Gary R Hamilton Books
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“What are you talking about, Sean?” The group of three are walking towards the school gate. 

“I’m telling you, Kevin. Richards is a better batsman than Rowe.”

“Yuh lick yuh head. You ever see Rowe bat? Lawrence Yagga Rowe is one of, if not theeee most elegant batsman to grace Test cricket. And that is not just West Indies Test cricket, but all Test cricket.” Kevin pushes his glasses up his broad nose. 

“And Richards is a yam licker.” Martin offers as he pops a few banana chips in his mouth.

Sean stops walking and drops his school bag, forcing Kevin and Martin to stop too. Other children walk around them towards the gate. 

Sean straightens his khaki shirt and points at Kevin, “When did you see Yagga bat?”

“Last year, against England, and he made 120. A magg-nniffi-cent innings.”

Sean turns to Martin. “And when have you seen Richards bat?”

Martin’s blush shows on his light complexioned cheeks, “I’ve never seen him bat.” 

“Ahhh, so you get that from your father.”

Martin’s head drops. “Yes.” He pulls up his khaki pants and bends to tie his shoelaces. 

Sean smiles triumphantly. “And you,” Sean says turning on Kevin, “In this last series between West Indies and Australia, IVA Richards made 50 and 98 in the sixth Test. How much did Yagga make, eh? 6 and 6. In the series, Richards made 426 runs at an average of 39. Yagga made 270 at 25. And that is against the Australians, the best and fastest bowling attack in the world. Chew on that.” He picks up his school bag, takes out an afro-pick, sticks it in his hair, and walks confidently through the school gate onto the main road. 

“Sean! Sean!” 

“Dad?” Sean sees his father waving to him from down the road, waves back and hurriedly removes the afro-pick from his hair and slips it into his bag. Sean is surprised to be picked up from school by his father. Normally, he would take the bus home, plus it was the middle of the workday for his workaholic Dad. 

Why has Dad taken time off from work to pick me up? He wonders as he makes his way past the children climbing into cars, and cars pulling away from the curbs. He is even more surprised when he opens the front door and sees his older cousins, Gabe and Troy, in the backseat. 

“What are you guys doing here?” 

“We saw Uncle Henry on our way to the bus stop. He offered to give us a ride home.” 

“Lucky you.” 

Sean’s dad starts the car and pulls away from the curb. 

“Hi, Sean.” 

“Hi, Dad.” 

“Some big news.” 

“Oh?” 

“The high school entrance exams results have been released today.” 

Oh boy! Sean’s mind starts racing. He has been dreaming, no, having nightmares, about this for at least a couple of weeks. He is terrified that he will not live up to the family tradition, joining his cousins, Gabe, Troy and Natalie at The High School, one of the best secondary schools on the island of Acia Maj. No one in the past two generations had fallen short and been refused entry. It was a tradition. Damn traditions! 

“Well, Sean.” His father’s voice sounds strangely deep. 

Why is he talking like that? Sean thinks. 

“Well, Sean.” 

You said that already! Sean almost says but bites his tongue. 

“Well, Sean. I’m sorry, but you didn’t pass.”

His father’s voice seemed to slow down; each syllable growled. Outside, the birds and dogs seemed to be suspended, the people looked like mannequins, and the trees seemed to bend as they drive past. 

What’s happening? 

Sean’s stomach feels like it has fallen through the floor of the car and is being dragged along the road. He desperately needs to use the bathroom. He is fighting back the tears and his tongue feels like it is swelling in his mouth and blocking his air passage. 

How am I ever going to live this down? He screams in his mind. 

Then, Sean’s dad lets out a loud laugh. 

What could he find funny? Sean turns to face his father. He is confused. His father has a large grin on his face. His father punches him on the shoulder. 

“Congrats, Sean! You passed! And you passed very well too! Proud of you, Son!” 

Backslaps from Gabe and Troy nearly knock him out of his seat. “Well done, Sean!” 

Sean limply smiles, wiping away the tears. “Thanks.” The main emotion is relief. I am going to The High School. Yes! And thank God, I don’t need to use the toilet. 

It’s a 30-minute drive home.