Page 18 of Loyalty, Lust, Love
Lynx couldn’t stop the tears from flowing. He missed his mother more than he could ever express, and sometimes, the pain was unbearable. Fateema put her arm around his shoulder and consoled him, the same way he did when she was sad about her mother being gone.
“I’m sorry your mother isn’t here, but I bet she’s proud of you up in heaven.”
“Yeah, but it’s not the same.”
In these moments, his tears triggered hers, and they sat with their emotions until the moment passed. Soon after, their fathers summoned them because it was time to leave for their graduation ceremony.
Their families decidedto give them a graduation party to celebrate their recognition as co-valedictorians. Neither wanted a big celebration, but they weren’t given a choice. Once the party was underway, Lynx, Fateema, and their friends, Joaquin, Adam, Octavia, and Meaghan, snuck away to the park on the next block.
There was really nothing for them to do at the park. The concrete on the basketball court was cracked and full of weeds, and there were no rims on the backboards. So, they sat on the rickety benches and talked.
“I’m so glad it’s summer,” Fateema said.
“I’m not. I start my first job at the movie theater in two days,” Adam commented.
“I start at the park district in three days. At least you’ll be inside with air conditioning,” Joaquin added.
“I haven’t found a job yet, but I’m looking. Anything has to be better than staying home,” Meaghan said.
“I always said I didn’t want to work in fast food, but I’ll be starting at Culver’s next week,” Octavia told them.
“Mr. Nez put me on with the construction company he works for,” Lynx said.
“I guess I’m the only one not working. I’ll probably babysit some of the neighbors’ kids occasionally, but my daddy has me doing a few track and field camps, so I might not have time for a real job.”
The friends talked about what they thought working the jobs they acquired might be like. Lynx was the only one excited. He was interested in architecture, so working at a construction company was right up his alley.
“Should we get back to the party?” Meaghan asked.
“Those people aren’t missing us. We told them we didn’t want a party, but I guess they didn’t care,” Lynx offered.
“At least your dads gave y’all a party,” Adam said. “My mama said graduating from eighth grade isn’t an accomplishment. It’s an expectation.”
“Dang, that’s cold,” Lynx responded.
“Is she wrong?” Fateema asked. “Middle school was super easy. We still have a lot of school left.”
“True.” Octavia agreed.
“We do, but at least give me some credit for keeping my grades up and not flunking out like some of our classmates,” Adam complained.
“True,” Octavia repeated.
“Well, there’s always high school and college,” Lynx said. “Maybe she’ll throw you a party for one of those graduations.
“Are y’all nervous about high school?” Fateema asked, changing the subject.
“I’m not. We start football conditioning in July, and I’m excited,” Joaquin said.
“I’m not nervous either,” Meaghan announced. “Me and Tay already joined some clubs.”
“Are you nervous, Bunny?” Lynx asked Fateema, and she nodded. “You’ll for sure make the sophomore or varsity basketball team and you’re already in three clubs. In the spring, you’ll be the star of the track team. Why are you nervous?”
“I just hope it’s not sixth grade all over again. We’re back at the bottom.”
Lynx scooted closer to Fateema and put his arm around her.
“I disagree, but I got you if we’re at the bottom or the top,” he assured her.
