The Rum Runner’s River

No 6 of 💯/Fiction

My daddy, my grandpa, and his pa all did it. It was a known fact that my brother was going to do it as well. What everyone didn’t expect was that my brother wasn’t interested and I was. Every day I would go with Daddy to the warehouse and watch intensely how they made the rum. I learned the different flavors that they choose for it. The men there were like big brothers and uncles to me. They would let me stir and add the ingredients. I learned from each of them how to spot a bad rum without drinking it. It upset Ma that I didn’t stay home with her but Daddy said that since I was young it was okay.

At the end of the day, everyone would go to the river to build a fire, play music, and drink rum as part of their compensation. The locals called the river the rum runner’s river. Daddy allowed me to go against Ma’s protests. It scared her and she didn’t want me to become as she put it “one of those girls who drank”. Daddy knew he could trust his boys and Daddy went there so I was safe at all times. Those memories were the best ones from my childhood because one day it all changed.

The day I turned 10 years old Daddy said I could no longer come with him. He said I was no longer a little girl and now a woman and that I had to stay with Ma and learn the duties of a woman. Daddy began forcing my brother to go with him. I thought that wasn’t fair because I enjoyed going and learning and my brother didn’t like it. He always refused to be near Daddy after a long day of work because he didn’t like the smell of rum. I was the one who would run to Daddy and sit on his lap all night soaking up the earthy smell.

It’s not that I didn’t love Ma or appreciate all that she did for our family. She did a lot but I wanted to do something different. The first two days Ma didn’t force me to do anything because she knew I was sad and she wanted to give me space. I did start helping Ma more and learning all that she had to teach me. But I didn’t feel fulfilled and as I did the chores I dreamed of a different life. I wanted a life where I ran the family business. I knew both my parents wanted what was best for me but the life they wanted for me was not the life I needed.

One late night I heard a noise. I got up and put on my white robe because it was chilly. Ma liked to air the house at night. I opened my bedroom door and saw my brother at the front door.

“What are you doing?” I whispered walking towards him. He stood frozen for a few seconds and then turned to look at me. He held a bag in his hand.

“I’m leaving. I don’t want no part of Pa’s business and if I stay I’ll be forced to take over.”

“You can always tell Daddy and then he’ll let me take over.”

“Please, that’s wishful thinking. You have a better shot of me leaving and you taking over because it has to be passed to the family. Plus, I can’t stay in this town anymore. I promise to write when I think Pa and Ma aren’t upset but I will never return. You can visit when you’re older.”

“But-”

“I love you, sis.” He leaned down and kissed my forehead. I watched as the door closed behind him never to see him again until years later. The next day I heard Ma’s scream when she went to my brother’s room and found the letter he left. She and Daddy argued for a very long time and he stormed out of the house. Ma was distraught and I did all the housework that day to help her out.

I let a few weeks go by before I tried talking to Daddy about my wishes. One night after dinner I went outside to where Daddy was having his after-supper pipe.

“Hello sunshine, you look like you have something to ask me.”

“Hi Daddy, I did want to ask you something but I want you to keep an open mind.”

“Okay, come sit and talk to me.” He patted the bench. I walked over and sat down took a deep breath and got a whiff of rum.

“I want to be the one to run the family business when you’re ready to hand it over. It has to go to family and I’m the oldest now.” I decided to get to the point and not waste his time.

“I’ve thought about that. Usually, the business goes to the son but maybe it’s time for a change. My previous decisions lost me one child. I want to make sure not to lose anymore.”

“Daddy, you could never lose me.”

“I hope not my sunshine. I have one requirement in order for you to take over.”

“I will do anything, Daddy.” If I smiled any wider the sides of my mouth would have touched my ears.

“I want you to be better than all who have come before you because I believe you could do more with the family business. Your Ma and I will be sending you off to boarding school in the next week or so. After that, you must obtain a business degree. This will help you be the best leader of the company. Do you agree?”

“Yes, I agree.”

Today, my family’s rum sits in every liquor store nationwide. Later this year we will be expanding internationally. My daddy realized what others before him didn’t. It didn’t matter who took over as long as they had a passion for the business. My brother ended up coming back to visit our town and him and Daddy fixed their relationship. They were closer than they were when he was a boy.

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