Country Born, City Raised

The Big Move

1 The snow looked looked unreal as the Greyhound pulled into the bus terminal. My sister and I leaned against the window in disbelief but I guess we had to get used to it because this was our new home. It was a definitely a long way from what we used to call home. We unloaded off the bus and grabbed our bags. JAMES and Mama waited for the luggage while my little sister Tiffany and I waited in the seating area. The people were strange looking. All of these new faces and it seems like everyone was staring at us. I was creeped out. We loaded the taxi and headed home. When we arrived at the apartment, Emma Jean was really excited to see us. Everything was already set up for Tip and I. Lil Terry and his big brother Sean were running around so we immediately joined in. All the worries were gone. I was a kid again. We took off our coats and took off running. Tip had just started walking so she couldn't run that fast. But me, I was a race car waiting to burn rubber I was gone.

Everyday became more and more comfortable and our southern beginnings were soon forgotten. James had gotten a job with Emma Jeans ' old man at the Linen company. They made sheets towels and washcloths for the local hospitals. It was one of the better paying jobs in the early 80's. Life seemed pretty good. We stayed at home with Mama. She and Emma Jean would be at home tripping out and enjoying the days while taking care of us and the men of the home. None of us kids were old enough for school so we spent most of the day either getting on our parents nerves or watching PBS programs like Sesame Street and Mr. Dress Up. They helped you learn to read and interpersonal skills. The puppets were cool too.

Over the next several months JAMES began to fade. We would see him less and less and soon....not at all . He eventually migrated back to the south and found a mechanic job the with one of the main car dealerships. Even though I could tell she was hurt by the sudden move, Mama was determined to make it so she stayed here in the city. She now had to get a job because we definitely couldn't stay with Emma Jean for free and her food stamps could only go so far. As the months went by the tension in the apartment grew. I could tell the relationship between Mama and Emma Jean was changing. There was a lot less laughter and more being in your room with the door closed. Us kids were just in the middle but we had to do what we were told so we didn't play with our friends that much anymore.

Ever so often Mama had to go and see this lady called a social worker. You give this lady your personal information and she tells you whether you can get assistance or food stamps. While Mama went to see the social worker we went to the Kiddie Korner. That's was this little place within the Welfare office that took care of the kids while the parents went to see the social worker. We always had fun when we went there. We colored and sang songs. Sometimes we stayed long enough to get lunch which consisted of a sandwich an Apple a milk, a juice and a cookie. I loved staying for lunch. Ms Lily ran the Kiddie Korner. I thought she was the nicest lady in the world. She was always gave us extra color pages and juices. As soon as Mama was done she came and picked us up and headed home. One day coming from the Social Services, Mama got a big surprise. When we arrived home, she discovered that Emma Jean had moved out. There was an eviction notice on the door telling the tenant they had 5 days to move out. Mama just clutched us tight and began to weep. She tried to do it silently so we couldn't hear her but I saw the tears. What were we going to do?

2. The next morning Mama got us up extra early. We were bathed clothed, fed and out the door before 8 am. As we entered Social Services, Mama dropped me and Tip off at the Kiddie Korner. Ms. Lily took our coats and gave us some color sheets. Tip really enjoyed the baby dolls, so she went to playcenter where the dollhouses and things were. I sat at the table and colored. It seemed so relaxing. It gave my mind a chance to open up and explore my hidden thoughts and use color to blurt them out. Blue is my favorite. We were there for hours. By the time Mama came to pick us up it was late afternoon. We had already eaten lunch and too a mini nap. I don't know what went down, but all I know is that in a few days we were moving into our own apartment. It was on the second floor. So that many we had to take the elevator or the stairs. The elevator was fun , you just didn't want to get your hand caught up in that folding gate. That looked painful. Every time the elevator stopped it did this really loud "boom". Then you grabbed the handle and pull the gate back. I thought that was so cool. We lived in 208. Down the hall on the left. As you walk in there were wood floors and huge living rooms, I mean huge. There were two bedrooms. Of course Mama had the big one and me and Tip shared a room and a bed. Our first few days were spent cleaning and putting things in place. The stove and refrigerator came a few weeks later. I was so relieved. They helped us get furniture and clothes and stuff too. I could tell my Mom was relieved. We were happy for her. After a warm bath, Tip and I got in our new bed and went fast asleep. After a few months of settling in, Mama got homesick and we took a trip back home to North Carolina. As we boarded the greyhound bus i grew more and more excited. The bus was jam packed and smelled like musty gym dovs mixed with gasoline. We sat near the front where the smell wasnt as pungent. It was a 13 hour ride so Mama made sure we had plenty of snacks. As we crossed the roads of many states, i kept my face glued to the window. Even as a young girl, i thought America was beautiful. After almost a whole day of bus riding down the east coast, we finally made it back home. We were greeted by Mamas brother, Uncle Ed. He hugged all.of us so tight. Mama and Uncle Ed were very close. As her older brother, he always looked out for Mama. He gathered our bags and piled in his van. We stopped and talked to some of everybody. The only i wanted to see was my cousin Shay and my grandma. After hours of riding, we finally arrived at grandma house. When Mama unbuckled my seat belt, i darted for the front porch; taking me as fast as my little legs would carry me. As i climbed the porch steps, i was me at the end by this tall robust women with dark skin ans long gray hair that was put in plats. She scooped me and Tip up and held u super tight. I know she kissed us about 500 times but i was okay with it because I really missed my grandma. Once we saw Shay, Tip and i got down and shot outside. Grandma had a dog named Smoke. He was a scary dog. We thought he was running in the yard with us but be was actually running from us. Mama left with Uncle Ed and we stayed with Grandma, not knowing that Mama was leaving us there for the summer. It was so hot it looked like the streets were flooded. Grandmas house wasnt as effias our house. None of the rooms had doors. We used a steel pail to bath in and her bed was in the living room across from the couch. This was convenient for Grandma cause she could look out the window and see who was at the door. Me, Tip and Shay slept in the bed with Grandma. Her bed was humongous and it sat really high off the floor. After a few days, James. Who was Tips' dad pulled up in the yard. He came to pick us up to spend some time with him. Even though he wasnt my dad, he never treated me as if i wasnt.