Page 40 - 2019 Priory MUSE Magazine

a cheeky smile plastered across her red face gazed up, and twitched in place, ready to run from“TheKissyMonster.” Issamtookone more step towards her and she released a piercing scream then darted out the room. Teta laughed, and held her ringing ear, then returned to her soap opera.
This room was a harmonious display of chaos and calm: deep laughter, squeals of children, shuffling feet, blasting music, and content sighs. From afar, any observer would see a happy family, a simple life. Nothing extravagant, but bellies were full with food andheartswerefullofjoy. Howeverthere was one overlooked problem that would cause this image--of a content little gathering in a small garage--to vanish from my memory no matter how hard I tried to hold onto the past. Yes, our bellies were full and our hearts were full, but the coin jar in the garage grew empty, as did my Auntie’s wallet and my Umo’s bank account. While everyone around us was growing with success and riches, Auntie Rula, Umo Issam, and my cousins began to sink deep into a hole of financial hardship. NowarningcamewhenmyUmo grew ill and could no longer work, no warning came when my cousin could no longer afford college, no warning came when the vultures swooped in and took away their home. No warning at all--just the heavy
sound of silence which slowly devoured all life, culture, and laughter which once danced throughoutthatdustygarage.
***
The next time I would see my cousins’ smiling faces, I would be standing in a foreign house; a house that is not yet a home.
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Salvation Mountain by Olivia Treynor