True Story: Charmaine Palmer - A challenge accepted or not! Part 1

In the fake world of professional wrestling, Rondah Rousie, the W.W.E Superstars, is known as the baddest woman on the planet. In real life, Rondah is a black belt in Judo, and have been in the U.F.C. She also held the UFC Championship, in her class weight for quite a while; she literally carrying the U.F.C on her back. However a lot of people close to the sport questioned the quality of the competition Rondah faced.

However, I Know a woman, who did not know Judo, or any Martial art for that fact, but she was a fighting force to be reckoned with. Rondah Rousie even with her Martial art skills and her U.F.C experience, had to take a backseat to my sister: Charmaine Seales Nee Palmer.

Like each of us Charmaine was not perfect, but she was a good and Loving teenager. I felt her love and her care every day. She was a person who always tried to do what was right; but she seems to only attracted haters. Even as a teenager, some people seemed to live just to unjustifiably oppose her. To Charmaine, family meant and was everything. However, many people knew our Mother was soft hearted. Mother did not want her children getting into trouble, with the law; therefore, she tried to do what was right by everyone, but more importantly, she try to keep her children in check; and flogging was one of the tools she used to do so.

Our parents did not like Charmaine fighting, let me rephrase that statement; our mother didn't like Charmaine fighting; but our father didn't mind her fighting, as a matter of fact, Daddy slyly encouraged it; however, Daddy didn't like dealing with the complaining parents. Even when Charmaine fought with boys, it was an unfair match up, because she beat them also. The stigma and shame that goes along with being beaten up by a girl, was too darning and more than enough for most guys to carry through life; as a result, it came to a point, the guys stopped or refused to pick

A fight with Charmaine.

My father often wonder, where and how Charmaine developed such ability to fight, but more intense than Charmaine's fighting skills; washer courage. It did not matter the size of the opponent, or how many of them there were; Charmaine did not back down and she always found a way to be triumphant over the odds.

One of the thing about our mother did, before she beats any of us, she told us, she did not want to, but she has to punish us, so we can understand, there are consequences for our actions. She also told us what we did wrong. Charmaine and mother had a very good relationship. Mother loved Charmaine very much, and Charmaine knew it. Charmaine was debated her points as to why she should not have been punished. Most of Charmaine's peers, in an effort to get back at her, for some pass events, made fraudulent complaint against her, to our Mother; with the hope she would be flogged.

When Charmaine did something she really ever deny doing it. She justify her aggression against those who offered her as: punishment for their poor, provoking, malicious or illegal actions against her. Mother always told Charmaine it is not her responsibility to punish other people's children. The children of which we speak were, the same size some even bigger and older than Charmaine. Charmaine also argued that she could not sit back and let others take advantage of her. Mother a practicing Christian always spoke of Turning the other cheek. Needless to say, most of the false complaint, that was made, against Charmaine, she got some form of punishment. Her peers took pleasure in making false reports, accusing her of things she did not do.

Charmaine got tired of this and decided to take revenge on all who lied on her and get her into trouble. My sister did not take these infringement lightly. She declared to me, Pearson, I don't care if mother beat me after I have dealt with them, at least this time, I would have a good reason to take my licks. Each time a malicious complaint was made against Charmaine that resulted, in punishment of any kind. Like a hark, my sister Charmaine sought out the offender, male and female, then unafraid she exacted her revenge.

My mother came up with a plan. Mother knew Charmaine loved her baby brother and will do anything for him. So, mother began to allow Charmaine to take me along with her to Net Ball games, etc. Charmaine loved the idea of being entrusted with the responsibility of taking care of and for her little brother, on her own and away from home. Soon she realized even when she was "on a band" or when she got "grounded," she can get off of the band by telling mother she was going to take me for a walk, or to some event somewhere.

As a result, of this fact, I was present and I bore witnessed to a lot of Charmaine's fights, because she took me everywhere she went. I was also Charmaine's get out of the house free card when she was in trouble. I do not know if Charmaine loved to fight or not, however, it was extremely difficult for her to walk away from a fight; and she understood, how, easy it was to be continually victimized by people who think she was afraid of them or cannot defend herself. However when Charmaine got angry, strange things happens.

My brother Valentine practice and taught Karate, he was good at it and he was extremely strong, he did not know or understand his strength. If my brother Val AKA Nazi with all his Karate skills and Charmaine were to have a fight, I would bet on Charmaine. Nazi had the skills, strength and the power, that could render Charmaine helpless with just one blow; which automatically made him a sure bet to win such a fight. But Charmaine had what cannot be taught. She had the ability to adopt to her environment, to adopt to the situation, and she instantaneously adopt to her opponent or opponents she had to face. Wether she had to fight one, two, three or four people simultaneously. She never back down and she always finds a way to get the job done.

