Ascension

Chapter 3

~Justice~

Ughh why is it so damn bright I mumbled to myself. Probably because its morning, well actually its afternoon. Oh shit I said sitting straight up to see Savannah staring at me with her arms crossed. Shit I said holding my head. What time is it? It's 12:30. Oh god I am so late for school. Don't worry about school I told them you were sick. You did! Yeah, I did, we need to have to a talk though. I wasn't with Chantel last night I promise. I know you weren't she called earlier when you didn't show up for school. We need to talk about why your eye is swollen? Um I got beat up at school yesterday. Justice! I know what you're going to say Vannah and it is what is. No, its not, you are not a punching bag and don't worry I will be making a personal visit to that school. Please Vannah don't the last thing I need is you going up there making a scene. Should have thought about that before you let them put their hands on you. Get yourself together and meet me downstairs. I am in trouble. We'll see about that in a little bit she said leaving the room. Okay I said slowly getting out the bed. The last thing I need is Vannah going to the school, she's worse than having a parent go to the school she plays no games and them teachers and administrators know that too.

I guess I better get myself together I went to get out the bed and saw something on the pillow next to me. It was a note.

"I didn't want to wake you, nor did I want your sister to catch me leaving your room. Call me when you wake up! Tionne."

I smiled looking at the number at the bottom of the page, before getting up and going to take care of my hygiene.

I went down stairs to see Vincent, Savannah and Cierra sitting there. Damn I know I am really in trouble now if 3 of my 4 siblings are here. Come sit down they said pointing to a seat on the couch. I am sorry for coming in late it'll never happen again I promise, I said before they could start yelling at me. It's not that Vincent said leaning forward, just come sit down. What is it? It's about mama! Mama, did something happen to her? They found her on Copeland Ave. Okay and what are we supposed to do about that? We've tried so many times to help her and every time she checks out. This time it's different Justice, Cierra said. How so? She... she has HIV, she got it from sharing needles with the druggies. HIV as in she has AIDS? Not full-blown AIDS but the virus.

Is she going to die? We don't know they have her down at the county hospital getting treatment before she has to go into the mandatory 1-year drug program. Mandatory 1 year drug program, who's gonna pay for that we don't have money like that. Don't worry about that Justice its already been taken care of. We wanted to be the ones to tell you before someone else does. Yeah thanks, I said sniffling. Justice it's going to be okay you know we take care of you and we always will, he said rubbing my shoulder. Can I go I need to work on my paper? Go ahead Savannah said shaking her head at me. I went back upstairs and closed the door and slid down it, crying. Really god of all the things to give her HIV? Yeah, she left us, but I never wish that on her, ever. And I didn't stop loving her either. I just realized there is just some pain that your kids can't heal for you. Every time something good happens to me life just knocks me back 4 steps.

There was a knock at the door breaking me from my crying spell. I quickly fixed my face before opening it to see Vincent. Hey Vin! Juju why you up here crying? I wasn't just something in my eye that's all. Now you know better than to lie to me. I can see it all over your face you worried about mama? That amongst other things, It, just doesn't get easier Vin, first daddy dies and now mama. I just don't get why god is giving us all this heartache. This is just life baby girl and we gotta deal with the hand we were dealt. Damn how many hands are we getting though Vin? He chuckled and pulled me into a hug. Juju mama is gonna be okay, we are going to take care of her and make sure that she's taking her medicine and that she stays clean. Can you really promise that Vincent! I can't promise you that, but I can guarantee mama isn't going back on drugs if I have anything to do with it.