-I don't even have to know you
To have the wisdom of knowing
That the world would suffer a great loss
If you weren't here

BEVERLY

Have you ever just woke up, the bright sun welcoming you, the birds outside chirping and you didn't seem to mind. You just laid there in bed thinking that you were happy to be alive?

If you haven't, then I'm sorry, because on this particular morning, I was happy to be alive. To hear those birds and feel the warmth of the sun coming from the window. The light blinding me and the birds' usual annoying chirp was something to cherish today.

I laid there in my thoughts; thoughts too big to fit in my twin-sized bed. I was thinking about nothing at all, but everything. I know that doesn't make sense, but if you think about it hard enough, then it does make sense.

"Beverly! Clean this place, it's a wreck," Aunt Macy's voice shouted from somewhere.

The Friday morning feeling soon died. I checked the time and I had about an hour and some change to get ready for school.

I walked into the hall and peeked into my mother's bedroom, where she was sound asleep. A burning smell came from the kitchen, and when I entered my eyes watched the scene, as my Aunt Macy lit a cigarette.

She must have spent the night because she wore clothes that were wrinkled and her once heavy makeup was smeared.

"You shouldn't really smoke in here, it takes a while to get the smell out," I told her, opening the fridge and pulling out the orange juice.

"Maybe some cleaning around here will get the smell out. It's a mess here and your mom works hard. The least you can do is clean up," she lectured, taking another puff from her cigarette. Her long hot pink nails harboring the cancer stick.

I glanced around the kitchen and saw dishes piled high in the sink, a Chipotle bag on the floor, ashes from cigarettes laying around, the garbage filled to capacity, and an empty wine bottle sitting on the stove.

My mother told me she didn't have any gas to come and pick me up, but she had enough money to buy items for her little adult get together last night.

I swallowed the frustration. I had nothing to do with this mess, I came straight home and went to sleep. Throwback music, smoke, and laughter filled the living room all last night, but I didn't mind. I just don't understand how I have to clean up their mess.

"I will clean it," was my simple reply, I gripped the glass of my orange juice tight.

My Aunt Macy is like my second mother. She's been there for my mom since before I was even a thought. They've been best friends since sixth grade.

"Yeah, you have to pick up your weight around—" her obnoxious ring tone cut her off and she answered it.

I placed a slice of bread into the toaster and ate a banana while I waited for my toast.

"Seriously? But... I can't... please," she argued into her phone and I sipped more of my orange juice.

She hung up her phone, and her head drooped low. Her long black hair covering her face, she pulled on the long stands and groaned. Sitting upwards, she took another puff from her cig.

I tried to ignore her, but her constant groaning was an obvious sign that she wanted me to ask her what's wrong.

"What's wrong?" I asked cautiously.

"My job interview is at the same time I have to pick up Manny from school." It's not surprising that Aunt Macy would want to get a second job, the pay at the salon sucks.

"Doesn't he go to that new private school?" I asked remembering that Manny is one of my favorite people in the entire world. He's eleven but has a much older mentality. Manny is the brother I never had.

"Yeah, you know where Carnegie Pine is?" She asked.

"Right around the corner from Nesbits bowling alley?" It's a mile from my school, and I hear people make plans to go there all the time, but I've never been.

"Exactly! You'll pick him up? Thank you, Beverly, you're a lifesaver. You may have to watch him for a few hours until the interview is over." My toast popped violently out of the toaster as she hugged me tightly, reeking of nicotine and cheap perfume.

I don't remember agreeing, but I'll pick him up. I haven't seen Manny in a while. After getting ready for school, and after persuading my mom to let me take her car, I left.

If I'm going to be honest, I like taking the bus rather than walking or driving, because although nobody talks to me, I still value their company. I can deal with solitude, but I don't prefer it.

Walking into my high school, I felt like I carried a secret. I hung out with Everest Finley, and I would never forget it.

When lunch rolled around, I wondered if Everest would be there. I, at least, hoped I would meet again with his earthly eyes, but when I entered my spot, he wasn't there. I felt kind of silly for thinking that he would come back.

School was the same old thing I do every time I come. It was as though yesterday never happened; like I'd dreamt it all up. That I believed that not only had I talked to someone, but it was Everest.

The day was quickly over and I drove to pick up Manny. The window was rolled down as the colored leaves blew gently in mid-air. I wished I could take a picture.

I turned up the radio slightly, when Ed Sheeran started to ease from out of the speakers.

A guy stumbled from out of a house, he was clearly not in the right state of mind. What caught my eyes was the grey hoodie and black hair.

Lots of people have grey hoodies and black hair, but it was just too coincidental. A guy of Everest's build leaving from a garage door and stumbling slightly.

At the red light, I watched as the guy climbed into an escalade. A replica of the red escalade that Everest drove me home in.

It was Everest.

And he was in no condition to drive.

At the next given opportunity, I made a U-turn. I was relieved to know that he hadn't started driving yet, actually the truck wasn't even on. When I climbed out of the car, I looked into the window. Where Everest was sitting in the passenger seat stuffing his face with a hard shell taco.

He didn't even notice me as he practically inhaled the taco. He looked crazy with his eyes twinged with pink and a satisfied look on his face as he ate. He even went to take a bite of his taco and missed a few times.

