Page 100 of You've Got a Place Here, Too
“You know, my editorial assistant just got a job in the city. I’m looking for a replacement.”
I’m stunned. This is an opportunity of a lifetime. And yet, there’s a small pang that makes me think of the fantasies I’ve had of working in the Big Apple and taking Lynetta out on the weekends. Continuing our courtship in another city.
Still, she’dkillme if I didn’t accept this. “I’d love to learn more,” I say.
“Stop by my office tomorrow and we can talk responsibilities and pay.”
“Will do, sir.” And we shake hands on it before he walks back inside. I turn back to the water and moments later hear heel clicks behind me.
“ ’Sad, there you are!” Lynetta’s voice shouts out. “Why you out here by yourself? You negotiating a job offer in your—” Her eyes go wide. “Oh my God, you got an offer, didn’t you? Where?” She squeals.
“I mean, it’s not for sure yet. But I might be working at HU Press.”
She covers her mouth. “Whoa, Mr. Harris must be really impressed by you. It’s not even advertised on his bulletin board. Congrats!” she says, giving me the biggest hug, then pulls away. “You’d be in D.C. still.” And I hear a hint of sadness. “That’s cool!” she adds, quickly covering it up.
“You get an interview lined up?” I ask.
“Yeah, I did. One of the big houses! They’re gonna fly me to New York and everything!”
“Ahh shit, bourgeois!” I respond, and we both laugh.
“You’re so silly! No job yet though, so fingers crossed.”
I grab the tips of her fingernails. “You’ll get it, Lynetta. You got so much experience to bring to the table, among other things, like just being you.”
“Aww, ’Sad,” she says. I’m not sure why Lynetta quickly scans the perimeter, but before I can decipher it she gives me one long, sweet kiss.
It’s the end of summer, and Lynetta and I sit on a bench at Banneker, fast food bags and dipping sauces between us, summarizing her interview and the job offer she received.
“You know this is horrible for our health,” she says, looking at her Big Mac, “but I’m thankful this opened on campus freshman year.”
“It’s almost a crime it’s this cheap. You know they pumping something in this shit,” I respond, inspecting the bun.
She laughs, then takes another bite.
“You gonna be dining in so many fancy restaurants in theBiiiig Apple,” I say for emphasis, “you won’t eat a Big Mac with me anymore.”
She sets her burger on her lap. “Says who? I’m always me, ’Sad.”
I grab a chicken nugget and dunk it in my sweet-and-sour packet. “You’ll change, into more of you. You got a big-time publishing job, Netta.”
“Netta?” she says, laughing. “That’s new.”
“It suits you,” I say, then hesitate. “I’m proud of you, and always inspired by you. I hope one day I can—”
“ ’Sad, youare.Now. You’re about to work for Howard’s press.A Black press at a prestigious Black institution!The brightest of minds can publish here and berealabout their work. Plus,” she says, smacking her lips, “you know how many white people I gotta work around all day? They’re probably going to be uppity too.” Lynetta snatches a fry out the bag.
“They don’t know who they dealing with.” I chuckle.
“Sure don’t!” she exclaims. “I bet you’ll be running the press or some shit in a few years.”
I laugh. “Nah, these folks are veterans, but it could be cool to run it one day. Down the line. Maybe you and I can come back together?”
She pauses, her brain processing. “You aren’t letting New York go entirely, are you?”
“Not with so much of what I want there.” I place my hands on hers, salt crusted and all. “It’s always been you. Since freshman year. I assumed at some point I’d outgrow it, but it grew into me.” I interlock our fingers. “Yougrew into me. I’m a man who knows that he wants to try it withonegirl, and it’s you. I want you to be my woman, Lynetta.”
“What makes you so sure?” she asks, stammering.
