Read Online Lundyn Bridges by Patrice Johnson - Free Book Online

white people, I was blessed to be loved by a mom and dad. We talked until almost midnight and then spent our last night sleeping on air mattresses in the game room.
    The movers came at six on Saturday morning. By nine o’clock the house was empty and they were ready to get on the road. Mom and Pop Woodard were driving to Florida and trying to get to South Carolina before it got late. They would spend the night there and finish the drive to Naples on Sunday. I hugged the Woodard’s, keeping a piece of them in my heart. We prayed, and I made them promise to call. As I watched them drive off I realized another chapter in my life had ended. The tears came when I started my car, and I cried all the way to my apartment in Shadyside.
    After more tears and a cup of tea, I wrote them a poem in my journal.
    Stars
    L ike the stars in the sky are endless
so are my memories of you.
M y life was like the midnight sky
void of everything
I was there but felt invisible.
    Y ou are the stars
giving light and showing the way.
    Y ou are the stars
illuminating me.
    M y life is still like the midnight sky,
but it is full of everything
and I no longer feel invisible.
    L ike the stars in the sky are endless
so are my memories of you

    I looked for Kiarra at church on Sunday and found it strange she wasn’t there and hadn’t called. I sent her a text message to call me. After church I called Afreeka because I felt the need to be connected to someone – I was missing the Woodard’s and feeling removed and sullen. It was almost two o’clock and Afreeka was still in bed and said she would call me back. She never called and neither did Kiarra – I spent the rest of my day watching movies.
    Monday morning was a crisp fall day. The leaves were changing colors and trying desperately to hang on to the tree limbs. The sunshine made bold streaks through the empty spaces where leaves once hung. I drove to work in silence and let my mind ponder Sunday’s sermon.
Fear thou not for I am with thee. Isaiah 41:10
. Although life seemed more intimidating, especially now that the Woodard’s were gone, it was a promise I would hold on to.
    I stood in the back of the elevator rehearsing for my next meeting with Francine. I wouldn’t look her ineye because I hated feeling like she could read me. Exiting the elevator on the fifth floor, I proceeded down the hall to my office. I needed to prepare my clinical summaries before meeting with Dr. Solis at eight. I also wanted to call Kiarra – I was beginning to worry about her. Francine was standing in front of my door.
    â€œI need to talk to you,” she said humbly.
    â€œYou know I meet with Dr. Solis every Monday morning,” I said apologetically. “I didn’t expect to see you until tomorrow, but I can meet with you at nine-thirty.”
    â€œOkay,” she said through a weak smile. “I’ll get something to eat and come back at nine-thirty.” Francine walked away like a child who had just been told they couldn’t go outside to play with their best friend.
    Francine’s transition into My Sister’s Keeper was not as difficult as I anticipated; however, she continued to isolate herself and did not feel the need to interact with the other residents. Her social skills became my primary concern for our sessions over the upcoming weeks. Francine’s resistance to group therapy impeded the process of her reaching the goals prescribed by Dr. Solis. I refused to let Francine make me feel like a failure. She was going to have to deal with her secrecy and face those things that shamed her. I reminded myself I was only the bridge to help her get there.
    My meeting with Dr. Solis only lasted about thirty minutes. Although she was concerned about my slow progress with Francine, Jelissa’s client had taken off over the weekend, and that was now the priority. I assured Dr. Solis I had not given up on Francine andbelieved, although her progress