I have always had a special relationship with my Granny, however you really didn't make Granny's "A" list until she invited you to High Tea. Going to Granny's was always an eventful social occasion. Because once there, you were greeted by Granny and she usually had special treats waiting for you, not to mention that Granny's house was like traveling down memory lane. Her home was decorated with a Victorian flair, with precious lace curtains and antique mahogany furniture. She had one room designated as her tea room that had antique settees, small mahogany tables adorned with crocheted doilies, tablecloths and silverware. This was Granny's sanctuary, where she entertained, had tea and prayed. In her day it would have been considered the parlor room. I was deliriously ecstatic to find out that I had received one of the most coveted invitations to Granny's afternoon tea.

Granny explained to me precisely what the afternoon would be like, and that she was having only her nearest and dearest friends over for the happening. Some of Granny's friends were the pillars of society and members of the most prestigious organizations in Jamaica. Once Granny explained all of this to me, I suddenly became disenchanted with my invitation because I knew that I was going to have to prepare myself for an afternoon of pomp and circumstance. My tea with Granny and her " hoity-toity" friends was going to be long and tedious. Maybe if I had been a senior citizen I would have been more excited about the guest list, but I just knew that they were going to be hugging and squeezing me all afternoon long. I also knew that when they were going to discuss adult affairs, they would keep saying, “Cover your ears, children are to be seen and not heard."

There was no easy solution to this situation, I would have to grin and bear it. The next thought I had was, "What will I wear to this gathering?" Granny came from a very proper upbringing, so naturally in true English fashion I would be expected to wear a nice frilly dress with gloves and a hat. Well, "Tea Day" arrived and I was as thrilled as someone with a toothache for this occurrence. I sat there and watched Granny as she meticulously organized the delicacies for the occasion and greeted her friends as they entered into her parlor. And just as I had anticipated they all were happy to have someone of the younger generation there, so they hugged and squeezed me until I was gasping. After gathering my composure and catching my breath, I gaped around the room to see if I recognized anyone.

There were a few noteworthy ladies, but the most interesting of them all was Granny's closest friend Ms. Mirth. She was a pantomime actress, who also taught acting classes. She was a beauty and exuded old Jamaican glamour and charm. Mrs. Mirth was so sumptuous that she wore evening dresses while dining by herself at home. Usually when I saw her I would always display my many theatrical talents hoping that she would one day give me a "bligh" and put me in one of her productions. Granny would always tell me, "Darling quit while you're ahead." Granny's sister was there, and as usual they were fussing with each other about who made the best truffles. I suddenly realized that the afternoon might be more interesting than I thought.

Granny's sister and Mrs. Mirth attended every event she had, for moral support. I made it through the noshing of pastry and tea sipping with grace and elegance, except there were a few times when my gloves became uncomfortable and I kept nudging Granny to ask her if I could take them off. Her answer was always an emphatic no, so I would take them off underneath the table, to alleviate the warmth that I was feeling, and then put them back on before anyone would notice. Then there were the cucumber sandwiches that I could not acquire a taste for, they ended up in my little drawstring purse, needless to say, and for the rest of the afternoon I was constantly surrounded by the scent of cucumbers. After tea, the atmosphere became really lively, Granny, her sister and Mrs. Mirth continued their debate about who was the best cook. It wasn't enough for them to differ in opinions, N-O-O. They had to actually excuse themselves from the dessert table and go into the kitchen to start the Great Jamaican bake-off. I therefore took the opportunity to go to my Granny's old closet and make a costume from her vintage hats and dresses, and I used my Grandpa's toupee to complete my disguise. I announced to everyone that I was pretending to be a Disco Queen; all the while I was hoping that Mrs. Mirth would see my act. While Granny and company were in the kitchen, I was busy singing and dancing for her guests. Surprisingly, they were quite congenial about my theatrical debut.

As I sang for them, I heard Granny's voice from the kitchen, "Where is that noise coming from?" Mrs. Mirth replied, "I think it's coming from the parlor." Granny said, “It could never be who I think it is. I hope it is not my quiet and lovely granddaughter practicing her talents again." By this time I tried to hurry my act along before Granny could enter the room, but as usual she and her friends were too quick for me. Before I knew it Granny, Auntie and Mrs. Mirth were standing right behind me watching all my antics. I said to Granny, " I'm a Disco Queen!" She replied, "I hope you know your school books like the singing and dancing. "Dis go tek off" that costume and apologize to the ladies." As Granny dragged me off to change, I winked at the ladies and they applauded my performance. Upon her return, they all said, "That granddaughter of yours is something else" Granny said, "Tell me about it, she is an old soul, six years old going on sixty-four." That night as Granny tucked me in bed and kissed me goodnight, I said to her, "Granny, I think I'm going to be famous one day", then she replied, "Sure sweetheart, you're famous right now." I said, "How Granny?" She remarked, "You're a child of the King, so you're automatically famous." I replied, "What King Granny?" She said, "God." I replied nodding my head, "Yeah, I guess I am." and then drifted off to dreamland.