sgt. Mc Dowall was a short Fat Brown skinned fellow, he was an extremely greedy and dishonest man; with an extra-large belly. His obesity made him lethargic and cause him to appear as if he was suffering from narcolepsy. When Sgt. Mc Dowall fell into one of his sudden sleeping spells, he made an amazing variety of songs, when he was snoring. From the growl of a bear, to the whistle of a canary, the howling song of a dog, he made flapping sound, jabbing sounds in a range of different notes, pitch and volume. It was not uncommon to hear him in a full monologue as he speaking in his sleep. At time he will make the sound of a person who was suffocating; this always cause him to hop out of his sleep momentarily; only to fall right back to sleep.

Sgt. Mc Dowall have been a sergeant of police for many years; his lack of promotion was so because he was implicated in allegations of criminal dishonesty, for which, he should have lost his job, but because his closeness to Superintendent Osborn Quow, he was spare the dishonorable discharge from the police force; as well as to face the court on criminal charges. He was upset and dissatisfied with his lack of promotion. And he did not hesitated, to burden the staff with his professional misfortune, the fruits of his labor.

It was not to long before I get to understand why Cpl. Thomas and Senior Constable Gregg were dissatisfied with Sgt. Mc Dowall. Sgt. Mc Dowall had a little, white pickup truck, he will use his truck to drive around the Questelles Police district begging the residence and business owners for goods, money and anything he need. There are some who he would literally shake down. While on the other hand, there were, those people who were not afraid of him, he will cry in their ears, telling them sad stories of how hard he have it trying to make ends meet, how he cannot even buy enough petrol to put in his little pick up to make it home. He will also make them felt a sense of obligation to him, by telling them stories of how, I patrol your shop last night and I saw some people loitering around the shop like if they had plans to break into your business. I got them away from your property. Sgt. Mc Dowall evoked the sympathies some of his constituent, he broke others with a feelings of guilty and he shook down the vulnerable; all while acting in the capacity of a police officer and he did it all to and for his own personal gain.

I became Sgt. Mc Dowall’s riding partner because he realized many of the people in Questelles knew, like and appreciated me. When I realized what he was doing, I stop going into the business place with him, and I never took any of his corrupt spoils.

The people of Questelles appreciated me because my mother was born and grew up in Bottom Questelles; they all knew me since I was a baby. On Mother's visits to Questelles, We had to accompanied Mother as she walked the entire district. From top Questelles to bottom Questelles, to Clay Valley and Chancy to say hi to and visit with her friends, her father friends and her mother’s friends. Her visit began at her mother’s home, then she will walk to her father’s home stopping at every home in between. It was important to her and it made the people whom she visited with felt good when she return. She walked with little gift for everyone mainly things they needed. The people she visited would be genuinely disappointed if she came to Questelles with her children and she did not bring the whole clan along with her, to their humble homes. So reluctantly we walked out little legs off all day, as we visited everyone; no one was left out.

Back then to travel to Questelles was an expensive affair, and to travel with the amount of thing that my mother walked with meant she had to take a taxi down. So Mother’s visit to her old neighborhood, was a once a month affair.

One day, while we were at the Questelles Police Station on duty; a phone call came in to the station from SOP Quow. He asked to speak to Sgt. Mc Dowall. One of the Bradshaw brothers were on his way from North Leeward on his Motor Cycle with a package of weed.

The Bradshaw boys were a family of young men who lived at Lowman’s Leeward, they were involved in the illigal trade of Marijauna, they had their own farms in the Lowmans Leeward Mountain, however; they had many clients and their farm could not satisfied the demand they had. So they will go to different part of the island to purchase weed to be shipped or to satisfy a client who had visited the island to make a purchase.

When Sergeant Mc. Dowall, was given the instruction to intercept the Bradshaw boys, he became very annoyed and agitated we all know that some thing was wrong. One of the other members of staff gripes with Sgt. Mc Dowall was; he was taking money from the Bradshaw boys, to turn a blind eye to their operation and to ignore any report that was made against them by members of the community. The Bradshaw was an authority unto themselves in the Questelles police district. Serge called the staff together and told us who called and what was his instruction. As the main road was immediately outside the Questelles Police Station, as a result, Sgt. Mc Dowall dispatched Cpl. Thomas, PC Forgus and all the new police outside to make the interception, while he literally hid away in the station, peeping out from be hind the curtain in the bedroom. It was Sgt. Mc's intention to put the blame of the apprehension on Cpl. Thomas; in order to save himself; from the Bradshaws.

