by D. Camille
Josiah shook his head at Dameon, when he came to stand in front of him. “We need to have a talk, don’t we?”
Dameon lowered his head and walked out the door, then Josiah turned to Kenya.
“Thank you Ms. Barrett. I’m sorry to interrupt.”
“It’s not a problem.”
With a nod, he was out the door, walking Dameon to his office.
“So, what was that?”
“What?”
“I think you know exactly what I’m talking about.” Josiah told him.
With his bag on his back, Dameon looked at the floor. “I wanted to make him mad.”
“Why?”
“Because I don’t like him. He called me dumb.”
“Do you think you’re dumb?”
Dameon shrugged and kept looking down as they walked.
“Hold your head up,” Josiah instructed, and the boy lifted his head.
“Never walk with your head down.” He told him. “And never let somebody else tell you what you are or aren’t. Okay?”
The boy nodded. “Okay.”
“Let’s go to my office.”
Dameon sat on the little sofa in Josiah’s office, as he took a seat behind the desk.
“How’s school?” Josiah questioned.
“It’s getting better…I guess.”
“Okay…that’s good.” Josiah looked at him. “I saw your brother today.”
Dameon looked up. “Is he okay?”
“Yes. I played 2K with him.”
“Did he beat you?”
Josiah smiled. “Yes, he did…but he gets a lot more practice than I do.”
“I want him to come back home.” Dameon said softly. “I miss him.”
“He misses you to, and hopefully, he’ll be back soon.”
“He wasn’t gonna hit me. He always say that, but he don’t do it.”
Josiah sat back. “I understand, but he can’t continue to threaten you, or your mother.”
“He was mad, because Momma wanted us to clean up.” Dameon explained.
“Which he should have done…along with you, because it’s what your mother told you to do.”
Dameon looked away. “She always hollering though…”
“Does that upset you?”
“I just don’t like it. It don’t feel good.”
Josiah watched him. “Why does she yell?”
“’Cause she mad…but she always mad.”
“Maybe we can help her to not be so mad?” Josiah suggested. “Would you like to do that?”
He nodded. “Yeah…”
“Okay, is there anything that you’d like to talk about with me?” Josiah asked quietly.
Dameon smiled. “Is Ms. Barrett your girlfriend?”
“You come here to discuss what’s going on with you, so let’s stick to that, okay?”
“If I was grown up, Ms. Barrett would be my girl.”
Josiah rubbed his face. “Stay on track, Dameon. You have plenty of time for girls.”
“Okay…when my brother coming home?”
“Probably next week, and I want you to tell me if he threatens you, or your mother.”
Dameon frowned. “You want me to snitch on my brother?”
“I want you to do what’s right, to keep you and your mother safe.” Josiah told him. “That’s not being a snitch.
Dameon shook his head. “Scooter says, snitches get stitches…”
“Scooter watches too much television.” Josiah said, getting to his feet. “Dameon, you can’t imitate everything that your brother does. Especially things that you know are wrong.”
He walked over and sat next to the boy.
“You’re going to grow up and be your own man one day. Start learning now, how to stand up for what’s right.” Josiah counseled.
“Did you do what was right, when you was a kid?” Dameon asked.
Josiah looked at him. “No, I didn’t, but I wish that I had, because I went through a lot of things unnecessarily. Things that I don’t want you to have to deal with. You feel me?”
Dameon stared at him. “Okay, Mr. Webber.”
Josiah held out a fist, and Dameon bumped it with his own.
******
After the end of the day, Josiah went to see Ms. Adams, to brief her on his meetings. Inside her office, he took a seat.
“Good afternoon, Mr. Webber.”
“Good afternoon, Ms. Adams.”
“I understand you met with both Wilkins brothers today.”
He nodded. “Yes, I did.”
“Please, update me.”
“I spoke with Javon. The house manager tells me that he’s still giving attitude, which I discussed with him.” Josiah shared. “He wants to go home, but I’ve made it clear that he has to make some specific changes, which include going back to school and staying there. I also want to get him interested in something other than playing video games, rapping or sports.”
She nodded in agreement. “Good job. How receptive was he?”
“Hard to tell. Javon is used to doing things his way, so we’ll see.” Josiah answered. “I also told him that I’m going to work with him on learning respect. His mother has fallen short in that area.”
There was a light knock on the door, before Kenya entered, and Josiah stood to his feet.
“Hi, sorry I’m late.” She apologized before taking a seat and Josiah followed.
Ms. Adams smiled at his chivalry.
“You’re fine. Mr. Webber was just updating me on his meeting with Dameon’s older brother.”
Kenya turned to Josiah. “I’d love to hear it, too.”
He nodded at her. “I was just telling Ms. Adams that Javon wants to go home, but I’ve set some parameters for that to happen and for it to remain.”
“Is he going back to school?” Kenya asked.
“He’s agreed. We’ll see.”
“Wasn’t he in disciplinary trouble there?” Kenya questioned. “How is that situation going to change? He’s labeled now and a direct target for the school pipeline to prison system.”
Ms. Adams nodded in agreement. “She’s right about that.”
