Lost In Transition

1

August 2005

"ZA'NIYA JADE MONROE! Didn't I tell you to stop jumping on that bed?"

I hurried and sat down on the edge of the bed as my mother's footsteps got closer and closer to my bedroom door.

"I wasn't jumping, Mommy." I lied.

She leaned against my doorframe and put her hand on her hip. "Oh, really? So what was all that bumping?"

I shrugged and smiled, trying not to laugh and spoil my lie.

"Put your shoes on. We're about to go to your Auntie Mika's house."

"YAY!" I screamed and jumped around in a circle, dizzying myself a little.

My mom chuckled at me, and handed me a pink pair of socks from my top drawer.

"You know, most five-year-olds are getting ready for school." My mother said to me, as she leaned down to tie my shoe.

"I don't want to start school!" I whined. "I like being home with you."

"I know, sweetheart. But Mommy has to go back to work soon. Or we'll have to move back in with grandma."

I pouted. We lived with my grandmother for a few months last year, after my dad disappeared. She was so mean!

"I don't want to live with Grandma," I said to her.

My mom tied my other shoe and looked up at me. "I know. Me either. Which means you have to start school."

"Fine," I said. "But, can you buy me a lunch box with That's So Raven on it?" I begged.

"We'll go shopping tomorrow, and see what we can find. Okay?"

I nodded and grabbed my coat that was hanging on my Dora chair.

"Mommy is going to put on her shoes, and then we'll go to Aunt Mika's. Fix your bed."

She left the room and I started to fix my bed. I straightened my blue blanket like my mom showed me, and put my purple Bratz pillow right in the center. When I was finished, I went into the living room and waited for my mom.

———————

We got to my Aunt Mika's house, and I couldn't wait to get out of the car. Aunt Mika was my favorite aunt because she always gave me extra juice and candy when my mom wasn't looking. And her piggyback rides were top-tier. I also liked seeing my cousins, Rae and Rena. They're twins, but they were sixteen, and the coolest people ever in my mind.

"AUNT MIKA!" I yelled, running up to her once I got out of the car.

She was standing in front of her garage, raising it and exposing her clutter and barbecue grill, before turning around and embracing me in the biggest hug.

"Hey NyNy. How's my favorite niece?"

"Mommy is making me start school next week," I whined to her as I laid my head on her shoulder.

"Is that so?" She said rubbing my back.

I nodded into her arms.

She put me down and grabbed my hands. "I know you're scared, Ny, but school is so much fun!"

"But I don't know anybody, and I'll be by myself."

"You won't have any issues making friends. You're a ball of sunshine."

Aunt Mika kissed my forehead and sent me into the house to say hi to my cousins.

When I got in the house, Rae and Rena were in the kitchen.