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[i]☼ ○ ▬
In a high school. It’s understood that I’m a student along
with a few roommates and friends of mine. I enter the classroom and watch as a
helicopter crash through the window. An unsuspecting guy in the middle of the
room gets slammed and cut up. I look at the bloody scene. Everyone is in shock.
It’s strange because the helicopter sort of transformed into a ceiling fan.
Later, in another classroom I find myself drawn to the window. I can see a
black spec in the sky gradually growing bigger. I fear the same thing will
happen. I warn everyone around me.
▬ ○ ☼
Waking up after a deep sleep at 12:40 p.m. I hear the sound
of the Spanish speaking voices of Jennifer and my stepmother reverberating
through the bedroom door of my guest room.
Instant Oatmeal. Decaf Green Tea. Orange Juice.
Hanging out around the house. I feel obligated to entertain.
Dancing in the living room with Jennifer. She shows me how to salsa dance and
other various moves. We lock arms and take each other by the hands attempting
to spin one another. Meanwhile in the kitchen, Patty is cooking up a storm.
...
Outside kicking the soccer ball around. It’s a beautiful
brisk day in November.
Lunch/dinner on the patio: Egg, Cabbage Salad, Rice,
Broccoli, and Collard Greens.
Teaching each other card games. We’re laughing constantly.
Enjoying this playful relationship with my newly acquired stepsister – a bond
has formed.
Slice after slice of Sweet Potato Pie. Coffee.
Jennifer writes something in Spanish down in my notebook.
She acts embarrassed when I try to translate it on the computer.
“La dia que te conoci mi caiste muy bien y espero que yo
tambien a ti por que eres una persona muy adorable y feliz y eso me encanta de
ti y espero que yo tambien te había caido bien”
Directly translated: “The day I met my you fell very well
and I also hope that you're a very lovely and happy and I love you and I hope
you too had fallen well”
I think by “fallen” or “fell” she means “feel”. Either way I
take these words as her way of saying nice to meet you and that she’s glad her
stepbrother turned out to be likable and impressive.
I’m delegated to drive the girls to Lowe’s for some red
ribbons and ornaments that Patty needs to complete the outside Christmas
decorations. My dad just got off work and just wants to relax in his recliner.
I take the wheel and pretend to maneuver like an amateur driver, hitting the
brakes suddenly and sounding confused on where to go. Patty and Jennifer laugh
hysterically.
It’s time for me to head back to Virginia Beach. I say my
goodbyes to the family and leave. During the three-hour trek Jennifer and I
text back and forth. Its kind of fun as I sometimes have to copy and paste the
español portions into Google Translate. She’s asking if I think she’s pretty. I
explain that she’s gonna win over a lot of boy’s hearts. I realize that she’s
just beginning the teenage stage in her life. Not too long from now she’s going
to be dealing with boys in a way she’s never had to deal with them before. This
whole brother-sister thing is still unfamiliar to me, and I’m trying to get
acclimated to it. I guess it’s not too big of deal considering I don’t live in
that household. But I still have an important role to play and I’m up for the
task.
Back home.
Lentil and Carrot Sandwich with Tomato.
Reflecting.
Sleep 4 a.m.
[i] All images
by me.
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