A Sister's Survival

by Cydney Rax

  “I know that’s right.”

  Alita quieted down and watched in awe as they viewed the magnificent Manhattan skyline. Traffic was brutal as hundreds of cars were trying to make their way into the city.

  It took almost an hour for them to reach their hotel, which was located in Times Square.

  Once the couple checked into their room, Alita grabbed Shade by the hand and led him straight out of the door, down the hall where they waited a while to board the elevator.

  “Let’s roll,” she told him. “Forget my sisters. I called Coco to see what’s up. Can you believe they all hanging out in her bathroom trying to get their lace fronts and makeup straight? I ain’t got time for all that. That’s why we had to get out of that room, which is very nice, by the way, and go see some NYC shit.”

  “Let’s roll,” Shade told her, feeling just as excited as their elevator door opened up.

  Once they made it to the first floor, they hurried through the lobby and walked out onto the streets. Holding hands, they casually strolled up and down Broadway and checked out large store windows that displayed souvenirs, clothing, and other paraphernalia.

  “Yep, I’m dreaming. Do you know that?” she asked. She stopped to take a photo every few seconds.

  “Alita, this is your life. It’s not just a dream. You’re really here.”

  “I know it, but it doesn’t feel real.” She paused. “I just wish that I could have taken Leno with us. But he’s hanging out with his dad this week.”

  “And there’s nothing wrong with that. Two people created that boy. And you need a break sometimes. You deserve that.”

  She nodded and leaned into the warmth of Shade’s body.

  When you’re used to the doldrums of a routine life, visiting a vibrant city such as New York can be an amazing stimulus. Alita’s perspective was transitioning. Her mind and spirit were getting awakened.

  Possibilities.

  That’s what she felt stirring around inside of her. She no longer wished to dwell on family troubles and how she was perceived by people. She wanted to forget it all and make time to do fun things, like going to Macy’s on 34th Street, taking a carriage ride in Central Park, and maybe even being brave enough to hop on a ferry that would take them to Ellis Island.

  But for now, she was enjoying the feeling of her own two feet gracing a New York pavement.

  “I swear to God, this ain’t nothing like Houston. Don’t get me wrong, H-town is cool, but this is on a whole ’nother level.”

  “I’m so glad you’re saying that, my love,” Shade told her. “If you had a mirror you could see how your eyes are lighting up.” His voice sounded emotional. “I was worried about you for a second. And to see you this happy, it’s worth every penny we’re spending.”

  Alita nodded emphatically then beamed till her cheeks hurt. “And I know I’m looking like a damned tourist, but hell, I don’t care.”

  She swirled around in a circle, stopping to gaze at the skyscrapers, the throng of people rushing back and forth, and listened to all the various languages that she heard as people from all over the world were chatting up a storm.

  They slowed down long enough to enjoy the alluring smell of mozzarella cheese, zesty tomato sauce, and pepperoni. The delicious aroma filled her nostrils and made her head spin.

  She took a moment to study the nicely done menu that was displayed outside the window of a pizza place.

  “You hear my stomach growling, Shade?”

  “Nah,” he said.

  “Well, you need to clean out your ears, because I’m hungry as hell. There’s so much to choose from I don’t know where to go.”

  “Don’t even sweat it,” he said. “Before it’s over with, I want us to try a lot of different places.”

  “You sure?”

  “I’m positive. Just enjoy yourself, sweetie.”

  If Shade only knew how badly she wanted to do just that. But Alita was like a lot of other people in the world: folks that felt they could not enjoy themselves because one thing or another made them feel undeserving. They only knew self-loathing. Talking themselves out of getting the thick slice of cake, or the biggest piece of chicken. That’s what other people got to do and certainly not anyone like Alita Washington, who knew more about problems and how to solve them than about taking it easy and living in the moment.

  Even though they ended up walking almost five miles, Alita did not complain. Their journey caused them to end up outside of a delicatessen with a menu displayed in the window.