We tried to stop the rider but he managed to evade us, Sgt. Quickly call Mr. Quow and tell him that the man get away, Mr. Quow give the instruction to get the man. So Questelles and the surrounding area being my stomping ground, and seeing that we were all fit and ready for some real policing action, I led the guys to a short cut where we could intercept the rider before he reach to his home. Unfortunately for the rider we did intercepted him. As a result of his motorcycle skills, once again he managed to evade us, however he came to a place where he ran out of road. We give chase on foot, the rider then ditched the bike and and with his illegal cargo in a back pack, he began to run. There was no way he could have out run Brenton Smith, Ernell James, Leroy Mayers and I. However, the suspect disappeared. He did not out run us but he just vanished in thin air. He found a hiding place. By this time we were in the Molly Gutter area. Later that night Sgt. Cowpork, was overheard speaking to the older of the Bradshaw brother on the phone; He told him that he did not know anything about what happen and it that corporal, and the new police doing.

For about two weeks we became a thorn in the Bradshaw illegal business, and they got pretty, pretty mad. The Bradshaw boys had developed a reputation, of taking care of problems, in their own unique way, that came between them and their business. One night, we received information, the Bradshaw brothers was coming to shoot up the police station. These guys had AK-47s 9 Millimeters, shot guns etc. all we had at the station was an out dated 303 rifle and an old pistol that did not work. The brothers came on their bikes and the older brother drove his jeep. They road and drove back and fort in front of the Questelles Police Station for most of the night. And they were packing. Sgt. told everyone to get on the ground, we took out the 303 riffle and the dummy pistol and we as prepared as we were ever going to be it was the best that we had. But there was not attack that night.

It was the weekend, the other members of the attachment were sent on weekend off; Brenton Smith and I stayed on duty for the weekend. The rational was, we were from Kingstown and we were close to our home. It was the weekend and the local disco: "Philos Disco" always has weekend party session at the facility. Sunday nights were the most popular night at Philos Disco. The Corporal was surprised when he read the duty and saw the Sergeant, who had left the station on his weekend off made duties assigning, PC Ludwig Furgus, Brenton Smith, Cpl. Thomas and I for foot patrol at Philos Disco from 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM. SC Gregg were assigned to the station orderly duties.

On Sunday at 7:00 PM we went out on foot patrol, although we did not see them, Philos Disco was the Bradshaw family recreation spot. They work hard all weekend, plying their marijuana trade and they look forward to just relaxation at Philos. Even the Bradshaw sisters attend Philos just to have a good time. However, tonight; the Bradshaw brothers had some unfinished business to deal with. Sergeant McDowall had used me as a Scape Goat and had blamed me for being responsible for the recent spate of police trouble the Bradshaw boys were experiencing. As a result, The Brother arranged to have me assigned to work at Philos Disco on the weekend.

Unaware of all that was going on in the shadows, I kept a look out to see if any of my friends from Bottom town was attending Philos disco; but unfortunately, I did not see any of the guys I grew up with. I was not a party guy and I still did not know the method they used into deciding which of the two discos they will attend. They alternated Roseau disco and Philos disco.

While Cpl. Thomas and I was standing on the junction observing the crown, One of the residence of Questelles over heard the Bradshaw brothers in a discussion. The Brothers were discussing a plan to lick up Officer Palmer. What did they mean by lick up, they did not know, however; they had guns, so lick up was not anything good. The Bradshaw did not know that I was as much a Questelles man as much as anyone who lived there. The Questelles resident who over heard the brother’s discussion, was at a lost as to what to do. They could not go to the police, because they knew that there was a strong possibility that the station manager will inform the Bradshaw brothers who was responsible for informing the police of their plans, to harm one of his officers. The Bradshaw's did not take crossing them lightly

I was totally unaware of what was going on, The person saw Jah -I in the disco and went and told him what they had overheard and who was speaking. Jah I correct name is Andrew Ash, He is my big brother, and I also dated “Andrew Jah I” Ash’s little sister at one point. Jah I is a fellow once he befriend you, there is nothing he will not do for you. Jah I was also a stevedore and worked to unload the hatches of ships, however, he was also involved in the Marijuana business. He had his contact, he purchase large quantity of marijuana and resell it. Jah-I had some simple rules, He never encourage none smokers to smoke, no smoking in his house, this was just in case his parent or sisters visit his home they can enter his house without suffering the through a smoke infested home.

Before I became a police, I had a key to Jah I home; I could go to his home at any time in his presence and or absence, I was always welcome. After I became a police, I will always find time to visit my old friends. As soon as Jah I or any of the guys saw me coming, they will declare Boy look Allan, not speaking to anyone in particular; this was their way of telling all who is present that I am here and all respect is due. Once that proclamation was made, no one dear to light a spliff (a marijuana cigarette) when I was around. Jah I did not take disrespecting me and my office as a police lightly. Even those guys who did not like me demonstrated a healthy respect for me and my office as a police officer.

