1. It was the 1980s. Amongthe many eventsandtrendsof thisdecade,the musicgenre,Hip-Hop,
was initsinfancy butmakinggreat waves. A fatal monsterwe know as AIDSplaguedthe worldandthere
was noway to stopit. The “JustSay NO to Drugs” Campaignwas alsoinfull swing. The UK and the US
movedclosertolaissez-faire economicpolicieswhichbeganadrifttowardsneoliberalism.Meanwhile,
the defeatof the SovietUnion made rightwingeconomicpolicymore popular.
In the valve of the vast city,an apartmentbuildingwasbeingplague byanotherformof
pollution,loudmusic. The musiccontinuedtoblare fromNevinNereid’sapartment.Itwasplayingso
loudthat itmade the wallstremble tothe otherapartments.Hisnext-doorneighborbangedonhis
door.
“Are you ok,in there,”she asked?
No answer.
So,she decidedtogoback intoher apartmentandwrite hima note aboutthe loudnoise.She
slidthe note underhisdoorand wentback intoherapartment.She hopedthatNevinwould
acknowledge the note butlessthananhourlater,the musiccontinuedtoplayextremelyloud.When
she came out,she saw that she wasnot the onlyone whohad thisproblem.The neighborswasgetting
veryannoyedatNevin.Theywere upsetand puzzledaboutthe disturbance aswell.
“Hey,”one neighborcriedout,“Turn that down!!People havetogoto work the morning.”
However,the cryfell ondeaf ears.People complainedandbangedonhisdoorforcefully.Noone
came outof Nevin’sapartment.
One neighborputhisearto door to make out anyother activitybesidesthe blaringmusic.
“I don’thear anythingelse butthe music…anditsoundslike the same…thesame songisplaying
overand overagain.”
“That’s crazy.”
“Maybe he’sasleep.”
Tensionwas risingtothe pointpeople wantedtobreakdownhisdoor.However,thiswas
unusual behaviorforNevin.NevinNereidwasaquietmanand alwaystohimself.Whydidhe have his
musicblastingsoloudly?
“No.Something’swrong,”the next-doorneighborconcluded,“Ilivednextdoortothisperson
for a longtime andhe has alwaysbeenquietasachurch mouse.Forhim, to playhismusicso loud,is
veryodd.”
Anotherneighborbecame fedupwiththe situation,she decide togethelp.
“I’m goingtoget security,”one neighborsaidandoff she wentdownstairstothe lobby,“Thisis
ridiculous.”
Anotherneighborreplied,“Forgetsecurity.I’mcallingthe police.”
Minuteslater,securityandthe police finallycame upstairstothe 26th
floor.Everyone swarmed
aroundthemlike bunchof angry hornets.
“Ok, people,”anofficersaid,allayingthe noise of the angrytenantsandguests,“Everyone step
aside.”
He bangedonNevin’sdoor,“Sir,thisthe police.We needtohave aword withyou.”
“It’snot goingto do youany good,”a tenantsaid,“He won’tanswerhisdoor.”
The officerbangedonthe door,“Sir, thisthe police.Ineedforyouto loweryourmusicdown.
Otherwise,you willbe arrestedfordisturbingthe peace.”
He turnedto hispartnerand motionedthattheymayhave to breakdownthe door.With a few
swiftkicks,the dooropenedwidely.SimonandGarfunkel’s,“IAma Rock”, roaredout of the apartment
2. and intothe hallway;he hadthe cassette playeronstereo.Police andsecurityrushedintothe
apartment, readyforthe unexpected,whichintheirline of work…the expected.Whentheycame in,the
apartmentwasneat andclean.The police still hadtheirpistolsready,whileguardingthe securityguard
withwasnot aboutand didnot wore a bullet-proof vest.Everythingseemedtobe inorder,until they
reachedthe bedroom.The bedroomwasintotal disarray.Lamps were onthe floor;pictureswere
litteredall overthe floor;the liquorcabinetransacked…andsomeone underthe covers.The police and
the securityguardact verycautiously.Whatif the personunderthe coverpoppedupoutof the bed,
shootingroundsatthem?Theywere not takinganychances.One officerpokedatthe figure underthe
cover.The officerpokedagain…andagain…andagain.Nomovement.So, the securityguardpulledthe
coveroff slowlyfromthe footof the bed.Meanwhile,the officerswere readytofire butitwouldn’tbe
necessary.ItwasNevinNereid,unconsciousinthe bed,huggingone of hisbottlesof alcohol witha
picture of St. Jude,andlookingdiscolored.Whenthe bodywasrevealed,law enforcementslowlyput
downthe weapon,withthe lookof shockand horror ontheirfaces.The police andthe securityguard
were takenabackfor thissight.It hadgottento the pointthat theyhad to call for back-up.
3. “LIFE”
We are familiar with thegameof life.
As theplayersin thisgameare not placed
in teamsbut by scenariosor story-lines.
Like any othergame,thereare
rules and regulations,which based on
the fundamentalsof religion and life itself.
These rules and regulationsarenot
set in black and whitebut in endless
tints and shadesof differenthues.
If one of thoseare broken,theconsequences
can either be minoror major.With those
consequences,theplayer(s) mustfacetheir
situationshead on and apply a lesson.If they
choseto takethe easy way out,the consequences
will be doomto repeat.There are no winners.
There are no losers. However,theonly
way outof thegameis by death unless
it is through word of mouth which the
playerbecomesa legend.
6. “Hello,”Zorareplied,whenshe answeredthe phone.
“Hey,sweetheart,”repliedAjay.
He seemeddisturbedaboutsomething.
“Hey!How are you,”Zora asked.
“Um…Great”, Ajayrepliedhesitantly,“Great.Look…we needtotalk.”
“W…what’swrong?Why do yousoundsso serious?”
“That is because itisserious.”
Zora’sheart beganto race.
Ajaystarted,“I justwantyou to know that I love youandyou meanthe worldto me-----”
“Jay,just…justtell what’sgoingon,”she demanded!
“Ok…”
There wasa brief pause.
“…Jay!!!!?????”
Ajaytolda deepbreathand said, “I’mgettingmarried.”
“What,” Zora exclaimed,“Whatdidyousay,Jay!!???You…you’re gettingmarried???...To
whom??...DoI knowher???...Whatdoyoumeanyou’re gettingmarried!!!????”
“Zora, please,calmdown,mylove.Letme explain.”
“Calmdown!!!!????...CALMDOWN!!!!????...You’re breakingupwithme.You’re tellingme that
you’re marryingsome chickbehindmybackyetyou wantme tocalm down.I don’tneedanexplanation
for that!You’ve beenhavingsex withherbehindmybackhaven’tyou?Haven’t you!!??”
