by S. A. Miller
“Yeah, you can stay for a little while,” answers Cynthea.
With his arm around Cynthea’s waist, Johnny and Cynthia move toward the door.
Moses looks at Robert and asks, “Do you believe, that dude? Saying we shouldn’t run just so he can get next to Cynthea? It ain’t going to work. She’s not getting with Johnny.”
Robert responds, “You know Johnny, man. He’ll have a whole different tune tomorrow, especially after Cynthea shuts him down tonight!”
“Yeah, you’re right,” admits Moses. “But it just ticks me off for him to turn like that.”
“Don’t sweat it, man. You just concentrate on winning that dash on Tuesday,” replies Robert.
“So, what you think, Robert?” asks Moses.
“Well, it’s like this,” explains Robert. “The relay is my only event, so if Johnny really doesn’t run, then I’m out!”
“But if Johnny does run, or if Coach gets a sub, you’ll run?” asks Moses.
“Yeah, I think so. I mean, I understand what everyone is saying about respect for Dr King and all, but I think I would still run,” responds Robert.
“So even you’re not sure if running is the right thing to do,” states Moses.
Robert responds by saying, “Personally, I think they should cancel the whole thing. To me that would be the best thing to do.”
Moses is frustrated by the situation.
“This is nuts,” declares Moses. “I have worked for a whole year to get to this point, and now this happens. Man, it just ain’t fair.”
“I know Moses,” replies Robert. “You’ve busted your butt. But, hey, this is reality, man.”
Moses despondently responds, “Yeah.”
The Softie Freeze is pretty much empty, by now. The TV is still on, but there is no music from the jukebox, there is no chatter from the few patrons left in the shop. It does feel like something has died.
Moses says to Robert, “I think I’m going to head home.”
“Yeah, me too,” says Robert.
Moses and Robert get up from their stools and move towards the door.
“You going to stay open, Mr. Perry?” asks Moses.
“Yeah,” responds Mr. Perry. “I’m going to stay open for a while, just in case some of the kids need a place to hang out.”
“That’s good of you, Mr. Perry,” says Robert.
“Hey, just trying to be supportive,” responds Mr. Perry.
“Well, I’ll probably see you later on,” replies Moses.
Mr. Perry’s responds, “I’ll be here.”
Chapter 5
Home
It is a solemn mood that greets Moses as he walks through the back door of his house. His mother, Ethel, is in the kitchen preparing dinner. On this day she doesn’t move with her normal energy. Although she works eight hours a day, Ethel is usually talkative and glad to see her oldest child when he comes home from school. On this day she is glad to see Moses, but lacks the energy to express it like she normally does. The assassination of Dr. King has taxed her emotions. Sitting at the kitchen table is Moses’ four-year-old sister, Janet.
“Hey, everybody,” says Moses.
“Hi, baby. How you doing?” replies his Ethel.
“Did you win Moses? Did you win your race?” shouts Janet.
“Yeah, I won. I get to go to the city championships on Tuesday,” answers Moses.
Well congratulations, son,” says Ethel. “I knew you would win.”
“Yeah, Moses, ‘gratulations!” says Janet.
Moses’ father, George is sitting in the family room intently watching the TV news. He is absorbed by the news about Dr. King. Switching from station to station, he’s trying to get every detail of what’s going on. George always saw Dr. King as a great leader. He appreciated the sacrifices Dr. King was willing to make for the betterment of his people. George is only a couple of years older than Dr. King, so Dr. King’s death, no doubt, has George questioning his own mortality. Most would expect that a man of 39 years of age would live long enough to at least double his age. Ethel tries to get George’s attention.
“George! George! Did you hear what Moses said?” exclaims Ethel.
George replies, “I just can’t believe they killed Dr. King. It makes absolutely no sense.”
Ethel responds, “I know George, but did you hear Moses say he won his race and gets to run in the City Championship?”
“That’s good, Moses. Did you hear about Dr. King? I just can’t understand it,” replies George.
