It All Started Here

Chapter Eleven

Kara:

“I hope we don’t have any problem finding my aunt,” Shirelle said.

            They’d just arrived at the Oakland train station where they were trying to fight their way off the train with all the other holiday passengers. Kara couldn’t wait to get outside and get some fresh air. Four hours in a train was way too long. Of course it wasn’t as bad as that car ride from Oregon on the first day of school.

            “We should’ve flown,” Jax said as the three of them pushed their way closer to the doors.

            “No way,” Shirelle countered. “Flying would’ve cost way too much.”

            Somehow, Kara didn’t think that was the kind of flying Jax meant. Finally, they made it onto the platform.

            “Do you see your aunt?” Kara asked.

            Shirelle scanned the crowd in front of them before a bright smile lit her face. “There she is,” she said, nodding her head toward a smiling black woman in a red sweater. “Now, remember what I told you, Jax.”

            Jax frowned. “I remember,” he muttered.

            “Aunt Dee Dee!” Shirelle cried, rushing to throw her arms around the woman.

            “Shirelle, you look so good child,” Dee Dee laughed. “I swear you get prettier every year. I’ll bet you keep the brothers on their toes at that fancy school of yours.”

            “Yeah, right,” Shirelle laughed too as she let go of her. “Aunt Dee Dee, this is my friend Kara.”

            Kara started to extend her hand, but Dee Dee already had her in a squishy hug. “Kara, I’m so happy to meet you. Shirelle talks about you all the time.”

            “It’s nice to meet you too,” Kara said, though her words were muffled in the embrace.

            As soon as Dee Dee let go of her Kara took a big gulp of fresh air.

            “Are we ready to go?” Shirelle asked.

            “Not quite,” Dee Dee said, staring straight at Jax. “You need to introduce me to your other friend first.”

            Shirelle shot a guilty look in Jax’s direction. When she didn’t say anything, a look of hurt flickered in his eyes. 

            “I’m so sorry,” Kara said. “This is my cousin, Jax.”

            Dee Dee widened her smile. “Pleased to meet you, Jack,” she said, and both Kara and Shirelle giggled when Dee Dee gave him one of her crushing hugs. “Now, we’re ready to go.”

            While Dee Dee linked arms with Shirelle and led the way to the car, Kara and Jax walked in silence a few steps behind.

Suddenly Dee Dee snapped her head around. “Get up here with us, you two. This isn’t the kind of place you want to get lost in.”

            Even though she knew she was safe with Jax beside her, Kara did what she was told and hurried to catch up to them.

            Dee Dee’s car was an old Toyota riddled with dents that stood out under the glaring lights of the parking lot. When she popped the trunk, they tossed their luggage inside and then got into the car. Shirelle sat up front beside her aunt while Kara and Jax sat in the back.  After a few turns of the key the engine finally turned over.