| Nov 7, 2005 |
| 11/7/05, 6:30 PM, 6,448 Words |
It was a long four months for MaClandon. He almost wished that he hadn’t told his father that he liked Dianne. MaClandon did everything that he could to be near Dianne without causing too much of a scene. He wrote in his journal every time that he talked to Dianne. Most of Mac’s journal entries were filled with descriptions of Dianne’s clothing and the smell of her perfume. All in all, everything was positive. There were three weeks when Mac didn’t speak to Dianne.
Bishop Adkins had just given the benediction to the Wednesday night service. Mac made his way over to his aunt. When he arrived to where his aunt was sitting, Dianne was not there. Mac hugged his aunt and asked, “Where’s Dianne?” Dr. Adkins-Garnett responded, “She left after the offering. She said that she had to get home early.” Mac was dejected. He would have to wait until Sunday to talk to Dianne.
On the following Sunday after the benediction, Mac headed to his aunt. She was talking to Mother Andrew when he reached her. Mac waited until his aunt finished and then walked over to his aunt. He hugged her and escorted her back over to where she had been sitting. Dianne was waiting on her. Dianne said hi to Mac. He ignored her. Dianne didn’t pay any attention to her. Dr. Adkins-Garnett told Mac and Dianne that she would be right back and went to talk to a few other people. Mac sat down beside Dianne as if he were waiting for his aunt. Dianne smiled at him and said, “Why didn’t you speak to me?” Mac ignored her again. Dianne frowned, “Ok, what is wrong with you?” Mac looked at her, “Nothing. It ain’t like you care anyway.” Dianne made a face, “What are you talking about?” Mac looked straight ahead, “Nothing. Forget it.” A man walked up to Dianne. He said, “Can I talk to you for a second?” Dianne said, “Okay.” The man walked a few steps away from Dianne. Dianne followed him. Mac looked at the two of them and then went back to staring straight ahead.
The man said to Dianne, “I am Bro. Sheard. Someone told me that you are the secretary for Bishop’s sister.” Dianne smiled, “Yes, I am. What can I do for you?” Bro. Sheard said, “I need to get some information about her ministry. I would like to get my daughters enrolled.” Dianne smiled and began talking about the ministry. Mac looked at Dianne and the man. Dianne seemed to be talking and smiling at the man a lot. Mac began to get jealous. He turned and looked straight ahead again. Dianne said, “I can give you the information for the ministry and you can bring your daughters by.” Mac looked at Dianne and the man again. Dianne was writing something on a piece of paper. Mac didn’t like the looks of that. He got upset. Dianne shook Bro. Sheard’s hand and said, “Nice to meet you Bro. Sheard. Hope to hear from you soon.” Mac could not believe his ears. Dianne was flirting with another man right in front of him. He got so upset that he turned red.
Dianne walked back over to Mac. She sat down and said, “Where is your aunt?” Mac didn’t say anything to her. Dianne sighed, “Are you still not talking to me?” Mac turned and glared at Dianne. Dianne looked startled, “What is wrong with you?” Mac didn’t answer. Dr. Adkins-Garnett walked over to the two of them. She looked at Mac. She looked mad and his face was red. Dr. Adkins-Garnett looked at Dianne. Dianne looked confused. Dr. Adkins-Garnett said to them, “Come on, ya’ll let’s go.” Dianne and Mac stood up and walked with Dr. Adkins-Garnett to her office at the church.
