34-Paul

Paul walked lazily down the hall, taking it slow, his expression light and unconcerned. He’d recovered fully from the weekend. After helping Antwann clean up yesterday, he’d gone home and taken it easy the rest of the evening. He’d watched some TV, took a nap, and even spent some time studying for exams. It almost felt good to do so—atoning.

He’d called Lauren after dinner, but no one had answered at her house. She’d still been on the way back from Baltimore, probably. Then, all day at school he’d barely seen her, in the halls or elsewhere. In the aftermath of such a wild weekend, he really wanted to catch up with her. But as it usually was when you really wanted to talk with a girl, they proved to be incredibly elusive.

Derrick, a fellow junior with a booming voice, who was a killer on the basketball court, emerged from the crowded hallway and approached him with a wide grin. Immediately, Paul had a sneaking suspicion of what he might be after.

“Paul, what up, bro?” Derrick asked.

“Chillin,’ chillin. What’s up with you?”

They walked side by side, exchanging some small talk, until finally Derrick asked what he’d meant to ask all along.

“So, you got any bud, Paul?”

“Sorry, man, I’m out.”

“Aw, hell nah! What about Rob?”

“I don’t know, man. You’ll have to ask him.”

“Shiiit, man, I’m trying to get my summer hookup.”

“Sorry. Can’t help, man.”

“It’s all good. Hey, I’ll catch up with you later.”

“All right. Later.”

They shook hands, and Derrick was off, in search of that magical, sticky green shit that no one seemed to be able to get enough of.

Paul turned the corner and headed to his locker. He shuffled through the items within, getting what he needed for the weekend, while speaking casually to one of his neighbors.

Then he heard a very familiar voice call out.

“Paul!”

He turned and saw Rob coming at him with a head of steam. He was clearly excited about something.

“What’s up, bro?” Paul asked.

“Paul! Man, check this shit out! I just talked to one of Jimmy’s boys. We got the shit all worked out, man.”

“Really?” Paul asked skeptically, while feeling a lump grow in his throat. He knew this moment would be coming, but he didn’t know it would arrive so fast.

“Yeah, man. Here’s the plan. We’re meeting at Miller’s Park tonight. He just wants me. One on one.”

“Just you?”

“Yeah, he just wants me. I guess because I threw the first punch the other night, when I stole him, you know? So, I’ll take him. But you gotta be there, man.”

Paul didn’t respond right away, and he saw the unrest ripple into Rob’s expression.

“Tell me you’re fuckin’ going!” he barked.

Paul shook his head. “I can’t.”

“What? Why the hell not?”

The lump in his throat was prominent, but Paul spoke on top of it, as calmly as he could muster. “Rob, man, I could make up an excuse, but…I respect you too much to spin you any bullshit. The truth is that…I’m just over it, man. That’s it. I don’t want to get into this kind of shit anymore.”

“What?”

Paul nodded.

Rob’s face looked betrayed for a moment, but then it lightened.

“Man, I’m gonna need some people up there with me. I’m gonna need all you guys up there. Jimmy will be there with his whole crew. I can’t show up by myself. I’ll get the shit beat out of me.”

“Don’t go, man. Seriously. Tell him we’re sorry that shit went down the other night. I’ll talk to him, if you want. For real, I don’t mind. I’ll do it.”

Rob looked wildly confused. “What are you scared of, man?” he asked.

“Nothing. It’s not about that.”

“No one’s gonna be packin,’” Rob said, his voice low, almost a whisper. “We both said so, man. We both agreed.”

“It ain’t about that, either.”

Rob barked in frustration, like he could not accept what he was hearing. Then he spoke again, still with his low voice. “Seriously, man. What’s going on? Tell me for real. What’s up?”

“I told you. And I’m sorry, bro. I just don’t want to keep doing this kind of shit. That’s all it is. I’m done. I’m done with it.”

“When the hell did you decide this?”

“This weekend.”

Staring off into space, Rob mouthed the words, “What the fuck?”

“I’m sorry, man. You’re still my boy, though.”

Rob stared at him, and after a few seconds it was like something clicked. His expression lightened. “It’s bullshit, Paul, and you know it. I’ll pick you up later.”

“Nah, dude.”

“I’m picking you up.” Rob turned and began walking away. “Your ass better be ready.”

“Nah, man, don’t. Just give me a chance to talk to Jimmy,” Paul said. “I’ll smooth this out.”

Rob didn’t answer. Instead, he walked away rapidly, his movement sending out clear signals like he would annihilate anyone who dared get in his path. Several kids scampered out of his way, giving him plenty of clearance. It was common knowledge to steer far clear of Rob Smith if he ever had that kind of look on his face.

Paul watched him until he was out of sight, then shut his locker and walked off slowly.

The words he’d spoke felt surreal. It wasn’t easy saying them, but once they were out it felt good. He breathed deeply, feeling the lump in his throat finally subside. He moved coolly amongst those other students walking alongside him in the hall.

Paul realized he didn’t have to fight. He didn’t have to sell drugs.

