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Chapter 17
SAUNDRA
There’s just something about peppermint soap and lavender oil that soothes the soul. The fallen leaves were rustling around outside as I soaked in the bathtub and it reminded me that we would all be turning our watches back in only a week. Soon it would be Halloween. Asha would need me then because it was the one day of the year she found hard to get through. Every trick-or-treater reminded her of the fetus who died six years ago. It was the day her demons danced.
Did Mama do the right thing?
Abortion, except in the case of rape or incest, is wrong. But I understand Mama’s fear. She was always preaching to us: Go to college, get established in a profession before you get married, don’t depend on the state, relatives or anyone else for money, and never have a baby until your act is together and the foundation of your life is strong. Mama was deathly afraid that one or both of us would turn out like her.
The funny thing is that if mama was alive now, she would be proud of me for earning a bachelor’s degree, hate my holistic lifestyle and call me a fool for not chasing the almighty dollar.
Asha has some education, a good job and money in the bank plus her friend Nick took her to a Caribbean resort last week. She ca
lled me to say that the place boasted a European spa, golf, scuba diving and eleven gourmet restaurants.
Her cell phone broke a few weeks ago and Brent bought her a new one that makes mine look like a tin can. She said it is a Samsung A670 with both digital and video cameras plus high speed Internet access.
Asha has light skin, a tiny body and small bones just like Mama, but if she were alive, Mama wouldn’t approve of Asha, either. The fact that Asha plans to stay single for the rest of her life and never have children would sadden her.
Maybe we can never satisfy our parents.
For example, Daddy has never said a word against Yero and is always kind to him, but I have a sneaking suspicion that he would be happier if I were getting married to someone with a more traditional job. A lawyer, a doctor, or banker.
Maybe we just have to make ourselves happy and let the chips fall where they may.
“Saundra!”
It was Daddy, yelling from upstairs.
“What?”
“Can you come to the phone?”
“Who is it?”
“Yero.”
My heart skipped a beat.
“I’ll be right down.”
I threw my robe on without bothering to dry off, ran down the stairs as fast as I could and picked up the receiver in the living room.
“Hello?”
“Hi, Saundra.” His voice sounded dull and tired.
“What’s the matter?”
“Joanne had a miscarriage.”
“Oh, my God!”
He sighed. “Yeah. Khari just called from the hospital. He is really losing it so I’m going to run over there. Will you come, too?”
I had planned to study all day but Yero needed me.
Chapter 18
