Topanga
I walked down the carpeted hallway to my niece Jennifer's door, where I knocked.
"Yeah?" an annoyed voice said.
"Jennifer?" I asked.
"Oh."
"It's Topanga."
"I know that."
"Can I come in?"
"I don't know yet."
"Ok."
I slid down to the floor where I sat, my back against the wall. I'd always been the one, though we didn't keep in touch that often, that Jennifer knew she could come to. She'd actually often showed up to our apartment building a few times, when Cory was out and Alexa was at school. I'd take the day off to be with her. I was the one person that could tear down her walls, the ones of resentment, anger and hostility she'd put up. I also knew when to leave her alone, too which is part of the reason why she knew this. I was never that angry when I was her age but Shawn definately was.
I knew Alexa would be excited to see her cousin.
"Topanga?" Jennifer's voice came.
"Yeah?" I asked.
"You can come in."
"Ok."
I stood up and slowly opened the door, stepping into her room and closing it behind me.
"Hi," I said quietly.
"Hi."
"How are you?"
"Dad's coming."
She was so direct when she said this.
"He should've been there."
"Jennifer, he was in Iraq."
"That's not an excuse. And, before I was born. Just because his dad.....god what he did to Sierra........"
"I know. You're right, it's not. The reason you're so angry is because it hurts."
"How do you know?"
I laid my eyes on her: "Jennifer. I know you."