Jonah

A Story by ReadMyStuffs

A story i wrote for english class :)

Jonah

It was mid July 1964, West Alabama. Three days before Jonah’s 17^th birthday. He sat down in the dirt attempting to catch his breath. Jonah’s sole job at the Jenkins’ residence was to tend to the farm. He has been working there for over two months now. It was a near miracle a coloured boy like him was even able to find a job that included wages. Even though slavery had been demolished nearly a hundred years ago, racial discrimination and segregation was still very much alive.

The scorching hot sun beat down on Jonah’s bare back as he wiped his forehead. Four hours out working had finally taken its toll on him physically. He took a deep gulp of air, breathing in the sweet aroma of roses. Turning around, he was greeted by the sight of Rosemary Jenkins, the beautiful daughter of his employer.

“I done brought yuh a bit ‘o water,” she said smiling. Jonah hurriedly stood up.

“Thank you Ma’am,” he said courteously, avoiding eye contact, before guzzling the water quickly, a couple of droplets drizzling down his chin. She smiled again as he handed the glass back to her, their hands touched. He couldn’t help noticing the contrast of colour between them both. Rosemary’s porcelain skin was the polar opposite to Jonah’s charcoal tinted skin. His hair was unruly and was nestled on his head in little kinks. Rosemary’s soft blonde hair curtained her cerise toned face. Jonah stared into her large blue eyes with his own toffee coloured ones. Rosemary wore a simple but elegant blue dress while Jonah wore ragged trousers.

Before continuing his work, Jonah excused himself silently and went out to the barn. He heaved a large stack of hay onto his back, bringing it into the barn. Rosemary followed him in and stood by the horses, watching. Jonah began to load the stables with fresh hay.

“Ain’t yuh finna clean ‘em stables first?” she asked raising an eyebrow. Jonah looked at her in surprise before smiling.

“Yes Ma’am,” he replied. He let the horses out into the pastor for lunch before picking up a shovel. Jonah began shovelling the horse manure, his hands searing in pain, out of the stables as Rosemary continued to chatter away.

“Whatcha say yuh name was?” She questioned. Jonah glanced at her from the corner of his eye before replying.

“Jonah Hill, Ma’am,” He answered. Rosemary walked over to where Jonah worked and stood in front of him. He stopped, bewildered, as he looked down at her.

“Rosemary Jenkins.” She stated before smirking and exiting the barn. Jonah watched her leave a small smile plastered on his face before continuing his work.

Jonah’s friendship with Rosemary grew stronger over the summer. By late August, Rosemary and Jonah’s friendship had blossomed to such an extent that they began to see each other everyday other then at the Jenkins’ farm. One cool August evening, Jonah and Rosemary sat by the riverside hand in hand, watching the clouds. Rosemary’s soft hand held in Jonah’s coarse one. Her head resting on Jonah’s shoulder, her velvety pale hair rubbing onto his bare skin.

“I’m startin’ to take a shine to yuh,” Jonah said looking down at her. She grinned up at him, pleased. Rosemary straightened herself up, looking out into the shallow waters.

“Jonah, I-” She was cut off by howls of laughter and heavy foot steps. Jonah grabbed Rosemary and hid her amongst the foliage.

“Be quiet, yuh hear?” he warned before leaving her. Rosemary acquiesced frightened. The penalty for being caught together would be near fatal for Jonah. He was greeted by 4 white men; two carrying guns, the other two beer bottles.

“Dang fellas, looks like we got us a Negro!” screeched one as he swung his riffle in the air. Jonah held his ground as they surrounded him. Another man lunged for Jonah grabbing onto his arms and twisting them behind his back. Jonah winced in pain as the man pulled and twisted his arms in an unorthodox manner. Jonah struggled causing the first man to hit him across the face with the handle of his gun. The young black boy felt blood fill his mouth as the other men began to beat him. Coughing the blood out of his mouth, Jonah tried to fight the men off but was strongly outnumbered. Overcome in pain, the man restraining Jonah let him fall to the ground. Relieved that the beating was over, Jonah relaxed. Looking up, he was greeted with the sight of the barrel of the first man’s gun. Before he had the chance to blink, his ears were filled with the sound of a gun shot, his nose filled with the smell of gun powder and his chest filled with the searing pain of a gunshot wound. The men shrieked in laughter, emptying Jonah’s pockets, before kicking Jonah one last time and leaving.

Rosemary hurried out of the shrubs and trees and knelt at Jonah’s side. She tore the bottom half of her skirt and pressed it onto Jonah’s wound. He cried out in pain as his body was exsanguinated. Rosemary lifted the piece of cloth off of Jonah’s wound. It was sanguine in colour. Rosemary began to cry. She knew her attempts at stopping the blood were futile and ineffective. Jonah looked up at her tear stained face and smiled. He kissed her cheek and repeated what his mother had told him the day she had died.

“Nobody gets dah chance to live life backward. Look ahead, that be where yuhr future is…”

Jonah died on August 25^th 1964 at the age of 17. His death, and many others’ stood as a constant reminder of the effects of injustice and racial discrimination in the United States. As Rosemary grew, got married and had children, she never forgot Jonah. She became an advocate for racism, sharing her story and Jonah’s internationally.