Blair
Recommendation: Are You Gone Already by Nicki Minaj
Everything was so bright that I thought I would need to squint. This light was different, though. Unlike the sun that caused me to shield my eyes with sunglasses or my hand, this light didn’t hurt my eyes. I was able to stare straight ahead without the urge to shield my eyes from the brightness. I stared around, not knowing where I was or what happened.
Staring down at my clothes, I noticed that I was wearing all white. This wasn’t the first time I had been in this state. I remember the last time was when Tookie pushed me down the steps at our apartment. Back then, I was able to see my mother sitting on the edge of the bed of a very bright room.
This time, I was standing up and looking around a vast white area. There wasn’t a bed or any furniture around. Panic settled in my chest as I wondered if I had died, and if I was dead, what happened? Where was Quasim, and was he alright?
I was less worried about being dead and more concerned with my baby. He wasn’t going to survive this, and I needed him to know that he would be alright. It would hurt for some time, but I needed him to push through – again.
“You’re not dead,” I slowly turned and saw a little girl with the thickest curly hair skipping toward me. Her hair reminded me of Ryder, Rayce, and Mina’s beautiful curly hair. Each time she skipped, her curls bounced right with her.
“Who…who are you?” I asked, deep down knowing who I was staring at.
I’ve heard her name being called in her father’s dreams. She was such a large part of his life, and I never got the chance to meet her. “Anjo, I always wanted to meet you. My daddy dreams about you all the time… I’m Harley.” She gently slipped her hand into mine.
“Har…Harley… Jesus,” I touched my chest as the tears poured down my face. I wanted to take her hand and bring her back to her father. She was right here in front of me, wearing the most beautiful smile.
Pictures didn’t do her justice; she had Sim’s eyes, and his smile. “We don’t have much time, Anjo. I have to send you back to my daddy… he needs you.”
“I’m…I’m not dead?”
She smiled, reminding me so much of her father. “It’s not your time. My daddy is superman, so strong, but he needs you. He needs his angel on earth, he already has one up here.”
“He misses you so much, Harley… so much.” I squeezed her hand as she stared into my eyes and leaned her head onto my arm.
“I sent him Elijah… Elijah needs him. I hear his prayers sometimes.” She looked into my eyes. “Anjo, things have happened to Elijah, you have to protect him and protect my daddy. Love my daddy enough for me, too... okay?” she slowly slipped her hand out my grasp.
“I promise to protect them both.”
She slowly turned to look at a woman she resembled, who stood in the distance near the brightest light. “You protect my daddy and Elijah, and I will protect your baby boy.” She hugged me before she took off, skipping toward the woman. “I’ve sent you and daddy…” I couldn’t hear the rest of what she said because she was going further away from me.
The woman extended her hand toward Harley, and they both turned to look my way. The woman then smiled, blowing me a kiss before they both turned and walked into the light as I stood there.