“No!No, mysweet.Please,listentome.Ilove you…”
“No.No. You’re a liar.You NEVERlovedme.Ineverwantto see or hearfrom you,again!”
She hungup the phone and threw itacross the room. Zora wasfurious.She grabbedherhair
and screamedtothe top of herlungs.Thenshe wailedloudlyfallingtoherknees.Herfuryturnedinto
heartbreakasthe tearsbeganto fall fromherface.Zora laidon the floorina fetal position;herface was
saturatedwithhertears.She sobbed…andsobbed…andsobbeduntilherheadandherchesthurt. Zora
feltasif she wasnear deathfora brokenheart.The physical painweavedintoheremotional painshe
feltfromthe love of herlife.
AjayDesai and Zora Grant metat Holy Chalice CatholicCollege;one of the few four-year
collegesinthe citythatcenteredonthe teachingsof theology.The collegehadverystrictguildlines,
besidesmaintainingadecentgrade pointaverage andconductingthemselvesasdignifiedladiesand
gentlemen.One of theirruleswas inorderfora studentto enroll inthe college,the studentmustcome
froma CatholicorChristianfamily.The secondrule wasthe studentmustcome froma familywitha
motherand father;blendedfamiliesandsingle-parentfamilieswere acceptedif the husbandandwife
was of Catholicor Christianfaithandmarriedina church. Third,if a youngwomanbecame pregnant,
duringherderationat HolyChalice CatholicCollege,she mustbe eitherengagedormarried.Otherwise,
theymustleave the college.
They metat a mixer,whenZorawasa freshmanandAjaywas a sophomore.Afterthe event,
theyexchange numbers.Sincethen,theywerelikeanyotherquintessentialcouple;talkingonthe
phone…goingondates.Since theirmeeting,theirloveaffairbloomeduntil theybecame inseparable.
Theypledgedtheirlove toeachotherwithpassionate kissesandpassionate love-making.Now…ithas
come to an end.
7. Zora’smother,JanuaryGrant, didnot have a problemwithinterracial dating.Unfortunately,her
father,Jason Grant, he passedawayin a car accident,whenZorawasfouryears old.However,if he
were alive,Jasonwouldnotobjecttothe relationship,either.Since herhusband’sdeath,JanuaryGrant,
playedthe dual role of a workingmotherandfather.It wasdifficultforJanuarybutZora hada happy
childhood,none the less;all theyhadwaseach other.
Ajay’smotherandfather,NaijaandDarshan Desai,didnothave a problemwiththeirchildren
datingoutside theirrace andculture either.However,intheirculture,arrange marriagesamongsttheir
ownculture were essential.Ajay’sparentsalreadyhadapotential wife pickedoutforhim.The young
womanwas froma well-to-dofamilyfromthe UnitedKingdomwhowasfromthe same culture and
practice the same religion.Therefore,anyothergirl priortothe marriage were considerednothingbut
short-livedromances.
Ajayslowlyhungupthe phone.Withhishandoverhisface andbeganto weepto himself.His
heartache for endingthe relationshipwiththe love of hislife.He couldstill hearthe angerandbetrayal
inZora’s words,echoingrepeatedlyinhismind.
‘Zora,I’m sorry.I didn’twantto hurt you.I wantto be with you;Ilove you,’he thoughtto
himself.
He sat on the couch andweptfor a longtime until hisfatherfoundhiminthe livingroom.
“Ajay,”Darshan Desai calledout.
Ajayquicklywipedhisface beforehisfatherbecame suspicious.
“Yeah,daddy.”
“Are you okay?Why are you sittinginthe dark,”Darshan askedwithconcern?
“Uh…nothing,daddy. I’mjustthinking.”
“Ah.You are anticipatingonmeetingyourbride,GitanjaliRai,”DarshanDesai assumed,ashe
sat nextto Ajayandput hisarm around hisshoulder,“Donotworrying,myson,it will all workout.”
‘I don’tthinkso,daddy,’thoughtAjay,‘Ilove Zora.’
“You and Gitanjali will live inweddedbliss,justlike yourmotherandme.Withthatwedded
bliss,yourhome will be blesswithlotsof children.Youknow…yourmotherandIhave beenplanningthis
marriage,fora longtime.Ipray that youand Gitanjali will be ashappyasyour motherandme.”
That statementmade Ajayhanghisheadwithanxietyandsomewhatnauseous.If he onlyhad
the courage to tell hisfamilythathe hasno desire tomarryGitanjali Rai and that wantto marry outside
hisrace and religion.Whyshouldthatmatter?Love hasnobounds.It wasclear to see thatMr. Desai
was more excitedthanhisson;he actedas if hewas the one gettingmarriedtoGitanjali Rai.Ajaywish
he couldshare hisfather’shappinessandexcitementbutall he couldthinkaboutisthe womanhe truly
loved,Zora.
“I…I hope so too,daddy,”Ajayreplied,withlittle enthusiasm.
‘I wantto tell youso muchabout Zora,’Ajaythought,‘She’swonderful.She’smy realbride.’
“Um…daddy,”Ajaystarted, “Did youand mama getmarriedthe same way?I mean…wasthere
anotherwomanyoulovedbesidesmama.”
“Well,son,I did have my share of dating…andromance,”Darshanexplained,“butIknew my
bride waswaitingforme.Now,youhave a bride.Itis Gitanjali;she hasalreadybeenchosenforyou.”
Ajaytooka deepbreath.
8. “Was I scared to see mybride?Sure,”hisfathercontinued,“I prayed she wouldbe the woman
of mydreams.Beautiful.Intelligent.Strong.AndwhenIfinallymetyourmother,Iwashappy.I knew
rightthenand there,Iwouldgive all mylove toher.”
‘Wow,’Ajaythought,‘thatdoesnothelpme much.’
“Come,”Darshan said,givinghimapat on the back, “letusjointhe rest of the familyfor
dinner.”
“Yes,daddy.”
So,the fatherandson wentto have dinnerwiththe restof the family.NaijaDesai,Ajay’s
motherand Bhumi Desai,Ajay’ssister,waitedforAjayandDarshan.
“Hurry or the foodwill getcold,”NaijaDesai said.
The familysatat the table to have dinner.Itwaslike anyothernightat the dinnertable.They
ate andconverse abouttheirday.Then,the subjectof the bride wasbroughtto the table.
“Our son will be leavingthe nestsoontostart hisownfamily,”NaijaDesai said,“prettysoonit
will be Bhumi’sturn.Ithink youand Bhumi shouldstayclose tous.”
Ajaylookedatmother.
“It wouldbe nice forthe familytostaytogetherasoppose to livingfaraway,”Naijacontinued,
“How else will we spendtime withourgrandchildren?”
“Naija,”Darshaninterrupted,“Once theysay‘Ido’,we have no say of what theydowiththeir
lives.”
