tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40969632454245178132024-03-18T22:48:47.656-07:00Continental Drift: The Reflections of Afrika Afeni MillsJoyspirithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17809544650688692827noreply@blogger.comBlogger107125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4096963245424517813.post-60658554717895446422019-11-09T04:29:00.000-08:002019-11-09T04:31:25.030-08:00Another Way Home<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkKgsgpRBCcs2U2NzT_mUz7D6obp4AxC0I7A8vHSLe0QRfFwLGojmgJWyCd0cExOSF9Fu1JWc-Pmv7mLeFggqK19AO72bVFjhyvbnJW-jhVFVldzPWabtYS0irQqupoDvL3VVcU7qy_deF/s1600/Autumn+Road.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1116" data-original-width="745" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkKgsgpRBCcs2U2NzT_mUz7D6obp4AxC0I7A8vHSLe0QRfFwLGojmgJWyCd0cExOSF9Fu1JWc-Pmv7mLeFggqK19AO72bVFjhyvbnJW-jhVFVldzPWabtYS0irQqupoDvL3VVcU7qy_deF/s320/Autumn+Road.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
Sometimes I take another way home<br />
Down twisting, winding roads<br />
Past homes with fences<br />
Long driveways<br />
And landscapers cleaning up the leaves <br />
Sometimes I catch the smell from fireplaces<br />
As I drive by<br />
And I imagine that the bathtubs inside<br />
Are surrounded by heated tiles<br />
And could fit these long legs<br />
In a way my own tub<br />
never could.<br />
Our floors and doors need to be replaced<br />
And our deck has definitely seen better days<br />
The roots of our trees have<br />
cracked our driveway<br />
<br />
<br />
And our branches don't hold up too well<br />
In the wind <br />
I grew up where there were more bricks<br />
Than trees<br />
Flowers were more plentiful at the<br />
Botanical Gardens<br />
Than in the neighborhood<br />
So don't get me wrong.<br />
I am grateful for what we have.<br />
Sometimes, though,<br />
I take another way home<br />
And I wonder <br />
What it would be like<br />
To truly<br />
Live<br />
<i>The American</i><br />
<i>Dream</i> <br />
<br />Joyspirithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17809544650688692827noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4096963245424517813.post-13233451546326129842019-06-01T08:29:00.001-07:002019-06-01T08:29:19.925-07:00What I've Learned from Game of Thrones<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmLX2eCn8bHQw-pAC8pKJQUP4lh8aP_SYEyVAQwk2THEVdP6722sxTHOpxXOmg2FBGSxI7q5LBQzZp20eQv1uYNx96_tOlz5EhEbkdHHTHpjn0cnjZUjMCvCvBgJ6ZuuXbzc_TrMutt851/s1600/GOT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1080" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmLX2eCn8bHQw-pAC8pKJQUP4lh8aP_SYEyVAQwk2THEVdP6722sxTHOpxXOmg2FBGSxI7q5LBQzZp20eQv1uYNx96_tOlz5EhEbkdHHTHpjn0cnjZUjMCvCvBgJ6ZuuXbzc_TrMutt851/s200/GOT.jpg" width="135" /></a></div>
SPOILER ALERT!!! You've been warned.<br />
<br />
***<br />
I don't like gore. I also don't like seeing explicit sex scenes, sexual violence, or excessive crude language. I'm a tender person, and harsh things stick with me for far too long, so I'm VERY careful with what I allow my eyes to see and my ears to hear. That's why I hadn't been watching Game of Thrones. I was intrigued, though, because I have enjoyed reading The Lord of the Rings Trilogy and the Harry Potter series seeing those movies. Actually, to say I enjoyed them is an understatement, and I couldn't help but wonder, <i>What will happen when winter comes? </i><br />
<br />
I was visiting my family in New York City a few weeks ago when the final episode aired, and they seemed to have been pretty deeply impacted by the previous episode - something about how Daeneyrs reacted to a surprising beheading and what happened after she said <i>Dracarys</i> (had to look that up) to Drogon. I watched the final episode with them, fully prepared to have my hands in front of my eyes pretty much the whole time. That last episode wasn't too bad, though, so I was further intrigued by what came before all of that. Arya seemed pretty dope. I had seen folks posting about her on Twitter previously. Something about, "Not today," and since she was in the final episode, I figured she must have made some kind of impressive boss move and survived. I wondered how Bran ended up in that wheelchair, and where the dragons came from. <br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRBgsPTf5XnqpIi77WCJpO0reprV3hNjs5myyEOasH5yCJ2GKQQvQtYq3ozgRXHPVhsqos-rhEXZ1FmSlsfAlFJZpU-Xzq5P_I4lZyw5P6VaYGxAMELNGCgELzjU9rxaIHWKf4CWUDYEKZ/s1600/VidAngel.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="198" data-original-width="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRBgsPTf5XnqpIi77WCJpO0reprV3hNjs5myyEOasH5yCJ2GKQQvQtYq3ozgRXHPVhsqos-rhEXZ1FmSlsfAlFJZpU-Xzq5P_I4lZyw5P6VaYGxAMELNGCgELzjU9rxaIHWKf4CWUDYEKZ/s1600/VidAngel.png" /></a>Thankfully, I discovered VidAngel - a tool that allows you to filter out what you don't want to see/hear in shows/movies. After just about a week of watching, I'm already on season 5, episode 4 (not because I've been aggressively bingeing [I think I'd rank my binge level as medium], but because my filters make the episodes a lot shorter). Here's what I've learned so far:<br />
<br />
1. There's a such thing as siblings being too close.<br />
2. Be careful climbing around and looking through windows. What you see can change your life.<br />
3. Rats don't like being in a heated bucket.<br />
4. If you promise to marry person X, and then you marry person Y, the father of person X may take it personally. If someone shows you who they are, believe them. If someone shows you how upset they are, believe that, too. #RedWedding<br />
5. Serena and Cairo both brought back obsidian when they went to Western Canada with People to People as Student Ambassadors years ago. I just thought the stones were interesting, but it turns out that they can come in really handy.<br />
6. Don't let creepy, glowy blue-eyed creatures from the woods hold your baby. <br />
7. I knew Rose Leslie as Gwen Dawson on Downton Abbey and Maia Rindell on The Good Fight. Turns out she was a really a wildling. <br />
8. If you volunteer to be someone's champion, don't get all caught up trying to get your opponent to make a confession when you've already won. It could go really wrong.<br />
9. Be careful near moon doors.<br />
10. If you mistreat one of your children, you should be sure to lock the bathroom door when you're in there. That child might come in and find you when you're vulnerable and bad things can happen.<br />
<br />
For those of you who have watched the whole series, winter has come and gone, but Winter is still coming for me!<br />
<br />Joyspirithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17809544650688692827noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4096963245424517813.post-85851026753837198012019-05-15T20:11:00.000-07:002019-05-15T20:21:42.317-07:00Dreaming of Reparations<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8Nod9myV53pu5HP9J3gxhJzB7l4kvEi_hKDrR121_BeV8M3yKoFVlrgIBHVuE41brAf0Ajm24v2X4UgVWIyJ9GOP7SO3z0KQJEqsaTzFc4y4G94_7bKok_6cSE9GL0MXYFnzHWO_0Pkg3/s1600/Reparations.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="765" data-original-width="707" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8Nod9myV53pu5HP9J3gxhJzB7l4kvEi_hKDrR121_BeV8M3yKoFVlrgIBHVuE41brAf0Ajm24v2X4UgVWIyJ9GOP7SO3z0KQJEqsaTzFc4y4G94_7bKok_6cSE9GL0MXYFnzHWO_0Pkg3/s200/Reparations.png" width="184" /></a></div>
Sometimes I think about reparations . . . like if the United States was to finally say, "For enslaving and brutalizing your ancestors, for stealing their labor and launching a continual assault against the Black family, for denying land, home ownership, for violating the promise of 40 Acres and a mule, for denying college admissions and employment, for lynchings, for church bombings, attack dogs, water hoses, for assassinations of leaders, for COINTELPRO, for police brutality, for the myriad injustices . . . we offer you reparations, and you get to decide what would be fair. What would that be like?<br />
<br />
It would feel like relief. It would be like paying off our school loan debt and credit card debt that came from trying to make sure our children could enjoy a Montessori education, and so our cars (and now car) could keep running.<br />
<br />
It would look like buying clothes, shoes and outerwear whenever we need them, not when we could afford them, or had room on credit cards.<br />
<br />
It would be like affording to clean up the wooded lot we "own," paying for a fence, landscaping, a new deck, new doors, new floors, renovated bathrooms, another car . . .<br />
<br />
It would look like simply paying our cell phone bills without trying to figure out which least maxed out credit card we'll put the payment on. <br />
<br />
It would be like paying for driving school for our teens without having to try to figure out how. <br />
<br />
It would be like taking our children around the world, flying first class. Not having to worry about how to pay for passport fees, new luggage, nice hotels or fancy restaurants.<br />
<br />
It would be like having them choose the colleges of their choice without worrying about how to pay their tuition, room and board or meal plan.<br />
<br />
It would be getting Hamilton tickets for the four of us. Really good seats.<br />
<br />
It would be our children coming home with the brochures about upcoming school trips to Spain and a musical tour of Europe - looking at our beautiful, brilliant, hard-working, focused, talented, deserving of every good thing in this world children and just saying yes. <br />
<br />
I wouldn't need to put medical payments on a payment plan, be scared of how to pay the high co-pay if this kidney stone doesn't stop growing and I end up needing another surgery, and I wouldn't have to be so concerned about the speed of work related travel reimbursements.<br />
<br />
It would feel like freedom. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Joyspirithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17809544650688692827noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4096963245424517813.post-5503563382272361702018-10-13T14:52:00.002-07:002018-10-13T15:13:08.090-07:00America to Me<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
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<b id="docs-internal-guid-6c930234-7fff-686a-0144-4ddbab832f34" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "zilla slab"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">I am facilitating a discussion group at BetterLesson about the <a href="https://www.americatomerealtalk.com/" target="_blank"><i>America to Me</i></a> docu-series, </span></b></div>
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<b id="docs-internal-guid-6c930234-7fff-686a-0144-4ddbab832f34" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "zilla slab"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">and in preparation for our first meeting, our homework was to read Langston Hughes' </span></b><b id="docs-internal-guid-6c930234-7fff-686a-0144-4ddbab832f34" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #1155cc;"><span style="font-family: "zilla slab";"> </span></span></b></div>
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<b id="docs-internal-guid-6c930234-7fff-686a-0144-4ddbab832f34" style="font-weight: normal;"><a href="https://www.cbsd.org/cms/lib010/PA01916442/Centricity/Domain/2773/LetAmericabeAmericaagain.pdf" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "zilla slab"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Let America Be America Again</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "zilla slab"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"> and answer the following question: <i>What is America to you?</i> </span></b></div>
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<b id="docs-internal-guid-6c930234-7fff-686a-0144-4ddbab832f34" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "zilla slab"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Here's what I wrote (with some additions based on recent events): </span></b></div>
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<b id="docs-internal-guid-6c930234-7fff-686a-0144-4ddbab832f34" style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;">
<b id="docs-internal-guid-6c930234-7fff-686a-0144-4ddbab832f34" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "zilla slab"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">That's a tough question. When I consider whether or not there's another country in this world </span></b><br />
<b id="docs-internal-guid-6c930234-7fff-686a-0144-4ddbab832f34" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "zilla slab"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">where I'd</span></b><b id="docs-internal-guid-6c930234-7fff-686a-0144-4ddbab832f34" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "zilla slab"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"> rather live, there isn't. I haven't traveled much, and my family, friends, and life are</span></b><br />
<b id="docs-internal-guid-6c930234-7fff-686a-0144-4ddbab832f34" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "zilla slab"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">all here. And at the</span></b><b id="docs-internal-guid-6c930234-7fff-686a-0144-4ddbab832f34" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "zilla slab"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"> same time - in this skin, with this hair, with this history, these experiences</span></b><br />
<b id="docs-internal-guid-6c930234-7fff-686a-0144-4ddbab832f34" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "zilla slab"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"> - it never quite feels like home</span></b><b id="docs-internal-guid-6c930234-7fff-686a-0144-4ddbab832f34" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "zilla slab"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"> to me. But I stay hopeful, even though I wonder if my husband, </span></b><br />
<b id="docs-internal-guid-6c930234-7fff-686a-0144-4ddbab832f34" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "zilla slab"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">or my son, or my daughter or I will, one </span></b><b id="docs-internal-guid-6c930234-7fff-686a-0144-4ddbab832f34" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "zilla slab"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">day, become a casualty of ignorance and hate (more </span></b><br />
<b id="docs-internal-guid-6c930234-7fff-686a-0144-4ddbab832f34" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "zilla slab"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">than parts of us already are). </span></b></div>
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<b id="docs-internal-guid-6c930234-7fff-686a-0144-4ddbab832f34" style="font-weight: normal;">
</b><br /><b id="docs-internal-guid-6c930234-7fff-686a-0144-4ddbab832f34" style="font-weight: normal;">
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "zilla slab"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">As the Manager of Culturally Responsive Teaching and Learning and an Instructional Coach </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "zilla slab"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">with BetterLesson, and as a Consultant, I work diligently for equity and justice, because I believe</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "zilla slab"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">that progress is possible - reading, researching, and writing blog posts and content about race, </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "zilla slab"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">culture, equity and ways to transform our instructional practices, contributing to podcasts, </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "zilla slab"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">facilitating professional development and conference sessions - I love that I get to spend my time</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "zilla slab"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">working on something so important. I am constantly in search of others who are looking for the </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "zilla slab"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">same thing, although sometimes the dark underbelly of this land . . . around the corner from me</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "zilla slab"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"> . . . takes my breath away, as does the silence of those who watch and say it's awful, but do little </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "zilla slab"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">to nothing to change things. </span></div>
</b><br /><b id="docs-internal-guid-6c930234-7fff-686a-0144-4ddbab832f34" style="font-weight: normal;">
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "zilla slab"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">The </span><b id="docs-internal-guid-6c930234-7fff-686a-0144-4ddbab832f34" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "zilla slab"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">students at our town's high school (including our two children) are mostly Black and Brown </span></b><br />
<b id="docs-internal-guid-6c930234-7fff-686a-0144-4ddbab832f34" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "zilla slab"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">students, </span></b><b id="docs-internal-guid-6c930234-7fff-686a-0144-4ddbab832f34" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "zilla slab"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">and not too long ago, there were ads on our school district's new website on each of the </span></b><br />
<b id="docs-internal-guid-6c930234-7fff-686a-0144-4ddbab832f34" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "zilla slab"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">six school's individual</span></b><b id="docs-internal-guid-6c930234-7fff-686a-0144-4ddbab832f34" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "zilla slab"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"> pages about a police tip line. Why was this? I wrote to the school committee </span></b><br />
<b id="docs-internal-guid-6c930234-7fff-686a-0144-4ddbab832f34" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "zilla slab"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">to express my concern as a parent</span></b><b id="docs-internal-guid-6c930234-7fff-686a-0144-4ddbab832f34" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "zilla slab"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"> and educator, telling them why it was problematic, and highlighting</span></b><br />
<b id="docs-internal-guid-6c930234-7fff-686a-0144-4ddbab832f34" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "zilla slab"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">the connection to the school-to-prison</span></b><b id="docs-internal-guid-6c930234-7fff-686a-0144-4ddbab832f34" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "zilla slab"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"> pipeline and deficit mindset about our students. I received a </span></b><br />
<b id="docs-internal-guid-6c930234-7fff-686a-0144-4ddbab832f34" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "zilla slab"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">response thanking me for sharing my concerns, </span></b><b id="docs-internal-guid-6c930234-7fff-686a-0144-4ddbab832f34" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "zilla slab"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">assuring me that the matter would be investigated </span></b><br />
<b id="docs-internal-guid-6c930234-7fff-686a-0144-4ddbab832f34" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "zilla slab"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">and that appropriate action would be taken. When the ad </span></b><b id="docs-internal-guid-6c930234-7fff-686a-0144-4ddbab832f34" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "zilla slab"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">remained for weeks after I received this </span></b><br />
<b id="docs-internal-guid-6c930234-7fff-686a-0144-4ddbab832f34" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "zilla slab"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">response, however, I was left to assume that the school committee </span></b><b id="docs-internal-guid-6c930234-7fff-686a-0144-4ddbab832f34" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "zilla slab"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">believed that either it wasn't </span></b><br />
<b id="docs-internal-guid-6c930234-7fff-686a-0144-4ddbab832f34" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "zilla slab"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">important enough to address, or the appropriate action in their minds was to continue</span></b><b id="docs-internal-guid-6c930234-7fff-686a-0144-4ddbab832f34" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "zilla slab"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"> running </span></b><br />
<b id="docs-internal-guid-6c930234-7fff-686a-0144-4ddbab832f34" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "zilla slab"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">the ads. Maybe both. Thankfully the superintendent took immediate action when I shared my </span></b><br />
<b id="docs-internal-guid-6c930234-7fff-686a-0144-4ddbab832f34" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "zilla slab"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">concerns</span></b><b id="docs-internal-guid-6c930234-7fff-686a-0144-4ddbab832f34" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "zilla slab"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"> with her. The ads are no longer there. At the same time, I'm looking at the school </span></b><br />
<b id="docs-internal-guid-6c930234-7fff-686a-0144-4ddbab832f34" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "zilla slab"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">committee with a side eye. </span></b><b id="docs-internal-guid-6c930234-7fff-686a-0144-4ddbab832f34" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "zilla slab"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">My babies are in that school, as are the precious children of hundreds </span></b><br />
<b id="docs-internal-guid-6c930234-7fff-686a-0144-4ddbab832f34" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "zilla slab"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">of other families. The fragile trust I had </span></b><b id="docs-internal-guid-6c930234-7fff-686a-0144-4ddbab832f34" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "zilla slab"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">has been further eroded. </span></b></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<b id="docs-internal-guid-6c930234-7fff-686a-0144-4ddbab832f34" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "zilla slab"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Not too long ago, in response to an incident at the high school, someone in our town proposed </span></b><br />
<b id="docs-internal-guid-6c930234-7fff-686a-0144-4ddbab832f34" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "zilla slab"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">forming</span></b><b id="docs-internal-guid-6c930234-7fff-686a-0144-4ddbab832f34" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "zilla slab"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"> a lynch </span></b><b id="docs-internal-guid-6c930234-7fff-686a-0144-4ddbab832f34" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "zilla slab"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">mob to kick in doors and do things to our children/community members that </span></b><br />
<b id="docs-internal-guid-6c930234-7fff-686a-0144-4ddbab832f34" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "zilla slab"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">I will not repeat here. </span></b><b id="docs-internal-guid-6c930234-7fff-686a-0144-4ddbab832f34" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "zilla slab"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">That was </span></b><b id="docs-internal-guid-6c930234-7fff-686a-0144-4ddbab832f34" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "zilla slab"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">the more egregious of the comments on our town's "uncensored" </span></b><br />
<b id="docs-internal-guid-6c930234-7fff-686a-0144-4ddbab832f34" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "zilla slab"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Facebook page (hence my </span></b><b id="docs-internal-guid-6c930234-7fff-686a-0144-4ddbab832f34" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "zilla slab"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">earlier reference </span></b><b id="docs-internal-guid-6c930234-7fff-686a-0144-4ddbab832f34" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "zilla slab"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">to the dark underbelly). It appears that the page </span></b><br />
<b id="docs-internal-guid-6c930234-7fff-686a-0144-4ddbab832f34" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "zilla slab"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">administrators didn't see fit to take </span></b><b id="docs-internal-guid-6c930234-7fff-686a-0144-4ddbab832f34" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "zilla slab"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">immediate action to remove </span></b><b id="docs-internal-guid-6c930234-7fff-686a-0144-4ddbab832f34" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "zilla slab"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">such a disgusting comment, </span></b><br />
<b id="docs-internal-guid-6c930234-7fff-686a-0144-4ddbab832f34" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "zilla slab"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">even though there are tools on Facebook for </span></b><b id="docs-internal-guid-6c930234-7fff-686a-0144-4ddbab832f34" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "zilla slab"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">reporting hate speech and threats, and </span></b><b id="docs-internal-guid-6c930234-7fff-686a-0144-4ddbab832f34" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "zilla slab"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">page </span></b><br />
<b id="docs-internal-guid-6c930234-7fff-686a-0144-4ddbab832f34" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "zilla slab"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">administrators can remove members . . . so many comments </span></b><b id="docs-internal-guid-6c930234-7fff-686a-0144-4ddbab832f34" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "zilla slab"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">were left unchallenged, except, </span></b><br />
<b id="docs-internal-guid-6c930234-7fff-686a-0144-4ddbab832f34" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "zilla slab"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">most notably</span></b><b id="docs-internal-guid-6c930234-7fff-686a-0144-4ddbab832f34" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "zilla slab"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"> by a <a href="http://randolph.wickedlocal.com/news/20180927/randolph-student-leader-defends-school-after-negative-comments" target="_blank">student leader</a> from the school who shared statements </span></b><b id="docs-internal-guid-6c930234-7fff-686a-0144-4ddbab832f34" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "zilla slab"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">at the town council </span></b><br />
<b id="docs-internal-guid-6c930234-7fff-686a-0144-4ddbab832f34" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "zilla slab"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">and school committee meetings. </span></b><b id="docs-internal-guid-6c930234-7fff-686a-0144-4ddbab832f34" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "zilla slab"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">#SadeRatliff 💙</span></b></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<b id="docs-internal-guid-6c930234-7fff-686a-0144-4ddbab832f34" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "zilla slab"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">When our local paper ran an article about the success of the recent voter registration drive at the high </span></b><br />
<b id="docs-internal-guid-6c930234-7fff-686a-0144-4ddbab832f34" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "zilla slab"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">school, one </span></b><b id="docs-internal-guid-6c930234-7fff-686a-0144-4ddbab832f34" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "zilla slab"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">of the comments stated about the students, "I hope they're legal." Several of us who are all </span></b><br />
<b id="docs-internal-guid-6c930234-7fff-686a-0144-4ddbab832f34" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "zilla slab"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">set with the unchecked </span></b><b id="docs-internal-guid-6c930234-7fff-686a-0144-4ddbab832f34" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "zilla slab"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">loud underbelly reported the comment to Facebook and it was removed pretty </span></b><br />
<b id="docs-internal-guid-6c930234-7fff-686a-0144-4ddbab832f34" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "zilla slab"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">quickly. I called the paper, and </span></b><b id="docs-internal-guid-6c930234-7fff-686a-0144-4ddbab832f34" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "zilla slab"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">received a return call within an hour thanking me for bringing the </span></b><br />
<b id="docs-internal-guid-6c930234-7fff-686a-0144-4ddbab832f34" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "zilla slab"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">comment to their attention, and asking me to </span></b><b id="docs-internal-guid-6c930234-7fff-686a-0144-4ddbab832f34" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "zilla slab"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">reach out in the future should something like this happen </span></b><br />
<b id="docs-internal-guid-6c930234-7fff-686a-0144-4ddbab832f34" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "zilla slab"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">again so they can remove comments and block individuals </span></b><b id="docs-internal-guid-6c930234-7fff-686a-0144-4ddbab832f34" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "zilla slab"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">determined to spread ignorance and hate. </span></b><br />
<b id="docs-internal-guid-6c930234-7fff-686a-0144-4ddbab832f34" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "zilla slab"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">With those reporting tools accessible to everyone, and with such quick </span></b><b id="docs-internal-guid-6c930234-7fff-686a-0144-4ddbab832f34" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "zilla slab"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">responses, I have to wonder </span></b><br />
<b id="docs-internal-guid-6c930234-7fff-686a-0144-4ddbab832f34" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "zilla slab"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">why more people aren't reporting hateful comments? And on that note, back to what </span></b><b id="docs-internal-guid-6c930234-7fff-686a-0144-4ddbab832f34" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "zilla slab"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">America is </span></b><br />
<b id="docs-internal-guid-6c930234-7fff-686a-0144-4ddbab832f34" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "zilla slab"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">to me . . . </span></b></div>
</b><br /><b id="docs-internal-guid-6c930234-7fff-686a-0144-4ddbab832f34" style="font-weight: normal;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "zilla slab"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">I engaged in a crossing over activity last year as part of my experience with the Boston Educators </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "zilla slab"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">for Equity, and became very aware of parts of my identity where I experience privilege that I hadn't </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "zilla slab"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">previously considered. I have my home, my family, my work, my degrees, my experiences, my </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "zilla slab"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">resources, my birth certificate, my social security card, my license, my car, my life, access to clean </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "zilla slab"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">water . . . and it's a shadow of freedom/privilege that I wouldn't necessarily have anywhere else. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "zilla slab"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">But at any moment, I could be Sandra Bland. My husband could be Philando Castile. My son could </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "zilla slab"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">be Trayvon Martin. My daughter could be Renisha McBride. And some people who don't look like me </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "zilla slab"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">would cry, maybe protest, and write posts on social media about the tragedy of our senseless loss . . . </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "zilla slab"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">and then go about their days. Shake my life like an Etch-a-Sketch drawing that was never really here. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "zilla slab"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">But the people who look like me? They'd wonder if they, one day would just be another </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "zilla slab"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Afrika Afeni Mills. </span><br />
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</b>Joyspirithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17809544650688692827noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4096963245424517813.post-71740874520487786882018-08-28T07:15:00.002-07:002018-08-28T07:15:47.341-07:00Little Me and Little You<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Spending each day with you now makes me wonder what it would have been like to spend each day with you then. You know how in movies about kids hanging out with their best friends when they were little - they swing from tire swings on trees and fall into the lake, eyes closed, squealing, terrified and thrilled all at once? They run through the woods together, laughing. They hang out in tree houses for hours and hours, and they run through fields together catching lightning bugs just after sunset, put them in jars, and stare at the glow in wonder.<br />
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You were in New Jersey, and I was in Brooklyn. The only time I ever went
to New Jersey was on field trips to Six Flags Great Adventure and
Action Park that one time with Byrd (Yep - Officer Byrd from Judge Judy .
