Without a formal introduction the clouds abruptly revealed themselves. The unwilling sun retreated to its secret place. the wind winced as it bullied its way down Ivy Lane. it was a breezy Saturday afternoon in mid March. Mrs Martha Bell was finally removing her christmas decorations from the exterior of her home. Two of the Stevenson's boys were out throwing their football in the middle of the street. the Baldwin triplets were riding their new bikes up and down Ivy Lane. Two of them paused long enough to witness the death defyingwheelie by their third double. Mr. Terrence McNally was in his backyard enjoying his favorite past time-grilling a couple of beef steaks and drinking an ice-cold beer.
You could hear John Denver's Annie song blearing from his outdoor speakers...You fill up my senses like a night in the forest... The wind swiftly passed his house and immediatley encouraged the spring flowers to dance in unison. It was like a well chorograph dance routine performed by the one and only mightly Temptations. Even the dust and other fine debris danced and twirled down Ivy Lane. The wind dropped off a breeze at the Leblanc's opened bedroom window. the uninvited guest ruffled the aqua-blue and white sheer curtains as it pushed its way into the spacious bedroom.
The air immediately replaced the Hawaiian scented room with the smell of burning charcoal. Maysha Leblanc was lying in her bed asleep when she was awakened by the intruder. She was about to close her window, when the phone rang.
"Hello."
"Hey mommy? What's up?
"Nothing baby. Just resting and waiting for you to arrive. where are you?"
"I'm at Grandma Lula Ethel's house."
"What are you doin there? I thought you were comin home for your spring break."
"I changed my mind at the last minute. I wanted to spend some time with Grandma Lula Ethel."
"Why didn't you say something earlier before I made all these plans?"
"I'm sorry mommy, I didn't plan this. I'm sorry. It just happened. I didn't call to argue. I called because there is something I must tell you."
Maysha was alerted by Whitney's trembling voice. It was obvious whatever she had to say wasn't good news. Maysha braced herself for the bad news.
"What is it baby? Are you OK? what is going on?"
"Mommy, what i'm about to say is very hard for me to say."
"What is it Baby? Just say it. No matter what, you know I have your back."
Maysha was anxiously trying to get herself together, when Koko her alter ego emerged. "You heard what the hell that gir said. Your baby daddy has been knowcking boots with her."
"Koko lets not rush to judgement. We don't know all of the facts yet."
"What facts do you need? I have all of the facts I need. Your daughter said..."
"Shut up Koko. You are not helping things right now. Let me just get my head together."
"May, remember me? We go way back to Mr. Hathaway's 4th grade class. We've been together for a long time. I was there for you then and I am here for you now."
"I know. I know. You don't have to remind me. I know you were there for me then. I remember it as if it was only yesterday. I wasn't sure what to do or say then. I just sat on that old worn out couch with my little hands cupped together while trying to make sense of what I had just witnessed. I was only nine years old, Koko when it happened. After the shock, I just returned to the living room bewildered. Trying effortlessly without success to understand what had happened."
"I know May. that was the first time we met. Do you remember? I helped you out didn't I?"
"Yep, you did."
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