“I gave her the nickname, Mimi, because she could sing like a bird and would sing up and down the scales like she was giving the performance of her life. Do you remember that, Victor?”
“Yeah, it was a long time ago.”
“Look,” Brenda said, “I’d like to see Mimi; talk to her. I don’t believe it, after all of this time.” Brenda paced the room. “Did you say where she was, Afrika?”
“She lives in Durham in a beautiful condo,” Asia offered. “I’ve met her and she’s really nice. Now I understand why she was acting strange when I said my name. She probably thought the same thing you did, Mom, but didn’t say anything.”
“Or was afraid to ask,” Brenda said.
“Is there something I should know?” Afrika asked timidly, not sure what kind of response she was going to receive.
“Not at all,” Victor said, suddenly wanting to the take charge of the conversation. “Mrs. Christianson and I are merely shocked that, after all these years, a prodigal sister has returned and it took our daughters to bring us together. This is exciting. Trevor, I hope your birthday wasn’t upstaged by this turn of events.”
“No, Dad, I think it’s pretty cool myself. Now you’ll always remember my birthday as the day you rediscovered a lost friend.”
“No, it will always be the day my son was born,” Victor said.
“Listen to Trevor,” Asia said. They bumped knuckles. “Happy birthday again, Trev. Nikki and I, no, Afrika and I are headed back to the dorm. We’ve got a football game tomorrow. Got to get some sleep.”
“It was nice meeting you all,” Afrika said for the third time. “Happy birthday, Trevor.”
“Be sure to let Mimi know I’d love to hear from her,” Brenda reminded Afrika, her voice trailing off.
“I will.” The girls headed to the car.
“They really do look like twins,” Brenda said under her breath as she peeked from behind the drapes in her oversized living room and watched the girls drive away.
6
Asia and Afrika rode most of the way to campus in silence. Exiting the freeway and stopping at the red light, Asia turned to face Afrika. “Nikki, tonight was freaky.”
“Yeah, it was,” Afrika said, not bothering to turn in Asia’s direction and keeping her voice low. Suddenly, she turned and looked at Asia. To see her was like looking at herself. “So what do you think all of this means?”
“I don’t think it means anything more than are parents are old friends. The real question is why did your mom leave without telling anyone or saying goodbye?”
Afrika pondered the question for a moment. The light turned green and Asia drove forward.
“I don’t know why my mother chose to leave without telling anyone, but I’m sure she had a good reason. But let’s give this up for tonight. My energy is sapped; I need a good night’s rest.”
“I agree.”
Afrika sat back in her seat and closed her eyes. Her mother’s warning had fallen on deaf ears, and now she was afraid that she may have opened a door her mother might have wanted to stay shut, although she had no idea why. Afrika pulled out her cell phone and began to text. Mommy, we need to talk, A.
THE FANS WERE OUT IN FULL FORCE TO WATCH NORTH CAROLINA Central whip the Fayetteville State University Broncos. Rumor had proven true when Central pulled out of the Central Inter-collegiate Athletic Association (CIAA), but the Eagles still enjoyed a non-conference match with their former rival.
The cheerleaders were in the ready position as the band continued to assemble in the bleachers, playing a jazzy number that had booties bouncing and swaying and heads and arms rocking from side to side. Excitement and camaraderie complemented the near seventy-five degree heat and brilliant sun that lit up the afternoon skies. Hotdogs and carbonated drinks kept everyone happy until kick-off.
Afrika kicked her legs and threw her arms in the air. “Do it Eagles!!” she shouted along with the other cheerleaders. She waited for the next command and stood facing the crowd in the stands, waving her hands. Then she spotted him staring at her like she was some kind of science project that he was going to dissect.
She turned away and then looked back and Victor was still staring at her. What was his sudden interest in her? Why was he so quiet last night, acting as if he’d never met her before? It gave her the chills.
Afrika immersed herself in cheering on her team, although in the end, it was a