See Me, Hear Me, Know Me

We Walk Together

The next afternoon, Uncle Alex meets Makena and Amari at the tree after school to take them to the Riverfront Community Center, tucked at the edge of Anacostia Park by the river. He has been volunteering at the center’s new food pantry for weeks, and Amari has already been helping out, too. Makena can’t wait to see the place, and once inside, pauses at a hand-lettered mural before Amari drags her toward the pantry, promising the art can wait.

Dahlia, the bright-eyed woman who runs the pantry, greets Uncle Alex warmly and welcomes his nieces. She walks the girls past a row of prep tables where teenagers are already sorting food, then hands them a list of items: canned goods, grains, and other staples, bound for delivery to senior citizens and neighbors who can’t make it to the center themselves. Makena and Amari get to work packing and stocking shelves, chatting with Dahlia as they go. The rhythm of the work, and the easy conversation around her, reminds Makena of the restaurant, and of Grandad’s saying that food brings people together.

Once the boxes are packed, Uncle Alex takes Amari off to shoot hoops in the gym, and Makena wanders toward the center’s art exhibit instead. A sign near the door reads “Community Creations: Knitting the Past into the Present.” The gallery is full of hand-knitted capes, jackets, and dresses in every color. A bulky burgundy pullover stitched by Auntie Bling anchors the display, covered in messages and images from the whole community.

While Makena studies it, a girl with long curly hair recognizes her platform shoes from a post on Instagram that morning. The girl introduces herself as Evette, and pulls over her friend Maritza, who is still in her soccer uniform. The three trade compliments and stories, and snap a few photos together. Before Uncle Alex comes to collect the girls, Makena and Evette swap phone numbers, already planning to hang out again soon.

On the way to the gym, Makena passes a big mural that reads “We Walk Together.” Makena smiles, knowing she just made two new friends.