Parang in yuh koofum!

Parang comes from the Spanish word "parranda" (action of merry making, group of serenaders). In Trinidad it refers to folkloric music of Hispanic American origins. In Dominican Republic the music is called "arguinaldo". Parang bands would move from house to house in the neighbourhood serenading family and friends during festive seasons. It would be customary for families to greet the Paranderos with drinks and food....

Ok on with the story. So a friend calls out of the blue and tells me a certain club is gonna have parang and some local artistes - from home. I'm kinda thinking of going so I ask who exactly is on the roster. So she rattles off about 5 names then I'm like Ok I won't be supporting it. There was a long pause and a hard swallow and she's like u don't wanna go. I'm like ummm I don't want to support Barron (an artiste). (Sidenote he does not perform parang but ballads, but the event was advertised as a parang thing).
So I quickly explain. Years ago like when I was 10 thereabouts my mom formed this promotion company hahahah there I go lying again not a company basically her and her friend went into business together to bring local acts to the area where we lived. Basically it was a big deal since none really came though where we lived or even thought it was a good market for that b/c the felt ppl didn't get out much but the reason they didn't (come out much) was b/c there was nowhere to go. (typical catch-22)
Ok so they started off their stuff. They brought a theatrical play and about 4 headlining performers before getting Barron. His show was supposed to be special. He is a crooner so they brought him for the mother's day show. Deposits were paid to the performer, hotel accomodations booked, band hired, place rented, tickets sold, guest acts hired etc. Basically the place was filling up nicely and I was doing my job keeping out of my mom's hair so as not to make her stressed out. I was playing my position nicely besides I was just concerned with getting backstage to make additions to my autograph book.
Hmmm 1 hr till showtime Barron could not be found word is hmmmm he decided not to come. Phones aren't being answered and little old blue haired ladies are filing in being escorted by sons, grandchildren, daughters, and husbands; wives were walking in cosily with their husbands etc.
They waited an hr and a half before announcing to the audience that there would be no show. There were instant refunds even of prepaid tickets. That was probably the only time I had ever seen my mom out of her depth meaning embarassed. And I felt everything that she did.
What do I think I'm doing to him by refusing to pay to go to his show now? Isn't it petty? I am a person that really does forgive and forget but why 10 years later do I feel the need to give him the finger or if I attended find a way to shit him up and let him know karma is a bitch and a little girl never forgets. I would love to hand out flyers and posters with this information at the venue. It's not that I don't want him to eat its just that he needed/needs to suffer. I am not a vindictive person when it comes to my issues but it seems like when it comes to my mom and protecting her I can never "forgive and forget".
Case in point my mom built her house on her own. Whenever workmen got creative and figured they knew better than her the design that her,the architect and engineer developed she dealt with them. However besides the daily stress and expected headaches of the guys the person I loathed the most was the contracter(sp) the guy in charge of everyone. He had been recommended by a friend but the difference was that friend had a husband. I remember being a child and not having a voice and him constantly asking for more and more money. I remember sitting on evenings waiting while my mom counted lumber, bricks, paint cans and so many other things. Money was spendin/wastin like it was water and he didn't show any concern or consideration. Everytime his kids got new stuff he was earmarked for an act of vandalism from me. Since he was a man most times I messed with his truck. He could never understand how it could be parked on gravel but look as if he went through the muddiest track in the Amazon or how drops of paint ended up on his ride. It was probably very petty but c'mon I was 8 and I felt so satisfied when I did it. Needless to say we were never friends and he always got major attitude from me. Hey is your mom home? Me: Yeah (I would stay sitting on the porch looking out simply idle) Well could you get her for me I need to talk to her (Read: I need more $$ for something she gave me money for already) Me: Sure (I begin to pick my nails for a good 2 mins before getting up) He never shouted at me, reprimanded me, or called me rude and I always wondered why. In my warped view I figured he knew the "don't fuck with me look" even from a 7yr old. LOL

Anyways basically my mom's friend is a lawyer so Barron got carried to court but it dragged on for about 3-4 years. I guess his manager figured artists do it all the time and ppl don't take the time to carry them to court but this time he figured wrong. I don't remember getting the fringe benefits of any settlement but they won the case and he had to pay them money. I have no recollection how much b/c it was more about the principle of the thing more than anything else and thats all I have to say about that.
And since humans think in trains....trains of thought that is that led me to remember how down my mom and her friend are for each other. I dunno if they were friends in high school or afterwards but their friendship has survived her and her fam. relocating to Florida then moving back 3 yrs later cuz the kids weren't adapting well; to her friend moving behind God's back. The reason for that move so that everybody didn't know where she lived or else there would be a line from there to town of ppl that needed help whether legal or otherwise (ie familiy disputes etc) and she had enough of that to cope with during her regular hours (of course she had her own practice). Growing up I always felt I would learn to be a paralegal working in her office but alas they moved away again. But I like stories like that just easy going friends...no fuss no competition etc. Needless to say her kids were friends of mine.
And anytime I remember her son I remember probably the unkindest thing I have ever done and still feel guilty about. Basically he was effeminate. VERY effeminate...strange for a little boy growing up in a house with a father that was in the Guyanese army. It didn't bother me because I guess I was accustomed to it but at school he got teased mercilessly.
Soooooooooooooooooo basically even though I knew better I joined in and called him Auntie Jason (not his real name) very singsong and repetitively with a group of ppl. I have no idea why I was up for that bullshit so early in the morning but basically he had forgotten his lunch in the car and his father walked back to give it to him and I was caught. He didnt care that anyone else was saying it only that I was saying it. I got the whole I'm disappointed in you rap along with we raise you children like siblings and as his sister you should stand up for him always and finally the ego deflating "Be true to yourself". Well after that I was sooo broken and ashamed about what I did I apologized to him directly and in true Jason form he gave me a hug and a kiss and we all had a sleepover that weekend. Now I look at him and I am soooo proud of the man he has grown into. If I was 10 when that happened he was no older that 5 or 6 how cruel right! I was just imposing all of society's bullshit on a 5 yr old. Anyway for the record he is straight, gorgeous and a beautiful specimen of an absolute gentlemen and he is a great dancer. I luv ya San-he (nickname).