The Help (MB)

Chapter 25

*Penny's POV*

Late the next morning,after Kenya and Chres got back home,we were all in the kitchen eating breakfast.

"You guys have everything set up so nicely here." My mother,who's name was Tameka,said.

There was an awkward silence for a long minute,then Amaya decided to speak up.

"How did you know we lived here?"

"Well,I've wanted to get in touch with you for the longest,especially after I left rehab. I did my research and asked around a lot downtown,and finally had all the answers I needed,so here I am."

I thought long and hard. Wait. If she didn't even know our names at first,how did she "ask around" and get so many answers when all she knew was that we were her daughters? Especially since we've never told anyone that Mama wasn't our real mother.

I decided to just shrug it off. Maybe people knew what she was talking about,since we were the biggest group of sisters on the block.

"So you decided to get help? You're clean?" Peyton asked,looking up from her plate and staring at her.

"Yea. I've been clean for almost two years now." She smiled that toothy smile,looking down.

Kenya's face showed she didn't believe it for a second.

"What do you do then?" Kenya asked,looking at her. "Like,your job?"

"Oh,i'm an assistant manager at the Wendy's downtown."

We all nodded.

"You're very lucky. Most people can't get their life together like this after being addicted." Prod said.

She nodded all proud.

"It was hard,but I made it through. Which brings me to ask you guys something. You know,in the two years i've stayed clean,i've been retracing our family and stuff and going out to see them. I've decided to have a family reunion. Can you believe Grandma Mae is still up and on her feet? And my sister,Sham,is still stuck up. But I think it'll work." She looked at all of us.

"When is it?" I asked.

"2 weeks! It won't be much. It won't be big at all. I just thought we could get together. I haven't gave you guys the opportunity to be around your real family..."

We didn't say anything.

"I'm not rushing you into an answer. I-I just ask that you guys think hard about it. It would really be nice if you could come..." She smiled small,and drank the rest of her juice. She stood up and washed her plate and cup,and excused herself as she walked towards the guest room and shut the door.

We all sat there in silence,staring at each other awkwardly,and eating slowly.

"So....should we go?" Amaya asked.

"It would be the right thing to do." Peyton said,and we all nodded.

"Me and the boys will stay here,though." Prince said,and they all nodded.

I sighed. "This will be one hell of a reunion. Everyone will be strangers to us."

"You got that right." Kenya said,biting the inside of her cheek.

"I am a little excited,though. I want to be able to meet my real family." Amaya said,smiling a bit. I nodded in agreement.

"You know tonight's her last night here." Ray said.

"Last night? I thought she needed somewhere to stay for a while.."

"Thats what she said,but I guess her plans changed."

"Oh,okay."

"Then its final. You guys are going to that reunion. It'll be fun,trust me. I'm happy for you guys." Chres smiled.

Yea,I wish I could say the same....

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