First Mates (10 page)

“Morris, Winston and I went to just about every bank in the immediate area, and this was the only one willing to take on this project. Now listen to the manager and I'm sure you'll learn something.” She paused, thinking about what she should say. “You'll be able to learn financing skills to pass on to others in the black community. When you grow up, you can start your own bank.”

“Yeah, right.” He folded his skinny arms.

“You can do just about anything you set your mind to do, Morris. That's what Winston taught on the first lesson, remember? Have faith in God and yourself, and things will fall into place.” She pulled him toward the crowd of touring kids. “Let's rejoin the presentation, and remember to listen.”

The manager continued walking around the carpeted area while showing them deposit slips and other papers. The safe-deposit boxes were next and as she stood in the cramped corner with Winston, she smelled his distinctive cologne. The children took turns entering the small chambers. Winston grazed his finger across her arm. “Are you okay?”

She swallowed and managed to nod while checking her watch.

He touched her shoulder. “Are you anxious to get out of here? That's the third time you've checked your watch since this tour has started.”

She rubbed her sweaty palms against her blue jeans. Being around Winston was like sitting next to a luscious piece of chocolate cake while dieting. Her mouth wa
tered for his kisses. She turned away as she felt the tears brimming in her eyes. She blinked and left the cramped quarters.

The bank bustled with activity. Several customers entered and stared at the group of children. The manager took them behind the teller stations, and the children's eyes bulged as they saw the wads of money being handled by the adept workers. He answered questions about banking and budgeting skills, and several of the younger children boasted about the knowledge they learned from Winston and Rainy. Harried tellers and the bank manager filled out the paperwork for the new savings accounts.

“Okay, I think you have everything.” The manager shook both Winston's and Rainy's hands. “If you know of any churches who are interested in this program, just send them to me. I like to think I'm helping children to learn good money skills early in life,” he said with a shaky laugh.

Winston cleared his throat. “We're sorry about Morris. He can be kind of militant sometimes.”

Rainy nodded.

The manager placed his arms behind his back. “Oh, don't worry about it. I've already forgotten about it.”

The children's yells echoed in the hot summer breeze as they walked across the scorching asphalt parking lot. The bus driver stood in front of the bus, inhaling from his cigarette. Smoke curled from his mouth as he took another hit.

Clara boldly rushed up to him. “Don't you know
smoking's bad for your health? God doesn't like cigarettes, mister. They make you die.”

Winston pulled Clara on the bus as the driver glared at the children. “Clara, you need to learn to keep quiet. Get on this bus so we can go home!”

“But I just wanted to tell that man it's not okay to smoke. What's wrong with that?” She pulled away from Winston and stomped to the back of the bus. Minutes later, the driver returned to his seat and slammed the door shut. Giggles and laughter filled the air as the children conversed. After Winston gave a speech about good behavior on the drive home, he took the empty seat beside Rainy.

“Whew, what a rough day. If I'd have known it would be so difficult, I never would have scouted to arrange for this field trip.” She stared at the way his black jeans hugged his trim thighs before gazing out the window as the driver revved the engine.

“Vroom, vroom,” chanted small voices from the rear of the bus.

Once they were back on the freeway, Winston sighed. “So how have you been?”

I've been terrible since you decided we should just be friends.
“I've been okay. I've been busy at work, and doing other things.” The awkward silence stretched between them like a great expanse of nothingness. When a heated argument ensued at the rear of the bus, Winston abandoned his seat to resume his role as referee. Several children climbed into Winston's vacated seat, trying to ensnare her in conversation, but she just wasn't
in the mood to talk. She wanted to return home, curl up in her bed and go to sleep.

Finally, the bus screeched to a stop at the church. “Lunchtime,” chanted the children as they exited the bus.

Winston yelled at the bunch as they ran to the church. “Don't be running too fast! There are cars coming in this lot!” They barely paid him any attention as they opened the glass doors and ran down the stairs to the basement.

