Tomorrow will be 3 years. I miss you girl...
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Faith's Barmitzvah part 19 #420 episode 178
Lela was his mother's mother, sister. Darlean loved her. Her love ran deep. Often she had dreamed of meeting her. While in L.A., she had tried to contact her by using what she had learned in business class. She had used block paragraphs with her signature exactly 3 lines down under the salutation. When she signed it she made her D with a massive curl, in hopes that it would impress Lela. When the letter came back, return to sender, Darlean felt a loss so profound it hurt her to her very core. She had called the operator assistance so many times, using all the names she could remember to find her family. Bonner, Crockerham, Scott, she had used them to no avail. Sometimes she would call just to hear the operator tell her that there was no listing for a Lela Bonner, Scott or Crockerham. Little did she know, Lela had married a railroad porter by the name of Carter. Lela Carter. It was such a common name Darlean kicked herself for not thinking of it during her nightly calls. So simple, it hurt.
Lela was one hell of a lady. She had been born with a withered leg. Her father, not trusting doctors did not let them operate. He said it was because of what they did to Negroes in the Great War. Because of his distrust, Lela struggled. Her crutches were her means to the world. She hopped along for 24 years before she had saved enough money to get the wretched leg cut off. She hopped for 24 years. 24 years of sneers. 24 years of crudely crafted crutches. Hopping along through the rain, heat and trials of mother nature. She longed for movement without those common wooden legs she could not live without.
She had only had the bandages off for 7 months when Darlean's mother died. The first 2 months were pure hell, but the next 5 brought her joy, unspeakable joy. She had been and went and been and went again. The wind felt better, the water tasted sweeter. Everything was vibrant including her. She had felt the arms of a man. She had touched his ears when she felt heaven between her stump and leg. He did not mind. They had drank Club House gin all night. She danced, danced twirled and smiled. Smiling, smiling, smiling.
She told Darlean her Uncle Henry told her about Mattie's death. She said she was confused between freedom and responsibility. That's why she let them go. That's why she stood in the background with her new leg and new love. She did not want to let the moment go. So she let them go.
Lela was one hell of a lady. She had been born with a withered leg. Her father, not trusting doctors did not let them operate. He said it was because of what they did to Negroes in the Great War. Because of his distrust, Lela struggled. Her crutches were her means to the world. She hopped along for 24 years before she had saved enough money to get the wretched leg cut off. She hopped for 24 years. 24 years of sneers. 24 years of crudely crafted crutches. Hopping along through the rain, heat and trials of mother nature. She longed for movement without those common wooden legs she could not live without.
She had only had the bandages off for 7 months when Darlean's mother died. The first 2 months were pure hell, but the next 5 brought her joy, unspeakable joy. She had been and went and been and went again. The wind felt better, the water tasted sweeter. Everything was vibrant including her. She had felt the arms of a man. She had touched his ears when she felt heaven between her stump and leg. He did not mind. They had drank Club House gin all night. She danced, danced twirled and smiled. Smiling, smiling, smiling.
She told Darlean her Uncle Henry told her about Mattie's death. She said she was confused between freedom and responsibility. That's why she let them go. That's why she stood in the background with her new leg and new love. She did not want to let the moment go. So she let them go.
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Faith's Barmiztvah part 18 #420 episode 177
His huge arms griped the box. Straddling the box on his knees, Johnny Ray made Frankenstein like steps towards the porch. Darlean kicked at Mikey, arousing the dog from his lazy slumber. Just as the dog jumped from the porch, Johnny Ray sat the box down. He reached into his pocket and brought out an old worn pocket knife. Cutting the tape, Johnny Ray took his knife and sawed down one side of the box. Then he laboriously sawed the other half. The spring sun beat on his brow until beads of sweat oozed from his forehead. When he reached the bottom of the large brown box, he took his hand and pushed the side of the box to the floor.
