“No, you’re staying here until either you get ready to go back home or you start classes…” Michelle demanded after gasping at the conclusion of each detail. That’s all I needed to hear. That’s how my relationship with Michelle was fashioned; I could share anything with her and not have to worry about judgment.
The next morning rolled around. I hadn’t slept a wink but rose just before dawn. Grandmother offered me breakfast just to have me refuse. That morning I did a little laundry to prepare for my departure and spent the remaining hours with my baby sister. Nine o’clock rolled around and I headed out for Trust Fund Bank of New York. I walked to the nearest branch to my grandparents’, which was seven miles. I got there and immediately spoke with a teller. I recalled the lady who assisted in opening the account telling me to always have identification present and the account number when I need to make a withdrawal. The only problem was that I didn’t have an account number; I’d left all that paperwork at home.
“Oh, you don’t need your account number. Just write the last four digits of your social security number on this piece of paper and I can access your account.” I smiled with instant relief upon receiving that information.
After downloading the account information she said, “Well, ma’am, you have $28,532 available in your account. How much would you like to withdraw?”
I tried desperately to conceal my every emotion. I didn’t know O was making that kind of money! My mouth dried making it difficult for me to speak.
“All of it,” I managed with trembling limbs. You would think I was robbing the bank with the amount of adrenaline rushing through my body.
“Okay, if you mean you would like to close your account you can speak with a floor representative located over there.” The teller pointed in the direction directly across from the counter.
My heart beat double time rapid as I ambled over to a robust woman with an olive complexion who smiled and appeared as she was expecting me.
“What is the reason for closing the account, ma’am?” The representative with the nametag Tami displayed across the right side of her chest.
“Because I’m moving,” was the only explanation that escaped my lips, I was beyond nervous.
“Out of state?”
“Why are you asking me so many questions? Are you FBI or something?” I retorted.
“Oh, no, ma’am.” The rep responded, embarrassingly. Her cheeks turned a rich shade of crimson. “These are standard questions we ask to those clients who wish to close their accounts. They are for customer service purposes.”
I just wanted to give her whatever information she needed to get me out of there so that I could make my train on time. The idea of leaving Jersey behind seemed like the dream that would never happen on the slowed clock that ticked in my head. I endured the slow motion of my departure but it happened, within an hour from leaving the bank, I was on my way down to North Carolina to start a new chapter in my life.
I didn’t care what was ahead; it had to be a hell of a lot better than that of my former life. One thing I promised myself was to never trust more than a person at a time. I also vowed to never love a man so freely. Between my mother’s gullibly infused love for my undeserving father that failed her at every turn and my youthful naiveté trust in O, I felt affliction that I never knew existed. I could swear the acute spikes of pain that flared in my chest at the thought of Samantha, Eric, O, Chyna, Akeem, Keysha, and J-Boog went far beyond emotions, it was physiological. But it was over; I would make sure of it.
Chapter 2
Rayna
“When are you going to put that book away? You’ve been in here all night, girl!” Michelle admonished, standing in the threshold of my bedroom door. I knew she was antsy, waiting for me to finish with my studying so that we could hit the streets. “Girl, what are you gonna do after I leave?” she continued.