Commencement

by Lawrence Cherry

Emily Ann’s was packed when Allen arrived. There were lots of students and professors from the local college having dinner as well as a lot of swanky upper Harlemites. He looked around for a booth, but didn’t see one that was big enough for him and his friends. Suddenly and miraculously, a large party of college kids left one of the booths and Allen swooped down on it before one of the waitresses had a chance to clean up.

  “I hope I’m not inconveniencing you”, Allen said to the large brown skinned waitress in her green and white uniform. Allen could see the beads of perspiration forming along the perimeter of her forehead. She was obviously working hard tonight.

  “It’s no problem, I understand. It is really crowded. If it wasn’t you there’d be someone else”, the waitress smiled pleasantly as she continued to work.

  Just as they had finished the exchange, Callie walked in. She had her black wool toggle coat over one arm and looked absolutely striking in a purple velour suit jacket with a contrasting lavender v-neck cashmere sweater, and lavender wool A-line skirt. She also had a purple shoulder bag and matching knee-high boots. Callie wore her hair down and parted to one side. Her outfit was a perfect fit as always, showing off her perfect hour-glass figure. Then there was her bright white smile that completed everything. Sometimes when Allen looked at her he thought, “Truly this is a Black Venus”, and he had to remind himself that they were “just friends”. At first, she didn’t see where he was, so he waved his hand to get her attention.

  “Callie, over here!” he called, trying not to shout.

  “Hey, you! How you doin’?” Callie greeted him warmly with a hug. She then kissed him on the cheek and settled herself down right next to him in the booth.

  “Not as good as you, I see. Lookin’ like somethin’ off the cover of Essence.”

  “Thank you,” Callie blushed, hoping Allen wouldn’t notice. “I still can’t believe we’re doin’ this. When I got the text from Tim, I had to read it twice because I just couldn’t believe it. Was this his idea?”

  “No, it was mine this time.”

  “So, is there some special reason for this?” asked Callie, coyly. She was wondering if maybe Allen had gotten lucky and finally found a good job. She didn’t want to ask outright because if he didn’t, she didn’t want to bring up something that would be troubling to him. He seemed in such good spirits and she didn’t want to ruin his mood. It had been a long time since she’d seen him so happy.

  “Not really. I just thought since we hadn’t seen each other in so long, it would be great to get together, catch up, and have some fun. Just like in the old days.” Allen sensed what Callie was getting at, but veered away from the topic. Callie immediately understood and went no further. Then before anything else could be said, Allen heard…

  “Hey, man! What’s Up?”

  It was Jim. He had spotted Allen and Callie while they were chatting and decided to walk up and surprise them. “He must have gotten off early”, Allen surmised to himself. Jim was wearing a brown field coat, with leather detailing. He took it off to reveal a black mock neck, and dark blue rinsed jeans. Allen got up and pulled him in for the “man-hug”. Then Jim hugged Callie who had also stood up. Then they all sat down again. And Jim sat on the other side of Callie.

  “I hadn’t heard from you in so long, I thought I had missed the funeral” Jim quipped. They all had to chuckle at Jim’s joke.

  “You did. I just came back from the dead”, Allen joked back.

  “Welcome back to the land of the living, man.”

  As Allen and Jim were talking, Callie noticed Tim walking in.

  “Hey, there’s Tim. Tim, over here!” Callie called as she waved her slender arms. Tim had changed out of the business suit he wore at the office and was looking way more casual than usual. He had on a black wool crepe sport jacket and a fitted black shirt that wasn’t tucked in, close fitting low-rise dark blue jeans, and black and white Chuck Taylor sneakers. He wasn’t even wearing his glasses, and his hair looked like it had been washed, but it wasn’t gelled, so in place of his usual golden waves, his hair was curly and noticeably uncombed. Tim was a little paler and thinner than usual, not to mention he looked a little worn out.

  “Whoa”, said Jim as Tim approached.

  “That’s a new look.” chuckled Callie.

