It Comes Naturally

1.

Caribbean Dialect Included.

Erica

The hard rubber handle of my suitcase was cutting into my skin as I tightened the hold on it. I've been to this airport many times but not to this terminal. Currently, I was standing near the display of our country's culture while waiting for my family to exit the arrivals terminal from Tobago. Arriving in Trinidad used to be an exciting feeling for me, visiting my best friends or looking forward to the getaway weekend with my friends.

But now.

Now I was scared, angry, and sad, all mixed up in one large knot in my chest. I didn't want to do this but I had no say in what happened over the past three months.
Three months and I've packed my whole life in four large suitcases, one backpack, and a messenger bag.

Releasing a nervous sigh, I checked my ticket once more, the flight to New York will be boarding in three hours then I'll be heading to North Carolina while my parents and older sister heads off to Ohio. My anger surfaced thinking back on the night they told me of this 'move'. I've never hated anyone in my life but I think I'm getting close to hating my family.

I didn't want to leave my small island. My whole world was formed here, my friends, the quiet, the familiar faces, and the laid-back environment, that's me in a nutshell. Tobago is basically a vacation island, what's better than wearing shorts and flip-flops every day and having the beach at your doorstep. I now have to put that all behind me now. A new life to live at sixteen by myself while my parents follow my older sister to the college of her dreams.

Taking a deep breath I tried to keep the tears at bay.

"Yuh get everything?"

The loud and stern voice of my mother had me tense. "Yes, mammy," I replied softly. My stepfather and older sister were behind her, checking their bags then patiently waiting on her. My mother, Charlene Ellis-Moore was the epitome of a Caribbean mother. Tough with discipline, loud, not afraid to speak her mind, voluptuous, and strictly old school. Overall, she was the head of the family, whatever she says goes, and that meant uprooting my life and shipping me off to a man I only communicated with once or twice a month. (That's how often she allowed. Let's not tell her about the secret emails.)
She turned around to her husband and her other daughter and began a conversation amongst themselves. As usual, I'm left out, it always hurt when they do that, even more so when I won't be going with them to Ohio. My phone rang, distracting me from my messed-up thoughts. Checking the caller ID, a wide grin graced my face. "I'm going for somethin' to eat by Royal Castle," I said to them.

"Doh Leh me come lookin' fuh yuh. Just hurry up," my mother shouted after me. I quickly answered the call and walked into the fast-food restaurant which always has a comfortable vibe in the busy Piarco International airport. Finding a seat, I laughed at the returning greeting from my best friend.

"I'm in Royal Castle," I said to him, tucking my luggage under the table before joining the line.

"Okay. I see yuh. Dah boy jus' parkin' d car."

Before I had time to end the call, I felt his arms around my waist only to be spun around way too quickly.

"Dude. Stop," I screamed aloud. When he did, I saw my other best friend came running in. My face heated at the position Christopher had me in. I sort of have a crush on Jamal but that's all it has to be now. No use telling him now when I'm leaving the country for good.

"You want somethin' darlin'?" I heard the cashier ask. Back on my feet, I ordered three chicken sandwich combos and extra fries for all of us. Just smelling the scent of their perfectly seasoned chicken and the soca music playing in the background had me homesick already. Christopher had my hand in his while Jamal had his arm around my shoulders. The tension between the three of us was the same I felt with my girls back in Tobago three months ago. Words were lost, moods very low and the unknown staring at us, waiting for us to simply walk forward. After a quick ten-minute wait, we went to the table I secured and silently ate. For me, this meal gave me the opportunity to put this moment in memory. Christopher with his smooth brown skin, tall stature, and long black braided hair. His ears were pierced and with his naturally hooded dark eyes and plump lips he was considered a hottie. He's a wild one, at eighteen he's one to know where all the good parties are and always knew how to get a car borrowed to do whatever he wants. Besides that, he's a good listener and protector, he made himself my bodyguard whenever I travel to Trinidad or when he visits me in Tobago.