"Buenos Dias, boys and girls", came the usual cheerful morning greeting from our fifth period Spanish teacher, Mrs. Shaul.
"Buenos Dias, Senora Shaul", the class half-heartedly answered in unison.
She was a plump and pleasant older lady and a favorite of half the student body, mostly because of her tendency to give open book tests. Mrs. Shaul was one of the easier teachers and since her class coincided with lunch, I'd developed the bad habit of staring out the window and daydreaming during her lectures.
"Oh my God, look at him! He is so dreamy", cooed Anna Beth Wright, a fellow cheerleader who sat a few seats away from me.
All eyes diverted to where she was looking in the schoolyard out the window underneath the large oak tree. Amidst a growing crowd of smitten young girls was Ronnie Bass. He seemed to be in his own world, his arms moving in a slow concentrated motion. I'd never seen anything like it but I'd read about meditation and such things.
"Yeah is so cute", another girl joined him.
I said nothing but stared at him. He looked so free, so peaceful, so relaxed...so beautiful . "Y'all talking about old Sunshine?" Petey Jones asked.
Petey was another football player and self-proclaimed class clown. I had to admit, he did make the time pass by in Spanish and Algebra classes.
"Ronnie's the best", another girl offered.
"What are you looking at old Sunshine for? That boy's got the cleanest uniform on the team. Guarantee he'll be sitting on the bench the whole season. If y'all wanna croon over somebody, it should be me. I'm the real star Titan."
The girls giggled and that's exactly what Petey wanted. He was a jokester and a ladies man but also a real sweetheart.
"Petey, you're such a clown", Anna Beth smiled.
"Besides, Sunshine is from California."
"So?"
"I mean, he's from California, if you know what I mean", he smirked.
I gave him a sly smile before burying my nose in my Spanish text. Although he was only joking, I knew exactly what Petey was referring to. Ray had filled me in on the infamous locker room kiss Ronnie had planted on Gerry.
"Girls, it sounds to me like our Petey here is jealous", Anna Beth teased.
"Nunca. Adoro a las damas y las damas me adoran."
"You definitely love the ladies but I think the ladies love Ronnie Bass", I grinned . "You're killing me, Mary-Courtney, you're killing me", Petey winked as Mrs. Shaul gathered our attention to watch a video.
I managed to make it through class and the video without nodding off and when the lunch bell rang, my rumbling tummy was more than ready. I made my usual stop off at my locker to drop off books. Gerry and Emma were already there waiting for me.
"Excited about the big game tonight, Ger?" I asked as I hastily tossed my things inside my locker.
"You know it, kiddo", he grinned. "We're gonna cream Groveton tonight!"
"Excited? Are you kidding me? It's all he's been talking about all week", Emma chimed in.
"Well let's talk about it over lunch", I offered. "I'm starving. Any of you guys seen Ray?"
"Yeah there he is over there talking to Kurt Foster."
Kurt Foster was a kid in my Spanish class I knew in passing only. He wasn't a friend of Ray's either and if I hadn't been in such a rush to get to the cafeteria, I might have found it a little strange the way they were talking all serious like . "Ray, baby over here", I waved, getting his attention so we could all walk to the lunch room together.
"Mary-Courtney, what the hell's going on?"
Ray's harsh tone and angry face took us all off guard.
"What's the matter, baby? We were just waiting on you so we could go eat. Is everything okay?"
"What the hell is going on between you and Petey Jones?"
"Petey?"
"Yeah Petey."
"Nothing. We have class together and we were just talking and..."
"Shut up!"
My mouth opened in shock. I had seen Ray mad before but never quite like this.
"Ray don't be getting all upset, man. Petey's just a friendly guy. He talks to everyone. I'm sure it was harmless", Gerry tried to intervene.
"Gerry, this is between me and my girl."
"I know man but..."
"We'll catch up to you and Emma later."
Even his best friend was bearing the brunt of his wrath. Reluctantly Gerry and Emma walked off towards the cafeteria.
"Ray, what is the matter with you? Gosh, why are you acting like this?"
"No why are you acting like this? Flirting and carrying on with another man."
