Commencement

by Lawrence Cherry

“You look gorgeous”, smiled Tim as Tamiko came down the front steps of the brownstone. Her black cashmere over coat was open revealing a burgundy wrap sweater dress, accented by an onxy and garnet necklace.

  “Thank you. But are you sure that you’re not just saying that because you bought it.”

  The dress had been a Christmas gift from Tim. When Tamiko initially saw it, she felt it was too extravagant, but Tim refused to take it back. Since it was a Christmas gift and she didn’t want to hurt his feelings, she kept it.

  “Not necessarily”, said Tim opening the door of the cab for her.

  They both got in and Tim gave the driver the directions for Lydia’s.

  “Thanks for coming with me tonight.”

  “Don’t worry about it, Tim. I don’t mind. But at the same time I don’t see why it’s necessary. I mean what could possibly happen?”

  “Spoken like a person who has never been around any of my family for more than 10 minutes at a time. You just wait.”

  It wasn’t long before the cab pulled up in front of Lydia’s. Tim and Tamiko went in and the concierge had the waiter direct them to their table.

  “Wow, this is really swanky.”

  “I told you. My mom always has to have ‘the best’.”

  “What did you tell her about why we were having dinner?”

  “I basically told her that I had some news that would greatly affect

  her.”

  “And your sister?”

  “I didn’t have to call my sister. Once I tell my mother, she’ll force

  my sister to come. Oh look, here’s my mother now.”

  Eleanor glided in wearing a black, form fitting, sleeveless, wool crepe v-neck, dress with ruffles down the front and along the hem, flashing her radiant smile.

  “Tim, my dear, how are you?” asked his mother. Tim stood up to

  receive her and gave her the customary peck on the cheek.

  “Well, that’s what we’re here to talk about mother.”

  “Of course. And who might this be?”

  “Mother, you remember my friend Tamiko?”

  “Not really, dear.”

  “We met at Tim’s grad-school graduation dinner last spring. I’d

  understand if you don’t remember. It was a while ago.” “Yes, you must forgive me, I don’t. And Tim has so many friends of

  the female persuasion, it’s hard for one to keep track.”

  “Please, sit down mother.”

  “Thank you. Tim, you can’t possibly keep me in suspense while we wait for your sister. You must give me a hint. Does this news that you have involve this young woman?” inquired Eleanor with a bit of trepidation.

  “No. Tamiko is just here to lend her support as a friend.”

  “That’s encouraging at least. I was worried for a moment”, chuckled Eleanor, however, her snide insinuation did not escape Tamiko. Then Allyson arrived, breaking the tension that was beginning to form at the table.

  “Hello mother, how are you?” she beamed as she pecked her mother on the cheek.

  “Wonderful. Belize was much more than I could have imagined! And yourself dear?”

  “I’m more than fine. You are looking at the newest member of Alpha Kappa Alpha!”

  “So you finally pledged! How wonderful, dear! I’m so pleased.”

  “Hello, Allyson”, said Tim interrupting them before they began to engage in a full-blown sidebar conversation.

  “Hello, Tim”, Allyson offered curtly.

  She sat down before Tim could receive her, but he leaned across the table to give her a peck on the cheek, which she wiped away with one of the napkins on the table. She virtually ignored Tamiko who had also been waiting to greet her.

  “Allyson, you remember Tamiko, don’t you?”

  “Not that I recall, no.”

  “Hi, Allyson. We met at your brother’s graduation dinner”, offered

  Tamiko. “I’m sure”, Allyson snarled, sending Tamiko a sarcastic little half-

  smile before opening her menu.

  “Let’s get our order out of the way so we can talk”, suggested Tim.

  “Wonderful.” said Eleanor.

  Eleanor signaled for the waiter who came at once.

  “And what will be your pleasure this evening?”

  At his request, everyone placed an order, except Tamiko who was

  still trying to figure out the menu.

  “Is something wrong?” asked Eleanor.

  “I’m fine. It’s just that I’m trying to find something that suits my

  taste.”

  “This establishment doesn’t serve collard greens or chitterlings if that’s what you’re looking for”, sniped Allyson.

  “And you’ve decided to be rude to my friend because...”

  “Is that what you call them, now? Friends?”

  “You owe her an apology!” demanded Tim.

  “She’ll have to put it on my tab.”

  “Allyson, you have no right to…”

  “Children, please! We are in a public place”, said Eleanor through gritted teeth, while gesturing toward the waiter.

  “It’s okay, Tim. I’ll just have the lasagna and fresh spinach salad.”

  The waiter collected the menus and left.

  “Now that we’re all here, Tim, what is this all about?”

  “I’ve been having a lot of issues with headaches and nausea lately, more so than in the past.”

  “You’ve always had a nervous stomach dear. Ever since you were a boy.”

  “I told you, it’s been different lately. I went to the doctor and they conducted some tests. It seems they found that… I have a brain tumor.”

