Candy in the Sand

Gladys Bostick struggled to close the overly stuffed suitcase. She had cleaned everything out of her armoire, dresser, and vanity, because she would not be coming back. But now the blue and white suitcase she owned since her Claflin College days refused to snap shut. Totally frustrated, Gladys placed the suit case on the floor and sat on it. Only then could she snap it shut. Any other time she and Auntie Nancy would have a good laugh at Gladys sitting on top of the suitcase trying to get it to close, but today was not one of those days. Right now the tension in the room was so thick you could slice it with a knife. Gladys pulled the suitcase over to the door. Her fiancé, Willie Mack Holmes, waited outside on the porch. He had not been invited in. Gladys placed her cloche hat on her head, hung her beaded purse on her wrist, and then walked over to hug Aunt Nancy goodbye. Aunt Nancy did not return the hug but sat silently still. Gladys promised to write when she got settled in. As Gladys turned to walk away, Aunt Nancy reached up and grabbed a hold of Gladys' arm and pulled her down to face her. Gladys stared into her aunt's pale face and graying hair. Gladys waited for her aunt to speak. Nothing would make her happier than for her aunt to congratulate her and wish her well. After all, Auntie Nancy was like a mother to her and she did not want them to part angry. "Listen to me," Aunt Nancy said in a quivering voice, fighting back tears, "Girl, you dropping your candy in the sand."