With the Fire on High(45)
Angelica must be able to tell how I’m feeling because she pulls her arm through mine as we walk to the bus stop and tries to distract me with celebrity gossip. When we are finally on the bus, I use my phone as a way to hide my face from her. I don’t want her to see the tears in my eyes. I check my email and there seems to be a message from Aunt Sarah—her name is in the subject line—but it’s a different address than the one I’m used to seeing; almost as if it was rerouted from a website.
I open the email and the first thing I see is a dollar amount:
$300
Note: Hey, niece. Sorry this is late. I know you told me in your last email the fund-raiser would end earlier this week. I pooled this together from all your other aunties and uncles and cousins; I hope you can still use it. I loved the pictures you sent from the dinner. I’ve never been anywhere farther than Raleigh, but I gather everyone needs some pocket change when they leave home, right? We are all so proud of you. Nya would be proud of you, too.
Love,
Aunt Sarah & the Family
I’m shocked, and it must be visible because Angelica grabs my arm.
“Emoni, what’s wrong? You’re trembling.”
Aunt Sarah is my email auntie, the strongest connection to my mother, my kitchen confidante, but she’s never sent money before, never organized that side of the family to send me a gift. I look out the window at the clouds parting in the same way my bad mood is, sunlight peeking through both, and I know for a fact there’s more than one kind of magic in this world.
On Ice
I’ve seen commercials for Disney On Ice my whole life but never thought about going. And still, as we wait in line outside the Wells Fargo Center, I feel as giddy as the little kids jumping up and down in anticipation. From her stroller, Babygirl keeps pointing at everyone and everything. Laura and Angelica hold hands, trying to look all cool and like they’re only here because I asked, but I know they’re excited, too. Malachi is the funniest of us all, bouncing up and down on his toes to see if we’re moving closer to the front of the line, making goofy faces at Babygirl, and asking every Disney character who walks past us for a picture. ’Buela declined his invitation and said she was going to meet up with a friend instead. “You young people go have fun with your Disney. I’m going to drink a cafecito and gossip.”
As we approach the entrance, Malachi fishes out the tickets from his pocket and steps forward. Angelica reaches down to fuss with the cover of Babygirl’s stroller. “I been meaning to ask you, how did Tyrone take this news?”
I don’t look at her when I shrug, and she shoves my shoulder.
“Emoni, please tell me you told him,” she hisses at me, but I don’t have a chance to say anything—not that I was going to say a damn thing—before Malachi is ushering the rest of us forward.
But Angelica won’t quit. She whispers low enough so that only I can hear her. “Emoni, didn’t he lose his shit last time because Babygirl was in the same house as Malachi?”
I pull her closer to me and make sure Malachi and Laura are speaking with each other before I say anything. “Angelica, he flipped out last time because he didn’t like the idea of me dating. I know he has Babygirl around other girls. I know he dates. It’s not his weekend, and if I want to take my daughter to Disney On Ice, who is he to say I can’t?”
Angelica shakes her head and throws up her hands. Laura must sense her girl being all dramatic because she stops mid-sentence to look at us. Both Angelica and I paste smiles on our faces.
“Everything okay?” Malachi asks when we catch up with them. I smile bigger, too big. He’s got to know something is bugging me, but I’m not going to let Angelica’s words water the seed of guilt blooming in my stomach.
“Everything is fine. Thank you for this. I know Emma is going to love it. Right, Babygirl?” At both of our faces peering down at her, Emma gets shy and burrows her head into the side of her stroller. I laugh. “Trust me, she’s excited. That’s her excited face.”
Malachi laughs. “Cool. I’m glad this worked out. My aunt gets extra tickets and she sees it every year.”
“Your aunt?” I say. We are finally at the gate. “I thought you said you had a ‘friend’ with a hookup?”
“I never said ‘friend.’ My aunt works here. She’s my hookup. We’re actually about to see her now. Smile, Santi.”
Side by Side
“Hey, Auntie Jordyn.” Malachi leans down to hug a little woman in a black collared shirt and slacks. The woman has a walkie-talkie in one hand, which she pats against Malachi’s back when he bends down to hug her. She still has her arm around his waist when she turns to the group. He points at each of us in turn. “Let me introduce you to Angelica and Laura. And that’s Emoni. And the little queen in the stroller is Emma.”
Auntie Jordyn looks up at him with a gruff expression. “Boy, what did I tell you about pointing at people? Just because your momma isn’t here doesn’t mean you forget what she’s taught you!” But as quick as she frowned she’s smiling and letting Malachi go. “And this little one, well, isn’t she precious? I’m glad these tickets could go to good use. With my kids out the house so long, my complimentary tickets usually go unused. I’m glad this year someone who can actually appreciate it will be watching.” She pats Malachi on the cheek and I instantly love her. Malachi’s smile is clearly inherited from his mom’s side because the woman looks just as happy and sweet as he does when he smiles.