Elle by Maxx Kilbourne & Yazi May & Rhea Banks

Author:Maxx Kilbourne & Yazi May & Rhea Banks [Kilbourne, Maxx & May, Yazi & Banks, Rhea]
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Tags: United States, African American, Christian, Literature & Fiction
ISBN: 148395840X
Amazon: B00CPR59UM
Publisher: YB&G
Published: 2013-05-08T04:00:00+00:00

Time-out

“Alright ladies, y’all know what time it is,” the young girl called, making her way to the tiny black-and-white television hanging in the recreation room. A barrage of insults thwarted her intention to change the channel. The commotion drew Evelyn’s attention. It was rare to find Evelyn huddled amongst the others during TV time, but once she’d peeked inside the room her eyes hadn’t dared to leave the television. “Love Connection is coming on,” the young girl argued. Don’t nobody wanna see the news ‘cept y’all old folks. Come on, Pat,” she lobbied for help, “make ‘em change the channel.”

“I’m watching TV!” Evelyn shushed the bickering before Pat could respond, daring another word from the simple-minded girl.

Grainy images from a mounted television screen unraveled Evelyn’s world before the newscaster uttered a word. She became confused as the camera panned around a small room holding a long table and plainly-dressed white folks. A small girl clutching a photograph sent shockwaves through Evelyn’s brain. The child’s warm blue eyes and disoriented speech magnetized Evelyn to the screen. The little girl caressed a brass frame holding the photo of a war veteran, and Evelyn hoped it was a cruel hoax. Can’t be him, she told herself, conjuring memories of a night she couldn’t forget.

“Gramps,” the girl began, sobbing uncontrollably, captivating Evelyn even more. “Gram–” she paused, and miniature incisions diced Evelyn’s heart. “My Grandpa always read bedtime stories, and sometimes he, he give me b-b-bubble gum.” She sniffed and wiped her eyes before staring into the camera. Evelyn’s eyes refused to blink as she unconsciously leaned closer to the television. “And on Saturday nights he give, he give me chocolate ice cream...I guess,” the girl sniffled again and shook her head to shake away the sorrow, “I guess I won’t have no more ice cream.” The tiny child gripped the picture tighter before finishing, “No more ice cream, and no more Grandpa.”

“No!” Evelyn erupted, moving closer to the television, pushing and manhandling anything in her way. Even Gloria.

“Take it easy,” Gloria warned. “Let’s not get ignant.” Evelyn pressed forward, slapping Gloria’s hand and wrestling past her to gain a closer look at the television.

“Hmmph,” the young girl commented, “I thought Gloria was the Queen Bee around here. I guess she’s all talk.” In most situations the statement meant nothing, it was meaningless chatter amongst females, but in prison it was a damning question of power. Though quiet and unimposing, Gloria cherished her reputation as a no-nonsense inmate who ran the cell block. She enjoyed the perks of being a bully and slept easily knowing her reign was uncontested. The girl challenged that. Gloria watched the young girl, who watched Evelyn, who watched the newscast with little regard to anything else.

Evelyn’s stares into the television blocked other prisoners from her line of sight. Her ears strained to catch every word of sadness the anchorman mumbled. She watched in awe as a reporter interviewed an adolescent girl who stood beside a man she’d once adored.

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