Page 18 - MY BOY CHAZ

I had just turned seventeen when this event occurred.

I was doing my homework seated at a table in the restaurant when Earle Richard came to the table, grabbed
a pen out of my hand proceeded to call me a nigger. I punched him in the arm. Still, mom and dad, at that
point, saw and heard the entire event take place from where they were seated and yelled at me for hitting
him. I told them what he had called me, which was replied to by mom, "I just might be part Nigger, cause you
no child of mine.” Why would I not want to run away from that? So, I did, but not until I could confirm if I were
not her child. So, I went to the one person I knew I could trust to tell me the truth, Sadie, our grandmother. It
took much prodding to get her to release the facts without the threat of Waterboarding. The whole story was
told. Now it was time to run. Not so much away this time, but to whom. My birth mother, Anna A. Heckert,

Tyser.

Sadie is my father's mom and Belle's mom. That made her the only genuine relationship I had in this mixed-
up crazy arrangement. She had always been the gatekeeper and my protector growing up. Always there for
me. Spoiled me in so many ways. I always knew her as Mom. She was my educator, teaching me to read and

write and leading me to pray and trust the Lord. I have often watched her on her knees, crying and begging
for my deliverance. I went to her for everything, verbally abusing her if I didn't get my way. I wish I could
return and do that part of my life again.

I had been away from home for quite a few years. She had lost most of her memory. Did not recognize or
know close family members. When I call, I ask that they put her on the phone with me. They always informed
me, saying she would not know to whom she spoke. Each time I said Hello, she replied with, "Genie-Boy?",
She was always coherent on calls with me. She always asked if I was saying my prayers and reading my Bible.

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