Drama High: Holidaze - L. Divine Drama High

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drink this,” Mama says, still talking to me from outside of my dream. I look down at the baby in my arms and she smiles back at me, making me think of what my ex’s daughter Rahima must be doing now, wherever she is. But this is Mama, not Rahima, and I’m about to freak out completely if I don’t wake up soon.

      “Why is Jayd standing in the middle of the living room floor so late at night?” I can hear my uncle Bryan ask, but I can’t see him either. What’s really going on?

      “She’s sleepwalking. Help me keep her safe, but don’t touch her,” Mama says. Sleepwalking? Damn it. I haven’t done this in years and it’s never good when I do. “Jayd, focus on my voice, not on whatever’s going on in your dream, and snap out of it, please.” The urgency in Mama’s voice scares me, but I still can’t find my way out.

      “Okay girls, it’s time to make our move,” Maman says, not letting go of her visual hold on Jon Paul for a second. “As you can see, he kicked in the front door, so we’re going to have to make our way out the back. Stay behind me. And Sarah, whatever you do, don’t let go of Lynn Mae.” We follow my great-grandmother back into the kitchen and walk around her husband, who is now crippled on the floor and holding his head, which looks like it’s going to burst. “Walk right by him. Don’t look at him. Just keep moving and everything will be okay.”

      “Jayd, stop walking,” Mama says, but I can’t. I have to follow Maman and get baby Mama out of harm’s way, no matter what my grandmother says.

      “Jayd, it’s not real. Stop walking, now. Bryan, follow us.” I follow Maman out of the back door, hand her baby to her, and she looks me in the eye, releasing me from my dream state.

      Upon waking, I fall back into Bryan’s arms, completely lifeless. He holds me upright as Mama brings me to.

      “Here, Jayd. Swallow this,” Mama says, forcing some thick concoction down my throat. I resist at first because the smell is putrid. Whatever’s in this cup reminds me of when Mama used to make me drink orange juice mixed with castor oil when I would get constipated as a child. I still don’t drink orange juice to this day because of that experience.

      “Y’all are too much for a nigga sometimes, you know that?” Bryan says, holding on to me tightly as Mama continues force-feeding me. I hate it when this happens.

      “Watch your mouth,” Mama says to Bryan. I look up at the both of them and realize we are standing on the back porch. It’s dark and cold outside. Mama’s dog looks at us from her post on the bottom step and seemingly shakes her head at the sight. All Lexi does is sleep and scratch herself, so I’m not really worried about disturbing her.

      “Jayd, are you okay, baby?” Mama asks. Sometimes it’s too much for me, too. If I could just leave my powers at the curb right now, I’d do it in a heartbeat. I’m getting sick of this shit.

      “I’m fine,” I say, coughing up some of the thickness she’s made me swallow. I’m shivering in my thin nightgown and sweat pants and my feet are bare, causing the cold to run straight through my body. “Can I go back to bed now?” If Bryan’s just getting in from his radio show, it must be close to two in the morning and it’s a school day for me, no matter what kind of dream I just had.

      “Not until you tell me what that was all about, Jayd. Whenever you sleepwalk, it’s serious, girl, and you know it.”

      “Mama, I start a new semester tomorrow and I have to drive my mom’s stick shift all the way to Redondo Beach for the first time. I need sleep. Please, can we talk tomorrow?” Mama looks into my eyes and feels my pain.

      “Fine, but don’t forget any of it. I need details.” I’m sure she’s already got the summary in her mind. I wish I could forget, but this dream was too freaky. I’ve never dreamt of being someone else before. I hope that was the last time it happens. I have enough to deal with as it is. I just want to get through this day with as little trouble as possible. With new classes, Mickey and Nellie tripping, and Nigel still out because of his wounded shoulder, there’s going to be enough drama to deal with this morning as it is.

      1

      Walk on By

      “That’s all that I have left so let me hide/

       The tears and the sadness you gave me when you said goodbye.”

      —DIONNE WARWICK

      After this morning’s sleepwalking episode, I could barely get myself out of the bed, let alone dressed and ready to go. Luckily, I don’t have to get up as early as I did before my mom let me take her car, but six is still early in my book.

      Speaking of books, I forgot my backpack as I was rushing out the door this morning, which means my day’s not going to be easy at all, especially since we’re being issued new books and have to take them home to cover.

      I’m not excited about my new class schedule because not much has really changed. That’s one of the major problems with being on the Advanced Placement track: the monotony is grueling and there’s also the added curse of having to deal with Mrs. Bennett’s evil ass. With any luck, I won’t run into her or Misty today. That would make the day tolerable.

      “Damn it,” I say aloud while attempting to shift the car into first gear on the steep hill near campus. There aren’t many hills between Compton and Inglewood, so I never got to practice balancing the clutch in various situations. Where’s Rah when I need him? He hasn’t talked to me since his ex Sandy took off in his grandfather’s car with Rahima. I know he’s pissed, but it really wasn’t my fault. How was I supposed to know she would make a copy of his car keys and jack Rah the first chance she got?

      “Because the bitch is crazy,” my mom says, feeling my frustration.

      “Mom, you can’t call her a bitch. She’s young enough to be your daughter,” I think in response while still trying to work my way up the hill without rolling back too far. The cars behind me are honking at my slow progression, but I don’t care. I’d rather they be mad at me than hit anyone. All I need is to have an accident. My mom would never let me live that down. More than likely I would also find myself back on the bus, and I’m not having that.

      “You worry too much, Jayd. And no, Sandy isn’t old enough to be a child of mine. That girl’s eighteen and a mother, therefore she’s fair game—and a bitch is a bitch, as I’m sure you already know.” My mom’s got a valid point. If there’s an official bitch club, Sandy’s got to be the president.

      “Can you help me drive this thing or what?” I say aloud. If the traffic weren’t so slow trying to get into the parking lot, I wouldn’t have this problem. I’ve experienced more stop-and-go traffic in the ten minutes I’ve been waiting in line here than my mother does on the 405 freeway during rush hour.

      “You have to learn how to navigate the road ahead in all situations, Jayd. Besides, it’s good for you to know how to drive a stick. It’s an irreplaceable skill to have. The first thing you need to do is calm down, little one, and put the car in neutral.” I follow my mom’s instructions and the car starts to slide backwards. “Put your foot on the brake, Jayd. Damn, girl, you always have to use your common sense.”

      “Mom, I had a very rough night. Please cut me some slack,” I say, near tears. I notice the new girl, Shawn, walking past me and looking at me like I’m crazy. I guess she heard that, and probably thinks I’m talking to myself. I don’t care what she thinks of me. As long as she keeps walking without saying shit, it’s all good.

      “Okay, I’m sorry. Now, ease off of the brake and apply an equal amount of pressure on the clutch before shifting into first gear. Then press slightly on the gas. If you do it right, the car should go up the hill smoothly.” At first the car lurches forward, but then I ease up on the clutch and simultaneously press on the gas pedal. It works smoothly, just like my mother said it would.

      “Thank you, Mom,” I think back.

      “That’s what I’m here for. Now, what about this rough night you had?”

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