The Meltdown Read Online Free PDF

leading the way into her room. I haven’t slept in here since I left Mama’s house last month. I’m glad that insanity is over, but Mama’s still not over me moving to my mom’s apartment. We place the goods on the crowded bed now used as a storage space and remove our shoes, ready to work.
    “Netta, you can start the libations. Jayd and I will get everything else ready,” Mama says, moving to the side and letting Netta walk around her small bed and into the corner where the shrines are housed. This room is crowded for one person. How Mama and I shared it for sixteen years is something else. I miss Mama, but I wouldn’t trade having my own space for anything in the world.
    Netta kneels down and salutes the shrines before opening the sheer white fabric, revealing the three-tiered wooden shelves, each holding individual altars. I place my purse on the nightstand in between the two twin beds as Mama takes three cups from Netta to clean in the bathroom sink across the hall. My pink cell phone goes off, causing my purse to vibrate and Netta to look at me, cross. Nellie will have to wait. She doesn’t want anything anyway except to yell at me aboutChance’s behavior earlier today. I’ll put her up in my prayers as soon as we get started. She and Chance need all the help they can get.
    “Sorry,” I say, turning the phone off and returning it to my bag where I can’t help noticing two boarding passes with Mama’s name on her side of the antique table. This can’t be right.
    “Going somewhere?” I ask, waving the colorful papers in the air before Netta has a chance to start the traditional prayers. Mama walks back into the room and shakes her head at me. I guess Nigel was right about us women being nosy.
    “Your grandmother’s finally going to Miami, and I’m going with her,” Netta says, more excited than I’ve ever seen. She takes one of the fresh water glasses from Mama and places it on the floor in front of her knees. “One of her favorite clients moved there several years ago and recently opened a spiritual house. He wants Lynn Mae to come and bless it.”
    “Calm down, Netta,” Mama says, replacing the clear glasses of water on the ancestor altar. Netta tosses back her shoulder-length brown curls and smiles at her friend. I can tell Mama’s nervous even if she won’t admit it. Mama hates to travel, especially if it has to do with a plane or a boat, and in this case, it’s apparently both.
    “I can’t,” Netta says, handing Mama the Florida water to sprinkle over the items that need blessing, including more belly balm for Mickey’s stretch marks. I know Mickey will appreciate that. “It’s been too long since we’ve traveled. She’s agreed to the cruise to Puerto Rico and all. We’re going to have so much fun.”
    Mama cuts her eyes at her friend, who’s completely un-fazed by her reservations. Netta’s brown eyes are shiningbrighter than Mama’s. If I didn’t know any better, I’d say Netta’s about to burst wide open she’s so happy.
    “The only traveling we’re doing right now is to the spirit room,” Mama says, helping Netta to her feet.
    Netta smiles at Mama, who can’t help but smile back at her best friend. Netta’s slightly slimmer than Mama, but they’re about the same height and build. They share clothes just like me and my girls used to do before their bodies changed: Mickey because of pregnancy and Nellie because of severe weight loss, trying to fit in with the rich-girl crew.
    “For now. But soon we’re going to be off on a real Legba adventure,” Netta says, giggling as she picks up a few of the supplies and passes them to me to carry. She and Mama grab two bags and leave the rest on the bed. I step out into the hallway and Netta follows.
    “I just pray that Legba blesses our journey and our homes while we’re away,” Mama says, calling on our father orisha to bless their travels. Legba’s the orisha over movement of all kind, and he likes to play while doing