(W4) Simon Part Three

Many people have stopped to play a pool at the old pool table in my dorm. The felt was marked with inexperienced players attempt to show off to on lookers. The pool sticks where quickly used up, pieces would disappear and reappear, half the game was finding a pool stick that was complete.

Simon, an African American man in his thirties, had found a way to circumvent the unreliable equipment. He brought his own pool stick with him every time he wanted to play. This made him a very valued person to shoot pool with. He traded flavored jokes with a variety of people that played pool with him. I was one of the more frequent players at the table, I was there twice a week at about the same time. After a few games he decided I was worthy enough to learn how to play one pocket. I could tell he thought highly of me because he would answer my questions on the rules, no matter how many times I asked the same question.

Every now and then I would spot him in the dinning hall and sit down with him. He was accustomed to praying at each meal, you could tell when he had a lot on his mind because he would drop his fork after a few bites, sit in silence and then say 'ok' and start eating again.

One day I wanted to play one pocket, so I went to see what Simon was doing. His window was visible from the sky walk to his section of the building, I always knew weather or not he was in. I knocked at the door and heard him shuffling around.

'Oh, hey Nick.'
'Hey, I was wondering if you wanted to play some one pocket?'
'That would be fun, but I can't I have to get packed.'
'Where you going?'
'Oh, I am heading home for a day to take care of some stuff at home.'
'Well, maybe we can play when you get back?'
'Oh, I don't know I have to study for a few midterms and I am trying to set up a date with this girl I have been talking to. Hey, you could come with me, it is a forty minute drive and I could us the company.'
'Sure, should I bring movies or something? I just got the DaVinici Code.'
'Yeah if you want, I have been meaning to watch that, is it any good?'
'I enjoyed it. Well I will go get ready.'

The drive was fun, we listened to a few of my cd's. He talked on the phone to the women he was trying to set up a date with. When we got on the road his house was on, he said 'Do not bring up the fact that I smoke and do not talk about the women I am trying to see. Mary does not want me to date because I she wants my mind on school and both her and Denis think that I have stopped smoking. I only have a cigarette every now and then and I never buy a full pack.

Denis and Mary, were a white couple in their fifties. Both of them seemed pretty well off, the house was relatively clean. There were a few unique collectibles that had their own spot on shelves. The couch and love seat were worn to the point where they were just right. The point where the fabric loses its structure but does not have holes in it.

Every question phrased by Mary was one that directly attacked and supported Simon. My favorite was 'Well try not to get too stressed, the last thing you need is to pick up smoking again.' It was said in the tone that only mothers can give; the I love you and I know you are doing something I disapprove of tone.

There were two small black dogs, one I found out was blind. The little blind dog seemed to have a much deeper appreciation for attention. Something about how the dog leaned into my hand made me think that it meant more.

After Mary and Denis went to bed, Simon and I discussed what I thought of them and the house. I thought they were very nice and I thought they keep a good house. A bit into the conversation Simon looked at me and said 'You know people have asked her if she was sleeping with me.' His tone hit me hard and I knew why. He viewed Denis and Mary as parents, for someone to second guess their intentions was cruel. He knew, and I knew, that if he was a white man no one would find it worthy to question.

The breakfast in the upstairs kitchen confirmed that Simon saw them as parents. We all sat down to a small meal, we prayed before we ate and they discussed small family things; like where Denis was going to store the law mower for the winter.

I saw them as a functional nuclear family. Mother, father and son working together to keep the family going.

-NK