Commencement

It was Saturday night, and time for Jim’s obligatory visit with Callie. Jim had already had two joints and had brought some Blue Agave and some Jonnie Walker Red for Callie. She loved to drink, not Jim. As he walked up the front steps to her building, Jim was in an extremely good mood. And this was despite everything that happened during the week.

  First, he had gotten in trouble at work. He came in one Monday morning with bloodshot red eyes. Jim’s appearance was so disheveled that one of his co-workers reported him to supervision. Then they called Jim into the office for a random drug test, which he failed. He was immediately suspended without pay. Next, he had gotten in trouble with the police. Jim went to the Blue Note one night to watch the Lakers game (at least this is what he told himself) in HD. He only incidentally kicked back a few shots. Then he got into an argument with another patron about Kobe Bryant. Jim had to defend Kobe’s honor. In the end, he wound up being charged with aggravated assault, and was issued a summons to appear in court. He forgot when he had to appear. It didn’t matter, because he didn’t feel like going to a hearing anyway. So what if he caught a warrant. This summed up his week. Jim was a little down at the start of it, but now after the two joints things were looking up. And besides, there was Callie.

  Jim pressed the buzzer to her apartment. After a few seconds she buzzed back, and he went upstairs. Yeah, she knew what time it was.

  When he got to the landing where her apartment was, Jim could see her standing at the door in her bathrobe.

  “Hey, Cal. You ready for a night to remember?”

  If Jim hadn’t been high, he would’ve recognized the very somber expression on her face.

  “Are you high again?” she asked with an attitude.

  “Only off of your love.” He said as he came face to face with her. He tried to close in for a kiss, but Callie pulled away.

  “C’mon, girl. Is that any way to treat your best friend?”

  “You haven’t answered my question? Are you high?”

  “Callie, you know me.”

  “Do I, really?”

  “What’s wrong? Why you so serious tonight? It’s Saturday! Time to

  hang back and let all your problems go.”

  Callie stepped aside and let him into her apartment. Jim put the bottles of liquor on the coffee table. Then he went back to Callie and put

  his arms around her.

  “We have to talk, Jim.”

  “Later. First, let me turn that frown into a smile.”

  Jim tried to kiss her, but Callie pulled away.

  “No. We have to talk now!”

  “Fine. What’s the problem, now?”

  “What do you mean ‘what’s the problem, now? Am I a burden to

  you all of a sudden?”

  “How would you feel, if you went somewhere to kick it, and every time there’s always some kind of drama.”

  “Oh, so now I’m ‘drama’. What about you? You don’t think you

  bring enough drama in my life?”

  “I’m not the one always moanin’ and gropin’ over nonsense.”

  “But you can come to me high as a kite.”

  “I just told you I wasn’t high.”

  “I’m not a fool, Jim! You got bloodshot eyes, and you reek of reefer!”

  “I also work hard Callie! They got me doing all kinds of shifts on my

  job lately!”

  “Oh, spare me!”

  “Look, let’s not fight. I been fightin’ all week. I’m tired of that. Let’s

  just relax and enjoy the evening.”

  “There’s something you need to know, first.”

  “What?!” Jim snapped annoyed.

  “Never mind. Just leave.”

  “I’m listening to you, Callie! Why you being like this?”

  “Just go!”

  “Fine. I’ll come back when you’re in a better mood. This is

  ridiculous!”

  “I don’t want you to come back.”

  “Callie, why are you trippin’ like this? Weren’t you the one that made

  me promise not to leave you! Now you kickin’ me to the curb?” “Yeah I remember when you made that promise, but too bad you

  couldn’t keep it.”

  “I’m here, Callie!”

  “No, you’re not! You’re everywhere else but here! You know what

  just do us both a favor and leave!”

  “Forget you then, skank! I don’t need you or your drama!”

  Jim stormed out of the apartment, but not before taking his liquor

  with him.

  “Now look what you’ve done.”

  The voice was back. The joints and the liquor had not been enough.

  What was it going to take to get rid of that voice?

  “You need help.”

  “I got this. I don’t need you”, Jim responded angrily.

  “You’ve lost so much. How much more are you willing to lose?”

  “I didn’t lose nothin’ but problems. And I’m sick of you bothering

  me. It’s time I got rid of you once and for all.”

  The whiskey and the marijuana were not enough, but Jim knew something that was strong, real strong. So strong it could take him to another world; far, far away from that voice.

  Seventy-One