“I…I can’t believe mybabyisgettingmarriedwithinayear.Whenisthe engagementparty------“
“Um…may I be excuse,please,”Ajayasked?
“What’s wrong,dear,”hismotherasked?
“I…I’mnot feelingwell.Ineedtogo laydown.”
“You may go,Ajay,”Darshan granted.
Ajayleftthe table andwentto hisroom.
“May I have the restof Ajay’sdinner,”Bhumi asked.
“You may have itafter youfinishyourdinner,understand,”NaijaDesai insisted.
“Yes,mama.”
“What is wrongwiththat boy,”NaijaDesai wondered.
“Oh, he isjusta little nervousaboutmeetingGitanjali,”Darshanreplied.
“She’sa nice girl…comesfromarespectable family…well educated…Whatiswiththatboy?”
“That is very true but Naija,butthisisa boywhohas neverbeenmarriedbeforeanditisa
lifetimecommitment.”
“Yes,it is…,”Naijalaughedandreplied,“Rememberwhenwe firsttimewe met?”
The marriedcouple laughed.
“I don’tknowabout youbut I wasso nervous,”Naijarepliedstill giggling.
“I was nervoustoobutthenI saw you,I was nolongernervous.Youwere sobeautiful.
Everythingaboutyouwasso beautiful andithasneverchange,”he replied,ashe gentlytookhiswife’s
hand.
“Darshan,” Naijasaid, puttingherotherhandontop of hishand,“what a beautiful
sentiment…andsuchcrap.”
Darshan andNaijalaughed.
While the restof the familycontinuedwithdinner,Ajaylaidonhisbed,lookingatthe pictures
of himandZora. He came acrossone picture onlyof her; he gave it a longkiss.He staredat the picture
9. for a fewsecondsandslowlyglidedhisfingersagainstthe photographof herface asif he was actually
touchinghersilky,softskin.Ajaythenlaiditonthe bedand wentforhisWalkman and placedinhis
Style Council’scassettetape,inthe tape deck;he putit to theirsong,“You’re the BestThing”.He turned
off the lamp,leavinghisroomwithonlythe vertical lightsof the moonforhislighting.Asthe music
playedfromthe headphonestohisears,hismindbegantodriftto the memoriestheysharedinthe
past; the goodand the bad. Each memoryflowedlikearunningriver;the colorsof eachmemorywere
so vividandmovedinslowmotiontocapture eachmovement.Then,histearscame backto accompany
himin hisloneliness.
What a blow!Zora criedfor hourson end.The painwas toomuch to bare. The cryingand
sobbingwasso exhausting.Therefore,she didwhatanywomaninthispredicamentwoulddo…ate
anythinginsight.Zoraslowly pickedherself upfromthe floor.Then,she wentinthe kitchentograb
whateverjunkfoodshe couldfindinhersight.She wentintothe freezerandgrabbedthe pintof vanilla
ice cream; thenshe wentintothe refrigeratorandgrabbedthe leftoverstrawberryicingandcaramel
syrup;she put the combinationtogetherandate it straightfromthe carton. However,she wasnot
satisfied;the painwasstill there.ZoraGrant thenputon her sneakers,rusheddownstairstothe corner
store,and purchasedaPhillycheese steaksandwich.Then,she wenttothe liquorstore togetwhatever
alcohol she couldgetfor $10. Whenshe was satisfied,Zorathenreturnedtoherapartmentwithher
meal.She sat backon the floorwithherlegscrossedand devouredhersandwich andalcohol.She was
nowutterlyintoxicatedbutshe didnotcare, as longas itnumb the painof her brokenheart.The
intoxicationtookoverherbodytothe pointthat she fell tothe floor.Herheadwas continuously
spinning.Subconsciouslyshe knewshe wasina downwardspiral.Thiswasnota good time tobe alone.
She neededfriendsaroundher.Friendsthatcouldhelpherduringthistime of crisis.She crawledtoher
phone andcalledFabiolaCastillo;Zoraprayedthatshe wouldpickup the phone.Unfortunately,Zora
got Fabiola’sansweringmachine.
“Damn it,Fab,” Zora cried,“Pickup the phone!Ineedyou!”
Hung up the phone.Whoelse couldshe call?Thenshe decidedtocall Jabari Mulberry.The
phone rang;she prayedthathe wouldbe home.
“Hello,”Jabari answered.
“Hello,”Zorasobbed,openly.
“Zora…whathappened?What’sthe matter?”
“He leftme,Jabari!Jayleftme foranotherwoman!”
“What? Jay leftyouforanotherwoman?”
“Yeah,”Zora criedopenly.
“What the...ok,ok,ok.Relax…please.Zora…Zora…I needyoutocalmdown.”
Zora stoppedsobbingforaminute tocompose herself.
Jabari started,“Ok.Now…tell me whathappened?”
Zora grabbeda Kleenexandblew hernose.She begantoexplaintoJabari the phone
conversationbetweenherandAjay.
“Are you serious?Idon’tbelieve that!He justcame out and toldyouhe’sgettingmarriedto
someone else?That’sasorry move.He couldhave at leastbe a man andtoldyou to yourface.I’m so
sorry sweetheart.Are yougoingtobe ok?”
“No!!!!!That’swhyI’m callingyou!!!!!”
“Ok. Ok…Chill…whatyouneed!!!???”
10. “I…needforyouto come over,please.Ican’tbe here bymyself.”
Jabari signed,“Whatabout Fabiola?”
“I triedcallingherbuther.I guessFab isin the middle of aseriousprojectforschool.Youknow
she’sseriousaboutherfashioncareer.”
“What about MissJanuary.”
“She workinglate at the hospital,tonight.Please…please,come over.”
“Ok…justgive a minute.Ihave a few thingstotake care of and I’ll come byyourplace.Justhang
tightand don’tdo anythingstupid.Please.”
“Ok.” Zora replied,wipinghernose.
“You promise me?”
“…Yes…”
“Ok. I see youlater.”
Theyboth hungup.
Jabari Montague scrambledto gethisthoughtstogether.ZoraGrant was still onhismind.He
had to getto her sohe hadto act faston runninghiserrands.Jabari grabbedhisjacketandwentout the
door.
Meanwhile,Zoracontinuedtolayonthe floorbutthistime she weptsoftlytoherself.She
thoughtaboutall the timesshe sharedwithAjay.The memoryof the firsttime theymet…theirfirstkiss
and the passionate kissesthatfollowedsuite…andthe memoriesof theirlove-making…playedinher
headrepeatedly.Then…the final memory…theirbackup.Zorasobbedandsobbed.
‘I thoughtyouwouldlove me forever,’Zorathought,as the tears rolleddownherface,‘I
thoughtwe wouldbe togetherforever.’
