Everything That Glitters Isn't Gold

Millie had saved up enough money to now come to the states. That's what people back home in Belize, City called the U.S. Again she would have to leave her one and only child behind with her family, this time it will be temporary. She didn't want to bring Pearly here before setting up shop, finding employment and a stable place for them to live. Arriving in NYC in the dead of winter unprepared because she had no coat or real winter garments, she bundled up and made due with the many sweaters in her luggage. Making her way to public transportation after asking many people for directions. Boarding the local train uptown to Harlem to her best friends Amaya's house. Amaya arrived in Harlem a little over a year ago, during this time Millie was in Honduras working as a local hair dresser. Saving every penny and eating off the land to survive she arrived with 2,000 American money. Amaya was so happy to see Millie she spent the whole day cooking and baking because she knew she would be hungry when she arrived. " Millie gal look pon you mi long taim mi nuh si yuh" Millie just grabbed her and squeezed her tight. Receiving bad news the same day a hurricane came and hit the city and she couldn't get in touch with anyone. That didn't stop her she let that fuel her to work harder just to get her child with her and be able to send money back home for everyone. In the day she worked 10 hour shifts at a factory and at night she went to nursing school. Always dreaming of becoming a Pediatric Nurse, although it was hard and she was tired she kept going. Determined to reunite with her daughter and in their own home. After a whole year of work and school she found a place and was finally able to send for Pearly, and she did. She got Pearly a factory job so they would be able to split the rent and still save. Although she was reunited with her mom Pearly wasn't happy. The love of her life Terence was stuck back at home with no means of becoming anything due to the circumstances of the country. Yes he was a WWll veteran at what cost? He didn't gain anything but a piece of land that he couldn't even afford to build on. Pearly got in touch with him and begged him to come to NYC. Letting him know that they are living in a nice apartment with indoor plumbing and they have a decent job making good wages. He can come start fresh work and go back to school so he can finish getting his degree. After thinking about if for a month he was sold. He realized besides family there was nothing there for him and if he wanted to be someone and be able to provide for the children he already had he had to do something and quick. He arrived in NYC in middle of May he wanted to be here to surprise Pearly for her birthday. Him and Millie had a sit down because she was traditional old school so there wasn't going to be any shacking up. By the following month Pearly and Terence were not only married, they were now residing in their own kitchenette apartment in Brooklyn. Terence worked a city job by the day and like Millie school at night. Millie graduated received her degree and special certifications along with her first job assignment. Back in those days people needed live in peds nurses to help them the first few months after giving birth. This was a huge deal and major milestone for Millie. After many years of working sacrificing Millie received a diagnosis of stage four Cancer. Not feeling appreciated she decided to go back home to Belize City where she thought it would be better. She didn't realize that once she left her family felt left behind, no matter that she paid everyone's bills monthly. Not being able to live alone she lived with her oldest sister Bertha and that's when the real torture begun. Bertha starved Millie never gave her food or her meds properly. No one knew what was going on until it was too late. Millie cried on her death bed and beg for her mother who passed years ago to come and get her out of this pain. She paid the price with her life you would think they would have returned the favor but all they cared about was her money. Millie worked hard all her life only to return home and her own flesh and blood starved her to death. Three months after her passing Pearly received a call from her aunt's husband Hue. During the call is when he informed her of what was taking place and how he tried to stop her aunt from doing what she did to Millie. Pearl hung up the phone with tears rolling down her face screaming "Terrrrryyyyy" calling Terence from their living room. He came running and said 'Pearly wah fi happin?" " They kill mi Ma Terry I know dey did dis". Now seven months pregnant with her first child she had to return back home to prepare arrangements for her mother's home going services. They were lucky enough to get a flight two days later. Sad, distraught and drained they arrived in Belize City in the late night. Having to stay at an hotel because she just didn't feel safe. To her this was no longer home and she couldn't really trust anyone, especially after what aunt B did. The very next morning she got straight to it arriving at her uncle's funeral home and the drama started again. Knowing that they were in the states doing great compared to those still living home he tried to charge her an obscene about of money for the arrangements. This is where her husband stepped in Terence stated " Mek di tu man chat bowt dis". He spoke firmly and told Pearly uncle this isn't just your niece this da fi you tita, you wan try fi go up suh. We will go somewhere else and this is when Millie's brother said he would lower the price. They say down and spoke of all the details and cost came to an agreement and Terence paid for everything in full and in cash. Before leaving Terence told him you better not mess this up. The services took place two days later and Pearl didn't want to even stay for the repast. She stayed long enough to question her about what really took place and of course she denied everything. As she was exiting her aunt had the nerve to ask "where Millie check dey?" Pearly said oh you nah know Millie dead check dead, bet you wish you nuh kill she now. Aunt B cocked eye was straight for the first time in life and her mouth almost dropped to the floor. They returned to the hotel gathered there belongings and left for their flight to return back to their new home. The ride to the airport was dead silence holding eachother's hand Terence said my love there's nothing here for us anymore, we never have to return again if you don't want to. I will send for my boys by next year and we will continue to be a family. Pearl couldn't even respond many thoughts racing through her mind like I told Ma that this was never a good idea. I know she thought she was doing what was best for the both of us, but was it worth her life. This cost her everything her life and she won't even be here to see her granddaughter. Now I really have to make this my home I have no other choice but to make the best out of this situation. Not only did I lose my mother the only parent I ever knew, I lost my whole entire family and the only home I ever knew in a matter of months.