REVUES GALORE PRESENTS … DA REVIEWERS NEWSLETTER | Issue # 1
11
Ex-Communication : an HBCU Love Story Gone Wrong # ComingSeptember2016
When I graduated high school and enrolled in college , I transformed into a different person . After receiving cum laude at William Fisher High school , I was accepted in ten different universities , three being HBCUs so the decision to enroll in Berrin-McKinney College ( BMC ) came easy .
I ’ m Sabrielle Russell , an eighteenyear-old born and raised in Hallandale , FL . Moving across the US to Houston , Texas would be a challenge for me and my best friend , ChaRonda Posey . We ’ ve been friends since second grade and been through just about everything together . She was there when my stepdad was beating my mother ; she was there when my mother killed my stepdaddy . She was there when I had nowhere to go and no family to live with once my mom became incarcerated . ChaRhonda , or Char , was everything any friend could ask for : loyal and non-judgmental . Going to college together would make the transition easier .
Life already was hard ; I didn ’ t need college to be any worse . I was raised by my mother until age eleven , when she was sentenced to prison for manslaughter of the third degree . She was given a ten-year sentence , and would was set to be released when I turned twenty-one , if she was let go earlier for good behavior . I had little to no memories with her with the exception of the last night we were together .
Christmas music was playing in the background as my mother combed and brushed my hair for Christmas Eve ’ s big family dinner tomorrow . Grandma Valerie and my aunties came into town to help us celebrate . Mom sat and hummed to the music as she did my hair . “ I love you , mommy ,” I told her . She smiled . “ I love you too , Bri , but you ’ re still not opening any gifts until tomorrow night ,” she replied with laughter .
I laughed because I knew she wouldn ’ t fall for it . My mom started cooking Christmas dinner yesterday . She made her famous signature red velvet cheesecakes and they sold out every year . I was ready to eat everything ; I hated the long wait . While laughing and joking , we heard keys in the front door . I felt my mom tense up . I looked at her and cringed , bothered that he came home .
“ Jeri ! Jeri ! Have you cooked dinner ?” Dave yelled as he staggered in the house .
My mom breathed deeply . “ It ’ s in the microwave , Dave .” She continued brushing my hair and humming to the music .
Dave staggered closer and blinked his eyes . “ So you not gone fix it ?” he said through slurred words .
“ Dave , the plate is already fixed ; just hit one minute on microwave and it ’ ll reheat .” She didn ’ t flinch or move .
Dave got angry because he couldn ’ t distract my mom like he wanted to . Next thing I remember is Dave charging my mom with murder on his face . I grew scared .
“ Move out the way , baby ,” my mom advised . I looked at her through teary eyes and shook my head ‘ no ’.
“ Do as I say , Bri .” I quickly got up and retreated to the corner of the living room , huddled down and crying .
Dave ran up to my mom and slapped her . “ Bitch didn ’ t I tell you to stop getting slick out of the mouth ? Wham !
Jeri held her cheek as she looked at Dave in horror . “ Don ’ t put your hands on me again , Dave .”
I never heard mommy talk in that tone towards this Dave guy . I was still crying and scared that he ’ d continue hitting her .
Dave grabbed my mom by the neck and threw her on the couch . “ What did you just say , you filthy , disrespectful bitch ?” Dave pounced on my mother and started wailing on her .
“ Leave my momma alone ,” I yelled as I ran up and hit him with my tea set table ’ s chair . “ Aarrgghh ! Come here you little bitch !” Dave yelled .
“ No ! Leave her alone . Leave her alone , Dave ,” my momma yelled . She got up , pulled up the couch cushion and grabbed her . 38 . “ Let me go , let me go ,” I screamed as I tried to break free .
Pow . Pow .
Dave let me go and dropped to the ground , clutching his chest . The bullet pierced him from the back and came thru his rib cage . He gasped for air as his eyes closed slowly . Minutes later , I heard sirens quickly approaching .
“ Momma ! Momma !” I yelled . I ran and hugged her tightly . She stood in tears as she consoled me .
“ Baby , the police gone take yo ’ mama away . Listen to me , don ’ t you let no man put you through what I been through ,” she said through her tears . She hugged me tighter .
“ Where you going , mama ? Where ?” I asked , crying like a baby . “ Police , freeze !” the officer yelled . My momma looked at them then back at me . “ Never let a man put his hands on you , baby girl .” Momma kissed me all over my face .
The police filed into our house and used their walkie talkies to call an ambulance . “ Ma ’ am . Please step back , drop the gun and put your hands up !” the officer yelled .
My momma did as she was told . She hugged me one last time and backed away with her hands raised . I didn ’ t know where I ’ d go or who I ’ d live with .
“ Momma , momma , please don ’ t leave me ,” I begged .
I watched the police put my momma in handcuffs and take her to the back of the car . All I could do was watch . She looked at me and cried harder .
“ Don ’ t let a man put his hands on you ,” she reminded as she got in the car and the arresting officer pulled off . I cried for what seemed like forever . I didn ’ t know what tomorrow would bring but I knew it would be a long time before I saw my momma again . I just hoped I made her proud .
I wiped a tear from my eye and smiled . My mother sent me a letter last week , informing me that she was going up for parole review . I hoped and prayed that she ’ d be released before my freshmen year was over . It was no way I wanted to graduate college if she couldn ’ t witness it . I finished packing my belongings and mentally prepared for the arrival at BMC .