2. Talitha
Talitha
For the past six months, I had developed a rapport with not only my staff but the children who visited the center. A few of them I had taken an extra liking to, after all they were the ones who needed more of my attention. I know my role was director, but I took my job serious.
I had implemented an open-door policy at the center. When my kids felt like they couldn’t talk to the counselors we employed, I made sure to make myself readily available to them.
It is why my heart broke to hear Quantavious tell me he planned on seeking revenge on the person responsible for gunning down his brother. I offered to hire a grief counselor to help him with his transition, but he refused the help.
Quan had only been here for about a month and in the beginning, he was a tough nut to crack. I could sense that something was troubling him, so I started doing little things to get him to open up.
Whether it be hanging out on the basketball court with him or simply letting him sit in my office while he did his homework. I wanted so much more for him because I saw more in him.
After joining the staff, I realized that while the center provided the kids with a safe haven, there was so much more that we could offer.
I set up meetings with city officials, even reached out to a few investors I knew in the area only to be told no.
It was almost as if they didn’t have any hope in our youth, the future of America.
That shit was so disheartening and if that wasn’t enough to make me want to reevaluate my employment, the shit that had just taken place outside surely had done it.
It wasn’t even five o’clock yet and I had already had about as much as I could take for the day. Powering down my computer, I closed my eyes and leaned back in the leather swivel office chair.
“Hey Tali,” Rossi rushed out in a desperate breath.
Without opening my eyes, I answered, “Yes darling.”
“Um. Mr. Harvey would like to see you in his office.”
“Thee Mr. Harvey?” I croaked.
“The only and only. Unfortunately he was pulling up when you were outside with Quan.”
“Shit,” I faltered under my breath. Surely if he had witnessed that, me quitting wouldn’t happen. This man was getting ready to fire my ass. He probably thought I couldn’t do my job efficiently. “Did…” Swallowing the lump in my throat I asked, “Did he say what it was about?”
“No.” Rossi shook his head.
“Well, if today is my last day here, I may as well get everything that I’ve been holding in off my chest.”
Squaring my shoulders, I stood and rounded the desk. After smoothing out my pencil skirt, I walked out of my office and down the hall to the bigger version of my work vessel that had sat empty since my very first day of employment.
Knocking on the partially closed door, I waited to be invited in before pushing it open and stepping across the threshold.
Waving me over he ordered, “Mrs. Howard, have a seat.”
His voice was deep and raspy making him sound all authoritative and shit. But even that wasn’t enough for me to not get my issues off my chest. One thing about it, Bertha Mae taught me to speak my mind and do it with conviction.
“It’s Miss Howard but I prefer to be called Tali,” I let him know before plopping down in the chair.
Instead of responding, he tipped his head toward me and ruffled through a stack of papers.
My knee bounced rapidly as I sat across from him waiting for him to let me know that my services were no longer needed.
After what felt like minutes but was merely seconds of silence he finally spoke, “Before coming to work here you were at” He paused and flipped to the first page of the stack. “Youth Villages.”
“That is correct,” I confirmed, not really knowing where this was going.
“That was an inhouse facility?”
“It was,” I confirmed once again.
“I see. Nothing like what we have going on here,” he chuckled.
“Youth Villages offered some of the same things. The main difference is those kids lived there until they were able to transition out.”
“Umph.” He stroked his chin as his eyes scanned the papers.
Crossing one leg over the other I cleared my throat. “Mr. Harvey, if I may. First, I want to apologize for the scene you witnessed earlier.”
“Miss. Howard, I assure you an apology isn’t necessary.”
Okay… So maybe I’m not about to get fired.
I guess he had finished looking for whatever those papers contained because he placed them down on the desk and gave me his undivided attention. “If there was one thing you could change about the way we do things here, what would it be?”
Angling my head to the side, I pondered over his question a second before firing off. “I find that question too difficult to answer.”
“How so?” he countered.
“It really depends on the reason you’re asking. Are you asking because you care and want to make those changes?”
“I assure you I’m not asking to hear myself talk.”
Sighing dejectedly, I rolled my eyes to the ground for a bout before bringing them back to his face. “For starters, this center offers a lot and while there are tons for the kids to do, I feel we lack opportunity.”
