Lanken, Missouri/June 1987
Hot and sweaty, Analicia Collins left the Lanken High School yard and headed for her folks’ nearby house.
It was half past three o’clock PM on the first Friday of the month and summer vacation had just started. Analicia was so looking forward to spending time with her younger sisters Kathy and Jayme Collins.
Analicia arrived home, crossed the small grassy ditch and headed for the front porch
She was almost there when her mother Roberta and her Aunt Ava Hardwick emerged from the house. Aunt Ava was carrying a suitcase in her right hand.
Analicia approached her mother and her Aunt and stopped.
“Ready to go, Ana?” Aunt Ava asked.
Analicia looked at her mother confusedly.
“You’re changing schools, Ana?” Roberta coldly said.
“Why?” Analicia asked.
“You’ll be graduating soon.” Aunt Ava said.
“Not for another year.” Analicia argued.
“And you’re going to attend the newly opened Daltonville Female Academy next fall.” Aunt Ava explained.
“Why do I have to go?” Analicia questioned.
“So your Aunt Ava can prepare you for college.” Roberta answered.
“Depends on what we can pinpoint your talent is gonna be.” Aunt Ava said. “We’ve got a meeting to get to.”
“We?” Analicia asked.
“I’ve set up a meeting with Mrs. Hendricks and Mrs. Carter at the academy.” Aunt Ava replied.
Roberta hugged Analicia who did not return the hug.
Aunt Ava headed for her car and gestured for Analicia to follow her. Analicia looked into her mother as she silently begged her not to have to go. Roberta ignored her daughter’s pleading eyes and went back into the house.
Analicia walked to Aunt Ava’s car and got into the passenger seat and closed the door.
Aunt Ava started the car, shifted gears, made a U-turn in the front yard and left her sister’s house.
As Aunt Ava drove through Lanken and headed out onto Route 36 East towards Daltonville, Analicia calmly asked, “Who will I be staying with in Daltonville?”
“With me until you start the academy.”
“And then where?”
“At the academy. They have a nice apartment building close to their campus.”
The rest of the trip was in silence.
An hour or so later, Aunt Ava pulled into the Daltonville Female Academy parking lot and parked near the main entrance.
Aunt Ava got out of her car, shut the door and walked around to the passenger side.
“Come on, Ana,” Aunt Ava gestured.
Analicia sighed, got out of the car, shut the door and entered the academy’s lobby.
Aunt Ava and Analicia walked to the set of small offices in the far corner of the hallway to a small classroom like office and entered the office.
Judy Kaye 2 