After Jah I was informed of the Bradshaw brothers plans, he put out his spliff, he throw his drink in the garbage, he round up all of the Ghetto-men in Philos and they put their parting on hold. They all exited Philos disco and they came to see, if it was their Allan Palmer was on duty at Philos. A group of about 8 guys came looking for me led by Jah I, Jah I number ten and Poor-Joe was in the crowd. These guys were my riding. Poor Joe was the nicest guy anyone could ever come into contact with; he don’t get into trouble, he don’t fight not because he cannot fight but because he do not see the value of fighting, Number ten on the other hand was my little brother, who was always my best friend; is a peaceful fellow, who will fight if he was pushed. It was the first time; I had seen fire in Poor-Joe and number ten with fire in their eyes. Jah I and the other guys were regular fearless Rebels, who will fight at the drop at a pin.

Jah I, and the group was fuming as they walked up to me, they Ignored Cpl. Thomas he, When Jah I saw me he exclaimed what! Allan it is you! Then Andrew told, me exactly what the informant told him. I was not in the least worried then, because I had an invincible mentality. Then Jah I told me I am going to look for those guys and tell them, if they try anything with you tonight, there will be a war in Lowman tonight. After Jah I had issued the warning, he returned to where I was, and he related to me, in detail what conspired between the two groups. I told them, I heard what they were planning and if they don’t want a war between us to night, they change their plans. The Bradshaw brothers said is he a Ghetto man. We did not know he is a Ghetto man, and the Bradshaw brothers put of their plans to lick me up. After that night, when I pass through Lowman’s Hill the Bradshaw brother’s will acknowledge me.

When they realized who I really was, and the also discovered that Albert Palmer was my brother who they knew and were friends with and Val Nazi, Palmer was also my brother and I was a ghetto man As Far as the Bradshaw Brothers was concern, I was their brother also. When I was in the area, which I did regular to look for Shack Out AKA Lystra Sutherland, they looked out for me. I was not afraid of the Bradshaw brothers and they were not afraid of me; we had developed a mutual respect. Even though the guys were involved in illegal activates, they also wanted to see poor people children made it. I had no choice but to respect the Bradshaw family. After that I never had any reason to interact with the Bradshaw brothers on a law enforcement level again. When I pass in the police vehicle and the guys were on the side of the road, in the front of their home smoking; which were "Bradshaw immunity area" and they saw me coming, I toot the horn of the police vehicle to hail them up and they will wave at me with their Marijuana cigarette concealed.

I can remember when one of the Bradshaw brothers was arrested and was placed in the cell in Central Police Station, I went I purchased a meal and I took him out of the cell and I ensure he was fed not the disgusting food that came from Mr. Roach. This is a sign to the station officer, I was looking out for that person; and they were treated with the respect and decency they deserved.

Although at the time, I was not afraid of the situation that confronted me, On Hind sight the danger was real. That is why I will forever be thankful to Jah I and all my brothers and sisters from Rose Place; AKA Bottom Town, AKA the Ghetto.

True Story: Keith "Slick Bonadie - A Master Teacher

I cannot remember how old I was, however, I had already dropped out of secondary school. School had become a serious uphill struggle for me, ever since my mother died. I was seven years old when Mother passed away and my whole world turned upside down. I barely manage to scrape through primary school; and Secondary school was another struggle. I have been trying to drop out of school about a year before, but with my sister Clare’s persistence; I made it to form four.

After I dropped out of school, I did not do much. I looked for activities to keep myself occupied, in order to pass the day. Most of the guys in the neighborhood were stevedore, they work on the ships that docked in the wharf. Their responsibility was to loading and unloading the content of the ships. They worked once or twice a week and the pay was very good. Most of the guys worked with different agent and therefore worked different boats on different days. When they were not working, they will gather at the Victoria Park in the morning about 6:00 AM to play soccer until about 9:00 – 10:00 AM.

By this time, I have resigned myself to the fact that, I am just not good at soccer, and I will never be a good soccer player; I was happy being a spectator, which was quite easy. All that was required was: I attend the games, I support my friends, applaud good plays and participate in some nonsensical opinioned argument every now and then. At that time, I was tagging along with Desmond Mc Cauley, who was like my hero and big brother. I will sit in the grandstand, with the small group of onlookers who had assembled at the park to pass the time and the other players who were waiting patiently to replace the team that must leave the field in defeat.

