The Power of Love

May 28, 1977

May 28, 1977

"What time is Emmett comin' over with Keilah again?" I asked both Keith and Mrs. Mathews.

"Keilah said around 6:30," Mrs. Mathews answered, "Or at least around then."

Keilah had been going out with a guy she'd met in one of her classes at the University of Tulsa. His name was Emmett Washington, and they'd met in her history class. They'd been going out since the middle of December in 1976. Nobody had met him just yet, but the same went for Keilah and his family. Because of this, all of us were going out to a restaurant together so we could all meet after a few months.

I'd be lying if I said this wasn't slightly nerve-wracking. The reason I say this is because I had no idea what to expect at the restaurant. None of us had ever met from either family, and I had no idea if each family knew that the other was of a different race. The way I mean that is: whether his family knew he was dating a white girl, or if anyone else other than me knew that Keilah was dating a black guy.

Honestly, I didn't see a problem with the fact that he was black and she was white. I didn't think it really made a difference- why should it, anyway? It was 1977 for crying out loud, so why was race still an issue? We're all human beings whether you're white, black, or whatever the heck you are. The only difference is your ethnicity and family background in history. In all honesty, I found the whole thing great, and it showed that there were other people who felt the same way I did about it.

Those that were going to the restaurant was me, Keith, Mrs. Mathews, Keilah, Emmett, his two brothers and his parents. We'd offered Eric and his girlfriend to come with us since they were family, but they couldn't make it due to a business dinner. Keith and I'd also be taking KJ and Sky with us to the dinner, since the Washington's said they wouldn't mind us bring them.

Which was a good thing. Cause then if they had a problem with my kids, they'd have a problem with me. Anyone who has a problem with my kids, had a problem with me.

I jumped a bit when the house phone began to ring. "I got it," I announced then ran over to the phone, "Hello?"

"Hey," Keilah's voice said, "Is that you, Rain?"

"Hey, Keilah. Yeah, it's Rain. Where're you and Emmett?"

"There's been a slight change in plans. We're all still going out tonight, but Emmett and I are gonna meet you all there."

"So the rest of us are just gonna meet the two a' you at the restaurant? Emmett's family too?"

"Yeah, exactly," Keilah answered, "Is that alright?"

I nodded to myself. "Yeah, sure," I answered, "We'll see you two soon." Then the line went dead.

"Ok," I began as I turned to face the two, picking up Sky, "We're all just gonna meet Keilah and Emmett at the restaurant, along with his family." The two nodded and we all left the house.

The five of us all piled into the car; Ketih got into the driver's seat, Mrs. Mathews in the passenger's seat, and I sat in the back with KJ and Sky. I strapped KJ into his seat on my left and held tight to Sky as he started the car and drove toward the direction of the restaurant. The whole ride there, I grew more and more worried about what might happen at dinner with both families there.

I could see Keilah in another area of the parking lot, and a taller dark skinned man with her, who I guessed to be Emmett. I wasn't sure if Keith saw them as he helped KJ out of the car, and the same went for Mrs. Mathews, but it seemed that neither noticed Keilah and Emmett in the parking lot. The five of us walked to the front door of the restaurant, walked in, and into the main area of the place. Since Emmett's family wasn't in the restaurant yet, we got a table that would fit all eleven people.