I look up at the sun. It’s blinding my eyes. I put my hand over top of my eyes so that I could see into the horizon. I see three figures walking towards us. Good just in time.
I look down at my daughter, who is now trying to climb up the willow tree. “Willow! What’re you doing!?” “I’m trying to climb the tree Mommy” “That’s great sweetheart but you have to come down now”. I rush over to there and take her down from the tree. She looks up to me with a mischievous grin. I glare at her. “What?” I ask.
As if on cue, her big brother, Tyler jumps down from the tree. Then her father. I stare at them with wide eyes. “TYLER MATTHEW BRAXTON” I yell at him. “WHAT ON GOD’S HEAVEN AND EARTH IS WRONG WITH YOU?!” I scream. Willow giggles. I give her a deathly glare. She stops right away. Her father tries to escape. “AND YOU! WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU?” Then they all burst out into laughter. “I’m sorry Ma, your just so funny when you’re mad.” “Funny? You want funny? Oh I’ll give you funny”. Tyler looks over to his father and mumbles “She's not serious is she?” “I think she is”. They give each other worried glances. “RUN” their father screams.
Then they all escape in different directions. Except Willow. Her little legs just can't keep up with everyone else's. I grab her before she can go any further. “Gotcha!” “Hey no fair” she says trying to wiggle out of my arms. “Don't turn into your father or your brother” I say. She pouts. “Mommy I’m 7 years old now, you don’t need to carry me anymore” she crosses her arm and tilts her head up.
I laugh at her seriousness, and she laughs in return. “Willow” I say to get her attention. She looks at me with attentive eyes. I put her down, then squat down to her level. “I’d like for you to meet someone, OK?” she just nods. I hope this goes well I think. I stand up smooth out my dress, and hold my daughter's hand.
I walk up to the shadow figures as they approach us. “Mommy who are them?” my daughter tugs on my dress. “They’re………. Old friends”, Willow just nods and I smile at her. “Ebony!” I hear a feminine voice call my name. I look toward the sound. It’s a lady holding two boys. “Ebony! Are you Ebony?” she asks as she slows down, and puts the boy down. I nod. She smiles, “I’m Anamarie, and this is my son Andrew and my nephew Leviticus”
ns 172.71.194.97da2