Winston followed Rainy into the building. “Are you sure you're okay with us doing this project together? You've hardly said two words all morning.” His deep hazel eyes pleaded with her as he awaited her response.

You mean I've barely said two words to
you
this morning.
“I'm fine. I'm just hungry. I didn't have anything for breakfast.”

He nodded as he opened the door that led to the kitchen basement. They trampled down the steps as the echo of children's voices filled the corridor.

Sister Mary, the official of the church's food ministry, met them at the basement entrance. “I'm so glad to see you two finally made it back.” She embraced both of them before tying an apron around her ample, bulky frame. “Rainy, you look like your best friend died! What's wrong, sweetie?” Sister Mary gave her another hug.

Rainy shrugged as she pulled out a chair and sat at the long table. Children scurried around the vast space. Some stopped to show the kitchen sisters their new
bankbooks and deposit slips. “I don't know. I guess I'm just hungry.”

Sister Mary pulled a rag from her pocket and wiped her face. “Well, after you two get some food in your bellies, you'll both be looking as good as new. You don't look so good yourself, Winston. Maybe you need a good meal, too. Sit down here next to Rainy and me and the kitchen sisters will handle this bunch. Remember what you guys agreed to do?”

Rainy nodded as she set her purse on the table. “We'll clean up after the children are finished eating.”

Mary nodded as she bustled to the kitchen. “That's right! We've got plenty of spaghetti and garlic bread left over from today's new-member-orientation luncheon. There's also salad. After we serve these kids, we're leaving because we're tired.” She turned toward the screaming kids. “Be quiet! I want all of you to stand in a line. Brother Winston will say grace and then you will make your plates and eat.”

As Rainy bowed her head and listened to Winston's prayer, memories of the cruise ship meals filled her mind. She gently pushed the sweet thoughts from her brain as Winston uttered, “Amen.”

She swallowed and whispered her response, as did the children. Aromas of tomatoes, garlic and spices filled the room with their tangy scent. The sisters dished up mouthwatering plates of spaghetti. They also served tall glasses of Kool-Aid. She sat beside Winston as she enjoyed two plates of the hearty meal with a few pieces of crunchy garlic bread. The grape Kool-Aid
tasted good and sweet as it traveled down her parched throat.

Winston leaned his elbows on the table and smiled. Rainy's heart thundered when she discovered he was smiling at her! “You look happy when you eat. Did you enjoy the meal?”

She nodded as she toyed with a napkin. “People in the congregation say Sister Mary makes the best spaghetti.”

“It's the best spaghetti I've had in a while.” He leaned back into the chair and patted his stomach. “You know, that's one thing I like about you. You can enjoy a good meal and have a good time. I love watching you eat.” Her heart continued to pound as he pressed his finger along her lower lip and swiped stray sauce away. She blinked as she stared into his hazel eyes. The kitchen sisters, the children and the plates of food were momentarily forgotten as she gazed at the man that she loved. She pushed her chair away from the table. Loved? Did she really love Winston? What a frightening thought!

“Rainy, what's the matter?” The noise from a blaring car horn filtered into the basement. The children scrambled from their seats and ran across the tiled floor.

“I think that's my mother! She told me I'd better be waiting outside,” exclaimed one child.

Sister Mary removed her apron as she approached. “You'll find everything for cleanup in the kitchen. It shouldn't take you too long,” she told Winston and Rainy. Her heavy footsteps could be heard as she ambled out of the basement.

Parents arrived to pick up their children. Soon, the only ones left in the messy kitchen were Rainy, Winston and Terry. Terry paced the floor. “I can't wait for Michael to get here! We've got an important date today.” She gazed at her watch again.

Minutes later, a tall, slender young man with hazelnut-brown skin entered the basement. “Michael!” Terry ran into his arms and they shared a deep kiss. Rainy turned away and opened a box of trash bags. The young couple seemed to be in a world of their own as they planned their time.

After a whispered discussion, Michael pulled the keys from the pockets of his baggy jeans. “Come on, Terry. Let me take you home.” He smiled and jiggled his keys.

