UPDATE: okay, so I realized that i reeeallly didn’t  like how I wrote this, so I’m gonna attempt to detach myself emotionally and fix it. Hopefully it works. (Happppy Bday 2 my little cuz btw.

The Place: Trinidad and Tobago (Specifically Tobago), a small Caribbean Island Nation

This occurred while my mom and I were on vacation visiting the country where we just moved out of two years earlier.

Strong Blood.

As I sit at the edge of the shaky bed hugging her, I feel the warmth of her tears drip onto my leg. They begin to fall faster. Tears flow like rain from her cloudy eyes as they bleed through my t-shirt. My ears ring out as her little o-shaped mouth releases a thunderous bawl. The sound resonates throughout my body as I feel a shocking sensation—as if I am struck with lightning. I try to think of something comforting to say. No Such luck. At the tender age of 10, I was never taught how to console my little cousin after the death of her mom. My aunt. How do I explain to her what A.I.D.S is? How do I tell her that her “father” is the reason her mom is no longer alive? I guess I should be well prepared when it’s time to explain this to her baby sister.

Fast Forward. It’s tomorrow. Read more »