It's A Mad, Mad, World (Part 1)

Where does a genius, colored boy born in the 40s of Anson County North Carolina go? Mad. He goes mad. But not quickly. The decline is slow, slippery, and painful to those close.

My father was a complicated man. It’s only in his death I’ve truly tried to understand him. It’s been easier that way. All matters between us have quieted, settled down, and now finally I can listen without the noise of confusion, disappointment, or pain. Funny there’s not much that I know of him. Except he was a complicated man. Restless, talented, tormented, handsome, mean, well-dressed, brilliant, profane, and refined. He never fit easily into any one category. Instead, he often challenged one’s idea of what could exist comfortably within one man. Although I suppose that was the problem. Born in the rural town of Wadesboro, North Carolina, he left early because he couldn’t stay. What could a brilliant, talented, colored boy do in Wadesboro, North Carolina in the 40’s except leave? His siblings tell me he struck out on his own at 16 years old, headed to the big city of New York. His closest sister laughingly shares his story of having left home a bit of a runt but having grown a full 2 feet in 6 months upon arriving in New York City. He stated “I had to grow taller. I wouldn’t have made it in the city the size I was. They would have eaten me alive.” That was my father. He could make you laugh with his thoughts or stories but never in total ease. We children both feared his lightening change of mood and his active imagination. As such even today, no story ever seems completely improbable, no matter how fanciful. Depending upon what he chose to share the world could either be completely magical or terrifying.

I’m not sure where it started. The decline that is. Some say it occurred following his stint in prison after doing time in Sing-Sing for bank robbery. That’s the tale my mother tells. Of course, everything my mother said of my father had to be taken with a grain of salt. From the day they met here on earth until the day they met on the other side, hours apart, she loved him. Unconditionally. Passionately. Loyally. Foolishly. Dangerously. She loved that man. And he her, even after, for him, the world grew dark.