"… and I hand you the world!"
Lena smiled to herself as she heard the sound of Walter and Travis' laughter emanating from the living room. For the first time since Big Walter's death, Lena felt content. Not happy however. Lena doubted if she would be able to feel such an emotion for a very long time. The open wounds of grief from her husband's death ran deep. These days, Lena hardly had time to grieve. Ever since that day, Lena felt the fragility of her family ties become more prominent. With Walter and Benetha's constant bickering and Ruth's futile attempts to mediate, Lena could feel her family pulling apart right before her eyes. In order to keep her family intact, she had to remain strong and do everything in her power to keep everyone happy.
Lena had always been a strong believer in family and dreams, but sometimes she found it difficult to maintain both at the same time. As Lena got ready for bed, she thought about what Walter said to her earlier that evening. He said to her, "you just went and killed a dream Mama". And he was right, she just went out and killed his dream. All Walter had wanted was a chance to make something for himself in this world, to build a better future for his family. She could hardly blame him for that. Which was why giving Walter the money was an easy thing to do. Giving Walter the money meant upholding Lena's most important beliefs, her son realizing his dream and maintaining a happy family.
When Lena gave him the money, she had made sure to tell him to put $3000 in the bank for Benetha's schooling. While she knew that Walter wouldn't do anything to jeopardize Benetha's future, she also knew that given half the chance, Walther would use all the money to invest in that liquor business. Making sure that Walter sets aside Benetha's money meant one less thing for Lena to worry about. She had been fretting over Benetha's tuition fees for a while now. She still had many years of schooling left and with Benetha constantly starting and quitting new hobbies, Lena wasn't sure how much longer they would be able to afford the school fees. Once the $3000 was put into the bank, it would lift a huge weight off all their shoulders. As Lena put on her nightgown and folded up her day clothes, she thought of all the things she could buy with the spare money.
Perhaps they could splurge on an elaborate dinner, maybe a couple of vegetable plants for their new house or possibly even a radio to keep in their living room. Lena could already imagine the look on Mrs Johnson's face when she finds out the Youngers owned a brand new radio. Just as soon as the check was put in the bank. Lena had every faith that Walter would. He would put Benetha's money in the bank first, she was sure of it. He definitely would. He would.
Even while repeating that to herself, any inkling of doubt still sprouted in her mind. She always knew that Walter would outgrow his life. Ever since he was young, that boy was always wanting more and more. He could never be satisfied with what he already had. Instead he constantly reached for something better. Lena understood why, growing up with that never ending struggle for money, living from paycheck to paycheck in a cramped, bug-infested flat, never being able to afford nice things or going on vacations like all the folks on the other side of town was enough to drive anyone mad. But she had to admit that sometimes Walter scared her. Occasionally Lena would lie awake worrying about what Walter could be doing out so late at night, wondering if he was out gambling, meeting another woman, or conned into some illegal business.
Lena shook her head, clearing her mind of all those doubts and worries creeping in. No, she will not think about that. Walter now has the money to invest in that business, Benetha's school tuition can be paid off, they are about to move out of their dingy little flat and into a new house, and Ruth is about to have a baby. Lena pulled the cover back and got into bed. All was well. Everything is going to be wonderful. For the first time in what felt like years, Lena allowed herself to think of the future and all the joys it would bring.