Page 16

TWENTY-NINE YEARS AGO

I don’t know what the suit, glasses, and Bible were all about, but there was something about Zaire that got my attention the minute he stepped foot on that bus today. Not that those things weren’t peculiar and stood out on their own for a boy his age.

But I saw through the facade. He was cute as hell with his dark, chocolate skin. He’s tall, muscular, and quiet. There’s something about the quiet ones that always has an underlying sense of danger, an edginess to them.

Zaire might look like a nerd, but something tells me that he’s not. I was trying to be all flirty and cute today. That’s so far from who I am.

I’m used to guys stepping to me, but he didn’t do that. And I usually shy away from them anyway because I haven’t always been comfortable in my skin. My body seemed to have matured far quicker than my mind did, and it wasn't easy to get acclimated to the attention that guys gave me.

Something about Zaire, though, told me that I should approach him and not be scared. I wanted to know who he was, and I had the sense that he wouldn’t step to me first.

So, when the phone rang that evening around six, I jumped for it before my brothers could get to it. They were always on the phone, waiting for some fast girl to call them. My brothers could talk a girl out of her panties faster than a rat could snatch cheese from a trap.

“Hello,” I greeted shyly, looking at the caller ID.

Nora Grace Knight. I wonder if that’s his mom’s name.

“May I speak to Bayleigh?”

“And he’s got manners,” I tease shyly.

He laughs. “I thought it was you but didn’t want to assume anything. Sometimes, you call a girl’s house with the wrong approach and get cursed out.”

“That happens to you often?”

“Nah.”

“Mm. So, are you going to tell me about the Bible and suit getup or what?”

“What’s got you so interested in the Bible and my suit?”

“You do. I mean, you stand out with that, and I wanna know why.”

“What if I told you it wasn’t a getup, but that’s who I am?”

“Then I’m even more interested in knowing who you are.”

“Word?”

“Word.”

“Maybe we can hook up this weekend and discuss it?”

“Where?”

“I’m thinking the mall. Catch a quick movie and a bite to eat. Maybe go bowling afterwards.”

“What are you taking me to see?”

“What do you want to see?”

“A Thin Line Between Love and Hate with Martin Lawrence is showing at the movies.”

“A’ight. I can get with that as long as that’s not a premonition of our future.”

“Future? You’re thinking long-term, Mr. . . . Knight?”

“That would be me.”

“Okay, let’s do that then. How old are you?”

“Seventeen.”

“Mm.”

“What does that mean? How old are you?”

“I’m sixteen.”

“What? You’re going to tell me that I’m too young for you?”

“Not at all. Are you going to wear that suit and bowtie to the movies?”

He pauses, and I hear him chuckling softly.

“Uh…is that what you want me to wear?”

“I like the suit.”

“Okay, then that’s what you’ll get.”

“Cool.”

“Aye, I have to go, but is it okay if I call you later?”

“Depends on how much later.”

“Honestly, it might be about one or two.”

“In the morning?”

“Yeah. That a problem?”

It is, but I don’t tell him that. I guess he has a job to go to and doesn’t get off until late.

“No, that’s not a problem.”

I’ll just stay up late and be tired as hell for school tomorrow, but that’s okay. I have a feeling that he might be worth it.

***

Zaire and I met up at the mall later that weekend and had a good time at the movies, dinner, and bowling. He was funny and cute, but he wasn’t quick to share where he worked. I could only assume that it embarrassed him.

I did learn that he had five siblings and that he was the oldest.

“Hey.”

“Hi, you made it home, okay.”

“Yeah. I did.”

“Thanks for calling to let me know that. I had fun today.”

“So, did I. You want to do it again next weekend?”

“I can’t. I have a swim meet next Saturday, and we’re usually there all day from the morning until late afternoon. After that, my parents usually take us out to dinner, and then we have movies and popcorn at home.”

Zaire chuckles on the other line.

“What? You think it’s corny or something?”

“Nah, I think it’s mad cool. I wouldn’t mind doing the same.”

“Why don’t you then? Maybe see if your parents would be interested in trying something new. Something different.”

“Nah, it’s not even like that over here.”

“Oh. Why? Your parents aren’t into family time or something?”

“Nah. It’s not that.”

“Then tell me, Z.”

He pauses before he replies. “Yo, I like it when you call me that.”

“Z?”

“Yeah. Sounds mad cool.”

“Nobody ever called you that before?”

“Not like you do.”

I giggle. “Now it sounds like you’re trying to get in my panties.”

“Girl, I ain’t even over there. You must want me to get in them. You’re always bringing them up.”

“You think you’re slick, though.”

“What’s up?”

“You didn’t answer my question about your parents. You don’t talk about them at all, other than to say you have to watch your siblings for your mom. Is your dad not in your life or something?”

Zaire exhales loudly, and I can tell this subject is stressing him out.

“You know, it’s okay if you don’t want to talk about it. I didn’t mean to pressure you.”

“Nah, it’s all good, shorty. It’s just that…well, my pops ain’t here.”

“He walked out on y’all?”

“Nah, he’s in prison.”

“Oh.”

“Yeah, somebody set him up for something, but…that was on him, you know?”

“No, I don’t know. How about you tell me?”

We spent the next couple of hours on the phone with Zaire telling me all about his family, his dad, and a lady named Essence, and what happened from there.

My heart broke at hearing what his family was going through as a result of his father’s cheating and dope-dealing ways.

That could never be me. I wouldn’t be that woman.

We ended the call after a while when there was some noise in his background. He said his siblings were acting up again, and he’d call me the next day.

Only, he never did. I wasn’t prepared for that Saturday, being the last one I’d hear from him for about seven months. The next time that we saw each other, there would be nothing but attitude from me, although I’d be happy to see him too.