Althoughshe wasstill heartbrokenbyAjayDesai,Zoraknew she will have some comfortinher
companybesidesanemptyliquorbottle;itwascomfortingtoknow that Jabari wouldbe there.
However,she waitedforalongtime forJabari.She beganto realize thatmaybe Jabari,one of herbest
friends,bailedoutonhertoo. Justwhenshe losthope,abouttwohourslater,someone rangthe
doorbell.ZoraGrantdrunkenlygotupto answerit.She staggeredto the doorin herdrunkenstupor.She
lookedthroughherpeephole andsawitwasJabari.
“What took yourass so long,man,”Zora scoldedJabari.
“Come on,Z.Z., openthe door.”
“I shouldn’tletyouinbut…Ineedyou,”she sobbed,strugglingtoopenthe door.
Zora finallyopenedthe door.Jabari couldnotbelieve hiseyes.She wasamess.Herhair was
disheveled,hereyeswerered,herface waswet,andshe reekedwithalcohol.
“Oh…damn,”Jabari saidsoftly.
JustwhenZora was aboutto cry again,he gave hera hugas she sobbedopenlyonhisshoulder.
“Ok. Z.Z.,I needforyouto pull yourself togetherforaminute,”Jabari advised.
Jabari didnot wanther creatinga scene inthe hallwaysohe escortedherback intoher
apartment.Jabari tookthe libertyof lockingthe doorbehindthem.Ashe escortedhisbroken-hearted
friendtothe sofa,he couldnotbelieve hiseyes.Zora’slivingroomfloorwaslitteredwithtrashbut
Jabari was able to sitZora downon the couch.
“Girl,you are a mess,”Jabari said,shakinghisheadinshame,“um…sithere whileIgetyoua
glassof water.”
As he headedtothe kitchen,Jabari askedher,“I’mgoingto go intothe kitchen,togetyou a
glassof water.Are yougoingto be okay fora few seconds?”
11. Zora noddedherhead.
Jabari took off hisleatherjacketandputit on the recliner,incase Zoravomitspontaneously.
Aftergettingthe water,Jabari satnextto hisfriend.He watchedherslowlydrinkthe glassof water;her
handquivered,asshe raisedherglasswitheverysip.
“Feel a little better,”he askedwithconcern?
“Yeah.”
“Z.Z…,” he started,shakinghishead,“I…I…can’tbelieve thisishappening.Again,Iamso
sorry…butit’snot the world.Itmay feel like itbutthe Lordwill guide youtoyour real soulmate.”
“…I guessyou’re right.”
Zora reallythoughthe wasfull of crap; her heartlongedforAjayDesai.However,deepdown
she knewhe wastellingthe truth.
“Did he try to call you back?”
“No…It’sclearthat he neverlovedme,”Zoraconcluded,as she a tear ran downherface,“That’s
whyhe’smarryinganotherwoman.”
Theytalked;she sobbed;he comfortedher.Thissequence wentonall night.Then,Zoraput her
headon hisshoulder;she became exhaustedfromcrying.He heldZoralike ababy inhisarms.
‘Wow…This…thisisreallynice…socomforting,’she thought,nestledinJabari’schest.‘He smells
so good.I couldstay inhisarms forever.’
She smiledtoherself;she feltsoatpeace,‘I couldlistentohisheartbeat…eventhe rhythmof
hisheartbeatissoothing…mmmmm,baby.Neverletme go.Letme stayin yourarms.’
Thenit dawnedonher,‘No…whatamI doing?Thisis mybestfriend,Jabari.Icannot get
vulnerable like this.’
Zora sprungout of his arms.
“What’s wrong,”Jabari asked?
Zora had to thinkof something,“Um…Ihave togo to the bathroom.”
She wentto the bathroomand closedthe door.She turnedonthe waterand splashedwateron
the face.She slowlyraisedherheadtolookat herself inthe mirror.
“Wow,” Zora saidto herself,”IDO look like amess.Most of all,I almostletmyself fall victimto
my ownvulnerability.”
Zora put herheaddownand saidto herself,“I ama mess.I am aboutto give myself toanother
man.Not justany man butmy bestfriend…I gotto get himout of here before Ido somethingstupid.”
She grabbedone of the towelstodryher face.Before goingbackintothe livingroom, Zoratook
a deepbreath,lookedatherself inthe mirrorone lasttime andwentbackinto the livingroom. Jabari
sat patiently.
“Is everythingok,”Jabari askedhisfriendwithconcern?
“…Yeah! Everythingiscool.”
“Are you sure?You lookedlike youwereonedge.”
“Oh…no…Ifine.Infact…I thinkI’ll be alrightforthe restof the night.”
Jabari sighed.He feltthathe neededtobe withherbut he had to take her word.
“Well…if youfeel thatway,fine.I’mstill goingtocheckonyou.”
“Ok. Thanksfor comingby,Jabari.I greatlyappreciate it.”
“Don’t sweatit.RememberwhatIsaid,you’ll be alright.It’sok tomournoverthe relationship
but don’tgetstuck in mourning.”
“I won’t.”
12. Jabari grabbedhisjacket.Zora walkedhimtothe door.
“I’ll call youas soon as I gethome.”
“Ok. Again,thanksforcomingto see me.”
“No problem,”he parted,walking towardsthe elevator.
Afterlockingthe door,Zoraput her handsoverhermouthand pushher hairback. What a day!
First,herlong-time lovebreaksupwithherandthenshe getsvulnerable withherlongtime bestfriend.
She abruptlycleanedthe litteroff the livingroomfloor;there wasstill somealcohol inhersystemwhich
causedherhead tospinagain.Zora fell onthe couch. Aftera few minutes,she pickedherself uptotake
a hot shower.She letthe waterrainon herbody;she was inthe showerfor a verylongtime. Aftera
long,pulsatingshower,she finallywenttobed.All she wantedtodowas sleepthe entire eveningoff.
How bizarre!However,she eventuallywenttosleep.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mother SuperiorWakefieldwentintoherofficetostartthe daywithher morning
announcement.Unlike everyotherday,thisannouncementwouldbe different.MotherWakefield
turnedon herintercomwitha heavyheart.
“Good morning,everyone,”Mother SuperiorWakefieldbegan,“Thisisthe daythat the Lord has
made.Letus rejoice andbe glad init...”
She pausedto take a deepbreath.
Mother SuperiorWakefieldcontinued,“Itiswithgreat regretanda heavyheartto
announce…the passingof ourdearfriendandlovingbrother…Nevin LorimarNereid. NevinNereid
attendedourschool as a boyand has beena long-time memberof ourparish.He came back to our
parishto provide hisservicesbykeepingourbelovedchurchimmaculateonadailybasis.Now,the Lord
has calledhimhome where he willnolongersuffer.There willfurtherinformationof the time andplace
of the funeral.Until furthernotice,Iadvisedthatyouall keepNevin’sfriendsand familyinyourhearts.
