In Virginia, high school football is a way of life. It's bigger than Christmas day.
Up until 1971, in Alexandria, there was no race-mixing. Then the school board forced us to integrate. They combined the white school and the black school into one ca...
"Hi," I say to two ladies as they walk past me. One of them turned around and gave me a bright smile before continuing on her way, which made me feel better about being on this side of town.
I stood across the street from the Bertier house. I was just about to cross when a police car pulled up in front of me. The officer rolled down his window and looked at me.
"O-Officer?" I stutter out.
"Heck of a game you boys played last night." The officer said. I felt relief flood through me.
"Thanks. Thank you, Officer." I say. The officer smiled.
"Best defense I've seen in 20 years. Tell that coach of yours to keep up the good work." He said cheerfully.
"Oh. Oh, yeah. I'll--I'll do that." I say. The officer nodded his head before he continued cruising down the road. I take a deep breath and begin to cross the street.
"Yo, man, your taxihadasiren." Gerry says as he comes out the front door.
"Superman!" I shout as I try to swing at him. Gerry opens his arms and hugs me.
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"Hey, man, what's going on?" He asks.
"Doing all right," I answer, as we walk into the house. I turn to the right as see Mrs. Bertier standing by the window.
"Ma, this is Julius," Gerry says. She reaches her hand out to me, but I engulf her in a huge hug, one which she returns.
"It's nice to meet you Mrs. Bertier," I say as I let go of her.
"The pleasure is all mine. Gerry and Grace talk about you all the time." She says as she smiles warmly. I look down at my shoes to hide the giddy smile that is plastered on my face.
"Speakin of which, is Grace home?" I ask both of them.
"No, she's out studying with her friends." Mrs. Bertier says with a kind smile.
"Alright, I'll see ya later Ma," Gerry says, kissing her on the cheek. I extend my hand to her.
"Mrs. Bertier," I said as I shook her hand. Mrs. Bertier laughs as she places her other hand on top of mine.
"Please, call me Jean." She insists. I nod my head before jumping into Gerry's car.
--
We were playing basketball with the kids in the Berg for a while before deciding to take a break by Gerry's car.
"You know something man when this is all over. I want ya to move up to the ridge and be my neighbor man." Gerry says as he lays on the hood of his car. I threw a basketball back to the kids on the court.
