70% Chance of Rain:

I had to get out. Life in Texas bored me. I wanted to escape. Your grandfather applied for an art school in New Orleans. Great idea, I thought. So, I applied for the same school. Naturally, my parents wanted me to stay in Texas. I wanted to gag at that request.

�But I hate it here,� I said one hot Sunday afternoon.

�Since when?� Daddy asked. I shrugged and shook my head.

�Senior year,� I said. Daddy frowned at me.

�It�s that black boy, isn�t it?� he barked. I gave him a cold look.

�So what if it is?� I asked. �His race should not matter.�

�Why?�

�No daughter of mine is going to be dating a negro!�

I put my hands on my hips. �And why is that?�

He breathed hard as his face burned. �He�s a negro!�

�So?�

�I won�t let my daughter marry a filthy negro!�

My blood just burned. �He�s not a filthy negro! He�s my boyfriend and his name is Jim!�

�It does not matter! You�ll dump him and go to TU!�

�No!�

He raised an eyebrow at me. �Are you telling me no?�

�Yeah! I will go to New Orleans!�

�What if you don�t make it into the school down there?�

�I�ll go anyway!�

�No, you won�t!�

�Yes I will!�

�I won�t let you!�

�How?!?�

�You�re grounded!� he yelled. I glared at him.

�Why?!?� I snapped. I rolled my eyes. �This is stupid,� I mumbled. Then, I turned and walked away.

�Hey!� Daddy barked. �Come back here! I�m not done talking to you yet!� I slammed the door to my room.

Each day, Daddy fueled my desire to leave Texas. I just had to wait for my results to come in.

Of course, there were some other preparations to be made. Your grandfather got his driver�s license that summer. His father let him have the �78 Honda as a late graduation present.

I took a moment and smiled.

I remember the first time he took me for a drive. It was lunch at that time. Daddy insisted that we all have meals together as a family. I saw right through his little ploy. He was trying to make me go back to his status quo. It wouldn�t work, old man. I gritted my teeth the whole time. Daddy sat at the table grinning. He set down his fork.

�Ah, this is nice,� he said. �Quiet lunch, no distractions.� Mom looked rightfully worried. Daddy turned his attention to us.

�Am I right?� he asked.

�Yeah,� mama said quietly. I gritted my teeth and nodded. Daddy took another sip of his beer.

�Yep,� he said. �Perfect summer afternoon. No distractions. Just eating together as a family.� Then, the phone rang. Mama rose to get it, but Daddy placed hand on her wrist. She looked on at him as he shook his head.

�But�� she said.

�Let it ring,� Daddy said. �This is family time. Nothing will distract us until the meal is over.� Mama hesitated at first. But then, she surrendered in her seat as the phone rang again. I rolled my eyes.

Please get me out of here, I thought.

Then, we heard a car horn honk through the open screen windows. I looked up at the very sound. Curious, I rose to my feet and wandered into the living room.

�Starlette!� Daddy yelled. �Get back in here now! I haven�t given you permission to leave the table!� I didn�t listen. I stepped right out the front door. Jim sat in his car waiting for me.

�Hey there,� he said. I gasped at what I saw.

�You got your license?� I asked.

�That�s right?� Your grandfather bragged. �Hop on in!� I blinked at him.

�Wait! Now?� I asked.

�Yeah!� he said. �I want to go for a little drive with you. So what do you say?� I pressed my lips together in a smile.

�Sure,� I said.

�Hop in!� Jim told me.

�Yes sir!� I said as I did so. Jim pulled out in seconds. I cuddled up close to him on the road.

�So tell me,� I said. �This can�t be the only reason we are today. So, what�s the occasion?� Your grandfather grinned at that question.

�I made it in!� he bragged.

�No!� I gasped.

�Hell yes!�

I kissed him on the cheek. �I�m so proud of you!�

Jim gave me a little nod. �Thanks. And what about you?�

�Hm?�

�Have you made it into the school you wanted?�

I gave him a firm a nod. �Uh-huh!�

�Where?�

I rested my chin on his shoulder as I smiled. �New Orleans of Raleigh.�

Your grandfather nearly sped up. �Did you now?�

�That�s right!�

He smiled a bit. �Taking a big risk there, huh?�

�I�m tired of Texas. I want a change.�

�What about your old man?�

�To hell with him!�

Your grandfather only grinned. �Glad to hear you say that.�

�So when do we leave?�

�In twelve days.�

I frowned. �Not fast enough.�

�That bad at home?�

�Yes!�

Your grandfather laughed. �Patience, dear. You�ll be free soon.�

�I wish it would come faster!� We both chuckled.

Twelve days took their time coming along. By that time, Daddy and my relationship broke down. We didn�t talk to each other anymore. He glared at me every time we crossed paths. I always put up my defenses around him. He would just have to get over himself because I was dating was your grandfather. He needed to get with the times. Daddy wouldn�t even help me pack for college on the day I was to leave.

�If you walk out that door,� he warned me. �It�ll never open for you again!� I didn�t care anymore. I just walked out door with my things. Jim waited for me outside.

�Ready to go?� he asked.

�Yes!� I said. Your grandfather helped me load up the car. Our families would send us the rest later on. Jim and I climbed in his car and drove off.

That would be the last time we would see Texas.

1984