Faith was amazed at how simple it was to put the lawn mower together. Johnny Ray rolled it out of the box, tossing the instructions to the side, he unfolded the bottom part of the handle. Pointing to the box, he told Faith to get him the other part. Faith fumbled around the box meticulously peeling the Styrofoam that held the top part of the handle. Johnny Ray looking at Faith seemingly annoyed at Faith's slow pace, jerked the handle from Faith's slow hands. "Haste make waste, but you too slow fo' Joe!" Johnny Ray looked at Faith as he spoke. Faith saw the frustration in his eye, and Johnny Ray must have saw the confusion in Faith's eye. For no longer as he had raised his voice at Faith did he lower it and explain how when you working you got to do things as fast as you can to be ahead of the other man that want just what you want. "Do you understand," he asked Faith? Faith shook his head half confused and half understanding. Johnny Ray fastened the handle, and stood up beside it like a proud papa.
"Get me that gas can out the back of the car." Darlean looked down at Johnny Ray as he told Faith to hurry up. "I thought dey came wit' gas in 'hem, she said. "No honey they might catch fire in the shippin', dat be as crazy as hell," laughing at the thought of it all Johnny Ray looked towards the back of the car. Faith rolled his eyes as he lifted the red and yellow can from trunk taking it to Johnny Ray. Johnny Ray's syrupy tongue was about to get on his nerves, maybe he should rethink just how he felt about him again Faith thought. Faith could tell from Darlean's bedroom eyes that he was better in bed, than the last no count nigger she had brought home. Faith assumed the lawnmower was payment for last nights romp in the sheets. One thing about "it" it never lay down for free. Be it a hamburger or food for the house, light bill, gas bill, when "it" came it came for a purpose.
Faith just wished last nights purpose would have been for a brand new bike instead of this massive lawn mower, whose cord Faith was tirelessly pulling. "Put ya back into," Darlean said looking towards Johnny Ray. "If you don't know how ta do it Johnny can show you how." Her eyes flirted as she talked under her clothes on the sly. It slithered into the house. Faith hated It but it would be around, he assumed for some time.
Faith was amazed at how simple it was to put the lawn mower together. Johnny Ray rolled it out of the box, tossing the instructions to the side, he unfolded the bottom part of the handle. Pointing to the box, he told Faith to get him the other part. Faith fumbled around the box meticulously peeling the Styrofoam that held the top part of the handle. Johnny Ray looking at Faith seemingly annoyed at Faith's slow pace, jerked the handle from Faith's slow hands. "Haste make waste, but you too slow fo' Joe!" Johnny Ray looked at Faith as he spoke. Faith saw the frustration in his eye, and Johnny Ray must have saw the confusion in Faith's eye. For no longer as he had raised his voice at Faith did he lower it and explain how when you working you got to do things as fast as you can to be ahead of the other man that want just what you want. "Do you understand," he asked Faith? Faith shook his head half confused and half understanding. Johnny Ray fastened the handle, and stood up beside it like a proud papa.
"Get me that gas can out the back of the car." Darlean looked down at Johnny Ray as he told Faith to hurry up. "I thought dey came wit' gas in 'hem, she said. "No honey they might catch fire in the shippin', dat be as crazy as hell," laughing at the thought of it all Johnny Ray looked towards the back of the car. Faith rolled his eyes as he lifted the red and yellow can from trunk taking it to Johnny Ray. Johnny Ray's syrupy tongue was about to get on his nerves, maybe he should rethink just how he felt about him again Faith thought. Faith could tell from Darlean's bedroom eyes that he was better in bed, than the last no count nigger she had brought home. Faith assumed the lawnmower was payment for last nights romp in the sheets. One thing about "it" it never lay down for free. Be it a hamburger or food for the house, light bill, gas bill, when "it" came it came for a purpose.
Faith just wished last nights purpose would have been for a brand new bike instead of this massive lawn mower, whose cord Faith was tirelessly pulling. "Put ya back into," Darlean said looking towards Johnny Ray. "If you don't know how ta do it Johnny can show you how." Her eyes flirted as she talked under her clothes on the sly. It slithered into the house. Faith hated It but it would be around, he assumed for some time.
