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He leaned over and kissed me on the cheek. A moment later he was gone. It had happened so fast, I couldn't be sure I hadn't just dreamed it.

In the morning, by the time I rose, washed, dressed and came out, Roy had already left for work.

"He didn't want to say any more good-byes," Mama told me.

"Was he all right?"

"He was fine. Don't worry none about that boy," she said proudly.

She and I ate breakfast, although I couldn't swallow much. We watched the clock and when it drew close to ten, I got my suitcase and bag and she and I went out to the front of the Projects.

It was a cloudy day with rain threatening from the northwest so the wind was stronger. My hair danced around my face. Mama embraced herself. We both gazed at the street, the traffic and

the noise. We saw a homeless man crawl out from under a bench and start pushing his grocery cart full of dirty bags down the sidewalk. In the distance a siren wailed.

"You have to feel good about leaving this hell hole," Mama said. I knew she was trying to keep up her determination and keep the tears down. I nodded. "It's a good chance, Rain. You'll make me proud, I'm sure. I only wish I could have done more for Beni."

"I know, Mama, but don't blame yourself for that."

"And don't you blame yourself. You had nothing but love for your sister. You hear me, Rain? Don't carry away any more baggage in your heart, honey. Don't let anything stop you from becoming something."

"Okay, Mama. When are you going to Aunt Sylvia's?" "In two days," she said.

"You're really going, right?"

"Of course I'm going. You've got the address. You write and-I'll write back," she promised.

Suddenly, like a black shark, cruising in the sea of traffic, the limousine emerged. It was such a rare sight in this neighborhood, there was no doubt in our minds who it was for. It pulled up in front of us and the driver got out quickly.

"Rain?" he asked. He was a man about fifty with thin, graying hair and friendly blue eyes.

"Yes," I said.

"Let me take that for you," he said reaching for my suitcase and bag.

Mama came around to the trunk of the limousine and saw all that had been bought for me the day before. She gasped for joy, the tears rolling down her cheeks.

"Just look at all that. You're going away like some princess," she said.

"I don't feel like a princess, Mama."

"That'll change," she predicted. "Okay, don't keep the man waiting here. Get along with you. It looks like it might rain any moment."

"Mama..."

"It's going to be fine, honey. It's going to be real fine. I'm giving you back, but I'm not giving you away, darling. No sir, no ma'am," she recited.

I hugged her tightly, so tightly I know she thought I would never let go.

"Go on," she whispered, her voice raspy. "Get what's coming to you, child. Go ahead."

I pulled back. Her face was locked with all the determination her little body could muster. It was cruel to linger.

Into the limousine I went and the driver closed my door. Mama stood on the sidewalk, smiling through her tears. I pressed my face to the window and then we started away. She held up her hand, watched me for a moment and turned to go back into the building.

As we rounded the corner, I looked to my left and I was sure I saw Roy standing there just behind a car, his face soon lost in the darkness that dropped from the thundering clouds rolling in.

Seconds later, the neighborhood and the only life I had ever known was behind me and I was on my way.