BEFORE THE RAIN

My older bro, Jinta's home on holiday from the land of Queen Elizabeth and staying with me. Today, we stood and chatted about our childhood.
Parents separated when I was 14 months and divorced shortly after.

We didn't think our father, 'Supremo' left so many good memories behind, until today. Together, we begin to dredge up anecdotes, trying to put the pain of the past behind us, at least for the while. We remembered funny things, the times when he overlooked crimes 'punishable by death' and for a few minutes we were at rest.

There were many times as children, we felt he wasn't there for us. Where he watched things he could have steered away from us, happen. But today, my brother and I rested the pain, and laughed and smiled wry smiles and hoped that our futures would be better than what we were given.

Everyday, after Supremo and our Step-Mother would have gone to work, Jinta, Bros. Folly (my cousin who grew up with us) and myself would come out of our room to play a Jazz song, "Before the Rain" on the cassette player. At the end of the song, one would hear the sound of rain falling, through the speakers.

Years have gone past now, Supremo's long gone to better places than this earth but I remember "Before the Rain". And I hope all parents will learn to trust their children and be there for them. So that when they are remembered, the smiles will be bright and the memories, good ones.