I was only 4 years old, at the time, I did not quite understand what was happening, and I was unable to effectively speak up in Charmaine's defense; however, these experiences stuck with me. I remembered well, what happened, what was said and who said what. As I got older, And grow in experience and knowledge and as my understanding and vacabulary grew, I was able to put those events into there full context.

I could remember very well, one summer afternoon, school was out, Charmaine and the girls from the neighborhood, (Bottom Town) were hanging out on the Nine Steps, playing Hop Scratch and Morral. This was the normal thing to do as kids.

During the game, the conversation move to "who is the better fighter." Charmaine did not care to participate in this conversation, because fighting has gotten her into too much trouble with her Mother. Then Ja Ja declared Charmaine I can beat you! All of those present, Support Ja ja's claims. It was a strange thing but Charmaine refused to participate in the argument to defend her ability. It was then someone, declared, you see she is not arguing, it is because Charmaine know it is the truth, Ja Ja can beat her in a fight. They all laughed; finally, they found someone who can beat Charmaine in a fight.

Charmaine was very upset over the whole situation. When we were walking home. I asked Charmaine can Ja Ja beat you in a fight. Charmaine confidently told me no she cannot. So my next question was, why didn't you tell them?

True Story: Charmaine Palmer - A challenge accepted or not! Part 2

Charmaine was very upset over the whole situation. When we were walking home. I asked Charmaine can Ja Ja beat you in a fight. Charmaine confidently told me no she cannot. So my next question was, why didn't you tell them? They think Ja Ja could beat you. Charmaine said, everyone was on her side, I cannot argue with all of them at once, it don't make sense. But one day she will have to prove she can beat me; Charmaine said still upset. Charmaine was ready to prove, Ja ja could not win a fight against her right there; but she did not want to disappoint Mother by fighting in public again.

Mother had made it clear to Charmaine, if someone challenging her to a fight; a challenge is not a good reason to fight that person; or if someone said they can beat you in a fight, it is not a good reason to fight them. These were the message mother wanted to get Charmaine to understand. These were two of the main triggers that led to most of Charmaine's fights in public. However, Charmaine did not understand, could not understand mother's rational. Charmaine knew her actions were justified weather they were wrong is another question. In the mind of the teenager, she should be able to defend herself, her reputation without consequences. But Mother wanted her to learn there were consiquences, for her actions.

Some days later, I was on the Nine Steps, with Charmaine, the girls played hopscotch, on different levels of the steps. Mother send a message to Charmaine, letting her know, to come to wash the dishes. On that day, it was Charmaine's responsibility to ensure the kitchen was cleaned after lunch. Since Charmaine had put off her chaws, and dinner time was quickly approaching, Mother needed her kitchen cleaned before she began dinner preparations.

Charmaine's plan was to ran home, quickly washed the dishes, then return to the game. And so she did. Charmaine left me with Rosmond Defretus; who agreed to take care of me until she return. While there, I got into Ja Ja's way and she hit me. As a result, of the blow, I cried. From Nine Steps, Rosmond saw Charmaine, on the steps of our home, some distance away. Charmaine had a pile of clothes flowing out of her arms. Through the tears I could see Charmaine also on the steps; immediately Rosmond shouted with both hands, cupping her mouth to direct the sound in the area she wanted it to go.

Then words rang out "Charmaine Ja Ja hit Pearson and he is crying." I was not sure if Charmaine understood the message, however, she forgot her responsibilities, she dropped the freshly washed, sun dried laundry, she had just taken, off the line, Charmaine left the laundry on the stairs, and immediately she ran, to my location. Ja Ja was confident, at least Charmaine knew I can beat her, must have been the thought rolling around in Ja ja's head. Most of the people on the Nine Steps believe Ja Ja could actually beat Charmaine in a fight.

When Charmaine got to the Nine Steps, I was still crying. One of the things that Charmaine hated; was to see me cry. Charmaine took me by the hand and walked me over to where Ja Ja was, by this time, all the people on the Nine Steps, left off what they were doing, and gathered around; they all wanted to see how this was going to end. On one hand you have Charmaine who have developed a little reputation as always fighting, and on the other hand, we had Ja Ja who convinced the entire neighborhood she could beat my sister in a fight.

Charmaine looked Ja Ja in her eyes, and calmly said to her. "You have been telling everybody you could beat me". I am going give you an opportunity to prove it in a little while. Confidently and calmly Charmaine said, "I am going to make Pearson hit you back, when he hit you, I want to see you hit him; then you will get the opportunity to see if you could beat me or not.

