Toni Morrison
(African-American novelist and professor)
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Quotable – Toni Morrison
Month: February 2018
No More Excuses
Another snippet from ‘Heartburn’ and Quinn Landon’s journey to free herself from her judgmental family and adulterous husband.
Though she went to bed fatigued and stressed over the late-afternoon argument with her brother, Quinn Landon woke refreshed. She was anxious to get to the veteran’s outreach center and focus on something other than her problems.
Several weeks had passed since Quinn last volunteered. Increased job duties and her failing marriage consumed her time and energy. Renewing her commitment to community service was important to Quinn. It was her way of giving back for all the support and encouragement center director Vince Saxton, and his incredible staff had given her brother, Clinton.
After over a decade in the Army, Clinton Clark returned home six years ago with PTSD, night tremors, and considerable anger. It was a shock to the Clark family to see what service to his country had done to Clinton. Eddie and Katherine Clark soon overcame their initial shock, however.
Insisting Clinton needed time alone to sort out his thoughts while receiving treatment, his parents found a tiny apartment near the outreach center and moved their son right in. They never mentioned his name or visited him.
His siblings were confused at first but soon adopted the same mindset as their parents-out of sight, out of mind.
All except Quinn.
She was devastated by her brother’s mental and physical condition and angered at the ease their parents had removing him from their lives.
Katherine Clark made the situation even worse when she refused to share Clinton’s address.
“Just leave him be, Quinn Avery. He’ll come back to us when he’s himself again.”
“And what if that never happens, mother? What if he’s never himself again, then what? Do we even know what happened to him?”
“Clinton will be just fine, I’m sure of it. And we were told there was some sort of ambush and quite a few members of his unit were killed. I don’t want to know any more than that.”
“That’s just awesome, mom! Your son’s living in his own personal hell and you don’t care why, nor do you intend to stand by him. Someone is sure to give us a Family-of-the-Year award!”
“Quinn! That’s no way to speak to your mother.”
Oscar slumped, his body shrinking in size from the cold gaze his wife pinned on him. He thought better of saying any more, sure Quinn wasn’t past her anger at finding out about his latest affair.
“Thank you, Oscar, but I’m more than used to my youngest child’s flair for drama.”
At first surprised at Katherine’s comment, Quinn’s features morphed into a smirk.
“I learned from the best, mom.” Quinn turned to leave her parents’ home.
“Just where do you think you’re going, Quinn Avery?”
“To find my brother. No more excuses.”
Quinn stormed out the front door, rage making her deaf to Katherine and Oscar’s cries for her to come back.
©2017 Felicia Denise, All Rights Reserved
Quotable – W.E.B. Du Bois
William Edward Burghardt (W.E.B.) Du Bois (1868-1963) sociologist, historian, civil rights activist, editor, and author. Image from AAIHS.
“A little less complaint and whining, and a little more dogged work and manly striving, would do us more credit than a thousand civil rights bills.”
“The cost of liberty is less than the price of repression.”
“To be a poor man is hard, but to be a poor race in a land of dollars is the very bottom of hardships.”
Downsized
Flash Fiction: Word prompt – downsized
Ramsey felt God had punished him enough.
An honors graduate of Northwestern with nineteen years professional business experience should not be managing a second-rate grocery store.
He fumed thinking about the brand new sixty-foot boat his brother now owned.
Ramsey Carter’s pulse quickened remembering the sadness of his wife’s eyes viewing the photos from her sister’s European vacation.
The former new accounts director owned a boat once. Ramsey took his wife to Europe for their eleventh wedding anniversary… thirteen years ago.
But that was all in the past. The boat was sold two years ago in Ramsey’s second full year of unemployment. Unless they won the lottery, the Carters would never see Europe again.
Closing his laptop, Ramsey pinched the bridge of his noise. Grateful the new work schedule was complete, Ramsey wasn’t looking forward to the usual employee complaints. His penny-pinching regional manager decreased Ramsey’s allotted monthly staffing hours again. The deli and bakery would have to close five hours early to keep checkout lanes and customer service staffed.
Senior employees would scream. Insisting they’d already paid their dues by working the inconvenient shifts and doing grunt work, being scheduled for swing or short shifts was a slap in the face to long term staff.
Ramsey Carter agreed with them. He believed years of service and loyalty to an employer should mean something… have some value.
Or at least he used to.
He believed it right up to the day Bentek Corp’s security escorted him to the parking garage. Security manager Dick Roddy took Ramsey’s employee identification card, handed him an envelope, and walked away.