Monday, June 22, 2009
Faith's Barmiztvah part 17 #420 episode 176
Faith followed Johnny Ray into the Western Auto. The attendant had on a plaid tennis skirt, stopping shortly before her worn wrinkled knees. She looked at Faith first, noticing his familiar face. She turned to Johnny Ray. Faith was still in shock. He had been rocketed up the hill in a yellow missile. His mother's old Buick had nothing on Johnny Ray's. Faith stepped out of the passenger side door with a new feeling. Something about Johnny Ray was different. Whether it was his awkward, nervous talk around white folks or his confident stride around Negroes, Johnny Ray had won Faith over in their short journey out of the bottom to the Western Auto. Now they stood before the lady with the lightning streaked wrinkles asking, not for a brand new bike. No, not the bike with the disc brakes. Not the bike with the 20" tires. Not the bike Faith longed for. The one with the shinny reflectors. Instead the stood before the green and white beast of a machine. It's menacing dark green hue over took Faith's grin and replaced it with a sad gracious smile.
"Thank you," he said. They neared the intersection where the white folks houses spoke boldly of their superiority compared to the dilapidated shacks that was home to Faith and the other Negroes of the Bottom. They dipped down the hill. It's steepness must have surprised him. His big hands gripped the steering wheel. His foot pushed the accelerator, commanding the car to pull forward. The car took his command, and begged for more demands as the tires caught the pavement with a whistling skirt. Johnny Ray looked at Faith. Faith felt his stare as his eyes followed the contour of Faith's large boyish frame.
"Ya' momma say you bout to be 13. When I was 13 I had my own job. Ya' momma wanted me to get you a bike. But I told her no. Said a bike can't make you no money." He bent his large arms and pointed toward the trunk to the lawn mower crudely tied inside the trunk. He slowed the car to a crawl. "Boy you can take that mow and make you an ass pocket full of money. You just got to go out and get it. Look at your little friends round here, begging they mammies for a quarter. Why you want to be like them? It's time for you to hucklebuck." And with that he pulled into the dusty driveway.
Darlean was on the porch. Her smile at the sight of the large box in the trunk said it all. His smile reassured Faith that maybe this time, maybe this time "it" would not get the best of their mother. This time...
"Thank you," he said. They neared the intersection where the white folks houses spoke boldly of their superiority compared to the dilapidated shacks that was home to Faith and the other Negroes of the Bottom. They dipped down the hill. It's steepness must have surprised him. His big hands gripped the steering wheel. His foot pushed the accelerator, commanding the car to pull forward. The car took his command, and begged for more demands as the tires caught the pavement with a whistling skirt. Johnny Ray looked at Faith. Faith felt his stare as his eyes followed the contour of Faith's large boyish frame.
"Ya' momma say you bout to be 13. When I was 13 I had my own job. Ya' momma wanted me to get you a bike. But I told her no. Said a bike can't make you no money." He bent his large arms and pointed toward the trunk to the lawn mower crudely tied inside the trunk. He slowed the car to a crawl. "Boy you can take that mow and make you an ass pocket full of money. You just got to go out and get it. Look at your little friends round here, begging they mammies for a quarter. Why you want to be like them? It's time for you to hucklebuck." And with that he pulled into the dusty driveway.
Darlean was on the porch. Her smile at the sight of the large box in the trunk said it all. His smile reassured Faith that maybe this time, maybe this time "it" would not get the best of their mother. This time...
Friday, May 29, 2009
Faith's Barmitzvah part 16 #420 episode 175
Gas, Grass, or Ass, Nobody Rides For Free. Its orange letters stood boldly against the white background of the bumper sticker. Sarah was the first to notice. This was because, she insisted on being the first person in line at the bus stop. She would bolt out of bed every morning. Sometimes meeting Darlean in the hall. Sarah would hurriedly dress. Knowing her only competition was Delaney, who lived in the dark green house right across from the bus stop. So there it was, but yet it was different. Sarah no longer cared about the bus stop. She stood above Faith's bed, commanding that he get up, in a hushed tone.
Faith's eyes looked towards the morning sun. He could tell he still had time to sleep. Why was she bothering him. She had never done it before. Usually it was Mary waking him. Her silence warned him of impeding danger. Something was wrong. Sarah was way too quiet as she asked where Mary was. In the bathroom Faith whispered back. Oblivious to why Sarah was whispering. But all the while wanting to know desperately.
