Commencement

That night the dinner table was alive with the convivial conversation of the elder folks. Tamiko’s mom, Mother Rose, and Lena talked about some of the upcoming events in the church, the Pastor interjecting at times when the conversation strayed to gossip. There was not much said between the two older men except noticings about the weather, sports, and current events. Yet there was a silence among the young people that created a tension in the atmosphere and was noticed by all, particularly Lena. She knew Allen could be taciturn when in the company of elders, but such silence from Tamiko was unusual. Tamiko was always bright, upbeat and voluble and tonight she seemed unusually sullen. Lena also noticed that Allen was avoiding eye contact with Tamiko, which led her to assume the two had some kind of disagreement. She hated the idea of two of her favorite children upset with each other, especially since she harbored a secret hope that someday the two would marry. After all, who could be better for her son than her pastor’s daughter! In fact, Tamiko had spent so much time in her home as a little girl that she had practically felt like a daughter to her anyway. Lena’s maternal instinct would not allow her to simply let things stand.

  “So, Allen. How was Leona’s? I guess it wasn’t very crowded since you and Tamiko got back so soon.”

  “It was fine. They don’t do a lot of business on Sundays”, responded Allen, not once lifting his eyes from his meal.

  “If that was the case, I’m surprised you didn’t come back with a whole bunch of those caramel cookies you love so much. Or maybe he did and just ate them in the car?”, Lena suggested as she hunched Tamiko with her elbow in an attempt to get her to talk.

  “No, we just got the bread pudding and came back”, said Tamiko languidly.

  Before Lena could attempt to glean any more information, Pastor Bynum interrupted with a query of his own.

  “Allen, my son, how has the job search been going for you? Not as easy as you thought it would be?”

  Allen knew that his mom and Tamiko had probably told him everything. However, he would go along with the Pastor to see where this was going.

  “Let’s just say that there are a lot of obstacles I didn’t count on, like the unexpected turn in the financial sector. But it’s okay, I’ve got some other things planned”, answered Allen.

  “Just don’t forget God’s plan. You just go to Him. He’s bigger than any downturn”, returned Pastor Bynum.

  “That’s what I’ve been telling him Pastor. Pray and ask God what he wants him to do next”, added Lena.

  “So have you done that?” asked the Pastor.

  “I just figured that I’d go ahead and use the good sense and the Harvard Education that God gave me to think about my possibilities. I don’t have time to sit around and wait for a vision or something like that if that’s what you’re talking about.”

  “Boy, you better watch your mouth! Talkin’ to the Pastor like that!” Vernon warned. “Seems like that Harvard education done turned you into an educated fool!”

  “I wasn’t trying to be disrespectful…”

  “It’s okay, Vernon”, the pastor said trying to placate the growing tension. “I understand that you must be frustrated by now, but praying is not just sitting around and waiting. It just means that while you are out there doing what you are doing everyday, you take some time to pray and be open to His suggestion. God speaks in many ways, but we have to have our ears open to listen or we’ll go the wrong way”, cautioned the Pastor.

  “Believe me, I’m open. As soon as I see an opportunity, I intend to take advantage of it”, said Allen growing weary of the conversation.

  “He had an opportunity a couple of months ago, but Mr. Harvard over here threw that away ‘cause it wasn’t good enough.”

  Allen bit his lip hard, covered his face with his hands and took a deep breath. He didn’t want to lose control, especially in front of the Pastor.

  “Vernon, please! Stop bringing that up!” exclaimed Lena who was also tired of hearing her husband’s nagging refrain.

  “Anyway, I’m not talking about opportunities. I’m talking about having a relationship with God in which he directs and guides you. Tell me, do you read your Bible? Do you pray?” asked Pastor Bynum.

  “With all due respect Pastor Bynum, I think I know where you’re going with this. In fact, I’ve already been there with mom and Tamiko. So let me just say this once and for all. Just because I’m a Christian doesn’t mean that I’m going to anesthetize myself with religion and try to pray myself away from my problems. God helps those who help themselves.”

  “But sometimes He wants us to come to Him for help…”

  “So, if He wants to help so much, why doesn’t He?! Tell me, why doesn’t He get one of those big shot executives to give me the job that I’ve worked my butt off practically all my life for?!” Allen found himself yelling. Then he threw his napkin down on his plate and stormed out of the dining room.

  “I’m sorry, pastor. It’s just like you said. He’s very frustrated right now.”

  “I can see. I’ll keep him in my prayers for you, Lena.”

  “Yeah, he’s gonna need it. Actin’ like his Harvard education gives him the right to start disrespectin’ grown folk. He keep on, he’s gonna end up in the street.”

 

  Fourteen