Choices

Choices

Ti Legliz Village

As the summer draws to a close, the pastors in Ceyes and the Americans at Protestant Radio are asking more questions about Kevin’s activities and whereabouts, now that his mission has been accomplished. Jè suggests that Kevin return to the station the following weekend. Kevin tries to argue that he should finish up a few more projects, but Father Jean points out that Ti Legliz has learned enough about AM/FM radio from Kevin, “You’ve already documented the maintenance schedule in Kreyol. We’ve got this.” Kevin asks about Henri. Father Jean replies, “We’re not sure when he’ll be back. He’s been in contact by radio but hasn’t mentioned his location. We’ve got this. No need for goodbyes, we’ll see you soon.” Then he grins, “But if you could stop by the orphanage and replace their batteries before you leave, that would be greatly appreciated.”

St. John Bosco Orphanage

Kevin’s departure day arrives and after packing up his remaining gear, he goes to the community’s orphanage to wait for his ride with Jè. He’s carrying spare power supply batteries for the orphanage’s last functioning PC. Solange is already there when he arrives and he greets her. She smiles briefly, nods, and returns to her discussion with the kitchen staff about how many supplies they’ll need for the next day. Due to all the zenglando death squads roaming the region, there are many more lost children than the orphanage was ever built to accommodate. Solange also keeps a list of parents for the kids later return. But this assumes the parents are still alive, which is increasingly rare.

Kevin hears crying children as he passes Solange and makes his way to the orphanage office area. In the hallway, he meets an older Haitian nun in light-blue nun’s habit. “Bon jour, my name is Sister Maureen. Can I help you?” Kevin’s smiles at the question, “I need all the help I can get, but it looks like you’re busy enough. I’m Kevin and will be heading back to Port after changing these batteries. Why haven’t we met before?” Sister Maureen smiles, “I think we may have a mutual friend.” Kevin’s chuckles, “The world is such a small place.” Sister Maureen continues, “If you have time after you’re finished with those batteries, it would be great if you could spend some time with the toddlers. They don’t know you’re blan and won’t be afraid.” She grins at Kevin as her eyes move quickly around the room, “It’s nice to meet you. Maybe we’ll see each other at Mother Mary’s some time.” With that, Sr. Maureen sweeps down the hallway and Kevin hears her warm voice reminding the children to hold hands, hug, and sing together with Baby Jesus whenever they feel sad or afraid.

Kevin swaps out the backup batteries for the PC, reconnects the trickle charger and carries the old batteries to the front gate. As he drops the last on the ground outside the gate, a toddler bursts out the front door, runs across the porch, and leaps into his arms. He doesn’t recognize the little boy but carries him back into the main living area. Kevin has never seen so many kids in one place. Children are crying and running in all directions. There are twice the usual amount of community members helping out, but they are clearly overwhelmed by the scale of the problem. No raised voices from the adults though. The little boy in Kevin’s arms has locked his arms around his neck, so there’s no putting him down anyway.

Kevin looks for Sister Maureen, hoping she can take the young boy from his arms. She’s surrounded by a swarm of kids so he looks around for another adult to help. Another nun recognizes Kevin and approaches, “Oh, thank God. You found him. Every time he gets a chance, he runs outside thinking his father has returned.” Kevin asks about the boy’s father. The nun quickly shakes her head and says, “His name is Jedi, because he arrived on a Thursday. We have no idea who his family is but he keeps crying “Papa” when he wakes up screaming. Can you just hold him for a while? He hasn’t been touched by anyone in days.” Before Kevin can answer, the nun moves away toward a cluster of boys that are fighting over something on the kitchen floor.

Struggling to hold back his own tears, Kevin takes the sobbing Jedi out onto the veranda and sits in a porch swing, eventually rocking the small child to sleep. Kevin dozes too and awakens when he hears the Geo’s tires crunching on the gravel outside. Kevin glances at his watch and realizes that it’s getting quite late. Jè quickly loads the batteries and Kevin can tell he’s in a hurry to leave again. Kevin looks around for someone to take the sleeping child. There’s no one nearby, but Jedi starts to stir and awakens with a small cry. He pushes his face deep into Kevin’s chest and wraps his little arms as far as he can around Kevin, “Papa? Papa?” Seeing no alternative, Kevin gently places Jedi on the porch swing. He starts whimpering and clutches Kevin’s neck, so he has to gently pry the little fingers apart before standing. As he starts to back away, Jedi jumps down from the swing and wraps his arms around Kevin’s leg.

Having no idea what to do, Kevin hears Jè approach but doesn’t look up. He just pats the boy on top of his head. A few moments later, Jè returns with Solange who smiles gently at Kevin, “I’ve got him.” As she leans down to lift Jedi from from Kevin’s arms, her t-shirt slips over her shoulder and Kevin sees that her back and shoulder are covered with scars from cigarette burns. She settles Jedi against her hip and pulls her t-shirt back into position around her neck. Solange looks back at Kevin as his eyes lift from her scars to her eyes. She says nothing, but nods and adds softly, “You don’t know how much you just meant to Jedi. Please go with God.” Kevin wipes his face, exhales forcefully, and looks back up at her, “M’ ale. Hope to see you soon.”

As Kevin turns away, Jedi senses that he’s leaving and begins to wriggle in Solange’s arms, his little arms reaching toward Kevin. The Geo starts up behind him and Solange waves briefly at Jè through the windshield. Holding Jedi against her chest and singing a lullaby in his ear, she looks at Kevin and waves at him too. Then she gently puts Jedi onto his feet, takes his hand, and leads him back inside. As the screen door closes behind them, Jedi looks back at Kevin expectantly. Kevin replies sadly, “Mwen regret sa. M’ bezuin ale.” The boy begins to sob deeply, wrapping his arms around himself as Kevin turns away and walks toward the waiting Geo.

Jè is watching him closely from behind the wheel. After getting his gear into the back of the SUV, Kevin walks around to the passenger side door and gets in. The orphanage door bursts open and Jedi runs across the yard to the fence. Through his tears, Kevin sees the boy smile wanly and then wave his one little hand at Kevin. Jedi mouths to him, “Ou ap tounen?” Kevin nods his head “M’a tounen,” knowing he’ll never see this child again and hoping that God will forgive yet another lie. Jè turns the Geo around and as they start down the hill from Ti Legliz he asks Kevin, “You ok?” Kevin sighs deeply and replies, “No and probably never will be.” After a bit of silence, Kevin lights a cigarette and Jè quietly asks, “Do you remember that old proverb I taught you?” Kevin exhales a plume of smoke out the window and laughs ruefully, “The rock in the river can never know the pain of the rock in the sun?” Jè nods and looks at Kevin before returning his eyes to the road, “That’s the one.”