Brown Girl Ghosted by Mintie Das

Author:Mintie Das [Das, Mintie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780358128892
Google: PNWhxwEACAAJ
Amazon: 0358128897
Publisher: Versify
Published: 2020-03-15T00:00:00+00:00

* * *

I turn the corner a couple of blocks from my house. I don’t usually go for walks but I need to get away from Lukas, Dede, Naomi, and the Aiedeo. Yet they’re all that I can think about. I pass by the street where Meryl’s mom lives and walk in the direction of the basketball courts. The sun is already setting and I can’t believe everything that’s happened today.

I think about that famous line from The Godfather Part III, Michael Corleone saying, “Just when I thought I was out, they pull me back in.” The difference with me is that I guess I was never really out of the Aiedeo.

A faint breeze rustles through the willow tree in the Sanderson’s yard. My hair is still damp and I realize I have only my tank top and shorts on. It’s chilly but I don’t want to go home yet.

“Hey, it’s a ghost!” I hear someone call out from behind me. I wonder if Naomi is following me and I almost jump out of my skin. I feel myself trembling, then feel two strong arms around me.

“Na-Naomi,” I mumble.

“You’re shaking. I didn’t mean to scare you,” Austin says. He continues to hold me. “I was just teasing you about ghosting me ’cause you kind of disappear on me all the time. You left on Saturday without saying goodbye and you haven’t returned my text.”

I say a small prayer of thanks that I’m wearing a bra but I wonder if I’ve brushed my teeth since morning. I’m also painfully aware that my head is totally messed up right now and my stomach is tied in knots and the last time I was like this, I puked on him. A huge part of me wants to throw him off me and run away but this feels really good. He’s warm and safe and doesn’t have anything to do with death. I feel tears coming to my eyes and before I can stop them, I start to cry. I bury my face in Austin’s chest because I am mortified and I don’t want him to see me but also because I want to hide inside of him.

“I know Naomi was a friend of yours,” Austin says softly as he runs his fingers through my wet hair. “It’s hit us all hard.”

A pebble of guilt forms in my throat. I’m crying for my own problems, not Naomi’s, but if that’s what Austin wants to believe, I’ll go with it. “Thanks for letting me break down,” I whisper after what I hope are my final sobs. I dry my eyes with the backs of my hands and look up at him. God, he’s perfect. A lock of his floppy hair falls over his right eye and I’d like to reach up and brush it away but I don’t trust my body right now.

“Anytime. I’m just glad you’re actually talking to me.”

He smiles and I want to melt. “I’m sorry. I’ve been . . . distracted.”

He nods.

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