'I arrived!' I texted both Samir and Barley.
'Awesome, I'm glad you made it safely. Love you… Oh, mom knows you're gone but we haven't said anything to Dad yet. You probably should let mom know you made it and you're safe. So she won't worry herself to death,' Samir replied.
'Poppy, I'm not from Union Station. Wanna meet up? Have you eaten yet?' Barely replied.
'Yeah and no. Want to meet at Yolk? It looks like a cool breakfast spot' I texted back.
'SLAP! Lol Sounds like a plan. I'll see you shortly.'
Luckily, it looks like it's gonna be a 15-minute walk at most. Which isn't bad. I brought everything important to me that I could fit in my bookbag or my purse. It's a good thing I found a reasonably priced furnished apartment.
'Hey, mom, did you get my email?' I texted my mom as I headed to meet Barely.
'Yes, and I understand. I'm gonna miss you so much. Did you make it there yet? Are you safe?'
'Yes, I'm on my way to get breakfast and then to my new home. I'm sorry I couldn't tell you a proper goodbye. I'm gonna miss you so much! I'll email you a picture when I get situated.'
'Don't be sorry. It's my fault I couldn't protect you. And please do. It'll give me the peace of mind to know you're safe. Love you.'
'Love you too.'
I wasn't sure if mom was gonna be so understanding before I left, but I'm glad to know she is. It would break my heart to know I disappointed my mom.
Before I knew it I made it to Yolk. It's a cute restaurant. It's very modern. I'm a little hungrier than I expected to be.
"Poppy! Is that you?" Barley asked with excitement in her voice.
I turned around quickly and said, "yes."
Barely was completely more stunning in person. Her skin is a perfect milk chocolate color. She stood about 5'10 with a nice hourglass shape. I looked a little short compared to her. She doesn't look like she's had a child at all.
Though, we were different skin tones we could pass for cousins. I'm more of a caramel color to her milk chocolate color. I just had a little more hips being shorter. We both have full lips and heavy hooded eyes. Our hair was different. Her is 4c and it's a cinnamon dark ginger color. Just gorgeous. Her hair is in a fro. It's a little past her shoulders so it's probably long once she silk presses it. My hair on the other hand is 3A, a flat black color, and in a messy bun. When I wear my hair down it passes my bar strap.
"You're really here!" Barley said while hugging me.
"How are you?" she asked while looking at me a little carefully. She knew things at home were a little bad but I never went in-depth about it. I've always been too embarrassed. And I know I shouldn't be. But I can't help it.
I look down for a second before responding. "Umm… I'm good now."
"Okay. Wanna talk about it a little after breakfast?"
" Yeah."
We found a table and ordered our food. Our lattes had already been served to us.
"So spill the tea." Said Barley.
"You sure you don't want to talk about New Mommy?" I asked.
New Mommy is Barley's podcast. She talks about motherhood, specifically black motherhood, breastfeeding, and how to have a safe pregnancy. It had become very popular in the last year since more people had become more focused on the maternal mortality rate in the US. It's outrageously high for a first world country and even higher amongst the Bipoc women in the US.
"Nope. We'll have all the time in the world to talk about that later. Spill the tea," she said sternly. Barely is such a big sister to me. She's always been so patient with me. She knows sometimes I can be very private.
"Okay," I said timidly while looking down.
"I told you my dad is a lot. Well now he's become too much. He's abusive to my mom. And I know she loves him but I don't know why she won't leave. I get he keeps her from working on purpose. So she won't have money to leave. But you always have to find a way to choose yourself, right? It's not selfish to want to live?" I continued while still looking down. Now I had tears in my eyes thinking about how bad things had gotten.
"Is he abusive to just your mom? Why are you wearing a jacket in the Summertime? Chicago is windy but not that windy. And why do you have a limp when you walk?" Barely asked while observing me.
Damn! I can't believe she noticed. I had been doing my best to hide my limp. I walked a little slowly but I thought it would hide my limp. I want to admit he's abusive to me too. I'm not a victim!
I continued to look down but now in defeat. I shook my head no. I slowly unzipped my jacket. I'm only wearing a tank top under my jacket. I let my shoulder poke out a bit. Just enough to see a little bit of the bruise on my shoulder.
"Oh my goodness, Poppy. Look up at me please." She pleaded.
I looked up with tears still. I could almost burst.
She rushed over and held me so close. Then whispered, " You're not a victim. You're a warrior!"
She held me even tighter. She repeated her whisper in my ear again. But I didn't know if she was trying to convince me or herself.
Then she looked me in the eyes and said, " You is kind, you is smart, you is important!"
I couldn't help but laugh. Well, she definitely knows how to lighten a mood.
"Omg! You're so silly. The help?" I said while still laughing and wiping my eyes. She knows this is one of my favorite movies.
"Yup, feel better?" She asked.
"Yeah, I actually do. Thank you," I replied.
"So where did you find a furnished apartment at?"
"West Loop"
" That's a nice area."
" Wanna come see it with me?"
"Of course!"
We paid and left. Luckily, Barley drove. She has a cute black Honda Pilot. It's the perfect mom car.
Before we knew it, we were there.
"Awe, this is cute. I love it." Barley said.
"Thank you."
" How long is your lease for?"
"Just 3 months then I move into the dorm"
" That's awesome. Did you need to go to the store?"
"Yeah, is there a Target or Walmart nearby?"
"Ok, let go."
We went to Target and bought some towels, cleaning supplies, food, and drinks. Now we're putting my things up.
"Oh, I almost forgot to tell you. We're on vacation for the next two weeks. So just post two episodes from our stash. Then you can have time to adjust, cool?"
"Yeah"
"Also, want to celebrate on Saturday?"
"Yeah"
"Awesome, I'll text you the plan for Saturday later. Also, I'm going out of town on Sunday so we won't be out too late. I hope you don't mind?"
"Naw, that's fine."
"Awesome, see you later alligator!" Barley said as she left.
I can't believe this is really my home now. It's so peaceful.