It was back... the last time it was there they did not see her for quite a while. Everyday they where at their Aunt Learna's waiting for her to pick them up. Which usually came in the middle of the night. They were awakened from their slumber by unfamiliar hands. Asking her where such and such slept. Faith usually went back to sleep. But every once in a while his interrupted sleep would bother him to the point where tossed and turned. Laying this way and that way wanting to go back to sleep. That's when he would hear them.
Faith turned from the bumper sticker. "Maybe he'll be her just a little while," he said. Faith looked back at the car. It's long sleek yellow paint glistened from the sun rising in the eastern sky. Faith walked timidly behind Sarah and Mary. Each walking with their own thoughts about what the strange car in the drive way meant for each of them. Faith marched towards the bus stop looking in each person's eye for any glimpse of awareness as to the yellow Buick Electra, deuce and a quarter that sat boldly in their front yard.
His name was Johnny Ray. He would be in Faith and his sisters life for the rest of their lives. A truck driver by trade he had met Darlean at the Cozy Inn, the local watering hole for Negroes in Winnfield. He was a hulk of a man. His arms held muscles on top of muscles. His long fat hands cradled a beer as he leaned against his yellow car. Faith stepped from the bus, waiting on his sisters to show them the large man surveying the Bottom's landscape like some type of overseer or something.
"Hello son," his words surprised Faith. He stammered for the right words. His mind told him to let this stranger this "Johnny Ray" he was not his son. Although his mind dreamed one thing, his mouth said hello.
"Your momma tells me its your birthday next week. How old will you be? Faith looked in the large man eyes. What had Darlean told him? "Yes sir," Faith answered. "My names Johnny Ray and you don't have to say no yes sir to me, yeah is good enough. Yes sir, Faith replied. Unaware of his proper reply again. "Come go with me," he said. Faith looked towards the door. Johnny Ray told him that his mother already knew he was going with him. Faith climbed into the front seat. The leather burned through his jeans as he adjusted himself as the car motored up the hill. The motor chimed and begged for Johnny Ray to press the accelerator down even further. He looked towards Faith as he answered the motors request.
They reached the top of the hill and pulled into the Western Auto
Faith's eyes looked towards the morning sun. He could tell he still had time to sleep. Why was she bothering him. She had never done it before. Usually it was Mary waking him. Her silence warned him of impeding danger. Something was wrong. Sarah was way too quiet as she asked where Mary was. In the bathroom Faith whispered back. Oblivious to why Sarah was whispering. But all the while wanting to know desperately.
It was back... the last time it was there they did not see her for quite a while. Everyday they where at their Aunt Learna's waiting for her to pick them up. Which usually came in the middle of the night. They were awakened from their slumber by unfamiliar hands. Asking her where such and such slept. Faith usually went back to sleep. But every once in a while his interrupted sleep would bother him to the point where tossed and turned. Laying this way and that way wanting to go back to sleep. That's when he would hear them.
Faith turned from the bumper sticker. "Maybe he'll be her just a little while," he said. Faith looked back at the car. It's long sleek yellow paint glistened from the sun rising in the eastern sky. Faith walked timidly behind Sarah and Mary. Each walking with their own thoughts about what the strange car in the drive way meant for each of them. Faith marched towards the bus stop looking in each person's eye for any glimpse of awareness as to the yellow Buick Electra, deuce and a quarter that sat boldly in their front yard.
His name was Johnny Ray. He would be in Faith and his sisters life for the rest of their lives. A truck driver by trade he had met Darlean at the Cozy Inn, the local watering hole for Negroes in Winnfield. He was a hulk of a man. His arms held muscles on top of muscles. His long fat hands cradled a beer as he leaned against his yellow car. Faith stepped from the bus, waiting on his sisters to show them the large man surveying the Bottom's landscape like some type of overseer or something.
"Hello son," his words surprised Faith. He stammered for the right words. His mind told him to let this stranger this "Johnny Ray" he was not his son. Although his mind dreamed one thing, his mouth said hello.
