Sacrifice

by Nileyah Mary Rose

  The next morning, I picked her up from her house and we rode to school together, ate lunch together then started my swimming lesson again after school. We went off to dinner afterwards and then went home which was the furthest thing from my mind while being with Reggae. We started doing swimming lesson daily until I fully mastered how to swim, and I would challenge her in swimming races, but I knew she would win anyway.

  We spent almost every day with each other. I became part of her family quickly and she became a part of mine. We made each other happy and kept our friendship alive throughout high school years and got accepted into the same college. Before we went to college, we both bought rings for each other that had a rose inside the stone.

  “This represents our friendship that will last forever, the rose inside is the rose that will never die, so you’re my rose forever.”

  I presented the ring to her like we were getting married. She was my only friend so I took time to always cherish her.

  “That sounds so gay, but awww you are my rose forever too, no matter what happens,” she responded.

  Chapter 7

  We both went off to college and became roommates as we added a friend to our circle, her name was Tiara. She immediately fell in love with Reggae’s eyes and my personality. She was the wildest girl I had ever met, yet loving, caring and overprotective when we were all out together.

  “What are you guys doing tonight?” Tiara said as she invited herself in as me and Reggae studied for our test.

  “Girl we got a test tomorrow morning,” Reggae said as I nodded and went back to studying.

  “Oh come on, you guys are such party poopers, we got to go to Kenny’s party,” says Tiara.

  “No thank you, I have to pass this test,” I said.

  “Ok fine, I’m letting you guys study for a whole two hours and we’re going after that.”

  “Girl it’s a school night,” I said

  “You in college,” Tiara responded.

  “She is right, we should go,” Reggae said as she looked up at me.

  “Let me hurry up and study then,” I said as I displayed a look to tell her to ‘leave us alone.’

  “Yay, cool, see you in a minute, and guess who’s going to be there Ella?” Tiara said as she came to my desk where I was studying at and put her hands on my shoulders with a smirk in her face.

  “I’m horrible in the guessing game, who?”

  “Girl you don’t get to have it like that, you got to guess, sorry,” she responded.

  She walked away from my desk like she was enjoying this game she decided to play while I was trying to study with the curiosity of knowing who was supposed to be there.

  “Girl come on, I’m trying to study so I can’t be guessing. Now tell me before I change my mind about going.”

  “Ce-li-us.”

  I smiled as the name came out of her mouth like she was singing.

  “Now you really want to go because he is going to there?” asked Tiara.

  “I don’t care, I see him on campus every day.”

  “Yes you do care,” Reggae said, giving her two cents.

  “Shut up Blue,” snapped Ella.

  “Ok I’m done!” Reggae smiled then went back studying.

  “Girl you tripping, he is cute, hell I would talk to him if you wasn’t my friend,” Tiara stated

  “You can talk to him, it’s not like we talking,” I said.

  “No, you like him and I will throw a pen at you if you deny that one more time,” Tiara said.

  “Whatever; leave me alone I’m studying,” I said.

  “Ok, just one more thing.”

  “What Tiara?” Reggae said.

  “Well two, one of them is that I need a ring too, I mean we all friends right?”

  “Right, you will get it soon,” Reggae responded to her.

  “Ok. And the second one is; there is this guy I like right? But he is always around this light skin girl and I think he likes her, which pisses me off,” says Tiara.

  “Why do people do that?” Reggae asked.

  “Do what?” asked Tiara.

  “Differentiate themselves from their own race.”

  “What you mean?” Tiara asked again.

  “Sorry, I just can’t stand when we as black people differentiate ourselves from each other because someone’s shade is darker or lighter,” stated Reggae

  Tiara said, “Girl we’re not differentiating, we’re all different colors.”

  “I get that, but it’s out of control how it’s being used,” Reggae said annoyed.

  “You’re right, but everybody is doing it now,” Tiara said as Reggae felt the need to school her.

  “It’s not everybody, just our race and trust me, if another race sees a light skin girl and a dark skin girl together, do you think they will say ‘light skin’ and ‘dark skin’? No. they will say those ‘black girls’ over there because you’re a black girl or boy regardless of your shade. But when our own people see us, they are quick to describe us as light skinned or dark skinned. You don’t see other races doing that. It needs to be changed because we are all one,” Reggae finished.

  Tiara responded, “You’re right and I would love for every race to get along, because we were all made by one creator; God. I think He only made us different because He’s creative. He didn’t make us different to hate one another. It’s like we were born by one mother but we don’t get along because we all are different colors. I mean where would the fun be if we all looked alike?”

  “Right, it’s sad, but it exists. Anyways let me finish studying if you want me to come out with you tonight,” Reggae said.

  “Now you talking,” I said as my head stayed in my book.

  “You didn’t like what we were talking about?” Tiara asked when I didn’t put in my opinion about it.

  “It’s not that, I just want to pass this test. But it’s true, and hey it’s reality. The only hope is that one day we can change it, because we are all parting ways from each other and slowly hating ourselves,” I shook my head as I went back to my studying.

