Rion Scott - Insurrections

You’re not ashamed to say that, Rashid. You don’t have to lie about it to me. Throws your whole story into doubt.

You’re right, Walter. I mean, Kyla has all the things I want. You know, all the things we’re taught are superficial. Surface.

She got good geometry, huh?

What?

Shape, Rashid. You an expert on Cross River, got to know the talk. She got good geometry? She got that shape?

Man, like a playground of curves. Like a ski slope, Walter. And always down for some kind of adventure. First time we made out was when we broke into this park late at night. Me and Ricca share a religion, values, all that, but next to Kyla that shit seemed like the superficial stuff and Kyla’s hips, her neck, her breasts, those shiny, painted-ass lips — all those things skinny Ricca can’t compete with — man, Walter, those were the deepest most meaningful things in creation.

Walter chuckled. Not a man on earth who hasn’t faced that, he said.

Really?

I don’t know. I guess. Maybe I’m just saying it to make you feel better. It sounds true, doesn’t it? Anyway, Rashid, what happened? You went ahead and got the blow job?

That’s the funny thing. You couldn’t tell me at that moment that my deepest desire wasn’t to get head from Kyla, but I resisted. Told myself it was the honorable thing to do. Got up and got another beer and we all joked and laughed some more. If this were a movie, the audience would clap and smile, Walter. The triumph of love over simpleminded lust. And then you assume the main character is faithful to his wife forever. I don’t think it was that sort of triumph. I don’t know. I kept hearing my grandmother’s voice from when she was laid up in the rehab spot and I was like, I’ll be there tomorrow, Granny , and how disappointed she sounded over the phone. My mother said she visited Granny early in the day and she kept asking, Where’s Rashid? Where’s Rashid? Even worse, Ricca’s dad was at my other ear. Sounding more gruff than ever. Boy, get your ass over here to this hospital!

It was all a bit much, Walter. I excused myself and went to sit down in the bedroom. Granny at one ear. Ricca’s dad at the next. Ricca in front of me. My dick crying out for Kyla. I was in a state. Only thing to do at a moment like that is go to sleep, so I did. But here’s the thing. My dad has sleep apnea, and he passed it on to me. It’s under control mostly, but especially times of high stress like this one I snore like a monster.

I woke to Floyd and Kyla and Bradley standing over me with their faces all looking crumpled like some trash. Floyd said, If you wanted us to leave, then you should have just said so. Kyla and Brad were nodding. Man, I never seen them so pissed off. But how would I have explained the ghosts at my ears? Kyla’s ghost lips on my dick? Huh? It’s impossible to explain. They filed out of my place, and I tell you they were pissed at me for a while. Even Sonya, who wasn’t there, was all distant after that. I know they got together and talked shit about me. Probably talking shit about me right now. Only got the group chemistry back when I announced I was moving and we had a going-away brun—

At that moment Walter and Rashid turned at the sound of a key tumbling in the lock. Walter began scrambling. These damn cans, he said. The front door swung open and in stepped Laura. Walter, with all six empty cans in his arms, froze beneath his wife’s glare.

Just what is going on in here? she asked as the door slammed shut behind her.

Hello, Ms. Laura, Rashid said. Me and your husband was just having a man-to-man talk.

And drinking, huh? You’re both drunk out of your minds. She sucked her teeth. That’s the last thing either of you fools needs.

I just, Rashid said. I just — I mean, you know, thank you for saving my life. I can honestly say that I was trying to kill myself—

No shit, baby.

— and I wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for you two fine people. Walter let me pour my heart out—

I wish you both would have poured the beers out. I mean, really. Aren’t you a Muslim?

Rashid hung his head in an exaggerated comical fashion. Well, he said. Yes, I guess. Sort of. Ricca’s more of a Muslim than me.

Rashid, Laura said. I think it’s time for you to go. Go up to your wife and sober up and I’ll sober up my husband so the next time you see each other you’ll be in your right states of mind. You’re free to visit again. Next time, leave the alcohol and come in through the front door.

Yes, Ms. Laura, Rashid said as he made his way to the door.

Rashid, Walter called. Your friend, what’s his name, Bert…

Brad.

Yeah, Brad. Brad and Kyla, they together now?

Fuck no, he replied. Uh, excuse me, Ms. Laura. They hardly talk. I think they only keep in touch by way of the group. Feel like I stood in the way of their happiness or something.

And your father-in-law, he died that day before you could see him, didn’t he?

Rashid laughed. That would make the story very congruent, wouldn’t it? Naw, I saw him the next day. Just me by myself. Ricca had yelled at me about not being there for her or being present in her life when she got home, so I went and spent the whole day with him. Saw him a few other times after that. He was all Marry my daughter or else . Feels like I did the old man a solid.

Rashid waved to Walter and Laura before fumbling with the lock and disappearing into the hallway.

What was that all about? Laura asked as Walter went into the kitchen to dispose of the beer cans.

That boy’s all messed up, Walter said. He was just giving me his story.

All messed up?

Well, not all messed up. Young people today just don’t know how to handle the burden they got.

He’s just a baby.

Baby? That guy is at least thirty, Laura.

Thirty-year-olds are babies nowadays, Walter.

Whatever. Get this, that boy is some kind of brain. A real egghead.

Yeah?

Got a Ph.D. Teaches over at Freedman’s University. An expert in Cross River history.

Impressive.

He didn’t even know what a Riverbaby was.

Some expertise. And look at you, Walter. You haven’t drank in thirty years. Why in the hell would you let that boy throw you off track?

I’m fine, baby. Walter wrapped his arms around his wife. The burning blast of beer-scented breath brought back memories of the days when they were young and poor and their bodies were the only entertainment they could afford.

The only good thing about when you were a drunk was that you brought out the monster, Laura said. I can’t lie about that. I do miss Sid the Sex Machine. He coming back tonight?

You know it, Walter said with a growl as they flopped onto the couch.

Just tonight, though, she said as Walter kissed at her neck and chest. Just tonight and then Sid gotta go back where he came from.

III

The morning of Luce’s third birthday party, Laura baked oatmeal cookies and Walter purchased a dancing Cookie Monster doll which they delivered before the party guests were due to arrive.

That’s very nice of you, Ricca said. Luce, say thank you to these good people.

Luce bounded from his seat on the living room floor and first hugged Laura’s legs and then Walter’s. Tank you, he said, returning to his coloring book.

It’s no problem at all, Laura replied. He’s such a precious little baby. Rashid told us you’d be having a Cookie Monster party, and we’re delighted to help you out.

Is Rashid—

Before Walter could finish his sentence, Rashid trudged from the back wearing a faded blue robe, slippers, and pajama pants. His eyes were ringed in black and his hair bushy and uncombed.

He was frowning when he came out, so the smile he feigned upon seeing his neighbors hung particularly false. Ms. Laura, he exclaimed. Walter! Thanks for showing love to my little guy. I know his screaming drives all the neighbors nuts. That’s really nice of you. We’ll talk soon, Walter.