Fourth period was my favorite part of the day next to lunch, and art was my favorite subject and Mrs. Taylor had to be my favorite teacher. She was the first black teacher I'd ever had and my parents had been so reluctant about me taking her class. But for anyone who ever met this woman or spent at least five minutes with her, any apprehensions would soon blow by the wayside. She was a terrific teacher and a terrific lady. Boy did she have a commanding presence. Just by walking in a room she had everyone's attention immediately. And she was beautiful! She reminded me a lot of Lena Horne. And those bright colors and scarves she wore around her head were amazing. But more than that, she knew her art and she loved it. Mrs. Taylor was a true artist in every sense of the word. Her assignments were both refreshing and thought provoking.

"Ladies and gentlemen, art is a feeling", she began. "It's about expression and it is full of emotion. Today's assignment is simple. I want you all to relax for a moment and just stop and think about how you feel. It can be happy or sad or confused or even angry. Whatever it is, I want it to come from the depths of your soul and then you are going to paint those feelings. I want to view your work and see and feel the honesty within. I have randomly chosen partners for you to work with on that exercise and you and your partner will discuss and critique each other's work. There are a pair of names on each set of easels in the back. Please look for your name and that of your partner and you may begin."

Even though I had no idea what to paint, I was excited about Mrs. Taylor's assignment. It was better than coloring in pieces of fruit and other silly assignments that had taken place in my previous art classes. Grabbing an apron, I hurried to the back to the easel that had my name on it. My name and Ronnie Bass's name as well. As luck or fate would have it, he was my new partner.

"Hey", he said softly.

"Hey."

"Looks like we're partners."

"I guess so", I shrugged.

"Can I help you with that?" he asked as he assisted me with my apron.

When our colors and brushes were ready, we scooted our stools up to the easel.

"So", he said. "What are you gonna paint about?"

"I don't know", I shrugged honestly. "I just put the brush in my hands and it's like it automatically knows what to do to the paper."

Ronnie nodded thoughtfully like he understood what I meant. We were quiet for a while, just enjoying the peace and the feeling of freedom we felt as our hands effortlessly glided the brushes over the easel. Fifteen minutes before class ended, Mrs. Taylor called "time" and gave us a few moments to discuss each other's work. I looked carefully over at what Ronnie had painted.

"What do you see?" he asked.

I cleared my throat and tried not to sound like a dork.

"Your color..." I began.

"What about it?"

"It's beautiful. I mean, the way you used it and all. Like where you started, it's bright and peaceful and almost happy. Then over here the colors merge and it's kind of dark and I don't know...I'm sorry. That sounds pretty stupid, huh? You must think I'm a total geek."

"I don't think you're a geek at all, Mary-Courtney. I think you're really smart and really sweet. You totally figured out what my painting was all about."

"I did?"

"Yeah. See, it's like I painted two worlds. One world, like you said is happy and it's chilled and everything is cool and normal. The other world is darker and it's confused and a lot of things don't make sense. That's how I'm feeling now ever since I moved here."

"Is this about the other night?" I asked.

"Part of it", he shrugged. "That really tripped me out, you know. I swear I had no idea. Even though Petey tried to warn me, it's like I didn't get it, man. Like my brain wouldn't even allow me to think like that. Things are so much different here."

"What...what's California like?"

"How did you know I was from California?" he asked, the very mention of his former state brought a sweet smile to his lips.

"I don't know", I smiled shyly. "It's a small town...people talk."

"California...it's cool. It's way different from here, that's for sure. For one, everything is already integrated. It's like people get along and they respect each other and everything is so chill. It's really nice. And the weather, oh man, the weather is great. It's sunny and it never rains and there is always great surf on the beach."

"You surf? Like really surf on a board and everything?"

I grimaced as I know I sounded just like Ellie Mae Clampett but Ronnie didn't seem to mind. He was so patient and thoughtful when he spoke.

"Yeah it's really fun. You'd probably like it, Mary-Courtney. I bet you'd make a great surfer."

"Who me? Nah, not me", I said, shaking my head. "I'd probably suck. I'd probably fall down and break something."

"You're too hard on yourself. I think you'd be great."

Ronnie was looking right at me and his very gaze was paralyzing. I couldn't speak or move or even breathe. All I could do was focus on that face and those eyes...oh those eyes. I can only imagine how I must have looked at that moment...mouth wide open, eyes filled with adoration and wonder. I had to snap out of it.

"So, um, what do you think of mine...my painting that is?"

"I like it. I think it's great. It reminds me a lot of mind except it's kind of opposite in an important way. See, it starts off with these dark colors here...it's like gloomy and kind of sad and the way these lines meet those lines...over here it's like a little ray of light. Like something is trying to escape from the darkness and find the light."

It felt like Ronnie was reading my thoughts.

"Yeah, I guess", was all I managed to stammer as we cleaned up our supplies and prepared for dismissal. "What do you have next period, you know, for class?" Ronnie asked.

"Spanish. It's with Mrs. Shaul."

"Oh that's cool. I know Mrs. Shaul, she's pretty groovy."

"I guess so. Um, what about you?"

"I have lunch."

"Yeah that's right. I've watched you out in the yard, I mean, like we've seen you, I mean...I don't like stare but I've seen you do the meditation like thing...sometimes."

Great going, Mary-Courtney, I scolded myself. I was being a real idiot.

"That's cool", Ronnie smiled. "It's not meditation though I do meditate sometimes. It's called Tai Che. It's actually pretty cool. I can teach it to you sometimes if you'd like to learn."

"Sure", I volunteered, sounding a little too eager.

The bell rang and after saying our good byes to Mrs. Taylor, it was time to go.

"Hey, I can walk you to your locker. It's on my way to the yard."

"Okay", I smiled, hoping he couldn't hear my heart beat. "So, um, is Petey still mad at you and all."

"Nah he's over it and I'm glad to. Petey's a good friend and I don't want him pissed off at me."

"I'm glad you guys made up. It sucks but I understand why he got so upset and everything. It's not right. They treat blacks around here like animals sometimes. It's uncalled for."

"I know. I told my old man what happened when I got home and he was pretty mad too. You know, that's how I ended up coming to T.C. Williams. My family didn't get here until late in the summer and I wanted to play ball real bad. My dad and me went around to different schools and checked out the programs. A couple teams were willing to let me start as quarterback but my dad wouldn't have it. See, none of those schools allowed blacks on the team. My dad is a Colonel in the Army and he says if blacks and whites can fight side by side in a war, then we should be able to play high school football together too."

"Your daddy sounds like a real smart man. I think he's right. A lot of folks around here wouldn't agree but some aren't so bad. Maybe Virginia isn't as nice as California but...I, I hope you get to like it here and all. Maybe you'll see that it's not all bad all of the time."

Ronnie nodded and touched my hand.

"Yeah I guess I am beginning to see that it isn't so bad here after all."

Ronnie Bass touched my hand and I felt like I could fly. Just being near him put me on cloud nine.