by D. Camille
She looked at Josiah. “Sure, Mr. Webber…but you’d better make it spectacular.”
“Spectacular? In dress clothes?”
Kenya shrugged. “If you’re good, it won’t matter.”
He smiled. “Okay…bet.”
As Kenya and the boys moved to give him room, Josiah moved to the spot he’d perform his spectacular dunk. Looking back at Kenya, he showed off some superior dribbling, that any former, premier point guard should possess.
She smirked at his exhibition and he laughed.
“Go Mr. Webber!” the boys shouted.
Kenya watched as he took off toward the basket. Josiah elevated into the air, then cradled the ball before smashing it through the rim.
“Whoa!” The boys shouted. “Dang!”
They all rushed over giving him some palms slaps.
“That was dope!” Dameon told him. “I can’t believe you can dunk like that.”
Josiah smiled down at them. “Now, since I won the bet, this is what I want from all of you.”
They listened intently, waiting for him to continue.
“Whenever any of you are having trouble, or just need someone to talk to…I want you to ask to come to my office, or just ask to see me. It doesn’t matter what it is, okay?” He told them.
“Okay, Mr. Webber.” All the boys agreed.
The period was ending and the gym teacher began gathering up all the kids. Josiah went to retrieve the basketball, then walked over to where Kenya stood alone. As he approached, she began a slow clap.
“Bravo, you’ve clearly played some ball in your life.”
He stopped in front of her. “I’ve done a lot of things in my life, Ms. Barrett.”
“So, if I’m having trouble, I should come to your office?”
Josiah shook his head. “No, that’s not what I want from you.”
“Oh, snap.” Kenya looked up at him. “Am I about to be propositioned?”
“Nah, I’m not trying to get brought up on some sexual harassment charges.” Josiah told her.
She nodded. “You know how that’s rolling right now.”
“I’d like to change our lunch to dinner this weekend.” He said, waiting for her response.
“Is there a reason why?”
“Yes.”
Kenya looked at him. “Are you going to tell me the reason?”
“No.” Josiah answered. “I won the bet.”
She stared at him as the children began lining up to leave the gym.
“Okay, Mr. Webber. We can do dinner.”
“You can still pick the place,”
Kenya agreed. “I will do that.”
Josiah looked at his watch. “I’d like to fill you in on Dameon. Can you come to my office when your day ends?”
“I’m anxious to know how you picked him up for school.”
“Interesting story.”
“I’ll see you later, then.”
He nodded. “Okay.”
Before she walked away, Josiah shot the ball from long range and hit nothing but net, making the kids in line go crazy.
“Show off…” Kenya said, then walked away.
“Don’t hate the player, hate the game.” Josiah called after her.
******
Josiah returned to his office and closed the door. Taking a moment to fix his shirt and tie, he finally took a seat at his desk. It had been an interesting morning. First, his encounter with Dameon’s family, then his interaction with the boys in the gym and Ms. Barrett.
For his own reasons, Josiah didn’t talk a lot about his past. The life he’d lived, was not the man he was now. He’d used his basketball skills to obtain a college degree in order to have the life, he didn’t have growing up.
Today, he’d used those same skills to try to form a bond with the boys, he’d come here to work with, like Dameon. In his work, Josiah had seen the pattern over and over again in the children he counseled. Dysfunctional home environments, lack of interest in school work, and more interest in sports or music.
Unfortunately, the community had allowed black boys to believe that the most popular routes to success were athletics, rapping or drug dealing. Josiah had tried all three, and none of them had made him successful.
Hard work, perseverance, and dedication to his education and knowledge, had been the tools for him, when he’d finally gotten his mind right. Now he understood what true success was, and he was living his life to the fullest, doing something that he loved.
Shifting his thoughts, Josiah began to think about the beauty who’d challenged him in the gym. The moment Kenya Barrett had walked into the gym, she’d been the center of attention. Not because of her beauty or her alluring sexiness, but the sheer power she exuded.
Kenya seemed as if she could handle her own, in any situation. She had a strength that was starting to deepen his attraction to her. Hence the reason, he’d wanted to change their lunch to dinner. Initially, the idea had been to have lunch and discuss his work, but now Josiah wanted a more intimate setting with the beautiful math teacher.
Later that afternoon, Josiah’s phone rang and he answered, coming out of his thoughts.
“This is Mr. Webber.”
“This is Dameon Wilkins’ mother.”
He lifted a brow. “How may I help you Ms. Wilkins?”
“I want to talk about Dameon.”
“Yes, what would you like to discuss?”
“Like I said earlier, I don’t want CPS at my door. I’m doing my best to take care of these boys.”
Josiah paused for a moment. “Ms. Wilkins, your son Javon needs to be in school.”
“He’s suspended more than he’s in class, and I can’t keep missing work to put him back in school every time.” She told Josiah.
“Maybe I can help you with that?” He offered.
“Scooter don’t listen to nobody.”
“Pretty soon, he’s not going to have that option.” Josiah counseled.
“What do you mean?”