In a stern provoking tone of voice Charmaine said Pearson hit her back! Now Charmaine was here, I got courage, I walk up to Ja Ja and I hit her with all the strength a four year old could muster. Ja Ja, stood there and she said and she did nothing, she did not hit me back. Charmaine was not satisfied, with the way things were going, so she said to me, with the same contemptuous tone in her voice: "hit her again, unafraid I hit her again. It felt good. Charmaine was becoming annoyed, because, Ja ha would not take the bate.

All of Ja ja's supporters stood shocked by the events they saw played out before their eyes. They all thought Ja ja was going to stand up to Charmaine; however, she humbled herself. Charmaine saw an opportunity to set the record straight.

Ever since that day Ja ja, declared she can beat Charmaine in a fight; Charmaine was planning and looking for an opportunity to fight Ja ja, without getting into trouble with mother. Now this was a perfect opportunity to do just that. Charmaine thought once mother hear what happened she would have approved of this fight. Trying to pushed Ja ja to start the fight by hitting me, my sister Charmaine, give the instructions for the third time, Pearson hit her again. I did as I was told and I hit Ja ja a third time. But Ja ja refused to accept the challenge.

After this confrontation, my sister, took me by the hand, and we began to walk away, from the disappointed crowd, on the Steps. Just then, Charmaine turned around, looked at Ja ja and said, I hear you telling everyone you can beat me. The next time anyone tell me you said you could beat me; I am coming to look for you and prove to you, you cannot beat me. Then we went home.

I was happy at the whole outcome, but Charmaine was disappointed. She really wanted to prove she could beat Ja ja, but her efforts to lure her into a fight, was not successful.

True Story: Charmaine Palmer coming into her own - understanding the lesson. Part 1

Charmaine was 15 years old, or there about, she had a mind that was far advance to that of her peers. She had an understanding of how things ought to be; and that could not be beaten out of her. It took reasoning, evidence and rational to change Charmaine's mind once she had made up her mind on some principles.

But now, she was enjoying, the new responsibility, Mother had laid upon her. It was a sign that Charmaine was coming into her own. She was allowed to take her little brother places, although she was in her mid teens it made her feel like an adult, and it made her feel important. Charmaine was the only one whom mother allowed to take me places. Our mother was a wise woman, and everything she did, had some greater importance, which was light years ahead of our ability to understand. Mother impressed upon Charmaine how big a responsibility it was to take care of another human life. Mother also impressed upon Charmaine how much she is depending on her to do what was right.

As a result, Charmaine was super careful, she did not let her temper or pride get into the way of her responsibilities to keep her little brother safe, and her obligation to her mother; whom she have convinced, she was responsible enough, to be entrusted with her little brother. The devil's came around in many forms and he tempted Charmaine, on many occasions. There were many times, she was almost sucked in, forget her responsibility to her little brother and her obligation to her Mother. But she grind her teeth, sucked up her pride and she held her peace.

One day, Charmaine declared Mother, I am going to take Pearson to netball. Charmaine got her little brother ready, she got ready and off they went to netball. All was going well. She was enjoying the game; however, suddenly, Charmaine said Pearson let's go. There were four girls walking down Cemetery Hill Road in front of the Richardson home. Charmaine was in a hurry to leave. Charmaine put her baby brother to stand in front of the cemetery gate, and her instructions was clear, "Pearson stand right here, don't move;" was my sister's instructions.

Charmaine run ahead and tackled the four girls. What would motivated anyone, to start a fight, with four girls of equal age equal hight but with larger body frames than her. I still cannot answer that question. You must consider Charmaine was a skinny teenager. When the fight started, the sound of a few voices echoed: "Yea! yea!" the Vincentian signal that a fight was in progress, the sound permeated the evening air; Nutricia: the Net Ball Center at Cemetery Road in Kingstown, suddenly became empty. Everyone came out of the paid sporting event to see who was fighting. Running to spectate a public fight was normal in St. Vincent and the Grenadies in those days.

In a matter of seconds, I was encircled with people who want to get a glimpse of the fight; which was outside the scope of their vision. What was a safe place away from the fight when the fight began, quickly became crowded with on lookers. I was pushed back and forth by the curious crowd of people whose only interest was to see the fight. I fell on my butt and each time I made an effort to get up, I was pushed down again.

Annette Defretus a friend of our family, had just left her mother's home and was on her way to her home; when she saw the melee. Annette ran to the scene like all the curious on lookers, who had assembled in front of the Richardson family home to look at the fight: Charmaine Palmer against four girls. A fight that would have been unevenly match for another person; not for Hamilton Palmer's daughter.

