River Rise: Carry Me Back Home

“Did you ever get the feeling that you’ve somehow lost yourself along the way in this lifestyle?” Whether you’ve felt this way or not, there’s going to come a time when you have to ask yourself the age old question, “Who Am I?” “Am I Black?” or “Am I African American?”, “Am I Bi?” or “Am I Gay?”, “Am I Masculine?” or “Am I In-between?” “Am I Top or Bottom” or maybe your neither of those things and your just simply you. Any ways your time will come but for now just hear me out.

Let me introduce myself. My name is Jacob S. Peterson Jr. I am 27 years old and I am currently in a law program at UNC at Charlotte in North Carolina. I am enjoying and hating every bit of it lol. I also work at Davis & McCoy Law Firm here in Charlotte as a paralegal under Mr. Anthony R. Davis. I have a good life, a man who has my heart, and a wonderful job. What more can I ask for? Even though life seems good, I have this funny feeling in the pit of my stomach that my good life is going to change for the worst. I just didn’t that it would all start with a phone call.

(Ring, Ring)

The house phone rang.

“Who the fuck is calling at 3 am”, I thought to myself as I looked sleepily at the clock.

(Ring, Ring)

I scrambled out of bed to pick up the phone.

“Hello”

“Jacob!” said my mom breathing hard and crying

“What’s wrong mom?” I said in a scared concern tone.

“It’s Mama Mattie”

“What about grandma?” I said as my fear increased

“They rushed . . .

Her to the hospital . . .

. . . It doesn’t look to good Jacob” said my mom trying to keep from
crying.

“Calm down Mom, okay. I said in a calming voice

Where are they taking her?” I said.

“To Presbyterian hospital on Hawthorne Lane”

“Okay, I will be right there!”

“Alright baby, and please hurry!” said my mom fearing the worst.

I hung up the phone up, and threw on some sweats, a wife beater, some
sneakers and a jacket. As I grabbed the keys to my car I noticed that Rich wasn’t home. I paused for a moment . . . but quickly pushed the thought of Rich whereabouts out of my head. I had to get to the hospital and see what is up with Grandma Mattie.

On the way to the hospital my mind flashed between Grandma Mattie and Rich. “Where the hell he could be?” I thought as I pulled out my cell phone to call him. I can hear Grandma Mattie’s voice now as I search for Rich’s number.

“Baby, that tech stuff is no good; when was the last time you dial a number? I swear for God, people just don’t know how to communicate anymore”. I thought smiling to myself as Rich’s phone rang.

(Ring, Ring . . .Yo, you’ve reached Rich leave a message after the beep)

“Yo, what the fuck is really good man, sending me to voice mail and all. Its 4:30am where the hell you at!! Give me call when get this. I’m on my way to the hospital to see about my Grandma”.

A couple mins later I’ve arrived at the hospital. I parked in the parking lot of the ER and ran to the front desk.

“Excuse me miss, I’m looking for Ms. Mattie C. Peterson’s Room” I said not sure what to think about my grandmother’s health.

“Yes sir she is located in room 306” said the young petite nurse.

“Thank you”

I rushed down the hall, down to the nearest elevator. When I got to the third floor, I saw my mother, father, and sister, all standing in the hall sobbing.

“Was I too late?”