It's a Curl Thing

by Jacquelin Thomas

  I smile.

  “Are you in contact with other survivors?” Miss Marilee asks.

  Mrs. Braddock nods. “We attended the World Gathering of Holocaust Survivors back in 1985. Several of us from Los Angeles went there together. We met survivors, relatives of survivors—”

  “I went with her and my father,” Mrs. Goldberg interjects. “It was an incredibly moving experience.”

  “Yes, it was,” Mrs. Braddock tells me. “Many of the survivors got up and shared their experiences. Some were worse than others, but we were all survivors. Some would ask if there was anyone there from this town or that place. It was heartbreaking to see people still searching for family and friends after all this time.”

  “That’s what slavery did to our people,” I hear Miss Marilee say. “It broke up families. They really believed in the idea of ‘united we stand and divided we fall.’ That’s what they were afraid of—that’s why they separated us. I get it now.”

  “I used to wonder why I survived. I even felt guilty about surviving when my mother and my sister didn’t.”

  “I tell Mother all the time that she’s here because she’s supposed to be alive,” Mrs. Goldberg puts in. “Why is she still here? It’s because she fought for her life. Some people believe that what will be, will be, but I don’t agree. You have to fight for yourself day by day. My mother wanted to live and she held onto that will until the camp was liberated. That’s how she survived. A person has to hold on to his own will, hold on to that until the very last minute.”

  I wipe away a tear. “Mrs. Braddock, I’m so glad you made it through that horrible time, and I’m so sorry you suffered like that. I never went through slavery, so I can’t even say I can relate to anything you’ve said.”

  She reaches out and takes my hand. “My dear, it is my prayer that you never know the pain and suffering I’ve known just because of your skin color or who you are.”

  I give her a hug and then I walk over to Mrs. Goldberg to embrace her as well. “Thank you so much for bringing in your mother. I’m so glad I met her.”

  “You can never move forward without knowing the past.”

  “I’ll see you next week.” As I pull away, a thought pops up in my head. “Oh, my brother is going to USC. He got a full athletic scholarship.”

  Mrs. Goldberg claps her hands, and her brown eyes light up. “That’s wonderful!”

  Later at home, I tell Auntie Mo about Rivka Braddock.

  “Auntie Mo, they killed her entire family. I wouldn’t blame her if she hated all Germans.”

  My aunt draws back at my news, then takes a seat next to me. “Rhyann, hate is a choice. It’s something that you choose to do. This woman chose to forgive instead. It takes a bigger person to do that.”

  “But look what happened to her,” I argue. “Doesn’t she have a right to hate? What about how what our ancestors suffered?”

  “I’m not minimizing what our ancestors went through, nor how the Jews suffered, but think about Jesus Christ and his persecution. Are we no better than Him? He died for us, Rhyann. How can we not forgive when Christ died for our sins?”

  My protests quiet down with her wise response. She always knows what to say. “I guess when you put it that way—it makes sense, but to be honest, I was hoping to hold on to my anger just a little while longer.”

  She smiles. “Okay, I’ll give you five minutes, and then you have to let it go. But mind you, we don’t know when the Lord’s gonna peel back the sky. It could be at any time, and you don’t want to be caught with unforgiveness in your heart.”

  I glance upward, just in case. “I’m not angry and I forgive all those murderers who tried to destroy the Jews.” I get louder as I add, “I forgive those ignorant slave owners who used my people, bred them like animals, and then broke up the families.”

  “Are you sure you’re in a forgiving mode?” Auntie Mo asks with a chuckle.

  “I forgive everybody who isn’t smart enough to know that skin color doesn’t make a person less human. We have so much in common—if we’d only try to get along.”

  Auntie Mo wraps an arm around me. “You’re absolutely right, sweetie.”

  We sit like that for a moment. Then a very good idea comes to me.

  “Auntie Mo, I’ve been thinking…I think it’s time we start looking for a car for me. When we go back to school, I don’t want you having to drive me to school on your days off. You should enjoy your free time.”