Keith “Slick” Bonadie was among the many national footballers who assemble at Victoria Park to practice, in an effort to continue to master a craft; a craft, in my opinion he had already mastered and as his nickname suggest he was Slick. The name “Slick” was Keith’s soccer identification and represented the high quality of competitive skills he possessed on the field of play; he was much better at his craft than anyone that played the game. At this stage of Slick’s Soccer career, he was the tactical soccer master and he played for the most popular Tafar-I. Tafar-I a team that had its base in Shingle City, the large Victorian house that for many years housed “Daddy’s” Shop and later Benita’s shop. 

At that time, Tafar-I was made up of young men, most of whom were in their late teens or just out of their teens; all of whom had converted to Rastafarian practice of lock rearing and ganja smoking, hence the name. Tafar-I along with Super Stars the team from Paul’s Avenue; were literally responsible for revolutionizing soccer in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

I could remember it like it was yesterday, I was sitting in the grand stand, at Victoria park one morning; watching the guys play, as was my custom. On several occasion when they were short a player, they requested that I fill in, but I knew what that meant, I will be on the field of play and will be ignored. So I always declined to fill in, on such a situation.

One day and for some reason Desmond “Chow Ming” Mc Cauley, decided that he did not want to continue to play anymore, and left the field. Slick called me to fill in for Desmond; I did not want to be bothered, or to suffer the indignity of being on a field of play and not being a part of the game. So I waved off the master baller, indicating to him I don’t want to play. 

I don’t know why, but slick was adamant that I come and play, I did not know why it meant so much to slick that I take the field of play, that he left the field came into the stand and request that I join his team. At Slick’s prompting I went onto the field. Slick passed the ball to me and I went into my old mode of playing, trying to get to the goal, as a result I lose the ball in the process. Slick came up to me he said Palmer, you are rushing the game. It was then he told me what he expected from me. He said, "Palmer, I want you to slow down the game, when I pass the ball to you, first control the ball, look up, look for me then pass the ball back to me."

Slick instruction was clear and simple, he will tell me where on the field he wanted me and I followed his instruction. Then slick got the ball, he pass the ball to me, I controlled the ball, I looked up I saw Slick moving into a position where I can see him, he was clear of opposing players, without rushing it, I pass the ball back to slick, Slick in turn did the same thing, he controlled the ball, and he passed the ball to a third person who did the same thing and then I got the ball, again, I control the ball, I looked up and I pass the ball to slick, before I knew it, Slick had pulled together a series of seven plus passes, we were in the goal area of our opponent and I can hear the guys in the grand stand shouting Knock-ments, knowkment. When the ball went out of touch Slick come to me and say, that is how simple the game is, that is what we call knockment. I felt good, for the first time, I was actually involved in a game of soccer that meant something.

That felt good, for the first time I felt some level of control, with Slick’s help, I actually play some productive soccer. At the end of the game, Slick called me and say Palmer come back tomorrow, I want you on my side (team) tomorrow, I went back the next day and I was on slick’s side once again. Before the game started, Keith reminded me, not to rush the ball and to find the rhythm. form the day before, I understood what the rhythm was, because I felt the rhythm, of the game; it was like a dance. control, look up, see your team mate and pass the ball. Then he reminded me to first control the ball, look up, look for me, take your time and pass the ball to me he said. In those days I was into Kung fu movies and in my head, the park was the monastery, slick was the Shaolin Master, and I was the awkward pupil who he took under his wings to teach Shaolin Kung fu.

Slick was always there to real me back in, when I went back to my old uncontrollable style of playing. He will do so by cooly saying "Palmer don’t lose the rhythm remember knowkments." And I will get back into the simple mood of play, control, look up, find Slick and pass the ball to him. This went on for a few weeks well. I could feel my confidence growing, I became more comfortable on the soccer field and that was because Slick was always there to guide me and to correct any mistake I made. Keith Slick corrected my mistakes without making me feel like some idiot.

Every morning I wake up looking forward to going to Victoria Park, to play soccer, this continue for the greater part of a year, my soccer game had developed to the point where, the style of soccer became second nature for me, at this stage Slick was not talking as much, he allowed me to play my game. Slick had taught me about finding the rhythm of the game, the importance of controlling the ball, ensuring I know where everyone was on the field, and the greatest element in the sport was to share the ball with your teammates. He also told me that Jibbing the ball had its place, and should be used when your team mates are not in a position for you to pass the ball to; then you only jibble the ball to get a better position where you can incorporate your teammate in the game.

I was most contented in playing soccer with the guys before a small group of people, finally I have fitted into something. I fit in because I was able to contribute to the task at hand. Here I was actually involved in the game, and then, I no longer was required to pass the ball to slick. With Slick’s teaching and guidance, I developed to the stage where I learn to find the best position on the field, to be included in the game, even without Slick’s immediate direction and I had also learned to find and pass the ball to the person in the best position to advance the game. I came a long way and I was thankful. I never compared myself with any of the other players because I was the least of the players.

