A burden was off of me. After talking to Daddy I felt as though everything was okay again. Of course, it wasn't, but it was starting to get there. The next morning I actually ate a piece of toast. Miss Tonya gave me a huge hug because she was so happy. Of course she doesn't know that I threw it up later on. I didn't do it on purpose, but I couldn't hold it down. I suppose my body was not used to have nutrition in it.
Daddy had a healer come see me. He said that I would be fine. I just needed some time to adjust to a new form of replenishment. It was going to take awhile to get used to this. I still kept quiet a bit. I spoke when spoken to, but that's about. I asked Hermione if my voice would always stay this husky and coarse. She said that the coarseness would go away with some water, but she wasn't sure about the husky. Apparently my vocal chords virtually rusted and haven't gone back to its normal state.
Daddy decided to take us on vacation. He told me I could pick the place. I chose South Africa because I wanted to see my auntie Ayanna again. After Mama's death, Ayanna moved back to South Africa. It was even worse because I had no ties with my mother anymore, but I was looking forward to seeing her again.
"Well, Miss Leah," Tonya said in her still thick Texan accent. "What can I get for you?"
"I'm hungry," Maleah said in a small voice.
Tonya grinned. "Well, I think I'll whip up some Southern favorites. Your mama used to love this stuff."
Half an hour later Tonya set before Maleah a plate filled with fried chicken, macaroni and cheese, collard greens, and monkey bread.
"How'd you make it so fast?" Maleah asked.
"It's called being a witch, baby," Tonya replied with a smile. "Now, eat up. I want that plate clean. I know you can do it," she added when she saw Maleah's incredulous face.
Maleah took a hesitant bite and instantly felt in heaven. Barely pausing to swallow, Maleah devoured half the plate in minutes.
"Slow down there," Tonya said. "With the way you eat it's as if you live in the 'hood. Trust me, the food ain't goin' anywhere."
Maleah giggled but never slowed down. Five minutes later she presented Tonya with a clean plate. "Thank you," she mumbled still chewing.
"You're mighty welcome," Tonya smiled. "No go on ahead girl."
Maleah left the kitchen and went to her room. She found Ananda's owl, Asha, waiting on her desk. Asha drank from the bowl where Maleah's own owl, Aria, drank from while Maleah opened the parcel.
Hey,
Let's get together before you head off to South Africa, which I am still very jealous about. Mum says that we'll go one day, but I have to patient. Whatever that means. Anyway, I was walking down the street in London and saw the most adorable pair of sunglasses at Dior. We have to have a pair. Trust me, we cannot live without them. We will die if anyone has those glasses before us.
So give me a call and we'll set something up!
Nana
Maleah frowned. She had told Ananda that she began talking and eating again, but she wasn't sure she was ready to see her friend after such a big change. A bit hesitantly, Maleah took a new parchment and began penning a letter to Ananda.
Hey Nana,
About getting together, I'm not sure we should. I was kind of hoping for a quiet summer and try to sort out all my feelings in my head. I do love you and appreciate your friendship but I hope that we can just talk through letters this summer. There's so much to think about and I need to figure out how I'm supposed to live now. A whole chapter of my past is suddenly over and I have no idea where I'm supposed to go from here. I know I probably sound like a broken record but I truly hope you aren't angry. I couldn't bear it.
I want those glasses. Enclosed is some money to buy me a pair, save them for me and we'll both wear them on September 1st.
Love you
Leah
Satisfied with her letter, Maleah sent it off with Asha.
A few days later another arrived.
What are you Gandhi now? "I need to figure myself out…" I hope you're not turning weird on me. Well anyway, the glasses are here and I'll send them to you a week before school starts so we can wear them on the 1st. Have fun in South Africa, and send me a letter every now and then!
Nana
Yet again thankful for the great friend she had in Ananda, Maleah took out a parchment to pen a response.
Thanks for understanding. I'm actually supposed to be packing. We're leaving tomorrow. Keep those glasses safe for me and I'll bring tons of African goodies when I come back!
Lots o' luv
Leah
That evening Maleah went down for dinner with the family. Her father had already wished her a happy birthday and his gift was a photo album with pictures of her mother and something else that she wasn't allowed to open until she went back to school. Ginny had been civil that day and even James shot her only one glare the entire day. Sirius had given her a big hug in front of her mother. All in all Maleah was feeling pretty good.
She sat in her seat and saw that there was a covered platter where her plate was supposed to be. She frowned and looked at Tonya who was standing at the door. "Open it," she mouthed.
Maleah lifted the platter and her mouth began to salivate. On her plate was the same meal that Tonya had made her a week ago. "What is this?" Ginny asked with an upturned nose. "I did not approve this."
"I made it for Miss Leah's birthday today. It was just something special for her," Tonya explained.
Ginny looked like she wanted to argue but only let out a resigned sigh and turned away.
"Enjoy baby-girl," Tonya told Maleah before leaving the room.
Barely acknowledging her housekeeper, Maleah dug into her food with fervor. She wasn't hungry actually, she just wanted to eat the food that Tonya had made for her.
"Hungry?" Harry asked laughing.
Maleah shook her head. "Only for this!"
I know the chapter is kind of short, but it is a transition chapter. Next chapter will be up in like June or something. i just took a break to post a chapter since I didn't want for the next time I posted that everyone forgot what the story was about. I have like four more finals to take and then it'll be easy for the rest of the school year. I can't wait!