Behind Closed Doors: My Life As Ke'Ladriah Wallace

13

It's visit day for Ms. Crenshaw. I hated that I had to give her the journal. Or did I? That's it! I ain't giving it back. Good idea KeKe!
"Good morning! I know that you all are aware that I am here for the journals. The last time I was here I talked to you all about them. I would like for everyone to pass the journals up." Ms. Crenshaw sounded like she belonged on a commercial. You know the ones that always say just two cents a day can end world hunger but they got a lot of money they self considering the fact that they got nice big cameras to record folks suffering. Yea she sounded like that. I listened while she called out names. "Harris, Hawkins, Jones,..... Wallace where's yours ?" I kept my head down and ignored her. "Wallace!" I looked up at her and acted like I ain't know what was happening. "Why didn't you give me your journal sweetheart?" I ain't no sweetheart I tell you that. "Do I have to?" She nodded her head and smiled. "I don't want to though." She dropped her smile and came to me and grabbed my journal completely ignoring all the others and telling me follow her. We went to the empty class and I sat far away as she read the writing I had done. "Is this really what's going on?" I took a deep breath. "I wrote it didn't I?" She nodded in understanding. "Maybe I could help" I shook my head no. "I'm fine, don't worry about me. Just do what everybody else does. Ignore me." I got up from the chair and she let me walk out.

I was at home doing my sisters hair and had just braided my brothers when Que burst in. "You little thief!" He grabbed the comb that was on my bed and he grabbed the brush and hair grease. "That ain't yours! That's my sister's put it down." He pushed Trenton and Angela ran to Que's rescue. "Give him his stuff!" I looked at her and once again. My father spoke for me. "It ain't his! His stuff is in the trash cause he broke his comb on that brittle hair of his. That's mine cause I bought it! His braids dry anyways! They soaked up all his grease! If anything they need water!" Just when I was about to get on her case I heard somebody knocking. "Who in the heck is it?" Angela practically screamed to the top of her rage filled lungs and we laughed. Ms. Crenshaw stepped in and at the sound of her voice I got scared. Not for me but for her. "I came to give Ke'Ladriah this." I walked up and grabbed my notebook and silently thanked her while she left. "Why you got that white lady coming here again! Que!". I bit her and kicked him in the spot no man wants to be kicked. I ran and locked the door. They ain't bout to keep doing this! I heard him stumble to the door and bang on it. I held my brother and sister and they cried. I felt my father's presence in the room with us. Ain't no use of calling 911. They ain't coming to my neighborhood...