Ross Sheil, Staff Reporter

Alpha Howell and his son Alphonso at the Gleaner's North Street office last Saturday. - Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer

THOSE WHO have seen the recent movie The Pursuit of Happynes, a true-story-turned screenplay about a struggling single father, might well recognise the plight of Alpha Howell and his three-year-old son, Alphonso.

Except Mr. Howell, 31, is still looking for the Hollywood ending.

A Gleaner and Star vendor since 1985, he is desperately seeking the mother to his child, who left their shared home in Patrick City, St. Andrew, last year. He said that the mother, aged 43, had left on a six-month visa to work in the hospitality industry somewhere in North America - exactly where, Mr. Howell does not know.

He said that they kept in touch by telephone, but had not spoken to her since she returned to Jamaica last September.

No missing persons report

He fears that she may leave Jamaica, and he will have to care for Alphonso alone; or worse, she may flee the island, taking young Alphonso with her.

He said that he is yet to file a missing persons report, claiming that she has revealed to others her plans to return to North America.

"She left all the burden on me and took 'im age paper (birth certificate), so him cannot go to school," Mr. Howell said of his son, adding that she took all Alphonso's documents from their home.

He fears that without these documents, Alphonso cannot advance further than the day care in Duhaney Park, since under the Jamaican education system schools are not obliged to register a child whose age cannot be proved.

A challenge

"She must take responsibility!" he protested, adding that reconci-liation was still possible.

With Alphonso in day care, Mr. Howell said that whenever he is not selling newspapers, he tries his best to care for his son. A season pass holder at Arnett Gardens Football Club, he carries his son to weekend matches.

Alphonso smiled when his father produced his children's size Arnett Gardens Football Club cap.

But caring for Alphonso remains a challenge, said Mr. Howell. This was plain to see as the small bundle of energy tore about The Gleaner's North Street head office when the pair visited on Saturday.

Seated for a rare moment, the little boy smiled and replied "Yes" when asked if he missed his mother. He met all other questions with a one-word reply: "Mommy."

ross.sheil@gleanerjm.com