Page 50 - Reason To Sing by Kelita Haverland

Reason To Sing

but strong. She smells so good, just like the soap she keeps in
the dish in her bathroom.
I act somewhat surprised she is here. But truthfully, I’m
not. That spidey sense has grown in leaps and bounds.
“Rhonda Lee and Greg,” my aunt addresses her children.
“Grannie and I need to have a little bit of alone time with
Kelita and Vian.” My aunt leads us into the den. “Can you
please close the door. We won’t be long”.
Auntie Lucille sits on the couch and my sister climbs up
onto her lap. I sit down beside them, and Grannie sits on the
other side of me. I am trembling visibly now as all the worry
I’ve been squashing since last night flows out of my veins. My
stomach lurches and then come the sweaty palms and furrowed
brow.
“We need to tell you something,” Grannie gently prepares
us. The voice inside me is howling! I knew it, I knew it! As the
colour drains from my face, my body goes limp. I knew there
was something wrong.
“Your Daddy has passed away,” Grannie murmurs softly.
Silence. Nothing but a giant black hole sucking me in.
Did she just say what I think she said?
I cannot believe it!
And yet … I knew.
Grannie continues. “I am so sorry to have to tell you this,
girls. So, so sorry.” She wraps her arms around me, drawing me
close. But I pretend not to hear her. I don’t want to hear her. I
am NOT listening to her.
She hugs me tighter.
“He passed away yesterday.” My aunt has found her voice
even though her face is deathly pale. “Your mommy is on her
way here and she will arrive very soon, I promise.”
I still cannot respond.

36