The Ties That Bind
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Henrietta was the consummate nurturer and enabler. She was compassionate, yet, would not hesitate to impose her own brand of discipline. She would often remind the children of the importance of cleanliness and proper eating. She insisted that they obey certain codes of conduct, like curfews that children dared to violate. If violated, there was a price to be paid. Douglass and Ezekiel learned the hard way. One Easter Sunday, dressed in their Easter finery, Douglass and Ezekiel were given permission to go to the movies with several friends. Henrietta cautioned them, “ I want you back dis house by 6 o’clock in dis even; yu ear?” In unison, Douglass and Ezekiel said, “Yes m’am.’ “And Ezekiel, not a minute later, you ear me? as she looked him straight in the eye with a warning.
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About the Book
In the 1940s, Douglas Ward is a black boy in the American South. He is not only terrorized by the country’s segregation laws, but also by troubles within a family of mixed values. Outside, the world is in tumult, but within the walls of his childhood home, Ward finds pandemonium orchestrated by his belligerent, uncompromising grandfather, Tobias. Throughout his early years, young Ward is consumed by fear, distrust, and self-doubt. Rather than bury his head in the sand, he discovers ways to free himself from the disheartening chaos at home as well as the pervasive negative impact of segregation. The challenge to overcome adversity and take charge of his life seems insurmountable, but he does not give up. Fortunately for Ward, there are several safety nets in his life, like the unwavering support of his maternal grandmother, and his school, which creates a safe haven and foundation for the realization of his dreams. It takes the death of a loved one, though, to trigger Ward’s appreciation for his family life and to remind him that home is so much more than just a house.
About the Author
Dr. Rudy Kofi Cain is a professor emeritus and former college administrator who has published extensively in professional and trade journals. Cain received his bachelors degree in sociology/psychology from Hampton University, a masters degree in rehabilitation counseling from New York University, and an M.A./ Ed.D. in Adult Education/Administration, with a secondary concentration in psychology from Teachers College, Columbia University. He is a longtime resident of the Fort Greene/Clinton Hill area of Brooklyn, New York. Cain’s seminal book, “Alain Leroy Locke: Race, Culture, and the Education of African American Adults(2003) received the “Publisher’s Best Book Award.” This is his first novel.