Runaway
“Wake up!”, she said. It was my Mother. It was 3AM and I was five years old. “Let’s go and don’t say anything!” Little did I know that the event taking place was my Mother literally escaping from my father’s grasp. Something that I wouldn’t find out until about 20 years later is that my Mother lived in a house with my father… and his wife.
My Mother met my father when she was around 16 years old I believe. He was in his 30s. They somehow formed a relationship that I presume started off well despite the legality of it. Oh, and the slight problem of him still being married to and living with his wife. To solve this issue, he moved my Mother in with them under the guise that she was his cousin. It didn’t take too long before the wife realized this wasn’t true. By then it was too late to turn back. You see, my Mother and his wife sort of formed a friendship. They had one thing in common, a sick abusive man in their life. I don’t remember much, however, the stories I read were chilling. My Mother would live in this house for almost 10 years.
My Mother around 20 years old here, pregnant with me.
So one night, we just left. My Mother had already found another apartment and we snuck out in the middle of the night, never to look back. I love my Mother so much for this. She risked everything so that me and her could have a better a life. Just me and her…
Our New Home
My father had visitation rights. Every time I had to see him he would ride me on his bicycle and try to trick me into showing him where we lived. He would say things like “I wanna play Nintendo with you, just show me where you live” and “I wanna give a gift to mommy.” Sick man indeed. I never could point out where we lived. I was a child with a horrible sense of direction… I still have a bad sense of direction to this day.
April 16, 1993
This morning started off unlike any other morning. Mother was getting me ready for school as I watched the Beetlejuice cartoon show. In actuality I was supposed to be finishing up homework that should have been done the night prior. When she found me watching TV she wasn’t very pleased to say the least. We finally left the house and she dropped me off to school.
This part of the story is a blur to me. I was at school but I don’t have any recollection of that that part of the day. Instead, I will fill in the story from the prospective of my Mother. The story that I was told.
My Mother dropped me off like she did any normal morning. Only this time, something was different. My father spotted her car and followed her, making sure to stay just out of sight so she would not see. She made it all the way back home without noticing she was followed. When she parked and went to open the apartment door, my father ran behind her and forced her inside.
I can only presume that he pleaded with her for a bit to come back to him. This is clear by her ability to make a 911 call and actually speak to the dispatcher as he watched. The line went dead before she could finish saying her address though. He had hung up the phone.
My Mother knew something like this might happen one day so she had a gun in the house. But he had a gun with him also. She frantically dashed around her apartment to get to the spot where she hid her gun and amazingly managed to reach it. But in her panic, she dropped all the bullets to the ground. As she knelt to gather the bullets my father opened fire. He fired several times, one of the bullets actually going through her hand as she held it up to somehow shield herself. Then, he ran.
My Mother was a beautiful woman.
Lost Little Boy
I remember being taken out of school early that day by my Grandmother and Uncle. I admit being very happy that I got to go home. No one had told me what happened. We went back to my Mother’s house. There were police cars and cameras everywhere. I waved to them and smiled. I still did not know.
We got back to my Grandmother’s house and things became very eerie. I began to ask where my Mother was. My Grandmother, visibly disturbed, finally told me in the simplest terms she could. My first question was “When will she be back?” She said, “She won’t be back…”I immediately burst into tears. From that point on, I would cry every night for a very long time.
Wow, what a horrible experience to go through. I don’t even know what to say at this point except I hope volume 2 brought some happier times.
Twitter: WaynesBNP
July 7, 2011 at 1:32 pm #
Thanks for stopping by and reading it! Volume 2? Almost done writing it and I can’t say it’s much happier lol. It’s my life though so can’t do much about that. Maybe by volume 3!
You’re right, volume 2 wasn’t much happier; I couldn’t even think of anything to say on that one. On to volume 3.
I just stumbled upon this website doing a search on whether or not there were still any mature Black men left and, I must admit, feeling a little bit sad and frustrated but, after reading this, not so much anymore. I could only say: wow, as this is a very tragic story. I am very sorry that you had to go through that. I can not imagine going through anything of the sort. I’ve only read this and one other post on your blog, but you seem like a very mature and level-headed man; looks like you’ve turned out great despite facing such unfathomable obstacles. I hope all is well for you! Looks like you’ve been away from your site for some time. I’m bookmarking this page and I look forward to seeing some new posts!
Twitter: WaynesBNP
November 18, 2011 at 12:20 am #
Thank you for the kind comments! Yes I have been away for a bit but I will begin writing again soon. Life has been happening fast for me and haven’t had that much time. But it makes my happy to see people find my story and get tossed by it. Thanks for stopping by!
I know that you have been away from your site for a while now but I hope that you can get back to writing again soon. You are definitely an inspiration in my book…I may be a bit biased but it’s the truth
Twitter: WaynesBNP
November 18, 2011 at 11:51 pm #
Thanks babe! Love you!
Wayne, you are one of the few black men that i definitely can say, without personally knowing you, is true and professional. Your post was very hard to read, as I lost my brother in a similar way, but in this case it wasn’t family. I must commend you having such heart to share this with the world. Don’t worry, your mom is watching over you every second and she is happy you are such a strong intelligent man. I will continue reading your blog, especially the ones with you and my friend Karla. I just loved the video and how you got her to say yes. Continue to be the man that you are, continue to be an inspiration and always put GOD first! Looking forward to new posts.
Twitter: willyanderson87
January 3, 2012 at 1:20 pm #
Great article i appreciate you are really a commenter because your volume 1 is better then 2 we need your volume 3 for new article excellent. Thanks for the sharing information
Hi Howard, just stumbled across your page and so grateful I did, I heard your story before but not in your words. It’s personal to me because I was a very close friend of your mom, we went to middle school together where we shared many classes, very lovely young lady; not only that but my sister once dated your uncle. It is so awesome to see a young black male in this society triumph over tragedy and not become a victim of circumstances. Keep looking up, be blessed
look forward to seeing more of your work!
Twitter: WaynesBNP
May 3, 2013 at 11:30 pm #
Wow! That’s so amazing that you would find me here. Yes, definitely overcoming has been a recurring theme for me. Please keep in contact, would love to hear what else you remember about my mom.
Hi again Wayne I really wish there was a whole lot to tell you, we were basically really good friends in school but didn’t see much of each other outside of class. I do remember when we first met we became close, she was quiet and had such a sweet spirit, she carried herself very well. Though she was quiet she was very bold and confident and it showed through her uniqueness. Shebra was one that took her education very seriously and did not horse around when it came to her work (i remember doing projects together and she was always the leader of our group) she was very smart and intelligent. I was the clown in the group and loved making her laugh but she kept me on the straight and narrow when it came to our class work. Unfortunately after we left Sunrise Middle School we lost contact with each other but I will always cherish the memories and hold them dear to my heart! Wayne I pray that this helps in some way, after reading your comments it is obvious that you have already forgiven and is able to move on with your life and that is a real blessing from God; I would like to leave this encouraging scripture with you## All things work together for the good of them that love the Lord## Be blessed and I pray that all should be well with you and your wife
Please contact me at anytime if I could be of any further assistance it would be my pleasure.