The Diary of Aaliyah Anderson Page 19
“It went very well, way different than I believe you’re thinking. She told me how sorry she was about what happened with her and your father. She told me it had been bothering her ever since she found out he was married with a family. She even said she was contemplating suicide and her finally getting a chance to apologize to me really lifted a burden off of her shoulders.”
“It’s even clearer to me now. He’s completely the reason why this family is broken up like it is. He’s even responsible for Faith’s mom’s misfortune and suicidal thoughts. That just completely does it for me! Momma, please let me and D move in with you. I just can’t live in the same house with a monster like him. Faith could turn against me because of him and I couldn’t say anything about it! She’s seen how much her mom was affected by what he did. How would she accept us after that? How would she accept me after that?”
“There’s only one way to find out, ‘Lili. Tell her the truth. Sit down and talk with her about it. You don’t know how she’ll react. I still talk to her mom on a daily basis. I could see if we could set up a girl’s spa day for you two or something along those lines. That would sort of break the ice and then you could tell Faith. Do you want to do that?”
I sighed. “Anything to relieve me from this newly-added stress. Honestly, Momma, I just want a second chance. You know what we talked about on the phone about last night? This is my chance! I don’t want to mess it up. I don’t think I could live with myself if I do.”
“Baby, you have to take the risk. This is what you wanted after all. We could get her mom to tell her, but it would be more special if it comes from you. Be fearless, ‘Lili. I’ll set it up but you need to deliver. You got me, baby?”
I smiled. “I understand, Momma.”
She smiled back while getting up from the sofa. “Alright, now let’s get going on this nomination speech. We’re gonna make sure you win this election!”
She led me back into her personal library to write, edit, and practice the speech and we were done in under thirty minutes.
♠♠♠♠
History in the Making
After our moment alone at her house, Momma drove up to the station. We made it shortly before D went on. I recorded a few bumpers as D had arranged for me and he even interviewed Momma. It was great too! They actually broke the record of most listeners in Carswell history that he had set Saturday on The Weekend Jump-off with that segment alone!
To celebrate, Momma took D, Roxanne, and me out to eat. We went to Chili’s on the north side, my favorite restaurant. We got so much attention it was crazy! I even got recognized by a few people for the logo I had created for D’s show. It was great! Then, Momma let us stay at her house for the night. I was so happy! D, as I expected, went into that library room and started typing away.
I went upstairs to the room that Momma said was mine and called Deangelo. I told him about the whole situation with Faith. I even told him about what Momma told me about my father. I had to get a second opinion on this from somebody outside of my family and my girls. Deangelo seemed to be on the same level as D when it came to knowledge and maturity, so I told him. I knew he’d give me an honest, well thought out opinion and he did.
“Wow,” he said after I finished telling him everything.
“I know! It’s crazy, isn’t it?”
“Your situation sounds like something that would be in a Tyler Perry movie.”
I laughed. “It really does.”
“But I think you should talk to Faith about all this, for real. My mom is a longtime friend, partner, and associate of Ms. Johnson so we’re all pretty close.”
“So what’s up with Ms. Johnson? Is she cool?”
“She’s nice and extremely funny. With her being a lawyer and everything, she can tell if people are lying or not. I bet Faith can’t get away with anything in her house.”
“I thought that was just a myth, you know, lawyers having the skill to do that.”
“It’s not a myth to Ms. Johnson. She’s nice with it too!”
I smiled. “So do you think that she’ll let me have a Saturday out with her?”
“Of course. If she’s cool with your mom, she’s gonna be cool with you by association. I honestly think you’re over exaggerating what’s going on. If you talk to Faith about the situation, I doubt she’ll trip. Come to think about it, she’ll probably be happy that she’s related to your family.
“The Andersons are like royalty in this city. For twelve years of her life she hasn’t had any interactions with family outside of her mom. You know that Faith’s family is way more messed up than you think yours is, right? She feels alone because of her mom’s busy schedule with being a lawyer and running a successful event planning business, plus all the other stuff she has going on. Look at all the first cousins you have! When she realizes she’s related to you, Faith will probably be the happiest person on the face of the earth. Just look at how she was acting at lunch. She already thinks highly of you. You need to stop putting too many extras on the situation.”
“I feel you, Deangelo. I hope you’re right too.”
“I know for a fact that I’m right. Just watch.”
I laughed. “If you say so.”
“Let’s get back to you, Aaliyah. What are you doing on Saturday?”
“Well, I’m going to listen to the singer Aaliyah’s songs all day. You know the anniversary of her death is Saturday, right?”
“Of course.”
“I’m taking Theresa to the bookstore too. I promised her that if she got a good grade on her report, I’d pick out some good books for her. She got two one hundreds so I have to live up to my promise.”
“What are you doing around 4:15?”
I smiled. “Why are you asking me this?”
“Why don’t you just answer the question?”
I laughed. “I’m not doing anything around that time.”
“Well, do you wanna go to the movies to see Sparkle? You know, just as friends. I’ll buy the tickets if you buy the popcorn and drinks. It’ll get your mind off your family drama.”
I was blushing and grinning wide. “Sure! I’ve been dying to see that movie. I can even get my mom to drive us.”
“Alright, cool. Let me go and price the tickets. I’ll talk to you tomorrow. Have a good night.”
“You too,” I enthusiastically said with the grin still on my face as I hung up the phone. I just sat up in my bed in disbelief for a few seconds. I’m going to the movies with Deangelo!
Things are really starting to look pretty good going into Friday. I think I’m ready to deliver a fantastic speech that’ll get everybody to want to vote for me. Momma really helped me out, along with D pushing me to do those bumpers on the radio. I don’t feel scared anymore!
I feel a whole lot better about the situation with Faith after talking to Momma. But it pretty much confirms all the thoughts that I’ve had about my “father” from the time they finalized their divorce. I just hope Deangelo knows what he’s talking about. If Faith disses me, I don’t know what I’ll do.
Sincerely,
Aaliyah Anderson
❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Randall Barnes is a seventeen year old author, internet radio personality, public speaker and mentor who currently resides in Macon, GA. Randall is already renowned for his positive, realistic, moral driven writings. His first novel, “The Diary of Aaliyah Anderson” has garnered over 30,000 reads on Wattpad.com and universal acclaim. He writes for the popular news website Urban Intellectuals, the relationship blog Courting Her and the literary blog Straight, No Chaser. Randall is currently a senior at William S. Hutchings College & Career Academy. Along with being a talented writer, Randall also has the gift of public speaking. He won first place in the FBLA Region 5 Public Speaking Competition in January of 2013. Randall also was the first student in history to represent Hutchings in the Rotary Club Speech Contest. The best has yet to come fo
r this young man. Look out!
Contact
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/randall.barnes.501
Twitter: https://twitter.com/AuthorRandallB
Instagram: youngandgiftedbooks
Urban Intellectuals: http://urbanintellectuals.com/author/randall-barnes-501/
Courting Her: http://courtingher.com/author/randall/
Straight Chaser Literary Blog : straightchaser.com