I sat back in my seat, not paying attention to the signal warning making me aware that my keys were in the ignition and the door was open. “Oh shoot, my books and everything are on the ground.” “Don’t worry about it. I got it,” T’eo said as he ran over to the driver’ side.
I helped him as he picked up my belongings. He walked back to the driver’s side and said, “I don’t want to alarm you, but… it is past three.” I yelled, “What? Past three a.m. or p.m.?
T’eo was looking confused because it was light outside and he slowly replied, “p.m.”
“What? Are you kidding me? I got to go and see if I can talk to my professor to make up my exam.” I gathered my things in a rush. “Breana,” T’eo said.
“T’eo, thank you for waking me up and being here for me, but I have to run to class. My calculus class is in session now. I have to go.” My voice shook as I slammed the door and started running.
“Bree. Wait!” He raised his voice to get my attention. “What is it, T’eo? I have to go!” I replied impatiently.
He smiled. I was looking like, “He’s got to be kidding me. He wants to smile while I am telling him I have class.” “Breana, all the classes were canceled today due to a gas leak on campus.” I was looking confused, and a damn mess at the same time. Most definitely, not a good combination, “Wait. What?”
He laughed, “I was trying to tell you, but you were moving like a bat out of hell.” I laughed, “Like a bat out of what? hell?” T’eo laughed back at me, “Yeah, like a bat out of hell. You never heard that saying before?” I turned up my lips, arched my eyebrows, smirked and said, “No. You are weird and funny at the same time.”
He laughed. I softly punched him on his shoulder, “By the way, your joke wasn’t funny.” T’eo smiled, “I’d rather see you smile than cry any day.” He then said very slowly, “Unless it is tears of joy and happiness.” I smiled and started to cry. “T’eo you are a good person. Stay that way.” “What’s wrong?” he asked again. “I don’t want to talk about it right now,” I replied as I looked up at the sky, wiping my eyes.
I walked back to my car and T’eo walked back with me. We didn’t say anything, but my heart was happy that he was in my presence. I couldn’t find my keys. I put my books on the top of my car to look for them. T’eo said, “Bree.” I was focused on finding my keys, “T’eo, give me a second. I am trying to find my keys They are in here somewhere.”
T’eo said, “Bree, you are not going to like what I have to say, but your keys are in the ignition.” I dropped everything and said loudly, “Shut up! No way!” I ran to my car looked in the window and tried opening the door. For sure, they were locked in the car. I slid down the driver’s side door. “Ugh. What a day. I cannot believe this shit.”
“Bree, don’t worry about it. We can call the insurance company and they will send out a locksmith. If not, we can use mine,” T’eo said calmly. I smiled, “Superman, you have a reasonable answer for everything. Thank you.”
I used T’eo’s phone to call my insurance company. They said it would take around three hours to come to the site. I also called my parents to let them know what happened. My daddy said he would come out and wait with me, but I told him I was in good hands. He insisted that he come. I asked him to trust me when I say I am in good hands.
It started to rain. T’eo and I ran across the street to the school’s Treehouse. The Treehouse is a cabin. The inside is completely made of wood. It has a full kitchen, chairs, a table, and an open bar (for parties). Downstairs it’s very cozy with a large pool table, air hockey table, sofas, table, chairs, and my favorite, a dart board.
Our Treehouse has a deck with rocking chairs on it, a pond to watch the ducks, and a water fountain. It’s very relaxing. I was surprised to see nobody at the Treehouse, but I forgot the campus is closed because of a gas leak.
I picked up the darts and threw them at the dartboard. I hit the red target every time. “Damn, I wouldn’t want to be the person you’re thinking about,” T’eo said. He looked serious as if he was feeling the pain from the darts. I looked at him and pretend to throw the dart at him. I smirked and told him, “Well, you better not act like these bust-ass little boys.” He laughed, “I am a fully-grown man.” “Good,” I said as I turned around and hit the red target perfectly again.
