Early Fall 2009

A month later, Derek received his final paycheck before he went to class. Ahmad was already hitting the road when their now ex-boss padlocked Reese's Joints. Derek wasn't gonna lie; he was gonna miss the music store. In all his wanting for "something different", there were a few things about it that he couldn't forget. For one, it was his first legit job. It was also how he was able to provide for Nikki and the triplets. With that factor being removed from his life and financial aid covering his college expenses, he needed to focus on his share of rent and the bills. Derek now had three available days in his schedule. He might think whether he should become a full-time student. On another note, he hadn't declared a major yet.

Derek came home to an empty apartment that afternoon, but this wasn't history repeating itself. Chenille was going to work overtime again tonight. Momma Dean had errands to run in West Englewood. The part-time student voluntarily glanced at the clock. He wouldn't pick up Christopher for another two hours. Since school was back in session, they couldn't hang out like they used to. They each were drowning in schoolwork. On the other hand, his nephew was able to chill with his new friends. Derek, feeling encumbered during the previous years, had lost contact with his homies from Wheatley High. Though he might hate to admit it, Malakai's release could be a blessing in disguise.

Speaking of whom, Derek's family had no clue about the encounter. They wouldn't even want to know as far as he knew. Chenille had always thought Malakai was a bad influence. Momma Dean was more disapproving of his actions. Ever since the ex-con unhesitatingly jumped into the gang life, he was in and out of juvie for five consecutive years. Only several people could stand to be around his mouth. Derek never looked back after the failed drive-by. The day of the orientation was the only time they saw each other… so far.

Richard T. Greener Elementary was overcrowded with Black students when Derek and Chenille were kids. The teachers were underfunded yet creative with their limited resources. It was nowadays one of the few public schools in Englewood that weren't inflicted with crime. Its sprawling premises were encapsulated in a wrought iron fence, resembling nothing like the antiquated building in Derek's memories. His silver Toyota Camry was in a long, processing line of cars at the intersection near its main entrance. As he pulled up to the curb, he spotted the same male staffer standing at the gate. The driver rolled down the passenger window in time for the expectant question. "Hey, which student are you here for?"

"Christopher Reynolds."

"Okay." He drove ahead after the gatekeeper uttered his nephew's name into the walkie-talkie. 10 minutes later, Derek watched Coach Kendall escorting the casually-dressed third grader out. They stopped five feet away from the front door. Christopher waved to the P.E. teacher before he opened the passenger door. "Hey, Uncle Derek."

"Hey, little man." The two fist-bumped as always. As soon as Christopher got seated, and strapped himself in, Derek drove them out of the eclectic school. "You had a good day?"

"Yeah, I got a B on my multiplication quiz."

"Oh, man. That's da bomb. I'm proud of you. What else is going on?"

"My class is going on a field trip."

"Where to?"

"Mrs. Phillips said we'll be visiting the DuSable Museum next month." The boy's smile fell when he inquired, "Uncle Derek, do you think Mom will let me spent the night away from home?"

"Why'd you ask?"

"My friend Jason is having a sleepover at his house next weekend. His folks said that I can leave with them on Friday, and they'll bring me to school on Monday."

Derek weighed up on the invitation; he believed it could be good for the boy. On the other hand, Chenille rarely allowed Christopher to stay overnight at someone else's house. It wouldn't matter what the college student's reply would be. He knew that his sister had the final say. "You'll gonna have to ask her."

The 8-year-old groaned, "She'll definitely say no."

His uncle glanced at him, asking, "This sleepover important to you?" He earnestly nodded his head. "I'm sure your mom won't. She can be understanding sometimes."

"Come on, Chenille," Derek coaxed hours later. "He really wants to go."

"No," his sister precisely replies. "Forget it."

"Christopher is a good kid. He hardly brings anything lower than a C."

"Don't ya think I know all that? I don't wanna deprive him of friends any more than you, but I'm not gonna leave him with folks I don't know."

"Why do you keep sheltering him?"

"He's my son, Derek, not yours!"

"Enough!" The grey-haired woman with round bifocals, who rarely raised her voice, stood up with her hands on her hips. Momma Dean glared at her fighting grandchildren. "You both know there's a better way to handle this situation." After dinner, the Reynolds family debated on whether and why Christopher should attend the sleepover. The siblings each provided their own reasonings. Momma Dean mediated with her taciturn great-grandson sitting next to her. The verdict was authorized following an hour of deliberation. The younger Reynolds would attend his first sleepover next weekend; however, his mother would meet with Jason and his parents beforehand.

While Chenille was getting Christopher ready for bed, Ms. Claudine Reynolds requested her grandson to stay behind for a private conversation. He sat on the sofa across from her. "It isn't fair to accuse your sister of being overprotective."

"Christopher should have a better childhood than she and I did."

"If you think you're the only one who wants that for him, then you're lying to yourself." Momma Dean's harsh words struck him hard. "There's something else I want to discuss with you."

"What's up?"

"How are you doing with your classes?"

"I have midterms coming soon." Derek rationalized, "I need to start looking for a job. The electric and phone bills need to be paid. Maybe I should drop out of college."

Momma Dean softened, sighing, "Honey, you can't be everything to everyone at once."

"I don't know what I want, Moms." He rested his head into his hands. "Even after three years, I still feel like I'm drifting."

"The fact that you are finding your way is a start." She underscored her point prior to calling it a night. "You've chosen to go to college for a reason. Why don't you focus on that for now?"