“Yes, we all saw it over at The Softie Freeze,” replies Moses.
Janet chimes in, “Moses, somebody shot Mardin Luter King and Daddy is sad.”
“We’re all sad, baby,” says Ethel.
“This world is just too evil,” laments George. “These are the last days. He’s coming back. When things like this happen, you know He’s coming back real soon.”
No one responds to George’s spiritual pronouncement. George is not necessarily a religious man. He will occasionally go to church with the family, but would not be considered a regular. Despite that, however, George is a very spiritual man. He believes in a higher power even if his beliefs aren’t necessarily derived from religious teachings.
Ethel questions Moses about what was going on at The Softie Freeze.
“How was everybody over at the ice cream shop,” asks Ethel. “You know Mr. Perry knew Dr. King personally.”
“He never told us that,” responds Moses, “But then again, with all the commotion, he never had a chance.”
“What kind of commotion?” asks Ethel.
“Oh, Margaret freakin’ out saying that Black folk are doomed. William and Ricky arguing over the Panthers versus Islam. And Johnny saying that we shouldn’t run on Tuesday,” responds Moses.
“Why did Johnny say that?” asks Ethel.
“He says out of respect to Dr. King,” replies Moses.
“How is not running showing respect?” asks Ethel.
“I don’t know,” answers Moses. “That’s Johnny starting stuff because he wants to get next to Cynthea.”
Ethel stops what she’s doing, puts one hand on her hip, and replies, “Come on, now.”
“For real, Mom!” replies Moses. “Margaret said we shouldn’t run and Cynthea agreed. Well, that was Johnny’s chance to try to get next to Cynthea.”
“That’s just sad. Makes no sense at all,” replies Ethel.
“And Diane even agreed with them!” adds Moses.
“I guess things were kind of hot over there,” says Ethel.
“Yeah, but it all has me wondering now,” confesses Moses.
“Wondering what?” asks Ethel.
“Whether running on Tuesday is the right thing to do,” responds Moses.
Although consumed with the news coverage on the assassination, George happens to hear the discussion Moses is having with his mother and offers his own opinion on the matter.
“How can you even think about something so non-significant as running some race?” shouts George. “The greatest Black man ever to live has just been killed, and y’all talking about some race. No, you shouldn’t run. They shouldn’t even have the damn thing.”
“Ooo! Daddy cussed,” says Janet.
“Hush, ‘Baby Girl’,” replies George.
Moses walks to the doorway between the kitchen and the family room. And leans up against the oak door frame. He waits for this father to recognize that he is standing there.
“So, you don’t think I should run?” Moses asks his father.
“I don’t think anybody should run. For God’s sake! They just killed the King”, exclaims George.
Moses and his father have a typical father-son relationship. George has always provided guidance and support for Moses. Moses has always shown appreciation and respect for all that his father does for him and the family. There has been, however, a difference in the relationship during the last year, as Moses gets closer to the age of legal adulthood. Moses has become more
independent in his thinking. It is a necessary progression from boy to man. He appreciates his father’s input and guidance, but now he finds himself making many decisions that differ from his father’s suggestions. After George’s pronouncement, Moses retreats to more friendly territory in the kitchen.
“What do you think, Mom?” asks Moses.
Ethel is a compassionate mother who sees her children as treasures. She cares for them in all ways possible, and she protects them at all cost. She is not a rubber stamp for George’s ideas or opinions, but she prefers to not let the children see any dissention between her and her husband. Her response to Moses’ question is simple: “I think we should all sit down and eat.”
Chapter 6
That Night
After dinner, Moses goes back to The Softie Freeze. It’s about 8:00 pm. As he walks to the shop he hears scattered gunfire and sirens. In the air is a faint smell of smoke. He doesn’t witness any unrest or destruction on his journey, but he is certain there is unrest going on just a few blocks away. When he reaches The Softie Freeze, he finds Mr. Perry is sitting at a table watching the news. No one else is in the shop.
“Hey, Mr. Perry,” says Moses.