I knocked on the window and he looked behind him.

Seriously?

"Who is it?" He laughed to no one in particular.

I knocked again. "Everest," I called.

He whipped his head around and smiled. He looked like a giddy little kid with his goofy smile, and remnants of his food all around his lips.

He rolled the window down, and rested his chin on his arm. "Are you stalking me?" he asked, his smile strangely comforting. It was like a glimpse of the old Everest, the one who smiled all the time.

"Are you okay?" I asked him, a slightly foul odor filling my nose.

"I'm just so peachy." The fact that he could barely get the sentence out through his laugher was an indication that I had to get him home.

He started laughing randomly. "I want a cat."

"Why don't you let me take you home?" I asked him, treading lightly.

He stared at me for about a full thirty seconds before stepping out of his car. I grabbed his keys and locked the truck, then slid the keys into my pocket.

"Can we go to Taco Bell?" he asked me once, I strapped him into the passenger seat.

"I don't have any money on me," I responded and started the car.

He wiggled in his seat. His hands digging deep into his left pocket. A lazy smile took place on his lips as he found what he was looking for.

He slapped a hundred dollar bill on the armrest. "Aha."

"That's a lot of money for Taco Bell." I find it strange how he can just throw money around.

I glanced at him and he shrugged. "I'm starving."

Glancing at the time, I realized Manny gets out of school soon. I ignored Everest as he talked about things that didn't make sense until I pulled up to the school.

"Don't move." I turned to Everest right before I left the car.

"Yes banana." He saluted me, and I couldn't help my chuckle.

I searched for the little dark-haired boy with hazel eyes and a batman bookbag.

"Beverly!" I heard a voice shout.

When I saw Manny, I pulled him into a tight hug. "Hey bud." I ruffled his hair.

He smacked my hand away and gave me a toothy grin. "Where's my mom?" He glanced around.

"She had some business to take care of," I explained to him, walking towards the car.

He nodded his head in understanding. He's so adorable, but I don't voice out my opinion because he gets annoyed when I tell him that.

I open the backseat door for him and he instantly looks at me. "Who's this?"

"My friend Everest. We are going to drop him off at his house first," I explained as I climbed into the drivers seat.

"You have friends?"Manny asked,and I ignored the feeling in my chest.

Shut up Manny.

"Can we please go to Taco Bell?" Everest asked again. He was positioned as if he were napping; the seat slightly reclined and his eyes shut. His bottom lip jutted out slightly.

"Taco Bell sounds nice right now," Manny added.

Everest perked up and turned towards Manny. He held out his fist as they fist-bumped. "See, even the kid knows what's up."

"Okay fine," I agreed.

Everest ordered twenty tacos and bought Manny whatever he wanted. Of course, I had to place the order because Everest was not in his right state of mind. He told me I could get something if I wanted to, but I wasn't hungry.

Finding Everest's house was not hard. Everyone knew where the Finley mansion was since it was the best house in town.

I parked the car and started gathering bags. "We're going in?" Manny asked, taking a huge bite from his burrito.

"Yeah," I responded while Everest tried to balance a piece of lettuce on his ear.

"You have weird friends," Manny said, observing Everest. "But he bought me burritos, so I guess he's pretty cool."

I used Everest's key to open up the door. The place was so grand and beautiful and I just knew  I made the right decision not showing him what my house looked like.

"Wow," Manny spoke astonished.

Everest patted Manny's head. "Arcade is the third door on the left." He informed Manny before Manny ran off and Everest made his way into the kitchen.

I followed him and watched as he ate yet another taco.

"So good," he mumbled.

"Where is your room?" I asked him. He needs to get some rest and drink some fluids.

"No, we can't go in there," he laughed.

"Why?"

He paused, trying to remember what he was going to say, and when he finally spoke, his words shocked me. "They haven't got all of the blood cleaned up."

He must be referring to the day of his attempt.

"Oh."

"Yeah, it's all in the carpet. It's not pretty in there." He chuckled before biting into yet another taco.

He placed a hand on his stomach and his face twisted in discomfort.

I quickly pushed him towards the kitchen sink, where he emptied all the contents of his stomach.

"Where do you sleep?" I asked him once he was finished heaving.

"Guest room... fifth door... right." His voice was hoarse, and he looked weak suddenly. I took his directions and lead him to the unmade bed.

I took off his shoes, found a wet rag and placed it on his forehead, then went into the kitchen and grabbed him a bottle of water.

The soft glow of the sun came through and I closed the blinds, so it wouldn't interfere with his rest.

I placed his keys on the messy desk sitting in the corner of the room.

I watched him for a second. Little wet strands of his hair laid on his forehead, his long lashes fell gently upon his cheeks, his cheeks had a hint of pink, and he looked so peaceful.

I opened the door to leave before he gently called out my name. "Want to know something?"

His eyes were still shut, a small smile faintly on his lips. "What?"

"You're the first black girl I've seen with freckles."

His comment was barely heard, as I could tell he was falling asleep.

"Want to know something?" I asked him back.

"Yeah," he whispered.

"I've never seen a white boy eat that many tacos." His smile was translucent before he pulled his pillow over his head.

Grabbing Manny, I left his house. I still had a kitchen to clean.

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