Is This the Life We Really Want?

w the names listed, my fingers froze mid-scroll. It didn't feel real. A

ing. Maybe it was meant for someone else. Bu

e dropped into the chair across from me in the student lo

across the table

e message, and let out a lo

laugh. "That's

ze. "You didn't pass out. You lit that

le. But I still c

he picked up, his voice warm like

I blurted. "With the spons

soft chuckle. "Woooow. Didn't I tell

"It's ju

"Go. Sit. Pay attention. Be yourself.

iend, not a table full of powerful people who probably

ack open, you don't wait around hoping

like sneakers in a dryer. I'd worn my softest powder-blue blouse, the one dad once said

ent, just breathing it

he app

m hair. Caram

nfident handshake. "Co-chair at The Narr

I wasn't gripping

You didn't just speak-you cut through the

Thank you. That... tha

hand lightly on my shoulde

k, glass-top table. Three men, two women. Relaxed b

my heart

rned slightly,

e way he sat: shoulders relaxed, hands clasped, eyes ste

. No tie. Just a navy blazer that looked like it cost rent, a clean

corners. I nodded back, quick, pretending I didn't feel that

her hand brushing lightly against my shoulder. "

talk. The kind of polite laughter that floats just above a table li

Dawson, I think-"about using voice to resh

of their attenti

..," I said, fingers tightening

is isn't an interview. We're here bec

from me, thin gold bangles clinking o

ated. S

d of hearing the same stories about where I'm from. Like... we're always painted one way. And I

nodded, quiet

t saying anything yet. Just listening. B

, Sera," Malik said, his voice lo

ure what to do with

what do you want to do with that voice? When you close

losed my eyes for a second, not

gentler: girls curled up with books I'd written;

didn't even realize I'd

ow people see Harlem. People like me. Maybe even

of silence. Not a

r, her eyes sharper now

ng to do everything: school, content, family stuff. Some

dent. Like she'd been wait

t your age?" she said, lifting her water glas

s the room and g

in, holding a

Wait! What's

ativity Initiative board, we're awarding you a grant. It's not huge,

the envelop

quipment, research or whatever

ozen. "Is this.

opened the envelope. The

like they might vanish

throat tightened, chest heavy. Gratitude

sn't ju

A yes, in a world t

ing. You're not invisible, Sera. Not anymore. You've

eyes stung, fast. I

ou," I w

enuine. A waiter appeared an

I should cry or l

na's voic

one mor

blinking thro

used on Harlem's rising voices. We think your

d louder-I couldn't tell which. I no

blur. Laughter. Ideas. Soft questions. I didn

hey were grounded. Present. And s

r things and leave, Malik didn't m

his look told me-