Josiah sat up in his chair. “I mean that your son is growing into a man…a black man. If he goes out into these streets with his attitude and mentality, somebody is going to make him listen. Whether it’s the warden or the King Pin.”
“Scooter’s not a criminal.” She defended.
“Unfortunately, that’s the path he’s on, Ms. Wilkins.”
“Don’t you work with fourth graders?” She pointed out.
Josiah rubbed his beard for a second. “I work with black boys, Ms. Wilkins. Fourth graders are just my specialty work.”
“Let me run my house,” she told him. “Just let me know if Dameon’s having any more problems acting up, because if he does, I can put him in another school.”
“Changing his school isn’t going to deal with whatever issues he’s currently experiencing. In fact, it could exacerbate them.”
“Listen, I don’t want people coming to my house, including you.”
Josiah replied, “If the only way I can help Dameon is by coming to your home, then I’m going to do it.”
“That’s not your job.” She snapped.
“Yes…it is.”
“I’m calling the principal and if you come back to my house, I’m calling the police.” Ms. Wilkins threatened.
“I don’t think you want those problems, Ms. Wilkins. I’m only trying to help your son.” Josiah cautioned.
The line went dead and he looked at the phone, before placing it back on his desk.
Josiah shook his head, and let out a breath. It was hard enough getting through to the children, then when you threw in parents, who didn’t understand the system or their child, and it was a mess. At the knock on his door, he stood and went to open it.
“Hi, is this a bad time?” Kenya asked, when she saw the look on his face.
“No, thanks for coming by.” Josiah replied. “Please, come in.”
Kenya walked into his office and looked around. “This is nice.”
She looked at the plants ar
ound the room. The pictures on the walls were vibrant and showed black children playing. There was a small, cozy sofa in one corner and his desk was on the other side.
“Thank you. I try to make it comfortable for the students.”
“It feels comfortable.” Kenya agreed.
“Please have a seat,” Josiah offered, and Kenya took the chair across from his desk.
On the other side, Josiah took his chair, and they looked at one another.
“So tell me about Dameon,” Kenya broke their silence.
“I went to his house to check up on him, when I couldn’t get in touch with his mother.”
Kenya lifted a brow. “I’ve never seen Mr. West do that.”
“I’m not Mr. West.” Josiah replied.
“I hope not.”
Again, their eyes caught and held.
This time, Josiah broke the spell. “When I got there, he was home with an older brother, who clearly is not the best influence on Dameon.”
“So he was missing school as well?”
“He doesn’t go at all.”
Kenya frowned. “Did you report that?”
He shook his head. “I haven’t,” he began.
“What?” Kenya interrupted. “Why not?”
“If you’d let me finish…”
She nodded and he continued, “I haven’t…yet, because I want to try to work with her before anyone else gets involved.”
“Okay, is she willing to work with you on this?”
He frowned. “Not quite.”
“I didn’t think so.” Kenya replied. “I’ve met with her several times, and I know Ms. Wilkins’ attitude.”
“I don’t believe in breaking up black families.” Josiah told her.
Kenya looked at him. “I don’t either, but we can’t let these kids become the products of this system.”
“I’m going to keep trying and if I get no results, then I’ll consider the next steps.” He said firmly.
“You’ve told me, so I could report her,” Kenya pointed out.
Josiah looked into her face. “You could, but I don’t think that you will.”
They stared at one another for a long moment.
“No, I won’t.” Kenya agreed. “Dameon is dealing with enough right now, without shaking up his entire home life.”
“Thank you.”
“But I’m trusting you to continue to work with them,” Kenya pressed.
“I will, and I’ll keep you updated.”
She nodded. “Okay, we’ll see what happens.”
“Dameon told me that you’re a nice teacher,” Josiah said with a smile.
“I’m nice when I can be…and I’m firm when I need to be.”
He sat back. “I think all the boys here have a crush on Ms. Barrett.”
Kenya gave him a look. “I think all the boys here need to concentrate on their futures.”
“I agree.” Josiah told her.
She looked him over in his shirt and tie, impressed with what she saw.
“Why did you challenge me in the gym?” he asked quietly.
“When I saw you playing with the boys, it was clear that you had some serious skills.” Kenya began.
He lifted a brow. “So you were trying to test me?”
“Maybe, a little…”
“Why?”
Kenya sat back and crossed her long legs. “Two reasons…”
“I’m listening.”
“One, I actually did want to see if you could dunk.”
He smiled and she continued.
“And two, I wanted those boys to see that you could have amazing athletic skills and still apply yourself to become a well-respected therapist.” Kenya finished.
Josiah was surprised by her words. “Wow…that’s deep.”
“I can get cerebral with it, when I want…” Kenya said with a smile.
“I was happy to take part in your teaching of a life lesson.” Josiah said softly.
“You’re very good. Your dunk was spectacular.”
He looked smug. “I can put it down, when I want…”
Kenya continued to look at him.
“So about this dinner…” she trailed.
“Yes?”
“I initially suggested lunch, because I didn’t want this to feel like a date.”
