Back In Forks
Sitting on a plane, tears stinging my eyes I send my mom a final text to let her know that I'd call once I had landed. When I was young, my parents divorced. Can you imagine that? My adopted parents getting a divorce?
I was a little black girl of 4 when they adopted me. As far as I was concerned, divorced or not, they were still my parents. Charlie and Renee loved me and that's all I really needed.
I wasn't close to Charlie, but I wanted to not spend my life on the move as my mom's husband was going wherever his semi pro team went. Charlie lived in this dreary town just 3 hours outside of the larger cities of Washington.
Mom wanted to move me to a place the complete opposite as soon as they got the divorce. I don't remember much of it besides the weather and a couple of friends I had as a kid, but didn't keep in touch with as I got older.
I asked my mom how many other black people would inhabit the town of Forks, and her answer didn't give me much hope. "I honestly wouldn't expect more than 3 from the last time we were there"
I wasn't the token here in Arizona at my current high school, and I definitely had plenty of friends. I was on the soccer team, I went out to parties every once and blue moon. But now I was starting new.
I open up the front camera on my phone to look and see if I had ruined my makeup from crying. Putting up my braids into a bun on top of my head, I wipe some of the smeared eyeliner with the sleeve of my jacket.
I take a deep breath, succumbing to the sleep and weightlessness I felt as the plane took off.
When I hear the announcement of our landing, I turn my phone back on to make sure Charlie knows that I'll be arriving soon.
He replies back with a curt "Okay" as I grab my carryon bag from the overhead compartment.
I put my headphones back in as I get irritated with the amount of people in the Forks airport. I liked people, but I wasn't the biggest fan of crowded places.
Heading to the pick up bag area, I press the call button to talk to my mom. When I tell her that I got here safely, I can hear that she is trying to hold back tears.
I try my best to reassure her that I'm fine as I walk to the exit gate looking for Charlie.
Both of my parents have been protective of me ever since they laid eyes on me during the adoption process. They didn't want me to not have the same opportunities as everyone else purely because of the color of my skin.
I'll never forget the day that my mom cussed this man out when we were in a corner store and the owner was following me around thinking I was going to steal something. As soon as she told him that I was her daughter, his eyes got big and he got paler than he already was, apologizing repeatedly while ringing up our items.
I hang up the call as I spot Charlie looking around for me. I notice that he is standing awkwardly, looking a bit anxious.
I see that he never got rid of that ridiculous mustache either. As I draw near, he looks my direction and gives me a small smile. I return it, and he grabs my bag.
"Glad to see ya Bells", he calls me the nickname I've heard for years now.
"So uh.. Ya hungry? We can stop by the diner. Get your favorite", he says trying to make conversation as we head on the highway back to Forks.
I look away from the window for a moment, shrugging. "No, that's fine. I ate at the airport", I respond.
The car ride doesn't have much conversation after that. He tells me how he's got me set up for school and that he might be out late tomorrow for work. Charlie was the chief of police in Forks, so I knew that late nights would be common.
We pass the big cities leading up to Forks. I zip up my jacket noticing that it's colder than I expected. Charlie notices me shiver and turns the heat up in his car.
When we finally pass the welcome sign to town, I notice that things look pretty much the same. I can admit though, Forks was always beautiful.
I may not remember much from being here in my youth, but it was always beautiful. I take a look at the population count on the sign and groan internally.
It wasn't even a quarter of what the city population of where I lived with my mom in. When we pull up to the house I see that Charlie kept mainly all of it the same, probably fixed it up a little to not let it completely go to waste.
"Home sweet home", he says getting out. I walk inside with a bag, Charlie getting my other bags. "I see you upgraded to a flat screen", I say pointing to the large television in the living room.
He grins slightly and nods. "Best thing to watch the games on", he says as he motions for me to follow him upstairs.
"Well you know you have a bathroom for yourself, I tried fixing it up for you. And here's your room. I uh.. I wanted to make it a bit more mature with the bed spread, but if you don't like it, can give you some money and go into the city, or around town, find some better ones", he says as he sets my bags down beside the bed.
It was a start. He was trying and it made me feel better. I was nervous. I nod in response. "Thanks, they aren't too bad.", I say sitting on the bed.
He shifts awkwardly, looking around the room. "Well I uh, I'll leave you too it then. You have my number, office number is on the fridge. There's food in the fridge so help yourself. We'll get groceries so I can get more stuff you like.", he finishes with a small smile.
I return it and he heads out to leave, but peaks his head back in. "It's good to have ya here Bells".
And with that, I'm alone the rest of the night. I call my mom to let her know that I'm settling in. I have to prevent her from crying on the phone because she gives me the speech she gives me anytime I have left her side.
"Don't let anyone tell you that you can't do anything Bella. Don't let anyone try for a moment-a moment take away your pride and dignity. I may have not birthed you, but you are my daughter. You are black and you are brilliant", she says sniffling.
Normally, I didn't tear up when she gave these speeches, but today a lot happened. I was back in Washington, with memories I barely remembered. With people I didn't know. It was a little overwhelming to say the least. And I'd start school Monday.
I laid in bed for an hour until I fell asleep after getting off the phone with her, and then wake up to rearrange my room, putting up some of afrocentric posters, favorite musicians and band posters.
Once I'm done, I look at the clock and see that it's going on 8, so I head downstairs to make myself something to eat. I take the spaghetti noodles, red sauce, and meatballs and whip up dinner.
I figure that Charlie never really cooks. So cooking up this meal isn't too bad. And the idea of cooking more often for the two of us doesn't bother me too badly.
I find some tupperware and put the rest in the fridge for Charlie, putting a sticky note on the fridge handle so he knows whenever he gets home.
I head upstairs to wash my face after I finish cleaning the dishes and eating. My body sinks into my sheets as I let my mind decompress from the past 24 hours of travel and realization that this little brown girl would be readjusting to being back in Forks.