May God love youall andhave a good day.”
There wasa mix of reactiontowardsthe news.Some gasped…some cried…otherstalkedamong
themselvesof theirdisbelief of the news.
“Oh, no,”SisterMary Hoyt saidto herself,“Poor,Nevin.”
Then,SisterMary Astordescendeddownintothe greathall,forhermorningcoffee andalmond
Danish.She noticedthatherfollowsister,SisterMaryHoyt,was distraughtaboutsomething.
“Sister,”beganSisterMary Astor,as she gentlytouchedSisterMaryHoyt’sshoulder.SisterMary
AstorabruptlyheldSisterMaryHoyt’s hand.
“Oh, sister,it’sterrible.Justterrible.”
“I know.It’sa great lostto everyone.Butyouhave tobelievethathe isrestinginthe bosomof
our Lord and he isno longer inpain.”
SisterMary Hoyt tooka deepbreathtocompose herself.
“SisterAstor,I…Idon’t understand,”she said,shakingherheadandtryingto understandthe
situation,“Whydidhe notcome to me for help?He alwayscame to me wheneverhe wasintrouble.”
“I don’tknowsister,”repliedSisterMaryAstor,“maybe hisdemonsoverpoweredhimtothe
pointthat he couldnot askfor helpfromanyone.The onlytwopeople whoknow the answertothat
questionisNevinandGod.”
That statementtookthe nunback to a memory,yearsago.Holy Chalice wasanelementary
school,at the time andSisterHoyt founda youngNevinsittingbyhimself.
13. “I guessso,sister,”SisterHoytstarted,as she lookedtowardsthe stage,“Infact,I can vividly
rememberone demonthatwastroublinghim.Isaw himsittingrightat that veryspotwithhislegs
crossed.He lookedlike he wasstaringintospace…”
“Nevin,”I asked,asI sat nextto him,“Why are you notoutsideplaying with the otherchildren?”
He turned,looked at me fora few seconds,and wentbackstaring into space.I knew something
wastroubling him butI didn’tknowwhat?Ijustwanted himto tell me whatwaswrong orat least talk
to me.
“Nevin,dear,you can getinto a lot of trouble fornotbeing presentatrecess,” I explained.
I received nothing buta blink fromhis eyes.That waswhen I said,“Very well, Mr.Nereid, maybe
the MotherSuperiorwill havebetterluck talking to you.”
So,I gotup and when I wasaboutto walkto Mother SuperiorWakefield’soffice, I heard,“Can I
askyou something?”
I turned to him and said,“Yes, Nevin.”
“Have you ever been afraid of doing something you loved wholeheartedly?”
I gavehim a puzzled look;I wasnotexpecting him to askme a question like that. So, I asked,
“What do you mean dear?”
I can tell hewasunsureto continuewith this query but Nevin wenton anyway.
“I…I like to sing,” he said softly.
“What did you say?”
“I like to sing,”Nevin said,looking at me straightin the eyes.
“Really?”
“Yes, sister.”
“You knowwehavea schoolchoir and anyoneiswelcome to join it.”
“Yeah…I know.But…”
“But what,Nevin?”
“My parentsmightnotallowme to join the choir.”
“W…why is that?”
He sucked his teeth with frustration.
Nevin said,“They thinkschool activities are a wasteof time and…and they thinkmy gradeswith
go down.”
“They? Whosethey,Nevin?”
“My parents.”
“That’sridiculous.Why would they thinksuch a thing?”
“I don’tknow.Butwhatdifferencedoesit make,my parents will neverlet me join the choir. You
know…every timethe choir performs…Iwant to bepart of it so bad.When I sing thesongsto myself…I
don’tknow…my eyesstartto water.”
With thatstatement,Sister Hoytpaused fora moment.Then,Sister Hoytasked him a simple
question.
“Nevin…howdoessinging make you feel?”
“…happy,”Nevin said witha smile, “Singing makesme happy…ButSister,if singing makesme
happy,why do Icry.”
I smiled at him atsaid,“You’re singing fromyourheart.Do whatmakesyou happy,my child.
Neverhide yourlight undera bushel.Let it shinefor thewhole world to see.”
14. “But whatabout----?”
“Don’tworry aboutyourmomand dad. Iwill talk to them.”
“It wasn’teasytalkingtotalk them.Afterthatfirstcall on the phone,theydidtheirbesttoavoid
me.Theywere like tobrickwalls;theywouldnotbudge foranything,especiallyfortheirchild’s
happiness,”SisterHoytexplained, shakingherhead, “Icalledpracticallyeveryday.Infact,Mr. and Mrs.
Nereidgotsoupsetwiththe constantcalls,theywere goingtoreportme to MotherSuperiorWakefield
on me…butthe Lord isgood.I happenedtocatch Mrs. Nereidsittinginthe office.”
“Mrs.Nereid, pleasehear me out,”I started.
“Sister,” Mrs.Nereid interrupted,getting up fromher seat,“with all due respect,you havebeen
a thorn in my side aboutNevin and this singing business.”
“But-----“
“This hasgonefar enough!I’mreporting you to yoursuperiorand THEN you’llbe sorry.”
“Ok,ok…Mrs.Nereid,I don’tmean to be a pest but…Icare foryourson’shappiness.Isee himon
the schoolgroundsand…andhe’sa loner.He has told me himself thatsinging makeshimhappy.Don’t
you wanthim to be happy?”
“…of course,I wanthimto be happy…buteducationisourstrictest rule-----”
“---And so it should bebutthere should also be somebalance.”
Mrs.Nereid said nothing;shejustlooked atme sternly.
“Here’s an idea,” I started, “If you and yourhusband allow Nevin to join the schoolchoir, I will
keep a close eye on his performancein schooland I will neverbotheryou again.”
With a stern look,Mrs.Nereid replied,”…I’ll will discussit with Nevin’sfather.”And shewalked
outof theoffice.
“Oh my,”SisterMary Astorsaid,“That wasa close call.”
“Indeed,Sister.However,Ikeptmywordto Nevin’sparents.He sanginthe choir andhis grades
were alwaysupto par.”
“Did hisparentsevercame to see himperform?”
“…no,” SisterHoytrepliedsadly,pattinghereye withatissue,“However…beingable tosing
made NevinhappyandTHAT made me happy.”
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Afterclass,Isaac wenttoa payphone to give hisgirlfriendacall;he thoughtit wouldbe a great
ideato have a spontaneousdinnerdate.Ashe dial hernumber,he prayedshe wouldanswerthe phone.
Most of all,Isaac prayedshe wouldbe available.