After a while, I sat down on the couch as T’eo sat on the other couch. We watched the rain fall and listened to the rain play a melody on the roof. I closed my eyes, smiled and said, “This feels right.” “What feels right?” T’eo asked. “Freedom,” I replied as I smiled with my eyes closed. “Freedom?” He repeated.
“Yes. Freedom. Freedom is peace. Inner peace, outer peace and peace all around you in general. Freedom is joy and happiness on the inside as it faithfully shows on the outside without forcing a smile. Freedom is knowing you are alive on the inside and out. As opposed to faking being happy on the outside knowing you are completely dead on the inside. Freedom is truly knowing your self-worth. Freedom is loving yourself by putting yourself first. Freedom is always there, but we do not know it because we are trapped in someone else’s shit. Freedom is truly always there, but we are stuck in sinking sand because someone else’s drama is sinking us further and further in, to the point where the sand has reached our necks. The awful thing about it is, the person who pulled you under isn’t willing to pull you up out of their mess. Instead, they pour water over your head as if the sand isn’t enough. I learned today that I have to use the water they’re throwing on me to my advantage. I have to start to wiggle myself out the sand as my ex pours the water. As the sand is being washed away, I have to keep moving to break up the sand. If not, I am going to drown in the water or the sand is going to suffocate me. Today, I used the water that was thrown at me to break free from the sinking sand.”
T’eo was engaged as he shook his head, “Damn, that’s deep, Bree. I like that!”
I smiled, “Yeah, I love it too, because I finally broke free. I am free. I am alive. I am restored and renewed. As I look at the rain, I feel like it is washing away the remains of the sand that once stuck to me. The rain has officially cleansed my sorrow, hurt, and pain, and restored my frame of thinking. It is a wonderful thing. It is going to be a work in progress, but T’eo, I am willing to put forth the effort and get through it. When I think about giving in, I am going to think about this day. I thought it was going to be the second-worst day of my life, but actually, it has been one of the best days of my life. Thanks to the Great Divines for the gas leak!” (I laughed), “You, T’eo, aka Superman, for being here for me, and to myself for being open-minded and taking note.”
“I would ask you what happened but I want to keep you in the mood you’re in,” T’eo said. “I’d rather not talk about it. Let’s talk about you,” I replied. “What do you want to know?” T’eo asked. “What is your race?” I asked. “I am of the human race. I do not identify with one race, because I am one of many. Therefore, I tell myself and others that I am one race… human… the human race,” he replied. “And another one,” I said, smiling. He smiled back at me, “Another one? What do you mean?”
I looked at him and smiled, “When growing up, my grandmother always told my siblings, cousins and I that we are a human race. My daddy’s mother is white and Indian and my daddy’s dad is very dark. He is black like the crayon.”
“Really? So, you know about the human race,” he replied. “I sure do. I am a human race, but I identify myself as African American. I am proud of the skin I’m in and I wouldn’t have it any other way,” I said. “I see. I understand. I wouldn’t have it any other way either.” T’eo replied.
He added, “If you must know. I am Columbian, black, Italian, Cuban, part Indian, and white. My mother is Cuban and Indian. Her parents are Italian and black. My father’s mother is white and my father’s father is Columbian and black. So, I am all in one! How about your family?”
“Well, my mother’s mother is white. As you know, my daddy’s mother is white and Ind
ian. Everyone says my grandmother is mean, because she never smiles, and she always looks mean. But she isn’t mean and she smiles, just not around people as much. Also, her high cheekbones make her look mean. My mother’s daddy is no longer here. We were so close. I miss him so much. He was black and white. His papa was white and his mother was black. My granddaddy’s mother died when giving birth to him. So his papa raised him. With that being said, I am all in one too. Therefore, I am a human race. Believe it or not, all of us are close. My father’s family knows my mother’s family. We are one for all and all for one,” I replied.
