Marcus grew up in the small coastal town, known as Montego Bay, St James. In this town there was always warm smiles and the soothing cultural rhythms of reggae music. He would have loved to have spent all his years in this town, but fate would have a different plan for him.
As a young man, Marcus found himself torn between his dreams and the realities of life in Jamaica. He yearned for new opportunities and a chance to explore the world beyond the shores of his homeland. With a heavy heart, he made the difficult decision to leave his family, friends, and the familiarity of Jamaica behind, in pursuit of his dreams..
Marcus settled in the bustling city of Queens, New York, miles away from the sandy beaches and lush mountains of Jamaica. Although he was able to realize a successful taxi business, and was able to build a comfortable life for himself, he couldn't shake the feeling of being twice removed from his true home. The sounds of the city couldn't compare to the melodic beats of a the waves hitting the shore, or the smell of the sweet aroma of Jamaican spices seemed distant and elusive.
Years had passed since Marcus had left his Island, but still he found himself longing for a deeper connection to his Jamaican roots. He yearned to revisit the land that had shaped him. He longed to be immersed once again in the vibrant culture and reconnect with his heritage. So one sunny day, he decided it was time to embark on a journey back to Jamaica, to reclaim the part of himself that he felt had been twice removed.
As Marcus stepped foot on Jamaican soil, a wave of nostalgia washed over him, as he walked through the air port and heard the dialect that he knew so well. The familiar sights, and smells enveloped him, filling his heart with a sense of belonging he had longed for. Before going to his hotel, he wandered through the vibrant markets, indulged in the flavors of jerk chicken and ackee and saltfish, and danced to the infectious rhythms of reggae music.
He could not contain himself, as soon as he had put his travel bags down, he took a taxi to the town that he thought he knew so well. Although the taxi-man warned it was not a safe place, Marcus visited the site of the village where he grew up. However when he got there he saw no familiar faces. He made enquiries from the men seated on the corner about his family members and persons of interest; but his enquiries were unwelcomed.
He in turn was questioned and the men started to ask him for money. It was obvious that he did not belong to this place that he had once called home.. This place that had shaped his Jamaican identity, now felt strange. The request for money intensified from the men he had previously asked for help.
He tried to push one of them away that had gotten to close for comfort, in retaliation to the push the man stabbed Marcus several times. He fell to the ground as blood gushed from his body. People flocked to him, but not to help. Some took his wallet, others his shoes and anything valuable they could find that Marcus had on his person.
Some of the other men that had been seated on the corner tried to save Marcus, however their intervention did not seem enough. It was obvious Marcus had to be taken to the hospital, but none wanted to take Marcus in their car, because of all the blood he was losing. When Marcus finally got the hospital, he was pronounced DOA.
Investigations revealed that it was a drug addict that did the stabbing. Was Marcus wrong to have left the island originally? Was he wrong to have returned? What did he do wrong that made him lose his life? To cure the feeling of feeling removed from his people, Marcus had paid the ultimate price. He had left his people to pursue dreams but in returning to them he was again removed from them, this time permanently.
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