They reached Dr. Adkins-Garnett’s office. Dr. Adkins-Garnett looked at Mac, “Boy what is wrong with your face?” Mac said, “Nothing.” Dr. Adkins-Garnett rolled her eyes, “Whatever. Dianne, can you find the schedule for the ordination classes?” Dianne nodded and walked over to Dr. Adkins-Garnett’s desk and began looking for what Dr. Adkins-Garnett had asked for. Dr. Adkins-Garnett said, “I will be right back.” She walked out of the door. Dianne looked up from the desk. Mac was glaring at her. She said, “Why are you looking at me like that?” Mac said, “Why were you flirting with that guy in front of me?” Dianne frowned, “What?” Mac uncaringly said, “You know what I am talking about. That guy who gave your number to.” Dianne had to stop herself from laughing. Mac was acting jealous. She could not believe it. She looked him up and down. He looked nice in his dark blue suit, with gray shirt, tie, and shoes. When Dianne didn’t answer him, Mac said, “Why did you give him your number?” Dianne blew a breath, “You are tripping.” Mac walked close to Dianne and said, “Are you going to tell me why you gave him your number or not?” Dianne stood up and extended herself to her full height, “I am not telling you anything. Whatever happened between Bro. Sheard and I is none of your business.” Mac got mad, “I can’t stand you.” Dianne got upset, “What did you just say to me?” Mac said, “I can’t stand you.” Dianne resisted the urge to curse him out. She didn’t want to have to repent for cursing in church. Dianne moved away from Mac and said, “Look, you little young behind joker, as if it were your business anyway, the man asked about By Example. And I wrote down the contact information for the ministry. You need to make you that you remember, we are not in a relationship and if I choose to give my number to anyone it is none of your business. You need to take your young behind home before you get it hurt. You have lost your mind talking to me like that.” Mac got mad because Dianne called him young. He said, “Forget you.” Dianne walked up to Mac’s face, “Little boy, you are going to get hurt.” Mac stared her down, “I ain’t no little boy. You need to watch who you are calling names.” Dianne could not believe how defiant Mac was acting. He had never acted like that before. Dianne stepped back, “I am going to leave before I do or say something wrong.” Mac glared at her and said, “Whatever. I don’t care. I still ain’t no little boy and don’t call me that again!” Dianne grabbed her stuff and walked out of the room.
Dr. Adkins-Garnett walked back into her office. Mac was in there alone. Dr. Adkins-Garnett looked at Mac, “Where is Dianne?” Mac said, “I don’t know where she is and I really do not care!” Dr. Adkins-Garnett looked at her nephew, “You need to watch your tone with me.” Mac stood up, “Whatever.” He started to walk out of the room. Dr. Adkins-Garnett stopped him, “Boy, have you lost your mind. Who do you think you are talking to?” Mac ignored his aunt. Dr. Adkins-Garnett put her hands on her face, “Bye MaClandon.” Mac left his aunt’s office. He knew his aunt was mad at him because she called him MaClandon. The only time she called him that was when she was mad at him.
Dianne tried to talk to Mac at the next few services, but he ignored her. Dianne could not figure out what was going on with him. After awhile, she stopped trying to talk to him. Dr. Adkins-Garnett noticed that Mac was acting funny towards Dianne. Dr. Adkins-Garnett could not figure out what was going on. She knew that eventually, Mac wouldn’t be mad at Dianne anymore.
Dianne walked into Dr. Adkins-Garnett’s office. Dianne asked, “Can I talk to you for a second?” Dr. Adkins-Garnett looked at Dianne, “Yea. Do we need to close the door?” Dianne walked over to the door and closed it. She sat down in a chair. Dr. Adkins-Garnett said, “What’s going on?” Dianne sighed, “I cannot believe I am even entertaining this, but MaClandon has spoken to me for like two weeks. I can’t believe he is still mad at me. Do you know how long he is going to stay mad at me?” Dr. Adkins-Garnett smiled, “I can’t believe it either. It all depends on what happened. What happened?” Dianne sighed again and told Dr. Adkins-Garnett what happened. Dr. Adkins-Garnett’s mouth dropped open a couple of times. Dr. Adkins-Garnett’s expressions went from startled to surprised to concerned. When Dianne finished Dr. Adkins-Garnett said, “Oh my goodness. He really acted like that?” Dianne responded, “Yes Mame.” Dr. Adkins-Garnett thought for a moment and then she said, “Did you try apologizing to him?” Before Dianne realized what happened, she had gotten upset and raises her voice, “Apologize to him! You joking right. There is no way that I am apologizing to him! He needs to apologize to me!” Dr. Adkins-Garnett looked at Dianne, “Calm down. I just asked a question.” Dianne calmed down, “Sorry.” Dr. Adkins-Garnett said, “All I can tell you is to just wait on him to decide he wants to talk to you. He has a habit of holding grudges. That’s just how he is. I would suggest just keep speaking to him and don’t let his actions bother you.” Dianne looked at Dr. Adkins-Garnett, “If you say so.” Dianne stood up and walked out of Dr. Adkins-Garnett’s office. Dr. Adkins-Garnett hadn’t helped her at all.
