The curry goat’s powerful, spicy aroma was cut through by the heaviness of cigarette smoke. I watched my grandma struggle with the broken zipper of my coat as I stood rocking lightly on my toes. Her roots’ new growth showed the lovely natural gray tone, opposed to the black dye at her ends, that reflected how much experience she had living in this world. She had four braids around her head as a result of my cousins and I playing with it earlier that day while she watched her morning TV shows. She finally gets a hold of my zipper and zips it all the way up, her eyes following till her thick, coarse hand touches my chin. My older cousin, who was on the couch with my younger cousin watching TV, is called as she brushes her hand on my jacket. My grandma reached into her handbag and pulled out a 10 dollar bill as my older cousin came to stand beside me, dressed to go out. Picking up the lit cigarette that sat in the ashtray on top of the stereo next to her she swiftly brings it to her lips. She instructs my cousin and I to go to the corner store, get a pack of Oreos, some Haagen Daz vanilla ice cream, some butter pecan ice cream, and one candy apiece, and that’s it. She spoke clearly and precisely. She gave the cash to my older cousin while resting her cigarette between her lips and giving each of us a serious look. My cousin and I dashed to the door as soon as she spoke those three golden words, “Go on, now,” we couldn’t wait to leave. We hurried down the steps, racing to be the first one outside. We approach the front door, swinging it open as chilly wind whipped against my face, and then sprint down the four steps, halting just before the curb. All around, the sounds of the night could be heard. Raccoons chattering, people returning from parties, drinking and smoking by neighbors on the corner, and loud music emanating from apartments. The darkness around us was illuminated by the bright lights from the convenience stores and street lamps. In anticipation of our grandmother’s cue, we turned around to her window that faced the street. We observed as she checked the road to make sure no cars were coming before giving the okay to us.We hurried across the street, stepped inside, greeted the owner, pet the kitties, gathered everything we needed, and double-checked that we had Grandma’s precise change before saying goodbye to the owner and exiting the store. Grandma was still sitting at the window, keeping an eye on us. We waited for her signal once again, and when she gave it, we crossed. Running back inside the building, we rode the elevator up while chatting about the events that occurred while we played outside with our friends that afternoon, as well as the treat we would be enjoying once we got back upstairs. Grandma is waiting for us at the door leaning on her walker as we enter through the door. She takes the treats and change from us and instructs us to get ready for bed so we can enjoy our cookies and ice cream before bed. The perfect way to end the night off.

For Gma.