The main character, Bonita benefits from her mother's pearls of wisdom about life, such as how to ask questions when you don't understand something. Readers will be charmed by this inspiring story of a teenage girl who embraces the teachings from her loving mother. The author shares this "light-hearted" story about the challenging experiences faced by an adolescent girl growing up in a city.
"Mama said ..."
By Bonnie J. EdwardsAuthorHouse
Copyright © 2011 Bonnie J. Edwards
All right reserved.ISBN: 978-1-4634-2344-5Chapter One
It was another hot day for students as they made their daily trek at the end of the school day. The heat reflecting from the freshly laid asphalt street sucked away the little bit of energy Bonita had as she approached home. The skies were radiating eighty eight degrees on her shoulders and carrying a bundle of books only added additional stress to her petite physique as Bonita struggled with each step. With a quick but short stride Bonita runs along her tree lined neighborhood flanked with brick tutor houses seeking refuge of the cool comfort of her own home.
"Hi Mama. I'm home."
Mama is in the kitchen as Bonita enters the front door. She kicks off her shoes and throws her book bag down on the sun porch. Bonita was met with an abundance of sun rays through the curtain covered windows upon entering the living room of her house. Relieved to be home, she threw her book bag down on the floor. Mama was always on Bonita along with her six brothers and sisters about throwing their bags and coats on the sunroom floor. Mama would say, "Pick up your belongings and take them to your bedroom where they belong." She was very particular about the way we took care of our house. Bonita's mama loved a clean house, literally, Bonita's mama believed in the old adage, "Home is where the heart is." Mama believed that a cluttered house makes for an unhappy home.
"How was your day at school, Bonita?" The question repeated itself everyday but it gave Bonita a sense of security just to hear it. Mama's voice was like a song bird in a garden but Bonita was happy to know that mama was nestled in the kitchen preparing dinner. Bonita, a bright cheerful girl who loves being around her mother as much as she enjoys hanging out with her friends charges into the kitchen where mama is cooking her popular dish everybody in the house likes, yum, yum good, chicken.
Bonita enters the kitchen, "Nobody can cook chicken like you mama and you always make sure we have a good meal and desert to satisfy our sweet tooth."
"School was alright, mama."
Bonita shows little enthusiasm for what happened in school today. Bonita really enjoyed school but not as much as she enjoys her friends. They meant everything to her. It was not uncommon for Bonita to bring friends from the neighborhood home to meet her mother. These would be children her mother never met before.
Bonita's mama would greet them with smiles and hugs as if they were her own. Mama's smiles were always warm and friendly so the neighborhood kids looked forward to visiting the Gladney's house. Mama didn't mind the kids from the neighborhood visiting as long as she was home to check them out. The scrutiny never bothered Bonita because she knew her mama had genuine concern for her and her friends.
"What do you mean alright, Bonita? It was alright, said Bonita.
"What did you learn in school?" Mama would ask. "We learned a lot."
Bonita's response had the tone of evasiveness.
"Describe what you learned, Bonita."
Bonita tries to change the subject. "Mama it's hot in here. Why can't we get air conditioning?"
It was a hot day and Bonita was already feeling worn from the heat. Discussing school really wasn't what she wanted to do. Bonita thought about her attitude for a moment and her conscience asked her "How dare I give the impression to mama that I don't want to be bothered, as hard as mama works to provide for us." Bonita realizes she needs to get rid of her "Ms. It ... plus a bag of chips" attitude. Bonita might have been naive but she wasn't stupid. Bonita begins to reflect;
... Mama believed in giving all of us a chance to talk about what was on our mind. Every once in a while I would find myself sitting at the kitchen table discussing the day's events with mama. Sometimes I had the nerve to complain about the time spent answering mama's questions but mama always remained calm and patient with me. I knew I had to open up and be honest about how my day went because Mama wasn't settling for less. I was always amazed at mama's ability to be there to listen to me and my other six siblings. We are really blessed to have a mother like mama.
Bonita goes to the front of the sun porch and grabs her book bag and started dumping everything in it on the kitchen table.
Mama inquired, "What do you have here Bonita?"
Bonita plucks out a tom notebook with markings all over it. She pulls out a slew of loose papers turned in every direction. Then she finally lugs out her tattered five inch math book from the bowels of one of many school book bags.
"Good Lord, Bonita. Have you no sense of organization." Bonita looks amused even though she is still tired from the heat.
"We worked on math, reading, writing, and oh, science." It all appeared to be a cluttered mess to mama, "Where is your home work?"
"It's right here."
Mama was persistent, "What are you suppose do tonight?"
"Math."
That answer wasn't complete, "Don't you think you need to get to work on it?"
"Yes mama," Bonita replies with a descending tone while clenching her teeth.
"Mama, I'm going to be honest. I don't get it.
"Get what?"
"This math stuff," says Bonita.
Mama is looking a bit puzzled, "I can see you are tired and you seem to be stressing out about this homework assignment."
"Mama, I am stressing." Bonita is a bit more vehement, "I don't get it! And I'm never going to get it." Bonita takes a deep breath. There is a pause in the conversation. This allows Bonita to calm down a little. Thomas, Bonita's twin brother steps in the kitchen and invites himself into the conversation.
"What's going on?" Thomas` diction always had a slang tone about it. He is so cool and compassionate about his twin sister. When Bonita is not feeling well, Thomas suddenly feels bad too. This is no joke. Thomas shows genuine concern for his twin sister. He was this way in elementary school and he is even more protective in school high.
"This math assignment!" The bitterness in Bonita's voice was certain.
Thomas steps closer to Bonita. She is sitting down across from mama. Mama is patiently looking on as Thomas rolls up his shirt sleeves and takes his seat in the brightly lit kitchen next to Bonita. Thomas looks at Bonita and offers her a bit of home grown wisdom.
"Bonita," Thomas would start out, "you know that mama will always say, you get out of life what you put into life." Bonita looks puzzled,
"What are you talking about Thomas?"
Thomas continues, "If you work hard at it with the right attitude, you will understand your assignment."
Bonita asks Thomas, "What do you mean about attitude?" Thomas just sat in silence.
"I'm not upset, Thomas I just don't understand my math assignment."
Mama chimes in, "Thomas don't worry about Bonita right now, you concentrate on your homework too. Your sister LeAnn will help Bonita."
Thomas listens to mama and slowly strolls toward the kitchen door with one last comment for Bonita,
"Remember, you get out of life what you put into it. Good attitude and hard work will set you free ... we can figure this out together," the echo of his voice slowly fading as he leaves the room.
Mama and Bonita have taken ownership of the kitchen again. As the evening wore on, a stream of sunlight made its way through the room. It was almost as if the colorful daisies that were imprinted on the cabinets blossomed with each breath of sunshine. Bonita's concentration would be interrupted by the thought that those daisies appeared to be dancing...