“What’s up, Moses?” replies Mr. Perry.
Moses asks, “Why don’t you just close up and go home?”
“I’m just not ready to go home right yet,” replies Mr. Perry. “I’ve been hearing the sirens and NewsBoy has been giving me updates on what’s going on in the streets, so I figure I might as well be here as opposed to anywhere else. Besides, like I said before, I figured you kids might want someplace to hang out.”
“Well, that’s cool. I think Robert might be coming back, but I don’t know about anybody else is,” replies Moses.
“Want a chocolate malt?” asks Mr. Perry
“Yeah, that would be good,” answers Moses.
Mr. Perry goes behind the counter and makes the malt while Moses sits on a stool in front of the counter. Busting through the door comes NewsBoy sweating and out of breath as usual. “Mr. Perry! Mr. Perry! It’s a mess out there. They just set fire to Arnold’s Appliance store. They already destroyed the drug store!” announces NewsBoy.
“What’s wrong wit’ ‘em? Tearing down their own community? Fools! Stupid fools!” responds Mr. Perry.
“Everybody’s outside looking at what’s going on. You might think about leaving Mr. Perry. They might try to come down here,” warns NewsBoy.
Mr. Perry offers a warning of his own, “Let ‘em try. I’ve got something for ‘em.”
He then takes a shotgun from under the counter and sets it on top. Moses and NewsBoy are shocked. It is no secret that Mr. Perry “don’t take no mess”, but this is the first time they ever saw Mr. Perry with a gun. He would jokingly refer to having a gun whenever some of the students would get a little too rowdy, or wanted to “mouth off’, but no one ever really knew he had a gun. And for NewsBoy and Moses, they truly believed he would use it.
“Well, I got to go’” says NewsBoy. “I’ll be back if I get any more news.”
“You be careful out there, NewsBoy!” orders Mr. Perry.
“I will,” shouts NewsBoy as he flies out the door.
Moses is perplexed.
“I don’t get it,” says Moses. “I mean, I know Dr. King was an important man and all, but why are people acting so stupid?”
“I think people are scared, so they’re acting irrationally,” replies Mr. Perry.
“Scared of what?” asks Moses.
“Oh, scared things are going to get worse for Black folk. I mean, if they killed Dr. King what hope does the average Black man have?” replies Mr. Perry.
“I never thought about it that way. But instead of being scared, shouldn’t people be more determined to change things in the country? Shouldn’t they be even more inspired since Dr. King won’t be here to keep things moving?” asks Moses.
“You are a smart young man. Unfortunately, there are people out there who can’t see it like that. I guess they’re afraid that there’s no way the ‘dream’ is ever going to happen now,” replies Mr. Perry.
“Well, like I said, I don’t get it. Anyway, my mother told me that you knew Dr. King,” states Moses.
“I worked for SCLC for a while when I was living in Atlanta and got to talk to him every once in a while,” shares Mr. Perry.
“You never told us that,” replies Moses.
“I guess I never thought about telling y’all. Maybe I should have,” responds Mr. Perry.
“Yeah, especially William,” says Moses.
Mr. Perry responds, “Hey William’s going to be alright. He’s just a little head strong right now, but he’ll be okay.”
Moses continues, “And Margaret. She would have a fit if she knew you worked with Dr. King.”
“I know. Maybe that’s why I never said anything. She’d never leave the shop,” jokes Mr. Perry.
Moses laughs, then asks, “So Mr. Perry. What do you think about the track meet?”
“What do you mean?” replies Mr. Perry.
“You think I should run?” asks Moses.
“Now, that’s one you have to answer for yourself,” answers Mr. Perry.
“But everybody thinks I shouldn’t,” responds Moses.
“Who’s everybody?” asks Mr. Perry.
“My father. Diane,” responds Moses.
“Your father said you shouldn’t run?” asks Mr. Perry.
“Well, he actually said they shouldn’t have the track meet,” explains Moses.
“That’s different than saying you shouldn’t run,” states Mr. Perry.
