Hurricane Warning:

I dreaded that evening. Jim would meet momma and daddy. I already saw how this would turn out. But, what could I do? I couldn’t back out on this promise then. Too late for that. All I could do was grin and bear. Your grandfather came up next to me after graduation.

“Hey Star-girl!” he said. I forced myself to smile.

“When will we do it?” he asked. I blinked at him.

“What?” I asked.

“You know…”

“No…”

He held my waist. “Oh come on. Don’t tell me you forgot already!”

“Forgot what?”

“You did, didn’t you?”

I frowned at him still. “Look, what are you talking about? Start there.”

Your grandfather frowned. “We’re going to meet your parents!”

I tried to keep smiling. “Oh yes…”

“Did your really forget?”

I pressed my lips together. Jim frowned at me.

“Not funny!”

I shrugged at him. “Sorry…”

“Are you bailing out on me now?”

“No, no!”

“You sure?”

“Yeah!”

“So what time then?”

I drew in a deep breath. “Seven o’clock tonight.”

“You promise?”

“Yes!”

He kissed me on the cheek. “Love you.”

“Yes, yes. I do too.”

He gave me that goofy grin of his. Oh, I wanted to punch him then. So frustrating.

I tried to smile until seven. I hated it. I could already see how this would play out. I didn’t want daddy to kill your grandfather. But yet, I couldn’t stop it. Jim wanted to meet my folks.

Oh shit, I thought the whole time. No use complaining.

Seven o’clock came. Jim came up next to me at the YMCA.

“Ready to go?” he asked.

“Yes, yes,” I said defeated.

“You did tell them I was coming, right?”

“Of course!”

“You sure?”

“Yes…”

Jim stared me down with caution. I threw up my hands at him.

“I did, okay?” I said. “Let’s just go!” I marched out of the building, red-faced. Your grandfather followed close behind.

We took the bus back to my neighborhood. Jim held my hand the whole time. I fought to keep myself together and not scream that whole trip.

Live through this, I kept thinking. Live through this and get out. I hope… We came to my front door. I reached in my purse and unlocked the door.

“I’m home!” I called out.

“In here, dear,” my mother replied. Jim and I walked into the dining room. My parents sat at the table waiting for us. Daddy turned to us, smiling.

“Hello Pumpki…” he began to say. It didn’t take long for their jaws to drop. I stood there sheepish-looking.

“Hi momma… daddy…” I said. “This is Jim…” Long, awkward pause there. I swallowed hard as I waited for the next thing to come. Daddy’s face turned blood red.

“This is Jim?!?” he shouted.

“Yes!” I yelped.

“Pleased to meet you,” Jim said gracefully as he grew them a little bow. My mother looked away, blushing. I held my breath.

That’s overdoing it!, I thought. No one moved for the longest time. Then, daddy sat back down, frowning. Temporary peace offering?

I could only dream.

Dinner became my vision of Hell. Daddy glared at us the whole time. Momma tried to keep the peace between us all.

“So, Jim,” she spoke up. “How long have you and Starlette been dating?”

“Beginning of the school year,” Jim answered.

“Beginning of the school year?” she asked.

“That’s right!” Jim bragged. I lowered my head and sighed.

Please let this be over soon, I kept thinking. Daddy said nothing the whole time. He looked like he wanted to kill Jim. Momma put her hands on the table.

“Well, who’s up for dessert?” she asked.

“Me,” I said in a rush.

“Sure,” Jim replied. Daddy just grunted. Momma breathed out.

“Right,” she said. Then, she got up and went into the kitchen. The silence grew worse from there. The clock ticking in the background didn’t really help the situation either. My eyes shifted between the two guys. Daddy snorted.

“What’s wrong, daddy?” I asked.

“You could’ve done better!” he snorted. I blinked at him.

“E-Excuse me?” I asked.

“A negro!” he snapped. “What were you thinking?!?”

“But I love him!” I shot back.

“He’s a negro!” daddy yelled.

“But I’m good to your daughter,” your grandfather cut in.

“So what?!?” daddy shouted with a red face. “No daughter of mine is dating a negro!” My face turned beet-red. Momma walked back into the dining room, holding a pan of blueberry pie.

“Uh… dessert anyone?” she asked nervously. I huffed out hard.

“No!” I barked. “In fact, Jim and I are leaving!” I grabbed your grandfather by the wrist before he could speak and stormed out the door.

I had never been so mad before in my life.

1984