“Who is going to tell her ‘bout this”?
Joy looked out; quickly, she scanned the room, only to stumble upon a non responsive team of her colleagues. Within this moment she found a dismal response but it was a telling opportunity that explained how difficult these moments were for everyone.
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 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..”.
Philip Dane 