Scattered Stars

Chapter 32

#Sayhername. ✊
All the black women killed in this injustice that has plagued America.

Dian

"Where are you going?" My mother asked with a questioning look.

I was downstairs in the kitchen packing a brand new laptop into a backpack. The laptop was a little gift to thank Glen for all his help because if it wasn't for him I don't think I would have gotten those distinctions in IT and EGD.

"I'm going to the township."

She sighed heavily and pinched the bridge of her nose, " just be careful, okay?"

"Yeah, I will. Can you give me a ride to the station?"

"Sure, make sure you are done in fifteen minutes." And she disappeared into another part of the house.

The truth is, I was going to give Glen his gift but I also wanted to see Naledi, she's been avoiding me since I last saw her, she just responded with one-word answers to my text messages.

Me:
Hey, baby!

Star:
Hi

Me:
I've been missing you, why don't you answer my calls?

Star:
Busy
....

That's all she has been saying for the past five days, I'm worried because I don't know what's happening.

Is she in trouble?

Is she sick?

Does she have another boyfriend?

The last one prompted me to go to the township. I know my way there so there shouldn't be any problems.

Fifteen minutes later my mother was driving me to the train station.

"So... How is Naledi doing?" My mother asked.

She has come a long way, she doesn't hate Naledi anymore, which is good. She still drinks until she passes out, I recommended therapy to her and her response was:

"I'm not the first woman to lose her husband, I'll move on, it's just the grieving phase."

That caused me a lot of concern, but she was a grown woman and there is nothing I can do but carry her into bed and make sure she is warm at night.

I really did try everything. I locked up the cabinets but that caused a huge fight to blow up.

I even tried to get my therapist Doctor Rankwe involved but my mother rejected her assistance.

Doctor Rankwe said my mother is punishing herself for something she only knows and until she decides she has had enough of her punishment there is nothing we can do to help.

My mother kissed my cheek and I made my way to the ticket salesman while trying to rub out the pink lipstick.

I bought a return ticket and made my way to the platform.

The platform wasn't full because it was holiday time and a lot of people weren't going to work or school.

I took a seat on a bench and looked around, some people were staring at me, probably surprised at seeing a white person at the train station.

I could have taken an Uber but buying the laptop left a hole in my pocket.

A group of scary-looking guys came to sit next to me, they were dressed in washed-out clothes with bland colours of browns, blacks, and blues.