Downsized.
So, while understanding employee anger at their situation, Ramsey had a job to do. Take the newly allotted hours and staff the store for eighteen hours a day, seven days a week.
At least he wasn’t firing anyone. Yet.
Swearing under his breath, Ramsey eased his large, brawny frame from the cheap, aluminum office chair. Though he’d been tempted to bring in his own chair, Ramsey resisted. That spoke of a long-term commitment to Good Buy Foods he wasn’t interested in making. Grabbing his store keys, Ramsey headed for shipping and receiving to double check the evening lock-down.
Passing through Household Goods and hearing his name called, Ramsey turned. The throbbing in his head was immediate along with the bitter taste in his mouth.
Delia Pennock, health and beauty clerk, teetered toward him on heels too high… and unsafe for the workplace.
How many times would Ramsey have to warn this woman?
Before Delia caught up to him, Ramsey’s inter-store walkie buzzed. The display showed the call was coming from Ramsey’s intended destination — shipping and receiving.
“What’s up, Minas?”
“Need you back here, Ramsey. Now.”
“On my way.”
Red-faced and out of breath, Delia reached Ramsey as he returned the walkie to his belt-clip.
“I love how you’re letting your hair grow out, Ramsey. Those dark curls are sexy and rakish.”
He ignored her attempt at flattery. “What can I do for you, Delia?”
“Well, I know you’re working on the next schedule. Do be a dear and not schedule me for the opening shift or on the checkout stands.”
“Sorry, Delia. The schedule’s done. You open on the express checkout week two of the schedule.”
He turned to leave, but Delia caught hold of his arm. Ramsey looked back to find the bottle-blonde attempting a full-fledged pout. Pursing his lips, Ramsey stepped out of Delia’s grip.
“Ramsey! Six in the morning is just too early for someone with a social life as active as mine.”
“It’s your turn, Delia. You know the rotation.”
Delia had gall. He had to give her that. Most employee scheduling concerns were about babysitting issues, evening classes, and caring for disabled family members. Only Delia would want special treatment so she could sit in a bar all night.
Though her employee file carried a birth-date making Delia thirty-nine-years-old, Ramsey Carter would swear in open court sitting on top of Bible-mountain she was older than his forty-seven years. Even from where he stood, Ramsey could see the layers of makeup on Delia’s face intended to hide wrinkles. It didn’t.
“But, Ramsey-”
“I have to go, Delia. Problem in S and R. And Delia,” he looked at her feet, “the shoes.”
“Oh, okay. We’ll talk… later.”
Ramsey walked away in double-time to keep from laughing in the woman’s face.
If the employee rumor mill were to be believed, Delia Pennock lured three of the last four store managers into sexual trysts outside… and inside the store. The fourth manager was female and not into women, even though it was said Delia tried anyway.
Ramsey Carter had no intention of becoming the over-the-hill party girl’s latest conquest.
Toni Temple-Carter was the sunshine in Ramsey’s life. He’d loved her since the day she’d walked into their seventh-grade English class. But the shy, awkward Ramsey Carter resigned to be just friends with the dark-skinned beauty. For six years Ramsey watched Toni date other guys, his heart breaking piece by piece each time. When he learned Toni would also be attending Northwestern, it cheered him to know he would still get to see Toni from time to time.
Ramsey’s world spun out of control the day Toni Temple plopped down on the bench next to him in the Student Union.
“Do you like me, Ramsey… at all?”
Ramsey, still gawky at nineteen, sputtered for the right words.
“Huh? Like you? Of… of course, Toni. We’re… friends. Have been for a l-long time.”
“Why haven’t you ever asked me out?”
Ramsey’s eyes widened in disbelief.
“Ask… you out? Because… I thought… we’re friends. I didn’t think-”
“Ask me out.”
“Huh?”
“Ask me out.”
Understanding registered with Ramsey and the two young people shared a grin.
“Will you go out me, Toni?”
“Yes, Ramsey Carter. I thought you’d never ask.”
They’d been inseparable ever since, marrying five years later.
Committed to each other, the Carters had avoided most of the pitfalls which darken some marriages. When their second son entered college, Toni and Ramsey were excited about the future and making plans. Plans which imploded less than a year later when Ramsey was downsized out of Bentek Corp.