. . My Uncle Byrd 😊). I didn't know you then, but if I did . . . if I lived in your neighborhood, you would have been my best friend just like you are now. I would have climbed out of my window after my parents thought I was asleep, and I would have run over to your house and tapped on your window. You would have looked up from your comic books, smiled, and come outside to meet me. We would've sat under a tree in your back yard, and I would ask you about your favorite colors and cartoons . . . I would have wanted to know all about your school and teachers and friends. I would have asked you what you wanted to be when you grew up, and I would have shared my dreams with you. I would have figured out a way to come to see you when you were in <i>Shenandoah</i>. After you sang <i>Why Am I Me?</i> I would have been the one in the audience clapping the loudest. <br />
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Even though there were no fields and tree houses and fireflies for us, I am so thankful that Anita invited me to come spend that weekend with her before she moved to New Mexico, and that you were speaking at church that youth day, and that you were also at her party . . . so charming, sweet, funny, engaging, alluring, even at 17. Now we get to create our own fields and tree houses. When I see you . . . when I hear your voice, I still get butterflies in my belly just like I'm sure kids do in the movies when they swing so high, eyes closed, letting go of the rope and flying through the air . . . feeling free. You make me feel free. <br />
<br />Joyspirithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17809544650688692827noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4096963245424517813.post-81415609233793225932018-07-21T14:51:00.001-07:002018-07-30T03:15:35.662-07:00Intercession (Psalm 23)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
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<span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: black;">You have created me to be a feeler, a nurturer . . . an empath. I love to embrace and share laughter. I love to connect and listen. Sometimes, though, the pain I see in the eyes of others and hear in their voices joins with my own and ricochets around my mind and heart. It takes shelter in that mysterious place inside of me where it feels almost impossible to shake - like there's no exit, only ache. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #0000ee;"><span style="color: black;">But now I see that my mind and heart were never meant to be a permanent home for those things, but a way station on a journey leading to You. So today I will cup those things in my hands in intercession and offer them up to You where they belong.</span> </span></div>
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I'm imagining holding the hands of each of the people You've placed on my heart, and leading them into Your presence to be showered by Your comfort, peace, rest, healing, clarity and guidance . . . to deeply know their worth and feel Your balm on their hurting places. I know the way to Your presence because in Your grace and mercy, You showed it to me. </div>
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I'm imagining sitting with them under Your tree surrounded by the aroma of Your flowers next to Your refreshing river. I am holding space, hearing their stories, and bringing their tears to You because You care for them. You are our compassionate High Priest, our Creator, and the Lover of our souls. You know the source of the pain they're carrying. You know it at the root. </div>
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<span style="color: black;"></span>And while we are there with You, they may not see You, but I do. You'll wink at me and I'll wink back and smile because You and I will know that You are there. I believe with my whole heart that they will feel Your love and be made whole, because that's what You've done for me. </div>
<br />Joyspirithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17809544650688692827noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4096963245424517813.post-27354249655535123192018-04-22T17:47:00.001-07:002018-04-23T06:58:25.774-07:00Turning 44<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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From Friday, April 13th through Saturday, April 21st, Dishon and I took Serena and Cairo on a much anticipated family vacation, and it did not disappoint. Here are the highlights:<br />
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<u><b>It's Hard to Leave Rabbit, But I'm So Strong:</b></u><br />
We dropped Rabbit off with a new sitter this time, which was hard for me. She usually stays with a couple of different families, and this time we wanted to try leaving her with a sitter we found through Rover.com who would offer her an opportunity to stay with several other dogs in a home near our town with a fenced in yard. Ever since we adopted Rabbit, we've wanted her to have a chance to be more socialized, but in a more reliable setting than a dog park. I took her for a meet and greet a while before our trip, and she did fine. Packing up all her things, though, and taking her over felt like such a betrayal! 😫 Dishon and I stayed with her for a while to make sure she was comfortable, and I was cool, but there were WAY more dogs there than when we went for the meet and greet (Rabbit, the sitter's dog and 8 other dogs mainly because of April vacation week). I didn't cry until I got into the car, which was big for me 😢. For the most part, she had a great time. There were a few incidents with another dog who kept dog profiling her, trying to dominate her and all that just because of her breed. Rabbit was patient for a while, but suffice it to say that Rabbit left the other dog with no doubt about how she rolls when pressed, and how she responds to other dogs being bullied. Enough said. <br />
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<u><b>Really Good Food:</b></u><br />
We had so much great food during our trip! We left on Friday, April 13th when Serena and Cairo got home from their early release day, and the trip down to New York was mostly good until we took the exit for the George Washington Bridge. We sat in traffic for HOURS! When we arrived at my parents' apartment on Staten Island, we were greeted by hugs, kisses, curried goat, beans and rice, cabbage, and BBQ chicken. We had a chance to hang out with family, get a good night's sleep, enjoy some legit bagels (yall know NYC bagels are the truth, right?), sausage and coffee for breakfast, and get back on the road.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilbX8wUVStl0VB590N1HyPaJmMgNrmVP3Vx8a_KKe-LHp9h8puMq7_T6bO76Egs3euXr5hx0QdQD9e1vwWIbdBZU01XS4aNAka-OZUixSCGTTWBu5SjltnsGiNVwpfgECRIud9MIdmkkvI/s1600/the-olive-tree.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="450" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilbX8wUVStl0VB590N1HyPaJmMgNrmVP3Vx8a_KKe-LHp9h8puMq7_T6bO76Egs3euXr5hx0QdQD9e1vwWIbdBZU01XS4aNAka-OZUixSCGTTWBu5SjltnsGiNVwpfgECRIud9MIdmkkvI/s200/the-olive-tree.jpg" width="200" /></a>We stopped in Aberdeen, Maryland for lunch. We intended to grab a quick lunch at Chick-Fil-A, but it was SO packed, so we went next door to <a href="https://www.marylanditalianrestaurant.net/Home" target="_blank">The Olive Tree</a>. I won't front. At first, I was thinking it was going to be a bootleg Olive Garden (especially when we got salad and bread sticks after we sat down), but the food was SO good! The bread sticks were SO much better than Olive Garden's (I feel like drooling right now as I'm reminiscing on the buttery goodness!), and the broiled crab sandwich I had? Out of this world good!<br />
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I'll say more about the National Museum of African American History and Culture later in the post, but here I must capture the food we had at the museum's <a href="https://nmaahc.si.edu/visit/sweet-home-cafe" target="_blank">Sweet Home Cafe</a>. The food court pays tribute to the many types of food born out of the African American experience, and we enjoyed the fried chicken, mac and cheese, cornbread, BBQ brisket sandwich, baked beans, pecan and sweet potato pie. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEJnm0kVZ0Guuo5eudkElVaX649y9Tv3yhesr8kTfl7LxEkzEudwv8BM9cYntiyR8Eqt-JRdTZDnxCjZF9DUFsA_Rqw1Dw5bS8DiD9QbLMwoNUaVZmk_zVt0WthgUcVFIVfLva1EVaXImY/s1600/Carlyle.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1578" data-original-width="1578" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEJnm0kVZ0Guuo5eudkElVaX649y9Tv3yhesr8kTfl7LxEkzEudwv8BM9cYntiyR8Eqt-JRdTZDnxCjZF9DUFsA_Rqw1Dw5bS8DiD9QbLMwoNUaVZmk_zVt0WthgUcVFIVfLva1EVaXImY/s200/Carlyle.jpg" width="200" /></a>We stayed in Arlington, VA from 4/14 - 4/17, and we enjoyed several good meals while there. There was one night, though, when Serena and Cai were good with their leftovers, so Dishon and I took the opportunity to enjoy a spontaneous date night at a restaurant in Shirlington called <a href="http://www.greatamericanrestaurants.com/Carlyle/" target="_blank">Carlyle</a>. Yall! So much yummy goodness, from the deviled eggs with pecans and candied bacon appetizer, to the bubbly Sangria, to the Shrimp and Creamy Grit Cakes to the Warm White Chocolate Bread Pudding! I don't even know what to say about all that. It just makes me wanna holla! I was very, very happy with my food. <br />
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The night we arrived at Dishon's mom's house in Charlotte, she also had some stewed chicken, rice, broccoli, peas, and sweet potatoes waiting for us, as well as some yellow cake. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGVDbY7ECg3Bd0XhXt6dbBmBV4aSuBqn2KRzClSfRIqPdkh5ZvMhoNOhhVfjIPF2maXa8Ol_LYY9kHPg9Fw9vLglHEpYhv9-qgEZR8QZRYw-_aaMNMiq5TChbY6qrBgWxluaWLFN-yvvmi/s1600/Cafe+Monte.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="247" data-original-width="247" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGVDbY7ECg3Bd0XhXt6dbBmBV4aSuBqn2KRzClSfRIqPdkh5ZvMhoNOhhVfjIPF2maXa8Ol_LYY9kHPg9Fw9vLglHEpYhv9-qgEZR8QZRYw-_aaMNMiq5TChbY6qrBgWxluaWLFN-yvvmi/s200/Cafe+Monte.jpg" width="200" /></a>I'll also say more about my birthday later in the post, but here I must shout out the restaurant in Charlotte that my friend Romain picked out for my birthday dinner. At <a href="http://cafemonte.net/" target="_blank">Cafe Monte</a>, I enjoyed escargot, beef short ribs bourguignonne, a complimentary slice of chocolate cake, and creme brulee. It was special for many reasons - not only because Romain is from France, but also because several years ago, Dishon and I got to spend ten days in Paris, and it was one of the best times of my life. Cafe Monte reminded me of that time. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOip1dS1DacMCBYHnWilKx4ET3vg9qaBxsc9wmTrBU2fe-PQ0jL7eAo1DljiwmZa8BbgrkuvMsSNSQGMqNqhz8oVkltVX6ccpR2-TMmfFZZ4in0vzF0GD_dAlS4pWqtjcd29yMlaMKayiz/s1600/IMG_0929.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="402" data-original-width="604" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOip1dS1DacMCBYHnWilKx4ET3vg9qaBxsc9wmTrBU2fe-PQ0jL7eAo1DljiwmZa8BbgrkuvMsSNSQGMqNqhz8oVkltVX6ccpR2-TMmfFZZ4in0vzF0GD_dAlS4pWqtjcd29yMlaMKayiz/s200/IMG_0929.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My nephew, Richard (Rajendra) and Dee Dee</td></tr>
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<u><b>Driving through Baltimore will always be hard: </b></u><br />
I won't say too much here, except to mention that although I figured that driving through Baltimore would be challenging (for those of you who don't know, my sister, Dee Dee, was murdered in her home in Baltimore almost four years ago), I wasn't prepared for how deeply sad I'd feel, even just passing through on the highway. Dishon was driving, and I Googled her name to see if the police ever identified her murderer. The case is still open, and my heart still breaks when I think of her. <br />
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<u><b>Serena and Cairo are Incredible Young People: </b></u><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7CFTuIYSZlGvfrnZZ_zylhYRaAzsKKPaGlzYapnVwJh5kG_tQg7vsMqy8BlhM_0dPSlFPruknCvzfERCWXwushu67YlJTSI6xbeB6iVjxpd31TsUdbMRg3ckVGMIAY7hn3XygLJ8qGcey/s1600/Serena+and+Cairo.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7CFTuIYSZlGvfrnZZ_zylhYRaAzsKKPaGlzYapnVwJh5kG_tQg7vsMqy8BlhM_0dPSlFPruknCvzfERCWXwushu67YlJTSI6xbeB6iVjxpd31TsUdbMRg3ckVGMIAY7hn3XygLJ8qGcey/s200/Serena+and+Cairo.jpg" width="150" /></a>Before we left for our trip, Dishon, Serena and Cairo gave me early birthday presents and the kids gave me the most beautiful birthday letters. Our conversations over meals during our trip were fun, funny, enlightening, and pleasantly surprising. I'm aware of how observant, sharp, and witty they are, and it's always wonderful to learn more about their thoughts, opinions and ideas. They are so special to me, and I want to give them the world, always. In order to make this trip affordable, we had to make some frugal choices, and it was hard to get to our first hotel and find out that it was actually an updated motel. If I had my way, we'd stay in the fanciest places with all the best amenities, and I felt a little sad when I saw our accommodations. They weren't bad . . . just not exactly what I was expecting. One of the things that touched me most about Serena and Cairo? When we got there, they were so excited about where we were staying. It was their first time having a room all to themselves instead of having to stay in the same room with us, and their excitement and gratitude did my heart good. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsSm-zhaufcLcz90jeO8rH9gYfakNHkXOn8C4cM7oNBHgqzjcZs9eQ8OpBT1B76_j3d75udc_duVX0mtAE4uHLyTHL5Jly6vtYhPJD6CyrcmIefOertT9kkMY9uKUBJtQX68Wd2WaO9Ki_/s1600/image1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="972" data-original-width="1600" height="121" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsSm-zhaufcLcz90jeO8rH9gYfakNHkXOn8C4cM7oNBHgqzjcZs9eQ8OpBT1B76_j3d75udc_duVX0mtAE4uHLyTHL5Jly6vtYhPJD6CyrcmIefOertT9kkMY9uKUBJtQX68Wd2WaO9Ki_/s200/image1.jpeg" width="200" /></a><u><b>Hard to Ride the DC Metro: </b></u><br />
On Sunday, April 15th, we were so excited to get to go to the National Museum of African American History and Culture. After the breakfast buffet at the hotel, we boarded the hotel shuttle that took us to the Pentagon City Metro station. It took a while for us to figure out how to purchase our SmarTrip cards. I'm used to taking public transportation in New York City and Boston where the fare is the same on all the trains. In DC, however, it matters where you're boarding, where you're getting off (you have to scan your pass both entering and exiting the stations), and whether you're riding during peak or off-peak hours. Thankfully, there are Metro staff at each station to help you figure things out.<br />
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<u><b>The African-American Story Never Ceases to Amaze Me: </b></u><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpCkPdWJRNoyG3b7ZCBJ1ZaItIpTBEnF1nHkkKGwdZxsXXtl9DMek-2bWuo6298H5TRkyyV1foISSFHWYQmet6bYrAAYz9T6ZeG0GcUqLCAnO_-NV6JjpFuPjx7w4CmAFdCQ9f3sN2J-MC/s1600/IMG_0468.JPEG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpCkPdWJRNoyG3b7ZCBJ1ZaItIpTBEnF1nHkkKGwdZxsXXtl9DMek-2bWuo6298H5TRkyyV1foISSFHWYQmet6bYrAAYz9T6ZeG0GcUqLCAnO_-NV6JjpFuPjx7w4CmAFdCQ9f3sN2J-MC/s320/IMG_0468.JPEG" width="320" /></a><br />
At a professional development session several years ago, the facilitator shared a video clip of Black children reciting a poem called <i>What Makes You So Strong, Black People?</i> It was an old video, and I haven't been able to find it since, unfortunately, but that's what kept coming to mind as we descended through time in the elevator, seeing the exhibits about the middle passage, reading the accounts of the enslaved Africans who jumped from the horrific ships to the sharks below, the inhumane conditions of those ships, how one woman scraped the dirt from a yam on the ship and ate the dirt to keep part of Africa inside her, ascending and seeing auction block, Harriet Tubman's shawl, Nat Turner's Bible, the words of the Declaration of Independence juxtaposed against all of the injustices my ancestors suffered, Marcus Garvey's hat, KKK hoods, the many, many names of lynching victims, Emmett Till's memorial (including his casket - Emmett was not much younger than Cairo when he was tortured to death), sitting at a lunch counter and choosing what I'd do if I were a Freedom Fighter, someone trying to integrate schools, or a civil rights worker training to sustain harm, reading the words of Malcolm X, James Baldwin and Langston Hughes . . . I, Too, Am America. Black is Beautiful, Strong, Resilient, Deep, Brilliant, Joyful, Contemplative, Creative, Analytical, Undaunted. It was really helpful to be reminded of all that in the midst of the Starbucks incident, the young man in Michigan, shot at for asking for directions, and the massive confederate flags flying over the highway on our way home. <br />
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<u><b>The MLK Memorial Tops Them All:</b></u><br />
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After spending the day at the NMAAHC, we got tickets for the Hop On/Hop Off Red Tour Buses, and rode around to several DC monuments on a cold, rainy day. We stopped at the Jefferson Monument (I thought the statue of Jefferson at the NMAAHC was much more appropriate - behind him there was a stack of bricks with the names of the enslaved people he "owned," including many of him own children with Sally Hemings). We also went to the MLK memorial - so powerful, and surrounded by many of his quotes - many of which we don't often hear recounted on the celebration of his birthday each year, interestingly enough. We stopped at the Lincoln Memorial as well before heading back to Union Station for lunch. <br />
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<u><b>Storytelling and Laughter:</b></u><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_Gq2AxmUxnFSXhzcIukSZJ61p5uWnUlA4oPcbSCsV3idK6XyQemoritiX8OH6eVjiNraOHw2hKlWaKe5dJ51YC20TM4tRPyr3QD63Vowaxy_qPF7fI5CCyxErU5eSUmpCrlClonLUC-9T/s1600/Jay+Aquiva+Taurean+and+Legaci.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_Gq2AxmUxnFSXhzcIukSZJ61p5uWnUlA4oPcbSCsV3idK6XyQemoritiX8OH6eVjiNraOHw2hKlWaKe5dJ51YC20TM4tRPyr3QD63Vowaxy_qPF7fI5CCyxErU5eSUmpCrlClonLUC-9T/s200/Jay+Aquiva+Taurean+and+Legaci.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aquiva, Jay, Taurean and Legaci</td></tr>
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Unfortunately, we forgot to take pictures while we were together, but the night we arrived in Charlotte, we got to spend time with Dishon's brother Jamie, his fiancee, Aquiva, and our nephew, Taurean (Aquiva's granddaughter and Taurean's niece, Legaci is pictured here, but we didn't get to see her that night). One of my most favorite things is being around Dishon and Jamie. Brothers. Jamie is 13 years older than Dishon. There were a couple of moments where I felt like we went back in time,
listening to Jamie talk about his desire to protect Dishon - Dishon had a very cruel second grade teacher who made every day
of that school year awful for him, and much to Jamie's chagrin, he didn't find out about this until years later. They had moved from Paterson, NJ, which was a mostly Black community, to East Rutherford, NJ, where there was, unfortunately, a lot of racism, Jamie talked about what that experience was like for him, and what he needed to do to take care of himself. My favorite part of the story? Jay called his friends in Paterson to let them know he needed help after someone tried to mess with him. He said it was like Harlem outside by the time school was over, and he didn't have any more problems after that. Dope! On that Vibranium/Wakanda level! Yes! Dishon and Jay are both such great storytellers, and there's always SO much laughter, and such great memories are both shared and created. . It won't make sense to you, but I'll just drop this right here . . . <i>Let me get that smothered and covered . . . Cook Out style. </i>😂😂😂 I can't wait to see Jay, Aquiva and Taurean again at our niece's wedding in June! We'll definitely get some pictures then. <br />
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<u><b>Your Birthday Can Remind You How Loved You Are:</b></u><br />
On my birthday, I received over 140 Facebook messages (including one from Chris Emdin! What?!?! 😁), in addition to calls from family and Voxes and emails from my colleagues. I got to do everything I wanted to do that day, including eating good food, watching Netflix (finishing <i>A Series of Unfortunate Events</i>, and almost finishing Maya Angelou's <i>And Still I Rise </i>documentary), napping, and spending time with family and friends. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf99XFpNpwVNhA1SN9w2MEgDn9EUWNL7wvL52AwBq7yYmtssRVnh27q4j27-xbkLt4ZLnXWMFt6yyRVzzq1Mv4CdrMHFdtV5sBCfjaDJAbRTtNQ9n2OjLY7szB-NfCePR3BGuW5BflgAkh/s1600/Candle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf99XFpNpwVNhA1SN9w2MEgDn9EUWNL7wvL52AwBq7yYmtssRVnh27q4j27-xbkLt4ZLnXWMFt6yyRVzzq1Mv4CdrMHFdtV5sBCfjaDJAbRTtNQ9n2OjLY7szB-NfCePR3BGuW5BflgAkh/s200/Candle.jpg" width="200" /></a><u><b>Good Friends Make Life So Extra Sweet!: </b></u><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinl1Hx7NrdaXvmiigGyZ9nDVVzHCoOjDFSqAMjDmYMaBa5CCqiinnGYX5uEYFGiVD63Is4X-FcWwGxKHjTVSci5NR96m857KiANFUCj2jQHk1t66SgdCpgg7QZObWRY9Vhn2mhfWMkoamB/s1600/With+Romain.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinl1Hx7NrdaXvmiigGyZ9nDVVzHCoOjDFSqAMjDmYMaBa5CCqiinnGYX5uEYFGiVD63Is4X-FcWwGxKHjTVSci5NR96m857KiANFUCj2jQHk1t66SgdCpgg7QZObWRY9Vhn2mhfWMkoamB/s200/With+Romain.jpg" width="200" /></a>Romain is such an amazing friend. Knowing that I was going down to Charlotte, and had yet to meet his wonderful wife and sons, we made arrangements to get our families together. Being good friends with me means getting to know some things that most people don't know . . . including my requirements for a perfect meal for my birthday. Romain took all of that information (and it's quite a bit!), and not only did he find the best restaurant for me to celebrate my birthday, but we got to spend it with him and his family. He made sure that it was extra special 💕. We even got to go to his house to hang out before going to the restaurant, enjoy an amazing meal, have a rousing Happy Birthday sung to me at the restaurant, enjoy some treats from the Amelie French bakery, and coffee back at his house while our kids played video games (more like Cai played video games with his boys and Serena fought off sleep 😂). Serena loves to sleep. <br />
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<u><b>Bringing Dreams to Life:</b></u><br />
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My mom has been an amazing cook and baker for YEARS! I am so proud to see her business cards! If you're in the New York City area, and you find yourself in need of something sweet, like a carrot, chocolate, red velvet or Italian Cream cake, definitely let me know and I'll put you in touch with her. You will not be disappointed. <br />
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<u><b>Family:</b></u><br />
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Dishon's mom absolutely has the gift of hospitality, and she made a big dinner to celebrate our visit on our last night there. We got to see Aunt Rita, Dishon's sister Deborah and her boyfriend Vance, our niece, Asha, and her fiance, Daniel, our niece Kelly (Ni'Jah), her daughter, Hayley, our nephews Jared and Micah, Micah's girlfriend, Elizabeth, her son Timmy and their son Zion and friends from Mama Shirley's church. Lots of stories and laughter that night, too!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dishon and his mom, Shirley</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dishon and his sister, Deborah</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ley, Ni'Jah and Aunt Rita</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Asha and her fiance, Daniel</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jared, Dishon and Micah</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cousins</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dishon, Zion and Me</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<u><b>Runs in the Family:</b></u><br />
When we sat and talked with Aunt Rita at Mama Shirley's house before everyone else showed up, she talked about how, even now that she's retired, she continues to facilitate diversity trainings. Hmm . . . Familiar. See my account below of the big things for me in 2018. <br />
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<u><b>It's Hard to Officiate in Virginia:</b></u><br />
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I won't say too much about this, except that Dishon will be officiating our niece's wedding in June, and in order for him to officiate this wedding, he had to present his license, ordination papers, a letter from his supervisor stating that he's a pastor in good standing, a fee, appear in person to swear an oath (which we were thankfully able to do on our way back home). Serena had to use the bathroom while we were there, and I was a bit scared to let her go into the building for fear that they might also ask to have her as our first born child. Sheesh. Oh, and did I mention that it's only good for one ceremony? 😒<br />
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<u><b>I'm now scared of bridges:</b></u><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNpzJwc1FvBiq0yOLnI2HWweoF92hVcTDTeuJh9Ovszm8_NlXsJbpfXbWEXnM6oyqNzBgoemeZo5H87-0tXjYasprNLFRX4H3_L4xAEY8GfuA9wCtjQKzFrsuUskjZiyqG9isml6WqBCZb/s1600/Nice+Bridge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="287" data-original-width="432" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNpzJwc1FvBiq0yOLnI2HWweoF92hVcTDTeuJh9Ovszm8_NlXsJbpfXbWEXnM6oyqNzBgoemeZo5H87-0tXjYasprNLFRX4H3_L4xAEY8GfuA9wCtjQKzFrsuUskjZiyqG9isml6WqBCZb/s200/Nice+Bridge.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
I'm scared of heights. Very. So imagine how I felt approaching the Harry W. Nice Memorial Bridge connecting Virginia and Maryland. #NotSoNice #Terrified #WhySoSteep #NewPhobia<br />
😳<br />
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<u><b>Playlists Make Road Trips Extra Good:</b></u><br />
Being stuck in traffic drives me crazy, but good music makes it so much better. I made a road trip playlist when I went to Vermont with my friend Laura in February, 2017, and I haven't listened to it since then, so it was fun to listen to it on this trip. I forgot that I also made a playlist to serve as the soundtrack for when my novel is published and becomes a movie. Good stuff! I made the car into my own karaoke bar while I was driving 🎤. I'll resurrect those playlists again on our way back to Virginia in June. <br />
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And the celebration continues this month. . . my parents told me that they sent me something special in the mail 💖. There's going to be a cupcake with my name on it when I go into my office on Thursday, and I have a hangout coming up with my girl Laura next weekend. April is a big party all month long. And rightly so! 😉<br />
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<u><b>Big Things in 2018!: </b></u><br />
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This year has
already been pretty incredible professionally. And I feel like it's only
going to keep getting better. I feel like Harry Potter in The Half
Blood Prince when he took the Felix Felicis. #Winning<br />
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In early March, my sistafriend and colleague, Monica Washington, and I co-facilitated our <i>Required Reading Reconsidered </i>session for the first time at the Kauffman Foundation's Amplify Conference for Kansas City Educators of Color. I won't front - when Chris Emdin dapped me up during his talk, that was EVERYTHING! I have video!<br />
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In late March, my little brother from another mother and colleague, Chuks Ekwelum, and I co-facilitated our <i>Interrogating the Curriculum: When Are We Going to Learn about Us?</i> session at The Power of Culturally Responsive Education in the 21st Century conference in New York City.<br />
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In April, Monica and I co-authored our <i>Required Reading Reconsidered</i> blog post, and I was featured on the <a href="https://thecornerstoneforteachers.com/truth-for-teachers-podcast/restorative-justice-in-the-classroom/" target="_blank"><i>Truth for Teachers</i></a> podcast discussing the School to Prison Pipeline.<br />
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Gabourey Sidibe said my name and read my question on the Smollett Family Book Signing and Interview (<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q2PzwsUGINE" target="_blank">check out minutes 15:30 - 17:35</a>). What?!? Got to hear Jake, Jurnee, Jazz, and Jussie answer my question! 😳😁<br />
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By May 1st, I'll find out if I won a spot in Spotify's podcast contest. Fingers crossed!<br />
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At the end of May, Monica and I will co-facilitate our <i>Required Reading Reconsidered</i> session at the Coalition of Schools Educating Boys of Color (<a href="http://coseboc.org/" target="_blank">COSEBOC</a>) annual gathering in Boston.<br />
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In
June, Dishon and I will go away for a pastor's retreat and we'll all
travel back to Petersburg, where Dishon will officiate our niece, Esa's
wedding. It'll be another family reunion, and I can't wait!<br />
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In July, Monica and I will co-facilitate our <i>Required Reading Reconsidered</i> session again at the <a href="http://www.nnstoy.org/2018-national-teacher-leadership-conference-teaching-tomorrows-leaders/" target="_blank">National Teacher Leadership Conference</a> in Las Vegas.<br />
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In the fall, I'll be featured on the <i>Truth for Teachers</i> podcast again, discussing Culturally Responsive Teaching and Learning. <br />
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You know how on Seinfeld, there was the year of George? This is feeling like the year of Afrika, and it feels fine! God, I am so deeply grateful for your love, protection, provision, wisdom, patience, grace, mercy, favor, creativity, and how You share Your joy with me. Year 43 was pretty awesome. Here's to a great 44th. <br />
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<br />Joyspirithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17809544650688692827noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4096963245424517813.post-31942044056562430832018-01-29T18:42:00.004-08:002018-01-30T04:31:25.689-08:00My Grey's Anatomy Finale: Side Eye at April Kepner<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1hPJ3HHp540RvcGD4ixDq9ltPFCVZ-Dn6jyOHUOqBKjBEPrcCSh2pRBwbpmWs1nkkKk4-5aI7eT4G8KMVO-XUCTNKRjuiDJucrALTPyXIFqSpVyZ4U11fDvZZ78KOHmB-J81uQJy3GLL2/s1600/Follower.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="960" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1hPJ3HHp540RvcGD4ixDq9ltPFCVZ-Dn6jyOHUOqBKjBEPrcCSh2pRBwbpmWs1nkkKk4-5aI7eT4G8KMVO-XUCTNKRjuiDJucrALTPyXIFqSpVyZ4U11fDvZZ78KOHmB-J81uQJy3GLL2/s320/Follower.jpg" width="320" /></a>I truly enjoy watching TV and movies. It's one of my favorite things to do. Sometimes it's a challenge for someone like me - someone who is not legalistic about what I will and won't watch, but who is also disinterested in crass, vulgar, gory things. There's enough of that to navigate through in real life, and I don't find it entertaining.<br />
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Also, as a Christ follower, it's important for me to be to be thoughtful about and
considerate of the things I allow myself to see and hear. It's
important to me to be protective of my heart, mind and spirit, and to model for my children how to do the same . . . so sometimes, I'm like, <i>Miss me with that Game of Thrones</i>. No judgment against those who like it. I think <i>Winter is Coming</i> is one of the bombest catch phrases of modern times, even though I have no idea what it means. From what I've heard and read about it, though, it's just not for me, and I'm good with that.<br />
<br />
Sometimes, when I hear someone talking about how funny or good something is, I try it out. I like to know what's up, and I experience FOMO just like anyone else. Sometimes I'm pleasantly surprised, and feel like <i>that wasn't so bad . . . </i>But more often than not, I just end up feeling uncomfortable, so I tend to not watch most R/TV-MA rated things. There was a period of time where I was able to watch a show I wouldn't typically watch through a service called <i>VidAngel</i>. The service allowed viewers to select the content we'd prefer not to see/hear, and that content was edited out. The service is in beta, though, and I got tired of waiting for episodes to load and missing seasons. Patience is not always in my wheelhouse. <br />
<br />
I was troubled by last week's episode of <i>Grey's Anatomy</i>. It's not like I haven't been exposed to Christians being made fun of and portrayed as silly, out of touch, judgmental, one-dimensional, unintelligent, etc. (i.e., Ned Flanders on the Simpsons, and a recent plot line of <i>Superstore</i> which focused on ridiculing one of the characters because she believed in angels). Some of those who are followers of Christ in name only make it too easy to make fun of the Christian faith, and those of us who practice our faith in alignment with the teachings of Jesus are often collateral damage. I get it. Take the folks who claim to follow Christ who believe that it's not okay to read/watch <i>Harry Potter</i> because "it encourages witchcraft" but think it's fine to read/watch <i>The Lord of the Rings</i> although Gandalf is also a wizard. I find that type of hypocrisy maddening. I thoroughly enjoy both The Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter (I believe that J.K. Rowling was highly influenced by Tolkien - just look at the Nazgul and compare them to the Dementors). Those folks get on my nerves, too. <br />
<br />
But there was something different about last Thursday's episode of <i>Grey's Anatomy</i>. I've been watching the show for years, and even binge watched it again over the Christmas break. April Kepner has never been my favorite character, but it was nice to have someone on the show who identified as Christian, even though she practices her faith differently than I do. There are not a lot of well-developed, observant Christian characters out there in TV land. But wow with this last episode! 😡<br />
<br />
So basically April's character endured the loss of her child and the demise of her marriage with her faith tried, but ultimately, seemingly in tact, but when faced with a young man who had taken Matthew 5:30 a bit too literally, a 12-year-old Black boy who was the victim of an unjustified, lethal police shooting, a domestic abuser who died as a result of his own rage, and the death of her former fiance's wife, her faith crumbled. <i>Really?</i><br />
<br />
I guess the argument can be made that her faith was never quite deep to begin with. She mentions Job in her narration of the episode, but doesn't mirror his, ". . . though He slay me, yet will I trust in Him" faith (Job 13:15). I guess someone with her transactional perspective on a relationship with God was bound to crash and burn (<i>I do what I think to be good things, and God should give me what I want </i>versus <i>I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us</i> [Romans 8:18])<i>. </i>But to misrepresent scripture, to misconstrue Jesus' quoting the words of David while on the cross, to say that the trials of Job were merely a bet between God and Satan as if God finds our suffering to be entertaining . . . that is not an accurate representation of the God I know. God who put on flesh and died one of the most awful deaths imaginable because of His deep, all-encompassing love for His children.<br />
<br />
Notice I said the God I know . . . not the God I think I know. God is as real to me as any person. More real, actually, and I've been through some stuff. To see a relationship with God regularly treated with such callousness, disdain, and ridicule . . . It bothers me. <br />
<br />
I have grown accustomed to not being truly seen, understood, not being valued, being thought of as naturally less intelligent, being made fun of, being minimized, etc. As a Black person in America. As a woman. And also as a Christ-follower. Thankfully, I don't find my worth in what people who don't really know me say about and think of me.<br />
<br />
For Christ followers, the Bible is not "just stories." Jesus Christ is my Lord and Savior. I live to worship the eternal Godhead - Father, Son and Spirit. The reality of their Triune relationship gives me life, purpose and irrepressible joy! I just wish that people who want to make statements and/or share opinions about the Christian faith would really take the time to understand The Bible for themselves, or spend time really listening to mature Christians without forming opinions based on what someone else says or thinks . . . and definitely not cracking jokes about the Christian faith based on the foolishness, ignorance, and misrepresentation of some who claim the name <i>evangelical</i> without truly embodying the meaning. Folks don't have to agree with or adopt the same beliefs, but disrespecting what people believe is not okay. <br />
<br />
I'm sure the entertainment industry will continue ignorantly hating on the sacred text and beliefs of Christ followers. Whatever. I'm done with giving my time and attention to something as it disrespects something that means everything to me. So long, Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital. I'm all set. That minstrel Christian stereotypical representation is fake news. But when I think about Jesus . . . My soul cries Hallelujah!!! Don't get me started, Yall! 😉<br />
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<br />Joyspirithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17809544650688692827noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4096963245424517813.post-38975930895585831902017-10-19T09:40:00.001-07:002017-10-19T09:41:03.841-07:00#LittleMeToo?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span id="goog_1539030377"></span><span id="goog_1539030378"></span>I've been thinking a lot about #MeToo lately. When I first started seeing it on Facebook, I reflected back on my life to see if I should also update my status. I imagine most women did the same thing. Assault and harassment are very serious issues, and I didn't want to update my status if it didn't really apply to me. At the same time, I wanted to make sure I wasn't suppressing anything or in denial.<br />
<br />
My initial thought was that I've never been assaulted. Not in the way I think of assault. Not what you see on <i>Law and Order SVU</i> and on the news. But I didn't feel completely sure. Something was blocking me from moving beyond that initial reaction, though there was a splinter in my mind about it.<br />
<br />
I wondered (and I'm still wondering) how #MeToo might be impacting women who have been assaulted in the way I do think about it, and who have not talked about it with many people or anyone at all? There are no trigger warnings on these #MeToo posts. What if someone has buried it deep within and far away, and then these #MeToo posts pop up all over their social media feeds with their well-intended, but dangerous shovels, exhuming all that horror and making their news feeds feel as unsafe as they were when it happened?<br />
<br />
It definitely exhumed things for me. Things I'd rather not think about. Things I very rarely talk about, and when I do, it's only with a select few. Things that tempt me to shrink and feel shame. Things that steal my words and strangle me. Things I wish I could completely erase from my mind. There's something that resonates in me when I read #MeToo. <br />
<br />
What if a teenage neighbor boy catches you and his little brother being <i>curious</i>,
and then the little boy's brother tells you to show him what you were
doing? What if you remember feeling dirty and scared - like live kiddie porn? What if,
later on you're told, before going to another neighbor's house, not to
let what happened with the other neighbor happen with this neighbor?
