ROSE

II

•Aaliyah•

Waking up to chirping birds and not booming traffic is something I didn't know I needed.

The emerging daylight crept through my blinds, lighting up the room.

I definitely couldn't go back to bed. Instead, I picked myself up and traveled to the bathroom for my inconsistent morning routine.

I took one more swish of my mouthwash before going to the kitchen and finding something to feed my hungry organ.

"Good morning Rosie."

I jumped at Mary's voice coming from the living room.

"Morning." I found it crazy. She knew I was here.

I continued my quest to the kitchen, finding some cereal and fruit waiting for me.

"Sorry if you were looking for some extravagant breakfast; in the morning, we eat cereal."

I laughed at how she thought I cared about what we ate. All that matters is food entering my stomach.

"Trust that I haven't given it a thought. You know I'd eat whatever."

"Oh yes, that's your sister who's picky." She chuckled.

"Mhm, so what's on the agenda?" My mouth was full of frosted flakes and strawberries.

"Appointments and pharmacy runs." She sighed.

"Oof, so what can I help with?"

"Well, your mother's appointment is in 15 minutes. Your father's appointment is at a quarter to. You can take him, and we'll meet downtown somewhere." She said, grabbing her keys off the counter.

"Okay."

I could see my mom standing in the doorway, clutching the practice doll to her chest.

"Morning, Mommy." I gave her a slight smile, and she nodded back in hesitation.

She and Mary walked out the door, leaving me in the kitchen alone with my thoughts.

"Shower? I guess so." I played question and answer to subdue the silence.

The house was as quiet as an abandoned city, making me miss the hustle and bustle of inner New York and Baltimore.

"How do you not go insane?" I scoffed, getting in the shower.

I jumped out of the tub in a flash after 10 minutes, realizing I had to be somewhere at 7.

I hurriedly dried off and threw on a pair of jeans and a tank covered by my Nike fleece jacket.

I rushed down the hall to my dad's and knocked on the door. "Daddy, you ready?"

I got no answer, which made me panic and bust open the door.

"Hey, hey! I'm dressing, get!" He shooed me away, and I shut the door, embarrassed.

I stood at the door for a good 5 minutes before I knocked again. "Are you ready?" No answer.

"Papa, I'm not trynna barge in again." I listened for something and heard a muffled noise.

I opened the door and saw my dad struggling to get to his walker.

I helped and grabbed his wheelchair to put in the car.

"Papa, are you able to get to the stairs?"

He nodded, and I took that as a sign to put his wheelchair in my car.

I came back inside and watched him make his way down on the elevator seat, holding his walker.