Arsenal

by S. W. Frank

  My mom looked at me and chuckled.  She tilted her head toward the sky and stood there just like I was standing.  I watched as the sun seemed to stretch its arms to her and soon she was smiling. 

  “Hmmm”, she hummed.  “I remember my mom’s hugs too, and they felt just like this.”

  I hung my head to the ground.  As a kid, it hurt knowing that my mom didn’t have her mom around anymore.  I know there were times when she needed a mom and my dad’s mother was always around.   Abuela was the best, she treated mom like her own daughter.  Still, I couldn’t imagine life without my mom.

  “I’m sorry Mommy.”

  She bent down and hugged me.  “Oh Allie, don’t be.”

  I hugged her tightly, squeezing my tiny arms around her neck.  Then I leaned back from her as I realized something.  “Mommy, I think Grandma was in the sun all along and she just wanted me to show you she was there.”

  She hugged me again, lifting me up into her arms.  “I think you’re absolutely, right!”  Together we looked up at the sky.  I smiled widely peeking at her through the side of my flower glasses.  A tear had shone at the edge of eye and slid down her cheeks.  It then found its way to her lips and settled into the crevice of her smile line.  She wiped it away and spoke. “You know what this means right?”

  “No, what?”

  “You have superpowers Allie.”

  I furrowed my brow and pursed my lips tightly.

  “What’s wrong?” my mom asked, massaging my forehead.

  “If I have superpowers I can make people disappear.  I’m trying to make Sal disappear!”  I exhaled after holding my breath too long.

  My mom tickled me and I curled over in shrieks of laughter begging her to put me down.  She finally did and we ran around Abuela’s garden whooping and howling for the rest of that day. 

  I awoke again, but this time to the smell of turkey bacon sizzling in a pan, and toasted raisin bagels being browned to a crisp.  Sentimental dreams totally killed my vibe.  It was a beautiful morning and also my first day of school in the States.  Although Sal and I would be starting school in the middle of the semester, keeping up with the schoolwork wouldn’t be problem.  I heard American education was far behind compared to other continents and the packet of course assignments I had received from my new school proved this to be true.  I mean, seriously, the professor of Earth Science was covering classifications of minerals and rocks.  I learned about cleavage in elementary school science lab!  Well, that and I was an early bloomer…I looked at my chest in the mirror.

  I packed up all of my school essentials-- my tablet, a laminated folder; leather bound notebook, and a handy little pen that was able to record lectures.  I stood at the foot of my bed, wondering if I could fit my assistant in my backpack.  Like a serious case of mental telepathy, my little sister Angelina pranced into my room.

       “Are you ready for your first day of American high school?” Angie skipped into my room.

       “Moderately.  I’m considering the possibility of dropping out of school and hustling my way to the top” I said, in a sarcastic tone.

       Angelina chuckled and jumped on to the bed, causing it to swing a few inches back.  “Funny.  The sad part is you already have a hustler’s mentality.”

       I looked at Angie.  Her dark, straight hair was curled in loose tendrils that fell to her back.  My mom must have rolled it the night before and perfected the style with a sleek half up-do tied with a lavender ribbon.  Her skin was very light, like dads, and her blue eyes showed a hint of green and brown as the sun touched her face.  She sat still, like a porcelain doll with an angelic smile waiting for my response.  For an elementary school kid she was pretty brilliant and straightforward.  Angelina and her evil twin brother, Vincenzo, aka Vincent, were mega minds.  It made me proud to think that Sal and I played a part in their genius abilities.  Growing up with older siblings like us to show them the responsibilities of being a Diaz saved them from making a lot of stupid mistakes.  But the capacity of Vincent and Angelina’s mind were beyond reach sometimes.  There had to be some type of genetic mutation involved in their development. 

       I shook my head and fastened the clip on my rustic leather backpack.  “You’re something else.”

