Narrator POV
It's been a week since Toya's big party and life seemed good. It seems as though her grandmother may yet to see her graduate. She's getting sicker but they've figured out a way for her grandmother to see her graduation through a webcam. Toya was happy, really. She has her love Rashid there with her, Britt moved out and started living on her own and is loving it, Shad and Malik are young and happy. Xavier, well, he's trying to get on the straight and narrow. He's put himself in enough gambling debt. Now he had to figure out a way to pay this money off and win Britt back.
Little did he know that is was too little too late. None of them knew what's to come next and no one is prepared for it. Not Rashid. Not the gang. And definitely not Toya. She's smack dead in the middle of a dangerous turf war and she had no idea.
~
The place was a zoo. So many people were there that day. No one noticed such a plain face with a bouqet of flowers. No one saw this face slip into the room. This plain woman lay there sleeping with not a clue in the world. They pulled out a needle and quickly injected the woman. She woke up quick. Her heart started pounding in her chest and it tightened.
A nurse walked in. The mystery person pushed them out the way and ran out the hospital. "Oh my god! Get a doctor!" They went to work trying to save this woman but their efforts were futile. The flatline was all you could hear.
"Call it," the doctor said.
"Death 11:15AM, April 17, 2014. Lizzy Miles." :'(
Toya POV
Oh my god I'm so happy. Not only did I finish and aced my final project but I literally have no more classes. All I needed was three and I finished those early. No more school until graduation for me. Oh my god I couldn't wait. I've been to this school for too long. I'm ready to leave.
"Babe your phone is ringing," Rashid called me. He's in my room and I was in the kitchen looking for my Rice Krispy Treats.
"Answer it for me." I found them behind the honey buns in my snack cabinet. I took out three. I love Rice Krispy Treats! "Babe you want a snack?" I turned and he was standing there. "Rashid I said stop sneaking up on me. I'm going to stab you one day." I tilted my head to the side. "Why you got on yo clothes and why you look like that?" Before you start thinking it, no we ain't fucked. We were just chillin.
"Latoya." Now I'm worried. He don't call me by my full name unless it's something serious.
"What's wrong?"
"I don't know how to say this but...your grandmother died."
I was quiet. She's not dead. I just saw her yesterday. I shook my head. "No she's not. I just spoke to her. She was fine. She said she's going to see me graduate." He hugged me and I tried pushing him off. "Get off she's not dead!"
"Baby, yes she is. I wouldn't lie to you."
Tears started forming. "Please, she can't die. She promised she wouldn't leave me. She said she'll see me graduate."
"I know baby, it's okay." I finally broke down. Mama can't die. She promised she'll see me walk across the stage and get my diploma.
Rashid POV
Damn I've never felt so bad about something in my life. Toya was finally happy, finally opening her heart. Then this bull shit. I ain't gon lie that shit got to me too. I really liked Toya's grandmother. She would be the kind of grandmother I would've liked to have.
Toya been too depressed to tell Shad. I told her I would do it. "Wassup Ra?" Shad and Malik came in from school.
"Aye man, y'all come here."
"Why Toya cryin?"
"Y'all sit down." They looked at each other before taking a seat. "This mornin yo sista got a call." I sighed. This shit was gon be hard. "Yo grandmother had a heart attack and didn't make it."
"What?" Shad was in shock and Malik just put his head down. Next thing Shad was crying himself. "She wasn't supposed to die yet man! She said she wouldn't." I hugged them both. I know the last thing they need is for their grandmother to die the way she did. "Why us? Shit never go good for us man. She said she wouldn't leave us like this."
"It's alright man." I let the information sink in before we left to go to the hospital. Toya was trying to be strong but I know once we get there she'll break down again. Toya relied heavily on her grandmother ever since her mom left them. When we got to the hospital Britt and Xavier was already there. They weren't talking or nothing, just waiting. Britt walked with Toya to the hospital room. When we got there Toya crawled in the bed next to her and cried. "Damn this is fucked up."
"Yeah man," Xavier said. We've all met Toya's grandmother and liked her instantly and she felt the same about all of us. She didn't judge us on what we did to make money or anything. "What's that on her arm?"
I looked at what he was pointing at. It was a small hole, like a needle was stuck in her arm. I motioned for him to meet me outside. "You see that shit?" I was heated. I know exactly what happened. Her granny ain't had a heart attack. Some crazy muthafucka had the fuckin audacity to kill her somehow.
"Yeah that's fucked up. Who would do that to and old dying woman, Toya's grandmother nonetheless?" We all loved that woman like something serious. Out of all the people that abandoned us she seemed to be the only one that stayed and showed us some kind of family love.
