Genesis Begins Again by Alicia D. Williams

Author:Alicia D. Williams
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: Atheneum/Caitlyn Dlouhy Books

Wednesday night, I keep an eye on the front door while Mama and I catch an episode of American Idol, and even though it’s good, it’s hard to focus on it because . . . well, Dad. He’s never been gone longer than two days, as far as I know. What if he comes home ready to drink his vodka? What if he goes off with his stupid teasing? Or empty his pockets with his winnings, argue with Mama, and plead for another chance. If he comes home. I need a distraction. So I brush Mama’s hair. The more I brush, the more I relax. Mama finally relaxes too.

For a moment, my mind even wonders about—of all things—that guy Joel. He could’ve been a cornball, outcast, or a regular dude, but once he won the talent contest, kids treated him like a celebrity. A celebrity.

“Hello? Genesis? Hey, the brush hasn’t gone through my hair in a minute.” Mama leans her head back, looking at me upside down. “Wow, your chin is almost back to normal.” She then asks, “So, what’s up?”

“Sorry.” I nudge her head back down and start brushing again. And I tell her all about the talent show.

“A talent show? Really?”

She pats the cushion next to her. “Are you trying out?”

“Uh-uh. I was hoping to go watch, that’s all.” I come from behind the couch and settle down beside her. Then we go on talking as if our lives are oh-so-great, ignoring the big elephant stomping around the room, or, more specifically not stomping around the room.

“You know,” Mama says, picking up the remote, “I remember wanting to audition for a talent show. Modern dance was what I wanted to do.”

“Why didn’t you?”

“Scared.”

Now I’m wishing I could tell Mama that I sorta want to audition, but I’m too scared to. Scared to sing in front of everybody, especially after the chorus incident. Scared my voice isn’t good enough. And scared, yes, I have to admit—scared they’ll call me Ape or Blackie. But I’m even scared to tell my mom that!

So I tell her nothing as we watch TV, each of us keeping one eye on the door.

Mama’s phone rings, and she hops up to answer it. It’s Tootsie, and that means a lengthy conversation. The idea of me possibly auditioning gets me excited, so I take this opportunity to slip into her room and borrow her foundation. I tie my shirt over my head and make a ponytail. This shirt is my real crowning glory. Dang, I wish one of my songs was playing on the radio. Might as well load the player with the Ella Fitzgerald CD that I borrowed from Mrs. Hill. It doesn’t take long for me to realize that even though the music’s old, there’s something . . . stylish, yeah that’s the word, and rich about her voice. She’s not as mellow and deep as Billie, but fun and upbeat. Ella sings about funny Valentines, Paris, and summertime. Happy stuff.

But like Billie, Ella gets me singing too.

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