Dr. Adkins-Garnett and her husband Kevon were eating dinner. Kevon had to keep repeating things to his wife. He could tell that she had something on her mind. Finally he said, “Denise! What is on your mind?” Dr. Adkins-Garnett looked at her husband, “Why are you talking to me like that?” Kevon responded, “I am sitting here trying to talk to you and you are ignoring me. What is on your mind?” Dr. Adkins-Garnett said, “Your silly nephew.” Kevon said, “Which one?” Dr. Adkins-Garnett responded, “MaClandon.” Kevon said, “What is wrong with him?” Dr. Adkins-Garnett told her husband what Dianne had told her and how Mac had been acting towards Dianne. Kevon laughed after his wife finished her story. Dr. Adkins-Garnett got upset, “What are you laughing at?” Kevon said, “YOUR nephew. That boy is sprung. If she were to give that boy some, he would probably lose his mind.” Dr. Adkins-Garnett looked stunned, “I cannot believe you just said that.” Kevon covered his mouth a she laughed. He said, “You know I am telling the truth. Besides, Dianne was right. It isn’t any of Mac’s business who Dianne gives her number to. They aren’t in a relationship.” Dr. Adkins-Garnett knew her husband was right. Kevon wanted to make his wife feel better so he said, “I will talk to the boy.”
Kevon drove over to Mac’s house. He knocked on the door. Donnyea opened the door. She said, “Hello, Eld. Garnett. Come in.” Eld. Garnett said, “Hello.” He said hello to the other people who were in the living room and then he asked, “Where is Mac?” Everyone pointed towards Mac’s room. Eld. Garnett said, “Thanks,” as he headed up the stairs.
Mac heard a knock on the door. He got up from his computer and walked over to the door. He opened. His uncle was standing at the door. Mac invited his uncle in. His uncle sat down in the chair that was at the computer desk. Mac sat down on his bed, “What’s up Unc?”
“Your aunt is worried about you.”
“Why?”
“She says that you have been acted crazy towards Dianne.”
Mac’s demeanor changed, “Why she worried about how I treat that girl?”
“You got me. I just told her I would talk to you about it. What’s going on between you and Dianne?”
“Ain’t nothing going on between us. She made that painfully clear.”
Eld. Garnett acted as if he didn’t know what had happened, “What are you talking about?” Mac told his uncle what happened. When Mac finished, Eld. Garnett said, “You shouldn’t have asked her anything about what happened with Bro. Sheard. It was not any of your business.”
“She didn’t have to call me young and a little boy.”
“Apparently, that’s what you were acting like.”
“I can’t believe you are taking her side!”
“Mac, I am not taking her side. I am just telling you what is right. You and Dianne are only FRIENDS. And I ain’t even sure that you all are friends. You just speak to her when she is at church. Are you upset that she supposedly GAVE another man her number or that she hadn’t given you’re her number?”
Mac got quiet, “You still taking her side.”
“No, I’m not. Answer my question.”
“She ain’t ever gotta give me her number. I do not want it anyway.”
“Yea, right. Why don’t you just tell her how you feel, instead of acting like a little boy and ignoring her?”
“Yea, whatever Unc. Anything else?”
Eld. Garnett looked at his nephew, “Naw. I’ll talk to you later. Bye.” Eld. Garnett left Mac’s room and his nephew’s house.
A week after Mac had talked to his uncle; he went up to By Example Ministries. The only person in the lobby was Dianne. After he walked in the door, he walked over to Dianne and said frostily, “Can I talk to you?” Dianne looked apprehensive, “Uhh, yea.” Mac walked towards the exit door. Dianne didn’t move. Mac stopped walking and turned around, “can you come with me, please?” Dianne stood up and walked towards Mac. Mac started walking when Dianne got close to him. They walked outside and to the back of the building. Mac sat down on the bench. Dianne sat down beside of him. Mac looked Dianne up and down. She looked good in her spring dress. It was light pink with dark pink flowers on it. She had on pink sling back heels that matched the color of the dark pink flowers. Dianne felt good that Mac was checking her out, but she wasn’t going to let him know that. She said, “I thought you wanted to talk to me. You didn’t say anything about looking at me.” Mac sighed, “Yea. I’m mad at you.”
“That’s painfully obvious. You refuse to speak to me, even after I speak to you.”
