by Chanel Harry
“So, what do you need help in?” Tareeq asked, taking out a math textbook from his backpack.
“Mainly biology and some math. I really suck at math.” She admitted.
“Okay, math and biology are my strong suits. Math is really easy once you apply yourself. So, let’s start with the lesson that Mr. Bennett gave us.”
“Oh! His class is so hard” She groaned. “I had to switch to a remedial class because I couldn’t understand anything he taught.”
“It’s okay; not everyone can get math, but with me, you’ll learn in no time. Let’s do this problem here.” Tareeq pointed to a standard distribution problem that was on the homework assignment and explained it to Mia. From his point of view, she seemed to be listening to his lesson intently. When she moved over closer to him to get a look at the problem, Tareeq could smell her perfume. He started to feel himself become light headed just by being near her and it scared him. Tareeq had girlfriends in the past, but it was nothing too heavy. He hadn’t experienced what all teenagers would experience in their younger years; love. For some reason, he could see himself falling in love with Mia, though. Tareeq shook his head, trying to get the thoughts of her from his mind.
“You okay?” Mia asked.
“Yea, I-I’m okay. Just thinking.” He explained.
“About what?”
“Just this problem. Now, which variable do you distribute?”
Mia giggled and looked intensely into his eyes. She took his hand in hers and closed the textbook. Tareeq could feel the hairs on his arm stand and a tingly feeling throughout his body. His eyes lowered and a feeling of intoxication came over him as he stared into Mia’s brown eyes.
“Were you thinking about someone?” She whispered.
“…Yes.” He replied.
“Was it me?”
“Yes…”
Mia let go of Tareeq’s hand and looked down at the textbook. The meridian feeling went away from Tareeq. He blinked twice glancing at her.
What the heck just happened? He thought to himself.
“Do you want…something to drink?” Tareeq asked. He wanted to get out of the dining room with Mia to collect his mind. She nodded her head without looking up at him. He slowly walked into the kitchen, wondering about the encounter that occurred between them.
He took a glass from the cabinet, rinsed it and poured water from the water filtered pitcher that was in refrigerator. He headed back in the dining room to find that Mia was up from her seat, looking at the picture frames that adorned the wall.
“You look like your mother.” Mia said, taking the glass from him as he handed it. Tareeq smiled at the family portrait from when he was a small child. The day that they took the picture was the day that his parents were fighting. Although his mother was upset at Derek that day, she still wanted to go to the studio and get their picture taken. Tareeq remembered that his mother and father made up once the photographer forced them to hug in the couple’s portion of the picture package.
“Thanks. I get that all the time.” He said.
“She is super pretty.”
“She was pretty.”
Mia could see the saddened look on Tareeq’s face. She gave him a reassuring smile and hugged him.
“Sorry for your loss.” She said.
“Thanks.” He said, looking into her eyes. They stared at each other for a moment. A moment that seemed like it would last forever if one of them didn’t blink. Tareeq could feel his heart beat and could feel hers against his chest too. He slowly moved in close to her, wrapping his arms around her waist, hoping that the kiss with Mia was everything he thought about. That moment was disturbed when Derek walked in the door, calling his son’s name. They quickly let go of each other, trying to look like they weren’t about to kiss each other.
“Hey dad, you need help with those?” Tareeq asked grabbing some of the bags that his father carried.
“Thanks, Tareeq. Who’s your friend?” Derek asked, eying Mia. She walked over and grabbed some of the shopping bags too.
“Hi Mr. Cooper, I’m Mia Wayne.”
“Oh! You’re Mia! I’ve heard a lot about you.”
“You have?” She shot a happy glance at Tareeq.
“Yes, my son has told me about you. It’s very nice to finally meet you.”
“Uh, I was helping Mia with some math homework, dad.” Tareeq revealed.
“Great! Tareeq will have you passing math in no time. He has a knack for it.” Derek said.
“I knew there was a reason we were friends.” Mia chuckled. She and Tareeq set the heavy bags onto the island counter in the kitchen.
“What did you buy?” Tareeq asked his father.
