Commencement

  ****

  “Davis, I hear you’re Allen’s boss. How’s that workin’ out. He doin’ right?” asked Vernon.

  “I wouldn’t exactly say that I’m his boss, like he don’t report to me or nothin’ like that. I just let him know some of the things that need to be done, and he helps me sometimes. He’s a good worker, good wit’ his hands and eveythin’. He even helps me wit the repairs sometimes.”

  “Are you talking about the same Allen who couldn’t even put together a paper church fan?” joked Vernon.

  “Aw c’mon Dad, that was when I was 6.” laughed Allen.

  “Allen, now that you know how to fix things maybe you’ll be a little more handy around the house”, hinted Lena.

  “I don’t know if I’m ready for that yet.”

  “What exactly is your position at the Sheraton?” queried mother Rose impertinently.

  “I’m just one of the repairmen that they have on hand. I fix things, install things, stuff like that.” answered Davis.

  “I see”, remarked Mother Rose coldly.

  “That’s a good skill to have young man. Everybody needs someone to fix things recession or not”, stated Vernon in approbation.

  “Are you a licensed contractor?” asked Mother Rose.

  “No, but I’m working towards that right now. Allen and Miko have been helping me on the weekends.”

  “So I hear”, said the pastor. “How has school been coming along?”

  “Good. Better, now. I’m making good grades an’ eveythin’.”

  “That’s because he is so smart. Did you know he got an B+ on his last paper”, added Tamiko.

  “I did have help though.”

  “Don’t be so modest. Most of the work was yours.”

  “So you’re currently working on your BA?” asked mother rose continuing her interrogation.

  “No, I’m trying to get my high school diploma so I can get into this program they got that’s gonna help me get my contractin’ license.” explained Davis.

  “Aren’t you a little old to be working on your high school diploma?” asked Mother Rose, condescension dripping from each word.

  Tamiko shot her mother a look, then sent another one to her father that pleaded with him to intervene.

  “Now, Rose, there’s different paths for different people. Not everybody does everything the same way”, reasoned the Pastor.

  “It’s okay Pastor. I’m not gonna try and front. I’ve made some bad choices in my life, like droppin out of school when I was 16. But now wit’ the help of the Lord, I’m going straight.”

  “And that’s the most important thing, letting God direct the choices you’re making now, like joining our church. How are you liking Greater Apostolic so far, Davis?”

  “It’s been good. I’ve been learnin a lot from you and Daniel. I’ve made a lot of friends as you can see.”

  “You don’t know how glad I am to hear that. I hope in time, you will want to get more involved in our community. We have need of young people like you in service.”

  “I don’t think I’d mind that at all.”

  “But he’s already getting more involved”, gushed Tamiko. “How do you like the Brotherhood Bible Study Group that Daniel’s got going?”

  “I’m really feelin’ it you know. It’s like he’s teachin’ things from a male perspective, like how to be a godly man. Like today, he was talkin’ about how a man could be a godly leader, and the different characteristics of leadership like humility, submission to God, all that. It was very interestin’.”

  “And how about you, Allen? You were there, too. What did you think?” asked Lena.

  “Like Davis said, it was interesting. And I didn’t know how well Daniel could handle the Word. It seems like Pastor’s right, God has really anointed him to preach.”

  “And I’m glad to hear that. I can’t think of a better way for you to spend your Sunday afternoons, Allen”, said Lena enthusiastically.

  “Since we’re on the topic of how people spend their afternoons, I’d like to know what you and this young man…Tom, is it?” began Mother Rose.

  “It’s Tim ma’am”, said Tim politely.

  “Oh, yes. I’d like to know just what you and Tom were talking about that was so interesting that you forgot all about dinner and kept our guests waiting for nearly 20 minutes?” asked Mother Rose, her voice full of accusation.

  “We were just talking about work, that’s all”, pleaded Tamiko.

  “Really? For nearly two and a half hours? Must have been quite a story he was telling.” “We took a walk through the park and we went farther than we should have”, Tim tried to explain. “Interesting choice of words”, said Mother Rose bitterly, her eyes narrowing into little slits. “Are you still having trouble on your job young man?” asked the Pastor, trying to rescue the conversation from where it was going. “Actually, I was telling Tamiko that I think things are changing for the better.” “That’s good to hear. Did the Word that I gave you lend any clarity to your situation?” “It did actually. In fact, I’ve found that a lot of things you’ve said have been making a lot of sense lately.” “I see. I’ve notice that you’ve been with us for quite some time now. Have we convinced you to join us yet?” “I… I’d…You’re kind of putting me on the spot here, Pastor.” “I don’t see how. The answer is either yes or no”, barked Mother Rose. “Rose, please!” the Pastor said to his wife sternly. “I’m sorry, Tim. I didn’t mean to. If you need more time it’s no problem.”