“Is there a reason he didn’t attend the Bantu Academy with his brother?” Josiah asked.
“We didn’t have space when Dameon started here, and his mother hasn’t reapplied for him.” Ms. Adams informed him.
“Is there space now?” Josiah inquired.
“If you thought you could work with him and make a difference, I’d find space.” She answered.
“Thank you, Ms. Adams. You do a remarkable job here.” Josiah complimented her.
“Yes, you do…and we all appreciate you so much.” Kenya added.
Ms. Adams looked at the couple. “Thank you both. Now tell me about Dameon. How’s he progressing.”
Kenya went first. “He’s doing well in his work, and better in his attitude. He’s beginning to open up and ask for help when he needs it.”
“Good job Ms. Barrett.” Ms. Adams said with a smile. She then turned to Josiah.
“I had a session with him today, and we talked about him making his own choices, and making good choices. He spoke about his mother yelling a lot and that bothered him.” Josiah shared.
“Sounds like a frustrated mother,” Ms. Adams surmised.
“Miss Benson gave me information for a non-profit that helps black parents with parenting skills. I wonder if we can connect them with Ms. Wilkins?” Kenya suggested.
“I think that’s a wonderful idea.” Ms. Adams agreed. “The Bantu Academy is here for students, parents, and the community.”
Josiah smiled at Kenya. “Thanks for getting that.”
“No problem.” She smiled back.
Ms. Adams felt the heat between the two and cleared her throat to get their attention.
“Yes, Ms. Adams?” Josiah said, giving her his attention.
“I’d like for the two of you to handle the end of the year school dance.” She told them.
Kenya frowned. “The school dance?”
“Yes, I’d like for you two to plan it together.” Ms. Adams explained. “The teacher who did it last year, moved to Texas, so I need to replace her.”
“You want us to do it together?” Josiah asked.
“Yes.”
“Wouldn’t Miss Benson and Mr. Bannaka be a better choice? I mean look what they did with the Black History Program?” Kenya pointed out.
“Yes, it was amazing, as I’m sure this dance will be.” Ms. Adams said firmly. “The theme should be something that sends the children off for the summer, and rewards them for all of their hard work. I want decorations, music, refreshments…the works.”
She smiled at them and said, “Let me know what you come up with…”
Chapter 8
A few weeks later, Josiah walked into Mr. Jay’s, then went to find Miss Ella. Going into the back, he located her in the office.
“Hello, Miss Ella.” Josiah bent to kiss her cheek.
“Josiah…what a surprise.”
He grinned as he sat down. “Why do you act like you never see me?”
“’Cause I don’t see you enough.”
“I’ve been working a lot.” He told her.
She looked him over. “You been working with that pretty woman, who came to eat with you a little while ago?”
“Yes, I’ve been working with her.”
“She’s a sexy one.”
Josiah cleared his throat. “I agree.”
“When are you bringing her back so I can talk to her?”
“I’ll let you know.”
“You do that.”
He chuckled and looked at the desk. “How’s business?”
“Real good…real good. Your return is going to look real nice this quarter.”
“I’ll just put it away, in case we need it somewhere down the line.”
Miss Ella reached over to take his hand. “You know, I don’t know what I would’ve done, if you hadn’t opened this place.”
He squeezed her hand. “We opened this place. It’s as much yours as it is mine. In fact, you do all the work.”
“But you put up the money…”
“Money that I’ve made back, with interest.”
“Does your pretty woman know that you own this place?”
Josiah shook his head. “No, I was surprised when she picked this restaurant for dinner.”
“She’s got good taste, like I said…in food and men.”
“I’ll be sure to tell her, when I pick her up.” He told her. “I swung by here to get some food to take with us.”
“Where are you going?”
“I’m taking her up in the mountains for the weekend.”
Miss Ella smiled. “That’s nice. I remember my James used to take me away for the weekend.”
“I know, he told me all about it. That’s why I wanted to take Kenya. The way he talked about it, it was some of the best times in his life.” Josiah said quietly.
“You’re sweet to say that.”
“It’s the truth.”
She looked into his eyes. “You know James thought the world of you.”
Josiah laughed. “I gave him so much trouble. I know he had to have wanted to beat me from here to New Orleans.”
Miss Ella laughed. “Oh, he said, you were a hard one…”
“I was. He didn’t lie. I fought him every step of the way.”
She looked off into the distance. “He’d be so proud of you, now.”
“I hope that he would.” Josiah said, rubbing his face.
“He said that he’d tell you to go right, and you’d immediately turn left. Tell you to jump up and you’d lie right down.” She chuckled.
“That was me, and Mr. James would get me straight, real fast.” Josiah smiled. “He was the only one who stuck with me, for the long haul.”
“He saw what you couldn’t see.” Miss Ella told him. “But you see it now…”
“Yes, I finally do.”
She touched his beard. “You grew up to be so handsome, so smart, and so strong.”
“I’m just glad I grew up.”
Again, she laughed. “So tell me about this woman you’re taking away?”
“She’s a teacher at the school where I work.”