  “What in the world happened to you?” asked Allen, unable to cover the shock from his friend’s haggard appearance.

  “Don’t tell me that new guy whupped your behind already?” joked Jim.

  “Nice to see you all, too”, said Tim derisively as he slumped down next to Jim and took off his sport coat and rolled up the sleeves of his shirt.

  “Looks like he beat about 10 pounds off him”, Jim continued.

  “No, really man. What’s going on with you? You don’t look so good”, said Allen with some concern.

  “You wouldn’t look good either if you’d gotten a total of about 3 hours of sleep in the past two months. I’ve literally been doing the work of 4 people since the downsizing.”

  “Wasn’t your V.P. supposed to have been helping you?” asked Callie.

  “My new V.P. is a jackass. The less said the better. Is this everyone? I thought Miko said she was coming”, Tim said looking around.

  “Oh, look, there she is!” Allen said, spotting her before the rest of the party. Tamiko was wearing a heather grey overcoat and matching beret. She took off her coat as she approached, revealing a close fitting heather gray turtleneck, and long flared black wool skirt that stopped just below her knees and matching black knee high boots. Tim moved over so she could squeeze in next to him.

  “Hey, everyone”, said Tamiko, her voice lacking it’s usual enthusiasm. “Sorry if I’m late. I made the mistake of taking the bus. Seems like that’s all I do is make mistakes lately.”

  “Uh-oh, not another one”, said Jim.

  “What?” asked Miko petulantly.

  “Did you have a bad day at the office, too?” asked Allen.

  “‘Bad’ would be an understatement….” Tamiko paused as she suddenly she noticed Tim’s new look. She had to do a double take to make sure it was indeed him.

  “Tim?”

  “Yes?”

  “Are you okay?”

  “I am now. But I want to hear more about what’s got you so down”, he said taking her hand to her surprise. Jim noticed too, and hunched Callie who rolled her eyes.

  “Uh…,” she said, carefully withdrawing her hand. “Today I had my first assessment meeting with the principal and the rest of the school leadership team, and they basically told me that I’m a screw up.”

  “What?! But you got straight A’s as a student teacher!” said Allen.

  “But in the real world, it looks like I get an F.”

  “Aw, don’t worry, Miko”, said Tim this time putting his arm around her. “They probably say that to all the first year teachers during the first meeting.”

  “No! You don’t understand!” she said pushing his arm away “They had this spreadsheet, and based on the ‘data’, I was the worst of all of the new teachers! To top it off, the person who is supposed to help me improve is a racist who hates African-Americans.”

  Tamiko covered her face with her hands and began sobbing. Everyone at the table was silent.

  “Are you sure?” asked Allen.

  “That’s the word going around the school”, cried Tamiko.

  “Look, Miko, I’m really sorry.”

  “Hmm. So I guess I’m not crazy”, said Jim.

  “Jim, not tonight”, warned Allen.

  “Miko,” Tim said softly rubbing her back, then embracing her “How about we all agree to forget about work and just have some fun tonight? I mean, that’s why we all came here. Right?”

  Tamiko nodded her head against Tim’s chest. He grabbed some napkins from the dispenser on the table and gave them to Tamiko to wipe her eyes. She then straightened herself up next to Tim, but he kept a supportive arm around her. Callie rolled her eyes and sighed heavily. All
en put his hand on Callie’s and cut her a look that said, “Now don’t start”. Jim smirked and shook his head at Tim, who kept his attention focused on Tamiko.

  “I’m so sorry about this. I’m ruining dinner for everyone”, Tamiko gasped between sobs.

  “It’s okay Miko. I…we totally understand. The workplace is really brutal out there now. Everyone’s going through something nowadays”, said Tim.

  “Yeah, don’t worry about it”, Allen reassured her. “Everyone needs space to vent.”

  “Now that everyone is here, let’s order. I know a hot meal might make every one feel better”, said Tim.

  “Hold on,” Allen interjected, “Richard hasn’t gotten here yet.”

