Mama's Girls

“Mama my hair looks fine. Please stop, I’m nervous enough. Go help Paulette with her hair,” Ruthie May said. “I’m sorry I’m just so proud of you both. My oldest daughter is graduating from college with her bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Paulette is graduating from high school. I’m just overjoyed baby,” I said to her while shaking out her tassel. I was so happy that my daughters were graduating. Paulette wants to work at car dealership as the account manager. I wanted her to go to college but honestly, I was just glad she finished school. She was supposed to graduate high school last year but she was having some trouble. I’m still proud of my baby. This time I had two graduations to go to! Ruthie May’s graduation was in the morning and Paulette’s was in the afternoon. I wasn’t looking forward to seeing Bill though. But if he didn’t show up all hell was going to break loose. I was glad that Ruthie May stuck it through. There were times when she wanted to drop out and come home to help me, but I wouldn’t let her. She helped me so much over the years and but it was time for her to live and not just exist. I can’t believe she’s graduating college. Paulette had a fascination with cars. I didn’t know what it was, but she always collected them as a child, and it was her thing. As long as she wasn’t out in the street doing things that she would regret I didn’t care if it was cars or Barbie dolls. “Paulette do you have your gown ironed?” I asked her. “Mama, I’m not getting married to James yet. I don’t need a wedding gown. I’m graduating today. You are so funny, Mama,” Paulette said. “No baby, you are the funny one.” I couldn’t help but laugh. Paulette always makes everything so literal. “That’s what I meant baby, your graduation gown. Is it ironed and ready to go? I want you to bring it to Ruthie May’s graduation so you can change in the car since you have to be there early,” I said to her. “Okay, Mama. Thanks for always loving me,” she said. I couldn’t help but wipe a tear from my eye. Another thing about Paulette, she could do some hair. I don’t know where she learned to do it because I used rollers, and used them on the girls, but she was no stranger to curling irons. “Bree, make sure that Sonya is wearing something decent for today. And where is Keke?” I asked. “Mama come on, it’s Keke, she’s in the bathroom getting beautiful as she likes to call it,” Bree said laughing. Now I thought Keke is going to be the death of me I swear. At seventeen she was smelling herself and acted like she was on her own time. She even had a boyfriend that she thought I didn’t know about. “Okay well make sure Sonya is good. I’m going to make sure Paulette and Ruthie May have everything that they need. Oh, and Bree tell Keke to come do my make up when she comes out,” I said to Bree while taking the rollers out of my hair. “You got it Mama,” Bree said. Bree was the sweetest one of them all. She never asked any questions when you would tell her to do something. She would graduate next year and wanted to go to law school shortly after. I was very proud of her as well. Sonya was my helper. She was always by my side and there when I needed her. She was truly something special. I mean all of my kids were special to me, but Sonya was my gift from God. She always repeated everything that I said and did, just like a mini me. She would be starting middle school next year and wanted to help people when she grew up. I didn’t know what she wanted to do but she said she wanted to be a helper. Knowing kids these days, her mind may change as she gets older. “Girls, I’m going out to the van. Ruthie May, are you driving your car?” I asked her. “No, Mama, Paul is coming to pick me up,” she said. Paul was Ruthie May’s new boyfriend and they have been dating since college. I was going to meet his parents at the graduation. Overall he was a nice young man and loved him some Ruthie May. But, I told them both not to bring any babies in the mix until they were married. They talked about getting married a lot now since they were finishing school. I didn’t mind at all. Ruthie May was a great responsible woman and if she was ready to get married, I didn’t mind it at all. “Oh okay. Well, we will see you there, graduate,” I yelled from downstairs. “Thanks, Mom!” Ruthie May yelled back. “Paulette, I’m so proud of you baby,” I yelled. “Oh thanks Mama, but my graduation isn’t until this afternoon,” Paulette yelled down to me. I could hear her bright smile in her voice. I didn’t say a word, I was just glad that she was happy. My girls and I got in the car and headed to Johnson C. Smith University, which isn’t far from us at all. We arrived at the graduation and there were people everywhere, so many proud parents with cameras and signs and everything you can imagine. Paulette had my camera because she loves photography. I got in my seat and took my suit jacket off waiting for the ceremony to start. My butt was creaking on the wooden seats. I wasn’t able to keep still because I was so excited. Paulette was taking pictures of everything.