“Man, I ain’t gotta do shit,” Paul said.

One guy actually heard him and looked at him strangely.

Paul turned the corner and walked across the concourse. Lauren was standing near the doors to the auditorium, where she often met up with him after school. She was a very welcome sight, and Paul felt himself ease. Although it was clear everything was not okay—he could see the look of concern on her face right away.

“What just happened?” she asked him.

Paul could ascertain immediately that Rob and the storm cloud around him had just passed through here. “Did you just see Rob?” he asked.

She nodded. “He looked pissed off. I said hi to him and he barely even acknowledged me.”

“Have you seen Jimmy Redman today? Or any of his boys?” Paul asked. “I gotta get ahold of him.”

“Why?”

“Rob’s gonna go fight him later today at Miller’s Park. I’m actually trying to talk them out of it.”

“You are?” She looked surprised.

“Yeah.”

She looked at him, so fully engaged, yet she didn’t speak.

“So? What?”

“I just…didn’t expect to hear that.”

Paul shrugged like it was no big deal.

“That’s why Rob was pissed off?” she asked.

Paul nodded.

“Look at you, acting all grown up.”

Her tone was so masterfully ambiguous. One could interpret her comments as joking, or serious; as compliments, or insults. But Paul finally realized that much of the time she was actually speaking quite directly. He decided to do the same.

“Your perspective can kind of change once you have a gun in your face. I don’t know about you, Lauren, but…that kind of fucked me up the other night.”

She nodded. “Me too.”

“I mean, seriously, what if someone got shot? Over nothing? Wouldn’t that be awful?”

“God yes.”

Paul didn’t know what else to say.

“Who have you been talking to?” she asked.

“What?”

“You just…sound different.”

He shrugged again, in a way that was almost impatient.

“Not in a bad way,” she added. “It’s good. I mean…you’re right. I totally agree with you.”

“I’m gonna try to get in touch with Jimmy to call this off, but if I can’t find him, I don’t know what the hell I’m gonna do. I don’t think there’s any talking Rob out of this.”

She sighed. “You guys.”

“What?”

“Here we are talking about fights and guns and drugs. Jesus…what happened?”

“What do you mean?”

“It seems like not long ago at all, you and Rob were in seventh grade, wearing Starter jackets and having pencil fights on the bus.”

“You’re going old school on me?” Paul asked. “Right now?”

“Yeah.”

He smiled, almost as though in relief. “Well, I could do that, too.”

“Do it, then.” She smiled back at him.

“Remember in elementary school, when Rob had that N.W.A. tape? I think we listened to it so much it finally just broke. Seriously, one day it just…stopped working.”

“And then you guys were all wearing Cross Colours.” She snickered.

“Yeah! Even Rob.”

“That’s right, he did! He was all hip-hop at one point. What changed?”

“Pearl Jam Ten came out. Rob ran with that. You know, deep down I think that’s still his favorite album.”

“While you ran with…what? House of Pain? And…what was that other one? The ‘Rump Shaker’ song?”

“Wreckx-n-Effect,” Paul said, with no hesitation at all.

“That’s right.” Lauren giggled incessantly.

“What? It’s all solid. No regrets,” Paul declared.

“No regrets? Really, Paul? MC Hammer? Vanilla—”

“Stop it,” Paul said sternly. “That’s not even true. You’re making that up.”

“Are you sure?” She smiled.

“Well, then, what about New Kids on the Block?”

Her smile vanished. “That was a low blow.”

He laughed. “Are you ready to get out of here, Lauren? I mean, we could do this all day.”

“Yeah, you’re right. Let’s go.”

They turned and made their way for the doors and the parking lot. A threatening sky was overhead, and somewhere in the distance thunder rumbled.

Lauren stopped in urgency.

“What?” Paul asked.

“Wait. There’s one more thing. I’m sorry, but this simply cannot wait.”

“What is it?” Paul asked, almost worried.

They started walking again as she talked.

“I saw a preview on TV for a movie coming out this summer. It has aliens attacking Earth, and they’re rolling in mile-wide spaceships. Mile-wide spaceships, Paul!”

Paul tilted his head back, feeling himself ease ever more. He chuckled as he spoke. “Oh, yeah, Independence Day, right?”

“Yes,” Lauren said, her eyes sparkling. “And you haven’t even heard the best part yet. The movie is starring the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air! Can you believe this? I can’t wait. I can barely even sleep.”

Paul couldn’t reply through his laughter.

“Paul, I don’t think you fully understand how monumental this is. You’re just not grasping it. You really cannot comprehend it. Don’t you see? We’re gonna get to see the Fresh Prince fighting aliens! Can you believe it? Who says life isn’t just fucking grand?”

The laughter began to slow, but still Paul could barely speak. “Lauren, you crack me up,” he managed.

She looked at him, jokingly serious. “If you don’t take me to see this movie, I’m going to be very unhappy.”

Paul grinned widely. Everything really was pretty simple, he realized. It always had been.

“Oh, don’t worry. We’re going. Most definitely.”