“You called me a little boy.”
“You were acting like one.”
“I know. I was upset because I thought you were giving old boy your number and you hadn’t given me your number.”
“You never asked me for my number.”
“You wouldn’t have given it to me anyway.”
“How do you know? You didn’t ask.”
“Ok, you still didn’t have to call me a little boy.”
“You shouldn’t have been acting like one.”
“Ok, I shouldn’t have been. You still hurt my feelings.”
“Ok.”
“You aren’t going to apologize, are you?”
“No.”
“Why not?”
Dianne made a face, “I do not owe you an apology.”
“You still could give me one anyway.”
“Are you going to apologize to me?”
“For what?”
“For calling me a liar, talking crazy to me, and for being rude to me for the last three weeks.”
“You sure are specific.”
“Whatever, MaClandon. I don’t have time for this.”
“You are so impatient.”
“You are starting to get on my nerves.”
“Still impatient. I am trying to make up with you woman.”
“Ok fine. We have made up. I’m leaving.”
“Dang, girl, you so mean. Gone and leave then.”
Dianne stood up and walked off. Mac sat outside for a few minutes. Dianne looked up when Mac walked in the door. She stared at her computer screen as if she were working hard. Mac stopped at her desk and said, “Is my aunt in there with someone?” Dianne glowered at Mac, “no. But she is busy.” Mac made a face, “Can you tell her I am out here?” Dianne said, “No.” Mac glared at Dianne. He walked over to his aunt’s door and knocked on it. After a few seconds, his aunt opened the door. She saw her nephew and said, “Hey. What are you doing here?” Mac responded, “I came to see the most beautiful woman in the world.” Dr. Adkins-Garnett could tell that the comment was meant more for Dianne that for her. Dr. Adkins-Garnett said, “Yea, right. Come on in here.” Mac closed the door behind them.
Dr. Adkins-Garnett sat down at her desk, “I see that you too are still fighting.” Mac sighed, “Yea, cause she is a stubborn old woman.” Dr. Adkins-Garnett said, “If she’s old, then what does that make me?” Mac smiled, “Refined.” Dr. Adkins-Garnett smiled, “Quit being cute. What do you want? I am busy.” Mac sighed, “What do I gotta do to make her not be mad at me?” Dr. Adkins-Garnett responded, “Did you try apologizing?” Mac said, “She wouldn’t let me. She was tripping and walked off.” Dr. Adkins-Garnett said, “Knowing how you apologize, she probably did.” Mac laid his head on the back of the chair and looked at the ceiling, “I have got to be out of my mind. Why did you invite her to church anyway?” Dr. Adkins-Garnett laughed, “First of all, do not try to lay this one on me. This is your fault. You and your thing for older women. You got yourself into this mess.” Mac sighed, “Come on aunnie. Can’t you get me out of this mess? I would love you forever.” Dr. Adkins-Garnett laughed, “You gotta love me forever whether or not I help you out.” Mac gave his aunt his puppy dog eyes. He knew that she wouldn’t be able to resist them. Dr. Adkins-Garnett glared at her nephew, “Do not even try that with me.” He kept making puppy dog eyes at his aunt. Dr. Adkins-Garnett said, “Quit it, boy.” Mac sang, “Please aunnie. I love you.” Dr. Adkins-Garnett flared her nostrils, “You get on my nerves.” Mac smiled innocently at his aunt as she stood up and walked from behind her desk. Dr. Adkins-Garnett walked out of her office and over to Dianne’s desk. Dianne looked up at Dr. Adkins-Garnett. Dr. Adkins-Garnett smiled at Dianne, “Would you please go in my office and talk to my knuckled headed nephew. He refuses to leave unless you go talk to him.” Dianne made a weary face, “Dr. Garnett, I do not want to talk to him.” Dr. Adkins-Garnett sighed, “He isn’t going to leave either one of us alone, unless you do. I can watch the phones while you do.” Dianne didn’t move. Dr. Adkins-Garnett bit her lip and then said, “Please, for me?” Dianne sighed, “Alright. This is unbelievable.” Dianne stood up and walked towards Dr. Adkins-Garnett’s office. Dianne muttered, “This boy is getting on my last nerve.” Dr. Adkins-Garnett responded, “I feel the same way.” Dianne looked at Dr. Adkins-Garnett before she walked in the office.