"Ray Budds, I was not flirting! I don't know what that rat Kurt Foster had to say that riled you all up but whatever it is, it's a lie. Petey and I were just talking. Talking, Ray. That is allowed isn't it? Or all of a sudden are you my new daddy? You get to tell who I can and can't be friends with."
"So now you're friends with him, huh? No I ain't your daddy but I don't think he would appreciate it if he knew his little girl was getting all comfy mingling with the colored folk."
I'd had it.
"Ray, I'm going to get something to eat. When you quit acting like an ass, feel free to join me."
I tried to walk away but he grabbed my shoulder and roughly pulled me back into the locker. I had never seen this side of Ray and it was starting to frighten me.
"I don't want you to talking to him anymore, Mary-Courtney, you understand? If one more person comes up to me in the hall and tells me that my girl is flirting with some black guy, so help me..."
"So help you, what Ray? Huh?"
"Look I don't want to fight with you. Let's just go eat, okay?"
"I don't want to fight with you either but I can't deal with this when you're acting like a jerk, Ray. What is going on with you? I don't understand. Half the guys on the team with you, I grew up with them too and they're my friends and I laugh and joke with them all the time. Look at me and Alan. That never bothered you."
"Bosley's different", Ray muttered.
"Why? Because he's white?"
"Yeah because he's white."
"Ray..."
"Look, Mary-Courtney. We have to go to school with them because the law says we do. And I have to play football and you have to cheer with them because the school says we have to. But there ain't no law and no school that can make us be friends with them. Just stick to your own is all I'm saying. No future wife of mine is gonna be a monkey loving race mixer, I'll tell you that much. Now come on." Now it was my turn to jerk away.
"Ray Budds, you are a bigot and you disgust me. I'm not going to lunch or anywhere else with you. And if that's the way you feel then maybe I shouldn't be your wife after all."
With that I turned on my heels and bounded down the hallway. I could feel all kinds of stares on my back as Ray yelled after me a couple times. I knew we were making a scene but I didn't care. He didn't own me. I could talk to whoever I wanted when I wanted and it was none of his business. Petey was a nice guy and we weren't doing anything wrong. I was so angry with Ray that I spent lunch period crying in a stall in the girl's bathroom. I managed to avoid him during sixth period but Algebra, the last class of the day was hopeless. Ronnie Bass, Julius Campbell, Jerry "Rev" Harris, Alan Bosley, Blue Stanton, Louie Lastik, Petey, Gerry, Emma and Ray were all in that class with me. I took my seat in a huff ignoring the curious gazes of Gerry and Emma as well as Ray who was desperately trying to pass me a note. After fifty agonizing minutes, the dismissal bell rang and school was over.
"Mary-Courtney, I want to talk to you."
"Not now Ray. I'm busy. Cheerleaders have to form up in the gym after school first thing."
"This will only take a second..."
"Good bye Ray!" I said loudly as I brushed by him.
Ray stalked off and in my overly dramatic attempt at an exit, I bumped head first into another student. The fall knocked me on my butt and sent my papers and books flying everywhere.
"Is everything okay?"
I looked up and there was Ronnie Bass. He looked concerned and offered me a hand up.
"Yeah, I'm fine, I'm just a klutz", I stammered.
Like a gentleman he helped me gather my things.
"You're not a klutz", he smiled sweetly. "It was partly my fault. I should have been paying more attention to where I was going. But anyway, if you sure you're okay..."
"I'm fine. Really. Thanks."
"Mary-Courtney, right?"
"Yeah", I blushed.
"Ronnie Bass", he said, extending his hand. "Most of the fellas on the team call me Sunshine. Whatever you want to call me is okay. You're in a few of my classes, right?"
"Yeah...um, homeroom and Art and this one."
"That's cool", he nodded. "Well I gotta get going before Coach Boone has my butt. Anyway, it was nice meeting you finally. I guess I'll see you around?"
I nodded like an idiot to flustered to catch my breath and make a coherent sound. I stood there a few minutes trying to process the elements of our conversation then the angry memories of Ray came flooding back. I sighed and tugged at my lip. Ray Budds and Ronnie Bass would both have to wait. I had to get to the locker room and suit up. Tonight was a big night...the first game of the season.
