by Dave Welch
“Yes, sir,” she answered as she rushed off.
“Yawl still here?” He yelled, turning back to us.
I was so mixed up.
Then, the speedster stepped to my ear and whispered.
“You know I can be in two places at once, probably three,” he spoke with certainty.
He was so serious, I almost believed him.
He turned around quickly and walked back into his mansion without making any further eye contact.
“Crazy guy ain’t he?” Smirked Quincy.
I was mad at the Speedster for tearing up my only picture.
“Let’s go. I got shit to do.” I retorted.
Father Harmon didn’t say a word; he just smiled as we walked to his car.
“Cut that damn grass, Lurch. What the fuck!” The Speedster shouted as he shut the massive doors.
While sitting in the car, I acquired another reason for living. I guess things had sort of balanced themselves out. Because of this, my ability to express myself verbally had been greatly suppressed. I was too engulfed in my thinking. But Quincy knew what he was doing.
He cranked up his car, and we began our long drive back to our side of town. Then it finally dawned on me. This whole thing had been a setup. A decent set up. I liked it.
I saw myself changing. And for five minutes, I viewed the Speedster’s lawn in passing to encounter a soothing peace.
I was relaxed and possibly in love with…
Okani.
The clergy and I approached the huge gates of the Speedster’s mansion. Mysteriously, the gates were already open.
The clergy had begun to slow down. He was staring hard at something. Looked again, in the same direction, I figured he must’ve been watching the grass, which didn’t need cutting.
Then, to a clearing came a silhouette in the distance.
We ogled with incredulity, almost in pure refusal as we approached the lion-headed turnstile.
But there he was… the speed demon.
“What the hell?” I grumbled.
With his arms folded, he leaned against the column, using his shoulder to support his weight. He shook his head as we passed through the massive gateway.
It seemed as if he had been there for a while.
The speedster wasn’t gasping for air.
On the way home, Father Harmon began another one of his long, drawn-out stories. But this one was different and sort of interesting.
He spoke of a woman from long ago that used to attend his services. She would come from time to time for confessional purposes. He said that the lady had met a guy who knew several forms of martial arts. One day the guy attacked her, but ironically, she grabbed a gun to shoot him.
“Lucky for him, the gun wasn’t loaded. Come to find out, the guy was wanted in several states.” The clergy said.
“The young lady le-”
“-Did you know she was going to be there?” I interjected.
“Who?”
“Okani.” I replied.
The clergy smiled. And that was fine…
But that story, sounded a bit too familiar.
“Honestly, no. I didn’t think she was going to be there. She looks nothing like her brother. They have different mothers.” Quincy explained.
“I think her mother was Japanese or something.”
I was so in love with her; I couldn’t control my feelings.
“I did know Corey had a younger sister. She’s into gymnastics, yoga, kickboxing and ballet. I should've told you.” He admitted.
“So, when’s the game?” I asked.
“I think next Sunday. You want to meet at the cathedral?”
“Na…I’ll meet you at the stadium.”
“Oh… Good,” he added.
After that, Quincy and I developed a true friendship.
I felt important again. I was a part of this plan of redemption, and so far, it was working.
I almost felt like forgiving my daughter’s killer. Yet deep down inside, if I were to see him, I know I would break both of his arms. Then I would punch him in his face until my fist shattered or until his head exploded, whichever came first.
It was later in the afternoon when I got home. The streets were lit up as usual, and Tom was on my front porch awaiting my arrival. He stood to his feet as I pulled into the driveway.
This time, I got out of the car with a noticeable smirk on my face.
“What happened to you?” asked Tom. “You look like you caught that bastard slipping.”
I must admit, I was jollier than ever. I hadn’t realized Tom was holding his little daughter. They both stood in front of a large object.
I think they were attempting to hide the item.
“We got you something. Hey, don’t look at me man. It was my daughter’s idea. So don’t get mad, Derrick.” Tom barked.
“What is it?” I asked.
“I’ll tell you as soon as you tell me why you so damn happy.” Giggled Tom. “What happened, man? Did you get him?”
I started smiling even harder as I couldn’t hold it any longer.
“I met someone.”
“Someone? Ohh…I get it. Is she hot?”
“I’m not raising hell about it, but… Yes! She’s the best woman I’ve ever met.” I exploded with emotion.
“Whoa man…that’s great. Well…” He uttered while putting his daughter down.
“I guess you won’t be needing this then.” He proclaimed while stepping to the side.
I had come quite close to the large object to see that it was an oversized, thin-width box.
“Is that what I think it is?” I whispered.
“Yeah. It’s a 72-inch, flat-screen TV.” He grunted while kneeling to lift it.
His little girl stood aside as he hoisted up the box.
“I was just about to take it back to the store.”
“Man, if you don’t get that shit in the house!” I hollered while unlocking my door.
He laughed way harder than usual.
I was happier than I had been in a long time.
“It is a lot bigger than that 42 inch you had,” said Tom.
As I opened my door, I came to the shocking wreck of a landfill that I called home. I was so embarrassed. But it was too late to cover it up.
