*Ten Years Later*
Janet
"Phoenix!" I shouted up the stairs. "Phoenix! Come down here." I heard her footsteps.
"What's up, mom?"
"What were you doing?"
"Nothing."
"Yes, you were. Out with it."
"I was looking at your albums."
"Hmmm. I have told you about that. Those are not to be played with."
"I know, but there was one with a woman with black hair that I really like looking at."
"Really? Which one?"
"It says 'Heart Don't Lie.' I love looking at it. The woman is so beautiful."
"You know that's your aunt LaToya."
"Really?"
"Yeah."
"She's really beautiful. I wish I could've met her."
"You did. You met her the day you were born. She said you were very beautiful."
"She did?"
"Yeah. Unfortunately, she passed away that same day."
"Ohh." She looked down and I lifted her head.
"But you put such a smile on her face that even death couldn't wipe it away." She smiled wide. "You smile just like her, you know."
"Really?"
"Yep. You even act just like her. You two would've been the best of friends."
"Were you two close?"
"We were when I was younger then we grew apart for a while but before she passed we had become extremely close. I'm very happy about that."
"That's good, mama."
"I know. Now what was it I called you for?" I thought for a second. "Oh yeah, get your brothers and you all come here."
"Yes, ma'am." She ran upstairs.
"Don't run in the house!" I finished wiping the counter down and sat on the couch.
"Yes, momma J." I looked and saw Winston and Eissa standing with Phoenix.
"It's close to bedtime. I need you two to clean up whatever mess you made in the basement."
"Mama, we ain't mess up the basement." said Eissa.
"Don't lie to me."
"Fine." They zoomed past me and scrunched my face.
"Hey!" They came back. "And I need you two to take real showers tonight. You both stink." They rolled their eyes. Eissa and Winston were fourteen and twelve, and for some reason they act like they've become allergic to showers. "Phoenix, go get the stuff so I can twist your hair."
"I can twist my hair for bed, mama."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes, mama. Daddy taught me."
"Okay then. Go ahead." She ran upstairs. I sat and scrolled through my phone. I came across a fan page dedicated to LaToya on Instagram. Looking through the photos made me a little emotional. I no longer cried when I thought about her. It's more of a longing for her to be here. However, I have come to peace with the fact that she won't be upset if I stayed around moping.
"Hey, baby." I looked up and saw Idris.
"Hi, honey."
"Mama!" My baby ran to me and I picked her up.
