You Call This a Gift?

I stood with my guardian Samuel practicing my power. I closed my eyes, blocked out every noise there was, and thought of a date: April 23, 1984.

I stood outside my 7-year-old, mother’s room and watched as she sat with my aunt playing with their cabbage patch dolls. I could hear my grandmother singing “you are my sunshine” in the kitchen. The smell of fresh vegetables filled the air. I turned looking towards the back of the house and quietly made my way back. I stood glancing past the side of the house while keeping my body hidden. My grandfather was kneeled on the ground dirt filling around his knees. His hands were becoming more and more dirty as he pulled carrots, potatoes, tomatoes, cabbage, and green beans from the garden. My eyes filled with tears the moment I saw him. My chest tightened and I fought back the urge to sob out loud. There he was sun shining down on him, dirt between his fingers, and a smile of success on his face.

My grandfather died when I was twelve; he was my best friend, my hero, and my protector. I weighed the pros and cons of running over to hug him and talk to him one last time. My brain told me “no,” but my heart told me “yes.” Just as I started to unhide myself from the brick wall along me, I felt something move between my calves. I covered my mouth to muffle my scream and fell back. Between my legs sat Mr. Muffin, my grandma’s cat. He meowed as he pushed himself all over me. I heard my grandfather start walking my way and I panicked. I opened my eyes and saw Samuel standing in front of me.

“Where did you go?” he asked while looking at the tears that were now pouring down my cheeks. I told him every detail of my trip and asked to be excused.

I walked through the cabin door after a long walk in the woods. Anna was the only one home. I sat on the couch next to her.

“How was your day,” she asked smiling.

I turned to speak and burst out in tears again. I told her all about it and spent the next few minutes in a hug with my best friend. Anna always made things better. She was always there for me when I needed her. “I’m going to go take a shower. I’ll talk to you later on,” I said as I made my way to the bathroom.