What if you feel ashamed . . . like what happened was your fault, but
you hadn't even lost your two front teeth yet? Do you post #MeToo?<br />
<br />
What
if you act on this same curiosity with a relative half a year older
than you, and that relative threatens to tell your big sister what you did
if you didn't do everything he said? What if your parents weren't there, and this torture lasted for six
weeks of your summer vacation while you were staying out on Long Island
with other relatives you barely knew? What if you did everything he told you to do for SIX WEEKS,
and then he told you he'd tell your sister anyway? What if you cried,
and shook inside, and begged him not to tell, and then he told her
something else in front of you . . . something benign, and then looked
at you and laughed while your sister looked at you confused about why
you were so afraid? Do you say #MeToo if you were only six when it
happened, and the relative was not much older than you?<br />
<br />
What if you're checked regularly to make sure no one has touched you inappropriately, but so
much has happened behind closed doors while they played Bid Whist and Spades, and nothing
the eyes could see would tell anything about it at all? <br />
<br />
What if an older male relative asks you and another young relative to massage his thighs, and it feels creepy and weird, but you're a little kid, and you don't know that you can say no?<br />
<br />
What if you're in junior high school, and after recess every day on the way in from the yard, the boys run through the crowd of students squeezing the girls' butts and laughing? What if you don't want it to happen, and it makes you so uncomfortable to be touched like that, but no teachers are ever watching, and no one ever does anything to stop it?<br />
<br />
What about if you're 15 and then 18, and you're told about about the sexual assaults of loved ones, but you have no one to process it with you? What if you witness someone else's damaging response, know that it's so wrong, but don't know what to do because you don't know what the right response is? What if you have to hold it silently? Just hold it, even though it feels way too heavy? What if you feel horrified, and surprised, and sad, and scared, and confused, and soul-achy, but you have no where to put it? No one to talk to about it? What if you are left wondering, "If this happens to me, will I have to be quiet about it, too?"<br />
<br />
What if you confide in a loved one as you're seeking guidance about a friend's sexual secret, and instead of supporting you, that loved one threatens to report your friend to the pastor if she doesn't <i>turn herself in</i>, even though doing so would result in your friend being suspended from church, and expelled from the "Christian" college you attend? What if it felt like an assault, and what if you felt complicit, even though that was not your intention? How do you recover from equipping a loved one to violate a friend? When you feel like a paralyzed bystander who unknowingly provided the weapon your loved one threatened to use to destroy her? In this case, would the person post #ItWasMe? How do you feel ever feel safe around that loved one? How do you ever feel safe to open your mouth again?<br />
<br />
What if a male co-worker more than twice your age invites you to come out to lunch while you're working as a magazine intern, and he walks you over to a secluded area near the United Nations, and places his arm around your shoulder without asking you? What if it goes on for a long time, and you're sitting there, wanting him to stop, feeling immobilized and numb, so scared that this may not be where it ends even though you're only yards away from a busy Manhattan street, but no one can really see you from where you are? What if it does end there, and you feel like you dodged a bullet, but you shouldn't really say anything about it because you feel like maybe it was your fault because you asked him for all of those extra office supplies to take back to college with you? Thinking that if you tell, maybe your loved one will think you need to be turned in, too. <br />
<br />
What feeds shame?<br />
What nourishes it?<br />
What makes it grow?<br />
Secrets. All of those secrets.<br />
Being afraid to speak them.<br />
What do perpetrators always say? <br />
Shhhhh . . .<br />
Don't tell!<br />
<br />
But nothing life giving grows in the dark. <br />
Forget being quiet!<br />
Speak!<br />
Tell!<br />
Cry!<br />
Scream!<br />
Publish your blog post! <br />
Throw the curtains open and let the light in.<br />
No one who means you well requires you to keep a cancer inside you.<br />
No one who means you well would want to see you crushed beneath that weight. <br />
It'll be so bright that it will ache at first . . . <br />
But when your eyes adjust to the light you were meant to live in,<br />
You'll be okay.<br />
You'll be able to breathe.<br />
You'll be free. Joyspirithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17809544650688692827noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4096963245424517813.post-49322357640760053042017-10-03T07:43:00.003-07:002017-10-03T10:43:17.534-07:00Sometimes I'm in Texas (Ambassador College/University)<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me in front of Daisy (or Bluebonnet?)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
My college doesn't exist anymore. When the Worldwide Church of God's doctrines shifted to mainstream Christian beliefs in the mid 1990s, many of the members left the denomination. The loss of the financial support from the departed members resulted in Ambassador University closing a couple of years after I graduated. My school's campus in Big Sandy, Texas now belongs to the International ALERT (Air Land Emergency Rescue Team) Academy.<br />
<br />
I started reminiscing last night after hearing about Tom Petty's passing. A friend posted some of the lyrics to <i>Mary Jane's Last Dance </i>on Facebook last night ("Oh my, my, Oh hell yes . . ."), and wow! It took me back! <br />
<br />
I can't take Serena and Cairo to visit my old school like other people can take their children to see their old schools. But sometimes I'm in Texas.<br />
<br />
Sometimes I'm walking down to the convention center for my work study job with the Shipping and Receiving department. I'm in the office talking with other students about how I can make a little money selling my plasma (which I did once to buy hair for braids 😧, but I digress . . . ). We're making popcorn in the old school popcorn machine, and singing along with Rosco Martinez as he sings about <i>Neon Moonlight</i>.<br />
<br />
Sometimes I'm walking down to the equestrian, thinking about things and looking at the horses. <br />
<br />
Sometimes I'm in Longview, running across the highway to the movie theater with my friends, hoping to catch a movie and get back to the shopping trip bus before it leaves. <br />
<br />
Sometimes I'm piled in a car with nine other people going to <i>Whataburger</i>.<br />
<br />
Sometimes I'm at Pizza Hut drinking from those red cups or in the Winn Dixie parking lot belly laughing after pranking my friends.<br />
<br />
Sometimes I'm at a dunk contest, beaming because the best dunk was just dedicated to me. <br />
<br />
Sometimes I'm singing with the other Black women at the <i>Operation Philia</i> tribute to the Black men on campus.<br />
<br />
Sometimes I'm running from the fellas who are trying to take me to the Barn Dance jail.<br />
<br />
Sometimes I'm putting on a fancy dress, getting all cute for the Sophomore Banquet or the Senior Ball.<br />
<br />
Sometimes I'm listening to Little Texas sing <i>My Love</i>, and I'm singing along, completely surprised by how much I like some country music.<br />
<br />
Sometimes I hear the tornado alarms, and I'm in the storm shelter waiting for the all clear.<br />
<br />
Sometimes I'm shaking the snack machine in the lounge because it kept my money and didn't release the chocolate chip cookies.<br />
<br />
Sometimes I'm jumping up and down on my bed in my dorm named after Azaleas, being silly with my friends, and almost getting hit in the head with the ceiling fan.<br />
<br />
Sometimes I'm riding my bike across the airstrip down to Lake Loma, pausing, and taking deep breaths of air fresher than I've ever breathed before. <br />
<br />
Sometimes I'm in Texas.<br />
<br />
Sometimes I'm in Texas in my mind.<br />
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<br />Joyspirithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17809544650688692827noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4096963245424517813.post-48704216751873091982017-09-09T07:26:00.001-07:002017-09-09T07:26:02.813-07:00You've Got to be Carefully Taught (Education for Liberation)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggwKNler00OfyGv_SXO18k6LoTCHKZ3DreOba9D18mkrccnQqtFIxMK9ie5KZrPIV0hlkSm7_LjkTZPDiz_wX6POuVwrWZ77k_2BRZmUmCBu_ClRj_GE7yv-JkFS_kW-gg9IgBGKqQJjiH/s1600/Kids+Being+Kids.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="423" data-original-width="634" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggwKNler00OfyGv_SXO18k6LoTCHKZ3DreOba9D18mkrccnQqtFIxMK9ie5KZrPIV0hlkSm7_LjkTZPDiz_wX6POuVwrWZ77k_2BRZmUmCBu_ClRj_GE7yv-JkFS_kW-gg9IgBGKqQJjiH/s320/Kids+Being+Kids.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
I spent the last couple of days with my coach colleagues at BetterLesson, and it was so amazing. I work from home most of the time, and I usually see my colleagues in the Boston area on Thursdays. Some of my colleagues work remotely from New Jersey, Montana, North Carolina and Texas, and starting with <i>Coachapalooza</i> at the beginning of the school year, we meet quarterly for our own professional development and time to connect. The time we spend together feels like magic. <br />
<br />
At each of our quarterly gatherings we've been leaning into culturally responsive teaching and learning work - defining the work, identifying and unpacking biases, and exploring specific ways to support our teachers with cultural awareness and appreciation, family and community engagement, and with helping students to become socially and politically conscious and to take action against injustice. The work is hard, and the work is great. It helps me to stay all on fire like William Lloyd Garrison talked about. <br />
<br />
I've never seen South Pacific, but I've heard of the song <i>You've Got To Be Carefully Taught</i>. The lyrics stayed on my mind the night before the first day of our retreat last week, so I knew I needed to share it with the team as we thought about what learning experiences we'd want to create for ourselves and students if we were still classroom teachers following the tragic, yet not novel, events in Charlottesville. <br />
<br />
<i>You've got to be taught to hate and fear<br />You've got to be taught from year to year<br />It's got to be drummed in your dear little ear<br />You've got to be carefully taught<br /><br />You've got to be taught to be afraid<br />Of people whose eyes are oddly made<br />And people whose skin is a diff'rent shade<br />You've got to be carefully taught<br /><br />You've got to be taught before it's too late<br />Before you are six or seven or eight<br />To hate all the people your relatives hate<br />You've got to be carefully taught</i><br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6iUMDWXLBYY4ZVkny6VdOha-S0aNob23hW4kUYMNe-ipjujbzXCOQ5YABYnsaWnWJi74Z8ZkGmI8wDThy9k_BXWOibo1iExkzl_JoLObtlWC3Z6TzlHaVU2pDoPviRltl4Er9gp8ck1rJ/s1600/The+Other+Side.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="348" data-original-width="800" height="139" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6iUMDWXLBYY4ZVkny6VdOha-S0aNob23hW4kUYMNe-ipjujbzXCOQ5YABYnsaWnWJi74Z8ZkGmI8wDThy9k_BXWOibo1iExkzl_JoLObtlWC3Z6TzlHaVU2pDoPviRltl4Er9gp8ck1rJ/s320/The+Other+Side.jpg" width="320" /></a>This is so true! Kids don't naturally hate other kids. You put kids together, and their natural inclination is to play - tag, hide and seek, build sandcastles, jump rope, splash in puddles . . . and they don't become hesitant until someone introduces the idea of separation. And even when society/people try to force kids to separate, some kids connect anyway. The Romeos and Juliets. <i>The Other Side</i> by Jacqueline Woodson is a powerful picture book which tells the story of Clover and Annie who become friends in a segregated community. <br />
<br />
While kids have to be carefully taught to be fearful of others, the opposite can also be true. Kids can be carefully taught to let go of fear, hatred, prejudice and ignorance. I believe that's where schools and teachers come in. That's a big part of why I do the work I do. <br />
<br />
Hatred and ignorance, stereotyping, prejudice, racism and xenophobia are prisons. The prison walls are invisible to some, but they are very real. We are placed in these prisons as children, all of us by the inequities built into American systems and structures from the very beginning, and some of us even more so with the baggage we receive from our families. Some family baggage has us in minimum security prisons, and some of us end up in supermax. As children, we don't have any say in the matter. Genuine relationships with and learning about others across differences (race, culture, gender, socioeconomics, educational experiences, neighborhoods, religions, languages, opportunities for travel, etc.) offer us a kind of parole.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgwg7tsDlcphMVU3Dpe-15uiwv6Co33GJXgjx3q3398jKW42Xq42G-FDbT_qnk1Ulcqzq2nVj4lQ_pntB4NzxgfqXfYVq6Y1E6PreVd3h832fQSghoDvW_AhlXdlGo5zRBsL2HJ5W2Ewwm/s1600/Hate.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="967" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgwg7tsDlcphMVU3Dpe-15uiwv6Co33GJXgjx3q3398jKW42Xq42G-FDbT_qnk1Ulcqzq2nVj4lQ_pntB4NzxgfqXfYVq6Y1E6PreVd3h832fQSghoDvW_AhlXdlGo5zRBsL2HJ5W2Ewwm/s320/Hate.JPG" width="238" /></a>Some of us refuse to be institutionalized, and choose to exit the prison of hatred and ignorance boldly. No recidivism for us. Some exit with curiosity. Some with confusion (when you don't know you've been in darkness, the light can be painful). Some with anger about being put in that prison to begin with. Some choose a halfway house because they're not quite ready to leave all the way. And, unfortunately, some choose to stay in prison, self-imposed life sentences, choosing to live in hate and ignorance, and trying diligently to imprison others. Those who choose to stay imprisoned are loud. Many are in positions of power. Many are all over the internet. They create flyers like this. <br />
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My faith tells me that we are all created in the image of God (Imago Dei). My faith tells me that God values diversity by nature of the fact that there's so much of it in this world. My faith tells me that God is love. I believe that love is far stronger than hate. I believe that love wins. Those of us who choose love HAVE to be louder, stronger, bolder, and we must have more stamina. We need to be brave. We need to be willing to be uncomfortable. We need to be willing to hear, do and say hard things. We need to let people know that they are in prison, and we need to offer a loving hand to those who no longer want to be. Jane Elliott offered that hand to the children in her third grade in Iowa after Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated. If you haven't already, you can see what she did here: <a href="https://www.pbslearningmedia.org/resource/osi04.soc.ush.civil.divided1/a-class-divided-1-the-daring-lesson/#.WbPov4qQwdU" target="_blank">A Class Divided, Part I</a> and <a href="https://www.pbslearningmedia.org/resource/osi04.soc.ush.civil.divided2/a-class-divided-2-day-two/#.WbPo1YqQwdU" target="_blank">A Class Divided, Part 2</a>. <br />
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Jane Elliott had her path, and we have ours. Find your traveling companions and let's go! Joyspirithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17809544650688692827noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4096963245424517813.post-50012034009512006762017-08-13T16:28:00.001-07:002017-08-13T16:28:05.641-07:00The Window (Washing Dishes)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I walk Rabbit on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday mornings. I love walking Rabbit - that's true. I don't love waking up at 6 AM to do it. My Fitbit vibrates letting me know it's time to get up, unless my bladder beat my Fitbit to it. I lay there, kick my leg up on my Yogibo body pillow in denial, sigh, pull off my covers and get my old bones up out of bed. "But Afrika," you might say . . . "you're so young, still. You don't have old bones!" Tell my knees that! Achy, achy, achy all the time.<br />
<br />
One of my first stops in the morning is to the kitchen sink to wash out Rabbit's food and water bowls before replenishing them both, and that's when perspective kicks in. I see beautiful things out of my kitchen window while I'm washing her bowls. Do I love making mortgage payments? Nah. Being house poor isn't fun. We're not building equity anywhere near fast enough for my taste . . . but life is about more than money. Washing the dishes in front of this beautiful view reminds me about what's important. One of the best times to listen to God's voice is when you're doing mindless things like washing dishes. <br />
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You can't see it so well from the picture, but outside the window is our deck.<br />
<br />
<i>But the deck is SO old, and the paint is peeling, and it's not the best deck at all!</i><br />
So? It's <i>your</i> old, flaky deck. When you lived in New York, and up until October, 2005, you didn't have a deck.<br />
<i>But that old, busted grill is out there, too! </i><br />
Yeah, and it was a gift. You didn't have to pay for that grill, and when you're ready, you'll throw that one away, and get a new one. Be thankful for the time you were able to use it. Remember when you lost power for several days and had to grill your food? You appreciated it then, right?<br />
<i>True . . . but Rabbit broke my bench, and it's just sitting out there. </i><br />
Well, I know that wasn't your favorite thing that happened, but it was old, and when it's time, you'll get a new bench, and it'll be great.<br />
<i>Hmm . . . those bluejays are pretty cool. We've been seeing so many birds at the bird feeder lately. I like that.</i><br />
Me too! And did you see those cardinals?<br />
<i>Yes! What a beautiful shade of red! And now that you mention it, those squirrels look like they're having so much fun.</i><br />
Yep. They're not worried about a thing. Just running and jumping from branch to branch.<br />
<i>And I'm noticing that there are lots of different types of trees outside. What types of trees are there?</i><br />
Pine, birch and sassafras.<i> </i><br />
<i>Sassafras is fun to say.</i><br />
It sure is!<i> </i>You see those tree trunks?<br />
<i>Yep.</i><br />
You're strong like that. I made you strong like that. I'm thinking of something I said before that one of the disciples wrote down. You know what I'm talking about?<br />
<i>Matthew 6:25-24</i><br />
What does it say?<br />
<i> <span class="text Matt-6-25"><span class="woj">Let me see . . . it says, "Therefore I tell you, do not worry
about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what
you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than
clothes?</span></span> <span class="text Matt-6-26" id="en-NIV-23309"><span class="woj">Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?</span></span> <span class="text Matt-6-27" id="en-NIV-23310"><span class="woj">Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?</span></span><span class="text Matt-6-28" id="en-NIV-23311"><span class="woj"><sup> </sup>And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin.</span></span> <span class="text Matt-6-29" id="en-NIV-23312"><span class="woj">Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these.</span></span> <span class="text Matt-6-30" id="en-NIV-23313"><span class="woj">If
that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and
tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you
of little faith?</span></span> <span class="text Matt-6-31" id="en-NIV-23314"><span class="woj">So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’</span></span> <span class="text Matt-6-32" id="en-NIV-23315"><span class="woj">[Y]our heavenly Father knows that you need [these things].</span></span><sup> </sup><span class="text Matt-6-33" id="en-NIV-23316"><span class="woj">But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. </span></span><span class="text Matt-6-34" id="en-NIV-23317"><span class="woj">Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself." </span></span></i><br />
You okay now?<br />
<i>I'm good. </i><br />
Enjoy your walk with Rabbit, and when you think of it, write down what I said so other people can read it and be encouraged. <br />
<i>Will do. Thank You, Holy Spirit. </i><br />
<br />
<i> </i> <br />
<i> </i> Joyspirithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17809544650688692827noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4096963245424517813.post-51644420147852534122017-08-05T04:16:00.001-07:002017-08-05T04:16:49.334-07:00Missing Rabbit<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I didn't think I'd ever have a dog. When we lived in Boston, our lease prevented us from having pets. When we moved into our own home, I discovered that I had developed an allergy to dogs and a thousand other things after my pregnancy with Cairo.<br />
<br />
So many people tried to tell me that I should get a hypoallergenic dog, but when I did my research, it turns out that there is no such thing. Whenever I was around dogs - didn't matter what the breed was - I ended up having a hard time breathing.<br />
<br />
I tried to convince myself that I didn't want a dog. I had grown up with mostly cats (adopted from the ASPCA in NY mainly to keep the mice at bay), and had only had two dogs. And even then, Blazer and Brownsville were only part of our family very briefly. I didn't have to have a dog. I have a wonderful husband, amazing kids, and a dream job. Life could be just fine without a dog, right? 😩<br />
<br />
But it wasn't . . . so I prayed. I was willing to even try allergy shots if that would help. We filled out an application with Survivor Tails Animal Rescue (Adopt - Don't Shop!) and looked at the pictures of the dogs available for adoption. And then there was Rabbit. I fell in love with her picture, and our whole family connected with her immediately at the meet and greet. I sniffed . . . pet her . . . sniffed . . . she licked my face . . . no tightness in my chest. No wheezing, no itchy eyes or throat, no sneezing, no congestion. After asking, seeking and knocking, there Rabbit was. No side effect but pure joy. <br />
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Some would say that finding Rabbit was just me figuring out what breed of dog I don't have an allergic reaction to. I can't . . . no, I won't walk through life without faith in God after all that God has done for me!! I'm about to do a hallelujah dance right now just thinking about God. I believe that God answered my prayers - especially considering that I still have a reaction to every other dog I'm around. Rabbit is my miracle dog, and I'm missing her while we're at camp. <br />
<br />
Dear Rabbit:<br />
<br />
I hope you're having a great time with Emilia, Nathan and Mabel. I wish you could come with us to camp, but I think with us being so busy and staying at Leever Lodge with so many other people, it wouldn't be fair to you :(. I'm so thankful that you get to stay with friends who care about you.<br />
<br />
When Daddy and Cairo dropped you off, I wonder if you thought you wouldn't see us anymore. I wish there was a way to make sure that you knew that this would be just like when you stayed with Dawn's family. Remember we came back then? We're coming back this time, too!<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyg0fF0Rl4K_UIvmEkZM8dktQ4JvnF1yqBUc1nvvDUbI_RMgAlAUiljuHMe-rSlkxK_KnhmwDc8uDPxXBtg7Oyqtx7gtZTqjIY5SA-LaSOet7sK2smr4RmhKYSv9cdbrzMSXrE-Yf1culx/s1600/Laying+on+Me.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyg0fF0Rl4K_UIvmEkZM8dktQ4JvnF1yqBUc1nvvDUbI_RMgAlAUiljuHMe-rSlkxK_KnhmwDc8uDPxXBtg7Oyqtx7gtZTqjIY5SA-LaSOet7sK2smr4RmhKYSv9cdbrzMSXrE-Yf1culx/s320/Laying+on+Me.jpg" width="240" /></a>I wish you like looking at screens, because I sure would FaceTime you, but we've tried that before, you're not really into technology :). I packed all of your favorite things, hoping that you'd somehow feel connected because you had a lot of things to remind you of home, our rhythms and routines. your bed, your jacket (in case it rains), baby carrots, Greenies, Benebones, SmartBones, your ball, even a new squeaky, flat goose (has to be flat so you have to work harder to dismember it!), and a three page letter for Emilia and Nathan so they'll know all about you. <br />
<br />
If my heart could speak to your heart, here is what it would say: <br />
<br />
I love the sound of the tags on your collar as you come down the hallway to see me when I wake up in the morning.<br />
<br />
I love going on walks with you. Even though you sniff EVERYTHING, I love watching you investigate and discover. You help me to pay attention to things that I typically don't see.<br />
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I love snuggling on the couch with you. You're SO heavy. I don't think you understand that you're not a lap dog. But when you lay on me, I feel so loved. I hope you feel loved, too.<br />
<br />
I love how fiercely protective you are. <br />
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I love when you jump up on the bed and keep me company in my room.<br />
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I love how you look at me and how affectionate you are. Nothing else like it. <br />
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I love watching you do scoot butt (zoomies)- usually with Cairo. He's your turn-up buddy and although we fuss at him when he gets you worked up, I think it's really funny 😂. <br />
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It drives me crazy, but you sure are a powerful advocate for what you want. If we're working out, you lick/waterboard us while we do yoga, or lay your ratty skunk or snake across our necks. You're such a nut, but no one can accuse you of not letting your needs be known. <br />
<br />
I think it's hilarious that you lick Cairo's knees, and for SO long while we eat dinner. I guess he's a tasty boy, huh?<br />
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I love how goofy you are. You can make me laugh so hard on my most challenging days. <br />
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Have so much fun! Remember how much I love you, and I'll see you soon!<br />
<br />
Love always,<br />
💖Mommy🐾<br />
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<br />Joyspirithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17809544650688692827noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4096963245424517813.post-68220437586557666902017-07-30T09:48:00.002-07:002017-08-01T13:54:12.640-07:00Beach Day (Letter to My Mom)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Dear Mommy: I'm so sorry that I'm going to miss your beach day next weekend. Although I'm so grateful to have the opportunity to volunteer at New Heights Camp again this summer, it's at times like these that I wish I could teleport 😔.<br />
<br />
I haven't been to the beach in a long time. Dishon and I sat on the beach a bit when we were in Puerto Rico, but <i>sitting</i> on the beach isn't the same as <i>being</i> at the beach. Not like how we used to when I was little. What I remember about those beach trips is feeling excited, like the sand was too hot for my toes, and finding out that I could take the heat, feeling like the water was too cold and the jellyfish were too scary, and finding out that my body adjusted to the ocean temperature just fine, and I could avoid the jellyfish. The beach means freedom, relaxation, warmth, fun, walking on a shifting and uncommon, sometimes hot, sometimes cold, sometimes sharp surfaces, and realize that you can adjust faster than you think . . . and experience a kind of timelessness where the sun seems to hang high in the sky forever. <br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_rLI9iw65Q4wwe6gIZL001L9I_8axiebu5O6oPzGI_MeLxc8AgmquSjVzvDK-wWt5Vo24QuzdNVfL85nF_d2s8uXOlE1f0TAmBeL_bSej1xUoNfaa5MBe9zKFO21m8tcJkX5gXhJyGoew/s1600/IMG_4172.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_rLI9iw65Q4wwe6gIZL001L9I_8axiebu5O6oPzGI_MeLxc8AgmquSjVzvDK-wWt5Vo24QuzdNVfL85nF_d2s8uXOlE1f0TAmBeL_bSej1xUoNfaa5MBe9zKFO21m8tcJkX5gXhJyGoew/s320/IMG_4172.JPG" width="240" /></a>Mommy - my first home . . . my First Lady . . . You had just turned 24 when you gave birth to me. When I was that age, I had been married for a little less than a year and I was about to start graduate school at Boston College. I had decided to become a teacher, and I was also working at Boston College to pay for my tuition. Dishon and I were living on Commonwealth Avenue down the block from the school in a tiny, tiny apartment with a miniature stove and fridge . . . no closet in our bedroom, and our elevator had that old school gate that you had to pull closed before it would run. In your early 20s you are in the midst of deciding things, and becoming, and I wasn't really sure how the chapters of my story would unfold. Did you feel like that, too, then? Excited and terrified? Bold and scared at the same time? Life is like that, huh?<br />
<br />
Some chapters of our lives have made me hold my breath without noticing at first. I was scared when Daddy called to tell us about your diagnosis. His voice didn't sound right. I've heard him sound like that before. You, too. Something like how it sounded when I found out that Ronnette was gone. It was a little too close to how I sounded when I called to tell yall that Dee Dee was gone. Too close to how the words of your text sounded in my head when you wrote that Benjeem was gone. He said you didn't want to talk. Your voice is like a trumpet - strong, certain, compelling - what am I supposed to do when that sound is muted? What do I hear then? What do I do then? Wait . . . keep listening . . . it'll come back. Not muted, really. Just paused so you could catch your breath. Moms have to put their oxygen masks on first. <br />
<br />
When I look back over our stories - individually, and where our lives have intersected - God has been so good! He has made everything beautiful in its time . . . All of our plot lines, valleys and mountains . . . the resolution has always been good, and it always will be. <br />
<br />
I was so glad to hear about your prognosis. Felt like I could breathe again. In my heart, I know you'll be just fine. You are my Warrior Queen. Fearless Defender. As the date of your surgery approaches, I pray that your beach day is all that you want it to be - relaxing, full of stories and laughter, connecting and listening and sharing. I hope you have a wonderful, joyful beach day where you not only have
fun, but remember that you're stronger than you even remember. Know that I will be there with you in spirit. I always am. As much as I enjoy creating word pictures, there aren't enough words or colors in all the world for me to let you know how much I love you, Mommy.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFPyNRBeG4dFwe_os2LnAs2HVM5UuwwUrkyjJVLTvCfdivL5ax8VXaRo9wXxVCOS-aK_sI8U4SxKnoXc6XjR2RLM_Lwmlwy8YzKoZVfU3m2sH8Ngp3HaDFEJ718rhHuvBtBAleUtce_9ID/s1600/Me+and+Mommy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFPyNRBeG4dFwe_os2LnAs2HVM5UuwwUrkyjJVLTvCfdivL5ax8VXaRo9wXxVCOS-aK_sI8U4SxKnoXc6XjR2RLM_Lwmlwy8YzKoZVfU3m2sH8Ngp3HaDFEJ718rhHuvBtBAleUtce_9ID/s320/Me+and+Mommy.jpg" width="240" /></a>After I'm all done with camp, and you've recovered from your surgery and returned from your cruise, we need some major hang out time. We have no where near enough pictures together! We must fix that with a bunch of selfies. There's so much I want us to do together. Let's make plans. Let's write. Let's sing. Let's lay around, watch movies, eat cookies and just be. <br />
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Love always,<br />
💖Baby Girl💋<br />
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Joyspirithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17809544650688692827noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4096963245424517813.post-2673813523503316142017-07-24T16:21:00.000-07:002017-07-24T16:21:00.726-07:00Ode to Ron, Sandy, Janie and Roberta (Why I Teach)<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fifth Grade - P.S. 397 (Foster Laurie)</td></tr>
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Today's post isn't about my novel, my writing, or what I'm wondering about the characters I'm creating. It's about my love for learning, and why I do what I do. I'll write about the novel again when it feels right. I'm getting ready to go to camp in a couple of weeks, so a hiatus will be in order from 8/4 - 8/12 anyway. I'll probably post next weekend and then take a break. <br />
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I think I was eight-years-old in this picture. I started school a year early, so everyone else was probably nine, and about to be ten. I spent a lot of my life being the youngest everywhere. In school, in my family. I didn't mind being Baby Girl. My mom still calls me Baby Girl, and I still don't mind. I never will. I love it, actually💖. <br />
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My parents tell me that I've always loved learning. My home was my first school. I can still see the bookshelves filled with books by W.E.B. DuBois, Alex Haley, and James Baldwin, and though I didn't understand the title back then, <i>For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide/When the Rainbow is Enuf</i>. I don't remember a time when I didn't love Sesame Street, and when it was time for me to go to daycare/preschool, I didn't cry. I was excited. See me?<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">#3 Train Track Shadows Above Little Me</td></tr>
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I remember fourth and fifth grades most vividly, and I think it's because I had two amazing teachers both years. Janie Miller and Roberta Kamler. I remember our big open classroom - no walls, no desks, no chairs. We sat on the rug and we learned. We read Shakespeare - Julius Caesar, Romeo and Juliet, A Midsummer Night's Dream, Hamlet, and MacBeth. We learned Latin. Tempus Fugit. Mater. Pater . . . and when our day was about to end we sang <i>It's quarter to 3. There's no one in the place except you and me . . . </i>I loved school. Loved our art and musicals - <i>The Pajama Game</i> and <i>Annie Get Your Gun</i>. I loved our annual holiday show. School was like magic . . .<br />
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When it was time for me to choose a career, I knew I could go the civil servant route. I could take an exam (which I did when I finished school), wait to be called from the list and then I'd have the security of a steady salary, health benefits and a pension when it was time to retire. I tried. I worked for the Immigration and Naturalization Service for six weeks after college. I hated it, so I left. They were mad, too, because a good deal of money was spent on my background check, but I couldn't do it. I couldn't spend hours and hours day after day in a file room waiting for Washington to approve my login credentials (and no one could tell me when that would happen the whole six weeks I was there) just so I could spend hours and hours day after day in front of a computer. My soul needed to breathe. I know me, and I knew that if I just tried to suck it up, it would have been a constant challenge to stay connected to joy, and that is essential for me. Joyspirit. That's me.<br />
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I am so thankful for the generations of ancestors who came before me who never got to experience what it felt like to have choices because they were kidnapped, branded, starved, torn away from one another, drowned, physically shackled, enslaved, tormented, sold, used, lynched, shut out, denied opportunities, imprisoned, excluded . . . but through all of that madness, their dreams never died. They pressed on to survive through hell and brokenness and stored their hopes and dreams and creativity and song and dance and arms wide open deep breaths in the open fields of the future away in their DNA and passed it on to me.<br />
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It was scary to try to follow an unfamiliar path hoping that I could make a living doing something I loved. But what did I love? I loved writing, so I started out in a graduate creative writing program at Boston University. I was in a class with Susanna Kaysen (Girl, Interrupted), and I loved being her student just like I loved being in Janie and Roberta's class. She was so skilled at helping me to see the beauty in my word pictures and tell my best story. Susanna Kaysen was an amazing teacher. Teacher? Yes, Teacher. I wanted to be a teacher.<br />
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So I transferred to Boston College and became an upper elementary teacher, and then went on to teach teachers as a Literacy Coach, Teacher Developer and Curriculum and Instruction Director. What I have seen too often is that schools (not all schools, mind you, but many of the schools with students who are brown like me ) have become like those locked places my ancestors worked so hard and died to change. Incarcerated, joyless spaces where the laughter, curiosity and wonder all children come into life with is erased and replaced with despair. And some of the schools that allege to be better often try to convince students that in order to be successful, you have to be someone different than who you are, and different from those who raised you. <br />
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What I most want now is for every student to be free to love school and for schools to be places where teachers love to be, and for them to honor the places from which their students come. Notice I didn't say love test prep or recite learning objectives, and I didn't say that I want teachers to feel like they work for Kaplan or like they need to rescue students from their families and communities. School should be a place to grow ideas, create, discover, read books, articles and poetry from all kinds of folks, write, wonder, learn, discuss, understand, be understood, be included, be honored, be inquisitive, be inquired about, dream, plan, reconsider, sing, dance, laugh, connect, debate, advocate, go on field trips, transform, be transformed, and just be . . .<br />
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Not to be suspended for wearing braids.<br />
Not to be yelled at.<br />
Not to receive demerits because you didn't wear the uniform. <br />
No to be ignored or merely tolerated. <br />
Not to complete worksheets.<br />
Not for test prep drills.<br />
Not to rush through content to get it "covered."<br />
Not to be told when they can go to the bathroom. <br />
Not to be punished.<br />
Not to supply inmates for prisons.<br />
Not to lose hope.<br />
Not to hear about how deficient some people think they are.<br />
Not to be judged and labeled because of demographics, socioeconomics and crime statistics.<br />
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<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Y9tVf_8fqo" target="_blank">Preach, Chris Emdin!</a><br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QixDnLzXpuU" target="_blank">Preach, Clint Smith!</a><br />
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This Sunday as part of Dishon's sermon he asked what we think God put in our hands to do. I see it as a calling to help schools and teachers to transform. I feel passionately about culturally responsive/relevant/inclusive/affirmative/proficient/competent/empowering teaching and learning that helps schools to become the places kids love to be because when they go there, they can shake off all that weight loaded on them by those who can't /won't value who they are and just fly . . . What's stopping us? And why do we let it? Not me. Not on my watch. <br />
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<i> </i><br />
<br />Joyspirithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17809544650688692827noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4096963245424517813.post-54407482859023113492017-07-10T12:26:00.003-07:002017-07-15T06:24:16.864-07:00 Where is Subria?My apologies, readers. I intended to post this last week, but last week was a hard week. I meant to click save after I wrote the title, but I clicked publish instead, and only realized that I had done that after Dishon asked me what happened to my post. <i>Where is Subria?</i> That's it. That was appropriate, though. In a lot ways, Subria and I are two sides of the same coin, and I had a hard time finding my voice last week in the midst of all that was on my mind. Life is changing as it always does, and I needed some time to adjust to our new normal. I'm taking things a day at a time, and today I'm good, so here I go . . .<br />