  “And he may not get here until Christmas, but I would like to eat before then”, Tim sniped.

  “He’s got a point, Al. You know Richard is always late”, seconded Jim.

  Allen assented to his friends’ suggestion and he signaled to the waitress that they wanted to order. Allen, and Jim ordered the barbeque spareribs, Callie ordered the hoppin’ johns with oxtail and collard greens, Tamiko and Tim ordered baked chicken with wild rice and salad. They all chipped in for a pitcher of Cola to wash everything down, and Jim insisted on getting himself a bottle of Corona. Of the whole crowd, Jim and Tim were the only ones who really drank alcohol of any kind. At times, Jim would drink beer, and Tim would drink some fancy wine or champagne, depending on the occasion. The rest of them rarely ever drank because they simply never got into it. The mood was still flat, but soon Tim brought up a lighter topic while they were waiting for their food.

  “Oh, Allen, I got the tickets for the movie. We’re in the 9:05 show”, Tim said fishing in his pockets for the tickets. Then he gave them out. He handed Richard’s to Allen.

  “What movie?” asked Callie.

  “You know, the one with Denzel and Kerry Washington”, answered Allen.

  “I’ve been dying to see that movie!” said Tamiko, her spirits beginning to rise.

  “Anything with Kerry Washington in it is good for me. She is fione!” enthused Jim.

  “I hope Richard gets here before we head off to the movie at least. I wanted to hear what he’d been up to all this time”, said Allen.

  “He’s probably been in jail, or hiding from the cops”, said Tim matter of factly.

  “I don’t think so. Rich is too smooth for that. He knows how to take care of himself”, replied Jim.

  “So did Capone, but they got him too”, Tim insisted.

  “C’mon, Tim. That’s not fair. Richard is nothing like Capone or even these brothers on the corner, and you know it. He’s just a brother trying to make a livin’ the best way he knows how”, Callie said in Richard’s defense.

  “Yeah, and he is makin’ it, you gotta give him props for that. And as far as I’m concerned, as long as no one is getting hurt or killed, I don’t have a problem”, added Jim.

  “But people are getting hurt. What do you think happens to artists when their works are pirated, and designers who get their profits cut into by people selling counterfeits? The regular people like us suffer, too, especially when the prices for these things go up”, reasoned Tim.

  “So? Those corporate fat cats are always thinking of ways to steal money from the little man. So what if the little man finds a way to get a cut for himself?” Jim shot back.

  “I don’t know, Jim. I’d have to agree with Tim on this. Two wrongs don’t make a right. And I don’t know about anyone else, but I would also have to think about what God has to say about what I’m doing. Piracy is stealing and stealing is wrong, not matter what kind of spin you put on it”, said Tamiko, supporting Tim.

  “I couldn’t have said it better myself. Thank you, Miko”, Tim smiled at Tamiko and she smiled back nervously.

  “And there you have it. The gospel according to Ned and Maude Flanders”, Jim joked.

  “Ha-Ha. Very funny”, said Tim.

  “I’m not convinced the brother is doing anything illegal”, Allen insisted. “Richard sells stuff, but I’ve never seen any evidence that any of the stuff he’s selling is stolen or counterfeit. I bought a DVD of that movie The Great Debaters from him and there was nothing bootleg about it. I mean I got all the special features and everything.”

  “Allen, don’t be so naïve. You’re his best friend and you know where he lives. Of course he’s not going to try to put one over on you!” Tim argued.

  “You know what? How about we ask Richard himself when he gets here, rather than making baseless speculations behind his back? And Tim, I’m warning you. If and when Richard does show up, you better behave. Everyone wants to have a good time tonight, and no one wants to listen to you and Richard fighting”, warned Callie, her eyes narrowing and finger wagging in Tim’s direction.

  “Yes, mother. But what if he starts it?” mocked Tim.

  “Then you end it, or I will”, Callie admonished.

  “How so? Will you give me a spanking when I get home?” suggested Tim with a sly smile.