"Your momma tells me its your birthday next week. How old will you be? Faith looked in the large man eyes. What had Darlean told him? "Yes sir," Faith answered. "My names Johnny Ray and you don't have to say no yes sir to me, yeah is good enough. Yes sir, Faith replied. Unaware of his proper reply again. "Come go with me," he said. Faith looked towards the door. Johnny Ray told him that his mother already knew he was going with him. Faith climbed into the front seat. The leather burned through his jeans as he adjusted himself as the car motored up the hill. The motor chimed and begged for Johnny Ray to press the accelerator down even further. He looked towards Faith as he answered the motors request.
They reached the top of the hill and pulled into the Western Auto
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Faith's Barmitzvah part 15 #420 episode 174
He sounded like he had a mouth full of snuff. A career military man, Faith was guessing. His khaki's were starched with a razor sharp crease. Faith peered around Darlean's rotund hips. The brochure was a simple manila envelope with a multi-colored large U in the middle. It sounded so simple. He told Darlean all she had to do was put the money in the envelope every first of the month and forget about it. Darlean asked him what she should do if she happened to be broke come the first of the month. What if come the first of the month if her kids needed milk, can she just forget about the money then? His red face was all the answer she needed. He was still talking when she closed the door.
"What was he selling," asked Faith. "Life insurance," came the reply. She sounded she was not in the mood for Faith's questions. Faith maneuvered himself in beside her asking how people made money off life insurance. Before she could tell him, a knock was heard at the door. She hastily answered him as she stepped towards the door. "A white man's scam, people gone die anyway" She opened the door to engage the salesman again, instead she encountered Gene. Who stood with his hands in his pockets "Hey there Darlean,"
She greeted Gene with a smile. Faith said hello, and again asked her what life insurance entailed again. He did not want a quick answer such as "a white man's scam," he wanted to know the truth. "Boy gone with that nonsense," as she turned towards the kitchen. Faith was talking to her back now. "Boy gone with that nonsense, when you get grown then you worry about that. Now gone and play," she insisted. Gene followed her to the kitchen.
He spoke again in his whistling whine. He stressed every word ending. Faith thought of the train at the zoo, as Gene spoke again. His mother was telling him how she had some chitterlings boiling and he was welcome to stay and eat. She pulled out a chair for Gene to sit. "Now what brang you down her in da heat of t'day"
"well," he whined. "I was up at the Western Auto and I seen Faith up there.
Darlean shot an enquiring eye at Faith. "You ain't been up there fooling wit' them white folks shit is you boy?" Gene didn't give faith a chance to speak.
"Naw, Darlean it ain't nothin' like dat," he said. Darlean looking at Gene, but talking to Faith warned that she had better not hear anything about him stealing or touching the white folks "stuff" as she called it. Gene smiled, Faith could see he was trying to calm Darlean down while explaining to her the circumstances surrounding their chance meeting.
"You see, I seen him up there lookin' at dem bicycles. Seems to me he want one real bad" Darlean interrupted him again. "He know every dime I gets, go to dees bills." Gene tried to get a word in edge wise. "I...I... know that too Darlean. Dat's why I thank I got a solution. You see, you know the weather is gettin' hotter and the grass is gone start growing like weeds...Well you know daddy, he gone want that yard mowed every Saturday. He den already said that." Darlean shook her head, she nodded up and down while Gene resumed telling her his solution.
"He want dat yard mowed every Saturday, like I was saying. And to tell you the truth, I just don't have time. That's where Faith come in. You see, he can mow the yard while I study for the state exam. I'll give him fifteen dollars every second Saturday. But I wanted to ask you what you thank first."
Darlean's head moved slightly higher. She was always proud when someone had to ask if Faith and his sisters could do something or go somewhere. They were her glory factor. In all her years she had been answering to others. Trying to please others. But when it came to her kids she was the final word. The buck truly stopped with her. She was a slave to the mill, a slave to the bills and unfortunately a slave to men. But with Sarah, Mary and Faith she was the head voice. And, that voice had just committed Faith to a spring and summer of mowing.