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If you've been following these posts, you have a pretty good idea of the plot line. Subria and Shiloh meet as kids, they grow (I don't like saying <i>fall</i>) in love, there's baggage, and there are challenges to overcome as there are in any great love story. I just realized that things are going to need to go further between Subria and Kevin than I originally thought, and my mind is a bit blown right now 😩.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">World Financial Center</td></tr>
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If you're a newer reader, you might not know that I grew up in New York City, and that the World Trade Center was a significant part of my life. In addition to visiting the observation deck of the WTC on a field trip when I was in second grade, I also worked in 6 WTC for two summers - the summer after my freshman year at Brooklyn College I was an Administrative Assistant for the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. Side note: That was a very interesting summer for me. I was 17, about to transfer to Ambassador College in Big Sandy, TX, and I attended a church with my family that was actually a cult. I did a lot of growing up that summer, because I was really starting to figure out who Afrika was apart from my family and church. I worked with four other young ladies who made that summer a lot of fun. My church taught that I should keep myself separate from "the world," but all of that Black Girl Magic in that office with Michelle, Sherry, Tanane, Tanya, and one other girl whose name escapes me was far too much to resist. I remember this one time that summer when I spent the night with all those young ladies (with the exception of the girl whose name I can't remember) at Michelle's house in the Bronx after work (her mom had passed away and left the house to her, and she was the oldest of all of us, but not by much). I couldn't believe my parents let me go. I had SO much fun. I felt like the female version of Pinocchio. I felt like a real girl. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5fGI3O8H4UN5xfoDQrlmiAXlOvGQCSsRFFioHNtr5m8jPk7Y0xn7ripihf_jktFietXzKIN5nGejJe6XeXcKfY7EgUVki8CbNmE9IVmDMXrk2ZOV0hnbWWQ04qgdDk9TOhIdbiQ8OK2MU/s1600/WTC+Fountain.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="742" data-original-width="1000" height="148" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5fGI3O8H4UN5xfoDQrlmiAXlOvGQCSsRFFioHNtr5m8jPk7Y0xn7ripihf_jktFietXzKIN5nGejJe6XeXcKfY7EgUVki8CbNmE9IVmDMXrk2ZOV0hnbWWQ04qgdDk9TOhIdbiQ8OK2MU/s200/WTC+Fountain.JPG" width="200" /></a>The next summer wasn't nearly as fun. I worked in 6 WTC again, but this time it was for the Equal Employment Officer at Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF). I was the only one there and the EEO traveled frequently. He rarely left me with anything to do, so I made my own fun by doing a ton of creative writing, eating lunch down by the World Financial Center and hanging out in the mall under 1 and 2 WTC (mostly window shopping). Sometimes I would just ride the elevators in 2 WTC just to pass the time. My parents had moved from the Flatbush section of Brooklyn to Brooklyn Heights. Our apartment was right next to the Brooklyn Bridge, and I walked to work across the bridge almost every day.<br />
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I didn't work in the WTC the following summer. I worked nearby, though, for the Summer Youth Employment Program in the Manhattan Municipal Building on Centre Street (if you watch any TV shows based in NYC, you've probably seen the building), and I spent as much time as I could in the WTC plaza, since there were performances out near the fountain at lunch time. I loved sitting out there listening to jazz. One of my favorite memories.<br />
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What does all of this have to do with Subria and Shiloh? I'm glad you asked. When Shiloh graduates from college in the spring of 2001, he pursues a career in film. His office is in Tribeca not too far from the WTC. He and Subria are still working through the challenges in their relationship. Here's an excerpt from the <i>Tomorrow Isn't Promised </i>chapter of the novel.<br />
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Wait . . . before I go there, I'm going to ask a question of you readers after the excerpt, and it won't be rhetorical. I really want you to really answer the question, either as a comment here, or on FB since the comment feature on the blog can be a bit funky at times. I know you guys are reading - I see the reader count on the post, and I'd love to hear from you. Feedback keeps me going and motivates me to keep moving toward publication.<br />
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Also, the excerpt has Subria living with her older sister Song, her husband Josh and their children, Genesis and Gideon. I am seriously considering eliminating Song's character, so once I finish revising, that part of the book will most likely be different. Not sure how - I don't think I want her to live with her parents. Maybe I'll have her living with roommates. I'm still figuring that out. Just don't get too attached to Song 😉. I have some other things I'm wondering, too, like how realistic would the movie deal be, etc., but I'll figure it out.<br />
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Okay, here's the excerpt:<br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Summer, 2001</span></u></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Subria was so thankful that Song and Josh had central air.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She was also thankful that Future Leaders had an extended year so she could work there during the summer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even though Song and Josh didn’t charge her anything to live with them, it was important to Subria to be able to help by buying her own groceries, and helping to pay for the water and electricity.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Mornings like this one, however, made it hard for her to leave the house.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The news report said that it was going to be the first of a three day heat wave.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This would definitely be a good day to take the kids at Future Leaders to the pool at the Harlem Y on West 135<sup>th</sup> Street.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Subria needed to pick up a few things from the store before going to Future Leaders, so she ran out to Met Foods on Smith Street, and was about to go upstairs to give Genesis the animal crackers she picked up for her when her phone rang.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"Hello," Subria said, while putting the ice cream in the freezer. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"Hey, Subria."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She nearly dropped the phone when she heard Shiloh’s voice on the phone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She had called him a few months back, but he didn't want to accept her calls, so she just kept praying about it, and waiting to see what God would do. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"Shiloh?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How are you?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s so good to hear from you."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Subria closed the freezer door, and sat on the counter.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"It’s good to hear your voice, too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What have you been up to?"</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"I’m working at the summer program at Future Leaders Institute.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ll be doing my pre-practicum there in the fall.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How about you?" Subria asked.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"Things are busy," Shiloh responded.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"You should be taking it easy, college graduate!" Subria said.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"Amira told Song about <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Crafting Freedom</i> winning the Screenwriting and Directing Award at First Cut!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Congratulations!"</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"Thank you, thank you," Shiloh said.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"Yeah, $10K never hurt anyone."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"That’s for sure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Plus I know you always wanted more people to know about the Crafts' escape from slavery.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, what are you planning to do with all that money?" Subria asked.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"Remember how I always wanted to live on Strivers’ Row?" Shiloh asked.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"Yeah . . ." Subria said, a bit surprised that the conversation was so similar to how it used to be before things became so complicated in their relationship. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"Well, I put a down payment on one of the renovated houses on W. 138<sup>th</sup> between Adam Clayton Powell and Frederick Douglass."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"Are you serious?" Subria asked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"I thought you’d definitely put that money away for a rainy day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That down payment probably wiped you out, huh?’</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"Not really," Shiloh said.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"What do you mean?" Subria inquired.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"Subria, you’ll never believe the call I got last week," Shiloh said.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"What?" Subria asked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"You’re killing me over here!"</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"I got a call from a movie company.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They offered me a deal."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"Shiloh!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Oh my gosh!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s wonderful news," Subria said, jumping down off the counter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"Shy, I’m so proud of you."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"Thanks," Shiloh said.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"This is the stuff I always used to dream about."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"You be careful, though.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do you have a lawyer?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don’t sign over your rights or anything," Subria warned.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"I won’t sign over my rights, Subria," Shiloh said laughing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"You’ve always been one of my biggest advocates.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have a lawyer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’s a friend of my dad, and he’s really good."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Things were quiet for a few seconds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Subria’s eyes filled up with tears, and she felt an ache in her chest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She tried to talk without revealing the lump in her throat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"Well, we’ve been friends for a long time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wouldn’t want anyone to take advantage of you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Anyway, I’m so happy for you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God is definitely showing you favor."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"Yeah, He is," Shiloh said, surprised to hear Subria talking about God.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"I finally left IFG, Shy," Subria shared, knowing what he was thinking. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"Really?"</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"Yeah," Subria said, smiling.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"Where do you go?" Shiloh asked.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"I go to Chief Cornerstone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Remember my Auntie Esther's church?" Subria asked.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"Yeah, I do," Shiloh responded.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"Well, when I came back from Charlotte, Song and Josh had joined, and you know Jazz and Nairobi have been going there for years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I left IFG and started going with Song and Josh after I moved in with them."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"Oh," Shiloh responded.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"I didn't realize you weren't living with your parents."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"Yeah, and guess what else?" Subria asked.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"What?" Shiloh asked.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"My parents left IFG, too, and now they go to Chief Cornerstone with us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isn't that great?" Subria asked.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"Wow," Shiloh commented.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"That's really wonderful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well, listen, I know we really need to talk, so is it okay if I come over tomorrow?"</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"I'd love it if you'd come over tomorrow," Subria said.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"Okay, I'll email you later so we can set up a time, okay?" Shiloh asked.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"Sounds good," Subria said.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Subria and Shiloh began to spend time together again, and although Subria could tell that Shiloh was still a bit tentative with her, she focused on being patient.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She believed that everything would work itself out eventually.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Subria was encouraged when Shiloh took her over to see his new house. The kitchen and one of the bathrooms were almost complete, and Shiloh seemed at peace in his new home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He even took her to the studio so she could see <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Crafting Freedom</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With every major thing Shiloh shared with her, Subria hoped that it would only be a matter of time before his heart would melt heart toward her completely, and they'd be dating again.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Sunday, September 9, 2001</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"So, what does your week look like?" Shiloh asked, as they sat around his living room. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"Well, I have classes and work tomorrow," Subria responded, "but my schedule is open on Tuesday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I need to go down to Borders to pick up a Rites of Passage curriculum that came in for me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It has some cool team building activities for the students, and I wanted to take them over to the school to meet with the teacher I’ll be working with.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My cooperating teacher has a free period at 11:00, so I was planning to go to Borders at around 8:30, and then head over to the school.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The rest of my week is just classes."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"Which Borders are you going to?" Shiloh asked.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"The one under 5 World Trade, "Subria responded. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"Isn't there one closer to your school?" Shiloh asked.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"Well, this one was the only one that had the curriculum I was looking for.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The rest of them would have to put it on special order.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Besides, it opens early, so I can go there before heading over to the school in the morning."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"Oh, okay," Shiloh responded.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"Let me drive you back over to your sister's house.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have to go to the studio to help with some edits."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"Okay," Subria said, grabbing her bag and heading out the door with Shiloh.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Tuesday, September 11, 2001</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Shiloh slowly stretched out his hand to shut off his alarm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was 5:30, and even though he didn’t have to be to the Givance Productions studio office in Tribeca until 9:00, he made it a practice to allow himself enough time to pray, study, shower, and make himself a good breakfast.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Shiloh always got into the office early, because he knew it made a good impression.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Even though Subria had her own kitchen in the basement, she was glad that Song and Josh invited her to have breakfast with the family each morning, even during the week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When she came upstairs, however, she didn’t smell anything cooking.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That was definitely not typical.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Song usually had breakfast done by 7:00.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was already 7:15.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No one was even downstairs.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"Song?" Subria called, looking around downstairs.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"We’re upstairs, Bria."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">When Subria went upstairs, Genesis was in Gideon’s room with Song.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"What’s up, Song?" Subria asked.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"Giddy’s sick, Auntie" Genesis said.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"Oh no," Subria responded, grimacing at Giddy’s little sick face.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"Josh had to leave early, so he doesn’t even know.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I really can’t miss school this early in the year."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"I can stay with him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don’t worry about it," Subria said, picking up her nephew.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"Are you sure, Subria?" Song asked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"What about your classes?"</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"I’m positive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don't have any classes today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The only thing I was going to do was pick something up from Borders, and check-in with my cooperating teacher, but my practicum at the school doesn’t officially start until October.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Really, it’s no problem."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"Subria, you’re an angel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m going to run down and get Genesis some cereal before we go."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Shiloh got on the 2 train at 135<sup>th</sup> and Lenox at 7:16 a.m., and transferred to the 1 at 14<sup>th</sup> Street just like he did every day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He got off at Franklin Street by around 7:45 a.m., and by the time he arrived at his office, he was relieved to see that the only other person in the office was Al Givance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"Good morning, Mr. Givance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How are you?" Shiloh said, extending his hand and smiling.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"I keep telling you to call me Al, Shiloh," Mr. Givance responded, smiling and shaking Shiloh’s hand in return. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"I know," Shiloh responded.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"Getting an early start, huh?"</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"Yes, sir."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"What are you working on?"</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"Sending out letters to all these folks who sent queries for their screenplays."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"Do you ever read these screenplays?" Al asked, picking up a pile of letters, and flipping through them.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"Yes, sir," Shiloh responded.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"There’s some good stuff in there."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"Well, son, after seeing your work, I think I’d like you to do a little more than respond to queries.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Leave that to Edward."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"But, Mr. Giv –"</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"Don’t worry about it, Shiloh.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’ve been responding to queries all summer, even though you won that big contest at your school.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hear you got a movie deal."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"Winning that contest was a blessing, but I still have to pay my dues, sir."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"And that you have.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Edward is a senior in high school.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He should be responding to queries.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’re ready to move on to reviewing scripts, son."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"Thank you so much, sir.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t know what to say."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"We’ll have lunch later on so you’ll know what I’m looking for.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the meantime, check out the Writers Guild of America website, and review what they rated as the top 101 screenplays.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I want you to be able to tell me what made five of these screenplays so great."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"Yes, sir!" Shiloh responded.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">As Mr. Givance returned to his office, Shiloh sat down at the computer to look up the Writers Guild website, and he became so engrossed that he didn’t even notice when his co-workers came into the office.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He tried to focus on films he already owned, or wouldn’t mind renting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There were many impressive titles on the list, and he wasn’t surprised by most of them – <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">To Kill a Mockingbird</i>, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Shawshank Redemption</i>, and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Usual Suspects</i> were a few of his favorite films, and his mother would watch <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Terms of Endearment</i> every day, if she could.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was saddened, however, by the lack of films by people of color.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The only producer he recognized was Spike Lee for <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Do the Right Thing</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although he was proud to see the name of his former teacher, he knew there had to be more work by people of color out there worthy of acknowledgment on this list.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He seriously considered creating his own list and became determined to make quality movies and mentor other people of color who could, too, so that the field would be expanded as well. Shiloh’s concentration was broken by commotion coming from over by the windows.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"What’s going on, yall?" Shiloh said, running over to the window.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"A plane hit one of the towers," Camille yelled, not making eye contact with Shiloh.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"Eddy heard it on the radio."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"What?" Shiloh said.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"Yeah.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Look out the window," Camille said.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Shiloh looked out the window, and he saw thick, black smoke billowing into the sky from lower Manhattan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"Was it an accident?" Shiloh asked.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"We don’t know," Camille said.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"This is bugged, huh?"</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Shiloh picked up the phone and dialed Subria’s cell number.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It went straight to voicemail.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He hoped that it was because her phone was turned off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She was constantly forgetting to turn it on.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"Hey, Subria," Shiloh said, trying unsuccessfully to hide the alarm in his voice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"I just heard what happened, and I know you said you were going down to Five World Trade today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I just wanted to make sure that you were okay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ll call again in a minute.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you get, this, though, call me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Okay?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All right.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bye."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">As everyone in the office stood at the window mesmerized, Shiloh grabbed his bag, and headed for the door.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"Where are you going, Shiloh?" Edward asked.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"A friend of mine is down there," Shiloh yelled, as he ran down the stairs.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Shiloh left his office a little after 9:00, and was terrified when he looked up and saw that </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMKN_xKq9NduNa_Eo45P_fiQsY4otsESMrel9j28WZKSXEIT3UvowLyfF_K-SCB917dkA2EOK6taKRHzhJG8wPT59FF0VqmED3y4sIQA3u4BAeWnmCmIz2UD0nCv6PcNK53vXqR8PMLNua/s1600/Second+Tower+Hit.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="731" data-original-width="634" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMKN_xKq9NduNa_Eo45P_fiQsY4otsESMrel9j28WZKSXEIT3UvowLyfF_K-SCB917dkA2EOK6taKRHzhJG8wPT59FF0VqmED3y4sIQA3u4BAeWnmCmIz2UD0nCv6PcNK53vXqR8PMLNua/s320/Second+Tower+Hit.jpeg" width="276" /></a></div>
another plane had hit the second tower.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He couldn’t be completely sure, but Shiloh thought he felt the ground shake under his feet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The towers were only about 14 blocks away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He tried Subria’s cell phone again, and it went through to voice mail again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He ran for the first few blocks down West Broadway.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was almost like watching a movie with what seemed like everyone from the surrounding office buildings pouring out into the street.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So many papers were falling from the offices in the tower that it almost seemed like a ticker-tape parade.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Almost.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most people were staring up with their mouths agape.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some were screaming.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some were crying, shouting that they had loved ones who worked in the towers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Others looked up shaking their heads as they shared theories about what they thought was happening.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Shiloh stopped running when he got to Chambers Street.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Only seven more blocks to go.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He heard one woman say that she thought a misguided pilot hit the first tower, but now with the second tower being hit, she was sure we were under attack.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Another man said that he saw people jumping from the towers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Shiloh wouldn’t allow himself to believe that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He continued running, at this point having to dodge through thick crowds of people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When he got to Vesey Street, the police already had the block sealed off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He looked up at the towers, and to his horror, he realized that the man had been right.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>People <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">were</i> jumping.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">By the time Shiloh left Vesey Street, it was around 9:40.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Firefighters and officers were escorting wounded people over to a makeshift triage area in front of St. Paul’s church yard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There were even more people on the street, and several buses filled with transit police passed by him on their way to the towers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fire trucks raced down to West Street, and Shiloh wondered how they would get everyone out of the buildings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It seemed as if the people who were above where the planes hit wouldn’t be able to get out at all, and thinking about that made Shiloh feel numb inside.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">He tucked himself into the corner, as many people were doing, and attempted to call his family, but all he could get was a busy signal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The lines were down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Everyone in New York was probably trying to call their family and friends.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> He dialed Subria's number again. No answer. Subria lived just over the Brooklyn Bridge, so Shiloh hoped that she was already heading home and figured he'd have better luck going to her house to make sure she was safe.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqjjN1sh_Wv5jed_odSi6xMN0Dby1ENoK1bC2ds8OqWbzu8j0iAgGWJPXd5Xl1i7_HOyFHISauRiZ-hBpoazONc8gpszaQXaTglSUxuZipjaTOSKDEBV5KxZcHJw5dceiVN6OysBJc8Ua5/s1600/Collapse+2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="497" data-original-width="746" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqjjN1sh_Wv5jed_odSi6xMN0Dby1ENoK1bC2ds8OqWbzu8j0iAgGWJPXd5Xl1i7_HOyFHISauRiZ-hBpoazONc8gpszaQXaTglSUxuZipjaTOSKDEBV5KxZcHJw5dceiVN6OysBJc8Ua5/s320/Collapse+2.jpeg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Shiloh followed the crowd up Park Row and got over to the bridge by around 9:50. He wanted to get across quickly, but too many people were leaving Manhattan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He just got on to the bridge when he felt the ground shake again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Shiloh looked back toward the towers, and saw that the south tower was collapsing. Part of him wanted to stay and watch, because it was just so unbelievable, but he was carried along by the rush of the crowd running away from the cloud of smoke, ash, and debris that was overtaking lower Manhattan toward safety in Brooklyn.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Shiloh’s heart broke for all the people who didn’t have a chance to escape the tower before it fell, and even more for those who escaped, only to look up and see the tower descending upon them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Shiloh couldn’t tell if he was choking from the soot or from the lump in his throat, but he tried to block everything else out of his mind, and focus on getting to Brooklyn Heights.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
</div>
Selah.<br />
I can't believe it has almost been 16 years . . .<br />
Read on when you're ready.<br />
<br />
The question: Should Shiloh find out whether or not Subria is safe the same day, or should he wonder for a while? He spent a long time being upset with her for her involvement with Kevin, and things are just starting to get better between them. I don't want it to come across like I'm trying to exploit a national tragedy, or in any way disrespect those who died or suffered harm that day. I feel deeply connected to what happened that day, and although the impact on me differs substantially from those who lost so much that day, it is an event that I really want to explore in this novel.<br />
<br />
I remember trying to contact my family from Massachusetts, and how relieved I was when I found out that every one was safe. I also remember not knowing the fate of friends who worked in the area until much later that day, which was terrifying. What say you, reader? Feel free to share any other questions/observations that came up for you as well. If you want to tell your September 11th story, I'm listening. Joyspirithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17809544650688692827noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4096963245424517813.post-23195147386272837102017-07-01T16:30:00.003-07:002017-07-01T16:30:57.819-07:00First Kiss - Subria and Shiloh<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieahMP4b2DgRNzWWD9pAorF0lMDJNY83AEqILntLdkuN0pa4VGfwgLVhAhFpTTwv6AF3lt3H5IzwR9ebJE5W5dSb5uPmSzCCmWliI_vzvXyIHc1ghzhYxjMvgHwpIU9H2bsc4yf4gKAF7r/s1600/Little+Kids+Kissing.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="282" data-original-width="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieahMP4b2DgRNzWWD9pAorF0lMDJNY83AEqILntLdkuN0pa4VGfwgLVhAhFpTTwv6AF3lt3H5IzwR9ebJE5W5dSb5uPmSzCCmWliI_vzvXyIHc1ghzhYxjMvgHwpIU9H2bsc4yf4gKAF7r/s1600/Little+Kids+Kissing.jpeg" /></a></div>
After talking with my beloved accountability partner about the last couple of posts, I realize that I made a huge error. Subria and Shiloh's love story is the focus of the book, but the posts over the past couple of weeks focused on Shiloh messing up, and her budding relationship with another guy. I didn't how Subria and Shiloh's relationship developed.<br />
<br />
I am still figuring out if I want them to have grown up together, if they meet in church, or some combination of the two. Subria and Shiloh get to know each other better when they go away to the same overnight summer camp. I won't share that as part of this post, because that part of the book really focuses on the camp experience. I'll share that another time. Here are some excerpts that show how their relationship starts to blossom after camp. There are secondary characters here that I'm still figuring out (siblings and friends). I know there are a lot of names, but don't feel like you have to keep track of them, because I will be cutting out a lot of the secondary characters. Just focus on what's happening with Shiloh and Subria. Enjoy!<br />
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Subria loved Saturdays.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was so wonderful to sleep late and not
have to wake up to the sound of the alarm clock.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Subria got out of bed, stretched slowly, and
walked over to her window to open the shutters.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>One of the things she enjoyed most about the view from her window was
how the leaves in the oak tree mimicked a kaleidoscope, filtering the sun and
making a shimmering pattern on the grass in the backyard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She opened her window a little wider so she
could enjoy the breeze.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Subria turned on the radio, and
although she knew her mother would kill her if she knew how much water she was
using, Subria stayed in the shower for about twenty minutes listening to the
sounds of Luther, Chaka Khan, and Loose Ends.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Something about R&B music soothed Subria deeply – the blends of
vocal runs, saxophones, and bass solos awakened her, and made her feel like she
was flying sometimes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although she had a
beautiful alto voice, the shower was the only place she felt truly free to sing
out loud, practice harmonies, and even laugh at her cracking voice as she tried
to hit notes that were a little out of her range.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It helped that no one else was in the house.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She didn’t feel like being judged for whether
she could hit each note on key, or with perfect pitch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That was Nairobi’s thing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It felt nice to be able to mess up and not
worry about performing perfectly for once.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Just as she dried off and got getting dressed,
the phone rang.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Subria answered it,
hoping it was April or Robin inviting her to do something with them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She had spent the last few weekends preparing
for and taking the PSAT and SAT, and she definitely wanted a break.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"Hello?"</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"Hey, Subria."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She almost dropped the phone, but she played
it cool.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"Who’s speaking?" she
asked, even though she already knew the answer.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"It’s me – Shiloh."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"Oh, hi, Shiloh.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How are you?"<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a good thing that her heart rate
couldn’t register over the phone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"I’m good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What are you up to?"</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"Not much.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What about you?"</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"Well, I’m over my uncle’s
house," Shiloh said, "and he lives around the corner from you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was wondering if you wanted to hang out or
something."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"What made you think of me?"