  Allen and Jim, who both found Tim’s insinuation amusing couldn’t help chuckling to themselves. Meanwhile the looks on Callie and Tamiko’s faces showed they were not.

  “You might want to keep your inappropriate innuendos to yourself. Remember, you are in the company of ladies”, said Tamiko sharply.

  “Sorry.”

  Tim, stung by Tamiko’s reproof, refrained from further comment. After a moment, the doors of Emily Ann’s burst open and Richard appeared with a young, slender, almond colored young woman on his arm. Richard was dressed in a Roca Wear denim suit and sporting brand new Jordans. His date wore a car coat over a camel-colored skirt suit with matching high heels.

  “Whassup, Dogs!”

  “Hey man, we almost thought you weren’t going to make it. And who might this beautiful young lady be?” asked Allen.

  “Allen, Everybody, this is my boo Leandra Wilson. Leandra these are my peeps Allen, Callie, Jim, Miko, and I want to say that’s Tim, but right now, I don’t know. It looks more like Buckwheat fell into some bleach and got a texturizer.”

  Jim and Allen laughed. Callie and Tim exchanged angry looks, right before everyone greeted Leandra.

  “Hey, nice to meet you all”, said Leandra.

  “Y’all don’t mind her kickin’ it wit’ us, right?”

  “Of course we don’t mind, but I don’t know if we’re going to have enough space. We’re going to need some more chairs.”

  Allen got up and signaled to the waitress to bring an extra chair to the booth so Leandra could sit down. While the waitress was there, she also took Jim and Leandra’s order. Two fried chicken platters with biscuits and gravy.

  “So where have you been man? You have definitely been MIA; you don’t return calls or texts or nothing. What’s up with that?” asked Jim.

  “Yo, man, I been handlin’ some deep stuff. I been on the trail wit the democrats and all dem tryin to get a black man in the White House, youknowwhatimsayin. That’s how I met Leandra here.”

  “You mean you’ve been campaigning for Barak Obama!” said Tamiko excitedly.

  “Word, yo!”

  “Man, that’s awesome!” Allen exclaimed, “How did you get involved in that?”

  “O.K, now, what had happened was, I was walkin’ down 125th street and 5th right, and Leandra was out there recruitin’ brothers and sisters to get into the game. You know she was really breakin’ it down about how the brothers and sisters need to come together and support each other, you know. And I was like you know what? It’s time for a brother to start puttin’ all that solidarity talk into action. Next thing you know, I’m sendin’ out e-mails, makin’ phone calls, interviewing people, scheduling rallies, travelin’ all that.”

  “So you even went out of state?!” asked Tamiko.

  “Yeah, I was in Virginia, The Carolinas, Florida, all up and down the southeast, burinin’ up the road.”

  “I wish I had time to go on the road like that.” Tim thought bitterly
to himself, but he remembered what Callie said and merely asked, “So, Leandra, how did you get involved with the campaign?”

  “I work in the democratic party office here in New York. So this is my job year round. If it’s not Obama, then there’s someone else we’re campaigning for.”

  “I see. Have either of you had a chance to meet Obama in person?” Tim questioned further.

  “I got to shake hands with him in Virginia, but Leandra here got to sit down and parlay with the brother?”

  “Wow! This is so exciting!” gushed Tamiko, “I can’t believe I’m sitting here with people who have actually met Barak Obama. C’mon now, dish! What is the man like?”

  “Or more importantly what is his policy like? What is he going to do for us?” asked Jim.

  Before either Jim or Leandra could answer, two waitresses appeared with their meals. Everyone was served except for Richard and Leandra who had just had their orders taken. While everyone ate, Leandra began to answer their questions.

  “To be honest, Obama has never addressed me personally. I’ve just heard him speak in person. Maybe just shaken hands with him once or twice. He seems really nice and genuine in his concern about the problems our country is facing right now. From what I’ve heard, I think he has what it takes to put this country back on its feet. But I’m curious to know what you all think.”

  “You don’t need to use the sales pitch on me. He’s got my vote already”, said Allen.

