Mama had stayed up all night baking pies for reception. I heard her rolling dough in the kitchen.
Near Dawn it grew quiet . I was still awake . I went into the kitchen
Mama was standing in front of the sink. It was full of dishes. The counter was covered with flour . There were four pies cooling by the window . But wasn’t moving.
“ Do you want help with the dishes, mama ? ” I said.
She didn’t answer me . She kept Staring at the sink
“ Are you all right, mama?
“get out George , she said. She didn’t turn around.
I left the room . She didn’t try to stop me.
After the funeral. People came to the apartment . It was filled with the smell of pies . They smelled good . I loved Mama’s apple 🍎 pie . But I didn’t eat any . I left it for our guests.
They stood in our kitchen . They talked quietly to one another. Many of them had been to funerals like this before. The gangs are strong where we live . Sometimes people get shot. But most of them are young men like me . Not girls like Mary.
No one talk to me . I was glad I knew they blamed me for...

what happened to Mary. Maybe they were right.
“ That poor sweet child!” they said.
“ No one said anything about her big brother.
It was after dark when everyone left. I waited outside why they say goodbye to mama. No one wanted to say goodbye to me. I acted like I didn’t care . But I did .
I stood at the window, looking out. I watched the people walk away down the street. The mothers drying their eyes. The father with their heads bowed.
Thinking of their own little boys and girls. How it could have been them instead of Mary .
I help mama clean up . This Time I didn’t ask if I could help. I just did it. She still didn’t look at me . I didn’t look at her , either.
Finally she when and sat down in the living room. I sat down at the kitchen table. For once I had nowhere else to go.
I could hear mama blowing her nose . I knew she was crying.
She had been crying ever since it happened. Sometimes I didn’t think she will ever stop crying.
Sometimes I didn’t think I would either .
Chapter [ 3]…..