Commencement

by Lawrence Cherry

Manna’s Soul Seafood was packed almost to capacity when they arrived. The din of the crowd and the provincial atmosphere took Allen off guard a little bit after being virtually sequestered from the real world for weeks. There were people who were standing near the entrance waiting for a table. Richard led them past the crowd that glared jealously as they headed toward the booth where Tamiko was guarding their seats.

  “Hey, it’s about time you guys got here. That uptight bougie maitre d was about to have me tossed out of here. What took so long?”

  “We had to convince our man here to come”, explained Richard.

  “Still depressed?” asked Tamiko, her voice full of concern.

  “And how would you feel if your future was crumbling before your very eyes?”

  “Don’t say that, Allen. This is just a temporary set back”, offered Callie.

  “Yeah, you just need to re-evaluate your options, set some timetables and goals and you should be good to go in no time. Tell ya what. We’ll be like your war council for tonight. We’ll hit some ideas around and see what comes up”, suggested Tim.

  “After all, five heads are better than one”, said Callie.

  “Amen to that”, added Tamiko.

  “But first things first. Let’s get our grub on. I don’t know about anybody else here, but I can’t get my mind to workin’ unless I’ve had me somethin’ to eat”, said Jim.

  Richard got the attention of the waitress, who took their orders. Allen, Tim, and Tamiko tried the shrimp cocktail, while Jim, Richard and Callie had the fried seafood platter. They also ordered a pitcher of iced tea to wash everything down. As they ate, they began to help Allen get a better picture of his options.

  “So let’s look at the facts” Tim began as if he were advising a client for financial services. “You have been looking for a job for only three or four months and you have not been offered a position in the field of your choice. Your options from here are to (a) continue to look for work in that field, (b) look for work in another field… anyone else with any suggestions?” he said opening up the conversation to the others.

  “He could (c) go back to school, like his mom suggested”, added Callie.

  “Or (d) he could be his own man and go into business for himself”, Richard put in defiantly.

  “So by process of elimination, which seems best to you?”

  “Well, (d) is out of the question because I don’t have the capital to invest in my own business, or at least the type of business that I see myself entering, not to mention this isn’t the greatest economic climate for opening a business.”

  “But it’s mad easy, yo”, pleaded Richard, “You don’t even have to use your own money when you start out…”

  “Yeah, but look at what’s happening out there, Rich. Guys are losing their shirts. And I don’t think many banks will be very magnanimous with their loans now. Timing is everything when it comes to starting your own business.”

  “But look at that dude that made all that money during the Great Depression from a board game. Even that place Tavern on the Green opened during the Depression. It don’t matter what time it is, as long as you got something people want, and you know how to hustle it, that’s what counts”, reasoned Richard.

  “Let’s respect his decision for the time being”, continued Tim “Now what else were you going to say, Al.”

  “Going back to school is out for the same reason. Too much money. And you know how it is with grad school. I’d have to go to a school with a reputation that is either equal to or better than Harvard for the degree to mean something. If I stay local that means Columbia or at the least NYU Business school, both very pricey. And there’s the matter that I haven’t even begun to pay off the loans for undergrad.”

  “I don’t know, Al. Going back to school could make you more marketable with employers. They may be more willing to hire you with another credential. It helped me”, offered Tim.

  “And you know in the job market of today, employers are looking for people with more education, not less. As a teacher, if I don’t get my master’s degree in a certain amount of time I’ll lose my job”, said Tamiko.

  “And with any luck, by the time you graduate, we’ll have a new president and maybe the country’s economic situation will be turning around. And you won’t have any embarrassing gaps of time on your resume”, offered Tim.

  “But you both have jobs to help you pay for school. Al doesn’t. I can relate to what he’s saying. Sometimes the cost of school is so high, you end up taking out a whole lot of loans. Then the job you get doesn’t even make up for what you spent to get it in the first place. And what if the economic situation doesn’t turn around? He’ll be in a bigger mess than when he started”, countered Jim.

  “Exactly, and I don’t intend to have my parents spending their retirement money on my education, either. Besides, I want to make it on my own.”

  “If money is the problem, and you don’t want to take out a loan, why can’t you just apply for some scholarships or some grants? I thought you got those in undergrad”, suggested Callie.