  “Right, but I will see you in an hour and a half,” says Tiara.

  “Ok,” Reggae said as she went back to studying. Do you really feel like going out tonight?”

  “Not really but we already told her yes,” I said.

  “Like as if that ever mattered to you, unless you want to see Celius.”

  “Hush, you just mad because I am a woman of my word.”

  “So you say.”

  “So ignorant,” I shook my head as we both laughed knowing Celius was the only reason I decided to go to this party.

  “Ok, time to study for real this time.”

  “Ok fine,” we kept studying until Tiara busted in on us still studying.

  “Ok, it’s time to get dressed.”

  “Ten more minutes,” I responded.

  “Ok I’m going to start getting dressed and you have an hour to get yourself together.”

  “Mine will be quick because I don’t really wear makeup.”

  “You don’t need it anyways.”

  “I know,” I said smiling.

  “So cocky,” she said as she shook her head. “Anyways, I shall be back so get ready.”

  “Ok.”

  I studied for twenty more minutes as Reggae put on her face. I put on a little makeup that was barely noticeable and Tiara was back by the time we were almost done.

  “You lucky I live two doors from you, or my ass wouldn’t be burning calories running back and forth.”

  “I wish you didn’t live two doors away so it would take you longer to get here, or we could just communicate through the phone,” Reggae said jokingly.

  “You know what, forget you.”

  “Hey, I’m just saying,” we all laughed.

  “Ok I’m ready.”

  “Of course you are, can’t wait to see Celius huh?”

  “Ok, on the other hand I’m not ready,” I said as I turned around.

  “Oh no we
are leaving now,” Tiara said as she pulled me out of our dorm room as Reggae followed.

  We got to the party and everybody was drinking, dancing and smoking. I stood in the corner and stared at Celius half the time while Tiara and Reggae danced. His presence completed my mood.

  “Girl, come on!” Tiara pulled me out from the corner away from seeing Celius. I guess she was thinking she was doing me a favor. I was enjoying staring at him as girls stayed all in his face. We danced and I finally let myself go with some liquor that I got introduced to that night.

  “Come on girl, just have a little.”

  “No it’s got alcohol in it.”

  “I know, but drink it and see what happens.”

  “No, I can still have fun without it.”

  “No you can’t,” Reggae said. “Just drink a little bit then we can all go back dancing joyfully.”

  I took a sip of the liquor. It tasted like juice so I drank some more.

  “Mmm, this tastes really good.”

  “I know right, now come on!”

  She pulled me to the dance floor and we danced our night away causing me to lose sight of him.

  I woke up the next morning with a major headache as I zoomed in on my clock to see that the test had already started.

  “Oh shoot!” I jumped out of the bed and went to see if Reggae was still sleep, “Wake up, we’re late for our test.”

  “What?” she said as she turned the other way and closed her eyes again.

  “Girl get up, we have to go take our test!”

  “I’m not getting up. I will do a makeup test.”

  “It’s MIDTERMS! Get up and stop being lazy.”

  “It’s going to be over by the time I get up and get dressed because I am not going out looking like this.”

  “Put a jacket over your clothes.”

  “No that’s tacky, I need to take a shower and put my face on before I leave this room.”

  “You know what I give up, I’m going to class.”

  I ran out of her room, brushed my teeth then went straight to class with my pajamas and a jacket on. The whole class looked at me as I walked in, some of them laughed at the way I was dressed, and of course my hair was messed up. I didn’t want to look at Celius who was sitting in the corner of the classroom staring. Looking at him made me nervous and I couldn’t even focus on my test worried about what he thought of me. The test was finally over and I ran out of the classroom with my head still pounding from yesterday.

  “Girl I am so mad.”

  “Me too,” Reggae responded.

  “Why are you mad?”

  “You keep waking me up.”

  “You need to wake up, but anyways everybody was staring at me looking a hot mess, I was so ashamed.”

  “You mean Celius?”

  “Can we have one conversation without you or Tiara thinking it’s about Celius?”

  “No because it’s always about Celius, now stop playing yourself.”

  “I’m not and it’s not about Celius. I don’t even know why I’m talking to you right now anyway. I need some medicine for my headache.”

  “I was going to tell you the same thing.”

  “What?”

  “Why you talking to me right now when I was clearly sleeping when you walked in here?”

  “Whatever, I’m leaving now.”

  She sighed then said, “Thank you.”

  “You are not welcome.” I went in my room and got a phone call from my dad as I was straightened up.

  “Hey daddy, how are you?”

  “I’m fine sugar you ok?” he asked sounding like he was really sick as he talked slow and low.

  “Yes I am, are you? You don’t sound good.”

  “I am, thank you sugar.”

  “Daddy what’s wrong?”

  “Nothing baby, I’m fine.”

  “But you don’t sound good.”

  “I’m fine, I’m just at the hospital but the doctor said I will be fine.”

  “You’re at the hospital and nobody even bothered to tell me!” I said with anger.

  “It’s not that serious that’s why, and you need to focus on your studies.”

  “No daddy, you’re more important than my studies, I’m on my way.”

