the years that would betray my secret. That’s what I want to believe, but the truth is, there was always a chance I’d be exposed…that the truth would be revealed.
The only reason I’m saying anything at all is…I’m afraid. My days may be numbered…maybe weeks away from discovery. I’m afraid that all I hold dear will suddenly vanish from my grasp. Scorn me. Point an accusing finger at me. Look at me in disgust and write me completely out of the lives of those I love dearly.
In the event something happens to me, I want Raphael and Afrika Nicole to know that all I’ve done was to protect them. My thoughts are premature, but going back to a place where I have no desire to go frightens me. And if I have to, I’ll fight the demons that may threaten to smear my good name.
My name? My friends call me Mimi, although it has nothing to do with my real name, Setrina. Mimi was bestowed upon me by my best friend, Brenda. I like to sing and run up and down the scales like I’m Aretha or somebody. But the truth of the matter is I haven’t sung many songs, despite attempts by big record companies to make me a star because they happened to be in the one place I decided to let my hair down. I turned them down; exposure would certainly put me in the limelight and attention is the last thing I want.
Wow, I haven’t said Brenda’s name in years. Reason being, she’s part of the secret or should I say…one of the reasons I have a secret at all. Actually, I never expect to see her again.
Mimi Bailey
1
Mimi sat in the kitchen at the round glass table inset in black marble atop black wrought-iron legs and re-read the entry in her brand new journal. Satisfied, she closed the cover and pulled the book to her chest, reliving in her mind the conversation she’d had a few days ago with her daughter. For nineteen years she had managed to bury and keep a secret hidden and safe, and now the decision to return to Durham, North Carolina, against her better judgment, could possibly make her nightmare a reality.
Unpacked boxes littered the hallway of her new, two-story, two-bedroom condo positioned on a lake. The newness still hung in the air like a home that had been ravaged by fire; only it was the smell of freshly painted walls and new carpet instead of burnt wood.
Mimi sat up straight at the sound of voices at the front door. “Hey, Mommy,” Afrika shouted. “I brought home my new friend that I was telling you about.”
Looking for a place to hide the journal, Mimi jumped up from her seat and pulled out a drawer that she had unconsciously labeled junk, and threw the book in it. She turned around and stared into the face of her daughter and another young lady who looked much like Afrika.
Mimi’s eyes jutted from their sockets and lit up like lights on a Christmas tree as she gazed at what appeared to be a clone of her daughter. She held onto the kitchen counter with her hands for support, her back up against it, afraid to let go for fear that she’d faint.
Mimi closed her eyes for a second and, in her subconscious, saw the man who had torn away her clothes and violated her, leaving her humiliated and broken.
Afrika laughed and snapped her fingers. Mimi opened her eyes. “Mommy, what’s wrong with you? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”
“Nothing. Nothing at all.”
“Mommy, are you sure? Don’t get all weird on me.”
“Yeah, yeah!” Mimi couldn’t take her eyes away from Afrika’s friend.
“Well, this is Asia; the friend I’ve been telling you about.”
“Asia?” Mimi mimicked. “Oh, my God.”
“I know,” Asia began. “People say that Nikki and I could pass for twins.”
“Twins,” Mimi said under her breath. Slapping her hands on her hips, Mimi leaned to one side and looked at Afrika. “So you’re going by Nikki, now?”
Afrika always liked to be called by her first name. Prior to coming to Durham, all of her friends called her that.
“Your name is not Nikki?” Asia asked.
“Nikki is short for Nicole, but it’s my middle name. Now, Mommy, please. I want to be called by my nickname, if you don’t mind. As Asia was saying, we’re known as the freshmen twins.”
Asia continued, “Everyone freaks out when we tell them that we only met a few weeks ago.”