Toni was steadfast, never complaining about their financial situation. At the end of her work day, the nursing manager would often pick up extra hours in patient care to help with their household budget. Toni never blamed Ramsey or even Bentek for their lot and Ramsey was in awe of her. Each time he looked at her, Ramsey saw nothing but love in her eyes.
Other downsized Bentek employees lost everything… homes, savings, and their marriages. But Toni was Ramsey’s fortress, holding him up and shielding him from the depression which threatened to take him.
Yes, the Carters sold their boat, the cabin upstate, and their timeshares. And they no longer splurged on artsy furnishings or ate out. But they had saved their home and kept both their sons in college. Toni often said they were an unbeatable team, but Ramsey knew better. Toni’s love for him was his armor against the world, and her endless faith in him gave him the strength to keep moving forward.
When Ramsey suggested putting their artistic sides to good use by getting into the on-line graphic arts business, Toni not only agreed, but she researched and found the best on-line classes they could afford. Eighteen months later, the couple was close to realizing their dream and beginning a new journey together. Ramsey knew it would be a struggle at first, both of them working full-time while trying to start their own business. But Ramsey looked forward to the day when he was his own boss.
Opening the security door separating shipping and receiving from the rest of the store. Ramsey Carter gawked at the sight before him.
Department manager, Minas Fortuni, stood at the bay doors attempting to unbend metal around a three-foot hole in the door.
“What the hell?” Ramsey inched forward, his stomach churning at the paperwork in his immediate future. “What happened, Minas?”
Shaking his head, Minas gave up his futile attempts to close the hole.
“That last delivery guy… from Buckley Dairy… didn’t swing the back end of his trailer wide end enough. Backed right into the door. He leaned out the window and saw what he’d done. Know what he did then, Ramsey?”
The store manager stared at the hole in the door, still incredulous.
Minas continued. “He said, “Oops, sorry, dude” and drove off. Just like that.”
Ramsey hung his head defeated. He was tired, hungry and he wanted to go home. This day had to end.
Ramsey Carter decided it was time to delegate. “You busy this evening, Minas?”
“No, and I already put in a call to Rolla-Doorz. It’s going to cost extra, but they’re sending a guy over.”
“Good thinking, Minas. If you’re willing to stay and cover for me, I’ll authorize the overtime… as long as it takes.”
“Of course, I’ll stay. It’s Patty’s turn to host girls’ night. You’re saving me from watching a bunch of baby boomer females get drunk and cavort around the house to the soundtrack from “Grease.” It’s a win-win situation for us both. Go home, man… I got you covered.”
“Thanks, Minas. I owe you for this… big-time!”
Returning to his office in record time, Ramsey made quick notes about the incident and put the Buckley Dairy file on his desk for tomorrow. Before Ramsey could lock his file cabinet, Dale Johnson from the meat department leaned into his office.
“Hey, Ramsey… got a slip and fall near aisle twelve. The woman says the floor was wet and Good Buy Foods is going to pay for her pain and suffering.”
Ramsey leaned against his desk, ready to scream.
“Is the woman okay? Anything broken? Bleeding? Do we need to get paramedics here?”
Dale smirked. “Ramsey… she’s fine.”
“Is someone with her?”
“Yeah. Gail from the front desk.”
“Okay, on my way.”
Ramsey pulled an accident report from the file cabinet along with the store’s Polaroid and headed out of his office. He stopped and returned to his desk, grabbing his cell phone.
Ramsey had to let Toni know he’d be late getting home… again.
©2017 Felicia Denise, All Rights Reserved
Quotable – Langston Hughes 1902-1967
James Mercer Langston Hughes – an American poet, social activist, novelist, playwright, and columnist from Joplin, Missouri. He was one of the earliest innovators of the then-new literary art form called jazz poetry. Image from NYDailynews.
“I swear to the Lord I still can’t see why Democracy means Everybody but me.”
“An artist must be free to choose what he does, certainly, but he must also never be afraid to do what he might choose.”
“Hold fast to dreams, for if dreams die, life is a broken-winged bird that cannot fly.”
“What happens to a dream deferred? Does it dry up like a raisin in the sun?… Or does it explode?”
“I have discovered in life that there are ways of getting almost anywhere you want to go, if you really want to go.”
Quotable ~ Maya Angelou ~1928 – 2014
Quotable – Morgan Freeman
An American actor, producer, and narrator, Freeman won an Academy Award in 2005 for Best Supporting Actor with Million Dollar Baby (2004), He has received Oscar nominations for his performances in Street Smart (1987), Driving Miss Daisy (1989), The Shawshank Redemption (1994) and Invictus (2009). He has also won a Golden Globe Award and a Screen Actors Guild Award. He got his break as part of the cast of the 1970s children’s program The Electric Company.
