70% Chance of Rain:

I had to get out. Life in Texas bored me. I wanted to escape. Your grandfather applied for an art school in New Orleans. Great idea, I thought. So, I applied for the same school. Naturally, my parents wanted me to stay in Texas. I wanted to gag at that request.

“But I hate it here,” I said one hot Sunday afternoon.

“Since when?” Daddy asked. I shrugged and shook my head.

“Senior year,” I said. Daddy frowned at me.

“It’s that black boy, isn’t it?” he barked. I gave him a cold look.

“So what if it is?” I asked. “His race should not matter.”

“Why?”

“No daughter of mine is going to be dating a negro!”

I put my hands on my hips. “And why is that?”

He breathed hard as his face burned. “He’s a negro!”

“So?”

“I won’t let my daughter marry a filthy negro!”

My blood just burned. “He’s not a filthy negro! He’s my boyfriend and his name is Jim!”

“It does not matter! You’ll dump him and go to TU!”

“No!”

He raised an eyebrow at me. “Are you telling me no?”

“Yeah! I will go to New Orleans!”

“What if you don’t make it into the school down there?”

“I’ll go anyway!”

“No, you won’t!”

“Yes I will!”

“I won’t let you!”

“How?!?”

“You’re grounded!” he yelled. I glared at him.

“Why?!?” I snapped. I rolled my eyes. “This is stupid,” I mumbled. Then, I turned and walked away.

“Hey!” Daddy barked. “Come back here! I’m not done talking to you yet!” I slammed the door to my room.

Each day, Daddy fueled my desire to leave Texas. I just had to wait for my results to come in.

Of course, there were some other preparations to be made. Your grandfather got his driver’s license that summer. His father let him have the ’78 Honda as a late graduation present.

I took a moment and smiled.

I remember the first time he took me for a drive. It was lunch at that time. Daddy insisted that we all have meals together as a family. I saw right through his little ploy. He was trying to make me go back to his status quo. It wouldn’t work, old man. I gritted my teeth the whole time. Daddy sat at the table grinning. He set down his fork.

“Ah, this is nice,” he said. “Quiet lunch, no distractions.” Mom looked rightfully worried. Daddy turned his attention to us.

“Am I right?” he asked.

“Yeah,” mama said quietly. I gritted my teeth and nodded. Daddy took another sip of his beer.

“Yep,” he said. “Perfect summer afternoon. No distractions. Just eating together as a family.” Then, the phone rang. Mama rose to get it, but Daddy placed hand on her wrist. She looked on at him as he shook his head.

“But…” she said.

“Let it ring,” Daddy said. “This is family time. Nothing will distract us until the meal is over.” Mama hesitated at first. But then, she surrendered in her seat as the phone rang again. I rolled my eyes.

Please get me out of here, I thought.

Then, we heard a car horn honk through the open screen windows. I looked up at the very sound. Curious, I rose to my feet and wandered into the living room.

“Starlette!” Daddy yelled. “Get back in here now! I haven’t given you permission to leave the table!” I didn’t listen. I stepped right out the front door. Jim sat in his car waiting for me.

“Hey there,” he said. I gasped at what I saw.

“You got your license?” I asked.

“That’s right?” Your grandfather bragged. “Hop on in!” I blinked at him.

“Wait! Now?” I asked.

“Yeah!” he said. “I want to go for a little drive with you. So what do you say?” I pressed my lips together in a smile.

“Sure,” I said.

“Hop in!” Jim told me.

“Yes sir!” I said as I did so. Jim pulled out in seconds. I cuddled up close to him on the road.

“So tell me,” I said. ‘This can’t be the only reason we are today. So, what’s the occasion?” Your grandfather grinned at that question.

“I made it in!” he bragged.

“No!” I gasped.

“Hell yes!”

I kissed him on the cheek. “I’m so proud of you!”

Jim gave me a little nod. “Thanks. And what about you?”

“Hm?”

“Have you made it into the school you wanted?”

I gave him a firm a nod. “Uh-huh!”

“Where?”

I rested my chin on his shoulder as I smiled. “New Orleans of Raleigh.”

Your grandfather nearly sped up. “Did you now?”

“That’s right!”

He smiled a bit. “Taking a big risk there, huh?”

“I’m tired of Texas. I want a change.”

“What about your old man?”

“To hell with him!”

Your grandfather only grinned. “Glad to hear you say that.”

“So when do we leave?”

“In twelve days.”

I frowned. “Not fast enough.”

“That bad at home?”

“Yes!”

Your grandfather laughed. “Patience, dear. You’ll be free soon.”

“I wish it would come faster!” We both chuckled.

Twelve days took their time coming along. By that time, Daddy and my relationship broke down. We didn’t talk to each other anymore. He glared at me every time we crossed paths. I always put up my defenses around him. He would just have to get over himself because I was dating was your grandfather. He needed to get with the times. Daddy wouldn’t even help me pack for college on the day I was to leave.

“If you walk out that door,” he warned me. “It’ll never open for you again!” I didn’t care anymore. I just walked out door with my things. Jim waited for me outside.

“Ready to go?” he asked.

“Yes!” I said. Your grandfather helped me load up the car. Our families would send us the rest later on. Jim and I climbed in his car and drove off.

That would be the last time we would see Texas.

1984