Love Like Sky

by Leslie C. Youngblood

  The water was the warmest it could get before it would’ve been hot. “There’s baby oil in there to give your nails some moisture,” she explained.

  She sat in the chair across from me. After she took my hand out of the water, she put the other one in.

  “Just pretend you’re at the beach,” she said, as she dried my free hand and started to massage my palm. I giggled. I blocked the kiss out of my mind, so I could pay attention to my manicure. I decided that when Mama came home, I’d give her a manicure, too, so she could luxuriate.

  Once Tangie finished the massage and dried my other hand, she started clipping my nails.

  “Think we’ll be able to visit with Peaches long?” I asked.

  “Hmm, thirty, forty minutes,” she said.

  “Better than nothing. Wonder if I could sneak her a peanut butter and banana sandwich?”

  “We better let the nurses keep her on the diet she’s on so she can keep getting well. When she’s home, she can eat that for lunch and dinner if she wants. Hold your hand still.”

  Tangie told me to think about the beach, but when I tried, I just thought of my kiss.

  Oh, I meant to give this to you. I could hear Kevin’s voice. “Tangie…”

  She glanced at me. “What’s up?”

  “Is telling a big sister something—I mean telling a stepsister—the same as telling a mama?”

  “You’re Peaches’s big sister, right?”

  “Yeah.”

  “So what do you think?”

  “She could tell me anything. I wouldn’t tell Mama. Well, I guess if someone was trying to hurt her and I couldn’t stop it, then I would.”

  “That’s the way I feel, too. Unless it’s something that could hurt the other sister, sisters are the best secret keepers. Even stepsisters.”

  “And the best manicurists, too.”

  “You got that right. Other hand, please.”

  I took a deep breath. “Kevin kissed me.”

  She stopped clipping, her eyes bright. “He did?”

  I pointed to the exact spot like a bull’s-eye. “Yep.”

  “How did you feel?”

  “Surprised.”

  She laughed.

  “He kissed my cheek, then sped off.”

  “Like a kissing bandit.”

  “Yeah, just like that.”

  “It was probably his first kiss, too, and was scared you’d be angry.”

  “I didn’t know if I was supposed to be angry. It wasn’t like it was on the lips.”

  “He knew you two would need to be older for that.”

  “Fifteen?”

  “Sometimes it happens earlier. I was thirteen. His name was Elston Grimes. He lived around the corner. Used to walk me home from school when Dad wasn’t waiting for me. One day he walked me all the way to the porch. And I kinda knew it was coming, because I closed my eyes.”

  “Like in the movies?” I asked.

  “Kinda. It lasted about five seconds. When it was over, he ran down the stairs.”

  “Did you like it?”

  “Neither one of us knew what we were doing. It was okay.”

  “Was he your boyfriend after that?”

  “Nah, his family moved to Tennessee a couple weeks later. Plus, boys weren’t much on my mind then…”

  “Kevin’s leaving, too. Going to live with his dad in Rochester, New York.”

  “I remember. Up near Canada.”

  “Not sure, but it’s nine hundred and sixty-two miles away,” I said, remembering Kevin’s words.

  “There’s no worries about distance these days. There are lots of ways to keep in touch.” She dried my hands and glanced back and forth between them both. “I think they’re all even. Time for the first clear coat, then bubble-gum pink.”

  “I have Kevin’s e-mail address.”

  “That’s the best. They don’t change like cell numbers.”

  “Tangie?” I bit my lip. “Is Marshall your boyfriend?”

  “Sorta, kinda.”

  “Frank don’t like him ’cause he’s in college?”

  “Yeah.”

  “That’s all?”

  “Well, I stayed out with him past my curfew. That made it worse. But then my dad found out that I went to a Stop the Violence rally downtown without his permission. If I would have told him, he’d okay me to go, but he’d be there right by my side. Who needs a babysitter at a protest rally? Can’t imagine what he thought we were doing. Thing is, it wasn’t all Marshall’s fault we were late.”

  “Your daddy doesn’t like anybody late for anything.”

  “Don’t I know it. College lets you get involved more with helping the community than high school.”

  “Like march—”

  “Yes, like marching,” she said, and didn’t seem irritated that I’d overheard that, too. “College is all about speaking up when you don’t agree with something, right?”

