I remember the view of the ocean from the back of the garden. I remember the smell of the ocean, fresh from Africa. I remember sitting on Mother Frog rock, trying to catch fish. I think I caught a wrasse. I remember wading out with Gary and his father on the reef to a deep ocean hole. I remember being scared that a stonefish might sting me. I have memories. Memories of hitting golf balls from our front lawn, seeing how far into the Forest I could get the ball to go. Memories of a Christmas Party at the Yacht Club, when Mum was sick and I got someone elses toy - and I didn’t like it at all. Memories of body-boarding in the bay, dodging the rocks by the pier.
I remember. I remember some girls at school accusing me of cheating. I don’t remember why they did that, I do remember that it hurt. I remember being bullied by a boy called Nicholas, and carrying a grudge for years. I don’t carry that grudge any more. I remember Kyla going to Mapps Fair in a pair of shorts that can’t have been more than a few inches deep. I remember seeing her when I was last in Barbados, eating fish on the South Coast. I remember some good roti from the South Coast shops. I remember the cinnamon doughnuts from Mr. T’s, in the Carter’s complex.
I have memories. Memories of playing with a NES in Tim’s parent’s bedroom; Duck Hunt, Mario Brothers. I think I have memories of Graham from that time in life. Memories of playing table tennis against Gary and his brother, on their back patio. Memories of keeping fish in a tank. Memories of a kind, older lady who kept fish in copper taches and big tanks, and Border Collies in her yard. Memories of Gillian, a girl from my primary school days, who couldn’t have lived more than 5 minutes up the road from the fish-keeper. Memories of pulling down the branches of a tree at school, so the other children could pick the fruit. I was the only one tall enough to reach. Memories upon memories.
I remember. I remember, vaguely, growing up. Snapshots in time, linked to one another by a single thread - me. I remember sailing in the Grenadines. I remember a coconut boat, with a bit of bent metal for a keel and pins for winches. I remember having so much fun with such a simple toy. I remember playing cricket on the beach, using the frond of a coconut tree for a bat. I remember playing football in secondary school, and not being very good at it. Always toe-punching. I remember throwing a discus, reasonably well.