“That’s what’s up!” T’eo said. He went on to say, “Well, I know where you get your high cheekbones from.” I smiled, “Yeah, from my grandmother.” “Are your parents together?” I asked. T’eo paused, “Well…When I was five years old my daddy left my mother to be with his mistress.” “Oh…Woow…” I replied. “Yeah, but it’s all good. My mother is a strong woman.” T’eo said. He continued to say, “It’s me and my mother. She gave up a lot for me to have a good education. When my father brought my mother to the States, she couldn’t find work—so she cleaned houses for a living. She went back to Africo, Italy, to be with her family. She still struggles here and there. I want to make her proud, get a job and get my mother out of Africo. That is why I am focused and work so hard, because soon, and very soon, I will get her out of there.”
I didn’t know what to say. I broke the silence and asked, “Why doesn’t she come back to the States?” T’eo said, “She tried, but she was deported. I was born here, but it’s hard not being able to see her every day.” “Are you the only child?” I asked. “Yes. I am my mother’s only child—as for my father, I have no clue if he has other children.”
The rain let up and we went outside. We rocked in the rocking chairs as we watched the ducks cross the pond. The sound of the raindrops falling from the trees was so peaceful, calm and relaxing. The fall colors of the trees made a huge impact on the scenery. The gentle breeze topped it all off.
“The weather is changing. It is finally feeling like Autumn,” I said as I took a deep breath. “I agree, Fall has finally stood up to Summer,” T’eo said. We both laughed.
I said, “That is a good way to put it. You are funny. I guess Autumn is a man and Summer is a woman. Therefore, Summer said, “It’s a woman’s world and Autumn will start when she feels good and ready to leave. I hear you loud and clear, Summer!”
“I like your way of thinking. I never met a lady like you who thinks of the oddest things. You draw out the meaning in life. Most people think on top of the surface. Not you, Bree, you think deep below the surface. That’s pretty cool. You are not like a normal girl,” T’eo said.
“I like thinking under the surface. Honestly, I give thanks to all the people who have fucked me over. They helped me to think deep under the surface because I’ve been cut, backstabbed and done wrong so many times in so many different ways. So, I have to choose… either make me bitter or use it to make me a better person. Live, love, learn, grow, and keep it moving,” I replied, smiling from ear to ear.
“That is a good way to put it. Why are you smiling?” T’eo asked as he smiled and giggled. “Ha! You are giggling! Too cute!” I replied in a high-pitched tone, laughing. “It seems like you bring out the best in me, Ms. Breana,” T’eo said as he watched a raindrop fall from a leaf.
“I think people bring out the best in one another when we all listen to each other. That is how we learn what the other person likes and dislikes. Also, when we listen to each other, the other one is communicating, then it goes back and forth. Therefore, listening and communicating is key. I also think the key is being honest. What I mean by honesty is telling the truth, meaning we don’t always have to have an answer for everything. We should be comfortable saying, I do not have an answer for that at the moment, but if you give me time to think about it in a couple days, I will. You know?” I asked
“See what I mean? You are a thinker, but I wouldn’t think of it too deeply. I truly know what you mean. It is okay to not know at the moment, but eventually have a concrete answer. I agree, communication, listening, and honesty are the keys to success in any kind of relationship in life,” he answered, smiling from ear to ear.
“Now you are smiling, showing all of your teeth! I was smiling because life has a way of showing you what it has in store for you. Life has a way of putting you on the right path at the right place and time. Even if it means my keys are locked in the car,” I said as I laughed.
We were quiet, but we both were smiling as we rocked in our chairs.
I broke the silence, “T’eo, thank you. I needed an ear to listen. I needed all the laughter we shared. Most definitely, I needed to smile. I haven’t smiled in days. You just don’t know how you made my soul smile again. Thank you. I truly appreciate it.”
“You’re more than welcome, Bree. You’ve made my day. Life has a funny way of making life better. I was having a challenging day. Life brought me to you; I didn’t think about my situation. You made me realize that this too shall pass; and it will pass,” T’eo said as he looked at the ducks crossing the other side of the pond.
I looked at T’eo and said, “This too shall pass. It is so, it is done, and it is completed.”
My daddy called my phone. I couldn’t answer it because the screen wouldn’t allow me to swipe. Next thing I knew, T’eo’s phone began to ring. It was my daddy.
