Bruce dated outside of his race when he was young, but he never had a
relationship with a white woman. He had a tremendous amount of love and
respect for his mother. He transferred those feelings to all women, but
even more so to African-American women. It seemed necessary having a
daughter and being in legal profession.
It was common knowledge that professional black men who married white women married them as a way of moving up the corporate ladder and establishing themselves. Or a way to show what they've accomplished; a "trophy". Bruce respected women too much to behave in that fashion. He also believed in working hard towards accomplishments, not riding the coattails of "status". Yet sometimes he wondered if it was just envy behind the label of a "trophy wife" because he never heard of an interracial couple having it easy. Either way, he focused more on what was ideal for Rebecca, and what was socially acceptable; he chose to only pursue black women.
He was angry at himself. He recognized that his choice was based on what others expected, no different than the concept of a "trophy"; the easy way out. Listening to his "ideals" hadn't brought him much happiness in love. Bruce had been living his "ideal" so long; it was uncomfortable going against it. He was a proud African-American man who went against all the stereotypes, always tried to "do the right thing". He had a daughter to raise right, but when it came to love, he didn't think he was setting the best example.
The truth was that only dating within his race wasn't just about a role model for Rebecca; Bruce was very afraid of how he would be perceived. Amy was a great woman, respected by many. During the time he dated Zola, he evaded her comments about Amy. Instead of standing up for what he knew was right and true about Amy, he'd change the subject or just call it an off- limit topic.
Yet all along Amy always stood up for him. Time and time again, Amy stuck out her neck for him. And she would continue to stand up for whom and what she believed in. Bruce admired her; he knew how fortunate he was to have her as a role model for his daughter. Amy had many qualities that he had been trying to instill in Rebecca. Qualities his mother instilled in him. The only positive quality Rebecca got from Mia was her good looks.
Mia! Bruce just remembered the situation he was in with Mia. He became quite solemn.
Amy noticed Bruce's demeanor change. She noticed he became very quiet.
"What's wrong? Did I do something wrong?"
"No baby, I just got a lot on my mind. It's almost midnight and we still aren't anywhere."
Amy turned on the radio. Alicia Keys "Diary" was playing.
"Well we're together. And we're about to spend the weekend together."
Amy smiled at Bruce but he was focused on the road ahead. His hand was on the shifter. Amy put her hand in his, even though she knew he wasn't being completely honest with her. She knew Bruce for too long and she could tell when he had something on his mind. Amy decided not to push the issue. They had a couple days to discuss things and maybe he was just tired. It had been a long day.
"So where are we heading. You haven't told me?"
"You're on the right track. It's on Silver Lake... about an hour away. Get on 44 heading toward Sharon."
"Silver Lake? Isn't that about an hour and a half away? You think we should go that far out?" said Bruce incredulously. He was contemplating backing out. Distance and time was a good excuse to do so. Bruce was in conflict about whether or not to tell Amy.
"You told me to pick a place where we won't run into anyone. This was the best I could come up with." Amy was a little hurt. She could see that something really was wrong with Bruce. She was becoming fearful that he was feeling remorse.
"Ok ok. I just wasn't expecting a road trip. Hey didn't you say we needed groceries?" said Bruce, trying to change the subject. Amy deserved the truth and not him stringing her along.
"Yeah. There's a 24 hour A&P on the way."
Amy was trying to be as cooperative as possible. She could tell there was something wrong and didn't Bruce to clam up like he normally did. There was plenty of time to discuss things at the cabin. Besides, she knew Bruce well enough to know that he only discussed things when he was ready. This wasn't a time to push him. It was more important to enjoy themselves. She was looking forward to getting out from underneath the gray cloud of misery that she'd been under.
"I can drive if you want to sleep," Amy offered, hoping to comfort Bruce.
"No, I'm alright. Just tell me where to go."
Bruce relaxed a bit. Amy accepted him for who he is. Her offer to drive made him realize how she always did, and always would sacrifice for the ones she loved. And though he didn't believe Mia, he decided it was only right that he tell Amy. After all, it is something he would discuss with a loyal friend. And that was Amy.
