Men are not supposed to cry. Well, tell that to some of the weeping men of Mill Bank, Portland, and they will gush for the better. Mill Bank is already a watery place, and now the men are adding their tributaries of tears to the many streams, rivers and waterfalls in the area. They lost several of their womenfolk, family members and relatives in the December 19 market-truck accident at Dam Head bridge in Portland's Rio Grande valley. Eight of the 14 deceased were from that deep-rural community.
Leon Palmer seems to be suffering most, as his diminutive frame is racked by the loss of his girlfriend; Nieko, their 10-year-old son; a brother and a sister-in-law. The black cloth affixed to a utility pole near his house says it all. He's an emotional wreck, breaking down in tears frequently since the accident. He's on medication to keep him calm, but memories of his son keep haunting him.
"Mi still a cry, mi nu finish yet, mi nah go finish, mi nah go able fi finish, yuh see the last time me cry mi over my yard a try fi get one and two things together, but it was me alone there, a him run come and say, 'Daddy beg yuh $10, beg yuh $20'. That is the thought that come to mi and mi yeye full a water, and a begin to cry same time," Leroy said unabashedly.
Well loved
The relationship, he said, was the best between a father and a son, and Nieko was well loved in the community. The boy was not on his way to market to sell, as some people assumed. He was travelling to Portmore via Kingston in the market truck - which is a regular mode of transport - to get some 'stuff' from his brothers and a Christmas haircut.
Claude and Steve Taylor, who lost an older brother, are no less distraught, as that brother, Winston, was the main source of income for all. They also had an excellent brotherly relationship and now it's all gone. When they heard that Winston - whom they described as a hard-working farmer - was killed, they immediately had bouts of diarrhoea, which continued throughout the sleepless night.
"Every day mi miss mi bredda, every day mi memba mi bredda, true a man see mi stand up here and a gwaan like is not bawl mi want bawl, a pure yeye water man," Claude confessed, while Steve nodded his head in agreement.
Linton Deans' eyes were as red as the cap on his head when he spoke with The Gleaner. He was, and still is, grieving because a part of him, his twin brother, Leroy, is no more.
"Bwoy, mi cyaan explain everything ... It just desperate, feel it to mi heart ... and if mi could really stop what happen, mi would stop it ... well distress, mash up, everything," he said with grief squeezing his face. That brother was also a breadwinner, supporting their mother who is also grief-stricken.
Despite water being everywhere, Linton Palmer seems to be experiencing a certain kind of drought. There is a shortage of women in Mill Bank, according to him. That was before the accident, so it is even worse for him now. At age 36, time is running out, and he is hoping that his true love will come soon. However, she must be prepared to suffer for love, for Linton does not have much money, but he says he is a nice person.
Bereaved
Leon, Claude, Steve and Lindel are just a few of the many men, and women, in Mill Bank, who are bereaved, but these descendants of Maroons will rise once more. For now, they are still trying to come to grips with the reality that they will never see their loved ones alive again. It is a bitter truth to fathom, yet time might just heal their wounds, making them stronger for those who are still alive. It is hoped the day will come when the men of Mill Bank, weep no more, as therapeutic as the tears might be.