  “Can we go in here, please?” Alita asked.

  “Your wish is my command.”

  She and Shade walked into the crowded restaurant and observed all the food displays that were in hot and cold bins. There was fresh fruit and all kinds of meats and vegetables.

  They ended up grabbing several Styrofoam containers and piled them high with cold chicken pasta salads, a couple of hero sandwiches, grilled vegetables. And they could not leave without adding two slices of New York–style cheesecake.

  Shade paid for it all and looked at Alita like she was crazy when she tried to reach for her wallet.

  “Really? You nuts?” he asked.

  “You know I am, but I’m sure you picked up on that when you first met me.” They emerged from the delicatessen loaded with heavy bags and decided to take their time returning to their hotel room.

  “I wonder what the sisters are doing?” she said, almost talking to herself.

  “Are you still down and out about Dru?” Shade said, asking the question that he’d been wanting to know.

  “Not really,” she lightly told him.

  “Alita. It’s me. I’ve been around you long enough to know when—”

  “Hey, it’s cool, all right.” She shrugged, and her voice grew thicker. “I know Dru and she ain’t like Coco or Burgundy. She won’t hold a grudge forever.”

  “But have you two really talked things out? Like,” Shade said in earnest, “I would hope that you ended up apologizing to Dru. Not making any more excuses about what happened. Maybe putting yourself in her shoes for a change?”

  “Shade, I’m getting around to it, all right? I just have to pick a time and a place.” She looked about. “Where in the world can I find a good place to talk to my sister about the fucked-up things I’ve done? It ain’t easy, I tell you. I came here to get away from it all. And it was Burgundy’s big idea to do the sister trip.” Alita could only let out a bitter laugh.

  “But, B, I know her. She wanted to get away just as much as me. Her drama is way bigger than mine.”

  “You think?”

  “Okay, we all got big-time drama going on. And I never knew it would get to this level.” Her eyes misted, but she quickly wiped away a tear. She let out a big sigh and shuddered.

  “Okay, enough of that, Shade. We had the conversation, and now let’s get back to the good feelings.” She drew one bag that she was holding up to her nose and inhaled. “You smell these strawberries? That’s what I’m talkin’ ’bout. We are here to party and have a good time. Isn’t that what you told me, sir?”

  “Yeah, I did, but—”

  “So let’s get back to doing that, all right?”

  He nodded and agreed to try and stay out of family business. God knows he did not want to do anything to get on his lady’s bad side. More healing was needed, of that he was sure, and he decided to allow time for things to work out between the sisters.

  Alita continued taking in the sights and sounds of the city. It was getting to be twilight. And everywhere she looked she saw lights flashing, all colors of the rainbow, and the connection of life going on.

  “I want things to stay like this forever,” Alita finally said, opening up. “Life feels real good for a change. I-I just want them to stay good.”

  He took a moment to lean over and give Alita a kiss on the lips. She started laughing, unable to help herself.

  “What’s wrong now?” Shade complained.

  “Nothing’s wrong. Everything
is just perfect.”

  She exhaled. Feeling peace, joy, and happiness was something that Alita had craved for a number of years. When things were rocky years ago, she felt cursed, like she was doomed to a life filled with misery, drama, and reaping every bad thing that she’d sown.

  “I think God is sort of kind of liking me these days,” she said, almost in a whisper.

  Shade laughed. “He’s always liked you. You have fallen into that trap, the perfection trap that made you think that God hates imperfect people. It’s not like that at all. It’s a fallacy.”

  “A what?”

  “A misconception. It’s a flat-out lie.” Shade paused, wanting to make sure his analogy would be received. “Leno has messed up bad, right? It made you mad.”

  “He pissed me off.”

  “Right, but deep inside the love is there.”

  “Yes.”

  “You haven’t disowned Leno.”

  “No way. I love my son . . . no matter how badly he screws up.”