"Fuck man! So this shit ain't over? Someone still after Toya?" I can't believe this shit. Toya can't catch a break for nothing. "Why man? Toya ain't never had no problems before."
"It ain't you man." I wanna believe that but I ain't too sure. "We need to go to the trapp. We have to figure this shit out now before anybody else get hurt."
I sighed. He's right. We need to get everybody together and think this shit through. I turned around and Toya been right there. "Someone killed my grandmother?" we just looked at each other. "Rashid, do not lie to me. Did someone kill my grandmother?"
"We-I-Maybe. We were going to the trapp-"
"No," she said. I looked at her sideways. "I'm trying to be strong but I can't do it by myself. I need you right now okay?"
"I understand Toya and I'm always here for you. But someone's seriously out to get you and if I had the means to stop them I'm gong to use them. I'll be here for you through this whole thing but I gotta do something about this." I pulled her to my chest to comfort her.
Toya POV
Losing my grandmother was hard. Finding out someone killed her made it even harder. The idea that someone had so much anamosity towards me that they'd take a life as innocent as my mama was unfathomable. But I was strong. Stronger than I thought I would be. The thought of my grandmother dying always made me cry but now I'm not as depressed as I thought I would be. I spent five years watching my grandmother suffer and hold on for us. She was taken away from me too soon but I know she's not suffering where she is.
It's been almost five days and I'm getting ready for the funeral. My grandmother had a lot of friends from the island where she lived. I knew the church was going to be packed. I stood in front of the mirror and stared at myself. I'm surprised I haven't cried much since she died.
"You good?" Rashid hugged me from behind. I nodded. "Are you ready for this?"
"Nope," I said truthfully. "But I have to get it over with somehow." Rashid drove us all the way to my granny's old church. It seemed like all of the island came to her funeral. It was packed all the way up to the top pews and some couldn't even get inside.
"I'm so sorry for your lose", "My condolences" were said as we were lead to the front row. It was me, Rashid, Shad, Malik, Britt and Xavier in the front. The pastor came out and did a little surmon and prayer.
"Brothers, sisters, friends and family. We're here to say goodbye to one of the most pure hearted people to ever step foot in this church. Sister Lizzy, had the biggest heart out of anyone I know. She opened her home to raise her beautiful, smart grandkids. She worked hard her entire life to provide for anyone in need. She fought a long battle. But now she's been called home. She's no longer suffering, no longer fighting. But she'll always be loving. She'll smile down on all of us. Blessing everyone of us and giving in a good word to the man above. I'm not here to tell you what you already know about Sister Lizzy. How about we open the mic to anybody who wants to share what they know about Lizzy? Rise up and share your story."
I watched as at least fifteen different people went up and told their stories of mama. Tears rolled down my face, not because I was sad, but because I was happy. So many people loved her so much. She opened her heart to everyone and helped those in need.
"It's okay," Rashid hugged me. "She's in a better place now."
"I know, I just miss her a lot." The choir came out and started singing. I remember mama used to make me go up there and sing with everyone. I guess they did to because next thing I know one of the deacons was dragging me into the choir box to sing too. It's been so long since I've been to church I surprised myself when i sang a few songs. They had me leading the song Take me to the King since that was mama's favorite song.
Shad POV
Hearing Toya sing and all these people talk about mama subsided the hurt I felt. I wasn't as sad anymore. Mama moved on and as long she ain't sufferin no more I guess it was a good thing she past. I know she's up there blessing us everyday and showing us love. I'm not gon lie, I'm gon miss her like something serious.
Rashid POV
Toya had a beautiful voice. I felt everything she felt singing. It was like I knew every feeling she ever felt. Sadness, anger, happiness. It seemed like everyone did. So many people had tears in their eyes, standing, joining in. When she was done everyone clapped and various people hugged her. "You did good," I told her when she hugged me.
"I feel good," she cracked a small smile. Pretty soon the paul bearers led the body to the burial site. We left right after them and then everyone else. Almost everyone tried talking to Toya and Shad but right now all they wanted was to get this over with. Me and Toya haven't let go of each other's hand yet. We were standing in the front as the pastor blessed her coffin one last time and people placed flowers on her casket. Toya grew rigid.
"You okay?" she didn't say anything. Her eyes were huge and she kept staring at something. "Toya?" l looked where she was looking and saw a woman walking our way. "Toya?"
"It can't be," it was barely above a whisper. She started walking towards her. We followed her. She stopped three feet away. "Mom?!!!"
Dun dun dun! Sorry these updates are taking longer. 8 classes, 3 of em are AP so lots of work to be done. But since I love you all so much I'll keep at it for you. Vote comment share.