First Drops:

I started my escape the day after I met Jim. Your grandfather knew he had the charm to get what he wanted. That’s how he won me over. Anyway, at school the next day. I acted on my role as queen bee. Everyone had their eyes on me. It gave me a sense of power over them. But, that didn’t last long. I became bored right away. That was always the same for me then. Come to school, be the center of attention, be teacher’s pet, and much else. Overtime, that had lost its appeal. That day seemed like another boring day. Until I saw your grandfather in the hallway. He stood among four other black boys talking. I literally froze up in the hall. I couldn’t take my eyes off of him. That boy towered over his friends. He did have a nice body, I would have to admit. That boy had me sold already. I watched him talk on to his friends. At one point, he looked up and saw me. I looked away blushing.

“Hey Starlette!” a voice yelled to me. I looked up right away. My old friends, Jackie and Mitsy raced up to me. I gave them a forced little smile.

“Hey guys,” I said to them. They came over to me. You see Frieda; they were sweet girls, but complete tarts. Swallow and air-headed. I don’t know why we were friends in the first place. Mitsy looked over at your grandfather and his friends. A disgusted look came onto her face. (Remember, we all grew up from old Southern families and old tradition.)

“Why are you even looking at them?” she squealed. “They’re gross!” I didn’t answer. What could I say? No, they’re actually alright. They would think I was on something. So, I kept my mouth shut. Jim and his friends looked up and saw us. I felt myself become stiff all over. Something was going to go down.

But luckily, the bell rang. We all scattered to out classes. I began to relax. However, the first drop fell during class.

I took history in the morning. My teacher, Mrs. Billie, retired over spring break. We all wondered who we would finish the year with. I looked around the classroom while I waited. Jim and his little friends sat near the back corner. I didn’t know why, but I couldn’t help but to smile at them. Your grandfather had worked himself into my head and wouldn’t leave. Your grandfather can do that. I wondered about him until the bell rang. I quickly came back to earth. Our new teacher walked inside.

He looked like a hippie. His clothes seemed to have come from another planet. The cork sandals looked ugly on his big worn ugly feet. The man’s hair looked a mess. He would violate many dress could rules in your school. The teacher looked around at all of us. We all sat grouped together by race. Intention or no, I can’t say. Either way, the teacher didn’t like it.

“Aw what’s this?” his voice boomed. “Segregation ended in the 60’s! So scatter out and regroup yourselves!” We all looked at him like he had lost his mind. None of us wanted to get up and move. We didn’t do so. We all stayed where we were. The teacher frowned.

“Come on!” he said. “Separate or I’ll do it for you.” We all did so after that. We all felt out of place when we finished. I looked to my left and saw Jim sitting next to me. He turned to face me. My face went bright red as I froze up in my seat. Your grandfather grinned at me and waved.

“Hey beautiful!” he whispered to me. I could barely speak at all. I just stared at him blankly. Then, the teacher called his throat loudly. We all looked ahead. He looked at us smiling.

“Much better,” he said. “I’m Mr. Cunningham. I will be your new history teacher.” We all watched on in silence. He took attendance and began class. We all watched this madman in front of us. We just couldn’t piece him together. Mr. Cunningham was like an alien to us. But, my mind got directed elsewhere pretty soon.

In the middle of class, I felt a small tap on the knee. I looked down and saw a note in my lap. I did a quick look around. Jim gave me a quick glance and winked. Suspicious, I unfolded the note and read it. Your grandfather had written:

Meet me outside after lunch. I have something for you there.

Your grandfather had nice handwriting. But, I still had me suspicions. Yet, I became curious. I decided to see what he wanted.

I waited for Jim outside. He took his sweet time coming. That boy grinned at me. I looked at him sternly.

“Okay,” I said when he made it to me. “What is this about? What do you have for me?” I showed him the note. Your grandfather didn’t answer me. He just grabbed me and kissed me on the lips. I became shocked. I hadn’t expected this. I wanted to push away at first. But then, I gave into the kiss.

After a few seconds, Jim let me go. I stood there bewildered.

“W-What did you do that for?” I shouted at him. Your grandfather shrugged at me.

“Felt like it!” he called. Then, Jim walked away. I stared at him confused. I could not get that boy. Though I didn’t see it at the time, the first drops of rain had fallen.

1983