"Buenos Dias, Senora Shaul", the class half-heartedly answered in unison.
She was a plump and pleasant older lady and a favorite of half the student body, mostly because of her tendency to give open book tests. Mrs. Shaul was one of the easier teachers and since her class coincided with lunch, I'd developed the bad habit of staring out the window and daydreaming during her lectures.
"Oh my God, look at him! He is so dreamy", cooed Anna Beth Wright, a fellow cheerleader who sat a few seats away from me.
All eyes diverted to where she was looking in the schoolyard out the window underneath the large oak tree. Amidst a growing crowd of smitten young girls was Ronnie Bass. He seemed to be in his own world, his arms moving in a slow concentrated motion. I'd never seen anything like it but I'd read about meditation and such things.
"Yeah is so cute", another girl joined him.
I said nothing but stared at him. He looked so free, so peaceful, so relaxed...so beautiful . "Y'all talking about old Sunshine?" Petey Jones asked.
Petey was another football player and self-proclaimed class clown. I had to admit, he did make the time pass by in Spanish and Algebra classes.
"Ronnie's the best", another girl offered.
"What are you looking at old Sunshine for? That boy's got the cleanest uniform on the team. Guarantee he'll be sitting on the bench the whole season. If y'all wanna croon over somebody, it should be me. I'm the real star Titan."
The girls giggled and that's exactly what Petey wanted. He was a jokester and a ladies man but also a real sweetheart.
"Petey, you're such a clown", Anna Beth smiled.
"Besides, Sunshine is from California."
"So?"
"I mean, he's from California, if you know what I mean", he smirked.
I gave him a sly smile before burying my nose in my Spanish text. Although he was only joking, I knew exactly what Petey was referring to. Ray had filled me in on the infamous locker room kiss Ronnie had planted on Gerry.
"Girls, it sounds to me like our Petey here is jealous", Anna Beth teased.
"Nunca. Adoro a las damas y las damas me adoran."
"You definitely love the ladies but I think the ladies love Ronnie Bass", I grinned . "You're killing me, Mary-Courtney, you're killing me", Petey winked as Mrs. Shaul gathered our attention to watch a video.
I managed to make it through class and the video without nodding off and when the lunch bell rang, my rumbling tummy was more than ready. I made my usual stop off at my locker to drop off books. Gerry and Emma were already there waiting for me.
"Excited about the big game tonight, Ger?" I asked as I hastily tossed my things inside my locker.
"You know it, kiddo", he grinned. "We're gonna cream Groveton tonight!"
"Excited? Are you kidding me? It's all he's been talking about all week", Emma chimed in.
"Well let's talk about it over lunch", I offered. "I'm starving. Any of you guys seen Ray?"
"Yeah there he is over there talking to Kurt Foster."
Kurt Foster was a kid in my Spanish class I knew in passing only. He wasn't a friend of Ray's either and if I hadn't been in such a rush to get to the cafeteria, I might have found it a little strange the way they were talking all serious like . "Ray, baby over here", I waved, getting his attention so we could all walk to the lunch room together.
"Mary-Courtney, what the hell's going on?"
Ray's harsh tone and angry face took us all off guard.
"What's the matter, baby? We were just waiting on you so we could go eat. Is everything okay?"
"What the hell is going on between you and Petey Jones?"
"Petey?"
"Yeah Petey."
"Nothing. We have class together and we were just talking and..."
"Shut up!"
My mouth opened in shock. I had seen Ray mad before but never quite like this.
"Ray don't be getting all upset, man. Petey's just a friendly guy. He talks to everyone. I'm sure it was harmless", Gerry tried to intervene.
"Gerry, this is between me and my girl."
"I know man but..."
"We'll catch up to you and Emma later."
Even his best friend was bearing the brunt of his wrath. Reluctantly Gerry and Emma walked off towards the cafeteria.
"Ray, what is the matter with you? Gosh, why are you acting like this?"
"No why are you acting like this? Flirting and carrying on with another man."
