A Leap of Faith

My aunt wasn't standing far from us at the door. She wanted to make sure that Nairobi really leaves. I closed the door after Nairobi left and looked at her. Me: really? Her: what? It's my house I can do whatever I want. Me: did you really have to embarrass her like that? Her: why are you with her? There is Jess you know? Me: yeah, I know except I don't love her. Her: why not? She's a very beautiful girl, she's educated... She went to Yale for God's sake! Me: still don't want her. Her: when are you going to stop fooling around? It's time you take life a little bit more seriously... Me: well let's see I'm an aspiring architect interning at NSA and doing well so how more serious do you want me to be? Her: that girl.... Me: how is Mr being with her affect a price of bread? Her: Jess is a celebrated Novelist and a poet. She has 3 bestselling novels, and she was recognized by John Updike don't you want that sophistication around you? My aunt is a very refined woman and very successful in her make up business, she's in partnership with Maybelline. Me: Nairobi was admitted in Harvard for her LLB what could be more sophisticated? She sighed. Her: just look at her, look at you and look at Jess then back her then you then Jess again... Look at where she comes from and look at where you and Jess come from. You and Jess are on the same league .... Jess's father is a director at the Museum and her mother CEO of.... I cut her. Me: auntie enough! Her: no listen, do you see a woman who you won't be embarrassed to take her to your work functions? Is she that girl you would show off in front of your friends? Me: oh, I see you have a problem with how she looks. Her: don't get me wrong but vitiligo is disgusting really... I don't like people with it just like albinism. I'm a fanatic for a beautiful skin so if there are complications of some sort... Ugh! I don't want to puke. Me: I really don't know what to call you right now but whatever it is that you are is disgusting! That was below the belt and beneath you both as a woman and an American citizen. I made my way to my room. -----------Nairobi got home right in time for supper. My family was sitting around the table already eating. Mom: I thought you were spending a night at Melissa's. Me: no. I pulled a chair and sat down. Dad: I saw your picture on Instagram with that boy from across the street... What's his name again? Ever... James. Mom dropped her utensils. Mom: James Johnson? The same James who is a nephew to Marian Scarlet? Dad: how do you know him? Debby: they are together. Debby blasted and I couldn't miss the unimpressed look on my mother's face, she was not happy at all. Mom: what!? Debby: yes, they are! I really couldn't believe Debra; it wasn't her place to tell mom and dad about me and J. Mom: you are dating that.... Dad: boy... It's a boy Jossie. Mom: no, you can't be with him Nairobi no! He is a nephew of that unruly woman who designs naughty lingerie's and I hate his guts! Dad: you hated all her boyfriends in your eyes no boy will ever be fit to be her boyfriend. Debby: I'm with mom on that one... Already he cheated on her. Me: oh, wow great Debra thank you so much.... Mom I'm old enough to choose who I want to date. Mom: no... Dad cut her. Dad: let the child be Jossie. Mom: Nairobi is a fragile girl I don't want her to get hurt. These boys will play with her. Me: mom stop lying! I know you think no one will ever look me because of I look, you think they are only with me to just use me! Am I wrong!? Mom: Robi I'm your mother and I wanted what's best for you... Of course, I know that one day you are to meet the boy who will love you for you. Me: and what about James? Doesn't he that boy who loves me for me? How do you know that he is not the one? Debby: how do you know that he is the one? The guy is throwing all kinds of red flag already, wake up sis! Me: oh, what you think he is just like your baby daddy on the run? You think he's going to leave me with a baby and bitter like you!? Mom: that was rude and uncalled for Nairobi you need to apologize to your sister! Me: and it's okay for her to just pry on my business!!? Can she do that? Dad: all of you need to calm down. Me: oh please! And mom that James you despise so much is helping me to go to Harvard next semester! I got up from the table and ran to my room. --------------James Later on I received a call from my father. Me: hello "hello son, how are you doing? "ME: well, I'm hoping you have good news for me. "Tell the young lady to come see me tomorrow "Me: really? "Yeah, she should bring her transcript, proof of admission and herself" he laughed a little. Me: okay I'll tell her. Thank you. "Man, you must really love this girl.... You're really in love and hell I'm proud of you.... Doing this for her showed how much of a good man you are... Keep it up son".

Me: I'll make sure she be there tomorrow. I then aborted the call. Building a relationship with him is going to be one hell of a long journey. It can't be built over night, and I felt like he was pushing it. He must work harder than that to get me on his side.

Sometime thereafter, with his dad's words actually reverberating to him, James concluded the time had come to call Nairobi and broaden the greeting. He realized that this step might actually steer their relationship, and he felt a blend of fervor and anxiety as he dialed her number.

The telephone rang a couple of times before Nairobi's voice got through the line, a smidgen of interest in her tone. "Hi?"

"Hello Nairobi," James welcomed, his voice consistent yet with an inclination of expectation. "I conversed with my father today, and he needs to meet you tomorrow."

Nairobi's quiet lingered palpably briefly before she answered, her voice a combination of shock and vulnerability. "Your father needs to meet me?"

"Definitely, he does," James affirmed, attempting to keep the energy in his voice. "He maintains that you should bring your record, verification of admission to Harvard, and, indeed, yourself."

Nairobi's skepticism was unmistakable. "Pause, genuinely? He needs to meet me tomorrow?"

James laughed delicately, figuring out her awe. "Better believe it, he's truly keen on gathering the individual who has caught his child's heart."

There was an interruption as Nairobi appeared to deal with the data. James could nearly envision the contemplations hustling through her psyche. At last, she let out a breath, a blend of energy and vulnerability clear in her voice. "I... I don't have the foggiest idea what to say. This is startling."

"I realize it is," James conceded. "Be that as it may, he's truly inquisitive about you, and he needs to see with his own eyes what sort of individual you are."

Nairobi's voice developed a piece further. "Okay, tell your father I'll be there. I'll bring the records and all that he requested."

James felt a surge of help and joy. "That is perfect, Nairobi. I'll get you around early afternoon?"

"Of course, that works," she answered. "I surmise I'll see you tomorrow then, at that point."

"Most certainly," James said with a grin that conveyed into his voice. "I'm anticipating it."

As they finished the call, James really wanted to feel a flood of trust. This gathering with his dad was a crucial second, a stage towards building an extension between his family and the lady he really focused profoundly on. He knew that tomorrow held the potential for change, and he was prepared to confront anything moves lay ahead in the excursion to win his dad's endorsement.