ODDS OF LOVE

Episode Six

                   Spencer And DuBuis: The Past

Eighteen year old Spencer Norland stood in the middle of the dorm room at George Washington University.

It had two beds.

Two closets.

Bland white walls.

He hated change. Should he do this?

His mother stood by his side. Her lips were curled into an unpleasant smirk. Her arms were crossed over her chest. " I don't like it. I really don't see why you were so stubborn, Spencer. You were accepted at Harvard. Yale as well. And Princeton. Richard is at Harvard. He could have watched out for you. You know how you are. Why this little city school? The funny people we saw coming in ! I do hope they have decent security. The Benz is outside. "

His stomach started to hurt. He couldn't remember if he had packed his tummy medicine. " I chose George Washington University, Mother, because it has a fine reputation and because Dr. Ted Von Felt teaches here. You know how much I love his teachings on mathematical theory. Dr. Von Felt wrote ten books on ......"

Doris snorted," Yes. Yes. Yes. I know. That funny little man with his garish bow ties. Tacky creature. " Spencer fingered the polka dotted bow tie he wore. " Now come give Mother a kiss goodbye. I really must be going. I do not wish to be in the city when it gets dark. "

She lifted her pampered cheek ever so regally for him to press an obedient kiss to just as the door to the room flew open. In came a couple of giggling young Black girls and a Black woman who looked not much older than his mother but more worn and weary. She looked like she had seen it all and not liked any of what she saw. His eyes met hers and in them he saw kindness and warmth and humor. He liked her.

Bringing up the rear of their group was a Black boy his own age. He was lugging two well worn duffel bags and wearing a big backpack on his back. He was...... gorgeous. He was tall. His body was big but not fat. Spencer could see the taut muscles working beneath his faded blue denim jeans and black Hard Rock Cafe tee shirt. His hair was thick and black as coal and braided in what Spencer knew was cornrows. His skin was darker than Spencer's but Spencer liked that. He found this boy very pleasing to his eyes. He was quite magnetic. He was magnificent. He was so beautiful. The pain in his tummy eased a little and his lower half seemed to come to life.

" Mama. Why did you bring these two? They sound like a flock of geese. Should have left them with Sam. "

That made the smallest girl laugh harder while the other one with the mean looking brown eyes just lifted her pointed chin arrogantly. That one reminded Spencer of his mother.

Doris narrowed her blue eyes. " And just whom might you people be? Spencer, I thought you requested a single room. "

The Black woman smiled calmly. She stepped forward and touched the Black boy's arm so lovingly and proudly that it almost hurt Spencer to see. His mother hated to touch people especially him. She considered it to be common.

" Why we are the Lanes. These two young ladies who should remember their public manners are my daughters Faith and Sylvia. I am Mrs. Nessa Johnson. Johnson by my second husband Sam. Sam could not be here today. His back was hurting him today. He works so hard at the post office. He knows the postmaster general you know. This here is my son DuBuis. He has made us so proud. Won a full scholarship here. He plays basketball. But studying and learning come first. Right, Buis ? "

DuBuis Lane laughed and hugged his mother tightly. " Of course, Mama. More security in being a doctor than sports. "

" And ," Nessa continued on with a distinct chill to her voice," just whom are you people? "

Spencer forgot who he was. Because he was looking directly into DuBuis Lane's dark brown eyes. He thought he was in love.

What were the odds?

The odds of love?