  “Word, boo. I don’t think there’s anybody here who ain’t down with Obama. Except maybe Annie over there” Richard said gesturing toward Tim. Tim clenched his jaw and glared at Richard, who noticed the angry expression. “C’mon man, you know I had to rif on those girlie curls at some point.”

  “Riiicharddd…chill” sang Callie with warning in her voice.

  “Look, Leandra, I’ll agree that Obama is a better choice than McCain right now, but that doesn’t mean that I necessarily agree with his whole agenda. Personally, I thought Hillary Clinton would have made a better candidate”, stated Tim.

  “You can’t mean the same Clinton who thinks that LBJ did more for Black people than Martin Luther King, Jr.!” exclaimed Jim in disbelief.1

  “Everyone keeps bringing up that remark and taking it way out of context”, Tim continued.

  “I think they pretty much got it right on point. Especially with the way she thought she had the primary in her pocket because she was white”, Leandra commented.

  “I still disagree. I think a lot of people are just going with Obama solely because he’s black. I think that’s a dangerous slope to go down. Just think about how a lot of people came out to support Clarence Thomas after he accused the senate of “lynching” him. What’s important are the issues, not the skin color”, explained Tim.

  “You can’t compare Obama with Clarence Thomas. Clarence Thomas had a clear conservative history, and Obama doesn’t”, argued Leandra.

  “That’s right, preach boo!”

  “You’re right! Obama doesn’t have a history, period. He hasn’t been in politics long enough. We don’t really know how he’s going to handle our issues, or if he’ll handle them at all! That’s why I think it’s ridiculous that there are all these African-Americans acting as if he’s the Moses of the Millennium”, countered Tim.

  “Yeah, Tim, I have to say, I feel you on that. There have been too many so called African-American leaders who use us to get to positions of power and then they give us nothin’ in return. I’m willing to give the brother a chance with my vote, but I’m not going to get my hopes up”, added Jim.

  “But maybe if we got a brother in the White House, he’ll do some lookin’ out for brothers like Allen over here. Which reminds me, Allen, you still ain’t got no gig yet?” Richard asked.

  Leave it to Richard to ask the question no one else would dare to. Everyone looked down and stirred in their plates with their forks and avoided eye contact. Leandra looked at all of them in bewilderment. There was a brief pause before Allen finally spoke.

  “I went to a job fair earlier today, and put out some resumes. Maybe I’ll get a call, but at this point I’ve learned I shouldn’t hold my breath”, Allen admitted.

  “See, now that don’t make no sense!” Richard fumed. “You got brothers like Allen who got the education, degrees, all that, and they go and give the jobs to white guys who don’t even have half that! This is why we need a brother in the White House!”

  “Even if there is a brother in the White House, there’s still going to be racism. There’s still going to be prejudice and discrimination”, Tamiko insisted.

  “But maybe he can influnce some bills, get some reforms in our favor”, reasoned Leandra.

  “I understand what you’re saying Leandra, but man has been making laws for a long time. First we had the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments, then the Civil Rights Act of 1866, then the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965, then Affirmative Action legislation on top of that. How many laws have been passed and yet the racists find a way around them? I believe that all the problems that have been plaguing our country are not problems with laws, but problems with the human heart. You can change laws until the end of the world, but you can’t change people’s hearts. Only God can do that.”

  “What do you mean?” asked Leandra.

  “I mean that we can’t look to Obama, and we can’t look to laws alone for our help as a people. We have to look to God.”

  “Not again”, whispered Callie under her breath. Allen slumped back in his seat and covered his face with his hands. The last thing he wanted to hear was yet another sermon.

  “Tamiko, let’s not….”

  “Here’s a fact for you who don’t believe. Our first political association was the church. During slavery it was the only institution that we were allowed to participate in. The civil rights movement started in our churches. It was rooted in our belief that God made us, and that we deserved equal rights based on the rights He gave us. We were at our strongest then. Once Martin Luther King, Jr., a man of God, died, and the movement was taken out of the church, everything collapsed and we’ve made no real progress since. I don’t think that was just a coincidence.”

