My papa’s hands were so cold. Before, his hands were so warm. I remember them when he took my hand and swung it back and forth while walking and when he was helping me trace my letters with a pencil.

My momma’s hands were so still. Before, her hands would always move. I remember them when she rubbed my back while I fell asleep and when she gently braided my hair.

That was the only thing I rememb...

I didn’t expect the last words I’d say to him would be the one thing I swore I’d never tell him.

It was hard, living the way I did. But when Marcus came into my life, for the first time in my life, I felt like I’d be able to have a life outside of school and a crime-fighting vigilante.

“My name is Tanya,” I told him in the line of _Café Belle _- a coffee shop that was my saving grace between kic...

It was years after she left when I realized I could’ve done more

said more

been there more

supported her more.

I remember the day she was born and nothing was the same

I remember her first steps

I remember that her first word was my name

“You’re her older sister,” my Momma said

“You’re her role model, and she looks to you for guidance

Because that’s what sisters are for.”

If that’s what sister...