Pieces of Me by Pua Ramona (small books to read txt) 📕

shit like this. My chest starts aching. I see Michael looking at me and I feel my eyes start to sting. I look away from him, trying to hold myself together.

 “I don’t know why you’re here, but I know who invited you and I really don’t give a damn. You need to leave right now” I hear Micah’s voice carry and he looks ready to go off at Michael.

“I invited him Micah, so stop,” Auntie Lupe says.

“Of course you did, Lupe. You never fail do you? You always make sure that every family reunion goes to shit because you’re so damn miserable with your life that you need to stir shit up in other peoples’. Fefe ia oe ma lou le ma” Micah says.

“Don’t you disrespect me Micah” Auntie Lupe says with an indignant tone.

Micah shakes his head at her and says “Respect you? Are you serious right now? This coming from someone who’s never shown my parents the damn respect that they deserved.”

I don’t want my brother to say anything else that he might regret later so I walk over and step in saying, “Micah it’s fine.”

“You need to leave,” Luka says from behind me with so much hate.

I turn and find Daniel, Mona, June-Bug and Megan standing behind us. I look over at Michael and I feel bad for him because he looks like he’s about to either throw up or shit his pants.

“It’s okay. I’ll walk him to his car.” I tell my siblings, who are all still standing ready to go to battle for me.

“Sina,” they all said at the same time.

I smile at them “I promise I’ll be okay. This talk needs to happen anyways, so it’s okay.”

Luka looks over to Auntie Lupe and says, “If you’re going to start shit, then you need to leave, now.”

I look at Luka and in shock. I've never heard him speak to an elder this way. He shakes his head at me and says “No! She’s been doing this shit too damn long and I’m done with it. I’m sorry Auntie Lupe, I love you ‘cause you’re Dad’s sister, but I will not stand here and allow you to tear my family down, so you can leave.”

“Luka, that’s enough” Mama says as she appears from nowhere. I look over to where she’s standing and realize that everyone is now watching this whole clown show go down. Great.

“Mama” Luka says.

Mama shakes her head no and looks over at Lupe. “I don’t know what I did or said to make you feel so much hate toward me, but I will not stand here and allow you to make any of my kids uncomfortable Lupe. I love my husband’s family with everything that I am, but I’m asking you to leave right now.”

It almost feels like Daddy is here because the air and vibe around us is nothing but calm. Auntie Lupe’s face is red splotchy and before she starts talking Uncle Niko walks over to Mama and hugs her goodbye.

“No hard feelings Rita”, he says and then walks over to the table to grab Auntie Lupe’s bags.

“Put my things down” Auntie Lupe growls.

Uncle Niko gives her a hard look “No! Grab your purse. We are leaving Lupe. See what happens when you always run that hole in your face? Ova lou fia kagaka. Let’s go!” he snaps. Everyone remains quiet and shocked, because Uncle Niko is usually a quiet, laid back person.

I’m sure she stomps her feet as she turns to look at Mama and says, “You were never good enough for my brother and you will never belong in this family.” She grabs her purse and walks to the parking lot.

Uncle Niko takes a deep breath and makes his way to where I’m standing. “Sina, I’m sorry about your auntie. I’ll have a talk with her when we get home, but I want you to keep doing what you’re doing, ua iloa? You didn’t do anything wrong, you just grew up.” He pulls me in for a hug.

“I love you Uncle Niko, and thank you.” I say into his shoulder.

He hugs me for a couple of more seconds then starts walking to the car “Go have fun! The old man and old lady are falling asleep under that tree.” We turn to see what he’s pointing at and we see Grandpa Tali playing the guitar and Daddy’s other sister Claire singing with him. I feel my heart smile, because that’s something they always did with Daddy and it makes me wish that he was here right now with us. Everyone that showed up for our family reunion says their goodbyes to Uncle Niko and makes their way to where Grandpa and Aunty Claire are sitting. We stand and watch as Lupe and Niko drive away.

“That lady is something evil Bina. How is she even my mother” June-Bug says, disappointed.

I wrap my arms around him and say, “She carried you full term, but we share the same Mama.”

“Are you going to be okay talking with that aikae?” He asks.

I laugh and say, “Yes. I promise.”

Micah steps in Michael’s face and says “When she’s done talking, your ass better get the hell out of here real fast. Alright?”

Michaels face turns all red as he says “Yeah.”

Mama reaches for Micah’s hand and they all start heading back to where everyone is singing, laughing, cooking and playing games. It makes me love my family even more.

I look to see where Emma is, and find her laying in the shade listening to Grandpa sing. I smile and make my way to Michael.

“We should talk,” I say.

He looks at me with sad eyes and says, “I’d like that a lot.”

Taking a deep breath I ask, “Do you mind if we sit over there by the water?”

He shrugs and says, “Anything you want is fine with me.”

I give him a small smile and walk toward the water, while he follows me quietly. I’m afraid this is going to be awkward, but it