Morgan Freeman is ranked as the 3rd highest box office star with over $4.316 billion total box office gross, an average of $74.4 million per film. Image from Google.
“You’re going to relegate my history to a month.”
“I don’t want a Black History Month. Black history is American history.”
“When I was a teenager, I began to settle into school because I’d discovered the extracurricular activities that interested me: music and theater.”
“The best way to guarantee a loss is to quit.”
“Learning how to be still, to really be still and let life happen – that stillness becomes a radiance.”
Dread
‘Calla’ continues with another unedited excerpt.
Exiting the banquet hall Calla smiled, reinvigorated by the sweet scents of spring carried on the night air from nearby Golds Lake.
The clouds carrying the rain Tena feared would ruin her wedding day, at last, gathered in the late evening sky but even their dreary darkness couldn’t hide the brilliance of the full moon.
Gazing toward the lake stirred feelings of wanderlust in Calla.
Though small and not a true lake, the body of water was just one of many tributaries winding its way through the small towns of eastern Missouri to join with the mighty Mississippi River a couple of hours away.
Even the water was going places.
Shaking her head, Calla clicked the release button on her car remote, opening the back hatch of her Chevy Equinox.
She’d stayed far longer at the reception than planned. But after Tena and Lloyd made their departure for their hotel and Tanya had to get her fussy two-year-old home, Calla felt obligated to pack up Tena’s personal items used before the ceremony and help Neeri oversee the hall’s cleanup.
Her mood darkened as she deposited garment bags and overnight cases into the large compartment.
Slamming the hatch with more force than needed, Calla stalked to the driver’s door, flung it open and launched herself into the vehicle with all the grace of The Hulk.
Exasperated, Calla slid down in the seat, burying her face in her hands.
Why do I allow this to bother me?
Most people look forward to going home, but the thought of it is bringing on a migraine.
No longer avoiding the inevitable, Calla flipped open the center glove box, took out her cell phone and turned it on.
An array of musical tones and beeps played for a full minute while messages loaded. Swiping the screen, Calla knew the nine most recent texts were sent from Mavis’ phone, candid shots of the bridesmaids during the reception.
Ignoring the rest of her notifications, Calla opened the reception photos, her good mood returning with the first photo.
All five of the bridesmaids were grouped together around Lloyd with stern faces and clenched fists, as if to say, “Hurt Tena and we’re coming for you!” The goofy grin on Lloyd Taylor’s face proved the photo was in jest… especially since Tena photo-bombed the shot doubled over in laughter.
A photo of Calla and Tena tugged at Calla’s heart. Her lifelong friend had been there for Calla through everything, good and bad. The two women had never had a single argument. They each had a way of speaking truths the other didn’t always want to hear, without judgment or meanness.
Happy for her friend, Calla would miss their girl-time together. After a three-week honeymoon with stops in Vegas and Hawaii, the Taylors would return home and to work.
Tena promised a girls-night out the week she returned, but Calla knew better. Newlyweds only had time for each other, and that was the way it should be. Both thirty-four, Calla also knew her friends wouldn’t waste any time starting a family.
The joy in Tena’s face made her smile. She got her happily ever after.
Studying herself next to Tena, Calla wasn’t sure what she saw.
Large, dark ringlets left out of her formal up-do hung down the side of her full, cherubic face. Her maid of honor dress was the same pale straw shade of gold as the other bridesmaids, but Calla’s dress didn’t have an empire waist or sweetheart neckline. Instead, Calla’s dress hung from her shoulders and cinched to one side, showing off her full, hourglass figure while the color made her smooth honey brown skin glow.
She looked good.
Calla also looked happy, which she was… for Tena. But a closer, more thorough inspection would find the sadness in her eyes.
She tossed the phone into the passenger seat and massaged her lower abdomen.
The slow burn she’d ignored for most of the evening was making itself known again, searing a feverish path across Calla’s stomach.
She had only herself to blame.
The peptic ulcer was all but gone after weeks of bland foods and Calla’s rock-solid determination to not allow things to upset her, but the champagne and rich foods of the wedding reception found their way to the weak, still open areas of the ulcer and went to work.
The pain wasn’t easing up and Calla had no antacid with her, so she started the car and headed home… to the cause of the ulcer.
Felicia Denise, Author 