And then, one morning after we had played, Slick came to me and he say Palmer you are ready, I said to myself: "ready for what," I was lost so I asked Mr. Bonadie what do you mean I am ready. I was at a lost as to what he meant by that statement. it was then, Slick, with a straight face (Serious face), looked at me and said: "you are ready to play real and competitive soccer." I looked at Slick and I mockingly smiled at him like to say "Yeah Right". Then he said, we have a spot for you on Tafar I, if you want it. I was still smiling mockingly at Slick, I did not take Keith Slick serious. I knew my game had vastly improved, but I cannot be that good to get a place on one of the nation’s best soccer team.

Slick further said I am asking you before any other team asked you to play for them. When he said that, I said to my self: "this man is serious." It was then I realized that Slick was really serious, I was totally freaked out; could you imagine me wearing a Tafar-I T-shirt, even if I was sitting on the bench. That would have been the coolest thing ever, just to be a part.

However; I still did not believe it, I said to Slick that is a big responsibility, I further said you may think I am ready to play for Tafar-I, but I am not ready to for that level of soccer. I knew there were a certain level of mental perpetration that is required to play at that level and I just was not prepared for that and to be honest I was more than contented with playing in the morning session and holding my own. Slick then said to me: "remember, if you change your mind you have a place with us." those words spoken by slick on that morning meant the world to me, and change my state of thinking.

Slick may not have known what his intervention into my life did for me. I had resigned to the fact that I was not a good football player and would have never been. But when Keith “Slick” Bonadie, decided to take the time to teach me the game of soccer and single-handedly (on his own) transformed my game from a game from the worst player ever to a young man with a skill level to have been offered a spot in a team of the Caliber of Tafar-I.

It was then I realized that there is nothing that I cannot do, as long as I get someone who has an interest in teaching me, I can accomplish anything I set my mind to. Slick actually created a Frankenstein monster called Allan H. F. Palmer. Now it was time to tackle the biggest monster to date. A monster that have caused me many embarrassment, A monster that have caused me many heart aches. This Monster was my secondary education. I began to asked around about the teachers in the evening classes program.

I heard about Heather Heckbourn now Dr. Heather Williams. I learn of her love for teaching. I think Dr. Williams was born to teach people like me. Dr. Heather Williams made learning a walk in the park. I was so confident walking into the Human and Social Biology exam room; I knew there were no question on that syllabus, they could asked that I could not answer. That was how good teacher Heather is and how prepared I was.

I also heard of Mrs. Joseph; I never knew her first name, however she is the wife of Calypsion Alexis Joseph's. Her love for teaching especially English Language was tremendous; Mrs. Joseph built my confidence in a subject that I previously did poorly in. There was a few other tutors, I heard about; however these two were the cream of the crop. As a result, I enrolled in the Ministry of education evening classes program and I began to excel in the academics. like soccer, the same academics that kicked my ass, I became the master of. I passed every subject I sat in one sitting.

Yahweh used Keith "Slick" Bonadie to teach me that there is nothing I cannot do. That mentality has been my watch word up to this day. When I was writing this true Story, I contacted my friend Mikey Brown to find out if he sees Slick in New York City, and how he was doing. It was then Browne Mikey Errol told me, I guess you did not hear, but slick passed away about two years ago. Writing this story was a difficult one. Because a man who created the Monster that is Allan Palmer, never got the opportunity know, how much he impacted my life and how much I appreciated what he did for me. May Mr. Keith “Slick” Bonadie soul rest in the arms of Jesus’ and may it rest in peace.

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My brother, My Sister, My mother and my father

I have no brother but the truth, for the truth stands alone.
The truth has no friend, no acquaintance and knows no controversy;
it cannot be, tarnished, replaced, and neither can it be discredited.
The truth is what it is: it is simply the truth.
It is the truth that convicts the guilty and acquits the innocent;
It is the truth that shames kings, cause the humble to rejoice
And lends clarity to the confusion of life’s mysteries.
The truth stands alone and tall among cheap imitation of its self: lies.
The truth points the earnest seeker to freedom and abundant life,
Although the truth is hated it is of the most value,
Even though it is rejected, the truth cannot be abandon,
The truth is a light that illuminates the darkness and unveil mysteries.
The truth is my brother.