  “Right,” I said quickly, though I didn’t know.

  “Before the accident, my mom was always on the lookout for ways she could help. I was young, but I remember her and my dad protesting when a man named Oscar Grant was murdered. Dad is all for me doing whatever I can, but he doesn’t trust Marshall. And it sounds like a lie, but people really do have flat tires.” She chuckled. “Not in my dad’s world. You’ll find out soon enough. It’s gonna be a trip when you start dating.”

  “Why you say that?”

  “You got two dads. I’m catchin’ it with only one.”

  “Yeah, that’s gonna be a trip.” I didn’t think I was supposed to like the thought of two dads, but I did. “How often you get to talk to Marshall?”

  “Almost every day. Dad doesn’t know I do.”

  “I won’t tell.”

  “Thanks.”

  “Can I ask you something else?”

  “’Course.”

  “You kiss Marshall on the lips, huh?”

  “Yeah. Don’t be in a hurry to do that, though. You’ll be old enough before you know it. That’s what one of my older cousins used to say. I didn’t believe it, but it’s true.”

  “You’ll be around to talk about it?”

  “’Cross the hall. Until I go to college.”

  “Far away, huh?”

  “Not if Dad can help it. He’s thinking Clark, Spelman, but I’m thinking Howard, FAMU. Out of state. It’ll be cool, though. We can Skype, FaceTime, or whatever.”

  I didn’t want to spoil our time together, so I didn’t mention more of the conversation I’d overheard between her and Marshall and left well enough alone.

  Tangie put the quick-dry on my nails and used a little mini fan to make them dry even faster.

  “Wow! They look like a picture in Seventeen,” I said.

  “Glad you like,” Tangie said.

  “G-baby,” Mama called from downstairs.

  “Didn’t even hear them come in,” Tangie said. “Did you?”

  “Nope,” I said.

  “Girls,” Frank’s voice followed.

  “Just a sec!” Tangie shouted, and tightened the cap on the polish.

  I ran down the stairs to the kitchen first. No one there. All I wanted was to go to the hospital to see Peaches, no matter what her percentage.

  “We’re in here,” Mama called from the living room. She was sitting on the couch. When I entered the room, she held out her hand and pulled me on her knee. My heart sank—she does that to give me bad news, like when she and Daddy got their divorce.

  “What is it, Mama?” I asked. “I can’t go tomorrow either, huh?”

  “No, you can’t go tomorrow,” she said.

  My bottom lip felt like a brick pulling down my entire face. I just tumbled onto Mama, who rubbed my back. I wished Frank hadn’t told me I could go, so my hopes wouldn’t have been up so high. I heard his footsteps in the hallway but couldn’t look his way.

  “Remember what we talked about?” Tangie said. “Peaches is going to be okay.”

  “But it’s taking too long,�
�� I mumbled without lifting my head from Mama’s shoulder. It felt like the safest place in the world.

  Mama kissed my forehead before she spoke. “There’s something else Mama needs to tell you…” But then she stopped talking.

  Another reason I can’t visit Peaches, I thought.

  “G-baby! G-baby!” a voice called.

  I whipped my head off Mama’s shoulder and turned toward the doorway. There, with arms wrapped around Frank’s neck as he carried her, was Peaches!

  I tried to jump up immediately, but I couldn’t because my legs were trembling. Everything about me was full of jitters. I grabbed on to Mama, and she rubbed my back. I blinked my eyes really hard. Somehow, I couldn’t make myself look at my sister. I was so scared that she’d look like the real Peaches, but when I’d reach out to touch her, there’d just be air. Our house would go back to a house with no Peaches who we needed like sun. And I’d go back to just being a bad big sister who could never make things right. Mama gave me a little push. I finally got up and walked closer to Frank and Peaches, but I kept my eyes on the ground. “You’re home for real, Peaches?”

  “We’re surprising you,” she said. Her voice sounded like it does right before she nods off to sleep. I still couldn’t meet her eyes.

  “This is the best surprise I’ve ever had.” I didn’t care how fast my tears were coming.

  “I’m so sorry, Peaches. I’ve been the worst big sister and I’m so sorry.”