Dianne walked in the office, “What do you want now?” Mac smiled at the hostile woman standing in front of him, “Can you sit down, please? You are scaring me.” Dianne didn’t move. Mac played with his collar, “Ok. I guess you can’t.” Dianne smacked her lips, “MaClandon, what!” Mac looked down at the ground and then back up at Dianne, “You are making this hard for me.”
“I really do not care.”
“Why you gotta be so mean?”
“Because you are working my nerves.”
“I am not trying to.”
“What are you trying to do?”
“Apologize.”
Dianne rubbed her head as she sat down, “MaClandon, I am tired. Can we please get this over with?” Mac looked dejected. He finally said, “Sorry for acting silly. Sorry for calling you a liar. Sorry for acting crazy. Sorry for being rude.” Dianne looked at Mac, “Ok. I’ll talk to you later.” She stood up. Mac stood up with it her, “We aren’t finished yet.” Dianne said, “What now?” Mac said, “You haven’t said if you accept my apology or not.” Dianne made a face, “Are you serious?” Mac smiled, “Yep.” Dianne rubbed her jaw, sighed, and then said, “Ok, I accept your apology. Are we through now?” Mac smiled, “Nope. I gotta ask you something first. Are we friends?” Dianne looked puzzled, “What?” Mac asked, “Are we friends?” Dianne sat down, “I don’t know. I never really thought about it. I guess so.” Mac sat down as he twisted his lips, “I need a yes or no answer.” Dianne sighed, “Yes, we are.” Mac said, “Cool. We have to hug.” Dianne frowned her eyebrows, “Why?” Mac smiled, “It is in the friendship handbook. Clause 42.7… After friends have had a fight, they must hug.” Dianne suppressed her urge to giggled, “You’re silly.” Mac laughed, “I know. That’s why I almost made you laugh.” Dianne made a mean face, “No, you didn’t.” Mac said, “If you say so. Where’s my hug?” Dianne said, “I am not hugging you. You might enjoy it too much.” Mac smiled, “Probably.” Dianne shook her head, “Is there a clause in the friendship handbook that says we can do something else in place of a hug?” Mac thought for a second and then he said, “Nope. We got hug to make it official.” Dianne made a face, “You are serious, aren’t you?” Mac steadfastly said, “Yes.” Dianne sighed, “I don’t want to hug you.” Mac responded, “Why not?” Dianne made a face, “You are killing me. Can this just be over, please?” Mac looked sad, “Yea, I guess so. If you want it to be.” Dianne looked relieved, “Thanks. Can I leave now?” Mac groaned, “Yea. If you want to.” Dianne started to leave and then she stopped, “If I do not hug you, are you going to ignore me again?” Mac coldly said, “Naw. We cool.”
Dianne walked out of the office door and back over to her desk. Dr. Adkins-Garnett saw Dianne and stood up and walked from around the desk. Dr. Adkins-Garnett walked back into her office where she saw Mac sitting with his head drooped over. Dr. Adkins-Garnett said, “What’s wrong now?” Mac sighed, “I am crazy about her and she thinks I am some young joker. She is never going to go out with me.” Dr. Adkins-Garnett sat down next to her nephew. She put her arm around his shoulder, “Maybe it is for the best. She is older than you.” Mac looked at his aunt, “I have the worst luck with women. First, Sabrina treats me like crap and then I fall for an older woman. I can’t win for losing.” Dr. Adkins-Garnett rubbed her nephew’s back, “It is not that bad.” Mac sounded like he was going to start crying, “It ain’t far. Mec can walk up to any girl he wants and she all but falls out of her panties. I walk up to girls and they ask me computer questions. We look just alike. Why does he get all of the girls?” Dianne rubbed her nephew back some more, “I can’t answer that question. Mec couldn’t get Dianne to give him the time of day, but you have been able to talk to her.” Mac sighed, “Yea, but Dianne is a woman, not a girl.” Dr. Adkins-Garnett said, “I know sweetie. You’ll be okay.” Mac voice sounded wobbly, “No, I won’t.” Dr. Adkins-Garnett made Mac sit up, “Quit feeling sorry for yourself.” Mac looked at his aunt, “Unc is younger than you. Why can’t I date Dianne?” Dr. Adkins-Garnett smiled, “Kevon is only six years younger than me. For the record, I never said that you couldn’t date Dianne.” Mac twisted his lips, “I guess so. I’m going home and curl up in my bed.” Dianne popped her nephew on his arm, “You need to quit.” Mac stood up. Dr. Adkins-Garnett stood up. Mac hugged his aunt, “Thanks aunnie. I love you.” Dr. Adkins-Garnett responded, “Love you, too.”
