Different Beginning , Same Ending .

Part Two

Aubrielle:

Shit ! If was already 11 am . We would be late to school. Again.

I lifted myself off the worn couch and into our room .

"Get up , Jr." I called to my brother , while starting to make my bed .

He didn't budge .

"Jr..." I called again . No answer .

I walked over to his bed , pulled the covers off his little body , and shook him ."Jr., you hear me talking to you".

I shook him again , "Get your ass up and don't make me say it again" I said more sternly this time .

He groaned and raised his body up from the bed , like a dead zombie .

"Go brush your teeth while I get you an outfit together." I said , starting on his bed .

He walked slowly to the bathroom and I heard the sink turn on .

I bathed him last night so it would be quicker for him to get ready in the morning , since he takes all day .

I walk over to his closet in just a few steps and open the doors to explore his options .

I grab a plain , white v-neck , a pair of denim Levi's , and his all white forces.

All thanks to my grandma , who has a card for JcPenneys she let us have .

I lay the outfit on his now made bed and go to the restroom , to check on him .

The bathroom is only big enough for one person , so I peek my head in and see him gargling mouthwash .

"Clothes on the bed , cereal in the kitchen" I say before walking away from the bathroom.

I head to the kitchen , grabbing his favorite cereal (frosted flakes) off the top of the fridge , and pouring it into a Styrofoam bowl . Next I pour the milk  and set the bowl on the table .

Heading back to my room , I notice a faint knock on the door .

Who the hell could this be , I think to myself .

I open the old , wooden door and spot the neighborhood crackhead standing on the doormat .

I shake my head , "No money today" .

"Just a dollar. Please." the crackhead whose name I believe is Mary , begs.

"I don't have a dollar." I say while slowly closing the door .

"Please," I hear her call before the door closes in her face .

Jr., his real name is Kenneth , but we call him Jr., is sitting at the kitchen table in front of the bowl of frosted flakes , saying his grace .

I head back to our room and over to my closet .

I settle on a pair of denim Miss Me skinny jeans , with gold rhinestones on the butt pocket ( hand me downs from Nina ) , a plain white tee , and white and gold sandals from the thrift store .

I set the clothes on my bed , grab a pair of bra and panties from my used drawers and head to the bathroom for a shower .

After an hour and a half , Jr. and I are finally on our way to the bus stop and eventually , to school .

I hate being late to school , I hate leaving the house in a mess , and most of all , I hate putting Jr. on this bus .

But it is what it is .