Sisters: 1976 by Essence Moore
Essence Moore is a talented Black author from New York, celebrated for her witty turn of phrase, exceptional use of imagery, and impeccable pacing. Her stories captivate readers with their vibrant descriptions and engaging narratives, reflecting the rich themes of sisterhood and woman hood.
The worst thing about these downtown buildings (besides the bureaucracy) is the temperature. Itâs always so damn cold! I brought my good sweater and wore my dungarees but the air conditioning is still freezing me out. Hopefully this doesnât take up the whole day.
âLast call for exam room 3: Lydia Green!â the portly woman shouted into the corridor.Â
She jumped up and straightened the name sticker on her chest. Moving quickly down the hallway, she weaved between office workers whose favorite pass time seemed to be milking the clock. The linoleum floors created an echo of footsteps that caught the shouting womanâs eye and ear. As she looked Ms. Green from toe to head, she noticed the platform shoes, hip hugging dungarees and a stylish wrap blouse. She was of average height with warm, dark skin and a small afro. It was obvious to all present that Ms. Green was wasting everyoneâs time. There was no way she would pass this test.Â
âGood Afternoon maâam! Iâm Lydia Green. Iâm here for the test.â She extended her hand.Â
The woman turned in her burgundy heels and waved over her shoulder for Lydia to follow. The room had less of a chill than the corridor and was set up like a secondary school room. There were about 20 desks and seven pupils scattered across them. They sat silently with materials in front of them. The air was thick with nerves. The suddenly silent guide directed Lydia to an empty desk with her testing materials waiting. âYou will have a total of 3 hours to complete this exam. There will be no intermissions so if you must use the facilities, please do so now.â Lydia shook her head to give the silent assassin a dose of her own medicine. âGood. Your time begins now. I will be back at the halfway mark to remind you of the time. Best of luck.âÂ
As the woman shuffled away, Lydia noticed a severe run in her stockings. âWhat a sad woman.â She mumbled as she picked up her pencil. The test was basic high school arithmetic and reading comprehension. Most of the things she had to stay sharp in for her job at the bank. Just as she expected, this would be a breeze. She looked down at the name tag and giggled. There would definitely be enough time left over for her to head uptown and pick up her daughter, Jeanie, a bit earlier than usual. That day, Lydia set the record for completion of the New York Telephone Company employment aptitude test. She left the 41st floor and never saw the woman with the runs in her tights again. Lydia would go on to work at the company for nearly 36 years.Â
When she arrived uptown, she was too tired to fish her house key from her purse. She gave the door a few light knocks and it burst open aggressively. âHOW WAS IT?! DID YOU PASS?! DID THEY CATCH YOU?âÂ
âWell goddamn! Can I get a water first? Itâs hot as hell out there!â She moved past her sister, Lydia, who was holding baby Jeanie in her arms. As the toddler shrieked and lunged towards her mother, Geraldine gave her a kiss on the forehead. âHey baby! Mama is back! I had to go take a test for your auntie Lyd. I was surrounded by crackas alllllllll day babygirl!â She laughed as she slammed the name tag on the counter and turned on the tap. There was what appeared to be a clean glass on the counter. She slid it under the faucet gracefully and drank generously.Â
âIt was fun being someone else for the day. Yes, I passed- barely. No, they didnât catch the Lydia Green impersonator. Gimmie my baby, please.â Geraldine motioned for the child who had now resorted to squirms in an attempt to break free. As she sipped for her glass, their eyes met over the rim.Â
âIt was hard wasnât it?! I canât believe you passed it on your first try. I thought it would take you twice at least!â the real Lydia said as she motioned for her younger sister to join her on the loveseat. Although what they had done was unethical and possibly illegal, the only thing Geraldine felt guilty about was lying to her sister. It was either that or make her feel like a total dunce.Â
Lydia always struggled academically. It seemed as if she never blossomed into a talent or even had a dream. Most people who you asked would say she had a knack for childrearing but being the second child in the family, Geraldine knew better. She could see the contempt in Lydiaâs eyes for the little ones from day one. While her life revolved around the obligations of motherhood and sisterhood, Lydiaâs soul was never happy or even content. She needed a win and failing the NYtel test so many times was beginning to take a toll on her spirit. She imagined how much it pained her older sister to ask her for a favor so big. The only right answer was yes.
Later that night, when the street lights came on, the littles returned home to a set table and a hot meal. Baked chicken, white rice and corn from the can. The meal was not luxurious but it was enough to feed the 6 siblings, their mother and 3 grand babies. As baby Jeanie smeared rice across her face, the family caught up. Their youngest brother, Calvin, asked âWhatâs up with the test? Did yaâll pull it off?â
âYeah. We did.â Lydia said through tight lips. Calvin was a known prankster and smart aleck notorious for luring you into what seemed to be a sincere conversation only to attack with sly remarks. She stop trusting him long ago.Â
âSo Jerry, you passed!?â Calvin said with his new, pubescent voice.Â
âYeah⌠well Lydia passed.â She winked to him as she wiped food from Jeanieâs hands. Wanting to keep things brief, she reached behind her chair to the radio and turned it up an octave.
Youâll Never Find Another Love Like Mine by Lou Rawls played. There were a few snaps and claps around the table. Mother swayed in her seat. She pointed to each of her children as she sang the lyrics.Â
Youâre gonna miss my lovinâ
Youâre gonna miss my lovinâ
The grandchildren giggled as they struggled to find their groove.
âBut wait, wait, waitâŚâ Calvin spoke over the music. âYou donât feel⌠dumb? Your little sister went and passed a test that you couldnât get in what 5 or 6 goes? You think you can do the job? I just-â
âCUT YOUR SHIT NOW CALVIN!â Lydia slammed her hand on the table.Â
Everyone save for baby Jeanie was stiff as a board.
âIâm just sayin-â Calvin tried to instill some bass in his squeaky voice.Â
âWHAT DID I SAY NIGGA!â She boomed.
Calvin eyed his mother who was still tapping her house shoe to the beat of and depositing a spoonful of corn into her mouth. Her work days as a housekeeper were filled with other peopleâs unruly children. She simply refused to indulge her own- for free at that.Â
âI want you all to know that Iâm not stupid. I know how you see me. You just think Iâm good for watching your kids and washing your clothes. Thatâs not true. I used to want to be in the movies.â
Evan, one of the youngest brothers, covered his mouth to shield a giggle. Bonita, the youngest sister, smacked him on the back of the head. âDonât laugh at her. They got big ladies in the movies, too!â She whispered matter of factly.Â
âAre you okay Ma?â Lydiaâs daughter touched her hand.
âOh, Iâm fine baby girl, donât worry about me.â She said as she brushed away tears from her freckled cheeks.Â
Getting up from the table that evening was the hardest thing Lydia would have to do in her life. She sat for hours staring at the abandoned plates. Typically, she would remove them without complaint and spend just as much time cleaning as she did preparing the meal. Tonight was different. Every night following needed to be different.Â
âYou all have some nerve to disrespect me! Iâm the one whoâs been here taking care of you! When you got VD you came to me! When you got pregnant, you ask me to watch the baby. Maybe I coulda been something if you all didnât dump your shit on me! Maybe I could be reading books and traveling the world. Fuck all of you! Iâm done!â Lydia whispered to herself.Â