  “So, what are you saying? That we should all just stop being politically active and just pray our problems away?” asked Leandra.

  “I’m not saying that we shouldn’t be politically active. Of course we need to vote, and support our institutions, and politicians. But I also think that we need to be spiritually active, too.”

  “I guess that means we should go out and vote, and then pray that our candidate wins”, laughed Tim.

  “I know you all think I’m crazy and you don’t want to hear this, but I’m gonna say it anyway. I think that we need to let the Word lead us in our politics, rather than the other way around. Look at our communities. They are suffering because of problems with drugs, crime, and poverty. And think about the staggering numbers of African-Americans that go to church, mega churches even. Most of us go to church to hear the Word on Sunday, but never put that Word into action for the rest of the week. I believe that if more people did what Christ said to do, we wouldn’t have a lot of the problems we have now.”

  “That could be said about all of America Miko, not just black America”, remarked Tim.

  “And what about those people who are not Christians?” asked Callie.

  “True. For you to try to make Christian ethics the standard in this country would assume that you and all the people who believe like you are right, and everyone else is wrong”, said Leandra.

  “So?” said Tamiko defiantly.

  “So, you’ve never heard of a thing called ‘ethical relativism’?” asked Tim.

  “I know what you’re talking about, Tim. I’ve studied it in philosophy classes at Spelman, but I don’t buy all that. I do believe there is such a thing as absolute ‘right’ and ‘wrong’. If there isn’t then what keeps people from eventually saying something like murder is okay,
just so long as everyone agrees it is? What would keep people from executing a holocaust against African-Americans, or any other people, if there were some tacit agreement among the majority? Just think about what happened in Nazi Germany during World War II. There has to be some authority higher than man that we subscribe to or we’re all in trouble.”

  “Correct me if I’m wrong, but you’re saying that the only person who can help us is God, right?” Jim asked with an agenda.

  “Yes”, she answered confidently.

  “If God wants to help us, why doesn’t he? You’re right. There are a lot of problems in our community and in the world in general. So how come He doesn’t come down and do something about these things? There’s lot’s of prayin’ people out there, believing their hearts out, dedicating their lives to Him, and most of them are suffering maybe even more so than the people who don’t give a crap. Now how do you explain that?”

  “I….I guess I can’t” said Tamiko. It made her think about her own situation at work. She didn’t really understand why things were going so badly for her either, despite the fact that she recently devoted her whole life to God, and despite the fact that God had told her teaching was her calling.

  “Bingo!” said Jim.

  “But that doesn’t mean….”

  “Oh, just can it, Tamiko, will ya! If you were right about anything it’s that nobody wants to hear it. Honestly if you’re going to keep doing this every time we get together, maybe next time we’ll leave you out” said Allen almost glaring at her.

  Tamiko’s eyes caught his and her face noticeably reddened and became crestfallen. Callie let out a loud unexpected cackle, and Jim snickered.

  “Oh snap, that was cold!” jeered Richard.

  “Not to mention rude”, scowled Tim. “Really, Allen. Was that necessary?”

  Allen, realizing the effect of his words as he looked at Tamiko’s saddened visage, felt remorseful.

  “Tamiko, I’m sorry…”

  “No, I’m sorry. Sorry I came”, said Tamiko, her voice quivering as she hastily grabbed her coat. She took out her wallet and threw a twenty and a ten into the center of the table to pay for her meal.

  “Tamiko, c’mon…it’s just that with everything that’s been going down…”

  “Save it, Allen!” she said cutting him off and putting on her coat. Then Allen noticed Tim was getting ready to leave as well.

  “And where are you going?”

  “Someone’s got to make sure she get’s home.”

  “But this was supposed to be our crew’s night out?”

  “Tim, it’s okay. You stay if you want. I’ll be alright. It’s not that late.”

  “It’s no problem. Besides, I wouldn’t feel right with you being out there all alone.”