I have no sister but Justice, for justice is blinded by her lofty ideals, and is consumed by her never ending task;
She does not see as men does, but she is guided by her calling.
She stands ignorant to the divisions and prejudice that society holds dear,
Justice concerns not herself with right or wrong, wins and lost,
But only if the act was justified within the context in which she adjudicates.
She knows no fear, has no sympathy, experience no love, harbours no hate and experiences no lost,
She has no relations or similarity to the system, that fraudulently bears her name.
She has perfected and with skill practice the art of dispensing awards: consequence.
She awards righteousness with rewards and gives punishments for transgressions.
Karma is her only tool; Karma is perfect in vigilance nothing escapes her view,
Or break hold of her grasp; Karma exist only to ensure that Justice is done.
For justice will and must be done.

True story - Jackie Baisden: more than special

It is said that you may never remember exactly what a person did or what they said but you will never forget how they make you feel. This is the case with Jackie Baisden.  Jackie Baisden was about 8 years my senior and a student of the prestigious "Girls High School." Even though she was just a young girl; Jackie Baisden was one of the most caring people I have had the pleasure of knowing as a child.

Jackie was the Grand Daughter of Mr. and Mrs Baisden who resides at Rose Place also commonly known as: Bottom Town. The couple was very serious people and protectively kept watch over their grandchildren; three of whom live with them. The Baisden were very contented and proud parents. They cared for and had the pleasure of seeing all of their children working in a professional capacity in St. Vincent and the Grenadines and within the Diaspora. The senior Baisden owned their home, which sat on a large piece of land that bordered the beach on the southern Eastern side of their property, on which they operated a small farm. They reared ducks, chicken, goats and sheep. They grow a variety of food crops on the land on which their home sat.  

The Baisden's also had several fruit three on their property. Among the fruit trees they had a very large Paul-Over Mango tree that sat on the south-eastern side of their property. This tree sat on boundary line of that property and half of that tree hanged over the Baisden's property and the other half hang over the big gutter that separated the Baisden's property from the public beach; the bloomage of that Mango tree was so big that a portion of the tree extended beyond the gutter and hanged over the beach. For the kids in the neighborhood, mango season was a delight but for the Baisden's, Margo Season was a disaster. Very frequently, the children will throw stones at the tree to try and knock mangoes from the branches; as a result, quite a few of the stones fell onto the roof of the Baisden's family home, there were many instant when those stone, will miss there intended target all together and cause damage to the Baisden's property. 

The Baisden had suffered many broken window, which only contributed to the added expense of their budget. When this happened, everyone will run away from the scene.  The culprit did not want to be discovered and none of the other children, who were also pelting stones at the Mangoes, wanted to be blamed for causing the damage, or to be forced by our parents to tell who was responsible for the said damage.

Jackie was one of the three grandchildren that lived with the Baisden's; Damion Baisden and Rodman Baisden AKA Roddy AKA Bruce Lee were both brothers and were the other two of the Baisden's grandchildren that resided with the Senior Baisden. Jackie was a beautiful young girl, but more than her beauty, she was the most caring person, I have ever met. Jackie Baisden was everyone’s friend. 

At this stage of my  life, I was struggling, and desperately trying to come to term with our mother’s death. Jackie’s intervention in my life was a sign that God will never leave you or forsake you. Jackie will even come to our home, especially on Sunday afternoon, and as well as when school was closed for vacation, to get permission to have me go to the nearby beach with their family.  Although Jackie was just a teenager and hang with the older girls; she always found time to spend with the neighborhood kid. She helped with school homework and any problem we may encountered, doing that was one of her delights. Even the children who did not need help will find Jackie Baisden for help; those who did not need help; fabricated some academic deficiency just to get her attention. That was so because Jackie was such a wonderful, unselfish and caring human being.

Jackie’s life back then was not perfect, because she to had lost her parents through migration; but she had the hopes of being reunited with them as soon as they had put the necessary things in place. She must have missed her parents tremendously, but she never allowed her personal problem to affect her attitude. Hence the reason, once she graduated from the Girls High School and found employment as a teacher, teaching at the Anglican Primary School, most of the neighborhood children, would be ready to walk to school with Jackie, each morning. It was Jackie the teacher and a crowd of children walking to school. but once on the school compound Jackie then became Miss Baisden.

Like many other, I was convinced that I was Jackie favorite little friend. All I wanted to do was to grow up and get married to Jackie Baisden. I can remember vividly that once, I got into an argument with one of my other friend over Jackie and who was her favorite. How dear this child had the audacity, to have thought that he was Jackie’s favorite.  It was bad enough that he entertained such though but to actually publicly declare such was begging for trouble.