  Allyson looked away. Eleanor opened her mouth as if to say something several times, before she was able to say anything.

  “A tumor? Are you sure?”

  “Yes. I had an MRI and a CT scan. They also did a biopsy.”

  “Well, there are lots of kinds of tumors. As long as it’s not malignant there shouldn’t be anything to worry about”, said Allyson dismissively.

  “Yes, you are right Allyson. That’s true. They can operate on it and then you’ll be fine in no time.”

  “It’s a grade III tumor. They call it an anaplastic astrocytoma. Even with surgery and therapy, not many people make it past the two year mark.”

  “No. This can’t be. Not my son”, Eleanor said softly as if she were talking to someone that the others couldn’t see. Then her visage hardened in determination.

  “Who is your neurologist?” demanded Eleanor.

  “Dr. Rabinow, the same one that helped Poppa.”

  “That quack! No!”

  “And have you had a second opinion?” asked Allyson.

  “Not yet, but I’m…”

  “How could you put us through this grief without having had a second opinion?” huffed Allyson.

  “Yes, Tim, you must have a second opinion! I’ve never trusted Presbyterian, especially after what they did to Poppa.”

  “I don’t mean to pry, but who’s Poppa?” asked Tamiko.

  “That’s my grandfather. He died of cancer about 10 years ago”, answered Tim.

  “My friend Dr. Jacobs has some connections at Johns Hopkins, and he’s been telling me they are the best at everything. In fact, they put Presbyterian to shame. I want you to go there for your second opinion. You must go there even if I must take you myself!”

  “Mother, that’s all the way in Baltimore!”

  “Honestly, Tim. It’s Baltimore, not China. It’s less than an hour away by plane. You could stay at the Rhine Gardens for a week or two while you confer with the doctors”, said Allyson sounding as if she was annoyed by the whole conversation.

  “But I have work to do. I just missed nearly a whole week of work recently, on top of my vacation.”

  “Tim, this is your life we’re talking about! You need to take a leave of absence until
this matter is resolved. I’m sure the chiefs at Herns and Marshall will understand.”

  “I have to agree with your mother, Tim. Your health is what’s most important. You need to let your boss know just how serious this is and you need to take some time to deal with it.”

  “I know”, sighed Tim, assenting to Tamiko’s plea. “I’ll talk to them Monday and...”

  “And I’m going to call Dr. Jacobs first thing and see if he can have you seen by one of the neurologists as soon as possible. When that’s done, we’ll have to see what’s available at the Rhine Gardens. I just hope they have rooms on their upper floors available. The view is so much nicer there. Then I’ll have to check my calendar…”

  “Mother, I’m a big boy. I can do this by myself.”

  “Absolutely not. I will not sit idly by as my son becomes some doctor’s lab experiment. Things must and will be done properly. Besides, I don’t believe for one moment that the situation is so exigent that surgery will even be necessary. The doctors at Presbyterian have obviously made a mistake.”

  “And what if they haven’t made a mistake? What if we the doctors at Johns Hopkins find the same thing these doctors found?”

  “Let’s not think about that right now dear.”

  “No, we need to think about this right now!”

  “No! I am not going to lose my son!”

  “Tim, stop this! You’re upsetting her!” barked Allyson.

  “And how do you think I feel? I’m the one that may not have much time left!”

  “Don’t you think you’re overreacting?”

  “Overreacting? I didn’t think even you could be that heartless.”

  “I think we all just need a moment to calm down” interjected Tamiko.

  “And I think you should mind your own business. This is a family matter”, Allyson snapped.

  “You have no right to talk to her like that! She has every right to be here; Tamiko is like family to me.”

  “How so? Is she pregnant?”

  “Allyson! Timothy! Stop this bickering, both of you! This conversation is ending. As far as I am concerned, there is nothing more to say until we hear from the doctors at Johns Hopkins!”

  There was complete silence at the table. Tamiko looked at all the faces around her in astonishment. She was surprised by the amount of control Eleanor had over her “grown” children. Tim sat back resignedly in his chair. While Allyson, who was now colored crimson, stared down at her plate and played with her napkin again.

  “Now let’s talk about something a bit lighter”, said Eleanor struggling to regain her composure. “Allyson, when are they having your induction ceremony?”

  “Next week. There are going to be a lot of celebrities there, and they say the President’s wife may even attend.”

  “Now that would be splendid wouldn’t it?”

  “You are coming, aren’t you?”

  “I’ll have to see, what with recent developments and all. Where is our food? I feel we’ve been waiting an eternity.”

  “Tim are you okay?” asked Tamiko noticing that Tim seemed to be kind of staring into space for a while.

  “Tim, dear. What’s wrong?”

  Tim didn’t answer either of them. Then his head and neck started jerking and he fell out of his chair and began to convulse on the floor.

  “Oh my gosh, Tim!”

  “Somebody, call 911!”

  Sixty-Nine