Moses responds, “That’s true, but I took it to mean I shouldn’t.”
“I think the first thing to do is to wait ‘till tomorrow to see if they decide to cancel the meet, then go from there,” suggests Mr. Perry.
“But NewsBoy said it was still on,” replies Moses.
“But that was early. The city and the schools might change their minds,” offers Mr. Perry.
“But what if they don’t? Do you think I should run?” asks Moses.
Mr. Perry decides it’s time to go into interrogation mode. Moses is asking a lot of questions trying to get Mr. Perry to give him the answer about running, but Mr. Perry thinks Moses would be better off if he figured this out for himself. So, Mr. Perry starts his line of questioning.
“Why do you think you shouldn’t run, Moses?” asks Mr. Perry.
“I don’t think I shouldn’t run, everybody else thinks I shouldn’t,” replies Moses.
“Okay. Why do you think you should take into consideration what others think?” probes Mr. Perry.
“Because I don’t want it to look like I’m being disrespectful to Dr. King,” responds Moses.
“And why would running a race be disrespectful to Dr. King?” asks Mr. Perry.
“I mean, he just died,” exclaims Moses. “I don’t want to dishonor his memory.”
“I guess I should have told y’all more about what Dr. King was all about,” says Mr. Perry. “Trust me, you can’t dishonor the memory of Dr. King by running a race.”
Mr. Perry pauses a moment to let Moses absorb what was just said.
“Tell me something,” Mr. Perry asks. Why do you want to run?”
“Because I know I can win,” says Moses.
“And...”, responds Mr. Perry.
“Because I didn’t get to run last year,” responds Moses.
“And...,” prompts Mr. Perry.
“I’ve worked hard to get this opportunity,” responds Moses.
“BAM!” shouts Mr. Perry.
Thrown off by the “BAM!” Moses asks, “What?”
“You said it!” exclaims Mr. Perry.
“Said what?” responds Moses.
“Opportunity,” says Mr. Perry. “That’s what Dr. King was all about. He believed everyone; Black, White, the poor, everyone should have the opportunity to pursue their dreams. That we are all endowed with unalienable rights to have equal opportun
ity for life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”
“So, you’re saying I should run?” asks Moses.
“I’m saying fifteen years ago you couldn’t even go to Central, let alone, run in a track meet. Maybe by taking advantage of an opportunity to do something positive, you can encourage others to take advantage of opportunities that come their way,” replies Mr. Perry.
Mr. Perry has always been a trusted source of wisdom for Moses and the students. He never provides unsolicited advice, but is always willing to answer questions and provoke thought.
“I hadn’t thought about it that way,” says Moses.
“A lot of Black folk don’t think we’re ever going to have the same opportunities as White folk, but don’t let that stop you,” urges Mr. Perry. “Take advantage of opportunity. Do something positive. Be a light for others to see. That’s how you honor Dr. King.”
“Thanks, Mr. Perry,” responds Moses to Mr. Perry’s words of wisdom. “I really appreciate you talking to me.”
Mr. Perry makes it clear, “Now, I’m just voicing my opinion. I’m not telling you to go against your father, I’m just saying you need to make the decision for yourself.”
“I understand,” says Moses.
“Good,” responds Mr. Perry.
Mr. Perry pauses for a moment as Moses sips on the malt.
“You know what the funny thing is?” asks Mr. Perry
“What?” answers Moses.
“Fifty years from now people will be celebrating the dream of Dr. Martin Luther King and still won’t understand what I just told you. They’ll talk, and sing and declare that ‘we still have a long way to go’, but they won’t understand that it’s all about taking advantage of opportunity. There will be opportunities to better our lives and our communities, but we will have to work in the affirmative and not the negative in order to take advantage of those opportunities. I suspect Dr. King would be honored if each of us took advantage of the opportunities we have to do good.”
Pondering Mr. Perry’s words, Moses nods in agreement.
“Well,” says Mr. Perry, “I think I’m going to call it a night.”
“Are you going to be open tomorrow?” asks Moses.