“Oh.” Tom muttered, walking on in with the TV. He slid it up against the inside wall. His little girl peeked in from the outside to see my gruesome plot of unsanctioned housing.
“Now Derrick, you are my friend and my wife and kids… all of the neighborhood is concerned about you.” He disclosed.
“I'm gonna help you hook this TV up, and please don’t head butt it to shit this time,” he noted while picking up his little girl.
I looked at the TV and then back up to Tom to see him smiling.
“Thanks Tom,” I mumbled. He pointed at me firmly.
“Don’t break this TV, Derrick! And for god’s sake man, clean up this damn house! You don’t want your girlfriend coming over here to see this.” He giggled while waving to me in his departure.
He was right.
“Hey!” I yelled.
“Yo!” He replied, stepping back into the doorway.
“Thanks man…for everything,” I cried softly.
Tom nodded his head as my eyes teared up.
“Don’t mention it homie. That’s what friends are for. Oh yeah, I want to see this… What’s her name?”
“Okani,” I replied.
“Okani. Her name is Okani? Mmmm! She sounds exotic.”
“She looks exotic,” I added.
“I bet. Man, I’m happy for you. Maybe we can do a double date. I’ll grab the wife and you can get Okani, and we can have a blast! I know a nice restaurant up the way, high-end food with exquisite service. She’d love it. I guarantee. I take my wife there all the time.” Tom boasted.
“Sounds like a plan,” I said.
“Let me know when you’re ready to put that television up.”
“Most def.”
/>
“Alright then, Derrick,” yelled Tom as he walked off slowly. “I’m leaving your door open too.”
“That’s cool; I’ll shut it.”
“You better! And don’t break that TV!”
“Yes, sir,” I gently inserted.
I then turned around to face my chore. I gave my living quarters a good once over with a huge glimmer of determination.
“Let’s do this,” I mumbled.
And right then. I began cleaning without reservation.
November 5th
The weekend had come. And my progress was noteworthy. I used the money that I took from the speed demon’s Swear Jar to purchase miscellaneous supplies.
I replaced the walls and the windows. I patched up the dent in the floor, and I fixed the fridge. I removed all of the rust spots, and I gave that old refrigerator a good detailing.
I swept, vacuumed, mopped and scrubbed to my heart’s content. I made sure everything was in order.
Saving the television for last, I called Tom over to help me.
It was the most complicated thing to decipher. Or maybe I was still disinterring this modern-day technology, excelling by leaps and bounds. On the other hand, I felt like I was chasing down a bullet train.
We got it, though.
As the day came to a close, my brain racked itself to an absence. I forgot everything, and the bed absorbed my tired body like a sponge. Finally, I drifted off to sleep with a calming sea of stressless thoughts. No dreams. No nightmares…
Just twenty-six days…
November 6th
It was early that following morning, Sunday to be exact.
I slept so good, I forgot where I was.
Suddenly, my phone rang.
I rolled over to see who in the hell could be calling me this early. It was Quincy.
I put the phone to my ear, sitting up slowly.
“Hello…” I mumbled with my scraggly morning voice.
“Derrick!” Quincy shouted.
He was so loud; I yanked the phone from my ear.
“Where are you?”
“I’m at home, man. What’s up?”
“I guess you haven’t looked at your ticket.”
“Ughhh…” I cooed while looking around quickly for the black envelope.
“I hope you slept well, Derrick.”
I had finally located the envelope. It was on the nightstand next to me. I snatched it up and opened it quickly.
“... Derrick, I’m letting one of my prodigies speak this morning. So, you know this means a great deal to me.” Said the clergy.
I was still looking over the ticket as he continued to talk.
“I just thought to call and remind you about the football game.”
I was fully aware of the game, I thought to myself while scanning over the ticket.
“You still coming, right?”
“Yeah man,” I said. But then, a light bulb went off.
I gasped as my eyes stumbled across the date on the ticket.
“Aww, wait. Is this today?”
“Yeeeeessssss!”
“Shit!” I shouted, bolting off to the shower.
Father Harmon was still talking when I mistakenly hung the phone up.
I arrived at the football stadium in record timing. I scuffled for a parking space before I decided to just walk the rest of the way.
As I drew near the long lines, I smelled the tailgater’s grub.
Bratwursts, hot dogs, ribs, hamburgers, and steaks were all over the place. The slight smell of beer and popcorn swallowed my senses. Just the observance of the many different spreads of food made my mouth water. But not now, I was expecting something greater than the minor consumption of food.
I approached the ticket counter with a burning hunger for access. I entered with so much joy, I literally ran to the club-level seating.
I slowed in my pace, walking cautiously down the stairs.
My seat was all the way in the front.
I was about four steps away from my aisle when I noticed the back of Quincy’s head. I recognize that dome anywhere.
He was sitting near the center of the row. My seat was to the left of his. But to his right… Ohhh… to his right, I saw— her.
Okani.
The beautiful grade of curls… It was that afro again.
She was here, sitting with her legs crossed.