Mac walked out of Dr. Adkins-Garnett’s office. He walked over to Dianne’s desk. Dianne looked at him. He smiled at her. She didn’t respond in kind. He licked his tongue out at her. She made a face. Mac walked over to a chair and sat down in it. Dianne watched him. After he sat down, Dianne went back to work. Mac pretended to read a magazine. Dianne paid him no attention. Every few seconds, Mac would move the magazine from in front of his face and smile at Dianne. She ignored him, shook her head at him, rolled her eyes at him, and made a face at him. It didn’t deter him. After awhile Mac walked over to her and whispered in her ear, “I am not going anywhere, so you might as well get used to me being around.” Dianne looked up at Mac. She made a crazy face at him. He smiled and kissed her on the jaw. He ran out of the building before she could respond. Dianne sat at her desk, shocked and baffled.
When Dianne left the building to go home for the day, she had a surprise waiting on her. Mac walked up behind her as she was unlocking her car. He whispered, “Hey friend.” Dianne jerked around, “Boy, you scared me. I thought you left.” Mac smiled, “Nope, I didn’t. I was waiting on you. When was the last time you did something silly, that didn’t make any sense?” Dianne looked at Mac, “I do not remember. I do not do silly things.” Mac smiled, “Let’s go do something silly?” Dianne said, “I have been at work all day. I want to go home.” Mac grabbed Dianne’s hand, “I have been up since 4:00 this morning.” Dianne made a face, “So what?” Mac rolled his head, “Can you give me a break, just once?” Dianne rolled her eyes, “Alright, what do you wanna go do?” Mac smiled excitedly, “It is a surprise.” Mac opened Dianne’s door and then walked around to the passenger side and got in the car. Dianne started the car and pulled out of the parking space. When Dianne reached the end of the parking lot, she turned to Mac and said, “Which way?” Mac smiled at her, “Right.” Mac gave Dianne a series of directions in between talking to her.
“Are you rich?”
“You sure are nosey. I don’t know, I guess it all depends on what you consider rich.”
“Do you have a lot of money? Turn left at the stop sign.”
“Why did you ask me that anyway?”
“I have known you for like six months, and I have yet to see you wear the same pair of shoes twice, much less the same outfit twice.”
Dianne laughed. Mac laughed, too.
“I’m not rich. I just have a good stock broker.”
“I own some stock. It’s like 10 shares of Shimmers Inc. Kourtnee Adams gave it to me as a graduation present. I don’t follow it much, though.”
“You should. If you have a good stock broker, you can make a little money from it.”
“So are you rich or what?”
“No, I’m not rich. Does it make a difference?”
“Nope, just asking. Make a right.”
“Where are we going?”
“I already told you that it was a surprise.”
They drove for about 30 minutes before they ended up at Happy Way Station. Dianne looked at Mac like he was crazy, “What are we doing here?” Mac smiled at her, “I know someone who works here. It’s a surprise. Come on.” Dianne didn’t move, “I am not dressed to be in there.” Mac twisted his lips, “Don’t worry about it. Come on.”