  “Really?”

  I nod. “I’m not looking for anything new.”

  “That’s good, because I’m not either,” Auntie Mo replies. “Rhyann, you don’t have to worry about me. I don’t mind driving you to school. It’s not a problem.”

  “In other words, you’re not buying me a car anytime soon, right?”

  “Right,” she confirms.

  “I’m gonna have to try and forgive you for that, Auntie Mo. That’s a pretty big one, I want you to know.”

  She laughs, full-out this time.

  Chapter 15

  I have been waiting for this day since school started back in September. It’s the last day of school.

  Laughing and talking, Mimi and I breeze through the lunch line. After getting our food, we head to the picnic tables outside, deciding to enjoy the sunshine.

  “I can actually sleep in tomorrow,” Mimi says with a grin. “I’m so tired of school and having to get up early, Rhyann.”

  I totally understand, because I’m feeling the same way. “I know what you mean. No getting up early and no homework for the next couple of months. YES!!”

  “Can you believe it? Dee and Alyssa will be here in a couple of days. We’re going to have such a good time being together again.” Mimi takes a sip of her soda. “I can’t wait.”

  “The first thing I want to do is spend a day at the beach—just the four of us. Remember how much fun we had last summer when they were here?”

  She nods eagerly. “We did have fun. It was funny watching you trying not to get your hair wet. Who goes to the beach after getting a perm?”

  “Well, I wanted to go,” I say, not so pleased with the memory. “I didn’t plan on getting into the water. That was all you and Dee.”

  Mimi laughs. “I don’t think I’d ever seen you so mad when Dee splashed that water on you.”

  “Oh, I was hot!” I cry, but I’m smiling, too. “She paid to get my hair done the next day, but I was still a little upset with her. That was just plain wrong.”

  “You know that she didn’t mean to get your hair wet,” Mimi says.

  “It doesn’t matter now,” I respond. “I know how you and Dee are, so this time I’m gonna be prepared. I’m getting braids for the summer.”

  “When are you getting them done?” she asks.

  “Next Friday,” I respond. “Marcella is going to do them for me.”

  “Is she back?” Mimi wants to know. “I haven’t seen her at the salon the last two or three times I was getting my hair done.”

  “She came back two days ago.” Marcella had a baby two months ago and recently returned from her maternity leave. She is the only one in the salon who braids hair, so she was missed. I’m glad she agreed to do mine. Hopefully, I can keep it like that all summer and take them out right before we go back to school.

  “You know, Gage keeps asking Kyle about you,” Mimi tells me. “I think he’s into you, girl.”

  “I hope not,” I say with a frown. “I don’t like him.”

  “You haven’t even gotten to know him, Rhyann. You keep saying that you’re not into Traven, so what’s really going on with you?”

  I’m not getting dragged into all this. “Mimi, I know enough about Kyle’s friend to know that he’s not really my type. As for me and Traven…well, there’s nothing to tell.” I really hope she doesn’t start tripping on me because I’m not interested in her boo’s friend. He’s so not my type.

  “Just go out with him one more time, please…”

  I meet her gaze strai
ght on. “Why? Why is it so important to you, Mimi? Does Kyle have that much control over you?”

  A spark of anger flashes in her eyes, but it quickly disappears. “You might change your mind if you give yourself a chance to get to know him.”

  I shake my head. “I’ll pass.”

  A tense moment passes before she decides to change the subject. “What time is the graduation?”

  “It’s at seven. We’re leaving at six fifteen so that we can get some seats as close to the front as possible.”

  Mimi hands me a card. “This is for Brady.”

  “Why don’t you wait and just give this to him tomorrow at the party?” I ask.

  “Oh, yeah. I can do that.”

  I finish up my lunch. “Mimi, I need to go to the Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza after school. I have to get a shirt for the pants I’m wearing tonight. The shirt I bought is too big. I’m not going to be able to ride to Beverly Hills with you.”

