Part Two

“Give me sec’”, I yelled insistently.

I quickly exchanged numbers with Malcom and let him know I’ll text him later. I ran up to where my sister was. All the while thinking how cool it was to make a friend.

Once I got close enough not to yell, while trying to catch my breathe, I asked her.

“What’s up.”

“I just got a call from mom”, she beamed. “Her and dad are on the way back home, and apparently they have good news.” Spoken with hint of irritation.

Good news? I questioned mentally. That made me immediately curious. They have been gone for what has felt like weeks. What possible good news could they have?

“So?” I presented questionably. “What is the news?”

I must have taken too long to ask. As I was asking, Alissa definitely faded into her own mental world. She was standing there staring off into space with her left arm across her chest, her right elbow rested on her left hand while her right hand twirled her long coiled hair with her head tilted to the side. That’s her prized possession by the way. Her long naturally curly hair thats all hers.

“Alissa!”, I said loudly to get her attention.

“Oh!” “What did you say?” She queried as she straightened up.

I could tell I alarmed her, and broke her mental drift.

“I asked you, what was the news?”

“I have no idea,” she replied. “Mom said they are taking us to dinner, so you need to go get ready.”

While my mind started to wander and wonder what all this was about, I noticed her looking over my shoulder. I turned to see why. It was Malcom still standing there.

“Who is that?” She implored.

“That is our new neighbor, Malcom” I volunteered.

“Ick!” She voiced disgustedly. “Not the little guy. The guy down by the water.”

I hadn’t noticed anyone else on the beach but Malcom. Now that she pointed him out, sure enough there was an older guy down by the water. He looked like he could be related to Malcom.

“I don’t know who that is. I never saw him ’till just now”, i expressed.

I turned to look back at Alissa. I could see the wheels were turning in her head. Historically, that’s an indication some form of a bad idea was underway.

My sister and I are nothing alike. She is super popular and very pretty, so I am constantly told by all my peers at school. She is a bit taller than average and she has very nice even toned blemish free skin, so she always says. I have to take her word for it. I really don’t care anyway.

Alissa, like our mother is very fashionable and liked by most people. She is some what of a “boss chick” at school. You would think she’d be very low on the totem pole. Not Alissa. No matter where we are, she is always popular. Ms. cheerleader, volleyball, girls softball and soccer chick. She is also smart. Having the highest GPA in her year and she has AP classes. I guess we have that in common. I also have the highest GPA in my year.

I, unlike my dad am not athletically inclined really. I am more a book worm. I am really into photography and mixed media art. I run cross country track so my dad won’t bother me about sports. I do, however like swimming. Have been thinking about going out for the swim team. Fashion wise, I wear what ever my mom orders for me.

Though we have a specific dress code and uniform, there is some room for self expression. Beatrice helps me put looks together when my mom is away on business. There is only two things I have an opinion on. My shoes and my school bag.

-Part Two-

We went into the house and started getting ready for our parents arrival. I am so glad we all have our own bathrooms. If i had to wait for my sister to use one, I’d be waiting for ever. While I was getting ready, I started texting Malcom.

I had so many questions to ask. Does he play video games? What systems does he have? What else did he like to do? Was he into photography? Did he play sports? How much did we have in common? Was he popular at his old school? Was he a part of the in crowd, or the lames?

Alissa had asked me to find out who the mystery guy on the beach was before we went inside. I actually didn’t have to do any investigating. While texting Malcom, he told me the mystery guy was his brother, and the reason I didn’t see him on the beach was because he was swimming in the ocean.

Apparently he was the captain of the boys swim team at their old school. I also found out that Malcom and his brother Markus will be attending the same school as Alissa and I. American Heritage Academy. This just keeps getting better and better. Finally someone at school that would want to hang out with me and not just use me for my brain.

After i got out of the shower, brushed my teeth and styled my hair, I noticed Beatrice had already set some clothes out for me to wear. A black sweatshirt with the word “DRIP” spelled out across the chest in black patent leather letters. Some black distressed ripped jeans and a pair of black all patent leather Jordan 1’s, with a matching fitted baseball cap. My dad brought those shoes back for me from his lat trip. This was my first time wearing them.

I got dressed and heading down to the kitchen. I could smell that Beatrice was making some curry goat. I took the elevator so I wouldn’t crease the toes of new sneaks. Once down, I quickly made my way to the kitchen. I rounded the corner and there she was doing her thang in the kitchen as usual.

“What is smelling so good,” I petitioned.

“Mi cooking curry goat,” she uttered. “Now git outta mi kitchen,” she voiced.

I knew to get out fast. Beatrice only tells or asks you once. As I was leaving the kitchen and headed to the t.v. room, I heard my dads voice coming form the entry hall. I did an about face and quickly headed in that direction. I did a quick step up the hall and around the corner and there he was. Standing in front of the door, on the phone as usual.

I was so excited to see him, I didn’t even care about the phone. I ran straight to him and gave him a huge hug. I didn’t even notice he had a look of frustration on his face.

“Hi baba.” I endearingly call him. It is Swahili for dad.

“Hey, let me call you back.” He quickly stated.

He hangs up the phone and hugs me back just as huge. It felt so good to see and be hugged by my dad. It felt like having your favorite blanket and pillow curled up warm and cozy on a chilly day.

“Hey son, it is so good to see you,” he said with a huge smile on his face.

For sometime I just stared up at him. Taking in the moment. My dad is pretty tall and very strong. Six foot one or two inches in height, salt and pepper hair with freckles. I never noticed how many freckles he had till now. Funny how important the little things become when you have them all the time.

“Aubrey where is your sister?”

He requested suddenly, pushing me backwards with his hands planted firmly on my shoulders. As if he realized we were late for something.

“If she isn’t down here, she must still be upstairs,” I returned.

“Can you go and see.” “We need to get a move on,” he announced.

Just then the elevator doors opened up and out walked Alissa. Perfect timing as usual.

“Oh my goodness!” She exclaimed. “Hi daddy!”

She ran towards him jumping into his arms. She was definitely a daddy’s girl. You could see his face light up as well.

“Wait!” I shouted. “Where is mom?” I urged.

Just when my dad appeared to mouth an answer, Beatrice walks around the corner.

“Ma’am just call, yuh guys late.” She interjected.

“Hi sah,” she directed towards my dad.

She turned and returned back towards the kitchen.

-Part Two-

My dad quickly gathered us and rushed us out to the front door to the Uber black waiting for us outside. The driver opened the door for us to climb inside. Once inside we found our mom waiting for us. I immediately lunged towards her and embraced her. I was so happy to see her as well. Alissa joined in on our hug. I felt my mom wrap her arms around the both of us. She was just as happy to see us.

I was so excited to see her I hadn’t even bothered to ask why she was waiting in the car and not at the door with dad. Now that i think about it, dad hadn’t even announced his arrival. I happened upon him when Beatrice put me out the kitchen.

What ever this news is they want to share must be pretty important. They aren’t even acting in their usual characters.

to be continued.