They walked into Happy Way Station. They walked up to the counter. Mac asked a teenage looking girl where somebody named Lucky was. The girl pointed towards the bowling alley. Mac grabbed Dianne’s hand and headed towards the bowling alley. They walked up to a heavy set guy in a grungy t-shirt. Mac asked Dianne to wait for a second and walked off with Lucky. After a few minutes, Mac walked back over to Dianne, “You are going to have to take off your shoes.” Dianne looked down at her shoes and then at her $7.00 stockings, “I am not taking off my shoes.” Mac protested, “Please, for me. I am going to have to take off mine.” Dianne made a face, “Alright, but I am not going to like it.” Mac smiled and grabbed her hand again. They followed Lucky through a door. They walked down a hall and then through another door. Lucky said, “Out of those shoes.” Mac took his shoes off. Dianne leaned up against the wall and took off her shoes. She looked at Mac, “If I tear my stockings, you are going to buy me some more.” Mac laughed. Lucky led them to a door and said, “You got twenty minutes.” Mac said, “Cool. Thanks, Lucky.” Mac took Dianne’s hand and led her down a hallway. As they walked down the hallway, the sound of balls crashing into pins began to sound. The further they walked down the hall, the louder the sound became. Mac leaned into and talked into her ear, “Be careful.” He helped her up on a crate. He sat on the crate next to her. She leaned close to him and asked, “Where are we?” Mac said, “Behind the bowling lanes. Look.” Mac pointed to an arm that was moving the pins out of the way. Dianne felt silly watching pins go back and forth. She looked at Mac; he seemed content watching the pins. She leaned over to him, “This is not making sense. Why are we here?” Mac watched the pins, “It’s not supposed to make sense.” Dianne shook her head and watched the mechanical arms, pins, and bowling balls do their thing.
After awhile Mac said, “Come on, let’s go.” He helped Mac down and they went down the hallway, through the doors, until they were back in the hallway where they had taken their shoes off. Mac led Dianne to an office door. Mac knocked on the door. A voice said, “Come on in.” Mac opened the door for Dianne. He walked in after Dianne. Mac looked at Lucky, “Can I show her the computer?” Lucky said, “Yea. I’ll be out in front. Ya’lls shoes are on the shelf over there. See ya’ll.” He walked out of the office. Mac walked over to the computer. Dianne followed him. Mac made a program come up on the screen. He looked at Dianne, “I helped design the software that runs the bowling lanes.” Dianne looked at the computer screen and then at Mac, “Are you serious?” Mac smiled, “Yea. Me and one of my homeboys from college. It was for a class project. We got an “A” on it. It forever to do, though. We felt pretty good after we finished with it.” Dianne said, “Just two of you worked on it?” Mac smiled, “Yep, two of us.” Dianne smiled at Mac, “Wow.” Mac smiled, “I can make the balls or pins do what I want them to do. It can be pretty funny messing with people’s heads.” Dianne looked sternly at Mac, “Don’t do that. That’s mean.” Mac look shameful, “Yes, Mame.” Mac left the computer and walked over to the shelf where their shoes were. He motioned for Dianne to give him her foot. She complied. Mac wiped off the bottom of her right foot and put her shoe on her foot. He did the same for the left foot. Dianne smiled. He smiled back at her. After he put on his shoes, he said, “You ready to go?” Dianne stood up, “Yea.” They left the office and went back out into the building. They found Lucky and walked over to him.
Lucky looked Dianne up and down before he said, “You must be special. You are the first girl… Uhh, lady that he has shown this to.” Dianne looked at Mac. Mac shrugged his shoulders. Lucky eyeballed Dianne again and then he said, “Mac, my boy. You do have good taste. Very good taste.” Lucky laughed loudly. Dianne looked at Mac. He shrugged his shoulders again. Dianne made a face at him. Lucky said, “Ya’ll want something to eat. It’s on the house.” Dianne said, “I’m ok.” Lucky responded, “Come on, you can class the place up for once. Good as you looking.” Mac walked over and stood close to Dianne and said, “Lucky, she is my girl. Watch yourself.” Lucky looked at Dianne and asked, “You his girl?” Dianne looked at Lucky, “Yes.” Lucky snarled, “Ok. Mac, you better keep her close to you then. I may try to take her from you.” Lucky laughed loudly as he walked away.
Mac led Dianne in the direction of the food stand. Dianne asked, “What is up with him?” Mac said, “That’s Lucky. We can go somewhere else and get something to eat if you want to.” Dianne looked around the building. She had never been in a place like this, in all her life. She could not believe it either. She began to feel sad. Tears began to form in her eyes. Mac looked at her, “You okay?” Dianne said, “Not really, can we get out of here?” Mac said, “Yea. We can.” They walked towards the door. They left the building and walked to Dianne’s car. After they got in the car, Mac asked, “Are you okay now?” Dianne sat very still and didn’t answer Mac. Mac didn’t press Dianne for an answer.
A few minutes later Dianne said, “I am okay.” Mac looked at Dianne tenderly. Dianne felt as if Mac could see right through her. She looked away from him. Mac asked, “Do you wanna go get something to eat?” Dianne wanted to say yes. She wanted to say no. She wanted Mac to hold her right hen and make the pain that she was feeling go away. She didn’t know what to do. She just started crying.