  She hopped off the bed as I headed to the bathroom to get dressed.  I shared a bathroom with Angelina.  Together we had pleaded with our parents to have a separate bathroom from the boys when we moved to Manhattan.  My dad finally decided to give us our own.  It had double sinks, a hidden vanity and my mom made sure to insert a plush lavender chaise chair off to one side.  Angelina loved it.  I, on the other hand had my reservations.  The lux boudoir had two doors on either side connecting Angie’s room to mine, so she could come and go as she pleased, hence her unannounced morning entrance.  After some time I got used to it.  Angie wasn’t such bad company.  She often placed new books on my shelf that she though might interest me.  She labeled my stuff so our parents wouldn’t get confused which belonged to whom.  More than just being my sister, her presence was convenient, so making her my assistance was a no-brainer.

       “You know that shoe company sent you a gift the other day?  I had to sneak it out of the mail when mommy took me to dance class.”

       “Thanks”, I said while in the shower “but I don’t think we will need to hide my business ventures anymore.  I was busted by dad.”

  “Ooooh.  Well I’ll put it in your room.”

  For a while it was quiet as Angie went to retrieve the package.  As I dried off I thought about what the kids would be like in high school.  I heard a lot of stories and watched too many movies but the problems all seemed universal.  There were mean girls; bad boys, sociopaths, anti-social wallflowers, overachievers, underachievers and they were everywhere.  That’s how school dynamics are, well, that’s life.  I walked to my closet to pick out an “I’m not trying too hard” type of outfit.  I stood there for a while with damp hair and my towel on staring at the options.  Angie popped up at the door.

        “Allie, can I ask you something?”  She stood with her hands behind her back and her head low examining her suede shoes. 

  “Yeah, sure?  What’s wrong?”  I walked slowly over to her, unsure how to approach her.  It’s very rare that Angelina shows vulnerability.  But then I remembered, she was my baby sister. 

  “I’m nervous.”  She looked at me as I knelt to her eye level.

  “Why?”

  “Do you think I’m gonna fit in?”

  I sighed deeply.  I never cared about fitting in or other people’s opinions, so it was hard to answer such a question.  Genuinely, I wanted to give her some insightful advice.  I thought.

  “You might not, Angelina.”  Her head shifted in my direction as anxiety began to creep into her expression.  “Uno momento.  Let me finish.  You’re a unique, brilliant and beautiful young girl.  You are different just being you!  So don’t worry about fitting in with other people, let other people fit in with you.”  I was shocked by my wisdom.

  Angie smiled, “This is true”.

  I laughed loudly at her response as I stood to continue getting dressed.  “Glad you know, bella.  You need to stop hanging around Dad.  You sound very much alike.”

  “I take that as a compliment, thank you.  And hurry up or we’re all going to be late.  I’ll pack your breakfast if you like.”  Angelina picked up her purple backpack.  She stopped at the door as she waited for my response.

  “
Uh, yea sure.  Thanks Angie!”  I pulled a pair of black jeans from the draw and threw them on.  I turned around quickly to grab a shirt I saw that would match perfectly then walked a few inches over to my assortment of jewelry.  I settled on my favorite black watch, a hand made woven bracelet with animal charms my best friends in Sicily made me, and a mixture of spike and stud earrings and my favorite ruby ring.  It was from my trip to Africa years ago with my mom.  It was a really crazy intense trip but thank goodness I had called Uncle Geo from my cell phone as I watched my mom get kidnapped by some psychopath warlord all over some ancient bracelet.  I’m surprised I managed to leave Africa with souvenirs.  I remember the children I met there, their beautiful faces and their fascination with my headband.  At the time most, if not all, of the children were deaf or hard of hearing and lived in an orphanage.  They went to this school that my mom had donated money to.  It’s hard to remember certain details but I remember their small hands when they gave me these gifts.  This ring was one of the gifts given to my mother to be given to me.  I never took it off after that.

       “ALDONZA!”  Vincenzo called me from the bottom of the stairwell.  Sometimes I wish he were as graceful as Angelina.  Although they were twins, being slightly obnoxious was his distinctive quality.

