“You used to love this, us hanging out, talking about things, even debating issues, remember?”
“No,” she said, and then turned on her music.
Laura could tell she was lying but it didn’t matter. Tamika was already into her music by the time they reached the main highway out of town. It was obviously going to be one of those days, but Laura refused to get annoyed. This was her trip and she planned to make the best of it, with or without her daughter.
After that, their disconnection grew more evident as the miles rolled by and the car remained silent. They stopped for a break in a small town outside of New York, then stopped again for lunch just outside of Philadelphia. When they got to the Washington, D.C., area, Laura exited the highway and drove through the city.
She pointed out several major landmark sights, hoping Tamika would share some enthusiasm. She didn’t. She just nodded and went back to what she was doing.
Following directions she’d mapped out to Arlington, they drove down a brick pathway leading through massive open gates surrounding the immaculate landscaping of Arlington Cemetery. In the distance Laura spotted their destination. She pulled up then drove into a parking area.
“Why are we stopping here?” Tamika asked.
“Come on,” Laura said when she turned to see Tamika still sitting in the car.
Tamika looked around. “I think I’ll stay here.”
Laura glanced at her and was just about to say something but then decided not to. This was her trip and she intended to do what she wanted, with or without her daughter. “Fine, stay, I’ll be back.”
She walked down a narrow path, then into a large white building. A few minutes later she came out with a piece of paper and got back into the car.
“Why are we going in here?”
“To see someone,” Laura said.
“Why are we here?” Tamika said, hoping it wasn’t what she knew.
“Come on, let’s go,” Laura answered.
Tamika didn’t answer but she did get out and follow her mother as she entered a huge white and tan rotunda-shaped building. They passed through the other side, which overlooked rolling hills and D.C. monuments in the far-off distance.
There were shuttle tours available, but most people just mingled and walked around quietly on their own.
“Mom, can I wait here?” Tamika asked. Laura nodded and kept walking.
All white marble and identical with either simple block lettering or just a noted number, they looked like miniature soldiers standing at attention. With paper in hand Laura walked down several narrow paths until she found what she was looking for. She stopped, then walked over. She knelt, spending several minutes in reserved silence just looking down. It wasn’t until she stood again that she realized that Tamika was right behind her.
“Somebody you know?”
“Yes,” she said, then paused. “Okay, next stop. Let’s go.” Tamika rolled her eyes.
Alexandria, Virginia, was next.
Laura drove through the narrow streets smiling at the new scenery. “I always wanted to come here.”
“Why?” Tamika asked.
“I don’t know. I guess it’s the history or pageantry of the nation’s capital.”
“Boston’s prettier. I think we have a better—eww…” Tamika said, turning with her nose crinkled. “Did you see that?”
“See what? No, I’m driving, what was it?” Laura asked, glancing around quickly.
“Eww,” Tamika repeated.
“What, what?”
“Those two guys back there, did you see ’em?”
“No, why? What about them? What did they do?”
“They were checking you out,” Tamika said.
“Checking me out, huh?” Laura said, chuckling. “Somehow I doubt that. They must have been looking at you.”
“Mom, I know when someone’s looking at me, and those two guys were for real looking at you.”
“Old toothless bums, right?”
“No, they were businessmen in nice suits and they were like Dad’s age, maybe younger even.”
Laura, still driving, glanced up in the rearview mirror. Of course, she had no idea who these two mystery men were, what they looked like and where they went, but she half smiled anyway, feeling pretty good. Moments later she pulled into a parking lot, grabbed her notebook and stuffed it into her purse. “Come on, let’s check it out.”
“Do we have to? Can’t we just…” Tamika said, then looked at her mother. “Never mind.” She got out of the car.
They walked down a brick sidewalk crowded with pedestrians and tourists, then stopped and poked around in a couple of small boutiques. “Is this all they have here, old stuff and antiques?”
“What’s wrong with old stuff and antiques?”
“Kinda lame, don’t you think?”
“No, not really. But if you prefer, there are other shops around. Plus there’s the Torpedo Factory by the river. Do you want to check that out?”
“Ah, never mind, I’ll pass. I’m not in the mood to see a bunch of torpedoes.”
“There aren’t any real torpedoes. It’s just the name of the building because of what they built there years ago. It’s a crafts mall now. They have jewelry, designer clothes, paintings, things like that. I think you can even watch the craftsmen at work.”
“Nah.”
“They have a couple of photography studios,” Laura said, knowing that would certainly pique her daughter’s interest.
“Okay, maybe we can stop by for a few minutes.”
They stayed over an hour. Tamika got to talk to some professional photographers and even someone who freelanced for the National Geographic magazine. When they finally left, Tamika was definitely feeling better.
“Okay, let’s go this way,” Laura said, holding her map of the local area. They walked beyond the stores and shops to a more residential neighborhood, then through to a remote area.
Tamika focused her camera and snapped a few shots as they walked. Laura stopped at an old church as Tamika took a few more photos. Happy with the still compositions she’d been seeing, she continued shooting.
