You Again

Chapter 2

I woke up with Ira snoring in my ear. I decided to make some cocoa. I walked down the stairs and I could see a car in the middle of the road with its lights on. It was the yellow and black Dodge challenger I knew all too well. Ernest was here.

I quickly walked to the door to see Ernest get in his car and drive off. My heart was racing in my chest. And I released the air that had been trapped in my lungs. I know that I’ll see him soon.

This is a small town and nothing stays secret for long. I was going to try and save my mom’s business. Or at least try to keep the center open. She was barely getting by after the recession. She was devastated when it seemed she’d lose her dream.

Thankfully, Bobby and I were able to help, but this was bigger than a go-fund-me. My parents’ home was also on the line. Even after selling my home. I still was thirty thousand dollars short.

Everyone will know that I sold my place. My dad is trying to sell our home and downsize to a three-bedroom condo. He thinks that will be easier on everyone and save the clinic.

He just maybe right, but I’m going to fight as long and hard as I can to keep us here. It’s what mom wanted. And I was going to do it now that she couldn’t.

When I went to close the door I stepped on a card. Ernest must have put it in the door. I closed the door and walked to the kitchen. My dad was sound asleep at the table. He had been sorting through the cards and guest book making a list of those to thank.

“Daddy please go up to bed,” I said gently waking him. I helped my dad ease out of his chair. We walked up to his room and I tucked him in bed. “I love you dad.”

“Not more than I love you my little bean.”

With my dad in bed, I headed back to clear off the table. I noticed bills in the mix of the cards. There was a shut off notice for the water at my mom’s clinic. Also, the mortgage on the house was past due.

I got up and went to the cabinet to grab the cocoa. The cabinet was bear with the exception of the cocoa and some ketchup. I opened the refrigerator and found it filled with take out containers. My dad was struggling without my mom. And it hurt to see it.

I grabbed a pen and my mom’s old note pad out of the draw. I was gonna make a shopping list. First thing in the morning I was gonna fill the house with food. At least what we could afford to get.

I walked the aisles of the supermarket with Aaliyah next to me. She was complaining about never seeing her friends again. I knew uprooting a 12 year old girl would be hard, but her attitude was killing me.

“Leah, please stop. Your grandfather is mourning. Please be supportive.”

“He should just leave this dumb place and come back to New York with us. His sister is there and his cousins. He should be retired anyway.”

I laughed at that. My dad had a heart attack and still refused to retire. My mother’s passing wasn’t going to change that.

Leah reached in the freezer and grabbed her favorite ice cream. I didn’t account for that. We couldn’t afford it.

“Put it back. I’ll grab you some later.”

She was shocked. “But”-

“Leah, you heard me. No discussion. Just do what I asked.”

Aaliyah put the ice cream back and stormed to the store bathroom as Ira came down the aisle. “It is icy in the frozen food section today.”

Ira looked like she just returned from a spa trip. Her brown skin was glowing, and her deep black hair shined and bounced with life. Meanwhile, my hair was a mess. I just throw an old knitted cap on my head. I knew the bags under my eyes looked like craters. I could hardly get any sleep the past few nights. Ira’s brown eyes scolded me. “Iraja, please not now.”

“We can help.”

“You and Noah have done enough. I thought we were thirty thousand in the whole. Turns out its more like eighty-five thousand. Ice cream is the last thing I’m worried about.”

“Ira I need you…” Ernest froze when he saw me. Ira told me he wouldn’t be in the market today. Why did I trust her. “Adisa, how are you?... That-that was a stupid question.”

“What did you need boss?”

“Inventory, was it started?”

“Got the wonder twins on it. I’ll check on them then head back to customer service.”

With that Ira left us. “How are things going with you?” I asked him.

He grabbed my hand and the world felt right. And in an instant, I was a teenage girl again. He pulled my body against his and hugged me. I wrapped my arms around him. He smelled just as sweet and spicy as I remembered.

I pulled away from him. “I’m sorry I just… “

Aaliyah returned. “Mommy grandpa sent me money for the ice cream.”

I was irate when I turned to her. “Leah one thing. I said you couldn’t have one thing and you go behind my back and ask my father. Send the money back. It’s not happening.”

“Isa, it’s ice cream,” Ernest calmly exclaimed.

I looked from her to him and she had the same eyes as him. Both sets were puzzled and hurt. “We’re gonna go,” I said taking Aaliyah and walking out the store

I sent Aaliyah in the house and sat in the car. I didn’t mean to react the way I did. I looked at the house to see Ernest on the porch. He walked to the door. Raised his hand to knock then walked to the steps and back to the door.

The last time he did this. He brought Aaliyah her favorite toy. I got out the car. He obviously didn’t know I was in it. He looked scared. “Adisa.”