For those of you who don't know, I work as an assistant to the Chair of the Secondary Education Department at my college. Sometimes I say it really fast so it sounds like Assistant Chair of Secondary Education. Anyway, my boss, Dr. James, yes, many of you may remember him from previous blog entries asked me to do a favor for him. No, it wasn't a sexual favor!
In my department I meet a lot of principals and teachers and well I don't want to get into everything, but basically, I'm filling in for an English teacher for the next week and a half while she deals with some family issues. So school starts at 7:35 and that hurt my feelings because I'm used to high school starting at 8:00.
7:35 = the devil.
I walk in the building dressed in a white dress shirt with black stripes and a black tie with a pair of gray slacks. I got my badge and everything from the office when the school's sheriff stops me. I'm assuming my backpack threw him off.
"You're supposed to wait in the cafeteria until the bell rings at 7:30." he said,
"I thought that was what students did." I said to him,
Sometimes there are things that you should think all the way through before you do them. Earlier in the year I was dating a guy from Mississippi named Jackson. I’m sure many of you will remember him, well okay maybe not. Anyway, Jackson and I are in the same fraternity and he came in town to see one of his fraternity brothers. He calls me and he says
“Kendal,” he said when I answered my phone, “I’m in town. Come see me tonight.”
“Why?” I asked,
“Because you miss me.” He said,
“And I don’t.” I said,
“Have dinner with me. Come on.”
“Jackson, I have a boyfriend.”
“He can come too.” That right there was when I should have said no. I should have hung up the phone and put Jackson’s number under ‘send directly to voicemail’ but I didn’t. I called Terry and asked him how he felt about dinner tonight with my fraternity brother who I used to date.
“Why?” Terry asked,
“He’s in town and he wants to see me and meet you.”
“If this is what you want to do then sure.”
We met Jackson at a placed called Connors’s at 7:00. I ordered the fish and chips while Terry and Jackson both got steaks. Jackson and Terry were fine at first. They were a bit short with one another allowing me to be the medium but there wasn’t any animosity at the table or anything.
“So Terry what is it that you do?” Jackson asked,
“I work for the Department of Defense.” Terry asked, “What about you?”
“I work for an engineering firm—computer scientist.” Jackson said,
“Baby,” Terry asked me, “did you want another drink?”
“No,” I said, “I’m fine.”
“Did you want me to pay for dinner tonight Jerry?” Jackson asked causing Terry to smile and making me uneasy.
“My name is Terry and no thank you. I can handle it.” They stared at one another with smug expressions.
“This cranberry, pineapple and Grey Goose is great.” I said, “Jackson, how’s your mom? Is she still driving your Sentra everywhere?”
“Yeah, I had to give it to her. I finally bought myself a Maxima.” He said,
“That’s nice,” I said, “I’m sure she’s happy.”
“Yeah she is” Jackson said, “what kind of car do you have Terry?”
“Why does it matter?” Terry asked,
“Just wondering.” Jackson said,
This is not the Jackson I know. Jackson and I were great when we were together then things weren’t so good. So I tried to work and make things better but Jackson became an asshole in the end. Let’s just say it ended with me crying while hundreds of people surrounded me causing me to feel even more stupid.
“Look man,” Terry said as I gulped my drink down, “clearly this is some kind of competition to you.”
“No competition at all.” Jackson stared at Terry with a look of pure disgust,
“That’s been clear to me since we sat down.” Terry said,
“Can we just enjoy dinner?” I asked, “I enjoyed work today. How was work for you Terry?”
“Jackson is there more that you’d like to say?” Terry asked, “You’re making my baby feel uncomfortable, so I’d rather get it all out now. One thing we can’t have is Kendal not enjoying himself.”
“I’m fine.” I said,
“You’re right. We can’t have Kendal upset. I guess the car hit a nerve. You must drive a Honda.”
“I drive a Honda!” I said, “Jackson, I don’t know what’s going on with you but you need to stop. If you really want to know, Terry came in a Range Rover. I thought we were here to enjoy one another. What’s wrong with you?” After I said this, I realized that everyone was looking at me.
“Kendal you know better than to talk to me like that.” Jackson said,
“Is this nigga serious?” Terry said, “Babe, you’re taste in men is bothering me. You really used to date him?”
“Clearly, you’re intimidated.” Jackson said as he stood up, “I’ll take Kendal home.”
If I wasn’t there I wouldn’t have believed it. Terry stood up and all I felt in my heart was fear. I’ve never seen Terry angry nor violent. Jackson stepped closer to Terry like he was going to do something.
“Please stop.” I said, “You’re grown men.”
“I’m not gonna hit this nigga.” Terry said, “I don’t want him to bleed all over his Maxima.”
“Jackson,” I whispered, “you made it clear that you and I were over. Why are being like this? Terry is who I love and want to be with.”
“I don’t think there’s much left to be said then.” Terry added,
“I’m just going to go.” Jackson said,
“I won’t argue with you there,” Terry said,
“Kendal,” Jackson said, “I hope you’re happy. And be careful, old men give you worms.”
“I’m not worried,” I said, “I heard you were giving out things far worse lately.”
