Turn Into Something Else
By Jordan Jones-Wright
“Jordan, call your dad. Big Momma has passed away,” said
Mr. Monahan. I immediately hugged Mr. Monahan and broke down in tears. Although
Big Momma was 97-years-old and had clearly lived a full life, I was angry at
death, the world, and even God. This devastating news was an awful way to
start off the week before EHS. My dad told me I would have to miss the biggest
football game of the year and also the first two days of basketball tryouts to
come home for the funeral. It seemed like my entire world was falling
apart, and there was nothing I could do about it. I
felt like a prince in one of our many fairy tales who had been transformed by a wicked witch into a lifeless, hollow shell.
I woke up every morning that week with puffy eyes, a red
nose, and a bad attitude. I walked to my classes extremely slowly with an
expressionless face. Whenever somebody tried to speak to me, I could
barely formulate real words. The only sounds I could make were moans, groans
and grunts from the emotional pain I was feeling. My face was covered with
nasty red pimples that I couldn’t help but pop every night. My clothes were
more wrinkled than usual, and my hair was unkempt. This evil witch
named Death, had captured me and transformed me into a dull, unhygienic, and
rude zombie. However, I knew all I needed was Big Momma’s love and toughness to
break this curse.
“Baby, don’t you worry about me. You stay up there at
that school and get your education. I’m gone be all right.” These were the last
words I ever heard her say. Unfortunately, she would never hear my
response. I missed her call so she left a voicemail and after that day her
hearing and health diminished greatly. Although it saddens me that I did not
have a conversation with her that day, that voice mail gave me enough strength
to defeat the curse Death had placed on me. I learned at
the end of it all, Big Momma was right. She was going to be all right, and now
she’s in a better place and watching over me.