Moving Forward

One

Fourteen Years Earlier...

 "Mommy, where are we going?"

I watched as she shifted my sister in her arms. "We are going far away from here," she whispered. She grabbed my hand leading me up the stairs.

She crouched down in front of me. "Chresanto, I want you to be brave for Mommy," she announced, handing me my sister.

"Where are you going?"

 "I want you to ring the doorbell, and tell the nice lady inside that you are lost," she added, hugging me tightly.

 "But that's lying."

 I heard a loud noise coming from down the street. She must've heard it too because she looked scared. "Don't come after me," She pleaded, and tears began falling down her face.

 "Why are you crying? Where are you going?"

 She leaned down, kissing me on the forehead. "I love you," she cried, wiping her tears with her sleeve. "I'm sorry."

 She got up turning to leave. I tried to stop her, but she kept going. I heard footsteps, and I ducked down. "You think you can run away that easily," I heard someone yell, then I saw daddy appear out of the darkness.

 "Daddy," I called out to him, but he didn't hear me.

Mommy broke out into a run, but daddy was too fast. He grabbed her dragging her into the alley. I heard a loud scream. "Mommy," I cried, but she didn't come back.

 I rang the doorbell, and a nice lady opened in. "Oh child, what are you doing here?" She asked.

 "I'm lost."

____

 Now...

 "Earth to Roc," My sister Aaliyah, was saying snapping me out of my daze. "Hand me the mic."

 "Oh sorry," I muttered.

 "What were you thinking about?" She asked, putting the last amp in place.

 Aaliyah's the only family I have. I tell her everything. We have been living in the foster care system ever since I can remember. Other than Prince she's the only friend I have. But there are just some things you just keep to yourself.

"Nothing," I replied, forcing a smile on my face.

"Are you guys ready to rock?" Prince yelled, making quite the entrance.

"Of course," I smiled settling behind my drumset. "At least as ready as I'll ever be."