A Glowstick vs. The World

Chapter 3

I take my key out of my bag and unlock my front door. 

"I'm home", I call.

 I see my big sister making dinner in the kitchen. 

"Hey Kamala."

She turns to me with a worried smile. 

"Hey", she says. "Mom's not really in a good mood".

I freeze and realize that I must not have cleaned my room. I had an essay due that I was rushing to finish.

"Oh, God. I need to get better at remembering to do stuff".

 Kamala comes to sit beside me and swats me on the head.

"Don't take the Lord's name in vain little girl."

"Little girl?", I scoff. "I'm only 2 years younger than you, chill."

"What are you two laughing about?!!" Mom said.

Our face was frozen in fear as we looked at each other. Things could get bad when Mom was screaming at us. 

"Araminta, get your damn ass in here! Didn't I tell you to clean up your fucking room?"

I get up from the couch and slowly walk to my room. I'm immediately greeted with shouting and cursing. 

I apologize. "Mom I'm sorry. It won't happen again."

The tirade finally stops and Mom walks out the room. I go to make my bed and tidy up the room. I'm think I'm done when I realize I still have my closet to clean.

In the back, I find a piece of jewelry from the Philadelphia International Airport. Seeing the  bracelet triggers memories from 5 months ago that I had pushed down really far...

                                                                                  ~

..."Dad, I really want to go with you," I pouted.

He laughed, deep and loud. "Minnie, it's a reunion for my family. I promise when I get back, we'll take a vacation." 

Kamala and I jumped up and down excitedly. The last time we'd been on a trip was when I was 12 and she was 14.

Mom looked at him, "Tyrone, don't give them false hope."

"Zola, I promise it'll happen." He gave her a smile.

American Airlines flight number 5265 boarding at gate C15. 

"Dad, your flight is boarding now," Kamala says.

"Ok girls, make sure you don't give your mom any trouble, ok?"

We both nod.

"I'll be back in a week. I love you!"

We embrace in a family hug and watch as walks to the gate. 

We watch as he gets his ticket and boards his flight.

We watch his plane take off and wave to him.

We watch as his plane crashes.

Kamala and I are in shock and Mom starts crying while people rush onto the runway.

And we watch as flight 5265 blows up and explodes into pieces. Everyone within 50 feet is killed.

Mom faints, Kamala screams, and I just sit there in shock; not able to comprehend what the hell just happened.

My dad was just killed right in front of me. My whole world has exploded in 15 minutes. I'm slightly aware of people reviving my mom and comforting my sister. I know that someone elevated my lower body and wrapped a blanket around me, but everything is a blur from then on. 

                                                                                ~

My trance is suddenly broken by a sharp slap to my face. "Araminta, what the hell are you doing?! You're supposed to be cleaning your room so get a move on."

"Yes ma'am." I don't even point out that I'm basically done. I just have to get through the day, I repeat to myself. I just have to get through the day.

A/N Did y'all like this juicy chapter? 💦 I promised I wouldn't disappoint you! Many more ✨spicy✨ updates are coming soon babes, so stay tuned.🥵 Make sure to vote and comment feedback. I'll update by 1/22/2021. Thanks for reading!