Coming Home

Chapter 3

Monique

The corona cases were going up and up, so the principal decided to make the whole entire school do virtual.  The good thing about that was that I could stay home, but the bad thing about it was that my 1st and 3rd block teacher gives us piles and piles of work that's supposed to be due every Friday at 11:59 PM.  Like what type of shit is that?

Right now, I was vacuuming the house.  The house was semi-dirty when I got up this morning because I guess Alontae came to the house while I was sleeping to take a shower, eat, and go to sleep. 

Alontae told me that Anita always goes on these business trips when he was my age.  She did when Anya, Amya, and Ahmad was 15 as well.  Something is off about that, but we're not going to talk about it.

I want to find my REAL mother.  I can't stress that shit enough.  I have a gut feeling that my real mother is out there, and she wants to see me. 

I wish my dad was here.  I miss him so much.  Life is not the same without him.  I remember we used to go the park, go get ice cream, and just overall have a good time. 

Apparently, my mom had me when she was 13.  She didn't know any better at the time, and my dad didn't either. 

My mom and my dad met when they were in middle school.  My mama was in the 6th grade, and my dad was in the 8th grade.  He was 3 years older than my mom, but I guess the age difference didn't matter to them. 

I don't remember growing up with my mom after she had me.  The only mother figure in my life was my grandmother, a few aunts of mine, my other grandmother, and Anita.  My mom was never here.   I know she wouldn't never give me up, but if she did then that's foul.

Sadly, my dad passed away when he was only 29 years old.  He died in a car accident right off Central Avenue.  When I got the news, I was devastated.  My dad wasn't nothing but 29 years old, and it shouldn't have happened to him.

I remember looking around to see if my mother would show up, but she didn't.  It still makes me sad til this day. 

I try not to think about who my real mother is sometimes because I feel like she doesn't even love me.  If my dad and other family members can't even tell me who she is then there's not point anymore.

When Anita said that she was a crackhead, I wanted to break down and cry right there, but I kept my composure because I didn't wanna cry in front of her at all.  I feel like Anita is lying because she's hiding the fact about who she is.  If Anita is lying, then I swear we are going to have severe problems.  You shouldn't lie about something serious like that.

I'm glad Anita left me her car.  I heard it was a party Friday night, but I don't know if I wanna go.  Some people said that there's going to be a shooting later that night, and I don't wanna be involve in that.  I'm too young to die.

Thinking about what happened yesterday, I decided to go upstairs and grab the piece of paper with Monasia's number on it. 

I looked at it and wondered will she even answer.

I took a deep breath and decided to call the number.

"Hello?"

"...uh hey, is this Monasia Allen?"

"Um no this is her sister Miyah.  Who's calling?"

"....my name is Monique Jordan and I was won-"

"MONASIAAAAAAA!  ITS MONIQUE! SHES HERE!"

I was confused about what was going on.  I sat on my bed, and waited for Monasia to get on the phone.  And then I heard a different voice come into the phone.

"Monique?"

"yes?"

"How did you get this number?"

"my stepmom Anita had it in one of her boxes.  i just wanna know where my mother is."

"I-I'm sorry...I don't know who your mother is Monique.  I'm sorry."

The call disconnected and I threw my phone against my mirror.  I didn't even care if it was cracked.  Something told me not to call this number, but I wanted to call it for my clarity.  My gut feeling was telling me that something was off about this whole entire phone call.  Her sister Miyah knew me, but Monasia act like she didn't know me or who my mother was.  I wanted to call the number back, but I put it aside and went on to my homework.

After a few hours passed by, I checked my phone to see Monasia's number come across my phone.  She texted me.

504-439-1234: Are you in New Orleans?

Monique: no.. i'm in Nashville. 

504-439-1234:  If you want answers, I'll cash app you some money for a ticket to NOLA tomorrow morning.

Monique: okay.. my cashapp is $MoniqueJordan1.

504-439-1234: I booked your flight for Southwest  Airlines tomorrow at 10AM.  I'll see you then.

Monique: thank you && okay.

Monasia sent me some money for my ticket.  I had to pack up my things.  I didn't know how long I was going to be staying, but I was going to pack up enough clothes.  My phone vibrated again, and I checked the phone and it was her.

504-439-1234: Oh and by the way, I need you to pack a lot of clothes.  Don't ask why just pack.

I grabbed my big suitcase, and began to pack.  I placed my clothes into the suitcase first, and then my shoes.  I grabbed my other 2 bags and began placing things in there as well.  I looked around my room, and it was empty.  I looked around my closet and grabbed some things I missed.  When I looked at the weather in New Orleans, it was getting cold already so I knew I needed my boots and stuff.

Once I finished packing, I grabbed a piece of paper, and wrote a letter to Anita.

To Anita,

When you get back, I probably won't be here.  The truth is I took matters into my own hands and decided that I was going to go and find my real mom.  I called Monasia, and she told me to come to the NOLA if I wanted answers.  My dad is not here to speak for himself, and even when he was here, he never gave me the answers.  I'm not getting ready to sit here and keep asking for answers and I don't get any.  I'm tired of crying in my sleep.  I'm tired of balling up my anger inside about not knowing who my real mom is.  Anita, you've been nothing but a great mother to me for these last couple of years, but I deserve to know and to have my real mother in my life.  I can't keep acting like life goes on if I don't know who she is when in actuality she probably wants to meet me and get to know me as well as I want to do with her and her family that I haven't even met.  I'm going to be fine.  I promise.  I love you so much, and I'll be back soon.
Love,
Monique

After I looked over the letter, I placed it on the table.  The time was 10, and I needed to get up early in the morning for my flight. 

I placed my bags by the door, and went back upstairs to go lay down.  As I got in the bed, I was glad that I was getting these answers.  I was so happy that I was finally getting the answers I deserved.  I just hope my time doesn't go to waste.

I closed my eyes, and began to prepare myself for the flight tomorrow morning.