Toco Ii

By Vivian Jack

"TOCO II" is a story based on Gabriel's life as he departed from the small country village of Toco in Trinidad W.I. at the age of fifteen. He continues his theme of using humor as a way of communication with his readers. Together with his mother, Mrs. Nathaniel, his oldest brother, John, and his middle brother, Hezekiah, all relocated to San Juan. This was a very difficult adjustment for his family to make. Absence of his father and learning the new ways of city life were challenges to everyone. After a period of moving from place to place, things began to happen. John graduated as a school teacher, Gabriel started an apprenticeship with the Trinidad Guardian Newspaper and Hezekiah was doing alright as a house painter. The best thing that happen to the Nathaniel family was they bought their new house. Gabriel completed his apprenticeship and decided to branch out on his own leaving his family and headed for London, England.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Mar 13, 2015
• ISBN: 9781503544178

Vivian Jack

Vivian Jack was born in Trinidad in 1929. He received his education in the varied areas of the printing, publishing, and business professions including the London College of Printing. He has been driven to share his unique experiences and ways of coping growing up poor in the countryside of Toco. He actually wrote these stories in 1972. He has a family of two daughters, one grandchild, and one stepson. He lives in Chesapeake, Virginia with his wife Eleanor.

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Copyright © 2015 by Vivian Jack.

Library of Congress Control Number:   2015902370

ISBN:      Softcover      978-1-5035-4418-5

                eBook           978-1-5035-4417-8

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

Rev. date: 04/06/2015

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CONTENTS

Acknowledgements

Introduction to Toco II

Nathaniel Family Move To the Big City

Gabriel Becomes a Sea Scout

Return Visit to Toco

Good News

The Conversation

Party Time

Gabriel Goes to the Big Dance

Calypso Music and Steel Band

A Day at the Beach

Gabriel Joins a Dance Group

Their First New Home

The Game of Cricket from Where Gabriel Stands

Gabriel Makes Plans to Travel

London Here We Come

End of the Journey-LONDON

Starting Life in London

Gabriel’s First Real Job

The Color Black

My Mate Derek

Gabriel Out For Having A Good Time

Hezekiah Arrives

The Secret Trip of Mr. Antoine

The New Chapter in Gabriel’s Life

Racism

A Baby is on the Way

The Name Game

Bad Experiences With Pets Tish and Tosh

Butch

The Cat Story

The Fish Story

Settling Down To Life

Another Move

Gabriel Takes Dolly to Trinidad to Meet His Family

The Plan

Departure To Trinidad

Arrival To Welcoming Family

Dolly’s First Carnival Dance

The Savannah

Tobago & Family Reunion

Return to Trinidad & Visit with Gabriel’s Parents

Home Sweet Home

New Addition to Family

Glossary

Photos

About The Author

DEDICATION

To

My Pastor, Dr. Steven G. Blunt and

My Church Family

First Baptist Church;

112 Mahan Street, Suffolk, Virginia

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

T hanks to my beautiful wife, Eleanor, who worked tirelessly in the wee small hours of the morning to help me fulfill my commitment to write my second book in one year. Her love and support earned her the Number 1 spot on my list.

Thanks to my Pastor, Dr. Steven G. Blunt and my Church Family for their support for my first book, TOCO, and prayers for my fading health. This past year has been especially challenging for me and my wife physically. By the Grace of God, I have been able to complete this project. I am grateful to everyone who helped us in so many ways.

I would like to single out a few more people who went over and beyond in their help and encouragement. Gloria Spruiell and her husband Linwood Spruiell have been supportive and helpful to me and my wife in all our activities over the past eleven years. Gloria has been a constant motivator with my first book, TOCO and this one, TOCO II. My sister-in-laws, Mattie Glanville and Jean Jack have also been very supportive to me. My daughter, Kim Riley and her husband Mark Riley, My daughter, Catherine Ndiaye, and her husband, Elhadji Ndiaye, My Cousins, Patricia Lynn Spruill and her husband John Spruill, Cousin Adelaide Montgomery; Friends, Pearl Flowers, and Marie Villamil. Robert Boothman, my best friend for over 60 years. We went through hard times and good times together. Clement London (Stew), my life friend and inspiration model. Barbara Walker, who was one of the first persons to ask when was I going to write about Gabriel the man. My stepson, Dale Sparrow who is always ready to help in whatever way he can. These are just a few of the people who by either word or deed or both let me know how much Gabriel as a boy meant to them and pushed me to bring them the man, Gabriel.

