Page 55 - Contrast2004

Well, the mood was definitely over as Angel or is it that just what they want her to believe? Do
plummeted back into reality. How she had remem- they lay across their empty bed at night under un-
~ered becoming lost so many times before, every touched sheets and wonder about all the ladies they
time a brotha seemingly stepped correct when he have played? All the queens? All the young, deter-
mined African American women, full of purpose and
made his way to her door. How she fed into the lies
loving life?
when he told her how Suddenly Angel did-

beautiful she was not n't feel the need to listen any-

like any other wo~en. "!I!~more to the poetry that
No, she was different flowed from his lips or the
high standards, sophi~ti-
cated and worth it. :,.l1li':L: smooth jazz that accompanied
Their words would it. Suddenly her past experi-
erase her low self es-
teem at times when she ences clouded her judgment.
would look into the mir- "Angel?" Shante
ror and not recognize
said, trying to gain the atten-

tion of her friend. "Girl, are

you still with us?" she asked

Who was staring at her playfully.
"Yeah, I am, I was
from the other side. It
just feelin' what you said and
wmoeumldo e.rase hchildh 00 d Photograph by Sally Penner
nes w en the suddenly reminiscing on past experiences and well,
you know how that goes." Angel sighed and looked
oth~r girls wouldn't play with her and the boys teased down, out of vanilla latte and seemingly out of time.

her Just the same. Filling voids in her life at the time

but little di.d she know this was temporary and soon "Remember back in college when we used to

she would be empty again. sit back and wonder where all the good men were,
They would wine and dine her and spit such the ones who not only talked the talk but walked the

won~erful poetry. Angel was always fond of hearing walk? Remember trying to find the guys where you

poetic expression that flowed. She thought that was didn't have to tell them what to do and how to please

t~e window to any man's soul, his ability to express you?" "Hmnun, Iremember not being successful,"
hImself, the confidence she often lacked, but the hon-

esty in his voice seemed to overcome that. Or did she smiled but only because it seemed appropriate for

she just think it was honesty because they would the moment.

seem so truthful, not wanting to hurt her yet pressing "How many times do Ihave to tell you that

on for something more? Was that it? She recounted your man will come?" Angel thought it was easier
all the times that someone spoke in such a harmoni- said than done; Shante would be getting married to

o~s manner to her only to drop her like a grocery bag Michael, the one who swept her off her feet, but

WIth a rip in the side that couldn't support fresh fruits where was Angel's African prince? Surely not on the

and vegetables from the garden. Forgotten (right?)

The Awakening 53