  “Georgie, baby. What are you talking about?” Mama said.

  “It’s all my fault. If I had called you earlier, or if I hadn’t snuck over to Nikki’s, maybe she wouldn’t have to be in the hospital.”

  Mama pushed my head into her chest and there was the faint scent of Red Door that relaxed me more than her touch.

  “G-baby.” Tangie’s voice was soft like when she spoke to me at the hospital. “Your sister is home. Look at her. Peaches is here.” I was so scared to look at Peaches. To get used to seeing her, for fear she’d disappear.

  “Mama’s baby is home,” Mama said.

  I lifted my head from Mama’s chest and stared at Peaches. She wasn’t pudgy like she was before and her hair was braided into two small plaits along the side of her head, but she was still looking like the prettiest girl I’d ever seen in my life.

  Peaches wiggled out of Frank’s arms, and I scurried across the living room so fast, I almost knocked him down.

  “Take it easy,” Frank said as he let Peaches stand on her own. But when he did, her legs weren’t sturdy like before, and she wobbled.

  “Oooh! Careful, careful,” Mama called, nervousness wrapped tight in her voice.

  After Tangie hugged Peaches, Mama opened her arms wide, and Frank took Peaches over to Mama with me right on his heels. I sat close enough so that Peaches’s feet stretched across my lap. I cuffed her jeans and tugged at the top she wore that had a picture of a surfing dolphin on it.

  “Remember what we talked about?” Mama said, and kissed her forehead.

  “Not to…to…overdo it,” she said. Peaches blinked. But her eyes didn’t open right away. They twitched underneath her lids, then opened. She reached out for Mama, but it took two tries before her hands touched Mama’s face. Mama kissed Peaches’s fingertips, but it was strange not hearing Peaches’s giggle.

  “That’s right. Just take it easy. Your body just got to get used to you being at home.”

  “I’m not gonna be able to dance with G-baby any-more, Mama?”

  I held my breath, waiting for Mama’s answer.

  “Of course, you will. Just gonna take some time.” Mama looked over at me. There were tears in her eyes that were in that place in between happy and sad. Mama kissed the top of Peaches’s head. “Just some time. That’s all.”

  My mind was already ticking. Whatever I needed to do to help Peaches, I’d do. She’s the only one who I feel comfortable dancing around. It doesn’t matter what dances I do, new or old, or if I don’t even get them right. She thinks I’m the very best.

  I put my hands on my hips and eyed her straight on. “You’ll be back jumping on my bed in no time,” I said. “Right, Mama?” Mama didn’t speak but just nodded. I glanced at Tangie, hoping she’d give me any sign that maybe this was what the not 100 percent would be.

  “Like your mama said, it’s just gonna take some time,” Tangie said.

  “G-baby…did you…?” Her voice was low, and she was struggling to keep her eyes open.

  “Did I what?”

  “Feed…” she managed to say.

  “She’s asleep already, Mama?”

  “That’s that medication kicking in,” Frank said. “It’s going to make her sleep quite a bit.”

  “That’s fine with me,” I said. “As long as she gets to be here and not that enormous hospital.” Those words eased out of my lips, but the ones that scared me were the ones I couldn’t say: What if she has to go back? What if the medicine they’ve given her doesn’t work all the way?

  “I was in the IOU,” Peaches mumbled.

  “It’s ICU, girl,” I said, and just the thought of it made my stomach cave in. I leaned over and kissed Peaches on her cheek. “I’m glad you’re home.”

  “Me too, G-baby,” she said, and then she really fell asleep.

  Mama shook her head when Frank tried to take Peaches upstairs. “No, sir. Not now. I want to sit and hold my baby girl.”

  “Understood, honey,” Frank said.

  “She not gonna be able to walk anymore, Mama?”

  “Sure she will. Just not right away. Sometimes doctors don’t have all the answers.”

  Tangie had her arms crossed in front of her, giving herself a hug. “Mama used to rock Morgan like that.”

  Frank drew Tangie close to him and planted a kiss on her temple. “Sure did.”

  Tangie leaned against Frank. “I’m glad she’s home,” she said.

  “Thanks for all your help lately, Tangie,” Mama said. And once again, I felt like an idiot for ever saying Tangie was a faker.

