MINE MY HEART

The sound of metals clashing together could be heard as it echoes in the tunnels, it was a Tuesday afternoon; one of the days Jerome hated. All his life he had been confined within these walls, the constant groaning of miners as they hit their mining axes against the tunnel walls with sweats dripping off their bodies. He remembered when he had dreams, dreams far beyond the mines but he was the son of a miner who was scared of what were beyond what he could see. Leaving home scared his parents but not him, he was ready to face the world and see things for himself; this could not be all the world had to show him. “Work boy” a voice spoke, bring him back to the sounds of the mines and realizing he was nit working, Mr. Elvis, the mines manager he had to oversee things on site; he was one of Jerome’s many reasons why he hated the place. “I’m sorry” Jerome apologized, he could feel a pair of eyes on him. Without been told he knew well who they belonged to, turning around he could see his father. He warned him with his eyes which Jerome shrugged to, he was always in trouble in the mines, who could blame him, he never wanted to be here. He continued his work and time seems to be his friend today. He rushed towards the front on the line for check out, they were asked to place their tools in a basket which was taking and searched then came the worse part of his day, searching. As humiliating as it sounded he had to be searched like he was a common thief, he stood on the tile as the checked him, he removed his shoes along with his trousers, he also took off his shirt not having much time to waste in the mines. “Clean” a tall male spoke, he quickly picked up his clothes and his tools rushing out. The wind blew against his face, a breath of fresh air; something the mines took away from him all day. A smile appeared on his face as he made his way to the gate. “Why are you the first to be out” the gate keeper asked, Jerome with a smile on his face could not really explain why, his father had found a way to tell him, he was being ungrateful for wanting more than this, “If you must share in my joy, I am going home away from your dusty mines” he announced, like a child just given candy. “I know that but you’re happier than usual today, tell me?” He put his arm into his pockets pulling out a small piece of note, on it was written the date April 12th 1947, he picked the paper from Jerome. “That’s todays date right” he nodded confirming he was right. “You still haven’t told me what it means” Jerome did the zip lock on his mouth and tossing the key away into the sand, he gatekeeper smiled, understanding he didn’t want to speak. Jerome gave him a smile before rushing out the gate. He got off on time, he raced his way home. “Jerome, where is Papa?” his elder sister, Jerome didn’t give her an answer as he took of his clothes and into the bathroom. “Jerome, I am talking to you?” she repeated only to hear the sound of water splashing. She could feel her anger build up, she had just got back from the market before going to fetch water for her bathe and here he was using it. “Who told you to touch my water” she yelled. He poured the water before rushing out of the bathroom, “what is your problem” she stood in front of his room, “I’m so sorry Estelle but I’m in a hurry” he spoke putting on his clothes almost immediately. “I don’t care just fetch my water, I need it” she ordered. “Come on Estelle, you know I love you, I will do it some other time please” he walked towards his closet to grab his belts for his trousers. “One of these days I will forget you’re my baby brother and squeeze the life out of you” she said moving to the room to help him arrange his dress, “Thank you” Jerome planted a peck on her cheeks before walking out. “Jerome! Don’t forget tonight’s ceremony” she yelled with the hope that he heard her. He made his way into the village, he hurried along the streets trying to get to his venue on time. He walked pasted the bakery just around the ally he took a right into the next street a smile appeared on his face as his eyes made contact with a grey building sitting just a few block ahead. He made his way into the building very discrete like he didn’t want anyone seeing him. Making his way around the back he knocked twice on the third door, he could feel memories rushing into his mind 1941, Wednesday June he could hear the lock open from inside the building. Pushing the door slowing before rushing in. “Jerome!” a voice cried out, pulling him into a hug, for the past 2 years this was the best time of Jerome’s evenings. He also wrapped his arms around the slim, tall male figure in the room, he could feel at peace, more like the reward for a hard day’s work, they pulled from the hug staring at each other’s faces “You don’t know how I have missed you” Jerome smiled, he could feel his blood rush through his vein, something about the man in the room made him feel alive. “I have also missed you, Amadeus” Jerome replied kissing him, he wrapped arm Amadeus’s waist with his other hand on his head as they shared a passionate kiss. “I was worried you were not going to come” Amadeus voiced as they disconnected from the kiss. “I thought so too but the guys on the night shifts came early, I was worried when you didn’t reply to my letters anymore” Jerome held unto his hands like his life depends on it. Amadeus sighed before leading his towards the bed, Jerome went with him sitting comfortably. “My father found the letters” he spoke, just the mention of those would made Jerome tremble with fear, sir Anthony saw his letter, “Are you okay? Did he hurt you?” he looked into his eyes to find the truth, knowing Amadeus he would lie about it but he’s eyes never lies. There was a belief silence in the room, “He doesn’t know it was for you” he spoke with tears in his eyes. Jerome could feel his little prefect world rumbling, they were discovered. It was something they both haven’t giving a thought since they started their relationship; “I asked you if he hurt you?” he repeated already knowing the answer, he placed his hands on Amadeus cheeks, he closed his eyes blaming himself for this. “He said he would rather have a died son than a son from the devil.” “You’re not from the devil” Jerome said with tears, he could feel his heartache. How could he explain to people that they were just as normal as anyone in town? How could he explain that thus wasn’t his choice? “I know that, he’s sending me to Spain to be with my brother” he finally announced. Jerome opened his eyes like he needed them to hear properly, “What? No.. I’m going to talk to your father” “Don’t be stupid” Amadeus said standing up, “what are to going to say? Sir give me your son’s hand? He would shoot you on the spot” he reminded Jerome about who his father was. Sir Anthony was an officer, the top rank. His men protect the Marcel family, he learnt how to read and write from Amadeus. “Yes or even ran away with you, we could go to Spain together? Anywhere as long as you’re there” he proposed as his mind ran wild. “You must be crazy Jerome; you would leave your family for me?” “Yes, I would” a smile appeared on his face, he could tell Jerome was serious but he couldn’t let him sacrifice him family for him. “No you shouldn’t. you love your mother and sisters; I’m not going to take that away from you, besides am going there to study and I will be back, back for us” he assured. “Promise me” “I promise” he voiced with a smile.