  “I’ll go with you,” she tells me. “I want to find something for the party tomorrow.”

  “All you need are a pair of jeans and a shirt. It’s not a black-tie event, so don’t think too hard on it.”

  “I still want to look nice. Kyle’s coming with me. That’s okay, right?”

  I shrug. “I don’t care, and I don’t think Auntie Mo will mind. She even invited your parents, but I know they’re not coming.”

  “Only because my father has to be in Chicago. He’s getting an award from the college he attended there.”

  “I’m surprised you and your mom aren’t going with him. It sounds like a big deal.”

  “My mom was going to go, but he told her that she didn’t have to. He knows how much my mother hates traveling these days.” She sounds puzzled. “I don’t know what happened, but she just wants to stay home. I think she’s depressed about something.”

  You think? I still don’t get why Mimi can’t see what is happening in her own house. Maybe Divine and I should have a talk with her this summer.

  The bell rings.

  “Two more classes,” I groan. “I wish this day was over already.”

  “Me, too,” Mimi contributes.

  We slowly make our way to fifth period.

  Brady and Traven are graduating tonight. I hope they realize just how lucky they are. I’m so ready to get out of high school, although I don’t have a clue what I’d do after that. I’m still trying to decide where I want to go to school and what I want to major in. I am strongly considering Spelman University in Atlanta. I do know that whatever I decide, it’ll be an HBCU (Historically Black College or University).

  We practically run out of school at the end of the day.

  School’s out for the summer!

  Mimi and I head straight for the mall.

  “Is there an Old Navy in here?” Mimi asks.

  “No.”

  “Then why are we here?”

  “Because we’re going to New York & Company.”

  Mimi wears a look of confusion. “What do they have there? I don’t think I’ve ever been in one of those.”

  “You’ll see. I keep forgetting how sheltered you’ve been,” I say with a laugh.

  “Ha-ha…you’re so funny,” she retorts.

  “This is New York & Company,” I announce. “I get some of my clothes from here. The outfit I’m wearing to Brady’s graduation came from here.”

  Mimi glances around the store. “They have some cute things in here.”

  “I know. That’s why I shop in this store. See, you can still be fashionable and not spend hundreds of dollars.”

  I stroll over to a nearby rack, looking for the shirt I want but in the right size this time.

  “Are you going to just stare at the shirt, or do you plan on buying it anytime soon?” Mimi asks.

  I don’t look up. “What’s your hurry?”

  “I told Kyle I’d call him when I was on my way.”

  “I haven’t decided yet,” I tell her. “You can leave if you want, Mimi.”

  “I don’t want to leave here like that.”

  “It’s not a problem,” I tell her. “Really, I can catch the bus home from here. I’ll see you later.”

  She’s not happy about it, but she heads to the store entrance. Then she stops and turns around. “Hey, I thought you were gonna ride with me to Beverly Hills.”

  “Mimi, go on and meet Kyle. I need to find something to wear for my brother’s graduation, which is in a few hours. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

  “You sure you’re okay with me leaving?” she asks.

  “Yeah.”

  I walk around the store slowly, searching for the perfect shirt to wear with the navy pants I purchased last weekend. White definitely works but is so blah. I finally decide on a lime green blouse with navy polka dots.

  After I make my exchange and pay for the difference, I rush out of the mall to catch the next bus going my way.

  I get home in time to have a light meal with the rest of the family. Tameka’s all dressed and ready, and so is Phillip. It won’t take me long to shower and change. Auntie Mo and Chester will both be ready in a flash.

  When Marcus and Randy show up at the house, I hold my breath, waiting to see how Auntie Mo is going to respond.

  She hugs them both, which makes everyone happy.

  “Is everybody ready?” Auntie Mo asks.

  “I am,” I respond. “And I have both cameras.”

  “Good,” she says. “Let’s go.”

  Marcus gives me a hug as we head out the front door. “What’s up, little lady?”