  “Daddy know she’s home, Mama?” I asked. She didn’t answer right away. Then she sighed like she used to do back before they were “happily divorced.”

  “Yeah, he knows.”

  “Is he coming to see her?”

  “When she’s up to it, we’ll take her by to visit. Your daddy had the wild idea that Peaches would recover better back in her old room. Obviously that isn’t happening.”

  Mama was still mad at Daddy for not calling her as soon as he knew she was sick and letting me sneak off to Nikki’s.

  “You two aren’t gonna start arguing again like at the hospital, are you?”

  “No, sorry, baby. Nothing like that.”

  I wanted to forget that Mama and Daddy weren’t on the friendliest of terms again until I could think of how to fix it. But first I needed to tell somebody Peaches was home besides Nikki. Kevin. I could tell Kevin.

  Mama tried to stand up with Peaches still on her lap. I grabbed Peaches’s legs to help, but Frank rushed over.

  Peaches slept so hard that I stared at her chest, making sure I saw it rising and falling.

  “She needs some good rest,” Mama said. “Let’s get her upstairs, Frank.”

  “In her own room or Georgie’s?” Frank said to Mama, but he smiled at me.

  “Mine, please, Mama?” I pleaded.

  “That’s where she’s gonna end up anyway,” Tangie added. I grinned at her and wiggled my fingers, letting light shine on my pretty pink nails.

  “Adorable,” Mama said. “Your handiwork, Ms. Tangie?”

  “Yep,” she said proudly.

  “You’re looking at your next customer, soon,” Mama said, then faced me. “Your room it is, G-baby. But we got to watch her. Her coordination may take a while to balance out.”

  “I can help her. I’m never gonna want her to sleep in her own room again,” I said.

  Mama’s smile danced in her eyes. “Never is a long time,” Mama said. Mama and Frank strolled upsta
irs to tuck Peaches in.

  As soon as Tangie and I were alone, I said, “Think she’ll be okay soon?”

  “She will.”

  I nodded. When I thought about telling Kevin she was home, I thought about the kiss again. “Oh, you won’t forget and tease me about the kiss in front of Mama or Frank, right?”

  “Will you tell about Marshall?”

  “No way!”

  “Then you don’t have to worry about me either.”

  “To be sure, can we make a pact?” I asked.

  “Okay,” Tangie said. “Hmmm, what about the Sister Secret Pinky Pact?”

  “Did you do that with your little sister?”

  She nodded and curved her pinky, waiting for me to loop mine around it. “Now here is what’s special: we pump three times, tug at our ear once, and then snap.”

  As I did it, I smiled.

  “Teach Peaches, too, okay?” Tangie said. “Remember not to do it around your mom or my dad, not even Nikki. It’s only for us sisters.”

  “That’s cool,” I said. “Oh, I better call Nikki before someone else tells her about Peaches.” I took off.

  When I got upstairs, Mama and Frank were walking out of my room. “Try not to wake her, G-baby,” Mama said.

  “I won’t,” I promised. “Just want to call Nikki.”

  Frank headed downstairs, but Mama stayed around for a moment. “Talk in Peaches’s room, and keep your voice low,” she suggested. “Then come downstairs after you’re done and tell me about this young boy.”

  My knees shook. Frank must have told her when he got to the hospital. “It’s nothing to tell, Mama,” I muttered.

  “I’ll be the judge of that. Call Nikki and come downstairs. There’s something else we need to talk about.”

  “Okay,” I said.

  She can tell. The kiss. She can tell. That spot on my cheek tingled.

  I forgot about calling Nikki and ran in the bathroom and locked the door. Tangie didn’t say a word about it, but Mama could probably sense that I was more grown-up now. In the mirror, I stared at my face from all angles. My eyes were still a little puffy. But no other difference. Guess you had to be a mama to see it.

  Wait a minute. Peaches. This isn’t about the kiss, but Peaches.

  Everything I’d been thinking about all day swirled in my head so fast that the room spun like a pinwheel. Now with Peaches home, Tangie liking me, not to mention I just might have a boyfriend like Tangie’s. I twirled myself into Peaches’s room, where everything became a humongous, colorful blur. I took a few minutes to catch my breath before I called Nikki.