When Annette realized Charmaine was in the middle of the fray, her first instinct was to ensure I was safe. Annette, saw me sitting on the ground, she took me up and she waited for the fight to end. Then Annette said to my sister: "Charmaine, how could you do such a thing, do you know the crowd almost trampled Pearson? He was on the ground, it's a good thing I came when I did, or who knew what would have happened to him.

Charmaine heart sank, when she realized her actions put me in danger. It was the last thing she wanted to do; which was to put me in any type of danger. She could not foreseen the people leaving the Netball game to watch a fight on the street; but that was exactly what happened. I am going to tell Mother what happened Annette said. Charmaine did not have any excuse for her actions or what had happened. She was caught between a rock and a hard place. Charmaine expected to get licks and a band for some indefinite period. However, without declaring it, mother had already decided, Charmaine was to big for licks. She will now have to appeal to her daughter's intellect.

As Annette declared so she did. Annette walked home with us and she told mother the short version of the story. Mother was very disappointed and she expressed her disappointment in Charmaine's irresponsibility, to Charmaine. Not in a manner that would have belittled Charmaine, but she give her a synapses of her over all performance.

Mother said to Charmaine, in a reasoning tone. Charmaine you give me your words that you are a responsible person, I believe you would be responsible, and you were doing so well. Charmaine tried to explained her actions. Mother said Charmaine that is not good enough. You give me your words and you did not keep your words. You put your little brother's life

True Story: Charmaine Palmer coming into her own - understanding the lesson. Part 2

Mother said to Charmaine, in a reasoning tone. Charmaine you give me your words that you are a responsible person, I believe you would be responsible, and you were doing so well. Charmaine tried to explained her actions. Mother said Charmaine that is not good enough. You give me your words and you did not keep your words. You put your little brother's life and welfare in danger by your actions. If I cannot trust you to do what is right and I cannot trust you to keep your word, I cannot, trust you with your little brother. As of today, you are not allowed take Pearson anywhere with you.

Charmaine did not like licks, but on this occasion, she would have happily took the licks. Mother knew that Charmaine loved her little brother and will never intentionally put him in danger but with her inexperience, she could not for see the potential danger that would have rendered the procaution she took for the safety of her little brother useless. Charmaine mope around the house for at least three weeks. Begging mother for the opportunity to take me with her. She was not on a band or grounded, but she did not leave the house.

From Charmaine's actions, It was evident to mother how sorry she really was. Mother also knew Charmaine meant well. So the next time Charmaine asked her if she could take me with her, mother give her permission to. But not before having a serious girl talk with Charmaine. Charmaine promised no fighting especially, if Pearson was with her.

Some time later, we were at the netball game at Nutricia - the Old Montrose Netball Center, some of the girls knew Charmaine had promised her mother, she will not fight especially if she had her little brother with her. On this day; I was with Charmaine, and the girls began to provoked her. They all had a good laugh knowing she will not fight them because her little brother was with her.

Charmaine sat there and tried her best to ignore the girls: she sucked up everything they threw at her. Charmaine became agitated but she held her peace. Just before the game that were in progress end, Charmaine left the game. We walked through the cemetery because it was shorter route to our home.

Just when, we were about to exit the cemetery in the Battery Hill area; just one block away from our home, Annette, who had just left her mother's house and was on her way home, Walked into the Cemetery. The trip through the cemetery, cut about a half of a mile of walking, off Annette's journey home. When Charmaine saw Annette her eyes lighted up. You would have thought Annette was Santa Claus bring Charmaine a Christmas gift she hoped for all year.

Charmaine greet Annette then she said Annette can you take care Pearson for me, just for a little while, I need to go back up net Ball to do something.

As soon as Annette agreed to take care of me, Charmaine said thanks, immediately, turned around, and took off running, along the poorly asphalt surface road, that cut the cemetery in two sections. Charmaine was heading in the direction of the Netball Center. Annette did not know what was happening neither did I. As was the custom; after the Netball game, there was always a crowd of people, mostly girls, standing in the immediate vicinity of the Netball Center discussing the game and other things.

I did not know what had happened; however, I was able to see through the long, white, security steel bars that sorround the cemetery. I noticed the crowd of people that had congregated in front of the Netball Center, disburse, like a strong wind blowed across the Pierre, in a uniformed manner, move the tall white top Pierre grass out of its path.

