by Tiana Laveen
“Okay, so what?” he finally said. He shrugged. “If you like her, and she likes you, that’s all that matters, Hassani.”
“I know … but I hate that they do that. It makes me real mad when I see people teasing her. I lied to you about something.”
“About what?”
Hassani dropped his head again and nervously fiddled with his hands. “I got into a fight about her, too. Angel didn’t want me to get in trouble again so that’s why he came up to the school and took me out that day. I was still pissed … I mean, mad about what happened. See Dad, some boy was saying stuff to her—stuff he shouldn’t have been saying. And there were some girls that were being real mean to her, too, calling her names and stuff. People treat her like she’s dumb, but she’s not. She’s super smart, Dad. We talk about all the stuff I like, and she likes it, too. We like so many of the same things, Dad.”
His father smiled down at him.
“What kind of things does she like?”
“Transformers, Star Wars, and scary books. She has the entire Transformers figurine collection, too. You know what else we got in common?”
“What?”
“She has an idiot little brother, too. She calls hers ‘the Curse’. Can we nickname Dakarai ‘the Curse’, too?”
Dad smirked and waved his hand lazily. “No, we can’t call your brother the Curse, but I want you to tell me more about this fight you had, Hassani,” he stated sternly.
“Well, he was sayin’ stuff to her, like, sexual stuff, and she told him no and then he started cussin’ her out and calling her stupid. I … snapped.” Hassani shrugged. “I went up to him and punched him as hard as I could in the stomach. I was happy when he threw up. Served him right.”
“And that’s why you had detention?” Hassani nodded. “You told me it was because you got smart with your teacher.” Dad frowned as he sat taller. He knew Daddy hated being lied to.
“I know. I figured you’d be less mad about that.”
“Well, you figured wrong. You taking up for someone versus acting up in class is a much better option. I don’t want you getting detention at all, but if you had to get it, standing up for a young lady who could not defend herself is a good reason.” At this, Hassani smiled again.
“So … uh, I need your advice. See, there’s a dance coming up. I want to take her.”
“All right, then ask her.”
“I’m scared.”
“But you said she likes you, too.”
“I know, but, she’s so pretty, Dad.”
That all too familiar smile creased Dad’s face again.
“And that really intimidates you, huh?”
“Yeah. It’s like, if she didn’t have Asperger’s, she wouldn’t want me.” Hassani felt silly once the words rolled off his tongue, but he couldn’t help it. No matter how embarrassing, it was the truth.
“You don’t know that. Don’t you think you’re selling yourself short and her, too?”
“Well, I think I’m cool but I don’t think other people think I am. Like, people call me a nerd sometimes. They say I’m lame ’cause I don’t want to smoke or get high. I got my friends, you know, the group I like to hang with, but I guess I’m not the most popular in town, as they say.” Hassani sighed and raked his hand through his curls. “Things just aren’t easy for me.”
“Son, life is hard sometimes. Even if you weren’t such an intelligent and upstanding person, even if you weren’t an Angel Child, you’d still face challenges. No one has it completely easy all day, every day. It’s just the way it goes and I hate to break it to you, when you get older it doesn’t really get any easier. Good luck finding someone whose life is a breeze. I’d like to meet that person and the unicorn they rode in on.”
“Then I’d like you to meet the Curse.” Daddy shook his head and laughed. “I’m serious, Dad. Dakarai is the most popular in his class, you know? The teachers always smile at him like he is the most perfect kid in the world. Hell, I mean, heck, he don’t even pay attention in class half the time and they still treat him like gold. Everybody wants to be his friend, even though they know he stands around lyin’, making up stories. Just the other day, he told his classmates that you took him on a fishing trip to Alaska and you all caught a whale and ate it. He took out his lunch bag and said it was leftover whale meat. It was actually a turkey sandwich on rye!” At this, Dad burst out laughing, then caught himself, but the laughter still showed in his eyes. Hassani went on, ignoring the fact that once again, even in conversation, Dakarai was the star of the show. “I don’t have it like that. He’s going to be that way his entire life, I can just tell. Everyone loves Dakarai at school, lies and all.”
“Hassani, each one of you is different and you have your own personalities. Being popular is not everything. You are more into your books and studies. Dakarai just has a loud, crazy personality. You think he gets on your nerves? He probably gets on his own nerves, too.” They both chuckled at that. “He gets a lot of attention in part because, let’s be honest, he’s funny. That’s a gift, just like your drawing and academics are a gift. Your brother also comes across as fearless, when in fact, a lot scares Dakarai and he tries to hide it by acting tough, saying silly things and making jokes. That’s just how he copes. He looks up to you, because you are naturally unafraid, Hassani. He feels protected by you. And no matter how much you two fight, you both know you love one another and would do anything for each other. You are truly his big brother. Now look, I know my sons, okay?” Dad said. “Yes, he’s entertaining and fun to be around, that’s for sure, but he’s not better than you, and you’re not better than him. Isis is her own person, too. You all are wonderfully made and unique … just like Asia.”
