Free Choices by Skyy Page B

her mother’s voice on the other end. She instantly got knots in her stomach.
    â€œTammy, what’s wrong?”
    â€œDee . . .” her mother started sobbing.
    Denise knew right away it was Mema.
    Denise’s whole body went numb; she hung the phone up and instantly started crying.
    She picked up the phone and called Cooley. There was no answer. She called Carmen’s phone. Also no answer. She started to panic; she needed to get to the hospital and didn’t know who else to call. There was only one other person she could try.
    â€œHello.” Lena sounded groggy.
    Denise could hear Brandon cursing in the background. Denise couldn’t speak; she just started to cry.
    â€œLena.” As soon as Denise got her name out, she broke completely down.
    â€œDenise, Denise.” Lena’s heart started beating fast. “Denise, please talk to me. What’s going on?”
    â€œMema . . .” That was all Denise could say; nothing else would come out.
    â€œI’m on my way.” Lena quickly got up and put her clothes on.
    â€œOh hell no! Where the fuck are you going?”
    â€œBaby, she’s my friend. Something is wrong with her grandmother; I have to go to her.”
    â€œWhere is Cool or that other girl? Why she got to call you?”
    Lena had started to notice Brandon’s sudden insecurities when it came to Denise.
    â€œBrandon, not now okay. Don’t do this. She is my friend, and I am going. I’m sure if she called me there was no other person to call.” She kissed Brandon and walked out the door before he could respond.
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    Denise and Lena ran into the hospital. She found her mother standing in the hallway, crying.
    â€œTammy,” Denise called as her mother looked up.
    â€œShe’s holding on, waiting on you.”
    Before Tammy could finish her sentence, Denise ran into the room. Mema was lying in the bed; she smiled when she saw Denise’s face.
    â€œDede,” Mema whispered.
    â€œDon’t talk, Mema.” Denise shook her head to tell Mema not to leave her. Tears rolled down her face. She could hear the heart monitor going slower and slower.
    â€œDede, look in that drawer, and stop all that crying. Remember I’ll be watching you.” She moved her head.
    Denise held Mema’s hand as the nurses removed all the machines.
    Mema was gone seven minutes later.
    Denise held Mema’s hand, crying. She couldn’t let go. She didn’t want to let go.
    She looked up at the drawer Mema told her to look in. Inside she found a letter. She read it.

    My Dede,
    You are the most important person in my life. When my own children were not there for me you always were. Your mother did the most important thing in the world when she gave you to me. I love you and I want you to stay strong forever. Do not let my leaving the Earth stop you from completing your goals. I want you to finish school and become the first one in our family to graduate college. Continue basketball. I always loved watching you play. You are so good.
    And, last, I want you to open your heart up again. Don’t let one person stop you from loving again. I don’t care if it is a man or a woman; I just want you to love. You have a big heart, and someone deserves to feel all the love that you always showed me. You keep your friends close. Cooley and Carmen are your family, and I always want you to remember that just because they are not blood does not mean they are not your family. I love both of them as though they were my grandchildren as well. Please let them know that. I love you forever, Dede. I’ll forever watch over you.
    Mema

    Denise held the letter close to her heart and took a deep breath. She knew Mema wouldn’t want her crying. She dried her eyes and finally let go of her Mema’s hand.
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    Outside the hospital room, Lena looked at Tammy. She could tell she was Denise’s mother. They had the same height, but her mother