  “Don’t you leave that school, child! Now I told you I’m fine and your mother is here with me.”

  “Is she really?”

  “Yes.”

  “I don’t believe you, let me speak to her.”

  “I wouldn’t lie to my sugar cane.”

  “You would when you don’t want me to worry.”

  “Ok fine here is your mother,” I waited on the phone then my mother came on.

  “Hey sweetie, how are you?”

  “I’m fine thank you and why didn’t you tell me my dad was in the hospital?”

  “Because we didn’t want you to stress and I’m here making sure he is ok.”

  “Thank you mommy but I want to see him so I’m coming home.”

  “No you’re not, stay where you are sweetie, he will be ok.”

  “Is there something you’re not telling me?”

  “No really, he will be fine.”

  “How bad is he?” I said ignoring the fact that she said he will be fine.

  “Let me let you talk to him.”

  I panicked having the feeling that there was more than what they were telling me.

  “Hello.”

  “Daddy, please tell me you’re going to be ok?”

  “Of course I am. Now how is your studying going?”

  “Its fine dad, but it’s not that important, I want to come home and see you,” I said feeling the need to be there with him.

  “I don’t want you to, finish this semester first then you can come see your old man.”

  “You’re far from old; can I speak to the doctor please?”

  “Ella you’re worrying yourself too much, I am fine and I will talk to you tomorrow ok?”

  I sighed, “Ok,” I was still a little worried that there was something they were not telling me.

  “I love you,” my dad said.

  “I love you more daddy.”

  “Ok talk to you later sugar.”

  “Ok dad bye,” I said. We both got off the phone and I kept cleaning. Reggae walked in my room after overhearing my conversation.

  “What are you doing?”

  “Nothing, I’m just cleaning.”

  “Is your dad ok?”

  “I don’t know, I hope so, I just feel like there is something they are not telling me. It bothers me.”

  “Do you want to go visit him by surprise to make sure he is ok?”

  “My dad will be so mad at me and I don’t want to stress him out.”

  “Ok, let me know if you need me for anything.”

  “Thanks Reggae.”

  “You’re welcome. He will be alright, I am sure of it.”

  “I hope so.”

  Reggae was always there for me when trouble came my way and I had always done the same for her as well.

  “How was the test?” she asked.

  “It wasn’t that bad but I have another one in two days,” I said as I sighed. “I’m so over these tests.”

  “Girl who you telling, at least you don’t have to study until tomorrow, I have another test tomorrow so I have to go study for it.”

  “Ok and when are you going to make up your test from today?”

  “Girl I don’t know, but I am about to go talk to the professor and tell him that I was sick.”

  “Liar,” I said.

  “He doesn’t know that.”

  “Right.”

  “I’m about to go eat something then study.”

  “Good luck.”

  “Need that,” she exited out of my room as I went out running.

  Rachael

  I was on my way to the hospital to bring Charles some food when the phone rang.

  “Hello?”

  “May I speak to Mrs. Boyd?”

&n
bsp; “This is she.”

  “Ma’am this is Dr. Silaski.”

  I knew something was wrong by the way he sounded. He sounded so pitiful and sorry.

  “What’s wrong with my husband?”

  “Ma’am I am sorry to say your husband is dead.”

  I felt so relieved when I heard that he was dead. Yes, I felt relieved. I pondered to myself at that moment. ‘How could I? What kind of a person am I? Feeling so free and relieved, that my husband had died; the kind that married a man for the sake of her daughter.’ I knew this deep inside for a long time, but I was afraid to face the truth. I quickly placed both of my hands on my mouth as I dropped the phone; surprised at the words I mumbled to myself, hoping the doctor didn’t hear a thing.

  “Ma’am, are you ok?” I heard the doctor say.

  “Oh no I’m fine.” I started to cry.

  “I’m sorry for your loss ma’am, I did all I could to save him, but his body stopped responding to the treatment.”

  “Thank you doctor for trying your best,” I kept crying.

  “You’re welcome ma’am. So I will be seeing you soon to make final arrangements?”

  “Yes, I’m on my way.”

  I put my head down and cried, not because I felt bad for not truly loving him the way he loved us, but because of the impact he had in my life. If it wasn’t for him, I would have never found myself and I wouldn’t have gotten my daughter back who loved him dearly. Now I had to face my daughter to tell her that her father, whom she just talked to, was dead. I didn’t know how to tell her after I had just told her that everything was ok with her father. I pulled myself together as I dialed Ella’s number.

  “Hey mommy,” her tone almost made me cry knowing it was about to turn sour.

  “Hi sweetie, what are you doing?”

  “Studying for my test. What are you doing?”

  “Getting ready to go to the hospital.”

  “Oh, how is dad doing?”

  I stood still as my words froze in my mouth. I didn’t want to hurt my daughter because I knew how much she loved him.

  “Mommy?”

  “Yes honey.”

  “Is dad ok?”

  “I don’t know,” I was so hesitant to just blurt out the truth, but I had already lied by telling her I didn’t know if her dad was ok or not.