Finding My Way Back

Every Kiss Begins With K

Chapter 4

Every Kiss Begins With K

 “Whoa! I’m ready”, Crater sat in her seat anxiously, with a slight bit of nerves, because today was her day. Their day actually; not to exclude anyone. Crater looked a row behind her to see her sister sitting tall as ever and well, anxiously awaiting her name being called, just as everyone else in the center. Crater then tilted her head upward into the stands of thousands of proud guardians and family members of the graduating class. Crater looked forward to only make eye contact with Mr. Robinson, Chance that is. He mouthed the words, ‘You ready?’ to her, and to his assurance Carter reluctantly nodded and while mouthing the words, ‘I sure am’ in return with a slight smile. Crater knew this was her big step in life, graduating was her ticket out, it was the only thing she relied on to get from under a shadow and start over fresh with people who didn’t even know her.

As the rows of students stood as their last name alphabetical initial group was being called Crater day-dreamed of a Malachi. She smiled at the thought of a little Malachi running around the local park with a beautiful caramel, flawless skin toned women. She was slightly tall, thick in the thighs and hips; she wore a long, draped golden brown bob with black roots.

“Initial group ‘S’ will you please rise” the administrator whispered to Crater and Essence’s group, knocking her from her day-dreaming. She rubbed her two already sweaty palms together and mumbled to herself, “Its show time”, Crater was becoming a woman! She approached the podium to walk up the steps to await her name and receive her high school diploma of completion.

“Hey Cray,” she her Essence yell in a whisper type form though. She turned around she see her at the back of the line she was in, “Trip now so you won’t trip going down, trust me I know you” Crater couldn’t believe what she just told her. “What,” she asked?

“Come on Cray, I’m just tryna help youu,” Essence started to giggle as she emphasized the ‘you’ to humor the others around her.

Crater always had a sense to feel her Nana Augustine’s strong prayers she turned around with a hard eye roll and continued to follow behind the guy in front of her. When Crater was next she closed her eyes to hear the music of her name ring loudly over the microphone through the huge center.

“Crater Maliah Spencer” the head Director called. She proceeded to walk and slightly stumbled but caught herself she walked directly to the hands in which held her diploma. Crater received it with gratitude and smiled big for the picture or acceptance with the school head Director.

“Congratulations sweetheart, I wish you the best of luck, God bless you,” the Director repeated to every student her granted a diploma to.

“Thank You, I greatly appreciate it” Crater replied. When she got back to the floor she didn’t even notice her sister was up next.

“Essence Ava St. James” he called, and the crowd practically went crazy she smiled big and waved, only Essence though. Crater held back nothing she jumped and screamed for her sister, she was proud, I mean after all they’ve been through she could have given up, but she didn’t. Despite how much she hated Essence picking on her and always being better she had indescribable love for her big sister.

When it was all over the graduates hauled up outside the center greeting with proud love ones. Essence and Crater where enjoying their family and close friends family until Essence just had to up and leave with some guy and boom, right there, there goes bonding. Crater let it go because it was bound to happen, she knew Essence couldn’t stay still.

“Hey Cray” a slightly deep voice came from behind her. She turned to face Chance, a guy she’ll deeply miss. “Oh, okay, so todays different, you sure you don’t want me to turn around so you can scare me and then say hey,” Crater jokingly teased him. “No Craaatterrrr, this is my mom, you gotta be a very special person to meet this one,” he exclaimed while pointing down at a little short light skinned mixed woman. She looked as if she had to be in mid-forties, if that, either way it went she looked good.