"What was he selling," asked Faith. "Life insurance," came the reply. She sounded she was not in the mood for Faith's questions. Faith maneuvered himself in beside her asking how people made money off life insurance. Before she could tell him, a knock was heard at the door. She hastily answered him as she stepped towards the door. "A white man's scam, people gone die anyway" She opened the door to engage the salesman again, instead she encountered Gene. Who stood with his hands in his pockets "Hey there Darlean,"
She greeted Gene with a smile. Faith said hello, and again asked her what life insurance entailed again. He did not want a quick answer such as "a white man's scam," he wanted to know the truth. "Boy gone with that nonsense," as she turned towards the kitchen. Faith was talking to her back now. "Boy gone with that nonsense, when you get grown then you worry about that. Now gone and play," she insisted. Gene followed her to the kitchen.
He spoke again in his whistling whine. He stressed every word ending. Faith thought of the train at the zoo, as Gene spoke again. His mother was telling him how she had some chitterlings boiling and he was welcome to stay and eat. She pulled out a chair for Gene to sit. "Now what brang you down her in da heat of t'day"
"well," he whined. "I was up at the Western Auto and I seen Faith up there.
Darlean shot an enquiring eye at Faith. "You ain't been up there fooling wit' them white folks shit is you boy?" Gene didn't give faith a chance to speak.
"Naw, Darlean it ain't nothin' like dat," he said. Darlean looking at Gene, but talking to Faith warned that she had better not hear anything about him stealing or touching the white folks "stuff" as she called it. Gene smiled, Faith could see he was trying to calm Darlean down while explaining to her the circumstances surrounding their chance meeting.
"You see, I seen him up there lookin' at dem bicycles. Seems to me he want one real bad" Darlean interrupted him again. "He know every dime I gets, go to dees bills." Gene tried to get a word in edge wise. "I...I... know that too Darlean. Dat's why I thank I got a solution. You see, you know the weather is gettin' hotter and the grass is gone start growing like weeds...Well you know daddy, he gone want that yard mowed every Saturday. He den already said that." Darlean shook her head, she nodded up and down while Gene resumed telling her his solution.
"He want dat yard mowed every Saturday, like I was saying. And to tell you the truth, I just don't have time. That's where Faith come in. You see, he can mow the yard while I study for the state exam. I'll give him fifteen dollars every second Saturday. But I wanted to ask you what you thank first."
Darlean's head moved slightly higher. She was always proud when someone had to ask if Faith and his sisters could do something or go somewhere. They were her glory factor. In all her years she had been answering to others. Trying to please others. But when it came to her kids she was the final word. The buck truly stopped with her. She was a slave to the mill, a slave to the bills and unfortunately a slave to men. But with Sarah, Mary and Faith she was the head voice. And, that voice had just committed Faith to a spring and summer of mowing.
Faith's Barmitzvah part 14 #420 episode 173
Her hair was cut in the fashion of a cupie doll. Her bangs and eyebrows met purposely covering her long forehead. Her mouth was small punctuated by her thin lips painted red with cheap lipstick. Wrinkles had become a fixture at the corners of her mouth. They struck down her chin like lightning bolts; disappearing just above her thick neck. Her beady eyes reminded Faith of a crawfish. They followed him as he browsed the bike rack dreaming of riding one. He was a regular fixture at the Western Auto. He came to look at the bikes at least once a week. She broke the silence telling Faith how the next time she saw Darlean, she was going to tell her to buy him one of the bikes. He was always dreaming. Faith knew the bikes were just that a dream. Darlean was broke as a straw back mule. There was no way she was going to buy him a bike. Not now, not ever.
The cowbell attached to the door rung its familiar cadence as the door swung open. Faith and the lady both looked towards the door. Gene came through the door at first looking stern, but after seeing Faith he smiled and walked towards the counter. Faith recognized him, but she did not. She did not know who this new Negro was. "How you doing sir," she spoke while coming around the counter. "May I help you?" Faith went back to dreaming. He could hear Gene asking her for 2 cycle engine oil. She told him it was in the back. She proceeded to the rear of the store, Genes eyes followed her until she disappeared behind the door. Gene looked around the store, shaking his head. "Its been a long time since I been in here," speaking in Faith's direction. He walked towards Faith. "Your momma bout to buy you one of these bikes?" Faith rolled his eyes, assuming Gene knew how broke Darlean was and this was his attempt to make small talk.
