LUCY IS LEAVING LIBERIA
“Wake up! You’ll miss your flight!” Mrs. Addison shook Lucy gently, pulling her out of bed. Lucy groaned, rolled off the mattress, and landed on the cold tile floor. She had stayed up too late the night before — who knew saying goodbye to so many things would take that long?
Lying on the floor, Lucy traced the patterns in the tiles with her fingers, a quiet sadness pressing against her chest. “What if I don’t make good friends?” she muttered. “What if they bully me for being Black or for getting scared so easily? I can’t go.” She turned toward her mother, who was still zipping up her suitcase.
Mrs. Addison smiled softly. “All these excuses aren’t going to change my mind, Lucy. You worked hard for this. You’re going to do well — trust me.” She rubbed Lucy’s back gently before heading toward the door. “Go wash up and come down for breakfast. We need to leave for the airport soon.”
Left alone, Lucy made her way to the bathroom. She paused to glance around her room — the old lamp on the desk, the rusty stains on the floor, the cracked walls, peeling paint. Everything looked suddenly magical. The thought of leaving it all behind made her stomach twist. She wanted to go to New York — she had studied relentlessly for three months just to earn her place — but now, doubts clouded her heart.
What if it’s like middle school all over again? What if they laugh at me, or worse? What if I get caught in a terrorist attack? What if they kick me out for being Black? What if someone shoots me?
By the time she finished bathing, her head was buzzing with anxiety. But downstairs, the sight that greeted her was unexpected. Her family and neighbours were gathered around the dining table, their faces glowing with love and pride.
“Mama, what’s going on?” Lucy asked, overwhelmed.
“Everyone came to say goodbye,” her mother said.
Her neighbour, Ms. Sally, stepped forward. “Here, take this,” she said, placing a small trinket in Lucy’s hand. “It’s a dreamcatcher. Hang it in your dorm room — I hear there are a lot of bad spirits over there.” Lucy smiled and thanked her for the gift.
“This is from us,” Ms. Dorothy added, holding out a bundle. “Some pyjamas, bedsheets, and blankets. My family helped make them. We want you to feel the warmth of Liberia with you.”
Tears welled in Lucy’s eyes as she accepted the fabric bundle. She looked around, scanning the room for one face in particular.
Then—
“Lucy!” a voice called out, shaky and emotional.
Amelia.
She burst into the room, her eyes red with tears. The moment they embraced, both girls collapsed to their knees, sobbing. Amelia had been her rock — from elementary school to now. The idea of parting was unbearable.
“Study hard,” Amelia whispered, wiping Lucy’s tears with trembling fingers. “Eat well. Don’t let anyone bully you. Be strong. I’ll visit you when I can.”
“I’m sorry,” Lucy said through tears. “I shouldn’t have changed my choice behind your back. I didn’t mean to hurt you.”
“It’s okay,” Amelia smiled sadly. “It’s my fault for trying to stop you. Just promise you’ll come back during vacation.”
“I promise.”
The drive to the airport was quiet. Lucy stared out the window, her half-eaten sandwich resting on her lap.
“I’ll miss the beaches of Buchanan... the smell of fish at Robertsport... the noise in Ganta on market days. I’ll miss all of Liberia,” she said wistfully.
Her mother smiled, keeping her eyes on the road.
“I’ll bring back lots of goodies on my break,” Lucy added, glancing over at her.
“I’ll be expecting them. Study hard for us, okay?”
“I will. Trust me.” She placed a reassuring hand on her mother’s shoulder.
At the airport gate, Mrs. Addison stood beside her daughter.
“This is where we part ways,” she said softly.
“I’ll miss you,” Lucy said, embracing her mother tightly before turning and walking toward her gate.
She took a deep breath.
This is it. A new life. A new beginning. I’ll make everyone proud.
“God, see me through,” she whispered.
As she settled into her seat on the plane, she looked out the window, heart pounding with hope and fear.
“There’s no turning back now,” she said to herself with a quiet smile.
“Watch out, New York — here comes Lucinda Addison!”
