She stepped out of her private elevator and nodded to Carl saying nothing. He was used to her moods by now and didn’t take it personally as she was often quiet and sullen. A beautiful child she’d been and a gorgeous woman she was now even with her hair in a ponytail. Even wearing a large sweatshirt and a pair of sweatpants that were so long they dragged along the ground tearing the hem apart.
She must be in one of her moods.
The air was crisp that morning and Manhattan was already too busy to be. She pulled the bottle of water from the side pocket of her backpack and took a long drink, stopping in the middle of the sidewalk forcing people to walk around her. She had 16 blocks to walk and headed out slowly at first…and then picked up her pace racing with herself. Left foot faster than the right foot. Right foot faster than the left foot.
She got warm and took off her backpack and then her sweatshirt stuffing it in the backpack. All without missing a beat. Ludicris and Sum 41’s song Get Back her current soundtrack on her ipod.
When she got there she nodded at Maurice in the lobby and went to the escalator using her key to reach the penthouse apartment.
She stepped out into the cool, private hallway that may have seen 6 different people this year and used her key to open the door. She walked through the peaches, yellows, creams and olive greens of the décor of the space leading to the terrace where they were sitting having breakfast.
“Whoa-ho! Look who’s here Miriam!” he said as he did every single day. “Right in time for breakfast!”
She kissed him on the cheek as he pulled out her chair. “Morning Grandpa…Grandma.”
Lemmy walked out with fresh juice and poured her a glass. “Good morning Miss Kelly.”
“Morning Miss Lemmy.”
Lemmy laughed as she did every morning. It never got old.
“You heard bout that Paris girl? You knew her when you went to that school didn’t you?”
“No Grandpa, I never knew her. She went to the school…but I never knew her.”
“Good cuz I hear all kindsa stuff going on with her.”
“What’s she done now?” Lemmy brought her a two egg white omelet and three slices of turkey bacon lightly sprinkled with salt and pepper along with a plate of fresh fruit.
“They say she going to jail.”
“Who are they Grandpa?”
“Robin Roberts.”
“Robin Roberts was talking about Paris Hilton?”
“Same thing I said…must be the end of days.”
They both laughed, her Grandmother leaned her head to the side and peered across the table at her. Her bird claw like hands wrapped tightly around her shawl.
Kelly watched her out the corner of her eye waiting for it…waiting for it.
“Did you have a chance to go see Samuel?”
“Yes sir, I went yesterday. He explained the offer to me and I turned him down. I don’t think we should sell.”
“Okay. You sure?”
“Yes sir. Matter-of-fact, I think I’ve decided to never sell anything. For what? We’ve got plenty of money and don’t need any more.”
“You’re right, but that offer was mighty attractive.”
“If you want me to reconsider, say so Grandpa and I will reconsider it.”
He reached over and patted her hand with his wrinkled one filled with age spots. “No honey. If you’re sure…you’re sure. So what’s on your agenda for the day? Doing anything young folks do?”
“Not really. I figure I’ll check on a couple of buildings and I’m closing on the purchase of that land in Connecticut at 3:30 today.”
“Which buildings you checking on?”
“The one on 7th and the two on Park.”
“Okay. Tell Jess I said hello at the one on 7th. He was always so nice to Miriam and me when we lived there.”
She decided not to remind him Jess had died two years ago. “Of course I will Grandpa.”
She looked at her Grandmother but didn’t say anything. She knew what would happen if she spoke to her so she said nothing. Her Grandmother kept looking at her oddly. Opening and closing her mouth fish-like, rolling something invisible between her thumb and index finger. Her white hair down, her face softly aging proving the constant care she always took of her skin, her hair weren’t for naught. The ring she’d once promised her Granddaughter she’d give her on her wedding day twisted on her thin finger.
“Miriam, honey, have some juice.”
Miriam looked up sharply. Looked down to where her husband was pointing.
“No.” she shook her head. “No more juice.” She looked at Kelly.
Kelly felt it coming. Removed her napkin and put it on the table. She looked over at her Grandfather and he called for Lemmie to bring Miriam’s medicine.
“I DON’T NEED ANY MEDICINE! I DON’T NEED ANY MEDICINE! I NEED YOU TO TELL ME WHY THIS BLACK WOMAN IS IN MY HOUSE! WHO IS SHE? WHY IS SHE HEEEEEEEEERRRRRREEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!! Is she going to start doing Lemmie’s work? Lemmie? Lemmie? You’re not replacing Lemmie are you?”
“Calm down Miriam.”
“Do you know who I am? DO YOU?”
Kelly stood up and grabbed her backpack, watched as Lemmie tried to restrain her Grandmother. Looking at the strained looked on her Grandfather’s face she, as always, felt sorry for him. She kissed him reassuringly. “I gotta go Grandpa. I’ll call you later.”
“Okay Princess. You know she doesn’t mean all that stuff. It’s not her.”
“I know Grandpa. I know.” She kissed him again. “See ya later alligator.”
“After while crocodile.”
She giggled. “I love you Grandpa.”
“I bet not more than I love you.”
“You’d lose that bet old man.”
“Kelly…um..erra…”
“Spit it out Gramps.”
“When it’s my turn…you know…if it happens to me…and I get like her…please understand it’s not me. It would never be me.” He had tears in his eyes.
“I know Grandpa.”
And she did just as she knew it would never be him because his heart was always pure with her. She always felt her Grandmother looking at her differently when he wasn’t around when she was a child. She always knew her hands could have been softer, her smile warmer…but it never reached her eyes. She noted how she was always a step in front of her when they were out in public. She never said anything. Never neglected her, never abused her in away way. She just kept herself right out of arms reach.
Out of pride she wanted her only grandchild to have the best of everything and provided nothing less…but…her heart wasn’t up for bartering.
In her old age her Grandmother had removed the barrier of polite society and said exactly what she always thought. In her old age…her true racism showed.
“See you tomorrow Princess.”
“Same bat time…same bat channel.”
And she would be. They were all she had.
- See more at: http://creoleindc.typepad.com/rantings_of_a_creole_prin/author_monica_mingo/page/2/#sthash.1NtxonDa.dpuf