Subria asked, grinning, and leaning against the kitchen counter.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Shiloh paused.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He wasn’t prepared for this question, even
though he should’ve been.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"I don’t
know.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I got some bad news, and you’re
the first person who came to mind when I thought of who might cheer me
up."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"Oh," Subria said,
genuinely surprised.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"What
happened?"</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"I don't really want to talk
about it over the phone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I just want to
do something fun to take my mind off of things."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"Well, what did you have in
mind?"</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"We could go to the movies,"
Shiloh suggested.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"We could do that," Subria
said, coyly.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"What’s the last movie you saw?"
Shiloh asked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"Promise you won’t tell my
parents?" Subria asked, nervously.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"Promise," Shiloh
responded, his curiosity piqued.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"Love Jones," Subria
responded, covering her face, embarrassed, even though he couldn't see her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although the movie was rated R, Subria really
enjoyed love stories, and it was rare to see a positive depiction of a budding
relationship between a Black couple in the movies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"Really?" Shiloh asked,
quite surprised, considering that Pastor Pitts had specifically mentioned that
movie as a "secular influence that she be avoided."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"You promised you wouldn’t tell!"</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"I won’t, but I’m just
surprised.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It's a little . . . worldly,"
Shiloh said, smirking.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"Yeah, I know," Subria said,
laughing at how much he sounded like Pastor Pitts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"Well, what’s the last movie you saw?"</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"My class went on a field trip
to see Rosewood.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was good, but I left
feeling really angry."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"So, if we go to the movies, we
should go see something lighter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The new
Jurassic Park movie came out last week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Do you want to go see that?"</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"Sure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Where do you usually go to the movies?"</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"At the Kings Plaza Mall on
Flatbush Avenue.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You know where that is?"</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"Yeah.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Far," Shiloh responded.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"It’s not that bad.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All we have to do is go downtown, and we can
catch a dollar van from there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’ll get
there in no time."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"You ride those dollar
vans?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You know they’re illegal . . . and
dangerous!" Shiloh responded.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Although he was surprised that she would do something so risky, it
piqued his interest in her even further. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"Yeah, but it’s cheaper,"
Subria said, defensively. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"If New
York City Transit was so concerned about keeping people from taking dollar vans
instead of riding trains and buses, then they should stop increasing the cost
of tokens every year." </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"Still – it is kind of far."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"Well, the Brooklyn Academy of
Music is having their Dance Africa festival.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We could go to that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That way, we
would be able to talk."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"Have you ever gone before?"
Shiloh asked</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"Absolutely," Subria
said.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"I usually go with my family
every year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s really fun.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lots of vendors, and music, and food."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"Okay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let’s do that," Shiloh said.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"I’ll come pick you up in ten minutes?"</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"Can you give me 30?"
Subria asked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She didn’t really need 30
minutes, but she wasn’t ready to see him in ten minutes, either.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"Okay," Shiloh responded,
sounding slightly disappointed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"I’ll
see you in 30 minutes."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">In exactly thirty minutes, Subria's
doorbell rang.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She checked herself out
in the hallway mirror just outside of the living room, and walked quickly over
toward the door.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She looked out of the
kitchen window just to be sure it was Shiloh before she undid the locks.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"Hi," Subria said, pulling
the door open, and standing slightly behind it.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"Hey," Shiloh responded,
walking into the house and standing by the door.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Subria wasn't sure what to do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She knew that shaking hands would be too
formal, but they had never hugged before either, so she just kind of stood
there until he surprised her by leaning in, kissing her on the cheek and
hugging her quickly around her right shoulder with his right hand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She blushed, despite herself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"Do you want something to drink
before we go?" Subria asked.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"No, I'm okay," Shiloh
responded.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"We should probably get going
then," Subria said.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"I'll just
go grab my bag."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Subria jogged over to the dining room
table, grabbed her back pack and headed to the refrigerator to grab a bottled
water before joining Shiloh at the door.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>"I'm ready."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"Sorry I couldn't invite you
inside, Shiloh," Subria said as they walked over to Halsey Street to catch
the B26. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"It's okay," Shiloh said,
smiling.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"It's just that my parents don't
like me to be alone with boys in the house," Subria said, looking slightly
embarrassed.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"It's okay – really.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My parents are the same way."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"So, do you want to tell me what
happened?" Subria asked, sitting down on a bench at the bus stop.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"Remember when I got accepted to
the High School film program at NYU last summer?" Shiloh asked, sitting
next to her.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"Yeah, how could I forget?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That was amazing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was so impressed that you got in!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And I can't believe you had Spike Lee as a
teacher."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"Yeah, that was cool,"
Shiloh said, remembering how much he learned particularly from Spike Lee.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"You know, you were one of few people
who have actually been interested in my work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I mean, really interested.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’re
always asking me about it, and really happy for me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s so funny, sometimes," Shiloh said,
staring out across the street.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"You
think you know who your friends are until something really great happens, and
the people you thought would care don’t even seem to care that much."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"Yeah," Subria said,
frowning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"I think your work is
amazing."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"That’s what I mean.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’re always so encouraging.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When your family first came to IFG, I thought
of you as one of the little kids, but that’s not really true about you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’re different.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I started to see that at camp.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You're more mature, or wise or
something.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can’t believe I’m telling
you all of this," Shiloh said, shaking his head and looking away from her.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Subria wasn’t sure what to say, but
she was dying to hear where this was going.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>"So, what happened?" Subria asked, as the bus pulled up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"Okay, so you already know I got
accepted to the film program at NYU, right?" Shiloh responded as they paid
their fares.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thankfully, the bus was
pretty empty.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Subria stood back and let
Shiloh get on the bus first, and he walked about three rows back and stood back
so Subria could sit next to the window.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"Yeah, the Tisch School, right?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m not surprised.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’ll do great there."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Subria was also happy that he was staying in
New York, but she kept that part to herself.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"Well, it costs a lot, and
librarians and community newspaper reporters don't make that much money."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"Yeah, I’m hoping for a
scholarship, too."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"For track?"</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"Yeah."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"I'd love to see you run again some
time," Shiloh said.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"I told you at camp that you're
welcome to come any time," Subria said.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"So, what were you saying about
school?" Subria asked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"My school gives out a $10,000
scholarship to one student each year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I applied
for it, but I just found out that I didn't get it."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"Oh no!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I'm sorry, Shiloh" Subria said, turning
to face him a little more.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She didn't
care that their legs touched.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"What
are you going to do?"</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"I'm not sure yet," Shiloh
said, frowning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"I was hoping not
to have to work this summer, but I guess I'll have to.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My uncle is going to try to help.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was hoping to avoid taking out loans, but I
may have to."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"It'll work out, Shiloh,"
Subria said.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"You can't not go,
right?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is your dream!"</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"I<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>know," Shiloh said.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"Well, God will make a way for
you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don't worry," Subria said, as
she rang the bell to get off the bus.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">When Subria and Shiloh arrived at the
festival, they just walked around for a while, looking at wooden beads, and
cowrie shell bracelets and necklaces.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Shiloh was very interested in the tables featuring resources from local
bookstores, while Subria was more attracted to the booths with incense, oils,
and Afrocentric paintings and figurines.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"Are you going to buy something?"
Shiloh asked.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"No," Subria said.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"I can't afford that stuff, but I did
get business cards for their shops.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
only problem is some of them are from out of state.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some are on Fulton Street, though.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How about you?"</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"I want to buy some books from
that table over there," Shiloh said.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"Okay," Subria said,
heading toward that table.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"You can
put them in my back pack."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"Ah, and I was wondering why you
carried a back pack instead of a purse," Shiloh commented.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"Please," Subria said,
wrinkling her nose.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"I hate purses."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"If I put my books in your bag,
will you let me carry it for you?" Shiloh asked.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"Sure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But would you carry it even if I were the
type of girl who liked pink bags covered with flowers and butterflies?"
Subria said, smiling.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"Uh, no," Shiloh said,
grinning. "I would just carry my own books and let you hold on to your
little frilly bag."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"That's messed up, Shiloh,"
Subria said, nudging him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"Do me a favor?" Shiloh
asked.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"What's that?" Subria
inquired.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"Will you please call me Shy?"</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"Okay," Subria said.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Subria and Shiloh ended up spending
most of their free time together that summer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They went to the African Street Festival at Boys and Girls’ High on the
Fourth of July, and down to the Brooklyn Bridge to watch the fireworks
afterward.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They held hands for the first
time as they skated together at Empire Roller Rink, and they spent the day together
at the festival at Grant’s Tomb during Harlem Week in August.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Shiloh even taught Subria how to drive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"How are you feeling about IFG,
Subria?" Shiloh asked, as they headed for the train station after bowling
at Chelsea Piers and stopping for ice cream.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"I don't know," Subria
commented, putting a spoonful of Mint Chocolate Chip ice cream in her
mouth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"I never really liked it
much.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You know my aunt is the praise and
worship leader at her church, right?"</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"Yeah," Shiloh responded,
skillfully scooping chocolate syrup and whipped cream off of his hot fudge
sundae.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"Sometimes I think about what it
would be like to go to her church.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jazz
and Nairobi have been going to both churches ever since we joined."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"Really?" Shiloh asked.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"Yeah," Subria said.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"They never miss a service unless they're
sick.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jazz plays the drums, and Nairobi
is one of the lead singers in the children's choir."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"How come you don't go with
them?" Shiloh asked.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"Going to both services would
make it impossible to do anything else on Sundays.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And sometimes I'm traveling with the
Engineers, or going to some other track event."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"Sometimes I think about leaving
IFG and going to another church," Shiloh admitted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"I met this guy back when I first
started going to Hayden.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You remember me
talking about Sam?"</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"Uh huh," Subria said,
finishing the last of her ice cream.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"His family goes to the Harlem
Christian Church, and it's not too far from me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I've visited a couple of times, and I really like it."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"How would your parents feel
about you leaving?" Subria asked.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"I don’t they would care,"
Shiloh said.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"They might be looking
for another church home, too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I've been
catching them watching sermons on BET in the morning, and the preachers don't
sound anything like Pastor Pitts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think
they especially want Nadira to have a different church experience than what
Amira and I had."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"Remember Athena and Namibia
from camp?" Subria asked.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"How could I forget them?"
Shiloh asked, smiling.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"I've kept in touch with
them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even when I met them at camp, they
talked about God in a way that was so unfamiliar to me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But at the same time, it made me think.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I felt kind of jealous of their understanding
of God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I still do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They talk about loving God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t know what that feels like.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I fear God, but unfortunately, I can't say
that I love Him."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"I know what you mean,"
Shiloh said.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"I want to experience
God like Sam and Athena and Bia do."</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">"Me too," Subria said, admitting her
spiritual longing to someone else for the first time.</span><br />
<br />
***<br />
<br />
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">As Subria got closer to her
graduation from high school, she wanted to be more excited about her
future.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She had applied for and been
accepted to Sinai University in Charlotte, North Carolina.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Subria remembered Sinai from stories her
counselor had told her about the school back when she went to Camp Saranac.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Subria had been accepted to numerous Ivy
League schools closer to home, and she'd miss Shiloh and her family, but Subria
believed that a private Christian college would be a good place for her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Subria couldn't entirely enjoy this
new stage of her life, however.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Subria's
relationship with her father had grown closer now that he had been spending
more time at home, but although she was maturing, and about to move away from
home, Steven still had a hard time treating her more like the woman she was
becoming.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Subria felt like the part of
her life he really understood and accepted was her involvement on the track
team, and while she appreciated his support, there was so much more to her than
that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Renee protested, but Steven wouldn't
let Subria have a boyfriend, so although she and Shiloh were developing a
closer relationship, the only reason Steven allowed them to continue to spend
so much time together was because he saw Subria and Shiloh as more like brother
and sister.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thankfully, Renee had
faithfully kept the promise that she made to Subria years ago.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She never let on that Subria had feelings for
Shiloh, and the feelings were now quite mutual.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"What’s wrong?" Shiloh
asked Subria as he walked her to the train station from his dorm.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"Nothing," Subria said,
pouting.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"Come on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know you better than that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What’s up?"</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"I don't know if my father is
going to let me go to the prom!"</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"Oh," Shiloh said.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"It’s not fair.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is one of the most important days of my
life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don't think he understands how
important this is to me!"</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"I’m sure he does care.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He's not like that," Shiloh said,
dismissing his personal frustration with Steven's unwillingness to allow Subria
to date.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"Yes he is, Shy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Did your parents let you go to your prom?"</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"Yeah, but it wasn’t that big of
a deal," Shiloh said.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"People
make more out of it than they really should."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"That’s easy for you to
say.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You got to go," Subria said.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"True," Shiloh said,
conceding the point.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"My parents
were cool about me going, but they just didn’t say much to anyone at church
about it."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"Do you think they could talk my
parents into letting me go?" Subria asked, hopefully.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"Maybe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Is there someone you want to go with?"
Shiloh asked, sounding more jealous than he meant to.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"Of course not!" Subria
said, blushing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"It’s nothing like
that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I just want to go.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’s just concerned that I’m going to do
something inappropriate, even though I never do."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"Well, maybe I have a solution,"
Shiloh said.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"What?" Subria asked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"I’m open to anything, at this point."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"I could go with you,"
Shiloh suggested.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"Are you serious?"</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"Well, I know you’re saying that
you don’t mind going without a date, but speaking from experience, you have
more fun when you go with someone."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"I don’t know if I want to hear
about this," Subria said, frowning. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"No, really.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you don't go with a date, all the shady
guys just keep asking you to dance, and it’s hard to say no when you’re not
there with someone."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"Well," Subria asked,
hesitantly, "did you go with Arisleyda?"</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"We were supposed to go
together, but we broke up before the prom."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"So you were one of the shady
guys asking the stag girls to dance?" Subria teased.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"Forget you, Subria.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m just trying to do you a favor."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Shiloh noticed the hurt look on Subria’s
face, and decided to be more honest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"I
shouldn’t have said that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What I meant
to say was it would be nice to go together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>My prom experience wasn’t so great.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I don’t want you to have the same experience, and I think it would be
fun to hang out with you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Besides, your
father trusts me, so he'll probably say yes."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"Well, I'd love to go to the
prom with you, Shy," Subria responded, smiling, "but you have to be
the one to ask him."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"Just tell me when," Shiloh
said, confidently.</span></div>
<br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Subria was awakened on the morning of
her prom by the loudest boom she had ever heard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She jumped up from her bed and pulled open
the shutters only to discover huge drops of rain slamming against her window.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She pressed her face against the window and
groaned.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Subria walked slowly over to her
closet and pulled out the prom dress that she and her mother so carefully
selected from Bloomingdale's on 59<sup>th</sup> and Lexington.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Initially, Subria's mom tried to talk Subria
into wearing Song or Nyasia's old prom dresses, but Subria had been wearing
their second hand clothes for years, and she talked her mom into finally
letting her get something special of her own. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Subria and Renee had gone shopping
for the dress in early March so that they wouldn't have to compete with the
hundreds of other girls who would be shopping for prom dresses in the
spring.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Subria knew what dress she
wanted as soon as she saw it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a
black, backless, flowing Ralph Lauren dress – simple, and sophisticated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now, despite the excitement Subria felt when
her father agreed to let Shiloh escort Subria to the prom, she was concerned
about the dress being ruined by the rain before she could even get there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Subria flicked on the television, and
turned to the news to see when the rain was supposed to end.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To her chagrin, the meteorologist forecasted
rain throughout the day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She turned the
TV off, threw the remote down on her bed and went upstairs to her mom's room
and knocked.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"Come in," Renee said,
yawning.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"Hey, Mommy," Subria said,
sulking, and flopping down next to her mom on her parents' bed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"Rainy day, huh?" Renee
said, frowning at Subria.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"It's supposed to rain all day,"
Subria said, near tears.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She put her
head in her mother's lap, and Renee rubbed her back like she used to when
Subria was younger.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"Where's Daddy?"</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"At an early meeting,"
Renee replied. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"Jazz and Nai are still asleep?"</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"Probably," Renee
replied.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"Don't worry, Bria.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I'm sure it'll stop raining."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Renee was right.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At around 2:00 that afternoon, the clouds
rolled away, and the sun was shining through the kitchen window as Subria sat
in front of the stove, so her mom could straighten her hair.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Subria had finally come to embrace her hair.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She had gone through a lot of drama in her
early years about her light complexion and what some other Black girls called
her "good hair," because her hair was so long.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Subria was brought up to believe that
everyone's hair was beautiful, and it troubled her that so many other people
didn't believe the same thing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She kept
her hair in cornrows most of the time primarily because it was more convenient,
especially for track, but also because she loved the connection to her African
heritage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For this occasion, however,
she didn't mind having her mother press and curl it for her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Subria wanted to have a more sophisticated
look.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Subria heard the doorbell ring at 7:00
on the dot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although she was very
nervous about going downstairs and seeing Shiloh, she was delighted that he was
so punctual.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her stomach dropped when
she heard a knock on her bedroom door.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Subria knew it couldn't be Shiloh, but the whole occasion had her on
edge.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"It's me, Subria," Nairobi
called from outside the door.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"Can
I come in?"</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"Yeah," Subria responded.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Nairobi opened the door slowly, and
her mouth dropped open when she saw Subria.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>"You look so pretty, Bria!" </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"Thanks," Subria said,
smiling and blushing slightly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"Did you see him?" Subria
asked.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"Yes I did," Nairobi said
mischievously.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"Well?"</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"He looks really handsome . . .
and nervous.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just like you,"
Nairobi said, teasingly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"You
should go downstairs."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"You go down first.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tell him I'll be down in a few minutes."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"What are you waiting for?"
Nairobi asked.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"I'm just not ready to see him
yet," Subria said, defensively.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"So why did you tell him to get
here at 7:00, then?"</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"I thought it would take him
longer, coming from Harlem."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"Come on, Subria!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You know he likes you!" Nairobi said,
moving a few loose hairs away from Subria's eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"Why else would a guy who's about to be
a sophomore in college ask you to your prom?"</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"Just go down and tell him for
me, Nai.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Please?"</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"Okay, but if you're not
downstairs in three minutes, I'm sending him up here."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"Nairobi!"</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"I'm so <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">not</i> joking, Subria!"</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">By around ten after seven, Subria
finally mustered up the courage to go downstairs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She rounded the corner into the living room,
and Shiloh was sitting on the couch with Jazz.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Shiloh stood up as soon as he saw Subria.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"Wow," Shiloh said, walking
over to her slowly.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"Okay, yall," Jazz
said.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"I'm out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You kids have fun.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don't do anything I wouldn't do," he
said, putting his arms around both their shoulders before jogging out of the
living room.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"You look gorgeous, Subria,"
Shiloh said.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"Thanks, Shy," Subria
responded, smiling and checking out his tuxedo.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>"You look really good, too."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>She could tell that he had just had a hair cut.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He had a few stray hairs around his ears, but
Subria didn't know how he'd feel about her bringing that up or wiping the hairs
from his skin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One of Subria's favorite
things from the time she spent at <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Joonyaz</i>
was seeing guys right after their haircuts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Her uncle was a master at giving sharp fades and tight line ups.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Shiloh had that clean look about him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Thankfully, the doorbell rang, so
there wasn't too much uncomfortable silence between the two of them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"The limo's here," Renee
called from the kitchen.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"Shall we go?" Shiloh
asked, extending his arm.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"Sure," Subria said,
interlocking her arm with his.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Subria enjoyed riding with Shiloh
down the Grand Central Parkway in a limousine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They shared the limo with Jameela and India and their dates, but Subria
found herself wishing that they had rented their own limo instead.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She didn't feel as nervous around Shiloh
anymore, and although splitting the cost of the limo made it more affordable,
she actually started to find Jameela and India's dates annoying.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"So, your name is Shiloh,"
Jameela's date asked.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"Yeah," Shiloh
responded.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"How about you?"</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"I'm Fella."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"Fella?" Shiloh asked.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"Well, my real name is Shawn,
but everybody calls me Fella."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"Okay," Shiloh said,
stifling a laugh.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"It's nice to
meet you."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"My name is Zaquise,"
India's date said, "but people call me Zaq."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"Hey, Zaq," Shiloh
responded.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"Sorry for not introducing yall,"
Subria said, halfheartedly.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"It's all good," Fella
responded.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"We'll have a lot of
time to get to know each other tonight, right Meela?"</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Jameela smiled uncomfortably as Fella
grabbed her around her waist and kissed her neck.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"What is he talking about,
Jameela?" Subria asked, sounding a lot like her mom.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Zaq looked at India sheepishly, and
India blushed, suddenly finding the view from the window more engaging than the
conversation taking place.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"Yall didn't know?" Fella
asked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"We're going to a hotel
after the prom is over."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"We never talked about doing
anything like that!" Subria said, directing her deadliest gaze at Jameela.