Someone saw Charmaine running in their direction and announced her approached. As a result, the girls who took it upon themselves to poke the bear, began to running away from the area, looking for shelter, and they took shelter any where they could find a shelter from the storm named: Charmaine. Some ran down to the Road to Leeward, while other took the road that lead up the steep hill, to Montrose, in the vicinity of the Faith Temple Church.

Charmaine track them down little group after little group, and she did what Charmaine did best. One woman against a crowd of friends, and even in a crowd, they refuse to challenge Charmaine, but instead everyone, decided to take their chances on their own, getting away from the Skinny teenager, who did not understand the meaning of fear; or who have not learn how to lose a fight.

True Story: A dying mother's wish - Charmaine finally did it. Part 1

Mother had matched up Charmaine and I. On hindsight, I always thought it was to help Charmaine, become a responsible teenager. and although that was one of our mother objective; however, mother was actually killing tow birds with one stone. Mother knew Charmaine's reason for fighting were Justified, however, there were rules that were in place to ensure the society stayed civilized; rules that were design to handling disputes, which included when you were injured.

Self-defense is only a lawful defense, that is use in a Court of criminal justice. When a person is injured or die from an injury, even when it is a matter of self-defense, the offending person is arrested, charged and tried. They have to answer to the Court; and they must prove, their actions were justified and those actions indeed constitutes self-defense.

 

Although Charmaine did not inflicted blows on her rivals that resulted in Injuries, it could have happened at anytime. When I think of it. Charmaine always stay away from People's faces in a fight. My bet was, she got that counsel from my father. Daddy knew telling Charmaine not to fight will not prevent her from brawling with other, and since there were always complaints, being made against her, my father would make ensured, the level of Charmaine's troubles is minimized by telling her of the police man rule. No hitting on the hard or easily bruised area; only on the soft spots.

A lot of times, Charmaine got into fights, in defense of others who were, being taken advantage of, those who were too weak, or afraid to stand up for themselves. She always give the bully an opportunity to back out of the situation they started with those who were to afraid, to weak or to small to defend themselves against their adversary. Most of the times they did.

Around this time my mother began experiencing headaches, the local doctors could not diagnosed what was happening to her. I was about five years plus, up to this stage of my life, the world was perfect, everything was perfect, and so was my life. I had a very sheltered childhood. I had a father who loved me dearly, a mother who adorned me, siblings who, got a kick out of everything I did or said, because they loved their little brother. I was an Idealist. Up to this stage, I never had a bad experience, I was really ever spanked, because I was an obedient child.

Mother, headaches got worst and increased in frequency, yet the medical professional on the island were unable to diagnose her condition. With this lingering uncertainty, Mother began to evaluate her children just in case the worst happened. She wanted to ensure, she give each of her children the best chance of succeeding in life. From her evaluation, her pressing concerns were to ensure Charmaine come to the stage in her life, where she learn to find alternative method of resolving her conflicts. However Charmaine hardly ever started a fight. Most of her fights she were forced to defend herself, putting to right some injustice done to her, or defending Andrea her little sister or her little brother, our family name or some unfortunate soul being taken advantage of.

Mother evaluation was as such, Albert was a teacher, in a serious relationship and attending Teachers College, Clare was solid, a student nurse and doing extremely well, Sister, was a preschool teacher, in a serious relationship, Nazi was tough, strong and could fend for himself, he worked regularly. There were Charmaine a hard worker, beautiful young teenager, someone will soon make her their wife, but she will be tempted to beat her husband. mother's words. There were Andrea, a bright 10 years old, and then there was her last, the baby: Pearson 5 years old.

Mother's concern, were for her three last children, Charmaine, Andrea and Pearson. Each had different needs, when Mother was officially diagnosed, after a trip to Barbados, there were little the doctors could do to help her. Mother's problem was terminal and her time was limited. However, she had some goals she need to accomplish before she left this side of the Earth. Her two main focus were Charmaine and Pearson.

Mother was sure, Pearson would not be able to make it in this world without her. There was a harsh, wicked world just outside our doors, and up to that time, as all five and six years old child should be, I was sheltered from it all. Mother knew I had to get a quick reality check, even at that tender age. She could not die in peace, leaving me as nieve as I was to face this world without her.

Mother did not know how to get this done, but she knew it had to be done, she had to get her baby boy exposed and as roughed as possible, before she closed her eyes in death. my big brother Albert, was just like me, an Idealist; however, Albert had our parents to teach him, how to navigate the treasonous, murky water of this world and the evils that awaited to destroy the naive and unsuspecting people like her baby. Nazi was strong, tough and rough but not fierce enough for this assignment, his Martial arts discipline forbids him to fight even in his own defense, but in the protection of the weak; he too would have been lost without the directions of our parents.

