Towards later in the evening, Kendra and Davanté sat on Aunt Thelma’s front porch, slurping their melting ice cream. Kendra was talking to Davanté about New York City. She had been there before and recounted to Davanté about all the things she had seen there.
At some point in their conversation, Lionel appeared on the sidewalk. He had not come with his father and mother to Aunt Thelma's house. Davanté had not spoken to Lionel at all during the graduation.
“Hey Lionel!” called Kendra.
She motioned for him to come over. Lionel obliged, slowly walking towards them and stood at the foot of the porch.
“Hey,” said Lionel.
“Hey,” said Davanté.
“I heard you got a scholarship to Julliard,” said Lionel.
“Yeah. Mrs. Beauchmont was behind it all. She's the one who got it for me.”
“That's cool, Vanté.”
“Yeah.”
“I guess she's not a witch after all.”
“I guess.”
“Well, that is, if she didn't put a voodoo spell on those folks at Julliard.”
Davanté chuckled. “Maybe she did.”
“Well, whatever she did, it was powerful. I used my screenplay for an audition and I got a scholarship, too.”
“To Julliard?”
Lionel nodded in agreement. Davanté smiled. He stood up and walked over to Lionel. Silently, the teens bumped fists. Davanté playfully punched Lionel in the arm, while Lionel pretended to be hurt.
“Oh my gosh, you guys are so pathetic!” said Kendra.
“Vanté, my father told me the whole story. Man, it's really wild. I never knew he went out with Ms. Williams. And I never knew about your father until I saw him at your mom’s funeral.”
Davanté put up his hand.
“I know, Li. I know. You had nothing to do with that stuff. I should not have come down on you. I was just acting stupid.”
“As usual,” teased Lionel. “Seriously though, your wall was off the chain! I mean, my mouth dropped when I saw it. Wow! That was crazy good.”
Davanté responded with only a smile.
“So, are you ready for the big city?” asked Lionel.
“I don't know. I haven't really thought about it. Mrs. Beauchmont is in there tellin' Aunt Thelma about it.”
“I've been to New York before, Vanté. It can be a little crazy.”
“Well, then it all works out.”
“What works out?”
“We'll both be there, so we'll always have each other's back.”
Lionel beamed in response. “Guess what?” he said.
“What?”
“Didn't you notice that Vanessa was missing from graduation?”
“Oh, yeah. You know, Li, I haven't even spoken with her. I think we're officially broken up.”
“Oh, you're definitely broken up. You know Wally? From twenty-fifth street?”
“Yeah?”
“Well, he's Vanessa's new baby daddy. Word on the street is that she's two months pregnant. She was too embarrassed to even show up at the graduation.”
“Are you serious, Li?”
“Yup.”
Davanté shook his head. “Wow,” he said. “I should have known. Man, I definitely dodged a bullet. I should have listened to you.”
“Who cares? I'm losin' my woman, too. Maxine is staying local.”
“You could still work it out, Li.”
“What? And hold me back? Naw, man. I'm a Kettles! When I fly, I'm gone!”
Lionel wildly flapped his arms like a bird for emphasis. Davanté laughed and joked with his best friend. They goofed around until late into the night. Only after Aunt Thelma ordered everyone to leave, did the two teens settle down and go to their respective homes.
As he lay in his bed, Davanté mused over the last several months. His heart had gone through a roller coaster of emotions. He had good days and some very bad days. And he did not always make the best choices.
Nonetheless, Davanté was proud of the person he was becoming. There was a little sunshine beaming from his heart. He felt it was from his mother. Her smile in heaven was so bright that it radiated through his own heart.
Davanté knew his mother was proud of him. He had solemnly forgiven her for her dark past. Instead of focusing on it, he chose to settle into his new found peace.
As he drifted off to sleep, Davanté silently vowed to never let anyone or anything keep him from being at peace with himself again.
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Michelle St. Claire
Being Davanté Page 17
