The 3rd installment of the #BlackU series. The following piece introduces students from Atlanta A&T, the HBCU from Drumline. To put all of this in context, please read the first 2 installments. Enjoy!
Atlanta, Georgia: C.J.W. Ballroom
June 2017
Kingston
“Now I ain’t never been to college or nothin,” his dad began as he surveyed the long lines, “but I thought the whole point of early registration was so that we could avoid all of this, son.” Kingston barely lifted his head up from his phone to acknowledge his father. “Apparently, everybody was thinking the way we were, pops,” he answered. They had been waiting in the ballroom with more than 200 other freshmen eager to get a jumpstart on thier college education for more than 6 hours. The last day of summer orientation turned out to be the most hectic.
Kingston had initally decided to wait until the fall to begin school but when his brother Khalil opted to start the Freshmen Summer Program, he figured he would as well. Since 8AM this morning, Kingston and his dad had made it through the registration line, financial aid line, the meal plan line, the insurance line, the health & records line, and now-finally-the dormitory assignment line.
“You talk to your mama today?” his father asked. Kingston looked up from his phone and looked his father directly in his eyes. “Did you talk to her today?” His father sighed deeply. “Look,” his father said sternly, sensing the agitation in his son’s voice. “I know things have been…off between me and your mama lately.”
“Off?” Kingston repeated, putting his phone in his pocket. He wasn’t sure if he was giving his dad his undivided attention or, if he wanted his dad to have his. Either way, Kingston, at 6'0 even, almost towered over his father’s 5'8 frame. His father swallowed hard and took a step toward his son, as if to make sure his next words stayed between them. “Alright,” he began, “things have been fucked up. This situation ain’t ideal for none of us. I get that. But,” he stepped closer to Kingston, “I am still your pops. I expect you to check the attitude when speaking to me.”
The two men stared at the other for a moment. Now 18, Kingston was indeed a man — and his father knew it. He also knew the drama he and his wife were going through had affected the boys tremendously. Its the main reason why they decided to bring the boys to school separately; Khalil came with his mom earlier in the week and was on the other side of campus settling him into his new dorm.
Kingston nodded in agreement “You’re right, “ he said solemnly. “My tone was out of line, I apologize.” His father looked him in the eye for a moment and smiled. “We good, my man,” he said hitting him on the shoulder playfully. “Next time, I’mma have to stomp a mudhole in you and walk it dry.” Kingston tried to hold his laghter back but could not.
“Really, pops? What does that even mean?”
“I’on even know,” his father answered jokingly, “but it sound smoove as hell when I say it.”
“PAINE!”
The two men were interrupted by Kingston’s name being called to the assignment table. He made his way to the table while his father stepped off to the side. “I’mma call your brother and see where he and ya mama at.” He gave Kingston the manilla envelope with all of his vital paperwork and took out his phone.
“Welcome to Atlanta A&T. I’m Neema. May have I your student ID number, please?”
Kingston fumbled through the envelope for his acceptance letter. “Yeah, It’s right here. 400023479.”
Neema typed in his student ID number. “Alright Kingston….Paine. It looks like you’ve been assigned to DuBois Hall.” Neema handed him a campus map. “Did you drive?” she asked.
“My dad did,” he answered. All of my stuff is in the truck.”
“Good,” she answered, “Because DuBois Hall is on the other side of campus.
“Oh word?” Kingston answered. “Yes,” Neema replied. “Its also co-ed so….” Neema reached under the table and pulled a brown paper bag out, handing it over to Kingston. “What’s this?” he asked.
“Condoms,” she answered bluntly. Kingston looked at the bag, then back at Neema. She was a pretty girl, dark brown skin and deep dimples. She had her hair pulled into a ponytail with a bright piece of red fabic.
“And what dorm do you stay in?” He asked. Neema smiled politely. “Not that one. Now, if you walk out these double doors and make a left, it’ll take you back out to the parent parking area. From there, you can use the map to find your dorm. Don’t forget to download the A&T App so that you can be up on all of the festivities this week.”
“Kingston stuffed the condoms in his bag. “So you just gone ignore my question like that, huh?” he asked.
“The Juneteenth Relays are also this weekend and many parents opt to stay in town. Here is a list of host hotels in the area. Use the code ‘A&T’ and get 30% off your room rental.”
“Damn, it’s like that Neema?” Kingston asked again.
“Have a great day, Mr. Paine,” she replied with a smile. “And thank you for choosing A&T!”
“I’m not getting loud with you, you gettin’ loud with me, woman!”
Kingston turned to see what all the commotion was going on behind him. It was his father, on the phone, and the conversation had escalated quickly.
“Thank you, Neema.” Kingston turned to hurry back toward the direction of his father.
“Hey wait…” Neema called out. His father’s voice had now gotten louder and people began to take notice.
“Is that…your dad?” She asked.
“Yeah,” he answered as he turned to walk away.
“But isn’t that…” She looked back at her computer screen. “Paine! I thought he looked familiar! So your daddy is-”
“Yeah,” Kings cut her off before she could finish. Somewhere deep down , Kingston figured that even on today, his dad would find a way to make it about him. He hurried over to his father who was now the focus of the room.
Kingston walked up behind his father and whispered in his ear. “You are loud. People are watching you.”
“I don’t give a damn about these people!” his father snapped intensely. Kingston already knew how this would go. The best thing to do was to just walk away — and so he did, leaving his father irate on the phone. He dropped his head in shame and headed toward the exit. “I’ll meet you over there,” Embarrassment had turned to rage as he left the ballroom in a hurry. He could still hear his father through the double doors as he exited the building.
“Because I want to talk to MY son……what?……What the hell that got to do with you?….What?….What’s the supposed to mean??? Put my son on the phone, woman…….….what?…..Where is my son? Why you on his phone?…I swear when I see you….what?….I didn’t call you! I called to talk to Khalil! Where he at?…huh?….Hello?…HELL-O???…da fuck??…did this bitch just-HELL-LOW??…………………………………………DAMN, GINA!!!”
Part III Coming SOON!