I thought I was prepared to see her, but my stomach dropped so hard I had to take a shit. I forgot to brush my teeth. I didn’t shave either. Oh well.
This was happening, regardless.
I inched and scooted down the row to my seat. I kept my chest out and clinched in my abs, and I tried to breathe lightly.
She grew gorgeous with every step I took.
She didn’t look at me at all as she was so, fashionably fixed, on the football game.
She wore a black leather coat buttoned up to her chest area. The buttons were a glittery smoke gray. They sat flush with a black scarf tucked inside the collar of her jacket. She wore a pair of what I like to call, booty shorts. They were black and form-fitting. She had on a pair of black fishnets and some black leather thigh-high, stiletto heel boots. They had a pointed toe and they were full of straps and buckles. This outfit gave her more of a gritty look.
Father Harmon stood as I approached my seat.
“Derrick!” He yelled, opening his arms for a hug.
“What’s up, man?” I softly responded as he hugged me tight.
I stood plainly uncooperative. I don’t do hugs. Fortunately, the hug was so fast that I didn't need to use my arms.
“Sit down. We’re still in the first quarter.” He addressed.
The hot dog vendor yelled from afar, “Hot dogs! Get your hot dogs here!”
I could see the mascot dancing about joyously, supplying a great wave of energy. But I couldn’t recognize the speed demon. It was just so much noise and stuff going on.
“Which number is Corey?” I yelled.
“Number 12!” Quincy shouted.
Suddenly, it hit me, like a speeding brick to the face.
It overwhelmed every smell in the stadium. I was helplessly pretending as if she wasn’t there. But that smell…
It weakened me. It was that exact scent from our first encounter.
I wanted to do something, but I couldn’t. Her presence held me. I was unresponsive and turned on at the same time.
Fuck, I thought to myself.
Then, Quincy leaned in, whispering in my ear.
“You wanna, switch seats?” He snickered.
Slick ass was swift in his timing. He giggled a little more as he sat back into his seat.
As bad as I wanted to say yes, I had to lie to keep control.
“Na…” I said. “I’m cool.”
And right then, Okani stood up. And every man on the aisle repositioned themselves, including me.
We made her path clear and overt.
She exited to the left of the aisle, towards my direction.
I could feel her coming.
“Excuse me,” she thrummed as she passed.
This moment lasted forever.
We immediately made eye contact, piercing into each other’s souls. Her windows were clean, and she didn’t have on a single brush of makeup.
My breath shortened, and I briefly lost consciousness. I felt hypnotized like I was being put under a trance.
Her steps were so precise.
Her balance was insane.
I was being bewitched.
Quincy leaned over to me again as Okani reached the end of the aisle.
“Go get her!” He said. “Now’s the time.”
I developed every excuse I could think of to pardon my dubious tempo.
“It ain’t enough money in Fort Knox. I can’t afford her.” I bluntly stated.
The clergy’s eyes lit up.
“First off, there is no money in Fort Knox. The aliens took it. And secondly, you think this is about money?”
&nbs
p; “Yeah. I know her type, Q.”
Father Harmon sat up in his seat while aiming to entice me for pursuit. Frankly, I was afraid of being let down or rejected. I know it sounds crazy, but I was too immersed in this love thing. I was cold-blooded, gutter and, however, a hopeless romantic all wrapped up in one.
I was looking at the floor as my leg shook from my desire.
“You’re right… You can’t afford her,” said Quincy as he slouched back into this seat. “But she can afford you.”
I looked up to make eye contact with the clergy. And he stared directly into my face, like I was somehow foiling his plans. Time was passing so fast as I sat there contemplating my next move.
“Why do you think she got up?” The clergy quizzed. “Huh? And she walked in your direction. She could’ve gone the other way.”
Point taken.
“Give the ball to Dunlo!” shouted a fan from the rear.
Just then, the Giants hiked the ball. The quarterback bombed the pigskin right into the hands of the speed demon.
The crowd went wild as he bolted off in his sprint of rage.
And that’s when I made my decision. Before I could even stand to my feet, Corey had already run a touchdown.
The crowd went wild!
Apparently, Corey ran so fast that he left all the other players stationary.
“He moves like us.” A lady whispered.
The speed demon was standing in the end zone when he took off his helmet and pointed directly at me.
He looked dead in my eyes and yelled.
“Go fucking get her!”
I stood to my feet as the ref blew the whistle.
Without waiting a second more, I took off through the aisle and up the stairs.
In my fleet for love, I heard the ref announce over the intercom.
‘Unsportsmanlike conduct. Number 12. Fifteen-yard penalty!’
The crowd exploded, booing in total revulsion.
At the top of the stairs, I embraced the breezeway.
That smell hit me hard, stopping me dead in my tracks.
I smelled and breathed in deep, closing my eyes. As I exhaled, I opened my eyes to a totality of relaxation. I felt like I had just walked out of a massage parlor.
I looked to my left to see herds of people carrying on in their various activities. The smell of popcorn returned with a vengeance, but it was no match, for her aroma wreaked a beautiful havoc.