I could remember it like Yesterday, a few of us younger children, were sitting on the big rock on Zombie Rock, having swam there, when one of my best friend at the time made the declaration of being Jackie’s favorite. This led to a big argument between both of us; an argument that got childishly personal. In order to get me to abandon my claim of having Jackie’s superior affection, he said: because Palmer is your father and you all have a shop you think you is Jackie’s favorite. These words were serious words, had it been another person, those words may have met the standard or the equivalent of being fighting words.

Those were serious words; However I was not going to give up my claim to the most beautiful, kindest and at the time my favorite person so easily. I responded, because you think your mother “day” (is living in) America and she does send barrel and thing for “all yo” (your family) you are Jackie’s favorite.

This argument was so serious that we thought it was fitting to take the matter to Jackie so she can declare which of us were her favorite, but instead, that argument led to a falling out between my friend and I. After a week or two or so, we be became friends again, however, our friendship was never the same; even after so many years, myself and that person are still friend but we are not as close to each other as we are with the other children we grow up with.

Sometime later, Jackie Left the neighborhood and went to live on her own. It was always a big event for me; whenever, I was told that Jackie was visiting. I will ensure I am in place to see her. Damian Jackie's cousin who was around the same age as I was, with whom I became very good friends, will often tell me that Jackie was visiting, in order to get me to come by their home, to play with him. Mr. Baisden did not want his grandchildren running around outside and he did not take to lightly of selected children coming into his home, because of the damage they cause to his property stoning mangoes from the Paul-Over Mango tree, damages which he had to restore himself with no compensation from their parent. 

After which Jackie left St. Vincent and the Grenadines to join her parent overseas. I can remember how sad I  became when I was told; Jackie was going overseas. I often though of Jackie Baisden, I also honestly hope to see her again and one day marry to her. But I have never seen her again. One thing that has not changed is the beautiful memories of the wonderful young girl that touched my life: Jackie Baisden.

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True story - Michael Webb - More than a brother

The family relationship the Palmer’s family developed the Culzac family of Rose Place (Bottom Town) and the Young family of Questelles; was the same type of a relationship the Webb family of Lower Middle Street, in Kingstown, and the Palmer’s family had developed. This relationship developed into an unbreakable bound, to the point where people mix up who we were.

I am often called Young and Culzac, and some people, not knowing my name, called me Mallo brother; thinking that Malcolm and Michael Webb are my brothers. I do not know how the Palmer's and the Webb’s developed such a close relationship; however, I knew that the husbands had some unique things in common. Both James Webb and My father Hamilton Palmer were small business men. Both men operated shop in Kingstown; they were also both members of the Grand United Order of Odd Fellows.

These qualities were not unique, for most of the Business men in the era were Lodge Men. But there were something else in my opinion that brought these two families together, which was primarily responsible for the development of a mutual love and respect that developed between the children of these two couples that is still alive many years after their parents passed on to the great beyond. A bond that sees my sister Chriscita and Vendy Webb still spending hours on the phone in New York City, speaking only God and them know what. A bound that see Mikey and Mallo had with my brother Albert and Val and a bond that still exist today with my sisters. Both the Webb Brother still go to the assistance of my sister Clare upon request, or even going by to see if she wants a ride to church etc.

The thing that was responsible for fostering the unbreakable bound between the two families that still exist today, was a decision that was taken by the matriarchs of the two families: Elaine Webb or sister Webb was what all of the Palmer's childrens call her and Verina Palmer. I do not know, what moved the women to make the decision they made and where they get the strength to take the steps they took, but it was a bold move by both women in that era

I don’t know when and who acted first or if they were friends when they acted. However, both women became converted to Christianity, but not just any Christian, they became Seventh Day Adventist Christian. For the wives of two active member of the Grand United Order of Odd Fellows, this was a travesty. The decision of their wives angered both James and Hamilton and they did all in their power, from gentle persuasion to shouting to have their wives abandon their little game; but they did not. However after many years My father Hamilton quietly give up the Lodge and James Webb later became a Seventh Day Adventist; James Webb even became an elected official administering the affairs of the church.    

Of all the people I knew, Sister Webb was one of the few person my father handled with kitten gloves, He was always genuinely delighted to see Sister Webb, who will often pass by on her way to and from her business in that area. When she pass by she will always say hello to My Father. He never invited Mrs Webb into his shop, in the same way, in later days, my my mother was not allowed in the shop. This was so because my father believed, a lady must never be seen in a liquor (Rum) shop. However he will always asked Mrs. Webb, you are not going up stairs to say hi to Mrs P; very often, she will, and then he will ensure that the ladies had refreshment that is befitting of ladies. 

likewise, James Webb was always happy to see my mother, especially on Saturday when we were walking home from church. He will insist that we come into his shop, (Mr. Webb never sold alcohol) which was located on Back Street where the Gibson Building Supplies is currently located sit down and take a rest on our journey home.  Mother will be given a malt to refresh herself as we rested, the children will be given a School Boy Beer, even against my mother's express wishes. Mr. Webb will quickly open the drinks and then he will say, I already open them don’t let them waste. Sister Webb and my mother spent hours together talking about many thing and in bible study.

