Goodnight Baby--Tiffany

Have you ever stepped outside of your comforting house just to be engulfed by the crisp morning air and smothered by the smell of fresh dew from the newly cut grass? Everything is at peace, the birds chirp to wake up the sleeping town. Well, I have never felt that feeling. You see, mama has always told me to never step outside without her next to me or I will regret it. The times I have gone out with her the world seemed dark and smoke burned my nostrils to the point where I had to use my shirt to cover it. My city is littered with, as mama states, “bad people that I can’t trust,” as if I’m being targeted. Yet, I never felt scared, cause mama was always there to protect me. Everyday when I wake up and walk downstairs, she’s always there, sitting at the table flashing me the biggest smile and saying “good-morning baby, I love you.”

This particular morning, however, mama wasn’t home. I walked downstairs expecting her to be sitting at the table knitting anything you can possibly think of. Yet, this time she wasn’t there. I walked around the house, thinking of everything that could have possibly happened to her. For the first time, I felt worried.
I sat at the table where mama and I ate all our meals, sharing memories and laughs. Suddenly, the door swung open followed by a woman coughing and holding several bags. I shoot my head towards the door and I see mama! All of my worries melt away and I feel at peace again.

“Mama!” I shouted, running up to hug her.
“Good morning baby, I love you,” she replies, “Sorry I was out for so long, I just got some groceries before things become worse.”
I didn’t understand what she meant by that but I just smiled and hugged her again.
“Mama, I was wondering if I could play with my new ball outside later today.” I said.
Mama replied abruptly, “sweetheart, you can’t go outside, not by you-“
“I know not by myself, but I was thinking that I can play with some of the other kids and show them my new ball.”
I know there are kids in my town, but I never met them. I don’t really have any friends at all. I’m just itching to be a regular kid and play with other kids my age.
“Anastasia, you know I love you and I want the best for you, but I can’t risk anything bad happening to you, ever.”
“Mama you always say that, but nothing bad happens! Please just this one time.”
“Anna you are not going outside and that’s final!”

I rush to my room. It’s not fair. Why can I not go play with the other kids. What’s so wrong with this entire town. Nothing has happened to me or mama, I’m safe here. I want to play. So I grab my ball, slowly tiptoe down the stairs and slip past mama who, thankfully doesn’t hear me exiting the house.

This is it! I can play! I can run and bounce my ball and be a normal kid! I’m caught up in so much excitement and new emotions I don’t see the group of big people all dressed the same, white baggy shirts and big blue jeans, approach me. I stop in my tracks with wide eyes and say, “Hello, I’m Anastasia! Wanna be friends?”

They don’t reply, they just smirk and look at one another and reach into their pockets to pull out this weird looking object.
“Do you wanna play with me and my ball?”
“Anastasia!” I hear Mama call out my name.
“Anastasia get back here right now! Run!”
I dropped my ball and run over but I’m halted by loud booming sounds. Moments later I hear sirens and they get louder and louder. The big people scatter and it’s just me, Mama and some people in my town.
Mama rushed to me and stopped right in front of me.
“See Mama I told you I was fine, those people left, I love you Mama.”
Mama didn’t reply. She looked shocked, worried and on the brink of tears.
“Mama, I’m okay I’m right here.”
Still no answer, she wasn’t even looking at me.

I turn around and see a little girl lying on the street with blood seeping from her back. That little girl... was me. Every emotion leaves my soul.

I watch as mama approaches my body, kneels down and sobs. I go to Mama and hug her and I feel protected, just like every single morning.

“Mama,” I say, “I’m okay now, you don’t have to worry.”
A long time passes and I finally listen to the last words she will ever say to me.
“Goodnight, baby... I love you.”