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"I know," Jameela said, "but
I didn’t think yall would mind."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"Of course we would mind,
Jameela!" Subria said, almost yelling.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>"Did you know about this, India?"</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">India shrugged, continuing to look
out of the window. Subria hated how India allowed Jameela to talk her into
things, even if it made India uncomfortable. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"What?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yall are not down?" Fella asked.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"No, we're not," Shiloh
responded.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"It's not a problem,
though.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We can just have the limo drop
us back off by Subria's house after the prom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We'll split the cost of the limo for the time we shared with yall, and then
yall can go where you want."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"I'm cool with that," Fella
responded, smiling.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Subria was so thankful both to hear
Shiloh's solution, and to see that he didn't seem to be offended by what her
friends and their dates were planning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>She looked over at him and mouthed, "Thank you."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"Let's listen to some music,"
India chimed in, ever the one to end uncomfortable silences.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She turned on the radio, but the tension in
the limo only dissipated a little.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Each
couple focused on one another, and there was no more group conversation for the
remainder of the ride.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">When they arrived at Terrace on the
Park in the Flushing Meadow Park section of Queens, there was a huge blue and
white banner hanging over the entrance that said, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">This Is How We Do It </i>- the theme of the Brooklyn Tech's class of
'98.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fortunately, Jameela, Fella, India,
and Zaq stayed near the entrance to talk with some friends.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Before Subria and Shiloh left to go upstairs,
she agreed to hook up with the girls in the lobby at around 10:00.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">They walked into the hall, and
surprisingly there were a lot of kids there already dancing to Destiny's Child and
Janet Jackson.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As soon as the DJ put on
Spice Girls, however, everyone on the dance floor returned to their seats.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The DJ noticed, and he played <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Déjà Vu - Uptown Baby</i> by Lord Tariq and
Peter Gunz to get the crowd moving.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By
the time he put on <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Put Your Hands Where
My Eyes Could See</i> by Busta Rhymes, there was virtually no room on the dance
floor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thankfully, Subria had Nairobi
teach her some of the latest dance moves so she could impress Shiloh.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He had some moves of his own, too, though,
and at one point was in the middle of a circle being cheered on by the
crowd.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Everyone asked Subria who he was
afterward, but she didn't know how to introduce him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although she would've loved to say he was her
boyfriend, she simply introduced him as her friend.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">When the slow songs came on, Subria
took a deep breath and tried to squash the tension building inside of her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She remembered back to how nice it was to
dance with him at the final banquet at camp a couple of years before, however,
and she felt more at ease.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Unfortunately, Raphael came over and asked if he could cut in while
Subria and Shiloh were dancing to the next slow song.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Subria could tell that Shiloh didn't want to
stop dancing with her at that moment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>She didn't want to stop dancing with him, either, but she also didn't
want to be rude to her friend.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">The DJ played <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Show Me Love</i> by Robin S., and Subria politely thanked Raphael and
went back over to where Shiloh was sitting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>She took his hand and led him back to the dance floor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They danced once last time to <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">We Trying to Stay Alive</i> by Wyclef Jean
and John Forte, and by around 10:00, Shiloh and Subria were ready to
leave.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Jameela, India and their dates were
not ready to leave so early, so they talked the limo driver into taking Subria
and Shiloh back to her house, and then coming back to pick up the rest of
them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Subria went upstairs to her house
to change, and since Shiloh planned to spend the night over his uncle's house
in the Bedford-Stuyvesant section of Brooklyn near Subria's house after the
prom anyway, he went over to change his clothes, too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Shiloh was back over to Subria's house in
about twenty minutes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Shiloh explained
to Steven why he and Subria came back early from the prom, and much to Subria
and Shiloh's surprise, he offered to let them borrow the car so they could go
back out if they wanted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Shiloh and Subria decided to go to
spend the rest of the evening at Astroland Park in Coney Island.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They were both starving, so they went to
Nathan's to get hot dogs and french fries.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Shiloh thought about trying the frog legs, but then thought better of
it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Shiloh wanted to take Subria on the
Cyclone, but she didn't think it would be a good idea right after eating.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They decided to ride on the ferris wheel, and
then take a walk on the beach instead.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"I had a good time with you at
the prom tonight, Shy," Subria said, taking off her shoes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"I enjoyed myself, too,"
Shiloh said.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"Thanks for asking me."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"It was my pleasure,"
Shiloh said, stopping and sitting on one of the benches.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"So, how are you feeling about leaving
for college?"</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"I'm excited," Subria
said.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"But I'm a little scared,
too."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"That's understandable,"
Shiloh said.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"I thought about going
away, but I think New York is one of the best places to study film."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"That's true," Subria said.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"Have you decided what you're
going to major in yet?"</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"Sinai has a five year program
where you can get a B.S. and M.Ed. in Physical Education.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I really want to teach Phys. Ed. in middle
school, and I want to be a track coach."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"That doesn’t surprise me,"
Shiloh said.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"You'll make a great
teacher, and an amazing coach."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"Thanks," Subria responded.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"What types of courses do you
have to take for that major?" Shiloh inquired.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"Kinesiology, Health and
Wellness, uh . . . Exercise Physiology and other P.E. and Health Methods
classes."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"Sounds interesting,"
Shiloh said, stretching his head back, looking up at the sky and sighing.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"What's wrong," Subria
asked.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"I don't want you to leave,"
Shiloh finally admitted. Subria wasn't sure how to respond.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"I'm going to miss you, too,"
Subria responded.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"I want to ask you something,"
Shiloh continued, "and I don't want you to think it's just because you're
leaving."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"What is it?" Subria asked.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"I was wondering if you wanted
to go out with me," Shiloh asked, biting his lip.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"I was hoping you'd ask me that,"
Subria said, grinning from ear to ear, and embracing him as hard as she
could.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He returned her embrace.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"I would love to be your girlfriend."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Subria wasn't so concerned about what her
father would think.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The place that
Shiloh occupied in her heart crowded out all those worries.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"May I hold you?" Shiloh
asked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He smelled like the Egyptian Musk
oils she usually smelled when emanating from the table of the incense seller
near the train station by her house.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Subria
gazed at Shiloh as he silently looked out on to the water, and then she laid
her head on his shoulder.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She heard
Shiloh call her, but she was too scared to answer him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"Subria . . ." </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">She couldn't ignore it this
time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Subria was sure he would ask, but
what would her answer be?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The sound of
her racing heart was almost deafening, but she focused on reading his lips so
that she wouldn't have to look into his eyes.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"Can I kiss you?" Shiloh
asked.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyjOxHTGwGla4Ehd19uw7ssT4HA0c3xFLuSFyrOoAHDkZ-FeMl1r9u6DTBkbKjAjfaBNufv6KvkkYUp_8TM9jpYnrvgYlgvJiEZFBKW_4Fi3n3A7szbs1fTizjouMb-xVWsIZ_bQ95C2bi/s1600/Finally.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="500" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyjOxHTGwGla4Ehd19uw7ssT4HA0c3xFLuSFyrOoAHDkZ-FeMl1r9u6DTBkbKjAjfaBNufv6KvkkYUp_8TM9jpYnrvgYlgvJiEZFBKW_4Fi3n3A7szbs1fTizjouMb-xVWsIZ_bQ95C2bi/s320/Finally.jpeg" width="239" /></a><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">She couldn't lie.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Subria wanted him to kiss her more than
anything.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She wasn't sure whether she
mouthed the answer, or simply communicated with body language, but Subria
definitely said yes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The background city
noises were barely audible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
promenade was completely empty.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Subria
felt like melting into his arms. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Joyspirithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17809544650688692827noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4096963245424517813.post-56735880457074011352017-06-24T06:43:00.001-07:002017-06-24T06:43:56.688-07:00Subria and Kevin (After Arisleyda)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYtWDBpMLYpLHMx-aahNhqkboGKK6wgTWJW92K7XUpsBYNbFaEBE9YwIl2px7NjaAWmLZfXdO_Tm5lEvcDcavHew3qimHdWXzEUICMBskcu8yQM2fB9srpCLCi6lVRQh4Aoiv6anwJ0mwS/s1600/Subria.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="540" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYtWDBpMLYpLHMx-aahNhqkboGKK6wgTWJW92K7XUpsBYNbFaEBE9YwIl2px7NjaAWmLZfXdO_Tm5lEvcDcavHew3qimHdWXzEUICMBskcu8yQM2fB9srpCLCi6lVRQh4Aoiv6anwJ0mwS/s320/Subria.jpeg" width="216" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Subria</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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</style>In this excerpt from the novel, I'm exploring how Subria responds when she feels betrayed by Shiloh. There are some things I need to figure out still. I also want to do a lot more showing than telling (showing Subria at a basketball game or tailgate party instead of just saying she went to one). <br />
<br />
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Subria returned to Sinai without
speaking to Shiloh.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He called her house
repeatedly before she returned to school, and each time Renee or Steven came to tell her that Shiloh was on
the phone, she refused to take his calls. When Subria was back at school, she kept up with her
studies, but also threw herself into the social scene at school in a way she
hadn't before.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With all the time she had
used to call Shiloh and write emails to him, Subria started spending a lot more
time with Sonji, Tamina, and April, going to Dairy Queen to get Blizzards, and
out to Whataburger for dinner sometimes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>She spent a lot more time at basketball games and tailgate parties.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">One night after a dorm party at
Corinthian Hall, April, Sonji, and Tamina had already left the dorm, so Subria
jogged outside to catch up with them, only to realize that there was no more
room in Tamina's car.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was strange
to Subria, since Tamina always gave the three of them rides when she could, and
they had come to the party together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
other people in the car lived in a dorm not even a hundred yards from where
they were standing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Subria's dorm was
about a twenty minute walk from Corinthian Hall.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"Sorry, Bria," Tamina
yelled from the driver’s side.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"Maybe
Kevin can walk you back to the <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0phkPAbtv26tLI3K4k3T8vFhWPuhIFjk_O3L9fmMQgzbbvDWDVi7suqc6nvz-n63rguK4trGHa3c0-QTNqKFGrRMXWgXkwm1yrjN0jT_4LUVhfUX4a5UqTWi3Ec305RBrnLWUCISEbsEs/s1600/Kevin.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="598" data-original-width="600" height="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0phkPAbtv26tLI3K4k3T8vFhWPuhIFjk_O3L9fmMQgzbbvDWDVi7suqc6nvz-n63rguK4trGHa3c0-QTNqKFGrRMXWgXkwm1yrjN0jT_4LUVhfUX4a5UqTWi3Ec305RBrnLWUCISEbsEs/s200/Kevin.jpeg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kevin</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
dorm."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And then it finally hit Subria.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>She was being set up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"Kevin,
do you mind?" Tamina asked as Kevin approached the car.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"No.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It would be my pleasure to walk you home,"
Kevin said, as he winked at Tamina.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Subria smiled nervously, and waved at the girls as they drove away.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"Did you have fun tonight?"
Kevin asked her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"Yeah, it was nice to get out of
the dorm."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"You spend a lot of time in
there."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"Well, I have to, if I want to
keep up my GPA."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"Yeah, but all work and no play
. . .<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don’t you like to hang out
sometimes?"</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"Sure, but it’s hard to hang out
like I want.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I was in New York, all
I had to do was hop on a bus or train to go to the movies or something.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now everything is so far away, and I don’t
have a car."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"Yeah, but Tamina does."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"We go out with her sometimes,
but I don’t want her to feel like she always has to take us around.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Anyway, maybe you hang out a little too much,
Kevin," Subria said, grinning.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"What do you mean?" Kevin
asked, intrigued.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"I heard about you getting
written up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How many times has that
happened?"</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"Only about three," Kevin
responded with a mischievous look.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"I would be so scared to get
written up even once," Subria admitted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"They don't really do
anything.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All they do is write your name
down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just like getting your name on the
board in elementary school.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nothing ever
happened to me when I got my name on the board."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"Well, I hear that if you get
written up a certain amount of times, it can lead to disciplinary probation."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"Well, I'll worry about that if
it happens," Kevin responded.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"So,
you were talking about Tamina and her car?"</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"Oh yeah," Subria
remembered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"You want to know
something funny?"</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"What?"</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"You know the school shopping
trips?"</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"Yeah?" Kevin responded,
recalling that Sinai had bus runs into town twice each week.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"April and I go to the movies
instead of shopping at the Northlake Mall.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>One time, the bus was waiting outside the theater for us instead of in
front of the supermarket like it usually does.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It was so embarrassing, but it was worth it."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"You’re lucky they didn’t leave
you," Kevin said, laughing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"I know, right?" </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">By the time Kevin and Subria arrived
at her dorm, there was still about half an hour left before curfew, so Subria
decided to invite him into her common room.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"So, how’d you end up at Sinai,
Kevin?" Subria asked, as she walked over to the snack machine.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"My parents wanted me to
come.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I didn’t really want to come down
here."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"Where did you want to go?"</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"I got offers to a few Ivy
League schools.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I even received a few
scholarship offers."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"For what?" Subria asked,
shaking the snack machine after her chocolate chip cookies didn’t come out when
she put her money in.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"Do you need help?" Kevin
asked.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"No, I do this all the time,"
Subria responded, as her cookies fell into the slot, and about $5 in coins fell
into the change slot.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"Subria, I’m surprised at you!"
Kevin said, feigning shock.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"I
never took you for a thief!"</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"Be quiet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I didn’t mean for that money to come
out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I keep calling to ask for them to
fix this machine, but no one ever does."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"So why don’t you just stop
trying to buy stuff from that machine?"</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"Because the cookies are
good!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wait till you see what I do with
them," Subria said, opening the cookies, grabbing a couple of paper
towels, and putting the cookies in the microwave.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She entered 30 seconds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"So, you never said what your
scholarship offers to the other schools were for."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"Track."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"You too, huh?"</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"Why, you run?" Kevin
asked. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"Yep.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m a sprinter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have been ever since I was eight,"
Subria responded, taking the cookies out of the microwave.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She touched one of the chocolate chips to see
if it was warm enough, and she burned her finger a little.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She grimaced in pain, and put her finger in
her mouth.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"Are you okay?" Kevin
asked.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"Yeah, I’m fine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here, taste this," Subria said, passing
Kevin a piece of one of her cookies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"It’s
better with milk, but it’s still good."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Kevin put the cookie in his
mouth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"Umm, that <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">is</i> good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>No wonder you shake the machine," he said smiling.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"So, what events do you run in?"</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"The 100 and 200.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m better at the 100, though," Subria
commented.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"I run the 400 and 800,"
Kevin shared.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"I do the long jump
and triple jump, too."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"Are you going out for the team
here?" Subria asked.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"Yeah, I guess.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What about you?"</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"My dad would have a heart
attack if I didn’t."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"At least your father cares."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"I guess you could look at it
that way," Subria said looking at the clock on the wall.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"Well, it looks like it’s time for you
to go.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thanks for walking me home."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"No problem.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I guess I’ll see you at track try-outs
tomorrow, huh?"</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"Sure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Have a good night."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"Hey," Kevin said, turning
back and peeking through the front door of the dorm, "let me know if you
ever need me to take you somewhere.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
have a car, and I really wouldn't mind."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"Wait, so . . ." Subria said, confused.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"Good night, Subria," Kevin said, smiling as he walked away.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">After that night at the dorm party,
Kevin, Marcus, Amaru, and Malcolm started to hang out with Subria and her
roommates, and inevitably, because there were four guys and four girls, they
began to pair off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Subria told herself
that she and Kevin were just friends.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Although Subria was having issues with Shiloh, she didn't consider
herself available, but that walk home left a splinter in her mind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in 6.5in 7.0in 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">*** </span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"> </span>
</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd5cwwvRxZNedxiDaYHdTWDBOa3OA8y02IYXKfsuEC01aqnXCHErnPEbRhNTGtxXvsj-jH-VFQS7s6zfuqCxy8W8-5jyoX1RUPbHyf5bz_DnolJnjLcw3RW6SvlrnrIbqMiDW-hmx9VYTM/s1600/Shiloh.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="295" data-original-width="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd5cwwvRxZNedxiDaYHdTWDBOa3OA8y02IYXKfsuEC01aqnXCHErnPEbRhNTGtxXvsj-jH-VFQS7s6zfuqCxy8W8-5jyoX1RUPbHyf5bz_DnolJnjLcw3RW6SvlrnrIbqMiDW-hmx9VYTM/s1600/Shiloh.jpeg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shiloh</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Subria returned home from college for
summer break, and all that time, she still hadn't been in touch with
Shiloh.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He called the day after she got
home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She suspected that her mother had
informed him that she was there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Subria
decided it was time to iron things out with him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"Hey!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How are you?" Shiloh asked.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"I'm okay," Subria
responded, rolling her eyes and sighing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>She wasn't going to make this easy for him.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"I've been trying to get in
touch with you for months, but you haven't been returning my calls or emails,"
Shiloh said, almost whining.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"I know," Subria said.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"I just wanted to know if I
could come over so we could talk," Shiloh said.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"Whatever you have to say to me,
please just say it," Subria responded.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"Okay, well, I know you're mad
about Arisleyda, but I told you that it wouldn’t be a good weekend for me."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"Shiloh, really? You lied to
me!" Subria shouted, realizing that the passage of time hadn't dissipated
her anger at all, especially with him starting by making excuses.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"When did that
become okay?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I mean, is that a part of
your new walk with God?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Being deceitful?" </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"Of course not," Shiloh
said, "but I just thought it would be better if I could just handle it
without upsetting you."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"Handle what, Shiloh?"
Subria asked.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"Well, things didn’t end so well
with Arisleyda when I broke up with her, and I wanted to see if I could bring
some better closure to the whole thing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Why did you have to make a big deal out of this?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You haven't spoken to me for three months!"</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"I can’t believe you’re trying
to flip this on me," Subria said.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"You’re
something else, you know that?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Since
when did your x-girlfriend’s feelings become more important than mine?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And although you allegedly have this new
spirituality thing going on, you still have a lot left to learn, like avoiding
the appearance of evil, Shiloh.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What do
you think she thought about you letting her stay with you?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What do you think your roommates thought?"</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"Subria.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Listen to me –"</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"I don’t want to listen to
you!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She could have found some place
else to stay, Shiloh, and you know that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Don’t insult my intelligence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Tell me that nothing happened between the two of you." Subria
demanded.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyh3pyBlSMyqob7bpQ-QEvFjE6ZnQf6TRpLCNQsOfHNJhX1IgAmdNvcGaPxPXkC4ywiPUsWf79N0d8MzgHhoFG_o0TKypLf0EBGripmIeQ4ibf5EycXzrAuQFKjGhPQQzZYLj8B1lvMF5N/s1600/conflict.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="333" data-original-width="550" height="193" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyh3pyBlSMyqob7bpQ-QEvFjE6ZnQf6TRpLCNQsOfHNJhX1IgAmdNvcGaPxPXkC4ywiPUsWf79N0d8MzgHhoFG_o0TKypLf0EBGripmIeQ4ibf5EycXzrAuQFKjGhPQQzZYLj8B1lvMF5N/s320/conflict.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">As much as Shiloh wanted to, he
couldn’t tell her that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His silence
spoke volumes.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"Please, for the first time
today, be completely honest with me," Subria begged.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"Okay, she tried to kiss me, but
I pushed her away, Subria!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That has to
tell you something!"</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"Yes, it does tell me something,"
Subria responded.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"It tells me that
she still has feelings for you, and you either don’t want to see it, or part of
you feels like you still owe her something.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Which is it?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think I have the
right to know."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"Subria . . ."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"No, really Shiloh," Subria
said, "if you don't see anything wrong with what happened, then I don't
know if I want to be your girlfriend anymore."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"Subria, I didn't do anything
wrong," Shiloh said.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"Then there's nothing left for
us to talk about," Subria said, hanging up the phone.</span></div>
Joyspirithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17809544650688692827noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4096963245424517813.post-41099701515711169052017-06-19T14:06:00.001-07:002017-06-19T14:08:26.741-07:00Arisleyda (Soul Ties)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9Wcebr2GgarYmABI7CtX3_YdlWE2Y2pyz5oQMFWd143lc_xB8icjbvCuBb35GCnXOXwzl0C_tB7OfbFp5x00Wxz6jVVDrxeW4mirNgYCEaMhcT_BCgQzqUVuWU-2wp946nNObyuF6lm3y/s1600/Betrayal.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="700" data-original-width="500" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9Wcebr2GgarYmABI7CtX3_YdlWE2Y2pyz5oQMFWd143lc_xB8icjbvCuBb35GCnXOXwzl0C_tB7OfbFp5x00Wxz6jVVDrxeW4mirNgYCEaMhcT_BCgQzqUVuWU-2wp946nNObyuF6lm3y/s320/Betrayal.jpeg" width="228" /></a></div>
Subria and Shiloh's relationship, like any great love story, will face adversity. That main challenge will be Shiloh's x-acquaintance, Arisleyda (AH-ris-LAY-dah), the nature of Shiloh's past relationship with her (despite his best intentions), and how he chooses to communicate with Subria about how his past is creeping into his life just as he's trying to do things differently and build a relationship with Subria that does not involve sexual intimacy. <br />
<br />
I previously posted about the guy Kevin who Subria meets at school. Remember how every action has an equal and opposite reaction? Keep that in mind for a post that will follow about Subria and Kevin, because I'd love some feedback about that.<br />
<br />
<u><b>Other important considerations: </b></u><br />
- The transitions are abrupt, but they won't be when I'm finished revising. <br />
- Shiloh and Subria were just friends when he got involved with Arisleyda. I'm working on determining if they go to the same strict church, are from the same school/neighborhood or both. <br />
- As a church boy, Shiloh is trying to avoid sexual intimacy until he's married, but struggles in his very strict household. He is losing resolve, but doesn't realize it. <br />
- I need to change this so that Arisleyda and Shiloh go to the same school. Otherwise it won't make sense that she's on his senior trip. I'll change Lewis Hayden Academy to a co-ed school.<br />
- I need to further develop Arisleyda's character. Right now, she just comes across as a vixen, but people are far more complex. <br />
<br />
Check out these excerpts and feel free to share feedback with me:<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">January,
1996</span></u></i></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">The
academic expectations at Hayden Academy kept Shiloh at the library almost every
day after school.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thankfully his mom
worked there, and was an endless source of information.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Unfortunately, a lot of students in the area
seemed to have the same idea on this particular day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was hard for Shiloh to find a private
space.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">"Excuse
me, do I know you?" a young lady asked Shiloh.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">"I
don’t think so," he responded without making eye contact with her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He hated to be bothered when he was reading,
and he had come to the library specifically so he could have time to finish his
reading without interruption.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After
about ten seconds, however, he could still feel her eyes on him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She wasn’t getting the hint.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He didn’t want to be rude, so he finally
looked up at her and found that he didn’t mind the interruption after all.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">"Don’t
you go to my school?" the girl asked.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">"That’s
not possible," Shiloh said.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"I
go to an all boy’s school."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">"Oh,
my bad," she said, giggling and blushing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">"I’m
Shiloh Joseph," he said, extending his hand and smiling apologetically.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">"Arisleyda
Colòn," she responded, shaking his hand and returning the smile.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"It’s nice to meet you."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">"Same
to you," Shiloh said.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">"Can I
borrow some paper, please?" Arisleyda asked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"I forgot my notebook at home."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">"Sure,"
he said, tearing out a couple of pages from his notebook along the perforated
edge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He pulled the remaining edges of
the paper out through the spiral, scrunched them up, and placed them on top of
the table.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">"Thanks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’re so organized," Arisleyda
commented.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">"Thanks,"
Shiloh responded, and started to turn his back to her again to continue
reading.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">"What
are you reading?" Arisleyda asked. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">"<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Two Tickets to Freedom</i>."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He held up the book so she could see the
cover.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When he saw the confused look on
her face, he continued, "It’s about William and Ellen Craft’s escape from
slavery."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">"You
have to read it for school?" Arisleyda asked.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">"No,"
Shiloh sighed, and smirked, "I’m reading it because I want to."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Arisleyda blushed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"Oh."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Lewis
Hayden Academy was a college preparatory school, and Shiloh had become
accustomed to having mentally stimulating conversations with his
classmates.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was surprised to hear
Arisleyda either downplaying her intelligence, or worse, feeling so free to
share that she didn’t read for pleasure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Although she was cute, he wasn’t impressed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">"You
only read what’s assigned in school?" Shiloh asked, trying, unsuccessfully
not to sound judgmental.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">"No,"
Arisleyda said, seemingly relieved at the opportunity to clarify what she
meant, "Just making conversation," she said, lying.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"Where do you go to school?"</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">"Lewis
Hayden Academy," Shiloh responded.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">"Wow,"
Arisleyda said.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"You’re lucky."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">"Well,
I don’t believe in luck, but getting into Hayden was definitely a good thing."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">"Yeah,"
Arisleyda responded, caught off guard by his luck comment, but finding herself
more and more intrigued by Shiloh.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">"Where
do you go?" Shiloh asked.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">"A.
Philip Randolph High on W. 135<sup>th</sup>."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">"My
brother went to that school."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">"Really?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s cool."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">"Well,
it was nice to meet you, Arisleyda.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
really have to get back to my reading."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">"It
was nice to meet you, too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do you think
maybe I could call you sometime?"</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">"Sure,"
Shiloh responded, smiling.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Shiloh put
his book in his bag, and opened to a fresh page in his history notebook.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He tore out a new sheet of paper from the
back of his notebook and wrote down his phone number for her.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"> ***</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Shiloh had
been really looking forward to the senior trip to Washington, DC.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not only was he looking forward to visiting
the Smithsonian to help with his research on the role of the quilt during the
time of the Underground Railroad, but his parents had been giving him so much
stress about dating Arisleyda that he couldn’t wait to spend some time with her
without their prying eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">"What
was your favorite exhibit?" Arisleyda asked Shiloh.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">"</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">L’Merchie Frazier’s quilt about
Martin Luther King, hands down," Shiloh responded (side note: I know and adore L'Merchie Frazier 😍. She was one of the facilitators of a week-long institute I participated in for two summers about Blacks in Boston and the Abolitionist Movement as a joint effort between Boston Public Schools, The Museum of African American History and Suffolk University).</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Arisleyda took out the pamphlet they
had been given at the Smithsonian, and looked up the name.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"Oh, it’s called <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">From a Birmingham Jail: MLK</i>."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>That one was impressive."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">After
dinner, Shiloh walked Arisleyda back to her room.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Shiloh leaned in to kiss her on her
cheek.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Arisleyda turned her head
slightly, and kissed him on the mouth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Shiloh was surprised, and thought to pull away at first, but he was
unsuccessful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her perfume wafted into
his nose as they continued to kiss, keeping him there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"You wanna come in?" Arisleyda
asked.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">"Leydi,
you know I can’t do that," Shiloh said, weakly.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">"Come
on Shiloh.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was supposed to room with Jemilexi,
but she got sick.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No one's in
there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just come in for a little
while.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I promise I won’t bite,"
Arisleyda said, smiling, grabbing his hand, and pulling him into the room.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"> ***</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">As much as
Shiloh hated his father’s lectures, as Shiloh left Arisleyda's room two hours
later, every word that he had spoken to him since he started dating her came
crashing down on him like an avalanche.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>She knew exactly what she was doing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He wondered if she was ever supposed to share a room with Jemilexi in
the first place.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Shiloh started to feel
sick inside.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He took his room key out of
his pocket, opened the door and headed straight for the bathroom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">"Is
everything okay, Shy?" Samuel asked, knocking on the bathroom door.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">"Everything’s
fine," Shiloh lied.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">"Are
you sure?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Where have you been?"</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">"Sam,
I’m fine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just leave me alone . . .
please!"</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">"Aiight,
man.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m out here if you want to talk
about it."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Shiloh
looked at himself in the mirror, and he was disgusted with himself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He sat down on the edge of the tub, put his
head in his hands and cried, mourning the loss of his virginity.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">"I’m
sorry, God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m so sorry."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>***</span></b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"> </span>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">The next
morning, the students packed up the bus, and they all headed for the
International House of Pancakes that was five minutes from the hotel in the
direction of the highway.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When Shiloh
and Sam were together, they usually sat at the back of the bus, but he
intentionally asked Sam to sit in the front.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He didn’t want to risk seeing Arisleyda, and he knew she was already on
the bus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When Shiloh and Sam arrived at
the restaurant, they went inside quickly, and sat down together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">"You
ready to talk, man?" Sam asked.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">"I
don’t know, Sam."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Arisleyda
came over to the table.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"Hey, guys."