T’eo put his phone on speaker. He answered, “Hello, Mr. Anderson. I am T’eo. How are you doing?” “Hello, T’eo. I am fine, thank you. How are you doing?” my daddy asked. “I am fine, sir, thank you for asking,” T’eo said without fear or hesitation. “That’s great to hear. Is Breana nearby?” Daddy asked.
Before T’eo could say anything, I jumped in, “Hey, Daddy! I’m here.” “Hey baby, how are you doing? Are you okay?” Daddy asked. “Daddy, I told you I was in good hands. Yes, Daddy, I am okay. Thank you, Daddy, for asking,” I replied, smiling from ear to ear. Blessed to know my daddy cares. “I had to ask, baby. The locksmith is at your car as we speak. Where are you?” Daddy asked. “We are at the Treehouse at the school. Daddy, call them and ask them to wait. We are going to walk over there. It should take us about three minutes,” I replied.
“The Treehouse. Oh yeah, that’s a nice place. I will call him and let him know to wait five minutes as you all walk over there,” Daddy replied, sounding relieved. “Okay, thanks, Daddy,” I replied. “You’re welcome, baby. T’eo, thank you for staying with my baby girl. I truly appreciate it,” Daddy said. “You’re welcome, Mr. Anderson.” T’eo looked at me and said, “I wouldn’t rather be anywhere else. I just so happened to be at the right place at the right time.”
T’eo and I walked to my car. Instead of crossing the street, we took the longer route. We walked across the bridge that would lead us directly to the parking lot.
I put my hand in my pocket.
“Are you cold?” T’eo asked as he put his coat around me. I took it off and said, “Thank you, but I am not cold.” I was kind of cold, but I didn’t want a repeat of what Brian did and fall for that slick move. Not this time. I’ll rather freeze this time around. I was thinking to myself, I know T’eo and Brian are different, but I’ll rather take a chance at freezing before I wear his coat. Besides the walk was only about two to three minutes.
After my car was unlocked, T’eo gave me a friendly hug and said, “I am glad you are feeling better.” I smiled. “Thank you for making me feel better. It meant a lot to me. I truly appreciate it.” “I wouldn’t have it any other way, Breana Anderson,” T’eo said as he walked to his car.
I got in my car to warm up and watched him walk to his car.
After he got in his car, he waited until I drove off before he pulled out of the parking lot. He was right behind me. However, I turned left and he turned right. We blew our horns and went our separate ways.
7
Chapter seven
Every day during practice, people who I
know and who
I don’t care to know, come up to me left and right, asking me if am I okay. The showdown happened weeks and weeks ago. I know time heals all wounds, and I try not to be rude, but I say to myself, what do you think? After Simone’s “It’s not my story to tell” notion, I wonder if anyone even cares. I wonder, do they ask me how I am doing so they can go back and tell another story? It is funny how you tell someone one thing and they go back and tell a whole different story. It’s really hard for me to trust anyone. With that being said, everyone who asks—I tell them I am okay. Okay, is all they need to hear. I am not going to vent and tell them anything. They are not going to spread my business and lies about me like wildfire.
I know Chloe was looking out for my best interests, but Chloe had anger built up inside of her; and my issues were the perfect time and place for her to get revenge. She could have taken advantage of the opportunity because Simone made Chloe look like a slutty ho after making up those rumors.
Speaking of Chloe, as I pulled up to Jackson-Miles, she walked to the car and said, “Hey, Superstar. I haven’t heard from you. You must have been on a fast.”
I looked at her and laughed, “What you mean? We talk every day.”
Chloe looked at me with a ‘you gotta to be kidding me’ face and said, “Ugh. No. We haven’t talked every single day.”
I smiled slightly, “Well… No, not every single day, but we talk. I’ve had too much going on. I’ve just been laying low and thinking about life.”
Chloe replied, “Well, don’t be thinking too long or else you’re going to start to think wrong.”
Unapologetic for My Flaws and All Page 8