Using the lens as her eyes, she followed her mother. “So, when exactly are we gonna get back to civilization?”
“Come on.”
“Are you sure you know where we’re going?” Tamika asked. Laura kept walking, heading down the narrow path to the gated area a few yards away. She stopped.
“Uh-uh.” Tamika looked up and paused. “I know you’re not talking about us going in there.”
“Of course we are.”
“Mom, do you see a recurring theme happening here?”
“Tamika, it’s just stones and earth.”
“Mom, it’s a graveyard—again. Our second graveyard of the day, in less than, like, three hours. Dead people live here, you know.”
“Since when are you afraid of dead people? They can’t hurt you.”
“I know that. That doesn’t mean I’m going out of my way to hang out with them all day either.”
“Oh, come on, girl. I want you to see something.”
Tamika studied the surrounding area. The ancient stone crumpled up through the earth on a jagged, toothless mound. The artistry of the setting prompted her to refocus the lens. Through digital pixels she found her timeless narrative.
“Come on,” Laura said.
“Again?”
“Yes, again,” Laura insisted. She tried the rusted gate latch. It opened easily. “Good, it’s not locked.”
“Of course not. Who would lock a cemetery gate? It’s not like anyone in there is getting up and walking out, and who in their right mind would want to go inside? Oh, wait, that would be us.”
“Very funny,” Laura said as she opened the creaky, creepy iron gate and walked inside. It was still early but the sky was overcast and an eerie gloom surrounded them as they stood there alone with the dead. Laura started walking. Tamika didn’t move. Laura looked back, seeing her still standing at the
entrance.
“Come on,” she said quietly.
“Where?”
“Here, inside,” Laura said, standing in front of an old beat-up gravestone. She looked around, quickly reading the headstones.
Tamika focused her lens and took a few shots. “Are we supposed to be in here?”
“It’s a public cemetery.”
“So why are you whispering?”
“Respect,” Laura said.
“I don’t think they mind,” Tamika said as she glanced around the open space. “What exactly are you looking for?”
“Shh, keep your voice down,” Laura said.
“Why? It’s not like we’re gonna wake anyone up,” she said, then chuckled.
Laura looked back at her daughter. “Just have a little more respect, please, okay?”
Tamika sucked her teeth and looked away, rolling her eyes. “Whatever.” She glanced around the small overgrown cemetery and crinkled her nose. This road trip was getting crazier and stranger by the minute. She turned to watch her mother continue to walk in and out between the headstones.
“What are you doing?” Tamika asked as she came closer.
“Just wait,” Laura said.
“What, uh, who are you looking for?”
Laura didn’t answer. She’d apparently found who she was looking for. She walked over, bent down to clear the debris away from the front of the stone. She reached into her purse and pulled out a flashlight.
“Yep, here it is. Come here, read this.”
Tamika moved closer, leaned down over her crouching mother, read the names, then nearly fell back, getting away from the stone. She shrieked.
“Shh,” Laura said.
“What is that?” Tamika nearly screamed.
“Be quiet. We don’t want the whole world over here.”
“You said this was a public place.”
“It is, but still…” Laura said as she unfolded a piece of tissue paper and began rubbing the stone with a lead pencil.
“What are you doing?” Tamika asked. Laura didn’t answer. Tamika repeated the question, obviously knowing exactly what her mother was doing. “Ewww.”
“It’s history, Tamika. Our history.”
Moments later she finished her rubbing and they left, closing the gate securely behind them. Back in the car, Tamika shuddered. Laura looked over at her daughter before starting the car. Maybe now was a good time to take a break.
Chapter 5
Tamika
Tamika couldn’t relax. The creepy feeling had stayed with her even after they arrived at the bed-and-breakfast just a few miles outside of Alexandria. Her mother had already made reservations, so they checked in and went directly to their waiting room. Small and cute, right next to the water, with two bedrooms that were both pink and frilly, it was definitely not her style. But it was okay and at least it wasn’t near a cemetery, at least none that she saw.
She checked out the typical amenities, television, computer jack, mini refrigerator and balcony overlooking what was probably the Potomac River. It was all standard stuff. The one thing that did stand out was the connecting bathroom with a serious Jacuzzi tub and steam shower.
After a day on the road with her mother, and visits to two cemeteries, she could seriously use time to herself to chill out. After checking out the tiny combined seating area, Tamika took the smaller bedroom. She went in, dropped her overnight bag, purse and laptop backpack on the bed and walked over to the window. Looking out, she watched a bustle of people as they busied themselves with their lives.
“At least you have a life,” she muttered. This was even worse than she had thought it was going to be. “A cemetery, a cemetery, you have to be kidding me,” she added, still muttering to herself. She stood there awhile, then heard her mother quietly knock on the open door and come in.
“Please tell me that was the last one,” Tamika said.
“The last what?” her mother asked.
“Cemetery,” she said, turning around to face her mother who’d walked over to the window to stand beside her.
“It was the last one,” Laura said, looking down at the view, then at her daughter. “Are you okay?”
“Yeah, it was just weird, that’s all,” Tamika said.