Mac grabbed Dianne and brought her to his chest. He rubbed her back and let her cry. He let her cry for five minutes. Dianne didn’t even try to stop herself from crying. After Dianne stopped crying, she said, “I am okay.” Mac didn’t let her go. He said, “Are you sure? I don’t mind if you stay right here.” Dianne shifted in Mac’s arms, “I don’t need to. You can let me go.” Mac let her go. He took his and wiped the tears from her eyes. Dianne moved his hand from her face. Mac didn’t try to wipe her face again. Dianne smiled at him, “Thanks. Sorry I missed up your shirt.” Mac looked down at his shirt, “Don’t worry about it. I can wash it.” Dianne laid her head on the headrest. Mac asked, “Do you want to go home?” Dianne said, “I am ok. We can go get something to eat.” Mac smiled, “Cool. Have you ever been to Hazel’s Soul Food?” Dianne said, “No, I haven’t.” Mac said, “It’s in Absanie. Is that too far?” Dianne responded, “No.” Mac said, “Cool.”
Mac and Dianne had ordered their food. They had said much on the ride to the restaurant or while they waited. Mac wasn’t sure what to do. He didn’t want to risk upsetting Dianne anymore than she already was. Mac convinced himself to take a chance. He asked, “What upset you back at Happy Way?” Dianne looked off. Mac grabbed her hand that was on the table and held it. Dianne looked at Mac and said, “That was the first time I had ever been in a place like that.” Mac looked surprised, “Really? Wow.” Dianne said, “Yea.” Mac responded, “Not even as a kid?” Dianne said, “Nope, not even as a child.” They didn’t talk much after that, not even while they ate.
As they were driving home Mac said, “I am good at bringing up sad memories for you. Sorry.” Dianne said, “You can’t know what will bring up bad memories for me.” Mac twisted his lips, “I only want you to have good memories when you’re with me.” Dianne smiled, “Thanks.” They rode in silence for awhile longer.
Dianne broke the silence when she said, “Where do you live?” Mac said, “Close to the church. Where do you stay?” Dianne responded, “Not near the church.” Mac laughed. Dianne asked, “How do you get to your house?” Mac thought for a second. He didn’t want his nosey friends to know about Dianne. He said, “Do you know where my aunt stays?” Dianne said, “I know her address.” Mac asked, “Is that closer to where you live?” Dianne said, “Yea.” Mac said, “You can drop me off over there.” Dianne asked, “Are you sure?” Mac said, “Yea.” They headed to Dr. Adkins-Garnett’s house. They didn’t say anything else after that.
They arrived at Dr. Adkins-Garnett’s house. Dianne pulled up into the driveway, “Here you go. Your aunt has a nice house.” Mac asked, “You wanna come in?” Dianne said, “Naw. I gotta get home.” Mac said, “It’s cool. My aunt nem won’t mind.” Dianne shook her head, “Naw, I don’t think I should.” Mac shrugged his shoulders, “Ok. I had a great time tonight.” Dianne smiled, “Me too.” Mac smiled, “If my father finds out about this, he may kill me.” Dianne looked baffled, “huh?” Mac said, “My father told me to wait until April and then see how I felt about you before I went out with you.” Dianne made a face, “You told your father that you liked me.” Mac smiled, “Yea, I did.” Dianne looked perplexed, “Oh my goodness. He probably thinks I am a cradled robber.” Mac laughed, “Naw. He thinks his son is nuts.” Dianne blew a breath, “I cannot believe you told your father.” Mac responded, “I talk to m father about a lot of stuff. He’s cool about most of the things I talk to him about.” Dianne looked out the window. She could not even imagine what a real father child relationship was like. Mac felt bad, talking about his father, knowing that Dianne’s father was deceased. Mac said, “I’m going to go. I’ll see you later.” Dianne looked at Mac, “Ok. Thanks for tonight. I had a good time, despite crying like a baby.” Mac smiled, “Cool. You’re welcomed. I’m glad you had fun. Later.” Mac opened the door and got out of the car. He waved at Dianne until she was out of sight. He went to his aunt’s door and knocked on it. He was smiling from ear to ear when his uncle answered the door. |
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