One True Friend
Page 10
In the meantime I finished the Smiths' portrait for them. I was just trying to make them feel a little better, but I realized while we were waiting that I really want to be here. Being here doesn't mean I'll be separated from the rest of my family, now that I know where they are.
Well, Doris, yesterday we finally heard from the judge and found out what her decision was. The judge said that Ronald was in a good home that he was accustomed to. She said that I could remain with Ronald also, since that's what I said I wanted to do. She also said that Ronald and I would have regular visits with our other siblings. But the Smiths have full custody of Ronald, and his adoption proceedings can continue.
Mister Alvin asked me whether I really wanted to stay here, and I said, "Yes, Pops." The words slipped out of my mouth so easy, not accidentally like before. "Now I can't picture myself living anywhere else."
Mom Smith cried when I said that. She's like you, Doris, She even cries over television shows.
I called my aunt and told her what I'd done. Well, she wasn't too happy, as you can imagine. She said that she thought I was being pressured. "My home is as good as anyone else's," she said. "We're your family. Your brothers and sisters are still worrying me and your uncle about going back up there. What were you thinking?"
She was so upset, I couldn't even talk to her. That's my aunt. "Auntie Gloria, I'm sorry for the way I treated you after my mother died, and for running away from you," I said. "And I promise to always stay close to all of you."
She was still upset when she put down the telephone. Pops said that she'll get over it.
The kids got on the phone then to talk to me and Ronald. You should've heard them. "Can we visit you again? When you coming to see us? Can you and Ronald come here tomorrow?" They sounded like they were fighting each other for the phone.
Mom and Pops say there's no reason why we can't spend holidays and vacations together, and they say that me and Ronald can call them as often as we want to. When I am grown, I can help take care of them, too.
High school isn't bad. The seniors look like grown men and women, and I see some ruffians roaming around, but I just stay out of their way. I'm in an honors art class, which I really like. We have to do a project, and I'm going to create a family album—blood family and chosen family—for my sisters and brothers. I'm sort of like an album myself, because like you once said, I hold all the memories—the good ones and the bad. Yesterday Mom Smith said something very nice to me. "As long as you think about your parents, they are never gone. They will always live in your heart."
I was so touched all I could do was nod my head. But one day I will tell her that my mother and father have always lived inside of me. The only difference is that now they have moved over and made space for her and Pop Smith.
Love,
Amir
P.S. I hope you like this drawing of yourself swimming in the lake. Did I make your arms long enough?
9 A.M.
Saturday
October 17th
My Dear Amir,
I love the drawing. I showed it to my mother and she says that you are unusually talented. I feel like I'm really there swimming in the lake in all of that cool blue water.
I hope that everything is fine up there in Syracuse. I think you made a good decision. To tell you the truth, I'm glad you're staying with Ronald at Mom and Pop Smith's. They are too nice to hurt. About those high school thugs—just do what you do best. Draw pictures of them and chill them out.
So much has happened since I last wrote to you. I've joined the student newspaper staff. I also joined the track team. And you know what? I love It! Imagine that! I'm not too bad, either. The coach says that I have running legs—long and lean. Guess what—my teammates call me Bean. That's my new nickname, short for Stringbean (smile). When I run they yell, "There goes Bean, the running machine."
I don't see Lavinia and the twins much because we're all in different homeroom classes. I see one of Charlene's sisters sometimes in the hall at school. Yesterday, I got the best surprise. She handed me a note from Charlene. Here is some of what Charlene said.
I guess you're surprised to hear from me—the friend you betrayed I hated you. I thought that my sisters were right about you—that you were just like all of the others.
Needless to say, I don't hate you anymore. Now I'm glad you told because I'm happy here with my grandparents in South Carolina. They are spoiling me big time. It's just me and them. They let me read to my heart's content—after chores. But I miss my dopey sisters sometimes and I miss my mother. I miss our trips to the library, too.
I like my school. The kids are not that different from kids in the Bronx. A whole lot of them are doing the same things. Someone's mama got busted for growing marijuana in their backyard. That's worse than the Bronx.
I promised everyone—my grandparents, my mother, and my sisters, and most of all myself—that I will never mess with anything again I don't know why I did it. Maybe I just went a little crazy. Hope we're still friends.
Charlene gave me her address, so that I can write her and give her all of the Bronx news. I might have to start up the newspaper again since all of my best friends are living someplace else. And soon I will be, too.
I guess the real big news, Amir, is that we will be moving from 163rd Street. My parents just told me. They're buying a small house (my mother says it's so tiny, it looks like a dollhouse, but it will be ours) on Long Island near my aunt. You know, Amir, I can't imagine living anywhere else except on 163rd Street. I guess the thought of leaving makes me sad and happy at the same time—a little like you used to be. I'll have my own room, instead of a space that we make believe is a room. Anyway, it won't be for a few months.
It doesn't matter, though, where we live—you and I. You'll always be my one true friend. I have to go now. The track team is practicing this morning.
Write soon.
Love,
Doris (Bean)