  Shade could only look at Alita and nod. He watched her until a light began to sparkle in her eyes. Until she beamed at him. She gratefully squeezed his hand.

  “You da, you da, best,” she sang. “Best I ever had.”

  And they went on to enjoy the leisurely walk back to their high-rise hotel, feeding each other their delicious food, and making passionate love until they fell asleep, happy and exhausted, in each other’s arms.

  * * *

  The next day was filled with planned activities. Alita rose out of bed before the sun came up. She and Shade took a shower together, got dressed, and hit the streets. No matter what time of day it was, the energy of New York was apparent. People rushed to ride the subway, hailed cabs, or did what they’re known for: walking. Alita and Shade happily joined the throng of people. They visited a museum, walked into some boutiques, and caught a cab so they could hang out in Harlem. They came back to the hotel, and Alita decided to get one of her sisters to tag along so they could build sweet new memories together.

  In the afternoon, Coco pulled Alita to the side as they were walking through the iconic Macy’s store located on 34th Street. “Tell me something, Sis.”

  “What’s that?” Alita said.

  “Why did you get to bring your man on this trip? This is supposed to be a girls’ trip.”

  “That was Burgundy’s rule, but B needs to know that she does not run me. So, I wanted some male company on my getaway, and he had some vacation time, and that’s why he’s here.”

  “But if I would have known that, I would have brought my baby along.”

  “Who? Cypress?”

  “No, fool. Q.”

  “What? Are you serious? Y’all two are actually seeing each other?”

  “For the time being, yes.”

  “But that can’t last for long, because once that man realizes you’ve lied to his ass about Chance, Lord have mercy, Coco. Why you keep getting into the same type of drama, over and over again? No man on earth is going to put up with your constant bullshit.”

  They were headed to the women’s shoe department, and Alita immediately tuned out any response Coco gave her. Footwear was placed in well-lit cases or set on white circular displays with boots strategically placed on top. Alita had never seen so many wonderful, sharp-looking shoes in her entire life.

  “No wonder they call this place the world’s largest women’s shoe department.” She happily collected boots, leather sandals, wedges, and pumps. Soon Alita’s hands were completely filled with all the types of shoes she wanted to try on.

  “Really?” Coco said. “You really about to buy all these damned shoes? Who do you think you are? A Kardashian?”

  “Ha, Kim wouldn’t be caught dead buying shoes at Macy’s.”

  “Right.” Coco frowned. “You can find her shit at Sears.”

  Alita ignored Coco, found an empty seat, and waited for her shoes to arrive so she could try them on and strut up and down the walkway, pretending like she was a model.

  “You’re having way too much fun, Lita.”

  “Hello! That’s why we’re here. Do you know how long it’s been since I’ve had a real vacation? I can’t remember when. And it’s sad. I’m almost forty and I really need to start living, you know what I mean? Going to work, struggling to pay bills, dealing with family issues day after day, that ain’t living. It’s surviving. I want to do more than barely make it.”

  Coco was impressed. “I’m glad you thinking like that, Sis. Because I thought you would have jumped out of a window by now since you got fired from your customer order clerk job.”

  “Nope, not doing that. I may get sick and tired of some stuff, but I still have hope.”

  “Well, I sure hope your man is prepared to pay for all this stuff you wanna buy.”

  Alita’s eyes sparkled with brightness. “That’s the thing. He already told me he’d do it, Dark Skin. He will help me out and buy me what I want. See, that’s what I’m talkin’ ’bout. I hate when a man makes a hundred thousand a year and will barely help the woman that he says he loves. Cheap as hell, but always trying to tap that ass for some pussy. Shade ain’t like that at all.”

  “Alita, when have you ever dated a man that made a hundred grand?”

  “Coco, I have a man right now that brings in that type of money. So chew on that!”

  “Alita, you’re in love. And it looks good on you. I’m mad as hell yet happy for you.”

  By the time the women were done inspecting all kinds of footwear, Alita called Shade from her cell phone. He’d been in the men’s department, but when he got her call, he came right away to help her out.

