Sade's Return

XII

  Disrupting my thoughts, my cell alerts that I have a text.

Mom: Are you still you coming over for dinner?

Me: Of course I am

Mom: I'll see you by 5!

Me: yep Luv ya mom❤️ see ya then

Mom: love you too😊❤️

  I stand up with my teddy bear in my arms and place him right on my pillow. Hmm, cute. I bop his nose. It's time to get ready so I walk to my closet and pick out my clothes. I decide on my black lolita dress with black mary janes and pink knee-high socks. I let my pink hair loose but put a pink bow with a skull in it to touch it up. Lastly, I put some dark black mascara on and pink lip gloss on. I never wear makeup because it just makes me break out. Sticking to mascara and lip gloss is safe. I take a look at myself in the mirror and I'm happy with this look, grabbing my keys and backpack I'm out the door.

The apartment building seems lively today. Music is blaring, people are shouting, doors are open, you can see neighbors conversing with each other, the smell of good food invades my nose, little kids run up and down the stairs. They run the halls with their mother shouting at them as she's holding a crying baby in her arms. She looks at me and smiles, rolling her eyes and shaking her head. I smile and I whisper "kids" then shrug. She nods then sways trying to soothe her baby. When I finally get downstairs I see the grandmas by the elevator cracking up. "Good evening ladies," I say.

"Evening darling." they all say in unison.

I giggle. That was cute.

"Where are you headed looking so pretty?" one softly inquiries.

"Well, I'm off to have dinner with my mother. I haven't seen her in a while."

They all look to each other and nod. "Well make sure you don't do that again. All of us know how it is to be a mother and it these the worst not seeing our children as often as we want." a grandma wearing big glasses and big rollers on a scooter says.

"Absolutely! I couldn't agree with you more about that."

They all nod their head in unison. That is too damn cute.

"I need to be on my way, Ladies. Have a nice evening!" I wave at them while I'm walking out of the building.

  Walking out of the building and off the stoop, I stop and think. 'Should I order an Eride or catch the bus?" I choose Eride. My mom's place is a while away from here. I also imagine that I will spend the night there. Eating at 5 with conversation and dessert leaves me without the bus; I will need to order an Eride. The best way to save money is by staying at mom's and catching the bus in the morning. I get my cell and order an Eride. I have 10 minutes left. Out of the corner of my eye, I see Sonny walking towards the apartment building with bags in his hands.

  "Whats up Sade? Miss me?" He says.

  "Actually yes, I have," I respond with my arms crossed.

  He jumps back a little. He squints his eyes. "Really?"

  "Kind of. I do miss your loudmouth." I tilt my head narrowing my eyes looking right back at him.

  "Sade, you're messed up." He frowns.

  "I'm kidding." I grab his arm laughing. "But for real I do miss you. I haven't seen you around. What have you been up to?" I tilt my head, looking at him and asking in all seriousness. He tends to stop taking care of himself if he doesn't have anyone to check on him and since Sonny's brother has a new girlfriend; that might be occurring now. Love can always be a distraction to everyday life.

  "Straight up?" He lifts one eyebrow.

"Absolutely." I cross my arms and tap my foot impatiently.

  He sighs. "This is what is. I've been skipping pills, not on purpose. It's just I kinda forget. My days blend into each other and I just don't know how to explain." he says shaking his head.

  Looking at the ground I shake my head. I put my head up to look at him. "Don't worry, Sonny. This is what you'll do. In the afternoons, just come and knock on my apartment, so I can confirm that you took your meds. That'll do until I speak to Ronny and remind him of your pill schedule."

  Sonny smiles and hugs me. 'That is one strong smell' I can't help but scrunch up my nose. I pat him on the back softly. "Thanks, Sade! You're a lifesaver!" he exclaims.

  "Okay, now my Eride should be here shortly so get your self back home" I wave him away.

  He smiles and walks into the apartment building.

  My Eride shows up and I hop in. On the way, I take in the sights of the city. My favorite part of the city are the buildings painted with graffiti. There are so many beautiful pieces of work. I honestly wish I could do the same.

I finally arrive at my mom's house. As soon as I walk in the smell of sofrito hits my nose. I absolutely love the smell. I see my mother and run up to her and going for a hug.

She pats my back a few times and says "Okay okay I miss you too." Tears run down my face. "Oh, honey it's going to be fine." She pulls me back, looks at me up and down, then says "No, major slip-ups? Look at you! Getting back to what you love. You've lost your way but you're coming back." she comforts me.

I wipe my tears off my cheeks as I watch her serve the food. As we eat we talk and laugh. We have a good time bonding. When she gets up to get the dessert I get up with her. While she's slicing the cake I'm leaning on the counter with my elbow on it and my head in my hand licking my lips. I shake my head because I really need to ask her about staying the night.

"Mom is it okay if I spend the night here? So I can catch the bus in the morning."

"Of course, honey you can stay here as long as you want. Your bedroom is just like you left it. You can borrow pajamas from me." she smiles at me as she places my slice of cake on my plate.

"Oh good." I rub my hands together. Good to both the cake and staying the night.

•12•