Bay

Leaves

All Spice

Onions

Potatoes

Meat

Lime

Goat Pepper

salt

blood

The First Water

Ubby woke Beryl from her long-sought, dreamless sleep. In the small home on Plantol Street, she had cocooned herself on the worn couch after fourteen hours on her feet in the hotel kitchen. Blinking up at her big brother through blurry eyes, she knew she was in for another fourteen, feeding the damned. He stood over her, white shirt sleeves rolled to his elbows, creased black slacks, and smart shoes. A steel pot in one hand, a bag of pig feet, potatoes, and onions in the other. “They gonna be here soon. I need you to put this on.”

Second Water

Treason.

A bay leaf clung to the grey sludge produced from freshly butchered pig feet. The broth churned in the steel cauldron, spurred by a rolling boil. Orbs of allspice bobbed through the ripples, the mixture threatening to crest the rim of the stolen vessel. Water splashed and hissed against the fire below, almost drowned out by the animated debates of disgruntled suited men seated at the old, battered kitchen table.
“If Ping don’t stand aside. we’ll force him aside.” one of them said, his tone sharp and deliberate.

This was treason.

Simmer

“Whereas the Government, by its failure to consult with investors prior to the passing of Legislation nullifying the effects of certain provisions of Government’s agreements with local and foreign businessmen, has caused the economic dislocation of the resources of the Commonwealth…” ¹

“And whereas no one man should have an Idi Amin grip on a nation” bellowed Sir Cecil.

The modest home was now overrun with socially elite rebels. The steam from the Dutch pot wafted through the small living area.

“And whereas no one man’s wife should have an emerald the size of my head,” he rolled on.

“And whereas no one man should be above reproach, above law!”

“Hear, hear!” cried his counterparts.

“And such as! We must remind Ping that he cannot wear the boot that was meant to be removed from our necks!”

The cleaning of the pig feet she could handle. The urgency of a midnight favour she could bear. Beryl however, did not anticipate an impromptu political rally in the heart of her home. Ubby knew this and avoided eye contact with the sister he was closest to. The one who saw his worth when all others laughed him out of the Bay Street offices.

Each self important man had undone at least two shirt buttons in the heat of the lived-in dining room. The goat pepper broke down in the broth, its capsaicin carrying through the air and into each of their lungs. Their words bit with equal amounts passion and spice.

Settle There is no such thing as a murky souse. Beryl’s hands shook as she gave the pot a final stir. How selfish would it be to hurry along a revolution in the name of peace and quiet? Carefully did she reach for Mama’s finest bowls in the cupboard. At her brother’s behest, Beryl prepared to serve the Dissident Eight ². Three sharp knocks hindered this. The house that a moment ago held a full parliamentary session went still. Ubby carefully answered the door, very aware of how the evening could possibly end.

“Ping call a convention.”

Be it resolved.

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1. 13th May, 1970 Resolution – “The House has No Confidence in the Government”
2. “The Dissident Eight”— Eight members of Parliament that were once a part of the Progressive Liberal Party, The Bahamas’ first party powered by majority rule that led the nation to independence from the United Kingdom in 1973. These eight separated from the Progressive Liberal Party as a result of claims of corruption, earning them the name “Dissident Eight;” they eventually formed the Free National Movement, which remains the Progressive Liberal Party’s main opposition to date.