“Yeah, I guess you’re right. You know what? Not only is Asia pretty and smart, Dad, she can dress! She dresses real fresh!”
At this, Dad’s eyes filled with amusement. “Does she now?”
“Yeah.” Hassani nodded. “She got all the designer stuff … the new Jordans, too. Hers are pink and white and she puts little fake diamonds on them. She’s creative like that. Her hair is always done real nice. She has these big, dark brown eyes and cute dimples. She’s, damn … I mean, darn! She’s unbelievable, Dad.”
“Hassani, listen.” Dad leaned forward and clasped his hands. “You can’t worry about if she was like this, then this would be like that, and all of these other hypothetical scenarios. You need to have confidence in yourself. The Creator made this young lady in the way that she was supposed to be made, just like He made me, your mama, you, Dakarai, and Isis. You’re young, at the age where your feelings about these things can be overwhelming, but that doesn’t make it all any less real. Ask her to the dance, all right? You two have a lot in common it seems and I don’t doubt in the least that she’s smart. Tell me something—what do you know about autism?”
Hassani sat there for a second and shrugged. “I guess not a whole lot.”
“I’m not an expert, either, but did you know Randall is autistic, Hassani?”
“Randy? The guy that works on your computers?”
“Yes, that Randall.”
Hassani couldn’t believe his ears. Randy was a really nice guy. He was married and had children. He would come by their house and fix stuff, usually electronics, and he’d even repaired his broken iPad.
“He has Asperger’s, and it went undiagnosed until he was about your age. He had a real hard time in school with socialization, too, Hassani. His Asperger’s didn’t make him less physically attractive, nor did it mean he was unintelligent. You know he has a good job, he’s funny too, and I consider him a friend. No one would bat an eye at Randy until he starts talking over and over about his toy car collection.” At that, Hassani burst out laughing. “He’s a little obsessive about that, but the point is, people with autism just think differently sometimes.”
“It’s not brain damage?”
“No, and it’s not retardation, either. Some say that they have some neurological wires cross
ed, to put it in laymen’s terms, but others believe differently. There are still a lot of scientists, doctors, and regular people who don’t know about it.” Dad pointed to himself. “You know I’m a big science geek, and I have clients now that are on the spectrum. I do read up on these things but there is a lot that is unknown about it and so we’re all still learning.”
“Isn’t it like being delayed or something? She doesn’t seem like she has learning disabilities though,” Hassani said. “She seems like you and me. She doesn’t always look right at me though when I’m talking to her.”
“Yeah, well, a lack of direct eye contact is not uncommon from what I understand. Some say it’s a disorder, others that it’s a disability,” Dad explained. “I say just because someone may appear a little socially awkward and think about things in different ways than you or me doesn’t always mean either of those things. If it is a disability, that’s fine, but that doesn’t change anything because at the end of the day, son, that’s a person, a human being. Just like you and me. Randy, Asia, and everyone with similar diagnoses want love, relationships, friendships, education, a job, a place to live, all of that.”
Hassani nodded in understanding.
“See, son, I told you a long time ago that the world wants to put everyone in a box, a category. Not everyone will fit. We always want to label people so that we feel more comfortable, not because it will benefit the person we are trying to understand. We’ve failed in that area, and yet, as a society, we keep doing it. Asia doesn’t have to prove anything or apologize to anyone for having Asperger’s. But people that are cruel to her based on that need to apologize to her. They are ignorant, and they are wrong to treat her that way. I’m proud of you for sticking up for her.” Hassani beamed with pride. “It’s wrong to bully people, to tease others for things they cannot control and didn’t choose. Many of those teasing her are doing so because they are uninformed, Hassani. A, guess what? Tim Burton has Asperger’s, did you know that?”
“The director?” He shook his head. “No, I didn’t.”
“Yes, and you love his movies. Each and every one of your classmates are in that school because you’re different from the norm in the first place, Hassani. You’re exceptional. It’s a school for gifted children, for kids that excel in the arts and academics. Asia tested into that school, just like you did, so that says a lot. She sounds like a very nice girl. In fact, I’d like to meet her soon. Let’s arrange it.” Hassani smiled at his father, then laughed when the man reached around him and gave him a hearty hug.
“Okay, thanks Dad.”
Daddy got to his feet and looked down at him. “You uh … need to wash your hands or anything before you go back to sleep?”
Hassani gulped and pulled the sheets up to his chin. “No … I didn’t get that far.”
“All right. Goodnight, son. See you in the morning for breakfast.” He made his way to his bedroom door to leave.
“Okay. Daddy?”
“Yes?” His father looked at him from over his shoulder.
“Please don’t tell Mama about … you know.”
“I won’t.” Daddy winked at him before closing the door behind him.
