“Who is going to tell her ‘bout this”?
….
Scanning the faces circled around while inquiring, Joy challenged her peers.
—-
Joy looked out; her glance quickly noticed the emotionless, stone-stiff expression of the unresponsive team. Visiting the eyes of each member who stepped toward the space of the entire room.
Continuing to scour the area with her eyes, she stumbled upon a realization. This moment opened her to a new side of her colleagues. Within an instant she found something that resembled a dismal lack of compassion but it was a telling opportunity that explained a few things to Joy.
Ultimately, as the curtains were pulled back, this reveal explained how difficult these complex scenarios could be. When the disclosure was made clear by a lack of support and it was apparent how difficult these times were for everyone in The Maria House.
Joy Decides
This was now a quiet, still, hollow space, a room of heads shaking, eyes panning over the ground. Answers were neither in the floorboards, walls or ceiling panels but eyes glanced. Each person searched for a possible hint that would in no way jump forth.
Until…. -Jeanne looked up, “girl, you gotta tell her, aight… … it’ll be tough but you, you have it. You are the one she seeks out, this moment, it is your time, girl, you gotta let her know.” Jeanne said this with an assertion that held enough authority to convince Joy she had been designated for this task.
“Damn…. Ok, I will call her -in – …”pausing enough to gulp down a sigh, she followed with, “.. I will bring her in this afternoon.”
Joy swallowed and started scribbling a note to herself.
‘Meet Jazz at 1:15 PM’, this was followed with the words, ‘bring chocolates’.
Time to Break it -the News
“Jazz, …”, nearly hesitating….
“Girl, can I speak with you in the Courtyard?” Joy was not as light and jovial as often she did carry herself as the mood maker. Something wasn’t comfortable and Jasmine knew that something was a bit unusual…
—something was off.
It was wrong even, intuition insisted.
“Yes Joy, what’s going on?” Jasmine was inquiring as they walked. “What is it?” …
“Jazz, we uh…. … hmmm….
Jazz……..
We have been looking for your mom, we knew she was looking for you as well….
Of course …. Mama’s love their baby girls…. ..”
“Yeahhh??….
What’d you find? Where is she? …” – – Jasmine was intrigued, her pitch was high and a concern decorated her response.
“Jazz, girl……. Yeah…. …”
—
… “ …. She -has passed…. I am really sorry to be the bearer of such news…. I know she loved, loved her baby, I know she did.” Joy bowed her head, closed her eyes and the entire courtyard fell into a deep state of nothing.
Jasmine felt the gesture of Joy and she mimicked her posture.
Jasmine replicated what Joy was doing, her shoulders slumped, her stomach sank…. All energy vanished from her physical body.
“Baby girl, you’re gonna make it…. I promise you.” The calm, caring wave of Joy whispered out to young Jazz.
“Bless your soul, baby girl, you’re gonna make it..”.