As they shared another kiss, Winston pried them apart. “Why don't you two help Rainy and I clean up this mess?”

Michael kept his arm around his girlfriend. “We would stay, Mr. Winston, but I promised my mom I would be home in plenty of time to help with the yard work.” He checked his watch. “If I'm not home soon, she's gonna get really mad!” Their excited voices filled the corridor as they walked up the steps, leaving Winston and Rainy alone.

“You know, I'm worried about those two,” he commented.

She pulled paper plates and cups from the table and threw them into trash bags. “I know. Me, too.”

“How long have they been dating?” He poured himself a cup of Kool-Aid.

She shrugged as she wrapped leftover cake with plastic wrap. “I don't know. Until we started this program, I never really worked much with the kid. From what I can remember, they've been seeing each other for months now.”

She placed the cake into the refrigerator and he dumped empty soda cans and bottles into the recycling bin. After placing the bins in the corner, he gazed at the couple through the window as they strolled to Michael's car.

“Terry is a good young woman. Her parents raised her in a Christian home, and I'm sure she wouldn't do anything with Michael to shame herself,” said Rainy.

He drank his Kool-Aid and threw the empty paper cup into her trash bag. He was so close that she could smell his cologne. As they continued to clean the tables, he cupped her cheek with his large hand. She dropped the plastic bag and languished the soft warm feelings as he stroked her cheek with his finger. He then abruptly dropped his hand and turned away.
I'm such a fool for letting him get to me like that! Why can't he learn to keep his hands to himself?

“I'm sorry, I couldn't resist touching you. Your skin is so soft, it reminds me of warm butter.”

She swallowed and lifted her trash bag. For several minutes, the only sound was their light footsteps as they traveled the room, collecting trash. Friends didn't touch and caress one another like that. She sighed and her heartbeat returned to normal as he changed the subject.

“Back to Terry and Michael. I'm just saying that
sometimes when things happen, it's not as if people meant for them to happen, if you know what I mean?”

Nodding, she continued her cleaning duties. “Yeah, I know what you mean.”

“What do you think we should do?”

She placed her loaded trash bag into a receptacle and walked into the kitchen. She dampened a rag at the sink and returned to the adjoining dining area, answering him as she wiped the tables clean of debris. “I guess we can pray about it. I know both sets of parents know of their relationship, and they must approve. Michael is a decent young man, and his parents are involved in the church.”

“Rainy…”

“I know, I know. It's still cause for worry. I do know they're together a lot, so I know they're close. We'll just have to pray that they don't make a mistake.”

“They might have already made one.”

She pushed her rag aside and joined him at the table. “What do you mean?”

“Remember the first financial planning meeting we had last Saturday? Well, you left early, so I helped the deacon to lock up. When we left, we saw a car parked in the lot, and it was Michael's. The windows were steamy, so you can guess what they were doing.”

She gasped. “But it was the middle of the day! Wasn't it?”

He chuckled. “I'm sure Michael doesn't mind what time of day it is as long as he's with Terry. Anyway, Deacon Barnes knocked on the window and told them
to hightail it home before he called their parents. Do you know if there are other young couples who've run into trouble?”

She gazed at the ceiling as she tried to remember. “There were a few unplanned pregnancies last year. Both girls had their babies. One of them kept her baby, and the other placed hers up for adoption. Unplanned pregnancies have not been an issue discussed in our small conservative church. The preacher says premarital sex is wrong, so there's no need to have further discussion about it.”

“Well, maybe when the other young people see what some of the effects of premarital sex can be, then they'll reconsider being sexually active.” He folded his arms across his broad chest.

“Are you going to become a member of this church? You're so involved already.”

His Adam's apple bobbed as he swallowed. “No, I'm not saying I'm becoming a member. I'm just saying that Terry and Michael need to be careful about what they do when they're alone. You know, I wasn't saved when I was his age, so I'm aware of the dangers of premarital sex when you're young like that.”