“Just some tiles to remodel the bathroom floors. I think black tiles would go better in the upstairs bathroom.” Derek said. He opened one of the bags exposing the large black tiles.
“Lofty theme; I like.” Mia said.
“Thank you, your friend has good taste.” Derek said.
“Do you need more help?” Tareeq asked turning to Mia.
“Actually, I’m going to head out soon. Mom will need me to help with dinner.” Mia said, gathering her books.
“Okay then, let me walk you home.” Tareeq said. He grabbed his coat and put on his shoes. “I’ll be back dad.”
“Alright, gentleman.” His father joked. Tareeq cracked a smile and headed out of the back door with Mia. It was even colder in the night time than in the day time. The fall leaves dropped to the ground and crunched under Tareeq’s boots. Mia continued to smile, picking up a yellow leaf that fell in her puffy hair.
“Your dad is cool!” She exclaimed.
“Only when people are around.” Tareeq said. Mia laughed again and grabbed his arm.
“I think you’re cool, too.” Mia beamed.
“Um, ditto.” Tareeq replied. He looked a bit uneasy as his feelings were coming to a boiling point.
“You don’t have to be shy about it.” She continued. “I know you feeling me.”
“Just a little bit.” Tareeq chuckled, shaking his head. “Where is your house at?
“The grey house on the corner.” She pointed to a large ranch style house that was surrounded by spruce trees. When they walked onto her porch, Tareeq noticed that someone was peeping out of the window. Assuming it was her mother, he waved.
“Mom is spying I see.” Mia smiled.
“As she should. I could be an axe murderer you know.”
“But you’re not; you’re a charming Brooklyn Boy.”
“So you’re saying that guys from Brooklyn are charming?”
“Nope, I’m saying that you’re different from them. Your mama raised you right.”
“I guess she did.” He smiled. “Why you gotta do this to me?
“Do what?”
“Make me feel this way? You’re mad mysterious and I can’t figure you out. I can’t even figure out why I like you.”
Mia grinned and kissed him on the cheek, causing him to blush.
“Isn’t the mystery exciting?” She asked. She took out her house keys from her backpack, opening the door. She waved goodbye to Tareeq and disappeared into her house. Tareeq was stuck in his spot, replaying the moment he just shared with Mia. He started to feel like he was on top of the world from this new budding romance.
Once he finally found the strength to walk back home, the mere thought of being Mia’s boyfriend solidified that Springbrook was finally a place he could officially call home.
Chapter 11.
Derek awaited by his computer eagerly hoping that his latest writing effort was going to be a slam-dunk with his publisher. He glanced at his phone every ten seconds to make sure that he didn’t miss a text from Howie either. He was about to win the puzzle game when his phone rang and Howie’s name popped up on the screen. When he tried answering up the phone, his hands dropped it onto the floor. Derek cursed and picked up the phone, answering it with a hurried tone.
“Howie! What’d they say?” He asked, feeling
his heart patter in anticipation.
“Calm yourself, D because you got…a HIT! The publisher loved it and predicted that this will get you on the New York Times bestsellers list. Secondly, that fat check we’re about to receive is worth all the long nights I took talking you off the ledge.”
“Thank god! I thought it wasn’t going to sit well with them.” Derek said. A huge grin crept onto his face as he pat himself on the back for a job well-done.
“No worries, D. Just monitor that direct deposit because you’ll be seeing five zeros at the end of an even number.”
“I couldn’t have done this without you, Howie. This book will be a hit.”
“Don’t mention it. Pick out the actors to play in the movie soon. I’ll be seeing you, D. Write some more so we can, how do these kids say it nowadays, secure the bag?”
“Exactly.” Derek laughed. “Let’s secure the bag. Talk to you soon.”
“Celebrate with your son tonight.”
“Will do. Bye.” Derek hung up the phone. He jumped for joy and kissed the portrait of his wife that sat on the desk near the computer.
“You’re pouring down the blessings. Thank you, baby.” He said. A single tear dropped from his eye as he gathered himself. He looked at the time on his phone and realized that it was only after three. Tareeq would be on his way home from school and he couldn’t wait to tell him the good news.
