Finding My Way Back

From Sister To Sister

Chapter 5

“CRAY…CRAY,” Nana raced as fast as she could to her granddaughter’s room. “CRAY, THE LETTER! THE LETTER!” she called out. The girls had gone out last night and were still sleeping even though it was twelve o’clock in the afternoon. Bursting in through the door, awakening them with a startle, the girls jumped up. “WELL OPEN IT”, Nana yelled.

“Nana why must you yell”, Essence asked while covering her ears.

“Oh YOU shut the hell up”, Nana squealed in return. “Cray wakey wakey, eggs and turkey!”

“Yeah because the word is totally bakey” Essence mumbled. Having the last word is defiantly her kryptonite. Scooting off her bed she get up and proceeds to getting stuff out of her drawers for an early morning shower. Crater turns over in her bed and makes eye contact with her grandmother.

“Yes Nana,” she whined.

“NYU! Its here” she exclaimed.

“WHATTT” she asked in utter shock? “I didn’t get in though”.

“How do you know? You haven’t even opened it,” Nana advised her. “Open it honey, its something good. I just know it.” Nana went into a silent prayer for her baby and there it was.  After Crater ripped through the entire letter and began reading, “…your outstanding academic excellence at your High School have not gone unnoticed by NYU we are proud to admit you as one of our freshman student this year. WELCOME TO THE NYU FAMILY. See you at orientation hopefully. Garry Ray (Admissions Counselor).

Nana and Crater went crazy this was her every dream to escape to the big apple become some big time broadcasting journalist and never look back. Crater caught her breath from jumping up and around and seen Essence just combing her hair in the mirror.

“ESSENCE DID YOU JUST HEAR ANYTHING” Crater asked?

“I’ll be right back baby I have to call Pastor” Nana informed her.  Crater nodded and smiled at the beautiful kiss she received before her Nana left to room.

“Whats wrong St. James? What?  You ain’t happy for me?” Crater asked.

“Its aren’ t” she corrected her.

“WHAT?” Crater asked with a confused face to go along.

“You ‘aren’t’ happy for me; is the proper form of speaking” Essence assured her.

“Really, Essence? Get over yourself for once. This is a good thing for me like –“she was instantly cut off from her word of speech.

“YOU’RE RIGHT!” Essence acknowledged. “’For you’ this ain’t for me. You should be happy for yourself, above anybody. Who cares what I think. I’ll be here, getting fat and taking care of what I must. You travel on and get you fancy fancy degree. Hooper will marry me. That’s ‘my dream’”

“Marcel will MARRY you?? He won’t even claim…”she paused took a deep breath and went on. “I’ve always know you were selfish and just down right nonchalant but I never thought I’d see you just so DAMN shallow. It’s pathetic and quite frankly un-lady like. I don’t appreciate you trying to knock my ‘dream’ because it damn sure is better and bigger than yours. GROW UP ESSENCE!”

“Why do extra work. When you look as good as this things come so easy. I would never knock your ‘BIG ASS DREAMS’ baby you go do your thing. I mean in the end look whos gonna win and have the trophy.” Essence’s ignorance poured out her mouth like water. She really believed every word she spoke.

“Come on Essence,” Crater sarcastically spoke, “don’t be a dumb ass all your life.”

“I’d rather be a dumb ass than a washed up loner like you for the rest of my life. I mean come on, give it up, what are you gonna do in the big apple? You definitely can’t go down there looking like you have been looking. Crater what do you want a round of applause. I mean yeah you finally beat me a something I was never competing for.” Essence sarcastically claps.

“Humph!” Crater couldn’t do anything but stand there and try hard not to show her hurt. She just laughed to keep from crying. She couldn’t believe her ears; her sister’s words pierced her like AK-47 bullets straight through the brain. She wanted to cry but she was sick of all of that. She just remembered the words of her true friend, Chance, taking that hard savings money and booking the first flight to New York. Crater had taken all she could’ve; it was now time for her to go.

“This ‘isn’t’ for you! THAT’S the proper form of speaking…rrright?” Crater blew at steam and looked her sister in the eye. Essence did a quick wink. It was perfect, almost as If she did it in slow motion just for her. It was swift, seductive, and the utmost priceless comeback.

Crater just smiled tilted her heard down toward her finger nails and thought of flipping the bird but instead silently thanked God for the blessing and asked for some sort of strength. She picked her head up and walked out of the room in one peace excited for her future.