FabiolaCastilloand IsaacGonzalezhave beentogether,since theirsenioryear,inhighschool;
theyattendedthe same Co-edCatholicSchool.Astheyapproachedtheirhighschool graduation,Isaac
thoughthisgirlfriendwouldbe attendingHolyChalice CatholicCollegewithhimbutFabioladroppeda
bombshell…she notonlywasacceptedtothe prestigiousEllahueJ.WaltonCollegeof Designbutshe
wantedtoattend that school,insteadof HolyChalice CatholicCollege.She lovedIsaacbutshe also
wantedtopursue herdream,as a fashiondesigner.IsaacwasdisappointedbutatleastFabiola’scollege
was locatedwithinthe city.Aftergraduation,theyspentthe summertogether;theypromisedeach
otherthat no matterwhat happened,nothingwouldjeopardizetheirrelationship.Afterthe summer
15. came to an end,itwastime for the couple togo to theirrespective colleges.Fabiolahadbeenmore
occupiedinherstudiesthanIsaac; itwas nother fault.E.J.W.wasa prestigiousschool forthe artsand it
onlychose the bestof the best.
The phone rang.
“Come on,Fab,” Isaac said,as he waitedforan answer,“answerthe phone.”
“Hello,”Fabiolafinallyanswered.
“Hey,Fab. It’sIsaac,” Isaac saidhappily.
“Isaac. Baby,what’sup?”
“I want to take my fabulousFaboutto dinner.”
“Oooohhh.That’ssoundsgreat…butIcan’t tonight.”
“Why not?Don’t tell me it’sanotherproject.”
“No.It’s a test.”
“Oh…well Itell youwhat.We can have our romanticdinnerat yourdorm and I can helpyou
studyfor yourtest.”
“Ok, baby.My roommate isworkinglate tonightanyway.”
“Great. I will meetyouatyourdorm at 6pm.”
“Then,it isa date!I love you.”
“I love you,too,Fab.”
Theyhungup the phone.
Isaac was veryexcitedabouthisdate.Ithadbeenmonths,since theyhave spentqualitytime
together.Thatevening,Isaaccame bearingChinesetake-outandabouquetof multi-colorroses,
Fabiola’sfavorite.Isaaccarriedthe bouquetlike he wascarryinga rainbow of royal blues,fuchsias,
whites,reds,yellows,corals,pinks,andtwo-tones. Before,he couldreachhislady-love,Isaachadto
pass security,signinginthe visitorlogandshowinghisstate id.Afterthatgruelingprocess,he rushedto
catch the elevator;he caughtitjustin time.Whenthe elevatordooropenedtothe fourthfloor,Isaac
walkedtoFabiola’sdoor.Hisheartwasracing, witheachstep.Whenhe finallygottothe door,Isaac had
to positionthe foodandflowerssothathe can have a free hand.Meanwhile,Fabiolacanhearthe
tusslingof plasticcomingfromoutside herdoor.She lookedtosee whowasmakingthatnoise onthe
otherside of her door.
“Peek-a-boo,”Fabiolasaid,“Isee you.”
Fabiolaopenedthe door.
“Hey,Fab, baby.”
“Hola,mi amor.”
Theyembracedenoughwithapassionate kiss.
“Here’ssome flowers…andsomeChinese food…formybaby.”
“Aawww…baby.Youspoil me.”
“No baby.YOU spoil me.Baby,I missedyou.”
“I missedyoutoo.I wantto see youso badly,butthese professorswillnotletupwithall of the
assignments,”she replied,placingthe giftsonthe table.
“I knowbaby,same thingwithme,”Isaac Gonzalezempathized.
“NowI have to studyfor thisstupidtest,”she said,sadly,ploppinginthe beanbagchair.
“Hey,I am here for you.We will getthroughthis.But first,youneedsome foodinyourbelly.”
“Ok. I will make ourplates.”
16. Fabiolahaddifficultygettingupfromthe beanbagchair but herboyfriendpulledherupfrom
the beanbag chair.
“Thanks,mi amor.”
She tookthe foodto the kitchenandput togethertoplatesandtwoglassesof Pepsi. Fabiola
came fromthe kitchen,bringingthe twoplatesof foodandplacedthemonthe table.
“Baby,let’seathere on the floor,like it’sapicnic.I’ll getone of yourblankets;Iwant to be
closerto you.”
“Ok,” Fabiolasaidwithasmile.
Whenshe walkedbackintothe kitchen,athoughtoccurredto her,“Oh! The mix-tape.”
“Ok. I’ll getthattoo. You stayhere,”he insisted
Theyboth scrabbledtogettheirdinnerdate together.Isaacwentintoherroomto retrieve the
mix-tape andone of herblankets.He ranback intothe livingroom, place the mix-tape intothe tape
deck,and turnedupthe volume.Then,she wentbacktothe kitchentogetthe twoglassesof Pepsi.
Finally,she joinedIsaaconthe livingfloorfordinner.
Theytalked,ate, theyhada wonderful time together.
“Have youseenZ.Z.lately,”Fabiolaasked.
“Yeah.She’sbeenfeelingreallydepressed,confused,andbetrayed.Ireallythoughttheyhada
strongrelationship.Of course,IsawAjay.Igave hima piece of mymind…actuallyhalf of mymind.I
mean…dumpingyourgirlfriendoverthe phone…tellingheryou’re marryinganotherwoman.NoBueno.
Then,he toldme whyhe broke up withZ.Z.”
“We all knowthe reason…he ismarryinganotherwoman.”
“Yes.But you donot know why Ajayismarryinganotherwoman.”
“Oh, thisshouldbe good.Whatlie didhe tell you?”
“Ajaytoldme…thatin hisculture,arrange marriagesare tradition.”
“What?”
“Yeah.He is marryinganotherwomandue totradition.”
“Are you serious?”
“Yeah,Fab.”
“So he has beenmisleadingpoorZoraon,all thistime.”
“That is whatI askedhimbut Ajaysaidthat he sincerelylovesZora.”
“Loves?He still lovesZora?”
“Yeah.He feltsobad aboutthe situationthathe beganto cry. He feltthat he not onlyhurtZora
but he hurt all of us because we love Zoratoo.”
“I do not know,Fab.”
“He toldme…abouthisengagementparty,nextmonth.He saiditwasan openinvitationand
we’re all welcome.Itoldhim…Iwill thinkaboutit.”
Isaac Gonzalezwasbewilderedaboutthe news.Sohe putthe issue toaside andfocuson his
qualitytime withFabiola.He turnherhead,softlyandgentlycaressedherchin.
“Fab, let’sjustfocusonyou,”Isaac said,witha kiss,“Focuson us,” he saidwithanotherkiss,
“Focus ontonight.”
“You’re right, mi cielo. Iam sohappy youare here.”
Theyexchangedapassionate kiss.
