Page 139 of The Other Side of Green

She chuckled and clambered off the floor. Grabbing my cell, she tossed it at me.

Not Jack. Disappointing.

“Hello?”

“Lyra Lennox, you opened your grammy’s box yet?”

I sighed and got up off the floor. “Not yet, Patience, I’ve been a little busy.” And in total denial that she’s gone.

She sucked her teeth and I bit down on my smile. Not that she could see me, but I knew she’d be able to hear it right the way from New Orleans.

“Now don’t you go making me break my promises to my best friend now.”

“I won’t. I’ll go and do it right now.”

“Good girl. You know I’ll know.”

I chuckled and shook my head. “Yeah, I know you’ll know.”

“I see Luca got let go by the police.”

“Got your spies out, Patience?” I laughed again. I could almost imagine the network of gossips at church ringing around with the latest.

“It’s wise to always know what’s going on, Lyra.” She paused a beat. “Which reminds me, you on the TV last night, Little Miss Fancy Pants.”

“I didn’t realize you watched the news so much.”

“I told you, it’s important to know what’s going on.”

“Patience, can I ask a question?”

“Fire away.”

I took a breath. “Why did Grams want me to apply to college so much? She never pushed Luca. She let him just go to the local college and get away with minimal effort.”

“Because she wanted the best for you. You’re her star.”

I grumbled under my breath.

“What’s that?” Patience shouted a little louder.

“I said I wish people would stop saying that.”

“She believed it. Why don’t you?”

I shrugged, knowing full well she’d hear it.

“Open the box, Lyra, there aint nothin’ in there to be scared of, girl.”

My eyes stung as Patience struck straight to the heart of my resistance. If I went through the box of Gram’s belongings, things she’d left aside for me, then I’d finally have to admit she was gone.

“I-I did open it… but it really hurt to think it was the last thing I’d ever see from her.” Guilt gnawed at me that I’d just left it sitting there like that.

“I know, girl, but if you don’t it will sit there a blot on your future full of things you don’t know.”

“You’re right.”

“Of course I am. Now get looking, otherwise I’ll be calling straight back.”