True Story: A dying mother's wish - Charmaine finally did it. part 2

My bigger sister's were also very sheltered, and would have been swallowed up by this treacherous world, had it not been for the watchful eyes and protective instinct of our parents. Charmaine, Andrea and Pearson, will not be afforded the protection of both of our parents. The protection our older brothers and sisters of received into their young adults life.

In mother's mind, there were only one person who was capable of give Pearson a real introduction to the nasty, cruel world, without bringing harm to him in the process. There were only one who can teach him, how to react to the world in the manner the world understood. There was only one who could teach him, how to fight and not be afraid. That person was Charmaine. Hence the reason Charmaine was given the privilege to take me along with her, every where she went.

I heard the stories of Little boys being raped, the names of some, I knew, but I never quite understood, what had happened. Up to this stage of my life, all of my life experience consisted of stories I over heard but did not understood, stories, that was recorded on the wall of my memory, stories I always remembered.

Mother condition grew worst, with each passing day, and although Mother discussed her death with each of us, no one really expected her to die; we knew mother was sick; but we did not fully understand the severity of her illness, we listened and understood the preparations she made, but we did not expected Mother to die.

When Mother die, everyone was traumatized by Mother's death except Pearson, this is so, because Mother spent many long hours, days, weeks and months, properly prepared him to deal with her death. Although Pearson dealt with his mother's death better than any of his older siblings, however, Mother could have not predicted, how her absence was going to traumatized her son.

At mother's funeral; the always well composed, brawler: Charmaine, broke down, she lost all control of herself; and she screamed, like a baby that had just taste of life outside of the womb for the first time. Charmaine tried to throw herself in the grave, with our mother on several occasions. She could not picture life without her dear mother. Charmaine wanted to spend the night in the cemetery with mother and would have, if she were allowed to. Charmaine had to be restrained and taken out of the cemetery by four adults males. I was quickly ushered away from the grave side, someone thought, I was too young to be exposed to the severity of the grief.

In her commotion at the cemetery, sobbing, crying and screaming Charmaine could be heard, as she pleaded with her dead mother, she shouted her promise, to the remains which was her mother, will not fight again; it seems like Charmaine thought, this commitment, would being back her mother from the cold arms of death. You could hear some in attendance at the funeral lending a sympathetic caution, "it's to late baby, she cannot hear you now;" They echoed hoping the teenager will come to terms with the reality.

My father became concerned for Charmaine, I was told, later that night, Daddy had to retrieved, Charmaine form the cemetery, after he was told, she were in the cemetery at her mother's grave. It was believed Daddy, found the grief stricken teenager, curled up in the fetal position, on mother's grave crying. As a result, Daddy stayed on guard all night, to ensure, Charmaine, did not return to the cemetery. Charmaine was caught on a few occasions by Daddy, as she tried to sneak out of the house, I guess Charmaine wanted to return, to the cold, dark, lonely cemetery, to keep her mother's company and to make sure mother was safe. However, she was sent back to bed each time she was caught. Charmaine realized, her father knew her better than she thought. She also knew, Daddy would be on guard all night; to ensure she don't return and spend the night in the cemetery with our dead mother.

Mother's death led to Charmaine and I developing an even closer bound. Charmaine wanted to honor her mother's wish for her and some time later Charmaine, told me, she will not fight again, as she said so she did. I have never seen or heard of Charmaine getting involved in a fight after the death of our dear loving mother; she came close on many occasions, but always found the resolve not to break her commitment to Mother. To my knowledge she always honor her mother's wishes and she kept the commitment she made to her dead mother. The only thing that could have made Charmaine break that commitment was the defense and protection of her children, Kevin and Delisia, the two of whom she love and adored very much.

Take a good look at me, the way I deal with conflict etc, my willingness to put myself at risk, in the defense of others, who are weaker than I am; my refusal to back down or runaway form a fight: be it physically or other fight, my courage, my strength, I am an almost duplicate of Charmaine. Even my life philosophy, I learnt from my sister Charmaine. I don't know if Charmaine was too good a teacher, or if I was too good a student. However mother got what she needed Charmaine developed other means of dealing with her problems and I learn from my beloved sister, how to kick ass. Because that was what Charmaine was; Charmaine was a bad ass who kicked asses.

Allan Palmer first fight, Charmine Palmer's student - Part 1

My mother's death affected my life so much, that I was transferred from the Kingstown Methodli...st School to the Kingstown Prep School. In this period of the history of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, there were no child psychologist, no school councillors, etc.