  “WHAT! Vincent I’m coming now.”  I dabbed a bit of curl sculpting gel into my hair, hopped into my sneakers and grabbed my bag.

  “Considering the fact that you care the least about your physical appearance, it makes no sense why you are always the last to be ready.”  Vincent stood towards the front door checking his expensive watch to tick me off.  His hair was coifed, combed back to the nape of his neck and gelled.  Like Angie, he resembled a beautiful lifeless doll when he stood still, but those vibrant eyes breathed life into his face.  He wore a collared shirt and a maroon oxford sweater paired with tailored khaki pants, the uniform for his new school I assumed.

  “Listen.”  I began to gather a very strongly worded rebuttal when towards the bottom of the stairs I accidently stepped onto my loose shoelace and lost my balance.  I slid down about three steps holding the banister for dear life to prevent myself from falling and hitting my head on the marble steps.  All I could think about was my brain matter painting the floor.  It seemed like forever before I reached the final platform and when I finally did, I braced myself only to stumble clumsily and fall.

  Instead of running or trying to help me up, the whole time Vincent stood and watched me with commentary.  “She’s falling…she fell”, he muttered.  That followed his quick staccato laughter.

  My mother jogged out of the kitchen and rushed to my aide.  “Allie?  Oh my goodness, what happened?  She looked at me and my brother.”

  “Ask Vincenzo over here he watched the whole thing and laughed like I was in one of his kiddy cartoons.”  I ran my hands quickly over my pants as everyone else came to the hallway in angst.  They were a bit late.

  “Mom.  You should consider baby proofing the house or else I don’t think Aldonza is going to make it.”  A very slight Italian accent lingered in his voice when he spoke.  He turned and walked towards the black jeep we were all carpooling in.  I heard Sal and my Dad chuckle as they sipped their coffee and headed towards the jeep as well.

  Angelina picked up my bag and checked to make sure I didn’t break anything inside.  “Ignore them, sis.  They may be bigger than us but they are surely not smarter.”  She handed me my bag and held my breakfast as I tied my shoelaces. 

  “Boys are idiots”, Mom said as she walked back to the kitchen island to grab her purse and keys.

  “Tea?”  Angie held up a hot cup.

  “Gracias.”

  Together we walked out the door towards the car, shaking our heads at the creation of men.

  After my mom had escorted Angie and Vincent into their fifth grade class, we drove to the place I would be spending the last of my teenage years.  Before Sal and I got out of the jeep my mom gave us hugs. 

  “Bye Dad.”  I tapped my dad on the shoulder.  Slowly he turned to face us with his charming smile.  My parents were fairly middle aged, but they managed to retain all of the youth and energy I remembered them having growing up. 

  “Alright, you already know the deal.  People are going to talk about you and say a whole bunch of shit behind your back.  Just remember you two are family, the only people you can trust is yourselves.”  Sal and I exchanged questionable glances as my mom shook her head at my dad.

  “…And at the same time, we don’t want you to limit yourselves,” she continued.  “You two are smart and talented. Don’t be afraid to show people that side of you.  Enjoy this time, have fun.” My mom smiled warmly, holding both of our hands.

  A sea of teenagers crossed the street and soon the front of the building was filled with kids entering through the doors.  I opened the car door and stepped out.  My mom had touched Sal’s wrist,  “Watch out for your sister okay?  Make sure she integrates well.” 

  Sal and my dad chuckled.  “Mom, you don’t have to worry about Allie.  She’ll probably curse someone out before I do.”  Sal exaggerated and then kissing my mom’s hand.

  “You’re right son.  I’m more worried about these boys.  Keep an eye out for them alright?”  My dad glared at Sal. 

  While Sal was being held-up by my parents I stood by the jeep and surveyed the big school building.  Most of the kids didn’t pay me any mind. Everyone was busy about their business rushing to class.  Some groups were idling across the street trying to squeeze in a morning smoke.  Cigarette stench was revolting to me.  Soon Sal came to my side.  Together, we put on our shades and walked up the steps blending in with the crowd.

