Jack & Diane (7 page)

“You spent the night with that Jack guy?” Megan greeted Diane in a less than welcoming manner as she came through the door early one morning.

“Hello to you too,” Diane said taken aback by her roommate’s tone. Megan seemed different from her normally cheery self lately and she didn’t know why. “Yes, I stayed at Jack’s last night.”

“You guys have barely known each other a month and you’re sleeping with him?”

Though Diane felt no need to explain to her roommate, she did. “We’re not sleeping together. I slept at the farm last night because I was too tired to drive back. I slept in the guest room if you must know.”

“It seems like you and Jack are getting pretty serious. I saw you changed your relationship status last night.”

“Yeah, I guess we are pretty serious.” Despite her displeasure with the conversation, Diane could not help but smile when she thought of him.

“So he’s not just someone to help you get over Alan?”

“No he’s not. I’ve never thought of him that way.”

“So you see a future with him?”

“I don’t know, maybe. We might last through tomorrow or until we’re 90. I don’t know, my crystal ball’s broken.” Sarcasm was Diane’s defense mechanism and she was feeling defensive about Megan’s tone and line of questions.

“Do you think he sees a future with you?”

“I can’t predict the future anymore. My crystal ball is in the shop after I tried to predict when the Kardashian’s fifteen minutes of fame would be up. Do you have a problem with Jack?”

“No, I barely know Jack. But you barely know him either.”

“Is that what the problem is Megan?” Diane couldn’t understand why her roommate was suddenly so protective of her all of a sudden. They weren’t really friends. They were just roommates. The only reason they were even that was because they both wanted to move out of student housing at the same time a couple of years ago.

“The problem is that you shouldn’t be thinking of dating him.”

“Why not?”

“Maybe you haven’t noticed but you two aren’t on the same level.”

“Do you think I’m too good for him because he didn’t go to college?”

“I don’t think you’re too good for him. I think he’s too good for someone like you.”

“You just said you barely know him so how is it that he’s too good for me?” Diane was beyond frustrated with this conversation and really just wanted to shower and change for class.

“Come on Diane, I know you’re not stupid. Do you really need me to spell it out Diane?”

“Yes I do because I know that what I’m thinking you’re saying can’t be what you’re saying because it’s not 1952.”

“If you think what I’m saying is that he shouldn’t be dating you because you’re black then you’re right on the money.”

Diane looked at her like she was crazy. “I can’t believe you’re saying this white supremacist mess. We’ve known each other since freshman year. How could you be friends and roommates with someone that’s inferior?”

“I don’t think you’re inferior Diane. And I am not a supremacist. I believe you all should have equal rights and opportunities. I just don’t believe God intended us to mix. No little half breed babies are going to come from a friendship.”

“Don’t bring God into this because Jesus is crying at the words coming out of your mouth,” Diane said pointing her finger at Megan.

“If He’s crying over anything it’s over you and Jack. God says in the Bible that the different races shouldn’t be together.”

“Really? Is that in the racist propaganda translation of the Bible? In Galatians it clearly states that there is no race and we are all one in Christ.”

“It also says that a marriage should not be between two people that are unequally yoked.”

“If that’s the case you should have been objecting to me and Alan because the inequality of the yolks is referring to believers and nonbelievers.” Diane was so upset she actually said the name which she’d vowed never to say again.

“Do you think you’re more than just some curiosity to him? He just only wants to see what it’s like to screw a black girl. Do you think he’ll still be around once he gets what’s in your panties?” With each question and accusation Megan moved closer to Diane. Diane held her ground, refusing to back away.

“Well that means he’ll be around for a long time. I’m not easy like you. The only thing drops faster than your panties is you to your knees with your mouth open.”

Megan gasped, insulted by the truth. “Maybe if it did you’d still have a fiancée. And if you think he’s been celibate the past few years waiting to for you then you should ask Porsche, Mercedes, and all your other little ghetto friends named after cars their parents couldn’t afford.”

Diane took a deep breath to calm the urge to hit her roommate because she knew she’d lose that fight. Megan had been in enough drunken girls gone wild fights in bars to earn a title belt. “I don’t have time for this. I need to get ready for class. I hope there won’t be a cross burning outside my bedroom door when I come out.” Diane slammed the door behind her and locked it.