  “Fine. Goodnight, everyone.”

  Tamiko was about to walk off, but turned around suddenly.

  “Oh, it was nice meeting you, Leandra.”

  “I guess I’ll see you guys later. Leandra, take care of yourself”, said Tim before he stalked off behind Tamiko. Finally, the waitress returned with two more plates for Richard and Leandra.

  “Is everyone leaving?” asked the waitress.

  “No, just the cry baby drama queen and the jerk, thankfully. Maybe now we can have some peace”, said Callie.

  “Man, every time we get together lately its just drama.”

  “Sorry, Rich. It was my fault. I shouldn’t have said what I said”, said Allen with regret.

  “Oh, you’re such a ‘Mr. Nice Guy’. C’mon, Allen, she was asking for it”, said Callie.

  “No, I was angry about my situation and I was taking it out on her. Tim was right. It was uncalled for.”

  “You did apologize. Don’t beat yourself up about it.”

  “Yeah, man. Don’t sweat it. She’ll get over it. She always does. And don’t worry about Tim. He’s just trying to ‘get the draws’. If you know what I mean”, smirked Jim as he hunched Allen.

  “What?!” asked Allen in surprise and shock.

  “What you mean ‘what?!’? Don’t tell me you didn’t notice the way that brother was straight beastin’ over her since she sat down?” Jim turned to Callie, taking her hand in an effort to mimick Tim. “I wouldn’t feel right with you out there all alone.” Callie giggled at Jim’s impression. “I’m telling you man, the brother is sprung.”

  “Nah, man, I don’t know. Guys like him don’t never get with no sisters. They go after the white chicks. Ain’t that right, Allen?”

  “Tim’s actually an equal-opportunity player, but the majority of the women he dates tend to be sisters”, said Allen thoughtfully almost to himself.

  “I think they’d make the perfect couple, sort of like cheap booze and a hangover”, said Callie.

  “Tim’s all wrong for her”, said Allen seriously.

  “Why would you say that?” asked Callie trying not to show concern.

  “Trust me. He’s way too complicated for Tamiko.”

  “I know she doesn’t always act like it, but Tamiko is a big girl. And I think you give Tim way too much credit. He’s about as complicated as first grade math”, said Callie dismissively.

  “You can say that again. Ain’t no way she gon’ want some corny brother like Tim”, said Richard. “And from the looks of him tonight, I think he might be on that stuff. Ain’t no way Tamiko tryin’ to get with no brothers on that stuff.”

  “He is not on any ‘stuff’, man. Stop playin’”, smiled Allen.

  “C’mon, you know them corporate types like the blow, and he gettin’ all skinny like that, what else could it be?”

  “Trust me. I’ve seen him like this before, and it has nothing to do with drugs. He just lets himself get way overstressed sometimes.”

  “Anyway, man, you know Miko. There’s no way he’s going to get them draws without a ring. He’d have better luck trying to get into Fort Knox”, Jim put in.

  “Hey it’s getting late. We better hurry or we’ll miss our show. Are you guys ready?”

  “Yeah, I’m done. What about you Lee?”

  “Oh, sure.”

  “Wait a minute”, said Callie “What about Leandra? She doesn’t have a ticket.”

  “That’s okay, we’ll just grab one for her at the theatre. The line shouldn’t be that long anyway at this time of night.”

  Allen went to settle the tab, while the others got their things together to get ready to go to the theatre. He was so disappointed with how the night was turning out. It seemed no matter how hard he tried the same issues kept confronting him. His unemployment, his relationship with God, and now he had to worry about Tamiko and Tim. There was no way he was going to be able to enjoy the movie now. While he didn’t think he had any romantic feelings for Tamiko, he certainly harbored the over-protectiveness that would inevitably develop in their sibling-like relationship. Tim was a good friend, but there was no way he was going to allow Tamiko to become one of his “women”. He seriously hoped Jim was wrong. He would have to talk to Tim tomorrow and get things straight.

  Twenty-One