When sudden unemployment forced James and Betty to leave their Mississippi home for Ohio, cool nights were just beginning to turn the oak leaves gold. Crickets were chirping down near the fish pond, and fireflies were in abudance. James had been on this job at the plant, for fifteen years when he, along with his entire shift, were called into the manager's office. Mr. Gray was a kindly, old gentleman who rarely raised his voice, no matter how tense work became.
As the crew gathered around Mr. Gray's desk, the bad, but expected news came. "Men, I have some unwelcome news for you. As you have probably noticed, shipments have been slacking off lately, and I have to shut down your shift."
Rumors of layoffs had been circulating around the plant for some time now, and one other shift had already been cut. Everyone stood motionless, glancing towards each other as frowns of deep concern creased their faces. "Men, I'm sorry to have to tell you this but there's nothing else I can do." James had just placed his son, Joey, in a new school, and Betty's father had just moved in with them after his wife passed away up in Georgia. Obviously, he was troubled by this sudden turn of events.
James and the crew somberly left the manager's office in silence as they headed to the locker room to retrieve their belongings. "Personnel will be mailing your checks in a couple of days," yelled Mr. Gray. The men never looked back.
The clinking of the old 1972 Ford pickup, and the smell of honeysuckle blooming, brought James back to the reality of what he had just been told. He thought of Betty, his son, and his father-in-law who had come to live with them. He was confident that he would soon find work but he might have to move to Dayton, Ohio where his cousin Jerry lived.
How will he break this news to Betty, who had become comfortable in their little home here in Mississippi? Most of them had relatives here. They had grown up in the neighborhood, and attended school at Jackson High. They had been high school sweethearts.
When James came through the front door, Betty immediately sensed that something had gone wrong. "How did your day go?" she asked.
"Got some bad news, I've been laid off at the plant. I'll find something, just need time." Betty went about her chores as if she had not heard him. "Did you hear what I said?"
"Sure, and don't worry about it. We have overcome worse before."
That night James called Jerry in Ohio. "James, what a surprise, hearing from you. How's the family?" James steadied himself, looking for the right words to explain his situation. "Been laid off work and need a job. Betty and I are planning on moving out there." Although he had not discussed this move with Betty he knew she wouldn't object. She always supported him 100 percent.
When he finally mentioned his plans to Betty, she was elated. She was ready for a change anyway. They made plans to leave, and started packing their things. James put his truck in the repair shop to get it ready for the long drive to Ohio.
The day to leave came and went, now here they are in Dayton.
The very next day, James had Jerry show him around the city. They actually made visits to the employment office, and some employers Jerry had already researched.
The next week, James found a job at the post office. Everyone was happy for him. Joey and Robert, Jerry's son, had become fast friends by now, and hung out a lot together. Several of Robert's friends came over to visit regularly.
Ast time went on, James noticed that Joey had started skipping school. "Joey, we need to talk. Why aren't you attending school anymore?"
"Awwww, dad, school is boring," replied Joey.
"Are you in a gang son?"
"I hang out with my homies is all." Joey's language and dress had changed. He now wore lots of colors and heavy jewelry.
Sharon lived down the street from Joey. They had started dating. On his sixteenth birthday, Joey was arrested for shooting a rival gang member for "dissin" his girl.
James had to solicit the help of other family members to bail him out of jail. They all chipped in for his release. From this point on, Joey spent lots of time around the house, for fear that the rival gang were in search of retaliation.
One Saturday night, Sharon wanted to see a new movie that was playing at the downtown theater. Joey suggested she drive her mother's car, and come around back, through the alley, to pick him up.
Joey was paranoid the entire drive to the theater. As they approached the paring lot, he spotted several cars he recognized as those of the rival gang member. "Keep driving slowly," he whispered to Sharon, but it was too late. They had been spotted!
"Watch out, be careful," Joey yelled to Sharon, as a fire truck swerved in front of them, headed towards a fire. As Sharon slowed to a crawl, the first car that had been trailing them came alongside, shots rang out, tires screeched, and they sped away.
A second car immediately followed, pumping more shots into the direction of Sharon's car. Sharon fought desperately to maintain control of her car. As it swerved across the street, and back again, a light pole moved right in front of her, and brought the car to rest. "Oh, my God, Joey are you okay?" Easily visible was a gaping head wound, with blood trickling down Joey's face and neck. His gun was hanging from a single finger. He never got off a shot!
EMS worked furiously to save his life. After about thirty minutes, Joey was pronounced "dead-at-the-scene." Sharon went into shock.
The next few days were very sad for James and Betty as they made arrangements for Joey's funeral. Sharon helped as much as she could. His friends had stopped coming around.
At the funeral, when the minister asked if anyone had anything to say about Joey's life, Sharon somberly came forward. With unexplained composure, she began, "Joey was a good person, who wanted to do the right thing, but he got mixed up with the wrong crowd, and forgot about the value of life."
Everyone sat motionliess, staring at the casket heavily adorned with sprays of flowers from well-wishers. Sharon continued, "Don't cry for Joey, he would want all of you to leave the gang, before it's too late. Do this for Joey, please."
When she returned to her seat, she noticed no one was crying. No tears were shed for Joey!
When We Were Negro - by Charles Pennie