Stuck Together

“Hey, Suzie, got a package for you.”

“Thanks, Jaylen. How’s your day going?”

“It’s a busy one. I picked up an extra route. We had a guy not show up today. I got to make that money. Besides, there’s a lead position open that I’m hoping to get.”

“If anyone deserves it, Jaylen, it’s you. I’ll keep my fingers crossed for you.”

“Thanks, Suzie. I’ve got to run, or I’ll be out all night. The weather isn’t helping any.”

“No kidding, it’s nasty out. You be careful out there.”

Jaylen gives Suzie a smile and a two-finger salute as he turns for the elevator.

“Suzie, cancel my four o’clock. I have to go pick my grandson up from school early. They canceled lacrosse practice due to the weather,” Stanley Middleton says as he puts on his suit jacket.

“Right away, Mr. Middleton. Have a good day.”

“Hold the elevator,” Stanley calls out, and Jaylen grabs the closing doors at the last second.

Stanley takes the back left corner away from Jaylen who stands at the front right by the buttons. “Which floor,” Jaylen asks.

“Lobby,” Stanley replies, his eyes fixed on Jaylen.

The two ride in silence as the elevator descends; 32, 31, 30, 29, 28, 27, 26. Between the twenty-sixth and twenty-fifth floors the lights flicker then go out all together as the elevator comes to a crashing halt, knocking the two men off their feet. Emergency lights come on.

“What did you do,” Stanley demands of Jaylen as he climbs back to his feet.

“I didn’t do anything. Storm must have knocked the power out,” Jaylen says, sitting up.

“Well, can’t you hotwire it? Isn’t that what your kind does?”

“My kind? What do you mean, ‘My kind,’ old man?”

“You know what I mean. This was a peaceful city once upon a time, until your kind moved in.”

“All demographics have contributed to the rise in crime. It’s just the poorer areas that get the bad rap.”

“Maybe if your kind worked harder, then your areas wouldn’t be so poor.”

“What do you think I’m out here doing? Surely you see this uniform. I work my ass off. And you know what, I’ve been to plenty poor, rundown, white neighborhoods, so poverty isn’t just a black issue. Some of us didn’t have a daddy who could afford fancy schools. I had to get out of a bad neighborhood the hard way. I joined the army. Became a ranger and fought in Afghanistan. My time serving my country helped me get this job. I’m proud of who I am and what I do. I refuse to let people like you bring me down.”

“Which battalion were you,” Stanley asks, removing his jacket and having a seat.

“Second.”

“Third, myself. The thing about Vietnam was the enemy knew the terrain. They popped out of nowhere and you couldn’t tell them from a civilian. I hear it was like that in Afghanistan too.”

“Yeah, very much so.”

“How did you adapt to coming home?”

“It was a challenge at first. I was so use to military structure it was hard to adapt to civilian life again. I saw so much action over there I had PTSD. I’m still on medication to control the symptoms.”

“I had nightmares for a long time. I’d wake up in a cold sweat in the middle of the night screaming for months until it just stopped. Once the nightmares stopped, I started college. Why didn’t you use the G. I. Bill?”

“I was never good at school. Poor education systems where I come from.”

“I guess that does put you at a disadvantage.”

“But I remember my first day back. We had a cookout to end all cookouts. The meat was smoking, the music was blaring, the ladies around the neighborhood were looking fine – everyone was there. Me and my cousins got so rowdy my granny started smacking us around,” Jaylen says with a chuckle.

“Oh, I remember those family barbecues. Our grandma would keep us in line with a switch. Have you ever had a switch across your rear?”

“Oh yeah. Grannies don’t mess around. They get their point across. Those things smart.”

“That they do. It’s rare to meet a young man your age who’s been through such discipline.”

“We were poor, but we were brought up to have manners and be respectful. Momma used to say black men were always judged by their worst example, so their needed to be good men to set the example straight.”

“Your mom is right. That’s why discipline and structure are important in raising a child. It’s something I think is lost on these younger generations.”

“I think it varies from family to family regardless of generation or race. It’s a mindset where you have to have respect for yourself and others. Everyone has their reasons for parenting in certain ways. I want my little girl to grow up to be a respectful and respectable member of society. That’s why I raise my child the way I do. Other parents might want the same thing but believe other tactics deliver those results. I stay out of their business, but they better stay out of mine.”

“I prefer the old fashion approach. It worked for generations in my family. I don’t mind telling people that either. So how old is your girl?”

“She’s four.”

“They’re cute at that age. I remember mine when they were that young… and my grandchildren. I’m supposed to pick up my grandson from school. He’s probably standing out in the rain.”

“Poor kid. At least mine is home, safe and sound with her mother. I just hope they get this elevator moving. I picked up an extra route plus overtime since a coworker didn’t show up, but I don’t want to be out all night.”

“You do work your ass off, don’t you?”

“Got to make that money, climb that ladder.”

“I like your attitude. That’s how I had to do it. I put in long hours and paid my dues. Employers do notice. They make note of who’s dedicated and who isn’t.”

“I hope so.”

“Trust me. I’m the CEO of this company. Stanley Middleton,” Stanley says, extending his hand.

“Jaylen Webb,” Jaylen says, shaking Stanley’s hand.

“It’s getting hot in here.”

“Air conditioning is out. So, why do you have the attitude you do towards us African Americans?”

“Generational hate, I guess. It has been passed down through the generations since the Civil War. I grew up in the fifty’s and sixty’s when African Americans had to fight for their rights, and many people were against that idea. I’m not as bad as my father and grandfather, nor are my children and grandchildren as bad as I am. I think the younger generations have more positive interactions like this.”

“I can’t wait for it to disappear altogether for my daughter’s sake.”

The elevator shifts as the lights come on and they continue their descent.

“Yeah, I’m sorry I was so ignorant towards you at first, Jaylen. You seem like a stand-up guy.”

“Don’t worry about. I’ve grown some thick skin over the years.”

“Tell you what, you have the kind of attitude and work ethic that makes a good leader. On your way out, let’s get you an application. There’s a mail room supervisor position open I think you will be perfect for. The pay will probably double what you’re making now, and you’ll get some great benefits.”

“Are you sure about this?”

“Well, I didn’t say you had the job, but I will put in a good word for you. You’ll have to go through the hiring process with human resources, but my name carries some clout around here. Make sure you put my name on there as a reference. Here’s my card,” Stanley says, getting to his feet, putting his jacket back on, and pulling out a card.

“Thank you, sir,” Jaylen says, climbing to his feet and taking the card.

“I’m not your boss yet. Just call me Stan.”

The elevator stops and the two men exit. They head over to the security desk. “Mr. Middleton, what can I do for you, sir,” the man at the counter asks.

“Can you get my friend here an application?”

The man at the desk hands Jaylen an application. “Take that home and fill it out. You’ll want to return it with a resume. I’ll tell Silas in HR to keep an eye out for it. Good luck to you and thanks for the talk,” Stanley says as he heads for the doors.

“If his name is anywhere on your application, the job is yours. The interview process is just a formality,” the man at the counter says.

“Do you think so?”

“That’s how Suzie became his assistant. He liked how she conducted herself so much when working for another firm that he doubled her salary just to get her here.”

Jaylen took a moment to look over the application and think about what it would mean for his family. He felt he must have had quite an impact on Stan if he changed his perspective enough to offer him a job. Jaylen wondered if it became as apparent to Stan as it did him; that when you take the time to talk to people, you realize you have more in common than you assume. After all, we’re all human.