Then my mother took ill and after a battle she succumbed to her illness, leaving seven children behind, Andrea and Myself were the youngest Andrea was 9 years old and I had just turn Seven years old. Sister Webb fit in the void the best that she could, with three young kids of her own. There was one thing I always knew is; I had a place to go to, a shoulder to cry on, a listening ears to hear my complaint and a wealth of Godly wisdom to source from in Mother Webb. 

At that age, I was not comfortable visiting The Webb’s home without my mother, so in the early stages after Mother’s death, I did not visit her home, however, I sat with Sister Webb and her family in church, it was a requirement; SIster Webb insisted on it. In my mid teens, I felt the need to visit Mrs. Webb, who by this time have become Mother Webb on the regular basis, I did not know why, but I will go to her house and I will sit in her presence for hours, she kept my interest, she will teach me the bible and she will speak to me, until it was night when I will leave. One night I return home from one of my visit to Mother Webb's home, my father was waiting for me, when I got in he asked where are you coming from at this hour; I said I went to visit Sister Webb. He look at me and said; at this hour, I confidently answered yes. He looked puzzled but did not continue the conversation, because he knew that I was not one to lie to him.

If Mother Webb was tired or if she was busy she always made time for me. She never told me when to leave; I left in my own time and on my own account. I literally hijack Mrs. Webb’s time. My father, James Webb and the Webb children did not expect her to go to such means to live up to the commitment she may have made to my mother. 

On hind sight this was the time I needed my mother most, and although I did not have a mother, Mrs Webb was a mother, although she was not my mother, she was the perfect substitute and she did her best to facilitate me. I could remember, on several occasions, while I was learning from Mrs. Webb, Michael came to his mother and I was there, disappointingly he turn around and leave without what he came for, because I monopolized his mother time.

So the next time I visit, Michael was present, I asked Mikey is mother Webb at home, he said no she went out and she is not back as yet. However This happened a few time. After my visits began to get scares Mother Webb sent for me, she wanted to know why, I was not coming by any more. I told her, I came by a few times and Mikey told me that you were not at home so I left. Mother Webb was very disappointed, she said, I am always home, I don’t go anywhere except to shop for the home,  I will have to have a talk with Mikey she said. 

Mikey is one of the most loyal man you will ever meet, he is the type of man, whom anyone can depends on, he is a simple guy with very little hang ups, one who values friendship, and is willing to help and share what he has with no hope of getting anything in return. I have never seen Mikey angry.

I get the impression that I was being a bother to the Webb Family, and I was but the matriach and the patriarch of the Webb family was to kind to tell me. So I stop going by the Webb’s house. On hindsight, My visit to the Webb was really too frequent and my stay was too long; but Mother Webb was too kind to even suggest it. She also knew that I was having a difficult time, having lost my mother as such a tender age and felt some obligation to her very good friend my mother.

Then surprisingly, I saw Mikey, we exchanged the regular greetings and then he said Allan, mother was asking for you, she was wondering why you were not coming by the house any more, we chat a little and then he said, you must go an look for mother. My visits restarted however, the visit was not as frequent and the amount of time I spent was not as long, because, my needs for a mother was not as great as it was in the initial stages.

However, Mikey’s never had a negative attitude to me, but his behavior to my visit and the monopolizing his mother's time change all together, then Mikey and I began to do things together, He will let me help him fix his bicycles, I began to do a lot of things with Mikey, who later became "brother Mike". Mikey became my big brother. Even when I became an adult, and as a police officer, I will pass by the Webb shop just to hang out and chat with Mikey, I will even park the police Vehicle at the Webbs residence and both Mikey will chat, and I will respond to what ever call from the webb's shop. when Mikey was fixing the family truck, when it was a problem Mikey could not figure out, he will consult my big brother Val and or Albert both of whom loved to play around with vehicle. Mikey always had some piece of took that one of my brothers often did not have and will borrow such. I will hop on to the truck with the other guys from Devil Street when Mikey was going to purchase cooking gas for the family business.

If he saw me on the street, I will hear the long shout Allan! he will pick me up and have me tag along with him. I still do not know what Mother Webb told Mikey that cause a complete change of attitude towards my visiting her, even to the point where me monopolizing his mother’s time was not a problem to the point where he (unofficially) adopted me as his little brother.