It's All About The Moon When The Sun Ain't Shining by Ernest Hill Page B

talk,” she said. “You just like my goddamn daddy. Want to control everybody and everything.”
    â€œI mean it,” I said. “I’m not playing with you.”
    She looked at me, and I saw her eyes water again.
    â€œMaurice,” she said, “how you gon’ sit here and talk to me about not supporting you. Hell, I been supporting you for the last four years. But Maurice, this is my life too. And I’m tired of not having nothing. Now, you need to be a man and get a job and think about us if you want to be with me.”
    â€œYou telling me I can’t go to law school?”
    â€œYou a grown man,” she said. “I can’t tell you what to do. Go where you want to. Just don’t expect me to be here when you get back.”
    â€œOh, I see,” I said. “If I go, it’s going to cause problems between us.”
    â€œIf you go,” she said, “ain’t gon’ be no us.”
    â€œI can’t pass up this opportunity,” I said.
    â€œAnd I can’t wait no more,” she said in a voice laced with finality.

Chapter Ten
    W e finished lunch and agreed to continue the conversation later that evening after we had both calmed down. I walked Omenita to her car and kissed her good-bye and headed back to work. I made it back to the diner just before one and when I got there Jake, Daddy, and Reuben were still sitting at the little table in the corner talking. They had finished eating and were simply waiting for their lunch break to end. I looked at the clock. We still had about ten minutes left so I joined them at the table. I sat next to Reuben; Daddy and Jake sat across from us.
    â€œHad a good lunch, son?” Daddy asked.
    â€œYes, sir,” I said.
    â€œGot so busy this morning that I didn’t have a chance to ask you about your trip. How did it go?”
    â€œWent alright,” I said.
    â€œDid your mama go to work?”
    â€œNo, sir. She went home.”
    â€œDidn’t walk in this cold, did she?”
    â€œNo, sir,” I said. “Danielle dropped me off then took her home.”
    I saw Jake looking at me as if he was trying to figure out who I was talking about. I started to avert my eyes but before I could I saw Jake’s lips part and I saw his mouth open, then I heard his deep, surly voice addressing me. “That’s Mr. John’s daughter, ain’t it?” he asked me.
    â€œYes, sir,” I said.
    â€œHad ’im playing chauffeur this morning,” I heard Daddy say.
    â€œWell,” Jake said, “a man got to do what a man got to do.”
    â€œI reckon,” Daddy said.
    â€œIt wasn’t like that,” I said. “She was nice. Even offered to pay me.”
    â€œYou didn’t let her, I hope,” Daddy said.
    â€œNo, sir,” I said, “but she did lasso me into lunch.”
    â€œYou gon’ go?” Daddy asked.
    â€œYes, sir,” I said. “Don’t guess I have much choice.”
    â€œWell now you watch yourself,” Jake said. “Them white girls is real friendly. And if a fellow ain’t aware of that fact, he can wind up with mo’ trouble than he know what to do with.”
    â€œJust lunch,” I said. “That’s all.”
    â€œWell,” Jake said, “maybe. And then again, maybe not.”
    â€œAw, Jake,” I heard Reuben say, “what the hell you talking about now?”
    â€œJust trying to help the boy,” Jake said. “That’s all.”
    â€œI might be wrong,” Reuben said. “But I didn’t hear ’im ask you for no help. Did you, boss man?”
    I saw Daddy smile but he didn’t answer.
    â€œAin’t got to ask,” Jake said. “That’s the difference between me and you, Reuben. I see a man need help, I help him. I don’t wait for ’im to ask.” I saw Jake shift his eyes toward me. “Now, son,” he said, “I know what I’m