♥♥♥

“Hey, Diane.”

“Hi, Andre. How are you?”

“I’m good. What’s up with you though?”

“Megan and I had an argument.”

“What ya get into it ‘bout?”

Diane was always taken aback when it was just her and Andre speaking alone because his dialect was totally different. In class and amongst any multi-racial group he spoke full words without any slang vernacular, but that was different when only blacks were present.

“Megan doesn’t like the guy I’m dating.”

“What up wit’ him?”

“Nothing’s wrong with him.” That smile appeared again as it normally did when she thought about Jack. “Megan’s the one that has the problem. She came out of the closet.”

“Naw! She been wit’ too many guys for me to believe that.”

Diane realized the misunderstanding. “Oh, not that closet. She came out of the racist closet. She’s one of those closeted, covert racist. She doesn’t think I should be dating Jack because he’s white.”

“Yo’ new dude is white?”

“He is.”

“Megan not the one in the closet. Her reasoning is racist, but she right. Why a smart sista like you go from a good black man to Mr. Charlie?”

Diane was dumbfounded. She couldn’t believe this was happening again. Apparently the closet of racists was packed tight with fools. Unfortunately, he didn’t need her to contribute to this conversation.

“You’re too smart to fall for the lies from the descendants of the men who raped and murdered your ancestors. Do you think his white parents taught him how to love, respect and protect a black women the way a black man was raised to?”

“Those are the quality that any man should have, regardless of race. Andre, I think you’re as racist as Megan,” she said exacerbated.

“A black man can’t be racist.”

“If you choose to believe that, I won’t try to talk you off that ledge. My father taught me that arguing with a fool makes me one too.” Diane turned to walk away, but Andre grabbed her arm. She snatched it back and walked away with long, quick strides before he could get anymore hate out.

♥♥♥

When Diane got back to the apartment Megan wasn’t there as usual on Thursday. She did not think she could handle another confrontation, plus she did not feel comfortable there anymore. She packed a few clothes and her books then called Jack.

“Hello Nancy Grace. How’s your day?”

“Not good. Can I stay out at the farm this weekend?”

“Of course you can. What’s wrong Di?”

“I’ll explain why when I get there.”

When she arrived at Jack’s a half hour later his mother answered the door and greeted her with a hug.

“Jack said you didn’t have a good day and you look about ready to skin a cat. What happened? Do I need to go get my gun?”

Diane chuckled. She was touched by the genuine concern in the other woman’s voice. Diane let tears of exasperation and weariness fall from her face.

“No guns are necessary. The place to stay is more than enough. Just let me take my bags to the room.”

“Nonsense. You leave that bag be and let that boy of mine carry it. You come have a seat and tell me what’s got you so bothered while I finish dinner.”

“You need help with dinner.”

“I never need help with cooking, but your help will get it done faster,” Rose said with a wink.

Rose gave a quick demonstration on how to mash the potatoes. Diane was shocked when almost two sticks of butter (never margarine) and whole milk were added to the bowl of potatoes. She knew when she tasted them before that they were not diet food, but she did not know she should schedule an echocardiogram after eating them. Her mother’s mashed potatoes were straight from the box and not quite so flavorful, now she knew why.

“Talk child. Tell me what’s wrong.”

“My roommate doesn’t like Jack and me dating.”

“Does she like that doctor better? Did the boy part the Red Sea or something?”

“No, but your son thinks he’s pretty close to walking on water.”

“I am sure he does, but that would make me the Virgin Mary. My Pete can testify to the fact that this rose’s bud was picked a long time ago.”

“Momma!” “Rose!” Jack and his father said simultaneously.

“What?”

“Everybody doesn’t need to know our business,” Pete said.

“And I just don’t want to hear that stuff.” Jack added.

“It’s not like I was talking about what we did last night. I am just stating the fact that I am no virgin.” Pete kissed Rose on her cheek and wrapped his arms around her waist. He whispered something in her ear that did the impossible and made her blush.