Hassani lay there for a while, looking up at the ceiling. The feelings of embarrassment soon vanished, replaced by something much more fulfilling. Thoughts of Asia filled his mind, occupying each and every crevice, clinging to his heart with palpable desire until he fell fast asleep…
CHAPTER SIX
“I’ve seen several shadow people following me.” Saint tossed his cigar down in his pussy-shaped ashtray. Lawrence sat across from him in his office and the tune of “Swing Down Sweet Chariot” by Parliament Funkadelic mingled with the sounds of the city outside, which flowed inside through a cracked window behind him. The man rubbed the side of his face, deep in thought. “My son is hearing noises in his room. He is convinced something keeps trying to visit him. He isn’t afraid, but he is annoyed.”
“Hassani or Dakarai?”
“Hassani. Dakarai isn’t exempt though. He said he saw a shadow person at school … told me it was following him around. He’d never seen one before. He’s just a little boy.” Saint shook his head in disgust. “I am seeing people doing things, saying things, awful things … more so than usual. These entities and demons are fuckin’ with people, gearing up for some bullshit, and they want me to see it. I more than see it, and I’m going to handle it.”
“Don’t do anything yet, Saint. Save your energy.”
“That’s like waiting until a perpetrator is in your bedroom with a knife to your throat when you heard them ten minutes prior breaking into your house. I refuse for my family to be sitting ducks, Lawrence.”
“That’s not what I mean. You’re not dealing with, say, Koki, this time around.”
“I know that.”
“Saint, you can’t just go off the cuff or turn the world upside down. I know you’re angry, you have every right to be, but you have to handle this in a different way. I’ve seen the shadow people, too.” Saint’s eyes narrowed on him. The sickness was spreading like black hellish wings across the burning embers of Hell. “Krishna explained to you what was happening, and told us what we need to consider and do. But, let me explain to you a bit further about the enemy so you’ll understand how we need to think about this, going forward. Are you willing to hear me out or will you silence me and march out of here with your psychic axe swinging?”
“Speak.” Saint reached into his office liquor cabinet and pulled out a bottle of Jack Daniels. He poured himself a glass, then handed a second one to Lawrence. “Break it down for me.”
“The seven sins are cardinal sins.”
“Right.” Saint nodded, somewhat annoyed that Lawrence was covering the already known basic territory.
“Krishna stated that there is actually one archdemon that possesses all seven sins, demonstrating them collectively, piece by piece or in pairs. He basically breaks apart into seven smaller demons and blends with human weakness. His goal is to feast upon the world by exhibiting these sins and forcing the host to fall victim to whatever is the temptation at hand.
“Pride, greed, envy, lust, wrath, gluttony and sloth.”
“Correct. If you were reading from ancient text in Latin, it would be superbia for pride, avaritia for greed, invidia for envy, luxuria for lust, ira for wrath, gula for gluttony, and acedia for sloth. King Angel Children, such as yourself, are appointed to help keep things on an even keel, balanced, as you learned with Koki. There is supposed to be a level of stability here, a split between good and evil, so we all have a fair chance to make correct decisions.”
“Right, I get all of that. When that equilibrium is thrown off, it throws everything off its axis. I don’t like that, Lawrence … I don’t like that at all. I am not the fucking Statue of Liberty holding the scales. I am tired of being Mr. Nice Guy. They’ve already gone too far and it’s just begun. You are in my home spooking my children, you follow my damn son to school? Who the hell do you think you are?” Saint tossed up his hands. “Naw, at this point, fuck diplomacy. This is taking things further … much further.” He balled a sheet of paper in his hand, so tight that it turned to dust. White dust particles drifted from Saint’s palm and flittered in the air. Lawrence’s dark eyes followed the powdered paper as it settled on the desk and floor.
“It wants you to react, Saint. It wants you to not think this through and just come down with the hammer. It knows your nature. You are psychically ferocious. From what I understand, you are in the top three of the King Angel Children across the globe. That sets you apart from other leaders. You’ve already proved that you are strong and can stand the test of time. It wishes to wear you down before it even gains full steam ahead. Please believe me, you must conserve your energy. It is trying to trick you. Now, with Koki, that was only one man … a powerful man, but he was in your territory.”
“Koki was from New York too though.”
“True, but he still didn’t have courtsid
e advantage. He thought he did, but this part of the world was already promised to you from the day you were born, so, in actuality, you had a head start. That’s why he had to resort to playing tricks because he couldn’t beat you fair and square. He took this land and stole it; it wasn’t divinely his. Lucifer never told Koki New York was his because it doesn’t work that way. Koki had honor though, and him upholding that honor, such as accepting that you’d conquered him, made it so that he could be open to have a trial versus immediately burning in Hell.”
“I didn’t know that. Cruz never mentioned it.”
“Understood, but now you do.” Lawrence took a long swig of his drink and placed it on Saint’s desk. “That’s why Koki played it the way he did. It was brilliant in retrospect. He didn’t want any of his guys to come up on the bridge and help him. You would have been killed, but then he would have been cast into the everlasting flame because you were winning and he decided to play dirty. You’d think that would be acceptable in these sort of matters, but that’s not always the case. Even in the bowels of Hell, there are rules that are not to be broken. That was a battle solely between him and you. This way, he could stand before a jury of demons if you will, and his last testament would show that you allowed nature to take its course, and neither he nor you disturbed the process.”
