Chapter 1 #4
I dipped my head, acknowledging he had a point.
“I know certain people are. I appreciate you understanding that things are complicated and I will try to take your advice and let my guard down a bit.” I shoved my hands into the pockets of my slacks, still conflicted.
“At the moment, I’m not feeling ready though.
I need more time to get my bearings here, get a feel for my department and the fuckery I’m sure is happening there.
So Easton will just have to be on hold for now. ”
He threw his hands up again, like he knew I wasn’t going to budge another inch.
“You do you, P. We’re here if you need us. Let me throw you a bone by changing the subject.”
I laughed helplessly at Nesto’s usual directness. “Sure.”
He looked back toward the kitchen to where Ari—one of Nesto’s original two employees when he first got to Ithaca—who was now an assistant manager at the restaurant, was standing.
“Ari wants to ask you if you would be his mentor. Nothing too deep, just some advice on school, for now. He’s working on getting fully matriculated and wants advice on classes and such.”
The warmth in my chest at what Nesto said was a surprise.
“Really? I thought he wanted to be a lawyer? I’m an economics and public policy guy.”
Nesto shook his head, glancing over his shoulder, before leaning in close.
“That’s the thing, he’s getting interested in the stuff you do.
He read your dissertation paper on distributive justice and he’s been all over it.
Also he’s obsessed with your social media game.
” He shook his head with a baffled look on his face, like he was talking about a deep and dark world that he had no clue why anyone wanted any part of.
“Ari’s deep into Black Threads now, follows all the dudes you’re on there pontificating with.
It doesn’t matter though.” He lifted a shoulder and smiled wide.
“Whatever he ends up doing, I think it’ll be good for him to have someone he can talk about stuff with.
” He flattened his lips, worry furrowing his brow.
“He’s on his own out here. All his family is still in the Congo, other than his uncle, who as far as I can tell is a raging homophobe.
And that’s a problem, since Ari’s been making noise about coming out to him. ”
He looked toward the kitchen again. “No pressure man, of course.”
I shook my head, already feeling really compelled to do this for Ari.
He was such an impressive young man and had overcome so much.
He’d come to the States on his own as a refugee from the Congo when he was a teen and ended up in an immigrant detention center for almost two years before they let him go without ever giving him a reason for why they detained him in the first place.
I nodded at Nesto and lifted my hand toward where Ari was busy checking things off from a clipboard.
“I would be happy to. I’m not sure how useful I’ll be, but I’m willing to give it a shot.”
I noticed that Yin, who, like Ari, had been one of Nesto’s original employees, was standing a lot closer to Ari than a coworker would.
Yin was petite, his delicate features serious as he worked with Ari, who towered over him.
Ari was a lot taller and bulkier than Yin.
His ebony skin a contrast to Yin’s milky complexion.
Their bodies were comfortable next to each other, though.
Like lovers.
Nesto must have been able to tell what I was thinking because he just glanced at them and shook his head with a fond smile on his face. After a moment he hollered for Ari. As soon as he was within reach, Nesto slapped him on the back. Ari looked at Nesto like he was his hero.
“Ari, come and talk to Patrice. He’s down with mentoring you.”
The young man’s face lit up at that, which did not hurt my ego.
“Boss man, I asked you not to say anything.”
Nesto shook his head and laughed. “Why, man? How’s he going to know you want him to mentor you if we never say anything?”
I intervened before Nesto embarrassed the kid any more. “I’d be honored, Ari. I’m not sure how much I can actually mentor you;. You seem to have your shit more than together. But whatever you need, let me know.”
Ari smiled wide. God, he looked young. “Thank you, Patrice. That would be great. I have a lot of questions.”
I pointed at my jacket pocket, where my phone was. “Sure. I have to get going, but Nesto has my number. Send me a text and we can set up a time to talk. I’m interested in hearing your plans. Nesto said you’re taking classes at Cornell this semester. Good for you.”
He nodded enthusiastically at that. “Yes, I’m only taking two of them, but it’s going well.”
“Great.” I waved at Nesto, who had gone behind the counter again to do some work. “Catch you at home, Nes.” He muttered a “yes” with his eyes focused on the screen as he waved his hand over his head. I moved in to give Ari a dap and then made my way out onto the street.
I walked to my car feeling lighter than I’d been a half hour before, Nesto’s words about giving things with Easton a chance still floating in my head.