Freaky Zekey added on. “We don’t take fucking shortcuts because there are none in life. If I catch any of you Slimes walking on grass, taking any cuts around campus, that’s yo ass!”
Spitta came toward us. “Courage, discipline, community, leadership, brotherhood! These are the principles of Chi Kappa Chi fraternity!”
My back began to hurt, as the position I was in was awkward as fuck. It hadn’t even been a full week, and a nigga was already breaking. When joining, I knew there would be moments I would have to face doing things I didn’t want to do, but I had never considered all the information, all the yelling and down-talking in the first few days. They didn’t call us by our names; we were simply numbers to them. We were like the bottom of their shoes, the poor niggas looking to be rich was how I saw it.
All I knew was that at the end of this, it was going to be fulfilling because the biggest thing in my life was on the line, and that was my girl. I wanted Samara to have more than just a nigga who was knownfor being a menace to brag about. I wanted her to be able to stand proudly beside me, to know that I could offer her more than dick and a pistol. I wanted her to see a different side of me, a man with decorum sprinkled with a little hood. She deserved it all, and if I had to go the extra mile to make it happen, then so fucking be it. Chi Kappa Chi was going to be my first start.
CECILY’S INTERLUDE
I sat nervously at the table as everyone started to gather. This was my first check-in with the board since the semester began. It felt different because they had never interacted with Clark Mercier this way before. I had worked alongside him for years and set up every meeting. I could count on one hand how many times Clark attended or how many meetings the board scheduled. Mr. Robert Smith came into the room last and sat at the far end of the table. He had barely looked at me as he wore a concerning look on his face.
He took In a deep breath as he had now lifted his head. “Ms. August, how are you feeling?”
I smiled. “I feel great. I think I’ve found ways to—”
He held his hand up and swiped through papers. “Is Jesaiah August kin to you?” he asked.
A sinking feeling settled in my stomach. “Yes, that is correct.”
“He is a member of Chi Kappa Chi fraternity?” he asked, but he knew the answer because he too was a member.
I nodded. Mr. Smith gave me a tight-lipped smile. “I hear they are bringing in a new line. Please be sure he acts accordingly. On behalfof Chi Kappa Chi, we do not condone hazing. Also, please be sure to—”
I respectfully cut him off. “I’ve been at the school long enough to know the rules, Mr. Smith. I think my relationship with the students is far more tight-knit than Clark’s has ever been. My nephew is his own person, and I cannot control his actions. However, I will keep an eye on him. You all asked me to do a job, please allow me to do it.”
I could see the only other lady on the board grin with pride. Mr. Smith cleared his throat. “So, what are your plans?”
I looked around the table as I explained. “I have reached out to Hendricks.” I paused. I knew Mr. Smith was familiar with him. “He has offered to make a large contribution to TSU. You said you were looking for funding. Also, we will have Black Excellence Day this year, which the Gray and Gold will host. I’ve opened an internship position in the dean’s office. These are all baby steps, but this would show other universities and prospects that TSU is more than a hoodversity.”
Mr. Smith chuckled. “Hoodversity, now that’s a good one.”
I was serious because that’s all TSU was. “I will leave you with this,” I started. “It’s simple mathematics, one plus one equals two. This will fall into place as it should. Have a great day,” I said as I stood from the table.
I left the conference room feeling good. Before I reached the exit, the sound of Robert calling out to me stopped me. “Ms. August, I’ve heard things about your nephew. Nip it in the bud. Don’t let him be your downfall. Clark will be returning soon, and if you want to keep this position, show us.”
Right then, I knew that I needed to truly have a sit-down with Jesaiah before it was too late. This told me that my worst fear was, in fact, true. My nephew was a tyrant.
CHAPTER EIGHT
I let the music play as I reviewed the art pieces my professor posted. I studied each color and each abstract as I tried to write my theory for each. It bothered me because, as I delved deeper into the artwork, I didn’t feel anything. I didn’t feel a connection to the work in which my professor’s theory was. He wanted us to explain how each piece of art broke boundaries, bridging the gap between Black narratives and challenging stereotypes. It was becoming so frustrating that I wanted to create my own piece to show what he was looking for. Art was everything to me, and being able to showcase my work has always been a dream. However, I needed to figure out how to tell a story through my art rather than just make art.
The soft knock on my door caught my attention; had It been any softer, I would have missed it. I got up from the couch, stretching slightly as I walked to answer the door. When I opened it, my stomach sank. I shot my head out of the door to look around as I glanced back at her. “How do you know where I stay?” I asked my mother.
A slow smile eased on her face. “Samara, you are my child. I know every place you go,” she said calmly. “May I come in?”
I nervously stood there. “Um, sure,” I hesitated.
I stepped back to let her inside. “So many worldly things. I see Babylon is showing you the bright side before the evil side.”
My hand swung onto my hip as my eyes showed my frustration. “If you’re going to talk cult talk, you need to leave.”
The way the cult life sucked my mother up was almost unbelievable. How could she judge the world I lived in when the one she thought was perfect clearly was a layer of bullshit?
“Ma, when will you see that theMighty Oneis full of bullshit?” I hissed.
She slowly turned as she glared at me with pity. “You say he is full of—what you call it? Bullshit?—yet you’re here taking the name of a family that is not yours. You have convinced yourself that you belong to people who serve no purpose for you. I am your mother, not—” she paused, “—what’s her name?—Zaria?”
My head flew back. “The fuck? Zaria has been there for me. Zaria has opened her doors to me when I had nothing or no one. Zaria is kind, beautiful, and loving, something I never got from you. Zariaismy mother, so what I willnotallow you to do is stand here in your so-called shield of armor, plain-ass clothing, and talk down on a family that has helped me. If anything, Ma—oh wait, Shantel—it’s you who serves me no purpose. Now get the fuck out!”