My family tried everything in their power, to help me out of the slump, I fell into but nothing worked. My sister's thought, the school was the problem. Hence the reason, I was transferred to the Kingstown Prep School. unfortunately it was not to long after my transfer, we all realized, the school was not the problem. Unfortunately, my grades did not improve, even after being transferred to the leading primary school, on the island.

I was attending a new school, now I was in Junior 1. I was happy to be in a new school, because I escaped going into Ms. Jackson's class. Ms. Velma Jackson, scare the shit out of me. She had a leather strap, which she used, in such a manner, that will be considered abusive by today's standards. Another teacher who scare the shit out of me was Mrs. Stoddard; however, Mrs. Stoddard taught Junior 4. Now I was miles away from Mrs. Stoddard and Ms. Jackson and miles away from the school where they taught. These teachers wield a strap like a samurai wield a sword; they were dangerous.

My first friend at Prep School, was a shy kid by the name of Andre John. Andre was believed to be either the son or grandson of the then Governor of St. Vincent and the Grenadines: Sir. Rupert John. Like me, Andre was new to the school; and as a result, he took some time to get started academically, and therefore he struggled academically also. Trying to get Andre outside to play, was like pulling teeth. Andre left the classroom, only, when he was being picked up. However, and unlike me, Andre soon came into his own and took off academically.

At Prep School, everyone seems to be friends with each other, I was new and did not have any friend. I had to adopt to the culture of the school, but before I could adopt, I had to learn the school culture. Prep School was the school of society's elite; Mr. This and Mr. That children attend the School. Also the children of those young and up coming, Mr. And Mrs. This and That got a place in the school. Honestly, I did not fit in at Prep School.

During School hours, the school was ran by, the principal Ms. Vera-Ann Brereton and the teachers; however, when school were out and the gates were open for recess, lunch or to mark the end of the school day; the school yard was ran by the boys who attended the Richmond Hill Government School; which was just over the width of a football field away; which was the central deviding point between both schools.

Both schools students could be distinguished by the school's uniform. The Students of the Kingstown Prep School wore short, light blue paint, with white shirt, black shoes and blue socks; this uniform made the children looked cute, smart and respectable. The Students of the Richmond Hill Government School, on the other hand, wore khaki pants, Khaki shirt, brown sock and brown or black shoes. This outfit made the Richmond Hill School students look, rougher and tougher, than they were.

Most of the Students at the Prep School were very protected, while the students of the Richmond Hill Government School, were exposed to village live in either Frenches, Soin Hill, Rockies, Long Wall, and Harlem Edge and the near by villages. and their toughness represented that.

The male students of the Richmond Hill Government school, were referred to as the Bad Boys by the Prep School students. I had no idea when and where that name came from. The Richmond Hill School male students were just the bad boys. It mattered not their personalities, family background etc.

Sometime in the history of the two schools, the Richmond Hill School students, discovered the Students of and at the Prep School, were cowards, and they were easy pickings. As a result, every opportunity they got, students from Richmond Hill School, came over two the Prep School, and they took away the Prep School students money, they took their snacks or they just beat them up. The Prep School Students, just cried and came back for more the following day.

I was not prepared to be taken advantage of by any one, even though at that stage of my life, I was never involved in a real fight. However, I was accustomed to fights. I had front row seat and I saw my sister Charmine do battle, and I was exposed to the regular fights in my neighborhood, which for some strange reason, always made its way, in front of our home.

By this time, I always reached to School late, as I walked to school, I gazed off into the stores show windows, as we did as a family around Christmas time; while we go window shopping. Every day, I made the trip across town, to my home for lunch and back to school again. One day after lunch, I arrived at school, I enter the school by walking through the gate on the southern side if the School.

Still trapped in my little world of grief, I did not noticed, four Richmond Hill School students (boys) had commandeered the area that led up the big wooden staircase, into the school, from the toilet and the pipes area of Prep School. Here we have a situation, where four boys had taken controlled of a section of the school, and over 100 or so children, students of the Prep School; stood at the top of the staircase, looking out of the door. Everyone trying to see what was happening below, but no one dear to venture out of that door; even though the boys were at the bottom of the stairs some distance away.

When I, was about to walked into the area, some of the students tried to warn me of the danger I was about to walk into. However, I was still trapped in my own little world of grief, that I did not pay attention to the events that was going on. I walked into the room, I saw the four Richmond Hill, bad boys in the area; but I thought nothing of it. I had no problem with the guys, they had never troubled me and I don't get into there way.

