Nothing Special V (Nothing Special 5)

“Curtis, Curtis, look. I passed, dude. I passed my geometry test. Coach said I can play in this week’s game!” Jamal yelled at him when he burst into the rec room. The kids were shushing and throwing popcorn at him while he made his way back to the table where Curtis was sitting with his laptop open.

Curtis quieted down the kids and pulled Jamal into the hallway, smiling broadly. He took the paper he’d been waving and clamped his hand over his mouth, stunned speechless at the bright B+ in bold red ink at the top of his test paper. “Oh my god, Jamal. You did it. I knew you could.”

Next thing he knew, Jamal threw his arms around Curtis’ waist and grabbed him in a bear hug, the huge six foot one linebacker lifting him off his feet. Curtis yelped, slapping Jamal on his broad shoulders to put him down. Susan, who volunteered in the library, walked by, laughing at their theatrics, stopping beside them.

“What in the world is so exciting? I wanna know.” She smiled, looking back and forth between them. She was in her usual knee-length skirt and long-sleeved turtleneck, her long black hair up in a messy ponytail sitting high on top of her head.

“Only my first good grade in geometry all year, that’s what.” The big eleventh grader thrust the paper in Susan’s face. “I thought I was gonna be put on the bench the rest of the season. Mr. Graham said if I pass the next test it’ll bring my grade to a C.”

“Way to go, Jamal! I knew you’d get that grade up,” she congratulated him.

“All because of this smart dude, right here.” Jamal threw his heavy arm around Curtis’ neck, yanking him in and running his knuckles over his hair like he was his little brother. “He even used football plays to help me understand angles.”

“Jesus. Get off me.” Curtis pushed at him, Jamal’s huge body not budging.

“Yes, he has a way with you kids, that’s for sure,” Susan agreed.

“He did it.” Curtis pointed at Jamal. He was so proud of him. “He buckled down, stayed focused. You did it, Jamal. First, your world history class, and now, geometry. You’re on your way to honor roll, man.”

“Curtis, my mom is going to be so happy, you just don’t know.” Jamal playfully shoved him and Curtis could see the sentiment on his face. Jamal was proud of himself and most importantly, he was proud to take some good marks home. Curtis pulled Jamal into another hug, patting him encouragingly on his back. “I’m so proud of you. I really am.”

“Curtis. I’d like to see you in my office.”

Curtis stepped back at the sound of his boss’ tight voice, looking around Jamal’s big frame to see him standing there with a pinched look on his face.

“What this sucka want now?” Jamal grumbled.

“Be quiet, Jamal, before he suspends you again,” Curtis shushed him, turning back to Charles, he pointed at the open door. “I’m monitoring the rec room right now.”

“Doesn’t look that way to me,” Charles snapped back.

“I’ll watch the kids for you until you get back, Curtis,” Susan offered nicely, pulling Jamal in the room in front of her, but Curtis didn’t miss the daggers Jamal was shooting at the center director.

Curtis walked down the long hall, making the unwanted trek back to the front of the building. When he stepped inside Charles’ office, he moved a few papers out of one of the chairs in front of the cluttered desk and sat down. He thought it might be about this morning, but Curtis was sadly mistaken when Charles finally sat down, clasping his hands in front of him.

“Curtis. I can’t have you behaving inappropriately with the students. Because of your sexual orientation, one so-called innocent gesture could be perceived in the wrong way.” Charles’ thin lips barely moved when he spoke, his voice laced with loathing.

Curtis blinked stupidly, wondering for a moment if he’d actually heard right. “I’m sorry. Excuse me?”

“I saw you embrace Jamal several times.” Charles leaned in; one eyebrow going up into his nonexistent hairline like what he was saying was spot-on.

“I didn’t embrace him. I was congratulating him on his test grade.” Curtis slid to the edge of his seat, shaking his head in disbelief. “This is insane. I didn’t embrace him in that way, and if you were watching, I’m sure you could see that.”

“Oh, I was watching. He spun you around like you were lovers.”

Curtis coughed, almost gagging at the thought. “That is a kid.” Curtis clenched his teeth, fighting not to yell or flat out curse his boss out. But the look Charles gave him said, “That’s my point.” Curtis stood up. “What the hell is this? Because I’m gay you think I’d… have you lost your mind, Charles?!”