  Shade liked everything she selected and agreed to buy Alita six pairs of shoes.

  “This feels like Christmas in July,” Alita said with a laugh. “Thank you, baby. It’s been a long time since anyone has made me feel this good.” She kissed him on the lips, and all he could do was smile. It made him happy to make her happy.

  After he paid for the merchandise he made a suggestion. “What if we take the escalator down to the basement and go to Herald Square Café? We can get some coffee or espressos. Then we can get some sandwiches and salads. Let’s take a break from all this shopping, sit down, and people watch.”

  “I’m game,” Alita said and grabbed him by the arm. He carried one bag for her and she carried the rest. What pleased Alita even more was the fact that Shade even offered to buy Coco a pair of shoes. His gesture stunned the hell out of her. Of course, Coco said yes. And as the trio walked to board the escalator to go to the lower level, Coco had a dazed look on her face.

  Shade and Alita stepped onto the escalator first. Coco followed behind them. But she was so deep in thought, she lost her footing. She tried to grab hold of the handrail but it moved much faster than the steps. Coco fell against the wall and soon began to slide about till she was lying sideways. Her body began to rotate and soon her legs were sprawled up in the air. She looked like she was riding a Ferris wheel.

  “Oh Jesus,” she yelled. “Can someone please stop this damned thing?”

  Alita looked behind her and watched her robust sister lying upside down on her back as the escalator descended. She screeched with laughter, gasped for breath, and wiped the tears that rolled down her cheeks.

  “Lita, I hear you. I’m going to kill you, I swear to God.” Coco struggled to pull herself up from off the stairs that were still in motion, but after a few seconds she gave up and just went along for the ride. But she managed to look over her shoulder. “Lita, you need to stop recording that video and come help me.”

  “I’ma help you. But this is too good not to tape. It’s historic. Love you, Sis.”

  After Alita and Shade helped Coco recover from her embarrassing fiasco, they managed to make it down to the ground floor to enjoy a soothing hot coffee and eat a nice, healthy lunch.

  “Damn, Sis, you really made this trip very memorable for me,” Alita told Coco as they ate.

  “Don’t start.”
<
br />   “Too late.”

  The two sisters giggled at each other and enjoyed the bonding they rarely got to indulge in. It had been a good while since they’d spent time together without fighting.

  And right before they got up to leave, Coco finally gathered enough courage to look Shade in the eye. “It’s official. I may not have made it to the altar, but it looks like y’all two just might do it. Welcome to the dysfunctional family. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

  Chapter 12

  Back at Ground Zero

  After the trip had ended, the memories of their joyous experience began to impact their lives once the ladies returned to Houston.

  One morning in early June, Burgundy woke up to the sounds of their lawnmower. She assumed that it was their landscaper, Marty, who was paid to tend to their expansive property. But when she put on her robe and walked into the kitchen, she looked through the window and saw Nate. He was dressed in a t-shirt and some workout pants. And he was seated on the mower as it steadily moved across the yard.

  She went outside and called to her husband.

  “Hey Nate,” she said. “Why are you out here?”

  “Can’t a good man cut his own lawn, take care of his own maintenance?”

  “Yes,” she said, perplexed, “but you usually pay other people to do that. What happened to Marty?”

  “I had to let him go.”

  “Oh. And when were you going to tell me? Or why haven’t you simply replaced him?”

  “What’s with all the questions, Burg? I’m just doing the things that a husband does. That’s all.”

  Burgundy raised her hands. “Suit yourself. It looks odd, but whatever.”

  Later on that day, she could hear Natalia and Sid screaming with laughter. She ran from her bedroom to see what the fuss was all about. Nate was on the carpet, perched on his hands and knees. Sid straddled his back with her little hands braced around his neck. She held on for dear life as he gave her a boisterous ride around the family room. It was a big room, filled with all sorts of large sofas, chairs, and tables located everywhere.