She said, looking directly at Shiloh.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"How’s
everything?"</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Shiloh
wouldn’t make eye contact with her, so Samuel said, "Good morning."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Arisleyda
noticed that Shiloh wasn’t looking at her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>"Okay, then.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ll see you
both later."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">"What’s
going on, Shy?" Sam asked, after Arisleyda walked away.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">"I
messed up, Sam."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">"Aw,
man, Shy."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">"Yeah,
I know."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">February, 1999</span></u></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">This was the first time in all his
life that Shiloh was not looking forward to his birthday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Everything had been tense in the city ever
since the police killed Amadou Diallo.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most
of the young Black men he knew were all on edge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was hard not to be when an unarmed Black
man could get shot at 41 times because he "fit the description of a
rapist."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It seemed like that was
always the case (side note: I wrote this scene so long ago, and now to Amadou Diallo's name, we can add Sean Bell, Michael Brown, Eric Garner, Tamir Rice, Philando Castile, Alton Sterling, Walter Scott, Sandra Bland, and far too many others).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Growing up, Shiloh would always get
to stay home on his birthday, but this year, he’d be writing a take home essay
that wouldn't be given out until his birthday, and since it would be due the
following day, there was no getting around it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But that wasn't for another couple of weeks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was Friday, and at least he’d be able to
crash for the rest of the weekend.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Shiloh had really enjoyed his time
with Subria over Christmas break. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>She was very receptive to moving their
relationship more toward courting than what most people called dating.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Neither one of them was completely sure how
things would change, besides not kissing anymore.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They wouldn't be back together until the
summer, so they figured they'd just keep in touch by phone and email, and
figure the rest out when they saw each other again.</span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Shiloh walked into the
common room of his dorm and threw his book bag on the couch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>None of his roommates were home yet, and he
was thankful for some alone time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He sat
on the couch and flicked on the television, and the weather forecaster was summing up
the forecast.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Rain all weekend.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Great.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He let out a long sigh and went into the kitchen to get some iced tea,
and to check for messages.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s when
he saw it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The absolute last thing he
needed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Next to the church bulletin from
the previous Sunday was a message.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
message was scrawled in his roommate Hasaan’s chicken scratch, but Shiloh had
learned to decipher it, though now he wished he couldn’t.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Arisleyda called.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She wants you to
call her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’ll talk later</span></i><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">His mind raced.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Should he call her back now, later, or not at
all?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He had promised himself that he
would stop putting things off, because procrastination had ruled his life in the
past, and never did him any good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Arisleyda was persistent, and if he didn’t call her back, she’d keep
calling until she got through to him, so the "not at all" option was,
in fact, not an option.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Shiloh looked at
the message, and didn't recognize the area code, so he figured she had gone to
school out of state.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He picked up the
phone and dialed the number on the paper.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Two rings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She usually picked up the phone by the third
ring.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Four rings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe she’s not home . . . </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"Hello?" came the sultry
voice from the other end of the line.</span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">"Hey, Arisleyda.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s Shiloh."</span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">"Oh, hi Shiloh."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He could almost see her grin over the
phone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ear to ear.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">"How are you?"
Shiloh asked.</span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">"Good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m just getting back from my last class of
the day," Arisleyda said.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"I
almost missed you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How are you?"</span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">"Tired.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had a long week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I got a message here saying that you called,"
Shiloh said, attempting to move the conversation along.</span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">"What, no small talk?"
Arisleyda flirted.</span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">"I don’t mean to be
impolite, but I have a lot to do," Shiloh explained.</span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">"No worries.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I just have a question to ask."</span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Shiloh’s stomach
dropped.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He thought these days were
over.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">"What’s up?"
Shiloh asked, with his eyes squeezed shut, one hand holding the receiver, the
other cradling his forehead.</span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">"Well, I have to come
to New York to interview for an internship, and since my family moved, I don’t
have anywhere to stay."</span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">This is a test of the Holy Spirit broadcasting system . . . </span></i></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">"You don’t have any
family left in the city?" Shiloh inquired.</span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">"Well, I have some
people out in Queens, but I wanted to stay in the city.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t want to have to make this long
commute on the morning of my interview."</span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">"No friends you can
stay with?" Shiloh asked, hoping.</span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">"I thought I was calling
a friend," Arisleyda said, sarcastically.</span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">"You know what I mean,
Arisleyda.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No female friends?"</span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">"Shy, the interview is
in the Village, and you’re right there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Plus it would be nice to see you again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I don’t like how we left things."</span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">In the case of an emergency, this system will broadcast to
help you make wise choices.</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">"When is your
interview?" Shiloh asked, sighing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Arisleyda was nonplussed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">"February 26<sup>th</sup>."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of course it had to be the day before his
birthday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How convenient.</span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">"I really think it would
be better if you found someplace else to stay," Shiloh said.</span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Okay, doing well. Doing well . . . </span></i></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">"Shiloh, come on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Your school has those big dorm rooms,"
Arisleyda said, almost pleading.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Shiloh
wondered how she knew how big the dorm rooms were at his school.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She was so shady.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"I can just sleep on the couch, right?"
she continued.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"It’ll just be for
like one night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ll come in on
Thursday, the interview will be on Friday, and I’ll leave Friday night." </span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Leaving on his
birthday?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hmm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That didn't sound too bad.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If she were trying something, she probably
would have mentioned his birthday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Shiloh's mind was reeling.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His
palms were sweating.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was steadily
weakening . . . </span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">"I guess it should be
fine," Shiloh finally said, giving in.</span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Alert! Alert!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">"Okay, thanks so
much.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can’t wait to see you!"
Arisleyda said, gleefully.</span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> ***</span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The phone rang again a few
hours after Shiloh got off the phone with Arisleyda.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was hesitant to answer it, but he did
anyway.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">"Hello?" Shiloh
asked, hesitantly.</span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">"Hey, Shy," Subria
said, cheerfully.</span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">"Subria," Shiloh
responded, wincing at the guilty feelings that flooded him when he heard her
voice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"How are you?"</span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">"I’m good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How are you?" Subria asked.</span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">"I’m great,"
Shiloh responded.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">"Guess what?"
Subria asked.</span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">"What?"</span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">"I can come home for
spring break!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isn’t that great?"</span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">"Really?" Shiloh
responded, as a sickening knot developed in his stomach.</span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">"Yeah, I thought it
would be nice to hang out with you for your birthday."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">"Oh, that’s so sweet,
Subria, but I’m really swamped at school.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It wouldn’t be the best time for you to come," Shiloh responded.</span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">"Oh," Subria said,
her excitement leaving her like the air from a punctured balloon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"I mean, I wasn’t planning on taking up
a lot of your time or anything.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I just
wanted to take you out to dinner.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is
on a Saturday, after all!"</span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">"Yeah, I really
can’t.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m sorry," Shiloh said.</span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">"That’s okay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I guess I can just stay around my
campus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s no big deal."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">"I should go now, but
it was great to hear your voice!" Shiloh said.</span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">"Yeah, sure,"
Subria said with a sharp tone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"See
you later."</span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">***</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Subria had never been one to
take no for an answer, so she came up for spring break anyway to surprise
Shiloh for his birthday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After she got
over her initial angry feelings, Subria realized that Shiloh actually sounded
sad on the phone, and she had always been able to cheer him up before.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She transferred from the J train at Fulton
Street for the A train at Broadway-Nassau, and she stopped by a florist near
the West 4<sup>th</sup> Street train station to pick up some red roses for
him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Those were his favorite
flowers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Subria continued over to
Goddard Hall on Washington Square East, but when she got there and called up
for Shiloh, he wasn’t there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s what
she was afraid of.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She couldn’t be
allowed up to his suite without what they called a "resident host."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thankfully, his other roommate, Malachi was
there and said he’d come down to let Subria in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">"Hey, Malachi,"
Subria said, as she embraced him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She
passed her ID to the security guard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">"Hey.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How are you?"</span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">"Good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Is he in class?" Subria asked, as
Malachi walked with her over to the elevator.</span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">"Yeah, he should be
back soon," Malachi responded.</span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">"I wanted to surprise
him for his birthday," Subria said, smiling.</span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">"He’ll be surprised all
right," Malachi said, making a strange face.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Just as the elevator
arrived, Malachi heard someone call him from the front desk.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He turned around to acknowledge the person,
and Subria saw all the color drain from his face.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She recognized the girl from pictures.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She had seen these pictures year ago, but it
was impossible for Subria to forget her face.</span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">"Malachi.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hold on," Arisleyda called.</span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">"Are you going to sign
her in, too?" the security guard asked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">"I don’t think so,"
Malachi said, looking confused.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"What
are you doing back here?"<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Subria
couldn’t help but take notice of the word <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">back</i>.</span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">"I forgot something
upstairs," Arisleyda said.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"I
won’t stay, I promise.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Will you sign me
in?" </span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">"Come on," Malachi
said begrudgingly, and nodded at the security guard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">"Hello," Arisleyda
said, directing her greeting to Subria as she joined them at the elevator.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"Arisleyda," she added, extending
her hand.</span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">"Hi.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sorry I can’t shake your hand," Subria
said, motioning to the bags in her hands.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>"I’m Subria."</span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">"Oh," Arisleyda
said, as if having an epiphany.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"You’re
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Subria.</i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s nice to meet you."</span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">"Thanks," Subria
said, knowing she was being rude, but not really caring.</span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">"I’ve heard lots of
great things about you," Arisleyda continued.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"You’re a lucky girl."</span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">"Shiloh’s the lucky
one," Malachi said, as they boarded the elevator.</span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Subria was dying to ask
Arisleyda what she was doing there, but she didn’t want to give her the
satisfaction of knowing how much her presence was bothering her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She knew Malachi would explain things once Arisleyda left anyway.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She couldn’t imagine
any explanation that would calm the rage that was building inside her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It all became clear.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is why Shiloh didn’t want her to visit. </span></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">After Arisleyda picked up
whatever she left, Subria stayed around for a while as Malachi tried to explain
things to her, but after about half an hour, she said goodbye to Malachi and
went back to her house mourning the loss of the relationship she thought she
knew so well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge0VnGh1_0CNjQTFOJhm7P-emr21OQvL8SnEramhyphenhyphenereMCI7bf2hXr1Khv9gKk5rs6aBgQD3SOcrVm75XdIodgfI-lgXlohZmlLARsscUaIcdfAm5jxJJyQciTg_hro9jWR5pLVIKYPuJQ/s1600/broken+heart.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="430" data-original-width="800" height="172" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge0VnGh1_0CNjQTFOJhm7P-emr21OQvL8SnEramhyphenhyphenereMCI7bf2hXr1Khv9gKk5rs6aBgQD3SOcrVm75XdIodgfI-lgXlohZmlLARsscUaIcdfAm5jxJJyQciTg_hro9jWR5pLVIKYPuJQ/s320/broken+heart.jpeg" width="320" /></a></span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
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Joyspirithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17809544650688692827noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4096963245424517813.post-39728434482179130822017-06-10T17:27:00.001-07:002017-06-10T17:30:20.211-07:00Serendipity (Ms. Afrika)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdEl2DG3vf2Ekgo32BdgEJ1BdSyON3J7JFK6luwksGeYgn83nGtBLK3p6mRBhZaD6PBl9HoSiFa60SclJ9T-3eVqgp1q-OcLiz0ymvO_O4BZxJiPMfUjkBX9tfyWdzignpo9oKx11KUuAX/s1600/MCA+.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="447" data-original-width="750" height="190" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdEl2DG3vf2Ekgo32BdgEJ1BdSyON3J7JFK6luwksGeYgn83nGtBLK3p6mRBhZaD6PBl9HoSiFa60SclJ9T-3eVqgp1q-OcLiz0ymvO_O4BZxJiPMfUjkBX9tfyWdzignpo9oKx11KUuAX/s320/MCA+.jpeg" width="320" /></a>You know how you've had a really rough go of it, and choose to transition with hopes of things getting better . . . and then they actually seem to get worse? That's what 2014 was like for me professionally. I had been working as the Curriculum and Instruction Director for a history and civics educational non-profit, and while I enjoyed redesigning curriculum and providing culturally responsive and curricular professional development for teachers, I missed engaging in authentic teacher development.The professional development workshops I designed and facilitated were well-received, but I didn't have contact with the teachers after the initial training, and I know how essential on-going support is, and how tranformative it can be. I love that work. I am far more satisfied by providing on-going support for a smaller group of teachers than I am facilitating single sessions for large numbers of teachers, especially with something as important as culturally responsive teaching.<br />
<br />
So I applied for and accepted a position as a Curriculum and Instruction Director at a school that I thought would allow me to engage in this kind of work. When I was offered the position, I was surprised when I was asked, "What if we call your position <i>Director of Multicultural Practice and Social Studies Chair</i>?" But I figured it was just a title change. Someone wouldn't just offer you a totally different job than what you applied and interviewed for without explicitly telling you that, right? Turns out that someone else was put in place as the Curriculum and Instruction Director. It was definitely a red flag for me, but by that time I had already given notice at my job and stopped my search, so I tried to make the best of it. <i>Oh yeah, and all administrators have some teaching responsibilities to stay connected to the students</i>. Hmm . . . yeah, it is good for administrators to stay grounded, right?<br />
<br />
The role ended up being primarily a teaching role where I was responsible for one section of Ancient Civilizations for the 6th grade Monday through Friday, and to be present while one of the Teaching Fellows taught the other section. No other grade level had two groups of students. Just 6th grade. As a teacher, I also had lunch, recess and dismissal duties (which I hated when I had been a classroom teacher before). Dismissal duty nights were particularly hard because chapel started at 7:50, and school didn't end until 5. We had to stay until every child was picked up (when the weather was bad, dismissal duty felt like it lasted forever). My commute home was about 45 minutes, so dismissal duty nights were exhausting.<br />
<br />
Although I was<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIXa6HJ-xigDIMUBKvQIwQ6GP_DlWt9VgeB6rjqF5zoLLGv1dcz3W1pjxu6Ry59BwsArc245-tT2oEem8Wi3IQM3SthRoR4dcKKdvKLKPdQTNN93i0eaO9hcWYO-YznjiI2p81WYHcnQwE/s1600/lucyfootball.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIXa6HJ-xigDIMUBKvQIwQ6GP_DlWt9VgeB6rjqF5zoLLGv1dcz3W1pjxu6Ry59BwsArc245-tT2oEem8Wi3IQM3SthRoR4dcKKdvKLKPdQTNN93i0eaO9hcWYO-YznjiI2p81WYHcnQwE/s1600/lucyfootball.jpeg" /></a>expecting to mostly be an administrator, the teaching responsibilities might not have been so bad if the classes didn't occur every day, or if I were teaching something I was really interested in like African-American History, or Equity and Social Justice. Had I been given the opportunity, I could have designed an amazing social studies class that was highly relevant for our students. Interestingly enough, though, I didn't have any say over what I'd teach, or what text I'd use, even though I was allegedly the Social Studies Chair. I had been offered a contract in March when the curricular decisions were being made, and I let the school know I was available to meet, but was never invited to participate. To top it off, I was also assigned to teach health 😒.<br />
<br />
<u><b>Serendipity: </b></u>I have worked in the education field since 1998, and although a couple of groups of students have come close, no group of students has captured my heart like this group of young ladies - 6 Gold and 6 Red (15 girls in each class). I never really enjoyed teaching Ancient Civ, but things I thought I'd dread, I began to look forward to, like being able to eat with them during lunch duty, and talk and laugh with them during recess duty. I enjoyed time with them during chapel, and sitting around together during the break before class started each day. Teaching health was HILARIOUS and very, uh . . . surprising. They had some very interesting ideas to share. I loved watching them enjoy Flocabulary videos, and no ego boost could top coming to class to the girls writing how much they loved me on the whiteboard, and even singing and dancing to Shakira's <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pRpeEdMmmQ0" target="_blank"><i>Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)</i> </a>in tribute to me as I entered the room.<br />
<br />
I tried to hang in there, mostly because I loved the girls so much, but I was spending most of my time planning and grading lessons and homework, and not really engaging in teacher development, which is what I love and expected to be doing, so I decided to leave at the end of December for a coaching position. It was one of the most difficult decisions I've ever had to make. In the short time I was at the school, I absolutely fell in love with my girls.<br />
<br />
I was blessed to be able to attend their 8th grade graduation dinner and graduation this past week. I am so proud of who they are! Cairo is in the same grade, so I've witnessed the transformation of an 8th grader in my own home on a daily basis this year. I've stayed connected to most of the girls through social media, but seeing them in person! Wow! These young ladies are strong, insightful, intelligent, passionate, hilarious, talented, beautiful, and a myriad other amazing things. Although the circumstances under which I connected with these young ladies was unexpected and disappointing, I would not trade my time with them for anything in the world.<br />
<br />
Congratulations, Ladies! You deserve the best of all that life has to offer, and I know you'll change the world with your incredible selves. I am doing what I love, and I hope you all go on to do the same. I will forever be your Ms. Afrika, and you will always be my girls.Joyspirithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17809544650688692827noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4096963245424517813.post-80091455385516281612017-06-04T17:24:00.001-07:002017-06-04T17:24:05.222-07:00When Subria Goes to College (Kevin)Summer is just about here, and along with that comes a slower pace, and opportunities to be more creative. It was challenging to keep up with writing after I went to the writers' retreat in February, but now I'm looking forward to revising again. I've signed up for a couple of local writers' mini-retreats and writing sessions this summer, and I'm looking forward to making progress with my story again.<br />
<br />
When my accountability partner and I met not too long ago, I shared that I would really like to stop jumping around in the story in my blog posts so much, and yet, as I re-read, I have SO much work to do. There are parts of the story early on that require significant work, and I don't want to wait until that's complete before working on some other ideas in need of development later in the story.<br />
<br />
After reviewing this section, here are the questions I have:<br />
<br />
1. What more do you want to know about Subria's relationship with her mother?<br />
2. What more do you want to know about Subria's friend, April?<br />
3. Does the journal entry help you to feel more connected to Subria's character? <br />
<br />
I'll post another couple of questions at the end after these excerpts (the first is a journal entry by Subria): <br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7GjrxgD65B4vCELumxt-JA3fQWWKMLOyR9bD1DCvnsx0DuXSPBsNqGdcQSjzqlWOXIXdHfky5QI0bcQp9Mqie4fCMWhjVhvvPXpZVUAJem8gGcpRsGJjJf2i53-6cxSrYKz6iX9mNLElA/s1600/feeling-homesick-Copy.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7GjrxgD65B4vCELumxt-JA3fQWWKMLOyR9bD1DCvnsx0DuXSPBsNqGdcQSjzqlWOXIXdHfky5QI0bcQp9Mqie4fCMWhjVhvvPXpZVUAJem8gGcpRsGJjJf2i53-6cxSrYKz6iX9mNLElA/s320/feeling-homesick-Copy.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
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--></style><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">August 15, 1998</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">I've been on a plane before.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not
that many times, but I've been here before.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I like sitting next to the window, even though that means that I usually
try to hold off on going to the bathroom so that I don't inconvenience the
person sitting next to me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I like
ascending above the earth and watching the city disappear beneath the
clouds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I especially like the way the
clouds look like a big, soft blanket.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But the more I think about blankets, the more I am reminded of my mother
- how she cried when I left the terminal, how we won't be able to just go to
the video store and get movies any more, and how I won't be able to make
cookies for the two of us anymore . . . at least not for a long time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My life will never be the same.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The more I think about my mother, the more my
heart swells.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I feel the tears coming .
. . falling, and I hope the flight attendant comes by to offer drinks soon so I
can get rid of this lump in my throat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
miss my mom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> * * *</span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">There will be another section here about Subria arriving at Sinai University, moving into her dorm with her friend, April, and getting ready to go to the freshman reception. In this excerpt, she's already there:</span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Since Subria had arrived at Sinai,
she had never been inside the All Purpose Building.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She heard all the rumors about how beautiful
it was inside, but she figured folks were just exaggerating.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As soon as the greeters opened the doors,
Subria realized that she had been wrong.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>In front of them was a spiral staircase with marble stairs and golden
banisters.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There were gold and silver
mylar helium balloons everywhere, and a shimmering chandelier was hanging from
the ceiling.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"Welcome to the Freshman Mixer,"
one of the greeters said, as he took Subria and April’s arms, leading them over
to where their table assignments were waiting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"Looks like we’re at two
different tables, April," Subria said, disappointed.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"That’s okay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We need to meet new people, anyway.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ll see you after the dinner."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Subria walked nervously over to table
7 to take her seat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was a name tag
there for her, but she didn’t put it on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>She hated name tags.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Subria
figured if someone wanted to know her name, they could just ask her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She noticed that April walked right past her
table over to a crowd of people to introduce herself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Subria admired how outgoing April was, but
she had absolutely no desire to go over there with her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She looked down at her sequined handbag.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her mother had given it to her for occasions
just like this one, and although she usually hated carrying a bag, she smiled
at the memory of her mom going into her memory chest to present it to her.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"You must really like that bag,"
a young man commented as he approached her and sat down next to her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"It’s not like that,"
Subria laughed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"My mom gave it to
me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was just thinking about her."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"I’m Kevin Adams.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What’s your name?"</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"Subria Davis.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nice to meet you," she said, extending
her hand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"Are you assigned to this
table, too, or did you just come over here to harass me about smiling at my
bag?"</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"No, I’m assigned here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So where are you from?"</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"Brooklyn," Subria said, as
she picked up the gold forks and spoons and shook her head in amazement.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"Do you think these are real?"</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"Yeah," Kevin said, raising
his eyebrows.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"Where are you from?"