Josiah nodded, and replied. “I suggested dinner because I did…”
Kenya looked away. “I’ve sworn off romantic entanglements with co-workers.”
“Because of Mr. West?”
She turned back to him with wide eyes. “What has that ass told you?”
Josiah smiled. “Nothing that matters to me.”
Kenya rubbed a hand down her face. “That is definitely something I regret, along with something I don’t want to repeat.”
“I can understand that.” Josiah replied. “So you don’t want to do dinner?”
“I don’t want to throw the baby out with the bathwater,” Kenya explained.
“So you do want to do dinner?”
She laughed. “I think I do, Mr. Webber.”
“Listen Kenya, I’m not here trying to smash teachers. In fact, I feel the same way you do about getting involved with someone I work with.” Josiah told her. “But, I started vibing with you yesterday, and I’d like to sit down with you and see what’s up.”
“That’s a very eloquent way to put it.” She teased.
Josiah shrugged. “I just say what I mean. Life’s too short to be bullshitting.”
“I’m with that,”
A light knock on his door, had Josiah raising from his seat, and he opened it to find Ms. Adams.
“Mr. Webber, I need to speak with you.”
“Of course, please come in.”
Ms. Adams didn’t seem surprised to see Kenya in his office.
“I’m glad you both are here. I need to talk about Dameon Wilkins.” She told them.
“Please have a seat,” Josiah offered.
When she was seated next to Kenya, Josiah took his seat again.
“I received a call from Dameon’s mother. She has complaints about both of you.”
They both frowned.
“Complaints?” Kenya repeated incredulously.
Ms. Adams nodded. “Yes. She says that Mr. Webber has begun harassing her…”
“Harassing?” Josiah asked.
She turned to Kenya. “And you Ms. Barrett, are causing Dameon’s problems in your class with your teaching style.”
“Are you kidding me?” Kenya questioned.
“I wish I were…”
Josiah shook his head. “She’s building a case against us, if we were planning to report her.”
“Seriously?” Kenya said, exasperated. “We’re trying to help her.”
Ms. Adams looked at the pair. “Report her for what?”
Josiah and Kenya shared a look, both remaining silent.
“Is there something I should know?” Ms. Adams asked.
Kenya looked at Josiah, like this is your show.
“I’m trying to help Ms. Wilkins rectify the situation, before we use any extreme measures.” Josiah replied.
Ms. Adams looked at the pair again.
“Whatever you two are doing, do not put this Academy into any legal jeopardy.” She warned. “Do you understand me?”
They both nodded. “Yes.”
“Mr. Webber, do not visit Ms. Wilkins home again on school business…”
Josiah sighed. “Yes, ma’am.”
She then turned to Kenya. “And Ms. Barrett, I’d like to go over your plan for dealing with Dameon’s instruction, moving forward.”
“Okay, Ms. Adams.”
Ms. Adams got to her feet. “Are we clear on everything at his point?”
They both agreed, and she left the room. Sitting across from one another, Kenya and Josiah remained silent for a while.
“I don’t believe this.” Kenya said shaking her head.
“Ms. Adams is doing her job as the Principal of thi
s Academy.” Josiah told her. “She can’t risk a thousand students’ education for one.”
“You should’ve just told her about the other son.”
Josiah gave her a look. “We’d already decided not to report yet, so why change because of Ms. Wilkins’ actions?”
“You’d decided. I just went along with it.”
“Fine, I’ll take the heat.”
She stared at him. “I’m involved now, too. So we’re in this frying pan together.”
“I’m not going to jeopardize either of our careers or this Academy.” Josiah promised. “But, I have to try to help these boys…without breaking up that family.”
Kenya heard the passion in his voice and it matched her own.
“Okay, Josiah. I’m going to trust you.”
“I may need your help, Kenya.”
She closed her eyes and sighed. When she opened them again, Josiah was watching her.
“You’re coming out of your pockets for this dinner.”
Chapter 4
Josiah left work that evening both frustrated and still kind of angry. He knew that sometimes his job was thankless, but this was beyond that. Ms. Wilkins had followed through on her threat, which now put both him and Kenya in a precarious situation.
Knowing that he had to handle things in the right way, Josiah headed home to formulate his next moves. On the way, he stopped at his favorite barbecue joint and was greeted like family.
“Josiah Webber! Boy come on in here and get some of this food.” The old woman hugged him.
“Hey, Miss Ella. You know that’s why I’m here.”
She smiled. “Well you know you’re always welcome.”
“You make me feel that way,”
Josiah entered the restaurant and took a seat.
“I already know what you want.” She told him.
“I know you do. Thank you.”
She walked away slowly, and Josiah rubbed his eyes, trying to relax from the events of the day. Ella returned with a tall glass of cold homemade lemonade and sat it in front of him.
“Here you go, baby.”
He looked up, then smiled. “Thank you, Miss Ella.”
She slid into the other side of the booth and watched him.
“What’s going on with you?” she asked softly.
“Just work.” He sipped from the glass.
“The kids?”
Josiah shook his head. “No. The parents.”
