Aribelle /R-e-belle/
Noun
1. Beautiful bird
2. Achievements, the many over a lifetime
The bird is the symbol of happiness, joy and love; it stands for power and strength.
Achievements represent an act of ove...
One day, six months after the first time, we went to the grocery store. I followed behind the man I once admired with my head down. A jacket zipped up to the very top even though it was 93 degrees outside. My hands limp at my sides.
"Try not to fall too far behind baby girl. Daddy doesn't want you to get lost." He said as he turned his head to face me and grin as a raise my eyes to look him in the face. He hates when I don't make eye contact with him. 'That's so disrespectful little girl' he would say.
"Yes sir," he stares into my eyes before abruptly turning around and continues pushing the cart.
My eyes drop back down to his feet so I can follow behind him.
"Mr. Washington?!" someone yells from across the store. "Is that really you Mr. Washinton? Is Aribelle with you?"
"Ah, Ms. Scott was it?" He asks as he grabs my shoulder and pulls me to stand next to him in front of the cart.
"Yes sir. Hi my baby! You haven't called me like you promised little girl. I didn't even get to wish you happy birthday! You've gotten so big," I look up and see my old foster mom stand in front of me, hand on her hips and a mouth wide open in shock.
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My eyes widen in shock and my words get caught in my throat when I begin to speak. He nudges my shoulder and glares at me as if warning me not to say too much.
"Hey Jamie! I'm sorry I guess I've been too involved with myself lately." Even though I'm next to him, I can't hide my excietment ad love for the only parental figure who made living as a foster kid bearable.
"Oh I can't stay mad at my baby. Come give me a hug." She gigges and holds her arms out to me. I rush to her side and wrap my arms around her waist and bury my head into her chest. She squeezes me into her making me wince a little. "Sorry Ari, didn't mean to squeeze you so tight. I just missed you so so much." She rested her cheek ontop of my head rocked us side to side.
"It's okay Jamie, I missed you too."
"Alright Aribelle, c'mon we have to finish up our list."
I don't move, squeezing Jamie tighter.
"Aribelle. Now."
I still don't move, tears gather in my eyes as I look at Jamie. "Please don't leave me Jamie."
"Aribelle, let go of Ms. Scott."
"Please don't let me go Jamie."
Jamie looks at me and furrows her brows. Her eyes stare into mine, taking in the tears. "Is it okay if me and Aribelle go out for lunch today before I leave? I'm only in town for the weekend." Jamie looks up with a smile as if I'm not crying in her arms.
"Sorry, but Aribelle has homework she needs to get done. That cannot happen. Aribelle let's go now, you're already in trouble."
My body freezes when he says I'm in trouble. I look at Jamie and force a smile, "Sorry, I guess I missed you more than I thought Jamie. I'll make sure to call you more often now. I love you." I lean up and kiss her cheek and unravel myself from her arms walking back to him to continue our shopping in the opposite direction.
Two weeks after, my number had been changed and we moved three states over.