Subria asked.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"I don’t know if I should tell
you," Kevin responded.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"Why not?" Subria
asked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"I told you where I’m
from.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s only fair."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"Boston," Kevin said,
sighing.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Subria smiled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"No wonder you didn’t want to tell me."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"So, now that you know, do you
mind if I stay at this table, or would you like me to leave?"</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"Well, I guess you can stay, as
long as we don’t talk about sports," Subria said, smiling again. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"You sound like my
girlfriend.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She hates talking sports."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"Yeah, but I’m sure it’s for a
different reason.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I actually do enjoy
talking about sports, but I don’t want your feelings to get hurt."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"Ah," Kevin said,
laughing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"So it’s like that?"</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"Well, I will say that I think
that trading Armas and Pavano for Pedro Martinez was a good move."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"I think so too," Kevin
agreed.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"Hey, at least you won the Wild
Card," Subria said, taking a sip of what seemed to be a ginger ale and
sorbet concoction.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She liked it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"Well, what good was it when we
lost to the Indians?" Kevin asked.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"I guess.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was just trying to be polite."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"Yeah, well, it looks like your
team is headed for the World Series, so it’s probably best if we just stop
talking about it," Kevin said, frowning.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Subria shrugged and took another sip
of her drink as several other freshmen came over to the table, including three
other handsome young Black men.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She felt
relieved to see more students of color.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"Whassup, Kev?" one of them
said, greeting Kevin with the handshake that was unique to young Black
men.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Subria always wondered how they all
seemed to know that same hand grasping, finger snapping, shoulder bumping
greeting no matter what part of the country they were from.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It made her smile.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"Hey.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Are yall sitting here, too?" Kevin
asked.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"Please," the young man
commented.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"You know they had to
parcel us out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Can’t have us all sitting
with each other.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don’t even get me
started.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Introduce us to your friend!"</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"Oh, my bad," Kevin
said.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Malcolm Warren, Marcus Phifer, and
Amaru Strickland, this is Subria Davis."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Subria shook each of their hands. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"There are definitely more
sisters here than I expected.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Serendipity," Amaru commented.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"There you go again with the big
words, man.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You know all that a’int
necessary!" Kevin said.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"Whatever, kid.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don’t hate on me because my vocabulary is
more exquisite than yours," Amaru said.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>"I’m just happy to see you, Subria."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"I know what you mean,"
Subria agreed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>"I was a little
worried when we came for the tour a few months ago.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I guess they’re really trying to diversify."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"Well," Kevin said to
Subria, directing her attention to Malcolm, "The two of you should hit it
off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’s from Brooklyn, too."</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"Oh, really," Subria asked.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;">"Yeah, I’m from Flatbush,"
Malcolm responded.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> "So is my friend, April.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She’s right over there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ll introduce the two of you later." </span>
<br />
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> * * * </span></span></span><br />
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Questions for you as a reader:</div>
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1. What impression do you have of Kevin?<br />
2. What more (if anything) do you want to know or see here? More narration? More dialogue?<br />
3. What questions do you have that you'd like to see answered here? </div>
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Kevin's character will play an important role later in the
story when Subria and Shiloh experience a significant challenge in their
relationship. More about that next week . . . </div>
</div>
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<br />Joyspirithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17809544650688692827noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4096963245424517813.post-8579687264048086962017-05-28T16:52:00.003-07:002017-05-28T16:52:59.477-07:00Puerto Rico Top 5Our time in Puerto Rico was magical. An absolutely perfect way to celebrate our 20 years of marriage. Here are my top five highlights from our trip:<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLBtohFchUiTEzj4VenGoJFKs_40MfyaWXSAkWzS-NR8IepXECMj8zcWtN2ZFxHaFVQvV-S2GwXqOyzIkV4fRuGC_Te7-iH8ljeL0De2mfYnVIDt_AYaTyPFKzBiMaragQ2MQe1a_HUPMf/s1600/El+Yunque+View.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLBtohFchUiTEzj4VenGoJFKs_40MfyaWXSAkWzS-NR8IepXECMj8zcWtN2ZFxHaFVQvV-S2GwXqOyzIkV4fRuGC_Te7-iH8ljeL0De2mfYnVIDt_AYaTyPFKzBiMaragQ2MQe1a_HUPMf/s320/El+Yunque+View.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from the tower</td></tr>
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1. <u><b>El Yunque National Rainforest</b></u>: Aside from childbirth and zip lining, this was one of the most difficult things I've ever done physically. The other is kayaking to the Bioluminescent Bay on Thursday night of our trip, but you can read my Facebook post about that experience (I was so scared!).<br />
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We arrived in San Juan on Monday, May 22nd, and spent the day in El Yunque the very next day. I am afraid of heights and driving up the steep inclines of the rainforest was scary (lots of twists and turns, and the two-way road was very narrow). It was so beautiful! We saw one waterfall, climbed up a tower, and hiked into the rainforest to see the bigger waterfall. It was very challenging but, as almost everyone we passed on the hiking path told us, so worth it! <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB8nZaDz_lSFeuug3DaWlPHAnEBRuDi9QkAx-0xOd2cIXiC-iYXyXrWZ9QOHKilYR-M4DBjqffpNvBMA_OAhevRLZZef6aB1teDdKB5_f2kHt4ELwULgdW5vJQlHT4Z8g1UY4GKKeaWjs5/s1600/IMG_4314.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB8nZaDz_lSFeuug3DaWlPHAnEBRuDi9QkAx-0xOd2cIXiC-iYXyXrWZ9QOHKilYR-M4DBjqffpNvBMA_OAhevRLZZef6aB1teDdKB5_f2kHt4ELwULgdW5vJQlHT4Z8g1UY4GKKeaWjs5/s320/IMG_4314.JPG" width="180" /></a><br />
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After we finished the hike, there was a lemonade stand which sold what tasted like the best lemonade ever. I won't talk about the woman who fell on her way down the hill toward our car as we were leaving except to say that she held on to her lemonade the whole time! As we were leaving, we picked up lunch at the<i> Restaurant El Dajao</i> and were served by a wonderful young woman named Daphne. I tend to get fixated on things at times, and before we went to Puerto Rico, I took a screenshot of a dish of empanadillas and was determined to enjoy some while we were there. Not only were there empanadillas, but also alcapurrias which our friend Amanda told us to try. So good!<br />
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2. <u><b>Castillo San Felipe del Morro (El Morro):</b></u> We went to El Morro on Thursday, which was the day before we came back home. I won't say much about the fort. I'll let the pictures speak for themselves. What I'm proud of, though, is that on our first night, we went to hang out in Old San Juan, and we spent time with a woman named Norma there who gave us the scoop on how to enjoy our visit in a non-touristy way. She told us about the free trolleys, and we went back and rode the trolley to and from El Morro. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdjRavRQ8ZZketRiG7qM_eIG9uKqGYCOk2ODde0ANtzjKLSeA4BVPoO1bTGj1Lf_nOnjOWin7-3gPpxZSflEn9L2Ry0QrtOAPsJg2l81mUzclAiFJDZpCDHgHrk4ys_zwJy5cwRiH1xnLH/s1600/El+Morro+2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdjRavRQ8ZZketRiG7qM_eIG9uKqGYCOk2ODde0ANtzjKLSeA4BVPoO1bTGj1Lf_nOnjOWin7-3gPpxZSflEn9L2Ry0QrtOAPsJg2l81mUzclAiFJDZpCDHgHrk4ys_zwJy5cwRiH1xnLH/s320/El+Morro+2.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
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3. <u><b>The Beach</b></u>: Although Dishon and I have been together for over 20 years, we haven't spent much time together on the beach, so it was wonderful to stay in a hotel right on the beach. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0ZNUIEQDA_AB5kkStYL8xs2B_-VeBwqCafTwP7_NHb0UaWLDNT44f2M4b5Zw9bcw1HiqH5BEM3aJO5dyYKtsxv-YSrzAbnr9BrftSvuFYT5W8UAK_C-url0DOHGRK3Y2ob3VYWkpfxY5u/s1600/Hammock.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0ZNUIEQDA_AB5kkStYL8xs2B_-VeBwqCafTwP7_NHb0UaWLDNT44f2M4b5Zw9bcw1HiqH5BEM3aJO5dyYKtsxv-YSrzAbnr9BrftSvuFYT5W8UAK_C-url0DOHGRK3Y2ob3VYWkpfxY5u/s320/Hammock.jpeg" width="320" /></a>4. <u><b>The Hammock</b></u>: I've always wanted to lay in a hammock, and just never had a chance to. Since there were so many cool amenities at our hotel, including hammocks right near the water, we took advantage and truly enjoyed ourselves. <br />
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5. <u><b>Santaella</b></u>: We enjoyed our anniversary dinner at <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWI3x7Qidscvu3GKW2QoZGpw9VLig0wZOOg-gSqv7-Je7CeSVDcZoesqqNEMiJAHieeq1TbKRCATyqJjddtauwzgMk5a_bMVuCBvw3IUafuO1p5OlzSb2bauuacba9Sqk58qrpN0NftmKm/s1600/Santaella.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1020" data-original-width="1536" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWI3x7Qidscvu3GKW2QoZGpw9VLig0wZOOg-gSqv7-Je7CeSVDcZoesqqNEMiJAHieeq1TbKRCATyqJjddtauwzgMk5a_bMVuCBvw3IUafuO1p5OlzSb2bauuacba9Sqk58qrpN0NftmKm/s320/Santaella.jpeg" width="320" /></a>Santaella in San Juan. I asked Siri to tell me about the top 10 places to eat near us, and Santaella was one of them. The atmosphere and food seemed really good, and it did not disappoint. I enjoyed a cocktail called Parchita (Puerto Rican White Rum, fresh passion fruit, agave, lemon and lime juice and ginger juice). Very nice and refreshing. For my appetizer, I had a roasted butternut squash salad with feta cheese, fresh lentils, pomegranate seeds, kale, chimichurri, and pumpkin and sunflower seeds. I'm not really even a salad person, but that was the best salad I've ever tasted. Dishon had a veal cheek dish that was so tender, and I enjoyed same very tasty lamb chops. I used to have all my meat cooked well done, but, inspired by Dishon, I'm starting to become more comfortable with meat cooked medium. It was absolutely the right choice for the lamb chops. If it wouldn't have been tacky I would have gnawed the meat off of the bones. We shared a Puerto Rican bread pudding for dessert. It was cooked in cognac sauce. Yum! If you're ever in San Juan, I highly recommend dining at Santaella. <br />
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There's so much more we experienced there, but these were the highlights. My niece did a wonderful job taking care of Serena, Cairo and Rabbit, which made it possible for us to truly enjoy our time away.<br />
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When we were just starting out as a young married couple, I couldn't have dreamed of a life so wonderful. We are truly blessed!<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg5Of-lUogqaXWBvkKdeCPt7XKlKBORwPgPxNbKfL7yuJ3fhNNpkCCvKPEUmko6qjXMJ2iC3qKwR8L912nPeNmYk14gm0CKtm15Pcht33RmvsrjEhMSmy_CwVZC-oHgoIks1QlMaq-QvrI/s1600/image1%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg5Of-lUogqaXWBvkKdeCPt7XKlKBORwPgPxNbKfL7yuJ3fhNNpkCCvKPEUmko6qjXMJ2iC3qKwR8L912nPeNmYk14gm0CKtm15Pcht33RmvsrjEhMSmy_CwVZC-oHgoIks1QlMaq-QvrI/s320/image1%25281%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On our honeymoon 20 years ago. Wow!</td></tr>
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Joyspirithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17809544650688692827noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4096963245424517813.post-69832240427022448642017-05-20T18:39:00.001-07:002017-05-20T18:39:02.895-07:00Backstory - When Renee Met Steven (1977 NYC Blackout)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR0k5FIv_OD9GtMhBBAXHoJLCXQrZyG6TvG2zbgPNwI72eOA-tFOe_CAMlDQovKzK-YXjt1_hNaWFKLZCkPYNlU-SiUnmTHc8sRcilc5XT6qT6NMnpWEa6n_oz8NW0ClaNYmQML3VPtsPS/s1600/afremov15.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR0k5FIv_OD9GtMhBBAXHoJLCXQrZyG6TvG2zbgPNwI72eOA-tFOe_CAMlDQovKzK-YXjt1_hNaWFKLZCkPYNlU-SiUnmTHc8sRcilc5XT6qT6NMnpWEa6n_oz8NW0ClaNYmQML3VPtsPS/s320/afremov15.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
Writing this is hard because I've been binge watching <i>Empire</i> after listening to Taraji P. Henson's autobiography, and not too long ago, I watched <i>Southside With You</i> about Barack and Michelle Obama's first date. I don't want to replicate other stories when I think about how Renee and Steven first met. I've spent so much time thinking about Subria's story that I never thought about how her parents met. It makes sense, though, to explore this, because it could shed some light on why Renee stays with Steven despite his challenges. <br />
<br />
Renee doesn't stay with him for Subria or the twins (if they end up staying in the story). I think she stays because, in addition to loving him, she understands something about him. Maybe she understands what caused his challenges, and it creates an empathy for him that blinds her to how Subria is impacted. It has to begin somewhere, though. Hmm . . .<br />
<br />
In order to create a backstory, I needed to figure out the answers to some questions, which, of course, created more questions:<br />
<br />
1. How old are Renee and Steven in the story? When she's born can inform where she may have met Steven. In the story, Subria is 14 in 1994, which means she was born in 1980. I wanted Renee to be in her early 20s when she has Subria, so I'm thinking Renee was born in 1957. I want Steven to be older than Renee, but not by much, so let's say Steven was born in 1955. <br />
2. Now that we know how old Steven and Renee are, and I know that they're both African-American living in New York City, I need to figure out what part of New York City they lived in, and what things were like for African-Americans in New York City in the mid-late 50s, and also in the 60s when they were growing up. <br />
3. When should they meet, and how? I want them to meet in 1977, get married in 1978, and have Subria in 1980. What's special about 1977? That's the year of my first memory - the blackout in July, 1977. Could they have met during the blackout? That could be interesting . . .<br />
4. If I want them to meet during the blackout, I need to do some research on what happened on July 13-14, 1977. What part of the city were they in? Were they impacted by looting and rioting? Thankfully, Dishon and I just watched a documentary about the blackout last week, so that will help.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyi_zwsFwYvnnhLixySWb0Vw4kIcICWiPGDHiVPkDdIUp9SQb6LzEsqeVy2wnfPcnnMmMzibcs1NkR9qhpNczJJ9lS6obFrt8qI2dCZz5qLK1bxiGTkOCM6o6Dcz-oNEKdt-9B1NiYPpha/s1600/blackout.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyi_zwsFwYvnnhLixySWb0Vw4kIcICWiPGDHiVPkDdIUp9SQb6LzEsqeVy2wnfPcnnMmMzibcs1NkR9qhpNczJJ9lS6obFrt8qI2dCZz5qLK1bxiGTkOCM6o6Dcz-oNEKdt-9B1NiYPpha/s320/blackout.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
In 1977, depending on when her birthday falls, Renee will be 19-20. That means that if she went to college, she would likely be in school then. Steven would be 21-22, so he might be close to finishing school if he went to college. I have a special place in my heart for Brooklyn College since I spent my first year of college there. I'm not sure if anything significant happened on the Brooklyn College campus during the blackout, but I think it might be interesting to play with the idea of them being on the campus during the blackout and having to walk home together because the trains weren't working and I can't imagine that the buses were running without working streetlights. <br />
<br />
The blackout happened at around 8:40 p.m. on July 13th. If they met at school, there would need to be a reason that they were at school on a summer evening. Turns out that Pratt Institute in Brooklyn was not impacted by the blackout because the school had their own generator. I thought of maybe having them on that campus, but I'd need to figure out what they'd be studying, and if it would make sense for them to be Pratt students. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC6V2qCiUiQVrGm7B1BvWpqocBf6QJj_Id3Q1qCwLtRk2jB8Zx-v_PiFJXAPykdePtWaR1OgZCpSEezJDSH6v6zZs7hZLjxvhVvi58dmJtf_Tua0ih6ILBefrYlXLFwjBoWDDDAyxR7l_h/s1600/Perelandra.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC6V2qCiUiQVrGm7B1BvWpqocBf6QJj_Id3Q1qCwLtRk2jB8Zx-v_PiFJXAPykdePtWaR1OgZCpSEezJDSH6v6zZs7hZLjxvhVvi58dmJtf_Tua0ih6ILBefrYlXLFwjBoWDDDAyxR7l_h/s320/Perelandra.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
Considering that in the future, Renee owns a natural food store, she could study nutrition, and work at a natural food store while in school. When I was younger, my mom used to shop at <i>Perelandra Natural Food Center </i>downtown Brooklyn. I was always fascinated by that store - the colors, the smells, everything so different from what I saw in C-Town, Key Food and Associated supermarkets in my neighborhood.<br />
<br />
What if Renee worked there? Looks like the store closes at 10 p.m. Maybe Steven was a customer there when the blackout hit? I should think about where in New York City they both live, why he'd be there, and what happens after the lights go out? Why would she go with him anywhere? Why would she trust him? Perhaps he was trustworthy then. Do someone's personal challenges make them untrustworthy, or just broken like we all are in some way?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7rxKSapIPEpIshqittTncA93_sLZ0LxTrycRgL3qTjtp9paMQO1vEDb42Okb6VLgBIFujVtqhBsrh6xSbafbk4et27Vd5Vdt2UN6p1jo63Uw7rDJVY0hfE5w3PYZmZLkCpcxk5SvVV1nJ/s1600/Brooklyn+Bridge.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7rxKSapIPEpIshqittTncA93_sLZ0LxTrycRgL3qTjtp9paMQO1vEDb42Okb6VLgBIFujVtqhBsrh6xSbafbk4et27Vd5Vdt2UN6p1jo63Uw7rDJVY0hfE5w3PYZmZLkCpcxk5SvVV1nJ/s320/Brooklyn+Bridge.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
Maybe he offers to walk her home to make sure she gets home safely? Depending on what section of the city she lives in, this could be a long walk. I love the idea of them walking across the Brooklyn Bridge together. Romantic. What if she lives in Greenwich Village? Him walking her home over the bridge has some cool possibilities . . . <br />
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Joyspirithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17809544650688692827noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4096963245424517813.post-16839129325986898782017-05-15T17:20:00.000-07:002017-05-15T17:20:49.519-07:00Subria and Track - Learning to FlyI used to love running when I was in elementary school. I remember doing pretty well on field day at Wingate Park in Brooklyn when I was finishing fifth grade. I think there was some talk of me participating in the Colgate Women's Games back then. There's something in my memory about my parents having a friend who was involved with the CWG . . . a woman named Carol Rainey. But that never came to be.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf0EC96eHMreHxvCpQQcAWeOmo1gboS8JA2RyhrHTY_S4hwnnjzqvhjAjA2KM_Adphdh04YitSZAHmTmCh9vixWd_5iyNE8aVX5AIzlQhpjtaoT3AkAzoMnL1Tr-YxwhqENO4ye7FROBeP/s1600/IMG_4177.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf0EC96eHMreHxvCpQQcAWeOmo1gboS8JA2RyhrHTY_S4hwnnjzqvhjAjA2KM_Adphdh04YitSZAHmTmCh9vixWd_5iyNE8aVX5AIzlQhpjtaoT3AkAzoMnL1Tr-YxwhqENO4ye7FROBeP/s320/IMG_4177.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That's me in the back on the right.</td></tr>
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It's not so fun to do something when you're compelled to do it. Even worse, when you're not properly prepared to do it. I had loved running when I was in elementary school, but a few years later, everyone in my church youth group had to participate in all of the sports on the church teams. This included basketball, cheerleading (for the girls - we wore blue and white saddle shoes 😫), volleyball and track and field. I pretty much hated all of it (except volleyball). I wasn't a great player. In fact, I barely moved my feet, and never quite learned how to set or spike. I was pretty good at bumping and serving though. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI3A643OYKAS5T9_gpd5xIdQtyRR_qRNLv41K-8REdx7u9FEASvad26GVzP01X9d-qMs9-hkDXKT3tOny5BcMpky96EeXeRXEXqweqrXPB4YxdkciiqAF4sCgkdp-WuZysJ3A2lyww_Cri/s1600/Afrika+Track.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI3A643OYKAS5T9_gpd5xIdQtyRR_qRNLv41K-8REdx7u9FEASvad26GVzP01X9d-qMs9-hkDXKT3tOny5BcMpky96EeXeRXEXqweqrXPB4YxdkciiqAF4sCgkdp-WuZysJ3A2lyww_Cri/s320/Afrika+Track.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm behind the girl with the red jacket with the Cairo face.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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When I was on the track team, I was chosen to run the mile - not because I was good at it, but because I would gain more points for the team just for completing the race. I was decent at the long and triple jumps, and I did get a bronze medal for running the mile, but again, not because I was good at it. There were four people running in my age group, and one person stopped running. I got the bronze medal by default just for finishing 😐. Sadly, that wasn't the end, either. I had to run again at the finals. My mother had just had surgery, yet she came out to support me. It was blazing, and my event was just about the last one of the day. I think we were in Pennsylvania. I didn't place very well. I caught a cramp during the first 400 meters, and was happy to just finish the race. I never ran competitively again after that. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzdnOyjlbxr5S81dooiKKDbALUgjHZOTGzwVZahJwcD7YV1duuGxUa0w7w3PytjFd8JVdDFlpXXVFrZoqSxRhZryS1-BOuawDUMFgN8Rn-B3Dyho84j4PIDnshOBdi-tx3py9Hd-g8QcQE/s1600/IMG_0248.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzdnOyjlbxr5S81dooiKKDbALUgjHZOTGzwVZahJwcD7YV1duuGxUa0w7w3PytjFd8JVdDFlpXXVFrZoqSxRhZryS1-BOuawDUMFgN8Rn-B3Dyho84j4PIDnshOBdi-tx3py9Hd-g8QcQE/s200/IMG_0248.jpg" width="150" /></a> Dishon was a track star. A record breaking athlete. I never got to see him run or high jump. If I had a time machine, it's one of the first things I'd go back to do. I'd be in the front, his biggest fan, feeling the wind against me as he flew by. He was that fast. I'd be trying to keep the sun out of my eyes as I watched him soar above the high jump bar. He could jump that high. One of the ways I tried to connect to this part of him was to have Subria be a track star, too. He was my mentor as I wrote this scene:<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">September, 1994</span></u></i></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></u></i></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">Brooklyn Technical High School was an impressive
building.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When Subria had come to the
school to register during the summer, she only got to see the main office, and
a large classroom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even then, she was
amazed that the school was as wide and long as a whole city block.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On her first day of school, a team of seniors
took Subria and a group of nine other freshmen on a tour of the school.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The center lobby had a fireplace, and the
school's auditorium was the second largest in New York City, after Radio City
Music Hall.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She had definitely never
seen any school auditorium with two balconies before.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was a massive library, and gyms on both
the first and eighth floors, with an indoor track in the mezzanine of the
eighth floor gym.</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">As she walked down the hall toward her homeroom, she
marveled at the high ceilings and trophy cases.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Subria would have to check all of this out more carefully another
time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She heard that students received
detention for being late, and she definitely didn't want that to happen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i>There's another part of the story that will appear here, but I want to stay focused on the track theme.</i></div>
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<i> </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
***</div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";"> Track try outs finally took place at the beginning of
November.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Subria stayed after school to
</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdpq9Gs-ZBoSJW0_VG88d0gKQ2Z-uz_POcchm3VzGLQwBXNUdp53N6tBP0g4-XUqQeVeohS7gArWZOxNzhLqg3AGU-bAAfa648IHseKaiopyzct27xk7aXHNCDrF7yG7lthtKdP9VqwX9w/s1600/Track.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdpq9Gs-ZBoSJW0_VG88d0gKQ2Z-uz_POcchm3VzGLQwBXNUdp53N6tBP0g4-XUqQeVeohS7gArWZOxNzhLqg3AGU-bAAfa648IHseKaiopyzct27xk7aXHNCDrF7yG7lthtKdP9VqwX9w/s320/Track.jpeg" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div>
talk with the coach about trying out for the team.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Like most junior high schools, her old school
didn<span style="font-family: "Arial Unicode MS"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">’</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">t
have a track team, so Subria kept up her times by preparing for and competing
in the Colgate Women</span><span style="font-family: "Arial Unicode MS"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">’</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">s Games every year. She regularly ran
the 55 meter dash, and had taken third place at the Madison Square Garden
finals in January with a time of 7.4 seconds, but she had never run 100 meters
competitively before.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Subria knew she
was up to the challenge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Despite the
long practices and constant pressure, she knew her father would be disappointed
if she didn</span><span style="font-family: "Arial Unicode MS"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">’</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">t
try.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was his dream for her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"></span><br />
<div class="Body1" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">Subria walked into the first floor gym and looked around to
figure out where the head coach</span><span style="font-family: "Arial Unicode MS"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">’</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">s office was.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
basketball team was in the gym running sprints, so she didn</span><span style="font-family: "Arial Unicode MS"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">’</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">t want to
interrupt them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Subria walked underneath
the bleachers to the other side of the gym.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>She saw the doors to the locker rooms, and then a few doors down, there
was Daniel Morgan</span><span style="font-family: "Arial Unicode MS"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">’</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">s
office.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div class="Body1" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">Trying out for the Brooklyn Tech Engineers was more
challenging than Subria thought.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She
wasn</span><span style="font-family: "Arial Unicode MS"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">’</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">t
really sure what to expect, but as soon as she approached Coach Morgan about
being on the team, he wanted to see if she was really as fast as she said she
was.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thankfully, none of the other team
members were there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She changed out of
her school clothes into her sweats and sneakers, and stretched in the center of
the track for about ten minutes until she saw Coach Morgan walk on to the track.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div class="Body1" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">He motioned for her to go over to the starting blocks, so
she walked in that direction, putting her hair up into a ponytail as she
went.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Subria kissed the cross on the
chain on her neck as she always did before running, and then positioned herself
on the blocks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She concentrated on
slowing her breathing, and listening to the sound of her own heart beat,
knowing that for every beat of her heart, her feet would need to hit the ground
four times in order to run under thirteen seconds.</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div class="Body1" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">Watch your
breathing, Subria.</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></i></div>
<div class="Body1" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">She looked over at Coach Morgan, who was standing next to
the track at the finish line with a timer in his right hand and his left hand
in the air.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div class="Body1" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">Subria looked up at him, waiting for his signal, and as soon
as she saw his arm drop, she took off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Like most sprinters, Subria was focused on getting her right knee up as
fast as possible to be quick off the blocks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>She kept her head down for the first ten steps, with only a fraction of
a second separating each one of those steps.</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div class="Body1" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">One, two,
three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten.</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></i></div>
<div class="Body1" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">Head up, goal
in sight, stay in your lane.</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></i></div>
<div class="Body1" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">Push, push,
push.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></i></div>
<div class="Body1" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">Subria crossed the finish line, and when she finally
brought herself to a stop, she began to walk back over toward Coach Morgan to
find out what her time was.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div class="Body1" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">"How did I do?" she asked, trying to catch her
breath.</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div class="Body1" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">"How do you think you did?" he asked.</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div class="Body1" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">"I think I did okay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I know I can do better, though."</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div class="Body1" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">"Okay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Take a
breather.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Walk back to the starting
line, and do it again."</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div class="Body1" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">Subria walked slowly back to the blocks and thought about
the look she always saw on her father</span><span style="font-family: "Arial Unicode MS"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">’</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">s face after her races.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>She couldn</span><span style="font-family: "Arial Unicode MS"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">’</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">t
remember him ever smiling so much at any other time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His office at the laundromat was filled with
community newspaper clippings about her performance at the Colgate Women</span><span style="font-family: "Arial Unicode MS"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">’</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">s Games, and
he talked about her track performance whenever he had a chance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">had</i>
to get on the team.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div class="Body1" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">She ran again, and she knew that she had run a little
faster than before.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div class="Body1" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">"Not bad," Coach Morgan responded, showing her
the stopwatch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It showed 12.53.</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div class="Body1" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">Coach Morgan tried her out for a few other events.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It turned out to that she had some skill in
the long and triple jumps.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Subria was
beside herself when she made the indoor girls varsity team.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> <b></b></span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">In addition to long and triple jumps, Coach Morgan told
her that she would compete in the 55 meter relay and the 4 x 100 meter
relay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div class="Body1" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">*** </span></div>
<div class="Body1" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">Although she had track practices every day after school for
2-3 hours, Subria excelled in her academics.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>In addition to joining the National Honor Society, she ran in the Public
Schools Athletic League, the Big Apple Games, the Pilgrim Games and the Jim
McKay Games at the Armory Track and Field Center in Manhattan, and easily made
the outdoor track team in March.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She was
even invited to participate in the 101<sup>st</sup> Penn Relay Carnival at the
end of April - the week after her birthday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Renee wasn't able to come because she didn't want to close the
store.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>But the night before Steven drove Subria down
to Philadelphia, he told her that she could invite Gina and Kenya to spend the
night with her the night before they left.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div class="Body1" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">"Subria," Gina asked just before they fell
asleep, "can you tell me why sprinters don't run full out to the end?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It's almost like they slow down at the end
sometimes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hate when they do
that!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It seems like they'd make better
times if they ran as fast as they could until they reached the finish
line."</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div class="Body1" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">"I used to hate that too before I started running
track," Subria said, "but that only happens in quarter finals and
stuff like that when people are just trying to qualify for the finals.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It reserves your energy and reduces your
chance of injury.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It</span><span style="font-family: "Arial Unicode MS"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">’</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">s also
psychological for everyone else, because then the other runners don</span><span style="font-family: "Arial Unicode MS"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">’</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">t really know
how fast you can run."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div class="Body1" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">"I guess that makes sense," Gina said. "So,
are you ready?"</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div class="Body1" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">"Ready as I'll ever be," Subria said,
sighing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";"> In order to prepare for the relay, Subria and her teammates
warmed up by stretching and running an easy mile.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Seeing all the other sprinters there made
Subria nervous, but not enough to impact her performance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As always, Subria was the anchor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When she initially got on the blocks, she
envisioned the race, and pictured herself running faster than her
competitors.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>An essential part of her
pre-relay mental prep work was imagining her team winning the race.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once she heard her teammate Vanessa yell<b> </b>"stick,"
she reached back for the baton, and pushed to the end.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At the last possible moment, she dipped her
stride to get her head and chest across the finish line.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Subria and her team won the first place
8" bronze plaque, and gold medals.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;"></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";"> </span>
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<div style="line-height: 200%; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">Steven was beside
himself with excitement for Subria's success.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He went hoarse cheering for her,</span><span style="font-family: "Arial Unicode MS"; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">and he ran out on
to the field after her team won the final race.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He embraced her so tightly that it was hard for Subria to breathe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although Subria appreciated her father</span><span style="font-family: "Arial Unicode MS"; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">’</span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">s
support of her accomplishments, she couldn</span><span style="font-family: "Arial Unicode MS"; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">’</span><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">t help but wish,
sometimes, that he would pay as much attention to her off the field as he did
when she was sprinting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieyTW57IX7qNepbdgZu4XcUgJgCjJDOu16X7gVC-R6rN-MNox-wCDbZKBTbeFO1EmFy4sTf-8UzTKDqn-n-cOnU0buupvRNDfKifRCSb_QWMXSteB_7d21ATc3byuZnyI5mE_fFj01PKNd/s1600/IMG_0199.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieyTW57IX7qNepbdgZu4XcUgJgCjJDOu16X7gVC-R6rN-MNox-wCDbZKBTbeFO1EmFy4sTf-8UzTKDqn-n-cOnU0buupvRNDfKifRCSb_QWMXSteB_7d21ATc3byuZnyI5mE_fFj01PKNd/s320/IMG_0199.jpg" width="320" /></a>***</div>
I need to do a lot more work on this scene. My writing coach encouraged me to include much more dialogue, which I will. I want there to be a clear connection between Subria/flying in the beginning of the book on the observation deck of the World Trade Center and Subria/running on the track team. What is she running/flying away from? I'll do this even while in my mind's eye, I'm picturing my best friend flying through the air, impressing me in the timeless space our love occupies. I am, and always will be his biggest fan. I can write about love because I know him. <br />
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<br />Joyspirithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17809544650688692827noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4096963245424517813.post-42867096646335553762017-05-05T15:45:00.005-07:002017-05-05T15:45:45.894-07:00Weird Halloween<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisClmbD85Yy_EZZLFa_HC9Ui_q1lJKU5WP7juUy1qqqQYQn9NFRgJ7gXfTwqpjxLddk1J7vw9-ZvZgvv4URlMMukQDdzYHh7Z_EK_lnn3q68Y6AeV7iu9FAwaxrqNa5cx2eTpxnxc5YMt_/s1600/IMG_4121.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisClmbD85Yy_EZZLFa_HC9Ui_q1lJKU5WP7juUy1qqqQYQn9NFRgJ7gXfTwqpjxLddk1J7vw9-ZvZgvv4URlMMukQDdzYHh7Z_EK_lnn3q68Y6AeV7iu9FAwaxrqNa5cx2eTpxnxc5YMt_/s320/IMG_4121.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
It's May, so it feels a little weird to be writing about Halloween. This topic was sparked for me this week, though, when one of my teachers shared what she had done with her hair for crazy hair day. I remember a crazy hair day when I was a kid. But first, the backstory . . . <br />
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I don't have any pictures of myself in any Halloween costumes before my family stopped celebrating the holiday in 1985. I was 11, but it wasn't because I was too old. It was because the church we started attending that fall was against it (as well as celebrating birthdays and Christmas). Most 11 year olds don't know or use words like <i>pagan </i>and <i>worldly</i>. I used them expertly, and sadly. You would think that a group of folks who claimed Jesus as Lord would be excited about an opportunity to connect with the community in a fun way. I understand not wanting to dress your kid up as a serial killer or bloody monster, but look at Serena and Cairo in this picture! Could they be more cute? But I digress . . . <br />
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Dishon, Serena, Cairo and I have been living in the suburbs since the kids were just about three and four years old. Before that, we lived in a very suburban section of Boston (West Roxbury), so taking the kids Trick or Treating was always easy. Typically one of us would stay home to give out candy while the other took the kids out. A few years ago, the kids started going Trick or Treating with friends, so now we just gave out candy. Sadly, our block doesn't get a lot of traffic on Halloween anymore. The kids who do come get a ton of candy, and we still usually have a bunch left over. <br />
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I would imagine that Trick or Treating was challenging for my parents when I was a kid, since we lived in a pretty large apartment building, especially with the warnings to be careful about what Halloween treats to let kids eat after Trick or Treating. I wonder if it was even true that people were putting razors in candy and caramel apples, or if that was actually the beginnings of fake news/urban legends? <br />
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There are only a couple of Halloweens I remember before my family
stopped celebrating. I think I was Wonder Woman one year (I could be
mistaking a costume for the Wonder Woman Underoos I had, though 😂). The other memory is this one year that always kind of baffled me. Let me first say that I think my mom and sister did an extraordinary job dressing me so creatively for a Halloween party. I think I was around 9 or 10, and they made me a beautiful dress out of material that reminds me of the night sky in Texas - dark and twinkling with stars. I also remember them straightening a hanger, bending it into a u-shape and then pinning my hair around the hanger. I think I was dressed as an alien. <br />
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The part that confuses me is that the party was in the Bedford-Stuyvesant section of Brooklyn. My grandmother (dad's mom) lived near the hall, and my family lived in the Flatbush section. These neighborhoods are not close, and we didn't have a car. I don't remember being dressed like that on public transportation, so we must have gone in a cab. We didn't go to my grandmother's apartment, which surprised me because it was so close to where she lived. We went straight to this party, and my family dropped me off there. I didn't know anyone at the party, so I remember feeling really lonely. I'm a pretty strong introvert, so going up to strangers and making small talk makes me ache. I tried to make the best of it and entertain myself, but as I was running, I tripped and fell, all sprawled out on the ground with my glittery dress and alien hair. Not cute. Not at all. I wanted to curl up in a ball and disappear. Instead, I just got up and waited until someone came to get me. That's all I remember.<br />
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When I'm writing my novel, I need to think about what role holidays will play, and any funky scenarios I can embed. Will they celebrate . . . not celebrate? If they celebrate, how will it be? If not, why not? As I'm writing this, how cool would it be for Subria, Shiloh and Primus to go Trick or Treating together as little kids? Hmm . . . Joyspirithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17809544650688692827noreply@blogger.com0