Journal #5 - In Media Res

She continued to walk, as the cold Missouri air sent shivers down her spine, as she came upon a white and blue house with untrimmed hedges and weeds running wild, the mailbox read “Joy Sanders”. Shaniqua’s heart flickered as she walked up the stairs which creaked under her weight. Her heart’s constant pounding sent sharp pains throughout her body. As she stuffed her hands into her pocket she felt the little amount of change she had left after paving her way here from the city. She dropped her bag in front of the door, that held the weight of her life inside a basketball, pieces of clothing and torn pictures. As she began to knock on the door, it flew open with an tremendous amount of force and staring back at her was a beautiful women in her 40s, with beautiful brown eyes, yet a nasty expression on her face. Immediately the woman began “If you’re here to sell anything, I don’t wish to buy.” she said and began to close the door. Shaniqua stood there frozen until she found her voice and stuttered “Hi mom.”. Joy watched her, her head shaking back and forth, suddenly her eyes flickered from anger to then pain as she stared at the one person she would never forgive herself for letting go. “Come in.” Joy said backing away from the door. As Shaniqua walked into the warm house she passed pictures of her father on basketball courts, old trophies, and a signed basketball that read ‘To Joy and Shaniqua, my two lovely girls.”. As they continued to walk towards the kitchen, a tear escaped from Shaniqua’s eye as she waited to see what were to come.