It was common knowledge that professional black men who married white women married them as a way of moving up the corporate ladder and establishing themselves. Or a way to show what they've accomplished; a "trophy". Bruce respected women too much to behave in that fashion. He also believed in working hard towards accomplishments, not riding the coattails of "status". Yet sometimes he wondered if it was just envy behind the label of a "trophy wife" because he never heard of an interracial couple having it easy. Either way, he focused more on what was ideal for Rebecca, and what was socially acceptable; he chose to only pursue black women.
He was angry at himself. He recognized that his choice was based on what others expected, no different than the concept of a "trophy"; the easy way out. Listening to his "ideals" hadn't brought him much happiness in love. Bruce had been living his "ideal" so long; it was uncomfortable going against it. He was a proud African-American man who went against all the stereotypes, always tried to "do the right thing". He had a daughter to raise right, but when it came to love, he didn't think he was setting the best example.
The truth was that only dating within his race wasn't just about a role model for Rebecca; Bruce was very afraid of how he would be perceived. Amy was a great woman, respected by many. During the time he dated Zola, he evaded her comments about Amy. Instead of standing up for what he knew was right and true about Amy, he'd change the subject or just call it an off- limit topic.
Yet all along Amy always stood up for him. Time and time again, Amy stuck out her neck for him. And she would continue to stand up for whom and what she believed in. Bruce admired her; he knew how fortunate he was to have her as a role model for his daughter. Amy had many qualities that he had been trying to instill in Rebecca. Qualities his mother instilled in him. The only positive quality Rebecca got from Mia was her good looks.
Mia! Bruce just remembered the situation he was in with Mia. He became quite solemn.
Amy noticed Bruce's demeanor change. She noticed he became very quiet.
"What's wrong? Did I do something wrong?"
"No baby, I just got a lot on my mind. It's almost midnight and we still aren't anywhere."
Amy turned on the radio. Alicia Keys "Diary" was playing.
"Well we're together. And we're about to spend the weekend together."
Amy smiled at Bruce but he was focused on the road ahead. His hand was on the shifter. Amy put her hand in his, even though she knew he wasn't being completely honest with her. She knew Bruce for too long and she could tell when he had something on his mind. Amy decided not to push the issue. They had a couple days to discuss things and maybe he was just tired. It had been a long day.
"So where are we heading. You haven't told me?"
"You're on the right track. It's on Silver Lake... about an hour away. Get on 44 heading toward Sharon."
"Silver Lake? Isn't that about an hour and a half away? You think we should go that far out?" said Bruce incredulously. He was contemplating backing out. Distance and time was a good excuse to do so. Bruce was in conflict about whether or not to tell Amy.
"You told me to pick a place where we won't run into anyone. This was the best I could come up with." Amy was a little hurt. She could see that something really was wrong with Bruce. She was becoming fearful that he was feeling remorse.
"Ok ok. I just wasn't expecting a road trip. Hey didn't you say we needed groceries?" said Bruce, trying to change the subject. Amy deserved the truth and not him stringing her along.
"Yeah. There's a 24 hour A&P on the way."
Amy was trying to be as cooperative as possible. She could tell there was something wrong and didn't Bruce to clam up like he normally did. There was plenty of time to discuss things at the cabin. Besides, she knew Bruce well enough to know that he only discussed things when he was ready. This wasn't a time to push him. It was more important to enjoy themselves. She was looking forward to getting out from underneath the gray cloud of misery that she'd been under.
"I can drive if you want to sleep," Amy offered, hoping to comfort Bruce.
"No, I'm alright. Just tell me where to go."
Bruce relaxed a bit. Amy accepted him for who he is. Her offer to drive made him realize how she always did, and always would sacrifice for the ones she loved. And though he didn't believe Mia, he decided it was only right that he tell Amy. After all, it is something he would discuss with a loyal friend. And that was Amy.