"Shoot, momma ain't got no money for no bike, even though my birthday coming up. I doubt I will be getting one of these." Faith rubbed his hands along the bike. He wanted it bad. Gene began speaking again. "What grade are you in?" Faith's answer was interrupted by the lady returning from the back. She had two types of oil, one in each hand. Gene walked down the aisle meeting her. "This is all we have," she said while holding the bottles up like one of the models on the Price Is Right game show. "Their both good but if you plan on using one for your lawn mower this is the one you want." she held the green bottle up. Gene smiled at her. "My daddy want me to mow his yard, and I told him he could not put motor oil in the mower. He insisted that oil was oil." She looked at him. "Well if you want your mower to last, you doing the right thing. This here is what you need." Gene took the oil from her hand as they went to the counter.
Faith was done looking at the bikes and walked towards the door. The lady called out that she meant what she said. How she was going to tell Darlean to get him a bike. Gene was directly behind Faith as he made it to the door. Faith held the door open for Gene. Faith turned to say goodbye. That's when Gene told him if he ever wanted to make some money, he could mow his dad's lawn every weekend. He would pay him fifteen dollars, if he did it right. Faith told him he would have to talk to Darlean. Gene crossed the street, looking back at Faith as he turned towards the Bottom.
The cowbell attached to the door rung its familiar cadence as the door swung open. Faith and the lady both looked towards the door. Gene came through the door at first looking stern, but after seeing Faith he smiled and walked towards the counter. Faith recognized him, but she did not. She did not know who this new Negro was. "How you doing sir," she spoke while coming around the counter. "May I help you?" Faith went back to dreaming. He could hear Gene asking her for 2 cycle engine oil. She told him it was in the back. She proceeded to the rear of the store, Genes eyes followed her until she disappeared behind the door. Gene looked around the store, shaking his head. "Its been a long time since I been in here," speaking in Faith's direction. He walked towards Faith. "Your momma bout to buy you one of these bikes?" Faith rolled his eyes, assuming Gene knew how broke Darlean was and this was his attempt to make small talk.
"Shoot, momma ain't got no money for no bike, even though my birthday coming up. I doubt I will be getting one of these." Faith rubbed his hands along the bike. He wanted it bad. Gene began speaking again. "What grade are you in?" Faith's answer was interrupted by the lady returning from the back. She had two types of oil, one in each hand. Gene walked down the aisle meeting her. "This is all we have," she said while holding the bottles up like one of the models on the Price Is Right game show. "Their both good but if you plan on using one for your lawn mower this is the one you want." she held the green bottle up. Gene smiled at her. "My daddy want me to mow his yard, and I told him he could not put motor oil in the mower. He insisted that oil was oil." She looked at him. "Well if you want your mower to last, you doing the right thing. This here is what you need." Gene took the oil from her hand as they went to the counter.
Faith was done looking at the bikes and walked towards the door. The lady called out that she meant what she said. How she was going to tell Darlean to get him a bike. Gene was directly behind Faith as he made it to the door. Faith held the door open for Gene. Faith turned to say goodbye. That's when Gene told him if he ever wanted to make some money, he could mow his dad's lawn every weekend. He would pay him fifteen dollars, if he did it right. Faith told him he would have to talk to Darlean. Gene crossed the street, looking back at Faith as he turned towards the Bottom.
Sunday, March 08, 2009
Faith's Bar Mitzvah part 13 #420 episode 172
"Gene is family! You don't turn family away, no matter what. See, way I hear he lost his job at the hospital over in Houston. Now he home living off his unemployment checks, because his money was long down here. He say he gone go back after six months, but for right now he was down here hunting a peace that only the country could bring. Child he sho know how to use dem big words! Yea..."
Darlean's voice trailed off down the hall. Faith was busy tying his shoes when his mother began talking about Gene. He slowed the squirrel's pace down the hole to hear what he thought was gossip, only to come to the conclusion it wasn't. He ran towards the screen door, she had let him venture off the post and freedom was his.
