“We’re only asking for what’s fair,” Nadine said. “If our kids don’t get the quality education they deserve, that won’t only hurt them in the long run, it will hurt everyone. What do they think is going to happen when these kids turn eighteen and have to work? Do they honestly think that they will be able to perform effectively in the workplace?”
She crumbled up her wrapper and did the same to Carla’s and shoved them in her bag. “It scares me. It just really, really scares me.”
“Me, too.”
Carla took careful sips from another bottle of water she’d pulled from her backpack. Then handed another bottle to Nadine. They were both quietly drinking when Carla’s cell phone rang. She slid it from her pocket to silence it but changed her mind when she saw the caller ID.
“Oh, no.” Her stomach clenched.
“What?”
“It’s my aunt. Something must be wrong.”
“What makes you think that?”
“We usually only speak on Sundays after she gets home from church.” She answered the call, heart already pounding.
“Maurine?” she rasped.
“Carla?”
“It’s me, but I’m a bit hoarse. Is everything okay?”
Silence.
“Maurine?”
“It’s Mama, Carla. She collapsed in the kitchen this morning and was rushed to the hospital. I’ve been trying to call.”
Carla’s heart dropped, and a lump rose to her throat causing the initial pain she’d felt earlier to literally throb.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t hear it. How is she? Is she okay” She knew there was more. Knew it must be serious. Otherwise Maurine wouldn’t be calling.
“She’s sick.” Her voice caved.
Carla closed her eyes. Maurine getting emotional meant the situation was dire. Very dire. “How bad?” Tears brimmed and burned as she waited for the answer.
She heard Maurine struggle to speak and she braced herself.
“She’s not going to make it, Carla. They don’t think she’s got much longer. They’re not even sure she’s going to make it through the night.”
Carla’s world spun. She had to close her eyes again to fend off the dizziness. The tears that had welled began to fall, streaking down her cheeks like narrow little streams carrying the most gut-wrenching pain she’d ever felt.
She had always known this day would come. She’d just hoped she’d somehow, someway, be prepared to face it. But she now knew, as she sat totally and completely helpless under that tree three thousand miles away, that she could’ve never, ever been adequately prepared for the news that was just relayed to her.
“Okay,” she managed to say. “I’ll be there as soon as I can.”
She heard Maurine break down completely as they said good-bye, and it took all Carla had not to do the same in response. She stared endlessly into the green grass, doing her best to steel herself. She startled when Nadine rested her hand on her shoulder.
“Is it your grandmother?”
Carla swallowed down the threatening sobs. She nodded.
Nadine had been her closest friend for fifteen years. They’d met the very first day Carla stepped foot in her classroom to begin her career. She’d seen her through some rough times throughout the years and she knew her better than anyone. So, she knew how much her grandmother meant to her. She knew she was like her mother; knew she had raised her. And she no doubt knew how terribly devastating this whole thing was going to be for her.
“It’s bad news?”
“My aunt broke down.” She looked at Nadine. “She never cries. So, yes, it’s the worst kind of news.” She sucked in a shaky breath. “She said she doesn’t have long,” Carla said. “I have to go. I need to leave right away.”
But, at the moment, she couldn’t move. She was stuck to the ground as if the shock had weighed her down and rooted her there.
“Of course.”
“I’m probably going to miss the end of school—all of—”
“I’ll take care of all of it. You’ve pretty much packed up and prepared everything for the last day anyway because of the strike. The rest I can handle. We can handle. You know, your friends and colleagues who adore you?”
“Thank you. I just—I’m not ready for this, Nadine. I’m not ready.”
“Aw, sweetie.” She inched closer and embraced her. “I know this is hard. It’s probably one of the hardest things you’ll ever have to go through. And I’m so, so sorry. If there was anything in the world I could do to ease your pain I would. But when it comes to something like this, there’s very little anyone can do to help with the pain. So, I’m going to do what I can, which is to make sure you don’t have to worry about a thing here, okay? Max and the boys will pitch in and we’ll take care of the house, the mail, the yard, everything. You just go be with your family. That’s all you need to worry about. That’s all that matters now.”
Carla wiped her tears.
Nadine was right.
She needed to pack her bags, catch the soonest flight back to North Carolina. Back to where she came from. Where she was born and raised. Where anyone and everyone who had any kind of blood relation to her currently resided.
She needed to go back so she could do the most difficult thing she’d ever had yet to do.
Say good-bye.
Chapter Two
Carla rushed through Charlotte Douglas International Airport, bypassing the long, familiar row of wooden rocking chairs that welcomed visitors in a relaxed, southern hospitable kind of way. She often sat in one while waiting to board her return flights to Phoenix, preferring the gentle rocking chairs over the stiff, stationary seats at the gate. At the moment, though, thoughts of departing were the last thing on her mind. Her plane had just arrived, and she was hurrying, wanting to get to her grandmother as soon as possible.
She made it to baggage claim and paced while waiting for her luggage. She texted Nadine, letting her know she’d arrived safely and then texted her uncle Rick telling him she’d be ready for pickup soon. Another quick text, this one to Maurine, resulted in a much-needed update on her grandmother. She was still alive, but she hadn’t been conscious for hours. Carla slid her phone in her pocket, the same pocket where it had rung with bad news. She hadn’t taken the time to change clothes, having rushed home right away from the march to book whatever flight she could get and pack her things. Now that she was there, she couldn’t seem to slow down. She was still in overdrive. She tried to breathe deeply and calm some but failed. To her great relief, the luggage carousel came to life, and with her bags in tow, she headed for the exit and stepped out into the mild night where the strong smell of jet fuel and car exhaust permeated. She waited curbside after texting her uncle and stared into oncoming headlights. It wasn’t long before his early model Chevy Blazer slowed and pulled in next to her.
Rick climbed out and met her at the rear of the vehicle.
“Hey,” he said in his gruff voice. He tugged on the worn brim of his Skoal tobacco ball cap and stroked his long brown beard. His jeans and T-shirt were dirty from his work at the sawmill and very typical for him, just as his calm demeanor was. He didn’t appear to be anxious like Carla, despite the current situation. But that was Rick. He was laid-back with a quiet kindness that put people at ease. Even the way he moved was slow and easy. Carla had always said that if he were a whisky, he’d go down smooth. But also like whisky, he wasn’t to be messed with. His gentle manner could change in a flash if he felt threatened. Thankfully, Carla had only ever seen that twice in her lifetime, and both times the men who’d tested Rick’s limits had regretted it. And Rick had been easy on them.