  “Grants and scholarships paid for about a fraction of my tuition, but my parents made too much money to get any of the need based aid. Anyway, once you leave undergrad, most of the funding for school dries up. Trust me I’ve researched it.”

  “While we’re talking about it, when are you going back to school Jim?” asked Callie turning the question to Jim.

  “What?” asked Jim who was thrown off-guard by Callie’s question.

  “Don’t act like you don’t know what I’m talking about. You’ve always say that you only took that transit job to help pay for law school, and I know you took the LSAT last year. When are you going back?”

  “My situation is very complicated. I don’t live with my parents, and my job is not a short-sweet 8 to 3 like Miko’s. I would need to have enough money to live off and go to school at the same time. There are still a few things that have to be worked out.”

  “But Brian’s going back, isn’t he? Weren’t you two supposed to be going back together?”

  Jim forgot that Callie knew Brian through his sister who worked at the hospital. Sometimes it just seemed that even New York City could be so small.

  “Yeah, Jim. Why not you? After all, it’s what you’ve always wanted, isn’t it?” inquired Allen.

  “Look, let’s not get off track. We’re not talking about me. We’re talking about you. That’s what tonight is all about. So you eliminated (d), and (c), so all that’s left is (a) and (b).”

  “Out of those two, my only option would be (a) to keep looking for a job in the financial field. I have always wanted to be a financial consultant. There’s no point in looking at any other options.”

  “So now, if you are going to continue to look for jobs in that field, you’re going to have to re-think how you’ve been looking for work. In the face of all the layoffs, it’s really getting competitive. You’ve really got to start thinking about the people you know who can give some inside information. In the meantime, you may want to try some head-hunters or some employment agencies….” Tim added.

  “If I might interrupt,” said Tamiko “Allen, you said that you want to be a financial consultant. Maybe you should think about if that is what you were really meant to be.”

  “What are you talking about? It’s what I went to school for. It’s what I’ve been training for all of my life.”

  “Yes, but look at what’s going on now. Maybe it’s a sign.”

  “Yeah, a sign, that I need to think of a new way of going about things.”

  “Or maybe it’s a sign that… that God doesn’t want you in that field.”

  Laughter and groans abounded at the table after Tamiko’s comment.

  “What else can we expect from the preacher’s daughter?” asked Jim sarcastically.

  “I don’t know, I could think of some things more typical of preacher’s daughters”, Tim suggested slyly.

  “I don’t see what’s so f
unny! And Tim, you better watch that mouth of yours. This is God’s chile, you’re messin’ with”, scolded Tamiko.

  “Guess I’d better watch out for lightning bolts, huh. Whatever.”

  “Yeah, whatever. Besides I wasn’t talking to you, I was talking to Allen.”

  “Miko, look, I believe in God just like you do. But why would God not want me to be a financial consultant? It’s what would make me happy. God wants his children to be happy, so why would he not want me to be a financial consultant?”

  “Maybe you think that’s what would make you happy. Sometimes when we go in a direction that’s not good for us God will block our path to keep us from harm. Remember what happened to Balaak, when he was on the way to see Balaam to curse the children of Israel?”1

  “C’mon, Miko. It’s not like I want to sell drugs or pimp for a living. What harm could come to me as a financial consultant?”

  “Maybe she thinks you’ll be like the guy that crashed Barron’s bank”, joked Tim.

  “Allen, I don’t know why God wouldn’t want you be a financial consultant. You’d have to ask Him that. Have you prayed about your situation? Asked Him for guidance?”

  “Miko, my mother told me, when I was very little, that God knows what we need before we even ask him. Do you believe that?”

  “Well, of course I do…”

  “So why should I ask Him? If He’s going to do it He’ll do it. If He’s not, He’s not”

  “Word, right? I hear that”, agreed Richard.

  “Because God wants us to. When we pray, it’s like acknowledging His power and His control over our lives. And you never know. God can change His mind. Just think about how God spared King Hezekiah when he prayed.”2

  “Miko, those are stories; allegories”, sighed Allen. “They’re not meant to be taken literally…”

  “The Bible is the Truth! These things happened! It’s the Word of God!”

