Anika Rose was okay with going unnoticed. She preferred it. It gave her the time to focus only on school and convince her Mom that dance was a worthy career. But at the start of the new year rumours of a new student float in the air. Anika isn't ple...
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Mama's heels click against the concrete sidewalk. "Which house are we going to?" I ask trailing behind her. She doesn't answer. She merely smiles at me. She takes my hand into hers and swings them. "I hope you will change your mind about the girl." Mama smiles. I shake my head. "I don't think I will, but we will see." Mama stops and turns to me. "We are here." She begins to walk up the driveway, up to the concrete porch.
The house varies from our own. Our home reminds me of our villa back in France. With the off white textured bricks, the iron balconies in front of the black frame windows. The closed-in entrance. The dormer windows on the sloping peak of the rooves. In contrast to this home. The exterior a mix of white plaster and small white bricks. The windows on the top floor have iron balconies similar to our own and the encased entrance is also quite similar. But this home feels quite modern, yet just as welcoming as our own.
I look at the house one last time before following after Mama.
♥
Mrs. Rose, who told Mama to call her June, brings us through the foyer past two archways one leading to a library and the other leading to a dining room. The stairs are between the living room and entrance giving a full view from the great room to the door. Mrs. Rose walks us into her great room. I marvel at the high ceilings and the chandelier hanging from it. The simple crystal chandelier is quite beautiful. There is a fireplace with a television above it. Accent chairs with ottomans frame the fireplace facing towards the other two couches. A large rustic coffee table in the middle of it all. The living room is quite elegant yet cozy.
"Please sit down make yourself comfortable." Mrs. Rose gestures around the great room to the many chairs. Mama and I take a seat on the white couch right next to each other. Mrs. Rose sits on the opposing couch smiling at us. "Can I get you two anything?" She smiles. "No thank you," I say.
"No thank you." Mama smiles back at her. "Well, how are you liking town so far?" Mrs. Rose asks. "Oh, it is quite beautiful. Everyone seems to be quite welcoming." Mama says. "That's great to hear! Is it just you two?" Mrs. Rose asks. "Oh, no my husband and my youngest child, Lilo also transitioned with us. How about you? Are only you here?" Mama asks with a smile.
"No, it's my husband Derek and our two girls. Aisha, she turned 13 recently and Anika. She's the same age as Ash I believe. And I think they go to the same school?" Mama smiles. "How nice! Ash have you meet Anika at school."
"I wasn't aware that Anika and I were neighbours," I say with a smile. "So, you two are friends?" "So, you two are friends?" Mrs. Rose asks with a hopeful smile. "Not exactly, but I met her yesterday."
The keys in a lock distract us from further conversation. I turn to the door at the exact moment it swings open. Anika rushes through the foyer to the stairs. She makes it to the third step when her Mother calls. I turn to Mama as Anika speaks to her Mother. "That is the girl that I was telling you about Ash. Elle n'est pas belle ?"Mama asks a smile forming on her face. "Qu'elle est Maman. I did not know that this was the girl that you spoke of. I know her from school." Mama claps softly in happiness.