“Elaborate for me.” Loosening his tie, Mr. Harvey sat back in the chair awaiting my response.
“The main change I would love to see is something geared toward work force. Especially for the kids that are sixteen and up.
Running a ball up and down a court or a field tends to be lucrative if you survive your environment long enough to make it that far. We need opportunities that places them in societal positions. I.E. jobs.
I think we should offer vocational programs like certified nursing assistant, heating ventilation and air conditioning, barbering, and even beauty courses. That way when they do graduate, they’ll have a trade.
Back in the nineteen seventies, those type of jobs was what our people relied on. It taught them basic skills, skills needed to get jobs at plants like Ford, GMC, hell, even the power companies.
Somehow, we got away from that so while giving the kids a place to come after school to keep them off the streets is great, everything we offer outside of that is mundane. Give them a way to make money legally and we won’t have to worry about them robbing, killing, and stealing.”
“I agree with everything you just said.”
“Finally,” I breathed. “Someone does. I’ve reached out to the city and each time was met with resistance. I understand not having faith in humanity but kids. Mr. Harvey, these are kids who can’t help the environment that they’ve been thrusted in. As black people, we should want better for our own.
Whites creates generational wealth for their families and while we aren’t always afforded the same luxuries, the least we could do is put them in positions to be able to feed themselves when they’ve aged out of the free lunch programs.”
“You said you’ve reached out to the city for help?” he queried.
“Twice,” I noted. “Even went as far as reaching out to a few elected officials. Atlanta is for the black people but only when it’s beneficial to them.”
“How much would you need to make something like this happen? I’m sure those type of programs has to be taught by professionals, or someone who actively works in those fields. What I’m wondering is what would it cost to set it up?”
“That’s the thing. It doesn’t have to happen at this facility.
I was thinking more so of partnering with the local junior colleges that already offer those programs. Granted I know there would be a cost for tuition but that’s where I was hoping the state could step in at.
At least offer some type of financial assistance for the students who can’t afford it. ”
“I like the sound of that Ms. Howard. Give me some time to put a few things in motion and I’ll get back to you with an answer.
In the meantime, let’s try to prevent incidents like today from happening again.
I understand wanting to be a savior and while I admire you for having that passion, we can’t let it break us down. ”
I heard and even acknowledged what he was saying however it was easier said than done.
My heart and desire to see these kids win would always have my emotions showing.
That’s just how passionate I was about this role.
Instead of verbalizing that, I simply nodded my head.
“I understand and I promise to work harder at controlling my emotions.”
“Good. As long as you do your part Ms. Howard, I’ll make sure I do mine. Starting with being a little more present.”
“I appreciate that. Was that all you wanted to discuss with me?”
“In fact, it was,” he assured.
“Well,” I sighed. “I think I’m going to cut out early for the day. I have a splitting headache.”
“That’ll be fine. On your way out, let Marsha know you’re gone for the day. Be expecting an email from me later this week. “
“Will do.” Rising from the chair I ambled out of his office feeling lighter than I was when I stepped in. My emotions were all over the place and I knew Gema was the only person that could make me feel better.
* * *
“You’re home early,” Gema noted when I stepped into her room.
“A lot happened today so I decided to cut my day short and spend some time with my favorite girl.”
“A lot?” she reiterated, questionably.
“Yes ma’am but nothing for you to worry about.” Placing a kiss on her cheek I turned to her nurse.
“Mrs. Jessie, you can cut out if you want. I’ll still pay you for the whole day.”
“You sure? Me and this old thang was getting ready to watch a few episodes of Matlock.”
“I’m sure,” I laughed. “I’m in for the rest of day.” I let her know.
“Well in that case, Bertha, I’ll see you in the morning.” Mrs. Jessie kissed my granny on the forehead before grabbing her things to leave.
“Gema, give me a sec. I’m going to walk her out.” Trailing Mrs. Jessie out of the room I whispered, “How was she today?”
“A little agitated this morning.” Looking over my shoulder at my granny’s room door, she waved for me to follow her down the hall. “Your mom called and got her stirred up so for a few hours, she just sat there staring at the walls.”