Faith could tell the weather was getting warmer. The rotten smell of the drying pond water that sat behind the weathered houses, was thick in the air. He and the other kids vowed never to swim in its murky depths. Other than the horses rolling in the mud at it's edge to ward off the seasonal mosquitoes, the pond was off limits. Faith pulled in a lung full and leaped off the porch. After checking all the usual spots, He found out all the kids were busy doing something already. He shook his head. Darlean had waited until well past one o'clock to tell him he could go play. He blamed her for the absence of the children, she knew what she was doing. His only course of action was Western Auto. He started the up hill.
Darlean's voice trailed off down the hall. Faith was busy tying his shoes when his mother began talking about Gene. He slowed the squirrel's pace down the hole to hear what he thought was gossip, only to come to the conclusion it wasn't. He ran towards the screen door, she had let him venture off the post and freedom was his.
Faith could tell the weather was getting warmer. The rotten smell of the drying pond water that sat behind the weathered houses, was thick in the air. He and the other kids vowed never to swim in its murky depths. Other than the horses rolling in the mud at it's edge to ward off the seasonal mosquitoes, the pond was off limits. Faith pulled in a lung full and leaped off the porch. After checking all the usual spots, He found out all the kids were busy doing something already. He shook his head. Darlean had waited until well past one o'clock to tell him he could go play. He blamed her for the absence of the children, she knew what she was doing. His only course of action was Western Auto. He started the up hill.
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Faith's Bar Mitzvah part 12 #420 episode 171
Faith lay across the bed, dictionary in hand. He was still not allowed to leave the porch. Tired of feeling like a caged lion. Faith resigned himself to his room. The encyclopedia's and dictionary would be his vehicle off the porch, up the hill to a destination people in the Bottom had never heard of. He would be a million miles for the Bottom. Matter of fact; he would be in Tahiti. Yeah, French Polynesia. He would climb Mount Orohena. Dig his feet into it's rich soil. Eat bananas, drink coconut milk. "Faith, I thought I told you to empty this trash, when I left this morning." Faith tore himself from the nice Tahitian girl showing him the east part of the island. His oppressor called. He blew air from his cheeks wondering when she would tire of her cruel but justified demeanor.
"M'am?" Faith answered as he entered the kitchen. cousin Gene was telling her how he worked in the hospital as a dietitian. "Well maybe you can help me get rid of some of this fat while ya down." She turned her attention to Faith. "I said, I thought I told you to take this trash out earlier?" Faith did not answer, instead he trudged towards the trash can. As soon as he was in arms length of Darlean, he caught a slap. "Didn't you hear me talking to you." It was not one of her better slaps. Faith had seen it coming and braced for it. Still he cried. He was embarrassed to be hit in front of company. "Quit all that ol' girly as crying." Darlean stepped towards Faith. Out of the corner of his eye, Faith saw cousin Gene move towards Darlean. "It's alright Darlean, I'll help him take it out."
"You ain't got to help him Gene. He know what he got to do!" Faith grabbed the trash still sobbing. Gene kept telling Darlean he did not mind. "He got it, don't you? "Yes ma'am. Faith opened the back door. Gene was holding the door. He put his hand on Faith's shoulder. "You alright? He had intervened, and Faith was grateful.
"M'am?" Faith answered as he entered the kitchen. cousin Gene was telling her how he worked in the hospital as a dietitian. "Well maybe you can help me get rid of some of this fat while ya down." She turned her attention to Faith. "I said, I thought I told you to take this trash out earlier?" Faith did not answer, instead he trudged towards the trash can. As soon as he was in arms length of Darlean, he caught a slap. "Didn't you hear me talking to you." It was not one of her better slaps. Faith had seen it coming and braced for it. Still he cried. He was embarrassed to be hit in front of company. "Quit all that ol' girly as crying." Darlean stepped towards Faith. Out of the corner of his eye, Faith saw cousin Gene move towards Darlean. "It's alright Darlean, I'll help him take it out."
"You ain't got to help him Gene. He know what he got to do!" Faith grabbed the trash still sobbing. Gene kept telling Darlean he did not mind. "He got it, don't you? "Yes ma'am. Faith opened the back door. Gene was holding the door. He put his hand on Faith's shoulder. "You alright? He had intervened, and Faith was grateful.
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