INTRODUCTION TO

TOCO II

T OCO II is a continuation of my first book, TOCO, which was published in 2012. TOCO was a story of a boy Gabriel and his life growing up in the country side of Trinidad, West Indies in the 30's and 40's. All stories were actual occurrences experienced by me (the author). Most of the names were changed to protect the privacy of my family and friends. The writer wrote about his daily life as the youngest of three boys and a mother and father who worked hard to provide for their family.

TOCO II is a story based on Gabriel's life as he departed from the small country village of Toco in Trinidad W.l. at the age of fifteen. He continues his theme of using humor as a way of communication with his readers. Together with his mother, Mrs. Nathaniel, his oldest brother, John, and his middle brother, Hezekiah, all relocated to San Juan. This was a very difficult adjustment for his family to make. Absence of his father and learning the new ways of city life were challenges to everyone. After a period of moving from place to place, things began to happen. John graduated as a school teacher, Gabriel started an apprenticeship with the Trinidad Guardian Newspaper and Hezekiah was doing alright as a house painter. The best thing that happened to the Nathaniel family was they bought their new house. Gabriel completed his apprenticeship and decided to branch out on his own leaving his family and headed for London, England.

Gabriel takes us on his journey of adjusting to a cold distant predominantly white country from a warm racially mixed one. He uses his feelings of self confidence, energy and enthusiasm for life to find friends, activities, a great job and last but not least a beautiful wife.

Gabriel uses his ability of storytelling to involve his readers with amusing and sometimes challenging experiences all of which actually occurred to him. He changed some names to protect the privacy of most persons mentioned and prevent any misunderstandings. Gabriel enjoyed writing his first book, TOCO. His family and friends encouraged him to continue writing this book. They wanted to learn more about Gabriel after he grew up. The writer hopes the reader enjoys the man, Gabriel, as much as the boy.

NATHANIEL FAMILY MOVE TO THE BIG CITY

I t was a chilly dark early Monday morning just before Xmas 1944. Cocks crowing, dogs barking and donkeys braying were the only sounds that could be heard. Mrs. Nathaniel packed a few of her belongings and the two boys clothing which did not amount to more than 2 small suitcases. Before leaving, Gabriel took one more look at the silhouette of the chickens perched on the guava tree. He patted the dog, Gipsey on her head and walked away. Mrs. Nathaniel and her two sons boarded the 4 AM bus under the big tree in front of the Police Station. They waved goodbye to one of the Police Officers they recognized. He was the one they gave goat milk to twice a week free of charge.

Mrs. Nathaniel made the decision secretly to move out of Toco without the knowledge of the family or anyone in the village. It must have been a plan formulated between her and the retired headmaster. Mr. Nathaniel promised to 'ketch dem up' at the bus station but he never did. He was omitted from the plan from the very beginning.

Tony Gomez, the owner/driver of the bus asked the 6 passengers for their money and destination. He sounded the horn, looked around to see if there was anyone coming and he also waved to the policeman sitting under a dimly lit porch before taking off.

The ride by bus to Sangre Grande, and then by train to the city of San Juan which was 4 to 5 miles from the capital, Port of Spain, went anything but smooth. The family had trouble coming to terms with the decision made by their mother, to move. The first stop was by the Palm Tree by Lee Pak Shop, one of the many Chinese shops owned in every village along the North Coast. As the bus passed the doctor's office Gabriel burst out crying aloud. Ah doh want to go Mal Ah want to stay wid Pa and 'Gypsy' (the dog) and Megay (the goat).

Stop crying boy his mother yelled at him. They have goats and dogs in San Juan too, you know.

Yeh, but what about Pa, why he not coming? Tell me de trut Ma. He's a good Pa. He does take me an Hezekiah in de garden, and he does take me an Hezekiah wid him when he going to a wake. Ah does really enjoy dose rude jokes dey does tell and dose games dey does play. Ah like the one dey call 'a brown gal in de ring', an ah like de limbo an bongo too. Pa does drink his rum an play his quartro, but dat ain't too bad, why he ain't coming Ma?

Mrs. Nathaniel closed her eyes and mumbled some illegible words. She wiped away tears and spoke in a strong voice as she placed her arm around Hezekiah as he changed seats from sitting with Gabriel to the empty seat next to his mother. Mrs. Nathaniel answered Gabriel's questions while looking straight at Hezekiah. All dose tings he talking about is alright but you Pa don't bring any money into the house. When he gets pay he does head straight for the rum shop to meet his friends. When he come home half de money gone. Ah cyar live like dat.

