Chocolate Vanilla Sweets

Chapter 9

Sue turns to me, then looks back at the Nazi symbol. Within moments, I'm beside her. The poster Sue is holding is from a conference I spoke at earlier this year. It reads America Unites Presents The Ku Klux Klan, Neo Nazi Socialists, Alt-right Club and The ForeRunners. The speakers are listed, and sure enough, my name is on the list. I am embarrassed, frustrated, and angry.

"Were you nosing through my things?" My voice is harsh.
Suzanne's eyes are spewing fire, "I wasn't nosing around. This poster was lying on the floor and that photo is hanging on your wall!" she points to the Nazi symbol. Clearly, in my hurry to hide my ForeRunner ties, the poster had slipped from my hands.

"It's not what you are thinking!" I snap.

"Oh, and I am wearing a dummy hat right now," She says, sarcastic, explain to me why you are a speaker at a conference for hate groups!"

"They are not hate groups. They just want an equitable society for all people. Not just black lives and other minorities." I say, taking the poster from her hands. I place the poster in a desk drawer. And then Sue does the worst thing possible. The thing that rips my heart to shreds. Sue begins to cry. Not a loud cry, just that soft watery cry when you're hurt and tired. "I am sorry." I say quickly.

Sue stiffens, "So this is what it's like when you are white and privileged. When you're born into enormous wealth that you can't feel anything. You have no idea what it is like to be poor and forgotten and treated less than human. This is what my brother Martin warned me about with you. Why we could never work..."

"Your brother is a fool!" I roar.

"Is it because he's black? He's stupid for protecting his kid sister from a guy full of hate...a guy who just wants to have his way with a poor black girl!" Sue snaps. Rufus is by her leg barking. I swoop the little guy from the floor. Having him in my arms offers some comfort.

"You know better than that Sue. I don't see you that way. I never did! You're different!" I tell her.

"No, I'm not. In case you haven't noticed, I'm black! And I can't help who I am Sir Michael. None of us can. You can't help being white either. Should Rufus as a Shih Tzu be treated any different from a Poodle or a Golden Retriever? Aren't they all dogs, just the same, worthy of love? Even more so...us. Human beings made in the image of God? We may be different shades, but we are all humans, and Mike we all have a right to be here. None of us have more rights to walk the earth than anyone else. None! We all deserve love and compassion. How dare you think that you are superior to any other human being? How dare you! Why? because you are white? That makes you something more?" Tears are rolling down her cheeks, and I am speechless. Mainly because I see the sea of pain that swims in her brown eyes. "You have no idea what it's like to be black and be confronted with so much hate for no reason. You are being beaten with hate just for existing. When racists like you are so focused on hating other people, we just get modern day lynching like what happened to Tamir Rice, Trayvon Martin, George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and ...and...and just too many names to mention." Suzanne is torn, exhausted. And so am I.

I try to hug her, and she pushes me away. She hates me. I offer to take her home, but she prefers to be chauffer driven. She wants nothing more to do with me. Sue eyes communicate she is done! "Give me another chance," I croak, but the stare she gives me is stone cold.

"I am in love with you." I confess. "I have always been in love with you Sue. I've loved you for more than twenty years." Of course, she knows. Sue just needs to look into my eyes, which she is doing right now.

"I must go." Her voice is hoarse. Rufus sensing that something is wrong, begins barking, pleading on my behalf. Sadly, we both watch her go into the elevator.