   

  Since my mom was so adamant about proper education, even on vacations she tutored Sal and I.  Because my scores were so high and all of my classes in Sicily were Advanced Placement, my mom urged my new school to consider giving me higher lever courses.  After getting our schedules from the main office a teacher notified me that I would be taking a placement exam.

  “It’s mostly diagnostic, just to see where you are in the grade level and whether you know what you should know”, she said. 

  I turned to look at Sal.

  Sal held my shoulder.  “Don’t worry you’ll do fine.”  He looked at the lady who seemed young enough to be a college student.  She was probably a teacher’s aide.  “Is she allowed to text me when she’s done?”

  The lady smiled,  “Sure.  Why not?  But you will not be allowed to text or have any other materials during the exam. Ok?”

  I nodded.

  “The test usually runs for about two hours.  I’m sure Aldonza will be done before then.  After that, it seems like you two have the same lunch period.  So you will see each other then.”  The lady seemed really nice.  She smiled when she spoke to us, looking us directly in the eye.  I wondered if we looked like a couple of lost puppies or something.

  “Alright, cool.  So text me later sis.”  Sal began to walk in the direction of his class as I followed behind the young lady.

  “Yea. See you in a bit.” 

  “You and your brother seem really close.”  The proctor looked at me as we turned the corner.  She opened a pair of double doors for me and together we walked onto escalators.

  “Yea, something like that.”  I looked around as we ascended a few floors. Within minutes I was in a big library.  I stopped in awe, eyeing their inventory.  The library was pretty big for a school in Manhattan.  Everything was neatly stacked on its shelved.  A few kids sat at desks, extremely interested in their books.  The proctor sto
pped to speak to a librarian at the front desk and then ushered me into a small room behind shelves of history books.  There were already about five other kids in the room, holding pencils above test sheets and tapping equations into calculators.

  The young lady smiled at me again and whispered,  “Ok.  Just sit anywhere Aldonza and I’ll be right with you.”  She walked over to another aide, a male, and he gave her some materials. 

  I couldn’t help but look at the other students in the room.  I wondered if they were new as well, or super geeks.  The nice lady came over to me.

  “Here you go.  Do you have a calculator and a ruler?”

  “Ruler, yes.  Calculator, no.” We never really used calculators in my house.

  When the lady returned she had a calculator and an extra pencil.  She knelt down beside me.  “Ok, so just do the test to the best of your ability.  The math section does use the metric system so your allowed to use that if it’s best for you.  I know you’re going to do great but good luck anyway.”

  There are times when some people are more helpful than they need to be.  I was perfectly fine doing math the American way as well as using metric.  Personally, metric made more sense but numbers are numbers.  I looked at my watch before starting the exam and hoped I would be finished in time to meet up will Sal.  While I flipped through the pages of the exam I noticed a lot of familiar things. 

  I began.

  The test wasn’t so bad.  Actually, I couldn’t help but laugh at some of the questions.  I had finished about fifteen minutes before the end of the period.  I text Sal to let him know I was done and wandered around the halls.  Everyone was still in class.  Slowly I had felt my anxiety subside.  So far, so good, I thought to myself.  I decided to search around for my locker.  As I walked I looked at pictures on the walls with colorful posters and flyers of school events and deadlines.  Being alone in the halls gave me all types of ideas.  When I reached my locker I looked around to see if the coast was clear.  Then, I smiled and did my signature dance.  It was sort of a freestyle combination that I made up as a little girl in ballet class.  It always made me giddy remembering how much fun I had when everyone else seemed annoyed.  I opened my locker and laughed at my quirkiness.  Two claps echoed off the school walls.  Quickly, I turned around, but no one was there.  I waited.  A black shoe peaked out of from the corner first, then a leg in black jeans and long black hair.  My eyes widened.