So dey have more money in San Juan Ma? Asked Hezekiah.

Oh yes, she replied, Ah going to work for Mr. Days who used to be you Headmaster. He has a big, big house and he said that all of us could stay there till you brother, John, comes out of Teacher's Training College and he gets a big job in a school and we could buy a house for ourselves.

That kind of ambitious talk gave the boys something positive to look forward to. Hezekiah returned to the seat with Gabriel and put his arm around him and they fell asleep.

The bus pulled up at the Sangre, Grande Railway Station and the driver shouted in a loud voice, Sangre Grande.

Mrs. Nathaniel spent some time shaking and pulling the boys who were still fast asleep almost causing them to miss the train. Once they were off the bus Gabriel led the way. He made that journey before when he went to the dentist in Port-of-Spain with his pal 'Pip'. She took her turn to sleep while Gabriel kept Hezekiah occupied by explaining the landmarks to him as the train sped along stopping at various points until they reached their designated stop, San Juan.

Mr. Days bungalow style 4 bedroom house was within walking distance of the train station. From his balcony you can see the train as they slow down and come to a stop. The only communication between Mr. Days and Mrs. Nathaniel was by letter, so he sat on his balcony until he saw the train arrive, then he took a slow walk to the station and greeted the family.

Hello where are the rest of your things? Mr. Days asked, are they coming by truck? Mrs. Nathaniel answered, No Mr. Days, this is all we have. One grip (suitcase) has my things and the other grip has the boys' things. Mrs. Nathaniel always spoke better English when she is talking to Mr. Days or anyone who speaks well.

Mr. Days took the suitcase she was carrying. He pointed in the direction where his house was located and said, Follow me, my house is just across the road. He crossed the road which was named the Eastern Main Road, where all the traffic in and out Port of Spain used. As Mr. Days stepped into his balcony he turned around and to his surprise he saw the Nathaniel Family still on the other side of the road. There was no traffic in sight so he waived his hand and shouted aloud, Come now.

Mr. Days showed them around the house. He said, I will live in half of the house and you will occupy the other half. This is the drawing room, known by some as the living room, this is the bedroom which the two boys will share, and this other bedroom is for your mother. This is the kitchen and the toilet is over there. Mr. Days pointed to a barricaded 4 x 4 by approximately 6 feet high construction with a shower showing from its uncovered top as all three heads looked out the open kitchen window with such curiosity and excitement showing on their faces. This is the first time they had seen a bathroom with an open top.

The boys did not sleep very well in the new environment. To hear traffic frequently to the front of the house on the Eastern Main Road, voices coming from a night club next door and from people walking all hours of the night was quite a change from the cocks crowing and the dogs barking and the soothing noise of the waves splashing on the big rocks not far from their former home in Toco.

There was a rush to the shower outside. The boys could not wait to try it out. A fight broke out bringing their mother out to exercise the wisdom she was known to have. Stop the fighting the neighbors are laughing at you. Why don't both of you have a shower together? The fighting immediately stopped. The 15 year old and the 16 year old enjoyed a shower for the very first time. Hezekiah, who did not really need too much convincing that the move was the best thing his mother did, laughed out loud and said, If Pa was here he woulda beat we so bad. The boys were home enjoying a 3 to 6 months holiday. They spent most of their time sitting on the balcony watching people and traffic go by.

After the New Year of 1946, Mr. Days asked Mrs. Nathaniel to find another place to live. He needed the space in the house for his son who was returning from military service with the British Army in Egypt. Mrs. Nathaniel found a small house on a hill among bushes and a track dirt road to get there. The boys saw this as a major step back, no plumbing, no electricity, with an outside toilet just like Toco. She enrolled Gabriel into a school within walking distance to their new home. The place was called Mitawah at the end of a street named Bush Street in the Petit Burg area. There were three more moves after that before going back to live in Mr. Days' house. He had bought a new house and moved in it. He offered the old house to Mrs. Nathaniel to be shared with his son.

Hezekiah was training to be a motor mechanic. Within one year at the shop, he had a dispute with the boss and he walked out. His mother quickly found him another job, training as a house painter with a relative who owned the business. Hezekiah fell off a scaffold sustaining minor injuries. He held onto the job because he made a friend who was from a small village name Grand Rivere