Overcome (editing)

Chapter three

Success is not built on success. Its built on failure. Its built on frustration. Sometimes, its built on catastrophe.

-Summer Redstone

The next morning, I awoke to find my mom sitting at the foot of my bed with the same lost look she usually has since my dad left, she scared the hell out of me! It may sound weird but she visiting me was the most interaction we've had since that faithful day; she even shocked me further by speaking to me like I was an actual person:

"Hi Rihanna". She spoke.

Immediately I sat up.

"Mom?" ... I asked worriedly.

I reached out to touch her, but I noticed her body stiffen so I pulled back. That hurt, because for a moment I deluded myself into thinking she was here because she wanted to make amend and I was finally getting my mom back, I long for the woman that used to smile and sang throughout the house as though every day was a good day, she had the most beautiful voice, like heavenly angels.... Sigh....I truly miss that voice.

While I was still in my thoughts she turned and looked at me.

"Your birthday is coming up she said softly.

"Yes". I whispered

"You'll be fifteen years old; I remember turning fifteen...that's the day I met your father "----

Not wanting to ruin the progress she is seemingly making with memories of him, I interrupted:

"Mom, you don't have to"----

But I was the one interrupted when she continued as though she never heard me. It was like I wasn't even there anymore, like she was transported back in time to the day she met my father.

"It was my birthday and I had gone out to get some coffee at the best diner in town, The Rad Shack" .... She chuckles... " I hated the name, but it was a good Diner. At the time it was empty, Maybe due to the fact that it was raining, and I remembered thinking : I must be the only person stupid enough to come out in the rain just for a cup of coffee that late in the afternoon ...but I wasn't....because in walked the most handsome man I've ever seen in my entire life, with rain drops dripping from his jacket and his hat drenched with water. I couldn't help but stare as he took off his jacket and hat to give them a little shake. I was caught red handed when he looked up and saw me. I immediately hung my head with a nervous smile, but he came over and introduced himself anyways, and we sat and talked for hours. He was filled with hope and dreams".... she was smiling now.... "That man had the ability to make anyone believe they were invincible; like you could fly or walk on water like Jesus did! He had dreams that were unmatchable, and throughout our relationship, we would spend hours talking about where we would go and what we would become."

I found myself smiling at the thought as it played out in picture form in my head. But soon, I watched the smile fade slowly from her face leaving behind a deep sorrow; and after a few moments of silence, she said:

"But then he woke up ....and when he did, reality struck, and he realized they were just those; dreams. He finally came face to face with the cruel bitch called reality and she was brutal with the truth. The truth was: he was married man with three kids in a situation where there was barely food to eat.... I guess it was too much for him....so he left."

Silence followed again, and for a while we just sat there lost in our own thoughts, recalling the day my dad vanished from our lives forever leaving three lost children and a broken woman.

"You see Rihanna, sometimes things change, life becomes hard. It may not be what you had planned but it's the card you've been dealt, so what do you do? What do you do then Rihanna? She asked me.

"You play, I answered.

And she looked at me and smiled, obviously pleased with my answer.

"Yes! You play them. Sometimes you must make sacrifices and that may mean even your own happiness for the good of those you love. Remember this Rihanna don't be selfish like your dad and think only of your happiness and yourself ". ... she said.

"I won't momma! I promise!" I spoke confidently.

That's when she placed her hands on mine, and it felt so good; warm and comforting like it used to in the past when we were deliriously happy, only reaffirming how much I miss and needed my momma.

"I am getting older now... she continued.... Your brothers are still young. I am gonna need you to be an adult and make your sacrifices. It wont be easy, at times you may feel the need to be selfish but remember your purpose, it's for the benefit of your family, so do Whatever you need to do with pride and know that at least you were better than him. Make me proud Rihanna"----

"I will momma." I spoke sadly, already feeling the burden of adulthood at my tender age.

And then she slowly leaned in to leave a wet kiss upon my forehead before she left my room, closing my door softly behind her.

Edited on: 12/11/22

Author: Char Wilson