“Are we done withdinner,”FabiolaaskedIsaac,seductively.
“Yes,I am,” Isaac askedseductively.
17. “Good…because we reallyneedtohitthese bookssoIcouldpassthis test,”she said,leapingoff
the blanket,andtakingthe twoplatesintothe kitchen.
Isaac was disappointed;he wantedtohelphisgirlfriendstudybuthe alsowantedtobe intimate
withhisgirlfriend,too.
She broughther bookand notebookoutfromherbedroomandsat on the floorwithIsaac.
Fabiolaopenedherbooksandproceededtostudyforherupcomingtest.
‘No,’he thought,‘Icannot dothis to Fabiola.She wantsme tohelpherstudy.I guessIam
gettingthatfortune cookie tonight.’
It startedout as a regularstudysession.He readto hereach sectionandthenquizzedherafter
each chapter.Itwas gettinglate andFabiolacouldnotstop yawning.
“Baby,let’scall it the night;I’mtired,”she said withheavyeyes.
“Ok, mi vida,”Isaac agreed.
“I’m goingtogo jumpin to shower.”
“Ok. While youdothat,I’ll cleanup.”
“Thanks,mi amor.”
So,Fabiolagot upto get readyfor hershower.Ashe watchedhisgirlfriendwalkoff intothe
bathroom,he could not helpwatchingherlusciousbodyswaytoandfro.
‘¡Que rico, mi Fabiola,’he thoughtwithahalf-smile!
Before she wentintothe bathroom, she blew IsaacGonzalezakiss.He pretendthatthe kiss
was flyinginthe air,caught“the kiss”,andate “the kiss”seductivelylikeapiece of fruit.Itmade her
blushandshe shylywentintothe bathroom.He proceededtocleanupthe livingroom, while Fabiola
preparedtocleanse herbody.Whenhe finished,he couldstill hearthe waterrunningfromthe shower.
Isaac was drawnto the soundof wateras if it wascallinghimto come…come…come…hecouldnotresist
the sound;Isaac was underitsspell.He walkedtotowardsthe bathroomdoor,lickinghislips.Isaacthen
slowlyopenedthe door.The bathroomwashot and steamy.He quietlyclosedthe doorbehindhimand
stoodin frontof the shower.Isaacslightlybithisbottomlipbecause he knewwhowasbehindthat
showercurtain.
‘I’mcomingfor you,mybeautiful goddess,’Isaacthought,‘Ineedtobe inside youtonight.
Maybe tonight…Icanplant my love inside you.’
He tookoff all of hisclothesuntil he wastotallynude.Isaacwalkedcloser…andcloser.Hisbody
displayoutlandishexcitement.He pulledthe curtainopenedtosee the fair-skinnedbeautyinhernaked
glory.Fabiolasuddenlyturnedaround;she wassoakandwet. The sudscoveredwithherbody.Their
eyeslockedontoeach other.Isaac slowlysteppedintothe bathtubwithFabiola.He gentlytouchedher
soft,full lips;she gentlycaressedhischeek.Theyengagedinasoftpeckof the lips…thenakiss….thena
passionate kiss…thentongue play.Theirhandsandarmsjoinedthe festivitieswiththe explorationof
theirbodies.Thentheyfall apartfromeachotherso Fabiolacouldgrabthe bar of soap to wash Isaac’s
body.Isaac stoodinthe showertoawaithiscleansingfromhislover.She lookedathimwithbedroom
eyes,ashe washedhisnakedbody,since the waterwasrainingonher body.Everyinchof hischiseled
formwas eventuallycoveredwithsoapysuds.FabiolaCastillothenplacedthe soapdownandwashher
lover’sbodywithherbare hands;itwas verysensual.She washedhisshoulders…hisbiceps…hisarms
and hands…hispecks…Fabiola’shandsexploredeveryinchof Isaac’sbody,fromisneckto histoes. She
tookspecial care of hismanhood.Fabiolawaslike the obedientservantwhotookpride incleansingand
pamperinghermaster,Isaac.The roleshad changed,whenIsaacwentunderthe showertorinse away
the soap off of hisbody.He shookhisheadto and fro to preventthe waterfromgoingintohisears,
18. while Fabiolaslowlyranherhandsupto hischest.He lookedather,as the water trickleddownhisface.
Isaac softlytouchedhercheek;histhumbranslowlydownonherupperlipto hermouth.Fabiol agently
tookhis handand gentlyputhisthumbinher mouthlike apacifier.She wantedtotaste him, feel his
skininher mouth…onhertongue.Isaacwatchedherpacifyherself withhisthumb,forawhile. Then,he
tookhis handawayfrom herface andgot the same soapshe use to cleanse him.He soapedher
shoulders…thenherleftarmandhand…thenherrightarm and hand…thenherback.Isaac thenwentto
Fabiola’sbreasts.He gave themspecial attention;Isaaclatheredeachbreast,one byone.He workedhis
wayslowlydowntoFabiola’slowerbody.She wasinecstasybyherlover’stouch.Sosoft.So gentle.
Isaac teasedher,as he pleasedher.He gotdownon hiskneesandslidhissoapy,latheredhandsupand
downbetweenherlegsuntilhe reachedFabiola’s gentle flower.Fabiolagentlyputherhandsontop of
Isaac’shead,as he continuedtocleanse her.She liftherheadandclosedhereyes.Fabiolagotlostin
ecstasythat wassharedbetweenherandherboyfriend.WhenIsaacwasdone,he gotup and placed her
underthe shower.He tookhistwo fingersandgentlymassagedherflower,ashe gazedat her;she
beganto moansoftly.Itgave her great pleasure.Then,he joinedherunderthe showersothatthe
remainingsoapandlatherran fromtheirbodies,down the drain.He reachedaroundFabiolatoturnoff
the shower.
He whispered,“Are youreadyforroundtwo?”
Fabiolanoddedherhead.
Isaac openedthe showercurtainandsteppedoutof the tub.He thenhelpedFabiolaoutof the
tub andretrievedtwotowels;theywere drippingwet.He driedFabiolafromherhairto hertoes.She
giggledfromthe ticklesof the towel againstherskin.
“Baby,” she said,“You’re ticklingme.Stop.”
“I’m tryingtodry you,sillygirl.”