I was just about to jump through the big window like space to get into the school yard on the Eastern side of the school, that faced the Richmond Hill Government School. I place both my hands on the window's edge, to pry myself up as I jumped through the large propped open window space. In a show of authority, one of the Richmond Hill boys mashed my hand and said to me: "you can't pass here." It was then I realized what was happening.

All the Prep School children, still purched on the steps, all of them, trying to see through the door to get a view of what was about to happen. The Prep School students did not realized, I accidentally walked into the space occurred by the boys. They all believed, I was a badass, who were going to stand up to the four Richmond Hill School Bad Boys. This show of courage made them feel happy, at least someone is not afraid to stand up to the bullies.

Allan Palmer first fight, Charmine Palmer's student.- Part 2

I pushed the boy's shoes from off of my hand and I declared what do you mean I cannot pass here? This is my school, I said. Now, I was in too deep to back out. I did not want to tango neither did I want to tangle with these boys, for two reasons, 1 I have never had a real fight, before, and reason 2: I was out numbered.

By this time there was a stand off and the stand off had moved into the street, off the school property. I stood in the middle of the street and the four boys, from the Richmond Hill School surrounded me; like four hyenas. I was hoping for a way out of the fight and for the most part, I believe the four boy, were hoping for a way out of the confusion also. For the four Richmond Hill boys, this was new territory. Up to this point in time, no one had ever stood up to them.

It was then I heard someone from the Prep School shouted, beat them Palmer, at least someone knew my name. However, that girl was shouting fighting instructions to me, was hidden away in the safety of the school, far from the danger. I am sure she did not carefully weigh the odds of me winning the fight or she may have said call the police.

Then I saw a much older girl, whom I knew very well. The girl attended, the Emanuel High School, and lived in Paul's Avenue passed by. In my mind, I said yes at least here comes someone I knew, I was sure, she was going to get involved and stop the fight.

To my surprise, I heard the girl said, "boy all-yo from Rockies, beat the man." As soon as those words left her mouth, I felt a punch to the left side of my face. I surely did not expected that. I wanted to cry, but I became so angry, and the reality that there were right more fist, waiting to pulverized my behind, stopped the tears that were about to flow.

Now, didn't have the time to shed not even one tears, and I totally forgot, about making peace, now I was not afraid, everything came normal to me. From watching Charmaine fight, I knew exactly what to do, and from watching my big brother Nazi practice, and teach the older youths like Mikey Brown and others Karate, I knew how to do it correctly.

I was hit once to start the fight, and that was it. I broke out into full fight mode, before I knew it, I had the four boys, running across the Grammar School Pasture; I was behind them giving chase. I was almost by the fifty yards box, of the football ball field, which separate the two schools, chasing the four boys, when I realized; I was running into enemy territory: I was running into the boy's school zone, where the four boys probably had friends and maybe older brothers and sisters.

Now all the children, who were hiding away in the school, afraid to come outside, were now standing in the street where the fight began cheering me on. Some of the children came down the little hill onto the park unafraid, to meet me, they were all patting me on the shoulder, telling me how good I was. They were all happy to have witness what had happened. By the time I reached into the crow of Prep School students that had gather outside, to cheer me on, everyone knew my name.

It was after this fight, I became friends with Mark Hadaway, Fitz and Frank. Now I was elevated to the protector of the School. Frank, Fitz, and Mark let me know what had happened, and we patrol the school. Word soon got around and each time, the Richmond students saw Mark, Frank, Fitz and I, they disappeared.

Soon I started getting request from the pretty girls to walk them to their parents place of work, to protect them from the Bad Boys. At that time; in my eyes Nicole Wilson, and the Jackson sisters were the cream of the Prep School crop. First we dropped off Nicole at Barclays Bank where both of Nicole's parents were employed, then to the Treasury department where the Jackson sister Mom were employed. We then walk the other pretty girls to their destination somewhere in the government building near by.

About five or so years later, I was a first form student at the intermediate High School, in my first term at Timmy School, I became very good friend with a teenager by the name of Keith Collis. Keith and I were very good buddies, a young man, who attended Prep School with me, call me aside to speak to me, the teenager, who was very upset, said to me. "Palmer you can't be friends with Keith" I was shocked at the statement, I say why can't I be friends with Keith, he said: "don't you remember, Keith was one of the boys you beat up and chased across the pasture. They use to beat us up".

At that stage of my life, I honestly did not remembered the guys, I had the fight with five years earlier. It was not one guy, I had to focused on, it was four guys, I was to busy trying to win the fight I did not pay close attention to the faces. Needless to say, I told my Prep School brother, that was a long time a go, we have to let it go. Which I did. Keith and I left the childhood experience in the past and we became very good friend.

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