A few minutes later, Tareeq walked through the door.
“Son! You won’t believe what happened to your old man today?” Derek excitedly asked.
“You finished the bathroom?” Tareeq laughed.
“Very funny. The publisher has accepted my newest novel and I’ll be dropping it sometime next year.”
“That’s lit, dad!”
“Sure is, so tonight, we’ll be celebrating.”
“Cool. Where are we going?”
“There is a nice restaurant downtown that I went to with my date.”
“That’s too fancy for me; let’s just go to Elli’s for pizza.”
“That’s fine.”
“And if my friends are there, please don’t embarrass me with your stories of my childhood, Dad.”
“What? My stories are interesting.” Derek laughed. He started to go upstairs still laughing at his son’s request.
Tareeq and Derek got out of the car once they were parked in front of Elli’s. They walked in and the place was bustling with families, children and teenagers.
“Wow, this place is pretty busy tonight.” Derek said. A hostess walked up to Derek and Tareeq with a frown on her face; her work shift annoying her no doubt. Derek gave her a reassuring smile.
“Welcome to Elli’s how can I help you?” She asked with an aggravated tone. Seeing this made Tareeq think of New York City where some of the customer service wasn’t the best.
“Table for two please.” Derek replied. The hostess grabbed two menus and walked ahead of them toward a small table that had a loud family behind them. Taking their seats, Derek looked around. He was impressed with the décor of the restaurant, but thought that it was a bit juvenile.
“A waitress will be right with you.” The hostess added, walking off. Derek was relieved when she left. He and Tareeq looked over the menu.
“Let’s just get pizza.” Tareeq said.
“You need to slow down on the pizza.” Derek joked.
“Pizza is life.”
Tareeq was expecting to see Cassie come and take their orders, but it was another girl that he had seen in his art class. With a smile, she politely took their orders. After a while, she came back with their pizza along with soda for Tareeq and water for Derek.
“Congratulations, pops! Another book down and thirty more to go.” Tareeq said, raising his glass. Derek raised his glass too, clinking them together. Just then, Tareeq heard a familiar voice through the noise.
He turned around and saw Mia along with her family in one of the seating booths. She was telling her little brother to stop drawing on the table while her mother and father wiped a spilt glass of juice off the table. Mia looked up, catching Tareeq’s gaze. She smiled and waved at him, while he winked at her.
“I see your friend is here.” Derek said.
“What are the odds right?” Tareeq replied.
Mia got up from her table and came over to Tareeq.
“Hey, Brooklyn Boy!” Mia said cheerfully. “Hello, Mr. Cooper.”
“Hi Mia. Night out with the family?” Derek asked.
“Yes, Friday nights at Elli’s is family night.” She replied.
“Guess we came at the right time then.” Tareeq said. He looked around Mia and saw that her mother was on her way over to them.
Why is she coming over? Tareeq thought to himself. Mia’s mom was a tall woman, about his father’s height. Her hair was in a large kinky pony tail that stood on her head. Her skin color was a smooth ebony color that shined in the light. Her facial expression looked warm as she smiled at Derek and Tareeq.
“This is my mom, Wanda.” Mia beamed. Wanda’s eyes fixed to Tareeq as she waved, but when she glowered at Derek, her smile changed to something malevolent.
“Hello.” She greeted. She had an accent that sounded foreign to Tareeq. He had deduced that she was from the Caribbean or a country in West Africa. Derek shifted in his seat as his mouth fell ajar as he looked at Wanda. He could feel his leg start to tremble while his heart raced. He wiped his sweaty palms on his pants and nodded his head at Wanda in greeting. Tareeq noticed the uneasy gestures that his father was doing.
“Dad?” He asked.
“I think it’s time to say goodnight to your friend.” Derek quavered. Tareeq gave his father a look of confusion and apparent shock from his sudden change of demeanor.
“But we just got here.” Tareeq groaned. Derek shot him a serious glance.
