BLACK-ISH

The Final Departure

The next morning, I wake to the soft, insistent voice of Mom, pulling me from the depths of sleep. The early light filters through the curtains, casting a gentle glow across my room.

"Lila, me to get up," she says, gently shaking my shoulder.

I groan, rubbing my eyes as I sit up. "Already?"

"Yes, we have a lot to do today. We need to finish packing and load everything into the U-Haul," she reminds me with a warm but determined smile.

I nod, swinging my legs over the side of the bed and stretching. As I get up, I hear Mom moving to Malik and Nia's rooms, waking them with the same gentle persistence.

"Come on, Malik. Nia. Time to get up," she calls.

I step into the hallway just as Nia stumbles out of her room, her hair a wild mess and her eyes half-closed. "Do we have to do this so early?" she mutters.

"Yes, we do," I reply, offering her a small smile. "The sooner we start, the sooner we'll be done."

Malik joins us, yawning loudly. "I hate mornings," he grumbles, but there's a hint of resolve in his eyes. We all know this move is necessary, even if we don't like it.

Downstairs, boxes are already stacked neatly by the door. The sight of them makes my stomach churn with a mix of excitement and dread. We start with breakfast, a quick meal of toast and scrambled eggs, before diving into the day's tasks.

We move through the house methodically, double-checking closets and cabinets to ensure nothing is left behind. Each room feels emptier, the walls bare and the furniture covered in protective wraps.

As we work, Malik and I tackle the heavier items while Nia focuses on packing up the remaining kitchenware. Mom moves between us, offering encouragement and directing us when needed.

"Be careful with that, Malik," she says as he and I lift a heavy dresser. "I don't want anyone getting hurt."

"We got it, Mom," he replies, and together we maneuver the piece out the front door and into the U-Haul.

Loading the truck is a slow, laborious process. Sweat beads on our foreheads as we hoist boxes, furniture, and countless other items, arranging them as efficiently as possible. Each box feels heavier than the last, but we push through, determined to get everything done.

Finally, as the sun climbs higher in the sky, we place the last box in the truck. We stand back, surveying our work with a sense of accomplishment mixed with exhaustion.

"Good job, everyone," Mom says, her voice filled with pride. "Now, let's get cleaned up and hit the road."

We head back inside for a quick shower and a change of clothes. As I rinse off the grime and sweat, I feel a mixture of relief and apprehension. This is it. We're really doing this.

Dressed and ready, we gather in the now-empty living room. Mom looks at each of us, her eyes shining with both determination and love.

"Remember, this is a new beginning," she says softly. "We'll face it together, as a family."

We nod, feeling the weight of her words. As we step outside, locking the door behind us, I take one last look at the house that has been our home for so long. It's time to move forward.

With the U-Haul packed and our spirits bolstered by Mom's words, we climb into the car and start the journey to Los Angeles, ready to face whatever comes our way.

597 words