Read Online Pigment by Renee Topper - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Renee Topper
Tags: BluA
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While most buying and selling is above-board, there are just as many under the table and in the shadows, as unfortunately happens with international events -- sex trade, slave trade, illegal endangered species, and even illegal potions and artifacts trades occur.
This and the thousands who attend and the media presence, make Dar the choice place at which Kuchuna will take action for the cause. But they have to do something big enough to draw that attention.
#
Kennen and Aliya try to check in at a low budget hotel, more like a hostel. They say they overbooked and it appears they’ve no record of Aliya’s reservation...seemingly impossible, since she was the one who booked both rooms, one for Kennen and one for herself. Why they’d have Kennen’s and not hers is mind-boggling. Is this yet another instance of prejudice?
“Well it looks like you’re on the street then?” He teases her. “Alright, you can bunk with me, head to toe like me and me cousins.”
She’d smile at his sweet joke if she weren’t so incensed about why her reservation is missing and she’s concerned about having to share a room with Kennen. How could that possibly work? She needs privacy. But what else could she do?
“Come on, Aliya. It’s not like we’ll spend much time in the room anyways. Dar awaits!”
They step into the hotel room. Kennen teases her more in a very prissy voice and tone, “I know what you’re thinking: in a situation like this there might be temptations. But I’ll have you know there’ll be no funny business. I don’t want you to get the wrong idea about me cause I’m sharing my room with you. I’m a respectable man and have my reputation to consider. I’ll sleep on the floor.” He accents the finale of his speech by landing a pillow from the bed on the hard floor.
Kennen spots the swimming pool out the window.
“Fancy a swim?”
“No, too much sun for me. You go ahead. I’m gonna write in my journal...as soon as I can find it.” She’s digging in her bag and not finding it. “I must have left it back at camp.”
Kennen finds a hotel pad and pen and hands it to her. “Will this do?”
“Yes, cheers.” she’s adopted his word.
“Don’t thank me. It’s better for all of us that you write it down...whatever it is ... rather than have it stuck running around on that hamster wheel in there.” He says pointing to her head. He knows her too well sometimes.
“See ya soon, dear.” He grabs his trunks and runs out the door.
Aliya shakes her head after him, then let’s out a long exhale. She looks at the time. It’s a relief he’s gone. She doesn’t have to explain that she has other obligations, or why she is leaving, or with whom she is going.
Rather than write in her makeshift journal as she said she would, she grabs the simple cotton bag she uses as a purse, her hat and sunglasses and ventures out to the street. Most passersby mistake or dismiss her as being white, still a drain, but nothing to the extent of what being an albino would incite.
She finds a street market Rhadi had directed her to and there buys a white tracksuit. She has tea at a café. She looks at all the city bustling around her and thinks of the Hollywood Farmers Market back home and the Santa Monica Promenade. She takes her phone and dials Mom.
Tamika is just bringing groceries into the house, her hands full, she hears her phone ringing in her bag. She puts the bags on the steps on the porch. She can feel it’s Aliya. “Baby.” she answers.
“Hi Mama.”
“How are you, honey?”
“I’m fine, Mama. I miss you.”
“I miss you baby girl.”
Mama knows she’s not fine. She can hear it in her daughter’s low voice. She speaks of normal things to redirect what sounds like her daughter’s tears about to fall. “Well, it’s another beautiful day here. Reggie placed second doing the medley at his camp swim meet. Michael got that new truck for the business he’s been talking about and I’m getting ready
This and the thousands who attend and the media presence, make Dar the choice place at which Kuchuna will take action for the cause. But they have to do something big enough to draw that attention.
#
Kennen and Aliya try to check in at a low budget hotel, more like a hostel. They say they overbooked and it appears they’ve no record of Aliya’s reservation...seemingly impossible, since she was the one who booked both rooms, one for Kennen and one for herself. Why they’d have Kennen’s and not hers is mind-boggling. Is this yet another instance of prejudice?
“Well it looks like you’re on the street then?” He teases her. “Alright, you can bunk with me, head to toe like me and me cousins.”
She’d smile at his sweet joke if she weren’t so incensed about why her reservation is missing and she’s concerned about having to share a room with Kennen. How could that possibly work? She needs privacy. But what else could she do?
“Come on, Aliya. It’s not like we’ll spend much time in the room anyways. Dar awaits!”
They step into the hotel room. Kennen teases her more in a very prissy voice and tone, “I know what you’re thinking: in a situation like this there might be temptations. But I’ll have you know there’ll be no funny business. I don’t want you to get the wrong idea about me cause I’m sharing my room with you. I’m a respectable man and have my reputation to consider. I’ll sleep on the floor.” He accents the finale of his speech by landing a pillow from the bed on the hard floor.
Kennen spots the swimming pool out the window.
“Fancy a swim?”
“No, too much sun for me. You go ahead. I’m gonna write in my journal...as soon as I can find it.” She’s digging in her bag and not finding it. “I must have left it back at camp.”
Kennen finds a hotel pad and pen and hands it to her. “Will this do?”
“Yes, cheers.” she’s adopted his word.
“Don’t thank me. It’s better for all of us that you write it down...whatever it is ... rather than have it stuck running around on that hamster wheel in there.” He says pointing to her head. He knows her too well sometimes.
“See ya soon, dear.” He grabs his trunks and runs out the door.
Aliya shakes her head after him, then let’s out a long exhale. She looks at the time. It’s a relief he’s gone. She doesn’t have to explain that she has other obligations, or why she is leaving, or with whom she is going.
Rather than write in her makeshift journal as she said she would, she grabs the simple cotton bag she uses as a purse, her hat and sunglasses and ventures out to the street. Most passersby mistake or dismiss her as being white, still a drain, but nothing to the extent of what being an albino would incite.
She finds a street market Rhadi had directed her to and there buys a white tracksuit. She has tea at a café. She looks at all the city bustling around her and thinks of the Hollywood Farmers Market back home and the Santa Monica Promenade. She takes her phone and dials Mom.
Tamika is just bringing groceries into the house, her hands full, she hears her phone ringing in her bag. She puts the bags on the steps on the porch. She can feel it’s Aliya. “Baby.” she answers.
“Hi Mama.”
“How are you, honey?”
“I’m fine, Mama. I miss you.”
“I miss you baby girl.”
Mama knows she’s not fine. She can hear it in her daughter’s low voice. She speaks of normal things to redirect what sounds like her daughter’s tears about to fall. “Well, it’s another beautiful day here. Reggie placed second doing the medley at his camp swim meet. Michael got that new truck for the business he’s been talking about and I’m getting ready
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