Charity Alexandria Wesley

September 3, 2014
English III
Colorblind
Barely above a whisper, I asked, Hell make it, right?
Hell be just fine Charlene, now go home and find ya some rest, Dr. Williams ordered me, his
voice cracking with melancholy. I stayed there, unmoving, oblivious to what he just said. Charlene?
This life that we living, its only temporary. Why waste it with hate? I started to zone out.
Temporary.
Charlene?
Three days before
Brett, when have you become such I nigger lover? I overheard Dr. Williams. I strolled into the
room, Brett gazed at me as I walked. Is this the one?
And if it was? Connor defensively answered.
So it is, Dr. Williams said, grimacing. You coulda least pick a mulatto. This one looks like
shes straight from--.
Enough. Brett said forcefully.
Brett and I have been seeing each other for a while now, but nobody knew because of obvious
circumstances. The War was over for three years now and the North won, but nothing changed. So, we
had no choice but to keep it covered. My chocolate skin brightened in the lamp as I walked over to the
love of my life. Well, since its out now, Brett wrapping his arms around me, We dont have to try so
hard to hide our love.
Dr. Williams watched my every move. He could not stand the ground I walked on: let alone the
presence of me.

Brett turn towards me and said, I want us to be married, Charlie. I love you. The hairs on the
back of my neck stood as he spoke: Mostly because I feared what Dr. Williams would do.
Now Brett, are you sure about that? I asked. My smile grew bigger as I filled with excitement,
but I knew Mr. Williams wouldnt like that idea just as much as he liked me. So I just sat down, and
watched the incoming match.
Why yes, of course! You could move in with me, and we would have children, and ,
You cant marry this nigger! Dr. William interrupted, face turning redder than the blood
rushing through my veins. Do you know what will happen to our practice, to us, to me? Ill lose
patients, moneyand for what? he paused. Because you love this here nigger. I swear, Brett, you
make the dumbest decisions.
Your body is seeping with selfishness so, it disgusts me, Brett hissed, You wouldnt know the
first thing about love!
You dont love nigger women, you just have fun with em, ya see? Aint no love in it!
Do you hear yourself? Come on Charlie. Im tired of hiding our love. Brett gently grabbed my
hand and led us out the door and into an open crowd.
If you go out there, youre a dead man Brett! Mr. Williams yelled out behind us.
Every soul out there ceased and set their eyes on us. It was as if time itself took a day off work.
Brett, I dont think.
He kissed me. Right there, in front of all those people! This man is outta his mind, I thought, but
I couldnt help but follow his lead. In a choral unison, all the people gasped, both black and white. Yet,
he did not stop, and Lord knows I couldnt force myself to. He finally stopped after what seemed to be a
lifetime. He led me, hand-in-hand down the street, leading to his house. As we walked, there was dead
silence. The silence of us walking down death row.
When I walked through the door, I through a fit! Do you know what youve done? Baby, I love
you, but I can only love you when Im alive. They already want me cus Im workin for ya, but they
gonna get me for sho, now that Im with ya!
Calm down Charlie, nobodys gonna get you while Im here. Just know that, okay?

We cant fight this battle.

This life that we living, its only temporary. Why waste it with hate. If we cant fight for us,
then who will?
Brett, Im scared. I sighed.
I know, I am too, he said, pulling me closer to him, but were scared together. He held me
for the rest of the night, reassuring me that hes gonna be there.
That morning, I dreaded getting out of bed. Not because body ached from a hard days work,
but because of what tragedy lied ahead. Brett was already up and heading to the office. Something just
didnt set to well with me; something felt off. What I saw looking out the window sent chills from head,
to my spine, then to my feet. Not a single body was walking in the street, which is unusual. There is
always a child playing, or men going to work, or even a colored man pushing a cart of corn. But today, it
was nothing; not a sound was made. However, I did see this one peculiar looking man sitting on the
bench fairly close to the house. It looked as though he was waiting for someone or even a signal. In his
hands, was a shiny silver object reflecting in the morning sun. I just couldnt make out what it was. I
just had to get me a closer look, and what I saw was enough to make a nun curse. I heard the creek of
the door as Brett as heading out to work, but I knew it was too late. BOOM! Dread-filled, I managed to
run down stairs and see the fate of my fianc. At the most perfect timing, Dr. William was passing by
and saw what had happened. We rushed Brett to the office and hooked him up to every machine
imaginable to keep him alive. All I could do was be there for him, right by his side, for two days straight.
Present
OW! What in names sake Dr. Williams pinched my arm like a woman pinches her husband
when shes giving birth. What was that for?
You was unresponsive. Was worried you went into shock.
What you care for? Since I came to this place, you spat at every step I made. Now you worried
bout me?
Look, I know youre upset. I am too. Dont forget he was my friend since before you got her.
Some friend you are. Bet you woulda been a better friend if I was outta the picture.

You think this is all about you? My friend --,

My fianc. I said, defeated already.
Dr. William sighed, Im sorry, for everything. He sat beside me. I knew you loved you. Every
time you walked by, I could tell by the way he looked at you. Surprising me, he touched my hand, If
you need anything, Im here. Then he hugged me. Not one of those fake hugs, but a genuine friendly
hug.
I have to be half dead for you two to get along?
Could it be? I turned, and surely enough, his eyes were open. He was pitiful-looking, but very
much so alive. I ran up to his bedside and hugged him so long that I darn near killed him.
All I get is a hug after such a dreadful experience? he teased. I kissed him for what seemed
like an eternity in only a few minutes.
Brett, Dr. William said taking off his hat, Im real sorry bout what I said. I aint mean it, I was
just scared for our safety, mainly yours. And you have a fine gal. Shielding his mouth so that only Brett
could hear, And she wouldnt leave this room.
I gave him a playful hit. Of course I wouldnt leave your side. You dint leave mine. I sat on
his bed and laid next to him.
Charlene, Im sorry for the way Ive been treating you. I always knew it was wrong, but I dint
know how. It was just how I was raised. But now Im a new man, Dr. William smiled, consider me
colorblind. We smiled at each other, waiting on all the journeys, memories and changes we will make:
together.