  “Well for one thing, I’m not a little lady. I’m almost grown.”

  He laughs. “Oh, really?”

  “Yeah.”

  I ride with Tameka to the ceremony.

  Auntie Mo cries all the way through the graduation. I don’t know if she’s crying tears of sadness or tears of joy that she’s got one more out of her house. I know she loves us, but I’m so sure she’s looking forward to coming home to an empty house.

  I cheer for Traven when he strolls across the stage, looking all fine in that cap and gown. But when Brady’s name is called, I shed a tear watching my brother walk across the stage to receive his diploma. I bet Mom and Aunt Cherise are shouting all over heaven right now.

  I’m so proud of my brother.

  Chapter 16

  Auntie Mo is in military mode early Saturday morning.

  She has us get up at dawn to help her prepare for the barbeque. Auntie Mo and Traven’s mom have been cooking for the past couple of days. Mr. Connor arrives promptly at 7:00 a.m. with a huge grill. Chester helps him set up in our backyard. I’m so glad Traven didn’t come with his dad, because he would’ve seen me with this scarf on my head looking all tore up.

  Then again, if he still wanted to get with me after that…it would have to be love he was feeling.

  Tameka spent the night here with us so that she could help Auntie Mo with the last of the cooking. They have me peeling potatoes for the potato salad.

  I’m looking forward to the barbeque so that Traven and I can hang out, especially since Mimi is bringing Kyle. I already know she’s gonna be all into him. With Traven here, I won’t be left in the cold.

  I just hope Kyle doesn’t try to bring his boy with him. I don’t want Gage to even know where I live. He’s called my cell two or three times, but I haven’t returned any of his calls. I’m not interested, and there’s no point in pretending.

  You can’t buy my love.

  Hmmm. I should use that as the title of one of my poems.

  By the time twelve o’clock rolls around, we have the backyard decorated, the food cooked, and the picnic tables all set up. We take turns standing guard in the back while the others get dressed. Auntie Mo doesn’t want to risk having anything out of place.

  Tameka comes out to relieve me. “You can get dressed now,” she says.

  “Thanks. I’m glad you’re here, because I have to run to the bathroom in a bad way.”

&nb
sp; She laughs. “Then you’d better hurry.”

  My first stop is the bathroom. Since I’m here, I jump into the shower. Afterward, I head to my room to take down my hair.

  With Auntie Mo barking orders in between her cooking, everyone in the house is dressed and ready by one o’clock. The barbeque starts at two, but guests start arriving at one thirty.

  Brady’s girlfriend is the first to arrive. Shaquan cuts her eyes at me when he takes her by the hand to introduce her to a couple of people from our church. I still have a hard time believing that he’s dating her.

  Traven and Todd arrive minutes later.

  “You look beautiful, Rhyann,” Traven whispers in my ear.

  “Thank you,” I respond with a smile. I can’t help but wonder what he would’ve said if he’d seen me earlier. “Everybody is out back.”

  Chester leaves to meet his brothers so they can pick up Brady’s new car. But that’s not the only surprise.

  Tanya initially told us that she wouldn’t be able to make Brady’s graduation or the party, but right at 2:30 she strolls through the front doors, nearly scaring me to death.

  “Girl, you took off some years of my life! I thought you weren’t gonna be able to make it.”

  She hugs me. “I’m sorry, Rhyann. I wanted to surprise Brady. Where is that hard-headed boy anyway?”

  “Did Auntie Mo know you were coming?” I ask.

  Tanya shakes her head no. “I didn’t tell anybody.” She reaches back, holding her long hair off her neck. “Can I use one of your clips to put my hair up in a ponytail? The one that I had broke on the plane.”

  I rush to my room to get my cousin a ponytail holder.

  “Here you are,” I say, holding it out to Tanya. “Brady is out back with his girlfriend. He’s going with Shaquan. You remember her?”

  “That fast tail girl that used to live in the next block? The one with all this here up here?” Tanya asks, gesturing.