  “I know you’re not talking about a book that was written by white people for white people.”

  “Say what you want, but I’m not going to doubt the Word of God simply because you all don’t believe. I have experienced his power, his mercy, and his goodness. I understand how God has been working in my life. If it wasn’t for Him, I wouldn’t have any of the things I have now.”

  “Uh-oh, I feel a testimony comin’ on!” sang Richard.

  “That’s simply it, Tamiko. It’s your experience, your personal decisions and beliefs. Everyone worships God in his or her own way. Some go to synagogue, some go to mosque, some call him Allah, some Buddah…” Callie decided to weigh in.

  “That has nothing to do with what I’m talking about. Those are false gods…”

  “To you! And I’m sorry, but I thought we all came here tonight to help Allen get some ideas about how he could deal with his job situation, not to be his spiritual advisors. You have no right to try to force your beliefs on him or anyone else here!”

  “Hold on, Cal. She was only trying to help me. You don’t have to jump down her throat like that.”

  “I wasn’t jumping down her throat. I was setting her straight. Someone needed to.”

  “Excuse you?!” exclaimed Tamiko.

  “No, excuse you! You may not be aware of it, but some of the things you were saying were quite offensive, not to mention ignorant. It’s people like you that give Christians a bad name”, snapped Callie.

  “I for one can’t believe that a college educated young woman like yourself, could so easily adhere to a religion that lead to the enslavement and degradation of your own people. Talk about stupid”, said Jim scornfully.

  “If believing in God makes me stupid, then I’m glad to be so. As the apostle Paul said: I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ”, said Tamiko defiantly.3

  “Alright, now stop it. No matter what she believes, neither of you have the right to insult her and hurt her feelings”, said Tim out of nowhere.

  “I didn’t insult her! I just made a comment about what she said, and all anyone cares about is poor little Tamiko! What about all of the people she’s insulting with those same beliefs?!” asked Callie angrily.

  “She’s still our friend!” insisted Tim.

  “Speak for yourself!” Callie shot back.

  “Now this is going too far. Let’s just agree to end this conversation”, said Allen.

  “I’ve had enough! I’m going home”, said Tamiko rising from the table. She was gathering her things and trying to wipe away tears at the same time.

  “Miko, c’mon. Sit back down, let’s all just cool down…”

  “Actually, I think it’s best that we all put some space between ourselves so we can cool down. Miko, I’ll take you home. Is that O.K.?” offered Tim.

  “Are you sure you want to be seen with someone like me?” asked Tamiko defensively.

  “Let’s just go, okay.”

  “Goodnight, everyone. See you tomorrow, Allen.”

  Everyone said a quick “good night” except Callie.

  “God Bless you, Callie”, said Tamiko before she left with Tim.

  “Whoo-ee! This prayer thing done set if off in here! I ain’t sayin’ nothin’!” Richard called out suddenly.

  “A wise man once said: If you want friends then you should never discuss politics, or religion”, Allen mumbled to himself.

  “Tell that to Tamiko the next time she tries to proselytize us”, said Jim.

  “Guys, let’s just try to enjoy the rest of the evening?”

  “So now you want to sit here and act like nothing happened?! Of all people, I thought you would’ve had my back!” Callie snapped again.

  “Uh-oh, I guess it ain’t over. Let me go back to silent mode”, said Richard.

  “How are you making this my fault? Tamiko was talking to me. If you hadn’t said anything there wouldn’t have been an argument”, reasoned Allen.

  “So I was supposed to let her go on like that?! You’ve gotta be kidding me! I’m outta here!” blasted Callie as she bolted away and out the door.

  “Callie!” Allen called after her.

  “Don’t worry about it Al, I got her. I’ll talk to her. See you guys later”, said Jim.

  “You know what Al? The next time we roll, we gotta leave the chicks out. They just too much drama”, advised Richard.

  “Not much of a dinner now, is it?”

  “How ‘bout we jet over to Horizon over on 9th and check out the hotties.”

  “I’m not quite in the mood, Rich.”

  “Aiight. If you change your mind, hit me on the cell. ‘Cause this is dead.”

  “See ya ‘round.”

  “I’ll holla at you.”

  So much for a night out with friends.

  Eleven