"Ray Budds, I was not flirting! I don't know what that rat Kurt Foster had to say that riled you all up but whatever it is, it's a lie. Petey and I were just talking. Talking, Ray. That is allowed isn't it? Or all of a sudden are you my new daddy? You get to tell who I can and can't be friends with."
"So now you're friends with him, huh? No I ain't your daddy but I don't think he would appreciate it if he knew his little girl was getting all comfy mingling with the colored folk."
I'd had it.
"Ray, I'm going to get something to eat. When you quit acting like an ass, feel free to join me."
I tried to walk away but he grabbed my shoulder and roughly pulled me back into the locker. I had never seen this side of Ray and it was starting to frighten me.
"I don't want you to talking to him anymore, Mary-Courtney, you understand? If one more person comes up to me in the hall and tells me that my girl is flirting with some black guy, so help me..."
"So help you, what Ray? Huh?"
"Look I don't want to fight with you. Let's just go eat, okay?"
"I don't want to fight with you either but I can't deal with this when you're acting like a jerk, Ray. What is going on with you? I don't understand. Half the guys on the team with you, I grew up with them too and they're my friends and I laugh and joke with them all the time. Look at me and Alan. That never bothered you."
"Bosley's different", Ray muttered.
"Why? Because he's white?"
"Yeah because he's white."
"Ray..."
"Look, Mary-Courtney. We have to go to school with them because the law says we do. And I have to play football and you have to cheer with them because the school says we have to. But there ain't no law and no school that can make us be friends with them. Just stick to your own is all I'm saying. No future wife of mine is gonna be a monkey loving race mixer, I'll tell you that much. Now come on." Now it was my turn to jerk away.
"Ray Budds, you are a bigot and you disgust me. I'm not going to lunch or anywhere else with you. And if that's the way you feel then maybe I shouldn't be your wife after all."
With that I turned on my heels and bounded down the hallway. I could feel all kinds of stares on my back as Ray yelled after me a couple times. I knew we were making a scene but I didn't care. He didn't own me. I could talk to whoever I wanted when I wanted and it was none of his business. Petey was a nice guy and we weren't doing anything wrong. I was so angry with Ray that I spent lunch period crying in a stall in the girl's bathroom. I managed to avoid him during sixth period but Algebra, the last class of the day was hopeless. Ronnie Bass, Julius Campbell, Jerry "Rev" Harris, Alan Bosley, Blue Stanton, Louie Lastik, Petey, Gerry, Emma and Ray were all in that class with me. I took my seat in a huff ignoring the curious gazes of Gerry and Emma as well as Ray who was desperately trying to pass me a note. After fifty agonizing minutes, the dismissal bell rang and school was over.
"Mary-Courtney, I want to talk to you."
"Not now Ray. I'm busy. Cheerleaders have to form up in the gym after school first thing."
"This will only take a second..."
"Good bye Ray!" I said loudly as I brushed by him.
Ray stalked off and in my overly dramatic attempt at an exit, I bumped head first into another student. The fall knocked me on my butt and sent my papers and books flying everywhere.
"Is everything okay?"
I looked up and there was Ronnie Bass. He looked concerned and offered me a hand up.
"Yeah, I'm fine, I'm just a klutz", I stammered.
Like a gentleman he helped me gather my things.
"You're not a klutz", he smiled sweetly. "It was partly my fault. I should have been paying more attention to where I was going. But anyway, if you sure you're okay..."
"I'm fine. Really. Thanks."
"Mary-Courtney, right?"
"Yeah", I blushed.
"Ronnie Bass", he said, extending his hand. "Most of the fellas on the team call me Sunshine. Whatever you want to call me is okay. You're in a few of my classes, right?"
"Yeah...um, homeroom and Art and this one."
"That's cool", he nodded. "Well I gotta get going before Coach Boone has my butt. Anyway, it was nice meeting you finally. I guess I'll see you around?"
I nodded like an idiot to flustered to catch my breath and make a coherent sound. I stood there a few minutes trying to process the elements of our conversation then the angry memories of Ray came flooding back. I sighed and tugged at my lip. Ray Budds and Ronnie Bass would both have to wait. I had to get to the locker room and suit up. Tonight was a big night...the first game of the season.