“That black Academy?”
He nodded. “Yes, she’s been teaching there for a while. She teaches math.”
“You like her?”
“I’m taking her away.”
Miss Ella looked at him. “That don’t mean you like her. That mean you want her.”
He smiled. “Yes, I like her very much.”
“Why?”
Josiah looked confused. “Huh?”
“Why you like her? ‘Cause she pretty and sexy?”
He frowned. “Uh…yes...but that’s not all.”
“Then tell me the rest.”
Josiah felt Miss Ella’s intense stare. “She’s very smart, she’s loyal, she’s kind…”
The old woman nodded her head.
“She know about your past?”
“I’ve told her the highlights…” he answered.
Miss Ella studied him. “What did she say?”
“She had no problems. She also told me some things about her past.”
“Hmmm…”
“What’s going on Miss Ella?” Josiah asked.
She looked serious. “I’m just looking out for you baby. You’ve been through a lot in your years and I don’t want any more pain in your life.”
“You know how much you mean to me,” he whispered.
“And you know the same…I love you like my own.”
“Thank you for coming out here to LA and running everything over here.” Josiah said, gratefully.
Miss Ella smiled. “Thank you for thinking of me, after I lost James.”
“I miss him, a lot.” Josiah said, looking away. “He made me the man I am…”
“Then he served his purpose here.” Miss Ella said quietly.
Josiah took a deep breath, then smiled. “I also came to talk to you about some catering.”
“You bringing in business, too?”
“I’m covering this one. It’s for the school dance.” Josiah explained. “Kenya and I are in charge of planning it.”
“That’s so sweet.”
“So, I’ll get a headcount for you and if you need some extra staff to handle it, I’ll cover that too.”
“You know what, we haven’t done our donations this year, so let’s donate everything to them and write it off later for the business?” She suggested.
“Okay, let’s do that. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. Now you have a good time this weekend…and don’t let that pretty woman break your heart.” Miss Ella warned.
“Nah, she’s not into that anymore…”
******
“Niyah, I need to finish packing for this weekend, before Josiah gets here.” Kenya told her best friend.
“Uh, you called me Kenya.” Niyah reminded her.
“I know, and then I had to talk to R.J. and listen to how much he loves school. Then, I had to listen to Pearl call me KeKe ten times…”
“Don’t talk about my baby,” Niyah warned.
“Trust, I love it. I’m just pressed for time right now.”
“Fine, what do you need?”
Kenya carried her bag to the front door. “You know, Ms. Adams has assigned me and Josiah the task of planning the school dance. I need a decorator.”
“You’re hiring a decorator for the school dance?”
“Yes, I will pay for it myself because I’m not trying to do all that.”
“Kenya, it’s for kids.”
Kenya shook her head. “Listen, Ms. Adams said she wants the works, and after that Broadway performance that Leslie and Caelum put on, I need to bring my A game to the table.”
“I don’t think it’s a competition.” Niyah told her.
“Don’t you know a decorator? The girl w
ho used to work for Curt?”
Niyah was silent for a moment. “Oh yeah…Kita. She opened an Interior Design and Decorating business, after Leslie’s mother pulled a gun on her. I don’t know if she does school dances, though…”
“Give me her information and I’ll find out.”
“Okay, but you know you could just get the kids to help. The high schoolers would love to do something, I’m sure.” Niyah told her.
“I’m good. Just text me the info, please. Josiah’s here.”
“Bye Kenya, have a good weekend.”
Kenya grinned as she looked out the window.
“Thank you. You too. Take care of my babies.”
Ending the call, Kenya went to the door and opened it. Heading back into her living room, she got her purse and keys. Josiah was coming inside, when she turned back.
“Hey sexy…”
She grinned. “Right back at you.”
Josiah pointed to the bag. “This you right here?”
“Yep, packed and all ready to go.”
“Cool. I’ve got food in the car.”
Kenya walked over to him. “Josiah, where are we going?”
He leaned down to kiss her. “Away.”
“Listen, I’m not trying to be on a Missing Person’s list.”
He frowned. “Go get in the car.”
Laughing, Kenya closed the door and locked it while Josiah put her bags in the car. She climbed inside to wait for him and the aroma of the food, made her look in the backseat.
“You got us Mr. Jay’s!” She said happily, when he slid into the driver’s seat.
“Best barbecue in town.”
“I swear it is.” She kissed his jaw. “Thank you.”
Josiah turned to her. “It’s about an hour drive, so settle in.”
“An hour in which direction?” Kenya asked trying to figure out where they were going.
“The direction where it’s located.”
She frowned at him. “What’s the big secret?”
“I just want to surprise you, baby.” He said softly, staring at her.
Kenya touched her lips to his gently. “Then I’ll sit back and settle in.”
Josiah started the car, and they headed to their destination.
“I took care of the catering for the dance,” he informed her.
“Who’d you get?”
He glanced at her. “Mr. Jay’s.”
Her eyes widened. “Josiah, that’s like premium barbecue. While it is absolutely delicious and I’d love to have it, that would wipe out three-fourths of our budget.”