Jack stooped down in front of Diane and looked into her eyes as if he could discern exactly what was wrong without any words. He did not know what was wrong, but he knew what to say to make it better.

“I love you,” he said softly.

Diane smiled and kissed him in response. She still wasn’t ready to say those words because they scared her.

“Let me go clean up and we can go for a walk so you can tell me what’s wrong.”

“You go clean up and but she’ll be talking right here about what’s wrong. I want to hear too.”

“They could be clear across town and you’d hear what she said. You hear like a hawk.” Pete said.

“It is eyes like a hawk and ears like a bat,” Momma corrected.

Jack picked up Diane’s bag and headed upstairs.

“She’s batty alright,” Pete said to Jack as he followed him up the stairs.

“I heard that,” Rose called after them.

“I’m sure you did.” Pete said chuckling.

♥♥♥

“Where’s your father?” Rose asked a half hour later when Jack returned alone.

“He’s lying down until dinner.”

“How was he today?” she asked concerned.

“He was good, slower than normal, but good.”

“I wish he would just let you run the show.”

“Momma, he’s afraid if he stops doing, he’ll stop being.”

“I swear this boy’s been smarter since he’s known you Diane.”

“Smart isn’t contagious Momma.”

“Maybe stupid is because I can’t think of too many reasons she’s with the likes of you,” she said jokingly.

“It’s your cooking Momma. He said I couldn’t have anymore if I wasn’t with him.”

“Ladies, the love in the room is overwhelming.” Jack said sitting in the chair next to Diane. He’d changed from his work jeans and flannel to his good jeans and flannel. The difference between the two was the amount of wear and tear. He wore both well. Diane never thought she’d find snug fitting jeans sexy.

“I’ve waited long enough, what’s going on with your roommate Diane?” Rose said turning her attention to the couple at the table.

“She doesn’t think Jack and I should be dating.”

Jack took her hands into his. “What she thinks doesn’t matter.”

“It’s not just her. A classmate of mine had his own separate but equally stupid reasons for thinking we shouldn’t be together.”

“What anybody besides you and me thinks doesn’t matter. You know that right?”

She wanted to believe it, but shouldn’t couldn’t. “She came from so far out of left field.”

Jack’s hands tightened around hers. “What are their reasons?”

“Because they’re stupid and racist. She doesn’t like that I’m black and he didn’t like that you’re white. She was so aggressive about it that I don’t feel safe in that apartment.”

His eyes darkened and his jaw clenched. “Did she touch you?”

“No. The words got pretty intense but it didn’t escalate into a physical confrontation.”

“You didn’t pack enough bags to stay for long,” Rose said.

“Are you that afraid of her?” Jack asked.

“I honestly don’t know if I should be or not. She didn’t threaten me or anything, but I saw a totally different person today, so I’m not certain of what she’s capable of.”

“I don’t want you living with her anymore.” It was Rose who said this with a hint of venom in her voice.

“It’ll be hard to find a place I can afford since I’ve already paid through the semester.”

“Can you afford free? Because you’re staying here,” Rose said unwaveringly.

“I can’t ask you to let me stay here.”

“You’re not asking, we’re offering.” Jack said. “I’m with Momma. You can’t stay there.”

“I know I can’t, but I don’t want to put you out. You all have enough going on, you don’t need to worry about me.”

“You’re not putting us out. I’d be more worried about you if you weren’t here.”

His smiled showed more than concern. “Just concern? No ulterior motives Jack?”

“It’s 90% concern and 8% being able to see you every day.”

“What about the other 2%?” He just smiled that crooked little smile that showed his dimple best.

“So tell us what your roommate said?” Rose said not wanting to see her son make out with Diane in her kitchen.

Diane retold the exchange she had with Megan. Though she was hesitant about telling the part about her being only a curiosity to Jack, but she said it in the end. She even told them about how easy she said Megan was and her run in with Andre after class.

“I’m glad you didn’t just let her say that malarkey without getting in a couple of good ones yourself. Jack, go get your dad. Diane, you can set the table.” Rose gave the instructions, easily integrating Diane even more into the family dinner routine.