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Her poor mother had her worried so much. Her mother Nerissa left for the market very early and should have been back before noon, but she never returned. She had previously done some yardwork for Mr. Burnette and he had promised to pay her that same evening. Adiana father was a butler for a very prominent man, Mr. Keller, in the village of Boggersville. Even though not wealthy, things were a lot better financially when her father was alive. Her mother Nerissa had no other means of support except for selling in the market place.

Adiana humped over the homemade wood burning stove and stirred the red beans soup with a wooden spoon. As she lifted her head and tasted a small portion of the soup that she had scooped up in the spoon, she looked across the beaten path, and she instantly recognized the raggedy old red dress her mother worn from a distance. She quickly put the spoon down at the edge of the zinc counter and ran towards her mother, Kris-crossing childishly along the way as she got closer to her. As she moved close to her, she hugged her in an intensity of pure joy and relief. “Mommy I was very worried when I did not see you come back”.

“Adiana I went to collect my money and I was verbally abused by the guards at Mr. Franklin house. He refused to pay me and I called him a thief”.

“Mommy you should have just left”.

“Adiana you know how much we need this money for food”.

Adiana knew that her mother was correct about what she was saying and she just shook her head and sadly looked on.

Nerissas’ eyes were filled with tears when she saw the sadness in her daughter eyes. She thought of how much her daughter was trying her best to stimulate her efforts, and Nerissa felt so proud of how much she was maturing into a fine young woman. She never complained of hunger or cold, nothing could move her to make her feel sorry for herself.

The old farmhouse that her father had inherited from his father was dilapidated. The house was situated on the river bank of the Hectors River, and whenever it rained heavily, debris washed up within feet of the house.

Nerissa and Quincy had two older children Vonette, Oana and Oudette who had to leave home early in search of employment. All three children were working below minimum wage at a resort hotel and while working paying their school fees and rent and at the same time while attending college. With what little money they worked, they would always try to send money home to pay their younger sister Adiana school fees.