“I said now, Tareeq!” He got up and gathered his coat. He left twenty dollars in cash on the table and walked towards the entrance. Mia’s mother started to laugh while Mia shared the same look of confusion with Tareeq.
“I’m sorry, I don’t know what got into him. He was fine just a minute ago.” Tareeq shrugged.
“It’s okay. Maybe he seen something that scared him.” Wanda replied with a grin.
“I guess. It was nice meeting you, Mrs. Wayne.” Tareeq said.
“It was nice meeting you as well, young man. My daughter has told me all about you.” Wanda said.
“All good I hope.”
“You can be sure of that.” Mia chimed.
“Well, I’ll see you later, Mia.” Tareeq said. He hugged her then waved goodbye to Wanda. He walked out of the restaurant to find his father sitting in the car. Once he got in, he observed the look of sheer terror that his father had on his face; staring off into the distance.
“You good, dad?” Tareeq asked. “What happened back there?”
Derek closed his eyes as if her were snapping out of some sort of trance that he had.
“Huh? Nothing, son.” Derek said. He started the car engine, trying his best to prevent the goose bumps growing on his body from the encounter with Wanda.
Chapter 12.
Saturday afternoon wasn’t like any other Saturday afternoons that Tareeq experienced in Springbrook. Of course it rained, but the vibe that he was getting from his father, was a bit off. Derek didn’t talk about what transpired at Elli’s and Tareeq definitely wasn’t going to pry.
Tareeq was sitting at his desk near his bedroom window that overlooked the backyard. He was playing a computer game while listening to the pitter patter of the rain that splashed onto his window pane. He looked at his phone, seeing that he had a text message from King, Mason, Gary and Jamir.
Mason: Wittington is having a candlelight vigil 4 my brother.
Gary: What time so I can be there?
Jamir: Same here bro.
Mason: It starts late in the afternoon around 4
King: You know I’ll be there.
Tareeq: I’m there!
&n
bsp; Mason: Thank you! You guys are tru friendz
King: No doubt.
Tareeq: Have you heard more about ya bro?
Mason: Just a little. The cops still investigating
King: I hope they find him cuz this is strange
Jamir: Too strange
Gary: Let’s leave it to the police. I’ll see you guys in a bit.
Tareeq: C ya’ll soon.
Tareeq closed out of his text messages and continued on his game. He thought about how Mason must have felt knowing that his brother was missing. He hadn’t known Josh very long, but the mere thought of him going missing or worse, made his skin crawl.
After saving his game, Tareeq shut down his computer to get dressed for the vigil. The only time he went to a candlelight vigil was when one of his friends were shot and killed. Thinking of that made him even more uneasy about the whereabouts of Josh.
He went downstairs and found that his father was sleeping on the couch while a movie played on the television. He went over to him to wake him up.
“W-what time is it?” Derek asked, jumping out of his sleep.
“It’s about three-thirty.” Tareeq confirmed. “I’m going out; they’re having something at the school today for Josh.”
“Okay, just text me when you get there.” Derek yawned, drifting back off to sleep. Tareeq nodded his head and turned off the T.V. He slipped out of the front door and started down towards Wittington. Outside, the rain let up and he could see that the sun was setting into the orange sky to make way for night. It was cold like usual and the sidewalk was filled with wet, reddish, brown fallen leaves.
Tareeq felt a dreary atmosphere outside and shuddered thinking that he too could become like Josh if he wasn’t careful. He decided not to put the ear buds in his ears to listen to the blaring music that was on his phone. Instead, he listened to the rustling of the trees and the brisk wind that howled.
When he arrived, there were people shuffling out of their cars, some were walking onto the front lawn where Mason stood. King and the rest of the friends were there as well gathering around Mason. When Tareeq got closer onto the lawn, he saw that Mason stood with his mother, who had brown stringy hair and skin white like porcelain. She smiled a faint smile at everyone as she clung to the arm of Mason’s father who had a stern yet stressed look on his face. He was tall with black hair and even blacker eyes. His skin was fair with freckles on his nose while a black, thick handle bar mustache laid underneath it.