BABY BABY #1

This was inspired by my secondary school's song book (Called Merry Mayflower). It's an account (in form of a song) of a little girl's experience during the Birmingham March of 1963. I wrote short stories at the end of each verse to the song. This is the first one. Enjoy...

***

Mother dear, may I go down town

Instead of out to play?

And march the streets of Birmingham

In the freedom march today?

Mother dear, may I go down town

Instead of how to play?

No, Baby.

No, you may not go

For I fear those guns are fierce

And clubs and hoses, guns and jails

Aren't good for a little child

***

I felt a ting of frustration, as even batting my eyelashes didn't help this time. My mother always had that soft heart for me – after all, I was her only child. She loved me so much that she had put up a strong fight with my dad not to name me. She preferred to call me Baby.

We hadn't heard any noises, but we sure got news of the peaceful walk going sour. I felt the need to be there. To march with my mates for this freedom that had seemed unattainable for a long time. I was just 10, and I already knew my contribution was needed for the freedom of my people. Mama didn't want me to leave – of course she wouldn't – she definitely didn't want to risk losing me. 

Maybe I didn't know how scary it was to see your child hell bent on going somewhere because I wasn't a mother; I just felt I had to be out there. I had to be with the other children. I had seen Heather's signature hat right from my window. She was in company of two others - whom I knew so well - they were my other friends, Reese and Montana. We did everything together, but not this one. Mama had failed to even let them in.

She wasn't letting me leave.