Free God Has Spoken by Theresa A. Campbell Page A

walked toward the bus stop.
    Approximately an hour later Tiny hopped off the bus on Knutsford Boulevard in New Kingston. Her eyes traveled up the modern, high-rise buildings as she took in the hustle and bustle of the busy financial sector. But unlike the day before when she gazed wide-eyed at everything, Tiny wasn’t that impressed with her environment any longer. She knew that despite the glitz and glamour, danger was also lurking around the corner.
    Tiny got directions to the club from a passerby and hurried toward Dominica Drive where it was located. It was early morning but maybe someone was there who could give her some information on Dolly. “Please be open,” Tiny mumbled as she walked. “Please, God, let there be someone in that club who can tell me where to find Dolly.”
    But there wasn’t anyone. “ CLOSED ” read the sign hanging on the front door of the “Champion Girls” club. Tiny’s shoulders dropped in frustration. She would have to wait until eight p.m. when it would be opened.
    Tiny felt a sharp cramp in her tummy, a reminder that she hadn’t eaten in hours. Slowly she walked away from the club onto Trinidad Terrace. Across from an insurance building, she noticed a small restaurant. Crossing the street in a hurry, Tiny opened the restaurant door and went inside. The strong smell of the Blue Mountain coffee, fried dumplings, ackee and saltfish, and other tantalizing dishes tickled her nostrils. Her stomach growled in anticipation.
    A few customers stared at Tiny curiously as she quickly walked to the back of the room, her head hanging low to the floor. Taking a seat in a corner with her back toward everyone, her face to the wall, Tiny picked up the menu off the table. She decided to order the cheapest thing on the menu. Before long a waitress came over and took her order, barely glancing at Tiny’s injured face. Returning fifteen minutes later, she placed the food on the table in front of her. “Enjoy,” the waitress mumbled before hurrying off to attend to the next customer.
    A groan escaped Tiny’s lips after she took a big bite of the fluffy fried dumpling. Biting, chewing, and swallowing, the four dumplings disappeared in record time. Tiny sat back contentedly in her chair and took a few sips of the hot mint tea. A loud belch resounded in the room. She quickly looked down at her empty plate embarrassed. She felt eyes digging into her back, but she ignored them as she drank the rest of her tea, draining the cup.
    Moments later, Tiny stood up and walked to a register at the front of the room. “How much is it?” she asked the cashier.
    â€œTwo dollars.”
    Tiny took out some money from her jeans pocket and counted out the two dollars, leaving her just a few dollars to spare. She exited the restaurant and stood on the sidewalk in uncertainty. What was she going to do until eight p.m.?
    Tiny was exhausted and quite frankly, her body was still aching from the beating she took the night before. Now that she had something to eat, some sleep would be nice. She decided to just walk around and look for somewhere to sit and wait.
    Back on Knutsford Boulevard, Tiny noticed some long benches under big trees alongside the busy main road. Walking across the soft, manicured grass, she wearily sat down, stretching out her long legs. It was broad daylight, and she felt safer. As she watched the vehicles zooming up and down the road, people scurrying in every direction, her eyelids grew heavy.
    Maybe I should go home. But just as quickly as the thought entered her mind, the angry face of Beverly Gregg filled her mind as well. She saw Officer Gregg’s furious eyes as he almost choked her to death, and finally she remembered the teeny creature that came from her body. Tiny shuddered. No, she could not go back home.
    Moments later, Tiny groggily curled up on the bench, her knees pulled toward her chest. Soon she succumbed to the exhaustion, her