The Music Book
This story is dedicated in loving memory of Mr. Richard Uthman,
the teacher who made music my world and retired too soon.
Prologue
As I sat on that stone bench, the wind blew those torn, burned, and charred pages around my feet as if in a childish taunt. That moment brought on tears and harsh thoughts. That was the moment music no longer made sense.
Chapter One
As was usual for a Tuesday night, I found myself with a pillow over my ears. For me, every night was a Tuesday night. My step-dad was drunk and shouting at Ma, something that I rarely went a day without. And so as usual I tried to pretend that nothing was wrong. The familiar slam of a door and then silence told me that the fightin' had stopped. Ma came into my room, sat on my bed next to me, and held me in a tight embrace. Though I couldn't hear a word she was saying, I knew what she was doing.
"I'm leavin' 'im dis time. I promise you, Kayla Marie. I promise you." Yeah, right. I never knew a word of Ma's that came true. My mom was as unlucky in love as one could get. My father Raymond Casey Dobson, sr. had been killed shortly before my youngest brother, Raymond Casey Dobson, jr. was born. Then she married Luis Vega, my step-dad. He spent all our money on crystal and boos. He didn't work so that left the family income up to me, Ma, and Henry. Henry sent us money at the end of the month so Ma could pay rent and so we don't go hungry. Luis came bursting into my room. He pulled my mom off the bed by her hair. She screamed.
"You dink dat yous could 'et rid of me dat eazily, Bitch!" I finally had enough. I leapt at Luis.
Chapter Two
I leapt at Luis. I landed on his back and started scratching and clawing at every inch of his body I could find.
"Oo get fom er!" I screamed clawing at his face. "Ge ouwaere!" I screamed, though I heard nothing.. I soon found myself on the floor fighting for my life. He kicked me in the ribs over and over again. Once he was finished kickin' the tar outta me he went for Ma. He grabbed her by the hair once again and dragged her out of the room. I heard her screamin' for help. Slowly I got up and crawled to the bedroom window. I peeled it open just enough to crawl through. My nose was bleedin' bad. I felt a few broken ribs, and maybe a broken wrist. I crawled down the fire escape. It's was one of my more painful experiences. Bloodied and limping I made my way up the street. After an hour of walking I must have past a dozen phone booths I kept going till I got to the one in front of Mrs. Maytha B. Pakis' building. She was a kind old lady who was white with age and wisdom. I collasped in front of her building. It was Sunday. And any minute now Mrs. Maytha B. Pakis would be coming out of her building to head to her 'church' group. Sure enough two and half minutes later Mrs. Maytha B. Pakis came out of her builing dressed in her Sunday best and recieved the shock of her life.
"Oh, my, Lord.. Kayla?" she called. I read her lips."Kayla open your eyes, darlin'." Mrs. Maytha B. Pakis would take care of ma. I was safe. "Kayla who did this to you? Come on, gurl." she gave my cheek a quick tap to wake me up. "Kayla, who did this to you?" I forced my right thumb and index finger into the shape of an 'L'. "Oh my. Heavenly father forgive me. Luis?" with the motion her lips made I screamed. I started to cry. "Kayla gurl, it's a'ight. It's a'ight. Your safe darlin'." I held onto Mrs. Maytha B. Pakis' Sunday best trying to figure out how the hell I was going to do. I held onto her and cried all the way to the hospital. That was the day Mrs. Maytha B. Pakis saved my life.