Witha fewmore pats,Isaac wasdone dryingFabiola.Then,Fabiolatookhistowel anddried
Isaac. She driedeveryinchof hisbody.She driedhissoft,hairlesspecksandworkedherwaydowntohis
manhood.Isaacwas extremelyexcitedsoshe gave ita gentle akisson the head.Thenshe driedhislegs
and feet.She wassuchas tease.WhenFabiolarose fromherfeet,Isaacgave her anotherpassionate
kiss.He thentook herby the handand ledherintoher bedroom.Itwasdark but theironlylightingwas
the campus lights.She turneddownthe sheets.She gotintothe bedand Isaac joinedher.He laidhalf-
wayon top of her slowly…softlymassagingandcaressingherbreasts.Isaactookthe nipple of Fabiola’s
leftbreasttohis mouthandsensuallyputinhismouth.Ashe nursedhimself withhisgirlfriend’snipple,
he gentlymessagedherrightbreast.The sensitive sensationof histongue againsthernipplemade her
give a softsigh.Isaac’stongue playedwithhernipple overandoveragain.Hishand slowlypassedher
stomachto the soft,silkypetalsof herflower.He playfullycaressedherflowerwhichmake herbody
quiverwithdelight.Withherarmoverher head,Fabiolalaidlike ahelplessdamsel asherlover
pleasuredhercovetousbody;she enjoyedthe sensationsomuchthat she archedherback up so he
couldgo…deeper.She wassowarm…andso wet.He pulledouthisfingers;theydrippedandshined
fromher nectar.
“You’re so wet,”Isaac said,witha smile.
Fabiolaturnedherheadto the side a blushedfromembarrassment.Inspite of her
embarrassment,he turnedherheadtowardshisandkissedherwithtongue play.She couldnotresist
hispassionate kisses…hissweetcaress…hissensual words…herheadfeltsocloudyfromthe love-making
and the love she feltforIsaacGonzalez.
He thenaskedhisgirlfriend,“CanI…”
19. “…yes,please.”
He thenmovedbetweenherlegs.Isaacpulledherthighsontopof hisandplacedhismanhood
withinherflower.Fabiolaletoutagasp.
“You’re so warm andtight, mi amor.”
“…fill me upbaby…”
As theymade love,theybegantheirduetof passionandlove-making,composedof sighs,
moans,groans,and pillowtalk.Itwasgettingsointense thattheyheldeachothertighter,asthe thrust
became faster.All of a sudden,he stoppedtoturnhislover onherstomach. Isaac placedhismanhood
frombehind;Fabiolaletoutasigh.Theirduetcontinuedwitheverythrust.He grabbedherbyherwaist
and thrustdeeperanddeeperinside her.The sensationsentshockwavesthroughouttheirbodies. Her
hair spilledonhershoulders,herbreastsbounced,herthick,juicythighsandbottomrippledwitheach
motion.Isaacsmackedherlusciousbottom, whenFabiolacriedoutwithpleasure.Astheirduetof
passionate love-makingcontinuedtoclimbtoitsclimax…sodid Isaac andFabiola.Andthen…theyboth
letout a cry, whenhe releasedhisloveandasshe felt his love.Itwassheereuphoriabetweenthe two
lovers.Theywere one.Theywantedthe momenttolastbut herbodyclaspedonthe bedwhile he
continuedtoplantkissesonhersoft,bare back. He gave Fabiolaasoft smackon herbottomand fell
nextto heron the bed.FabiolacrawledclosertowardsIsaac’schestandstomach;she placedherarm
and legonhis body.Isaacwrappedhisarm aroundher. Theysoonfell intotheirslumberwhichlead
themintothe morninglight.
The nextmorning,Fabiolawoke upfromherslumberbutIsaacwas not lyingnexttoher.Inhis
place was a single rose fromherbouquetanda note.She sat upand openedthe note.Itread…
Mi amor,
Perdóname for leaving so soon. I had to hurry home and change so that I
could make it to class on time. As always, I had a great time with you. The love-
making was just extra. Anyway, good luck on your test and
I’ll see you later.
Te amo,
Isaac
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
“Z.Z.…Z.Z.…ZORA!!!”
Zora leapedoutof herseat.Zora andher bestfriend,Fabiolawere havinglunchatthe local
neighborhoodbar,Newkirk’s.
“What,” Zora asked?
“Where were you?”
“I’m sittinginfrontof you,silly.Where elsewouldIbe?”
“You’re here but yourmindisa millionmilesaway,”saidFabiola,slippingherRootBeerfloat
froma bendingstraw,“Are youstill thinkingaboutAjay?”
“I’m alwaysthinkingabouthimbut…someoneelseisonmymine.”
“OOOHHH!!!Is he cute?”
“…yeah…”
20. “Do I knowhim?”
“Verywell.”
Fabiolawasgettingexcited.
“Ok. Ok.Ok.Is it…Nacho?”
“No.”
“Walter?”
“No.”
“Oh, I know!It’sLiam!He’ssexy, nena.Germanguysare not my thingbuthe couldbe an
exception…if Iwasn’twithIsaac.”
“No!!!!”
“Well,whoisit?”
“It’s…Jabari.”
“Jabari.”
“Yes.”
“Jabari Montague.”
“Yes.”
“Our Jabari Montague.”
“Yes.”
“OOOOOHHHH!!!!NENA!!!!!”
“SShhhh.Girl,keepyourvoice down.Idon’twantpeople toknow mybusiness.”
“Por favor,Z.Z.No one cares…but…whyJabari?”
“I don’tknow.I guess…it’sthe factthathe wasright there,whenAjaybroke upwithme.Iwas a
total messthat nightbut he stay withme.Jabari wasso attentive.He came tothe apartmentandsat
withme and console me…he heldme inhisarmsand…”
“…and…”
“…it feltsonice.It feltnice beingheldbyaman,whocares aboutme.”
“Did he kissyou?”
“No.”
“Did he try to kissyou?”
“No.He’s notlike that.”
“Z.Z.,that’s vulnerabilitytalking.Youjustbroke upwiththe love of yourlife.Youare leftwithall
thislove andaffectionthatyoushoweredonAjay.Now,Jabari comesintothe picture andyoutransfer
those feelingsyouhadforAjayto Jabari.You cannotallow yourfeelingstogetthe bestof you.
Otherwise,youandJabari will gethurt.”
“Ah,but I caught myself beforeitwenttoofar.”
“How?”
“I pretendIhad to go to the bathroomand thenI kickedhimout.”
“Zora…”
“I wasn’tmean.He askedif I wasokayfor the rest of the nightandI said“yes.”
“Oh ok.”
“Thenwhyam I still thinkingaboutJabari?”
“You have to ask yourself,“DoyouwantJabari as your boyfriend?”“Doyousee Jabari as your
boyfriend?”Mostof all,“Doeshe see youas more than justa friend?””
“I reallyhave tothinkaboutthat.”
21. “You do! Otherwise,the resultsare goingtobe onesyouneverwanted.Sowhataboutschool?”
“What about school?”
“You knowthat youcannot attendHolyChalice asa single parent. Youhave togetmarried.
Maybe youcan get um…yourhomeboytopose asyour husband.”
“Are you crazy????”
“It was suggestion.¡Tranquila!”
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