“Different yes, but weird, I don’t know. Maybe you just have to be a bit more open-minded or mature to appreciate it.”
“I am mature. Just ’cause I don’t like hanging out at cemeteries all day doesn’t make me immature.”
“It wasn’t all day and I meant emotionally mature. You still have a lot to learn, Tamika. You’re just sixteen.”
“You know, you say that all the time when you want to justify doing what you want to do.”
“Oh, really?” Laura said.
“Yes, really,” she said. “It’s true, you do. You make it seem that your life is more important than mine so your plans take precedence.”
“Like the photo camp, I presume?” her mother asked.
“Exactly like the photo camp internship. You knew I really wanted to go, but still what you want is what we had to do. You act like I have no idea about my life but I do. I know what college I want to go to, what I want to major in and where I want to work when I get out. I may not be perfect like you but I do have some things in place.”
“Perfect, me?” Laura asked.
“Yes, you, perfect. Everything you touch is perfect so don’t even try and front like it’s not.”
“Tamika, I have no idea where you’ve been but as of six months ago I got laid off. No employer is knocking down the door to hire me at thirty-nine years old. My husband is more interested in his career than in his marriage, my daughter thinks I live my life on cloud nine and I have to drive a thousand miles to go back to the place I never wanted to see again. That’s not what I call a perfect life,” she said, then shook her head and continued.
“I know it seems that you have all the answers right now, but believe me, Tamika, you still have a lot to learn. Sixteen is still very young and I’m not saying that you’re a child. In the past year you’ve matured tremendously. You’re a beautiful young lady and I’m so proud of you.”
Tamika moaned. Even her mother’s arguments were perfect. Fine, sure, as usual she was right. She had matured since last year, but nearly burning the house down had a tendency to do that to you. Either way that wasn’t the point. As usual their conversation was moot as far as she was concerned. Her mother was never going to see anything her way; she was just too old and set in her ways. “So, what were you like when you were my age? Were you emotionally mature?”
“I had to be.”
Tamika had heard the “life was so hard when I was your age” parental war stories so many times she could recite them verbatim. She wasn’t in the mood to hear them again. “Mom, all I’m saying is for you to at least try to remember what it was like being my age once in a while.”
Her mom nodded and smiled. “Sixteen, huh? That was a long time ago, but I’ll tell you what.” She paused. Tamika prepared for another letdown or at the very least another lecture on growing up and being more mature. “I’ll try,” she said, smiling.
Tamika was shocked. Her mother actually conceded. “So I suppose there was some deep important lesson or reason for what we did today, right?” she questioned.
“Yes, there was.”
“I think I need to take a shower and get something to eat before I hear it, okay?” She shuddered, thinking about the last creepy old cemetery.
“Okay, you go first,” Laura said, then walked back into her bedroom while still talking. “I’m gonna run downstairs and see if I can find a nice place to eat. I think we deserve to celebrate.” The door opened, then closed.
Tamika sighed, walked over to the bed and sat down. It was firm with two fluffy, overstuffed pillows. She lay back looking at the ceiling and thinking about her day so far. It definitely wasn’t what she had expected. But then again, it could have been worse.
A week ago, she was in scho
ol taking the last of her final exams, and here she was tonight, hundreds of miles away, lying on a bed wondering what in the world she was doing. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Feeling the pull of sleep, she sat up quickly when she heard her cell phone ring. Not recognizing the phone number, she answered anyway.
“Hello?” There was no reply. “Hello?”
“Tamika, hi.”
“Who’s this?” she asked.
“It’s Sean. I hope you don’t mind that I’m calling you. I got your phone number from Lisa. I had to promise her three college essays to get it.”
Tamika smiled. Usually she would just hang up when someone called her out of the blue like this. Being popular in school unfortunately attracted every wannabe jerk wanting to hang on and she wasn’t having that. But since it was Sean and he was cool she decided to chill. “Hey, hi. Yeah, I was just wondering how you got my cell number.”
“I know, not cool, but since you didn’t offer it to me the other night I figured I had to get creative, so don’t be mad at Lisa. She held out.”
“Yeah, but for how long?”
“You really want to know?” he asked.
“Yeah,” she said, “tell me.”
He laughed a little, then went silent as he cleared his throat nervously. “Um, okay. I’ve tried to get her to give me your phone number since ninth grade.”
“Ninth grade? So why didn’t you just ask me?”
“I know, my bad. I guess I was just shy back then.”
“And now I guess you’re not shy anymore.”
“Well, after we talked the other night, you seemed…”
“I seemed what?” she asked.
“Look, we gonna talk about all that now or you want to talk about something else?”
Tamika could hear the nervousness in his voice, so she let the conversation drop. “Okay, so you called me. What do you want to talk about?”
“I was just wondering how you liked Fraser so far.”
Tamika looked around her bedroom. “We’re not there yet. I’m at a bed-and-breakfast in Virginia.”
“Virginia?”
“Yeah, we stopped in to chill for the night.”
“That sounds cool. Are you enjoying the drive down?”
She Said, She Said Page 5
