Back to School

Jubilee stood transfixed in the lobby of McArthur Hall on the campus of Heritage College. She looked cool, calm, and collected on the outside, but inwardly, her nerves rattled like shutters in a fierce windstorm as she marveled at the modern architectural stunner where her first class would begin in 25 minutes. This really is a beautiful building, she thought.

In the middle of the lobby, a small cascading waterfall seemed to flow with an air of friendliness. Huge windows framed the entire building, letting natural light stream through effortlessly. No matter where you looked out the window, you saw lush greenery. The décor slayed, with muted earth tones of blue, green, and brown that inspired calm, focus, and relaxation. And there was plenty of space to sit, study, and collaborate.    

Her nerves continued to shake, rattle, and roll. Jubilee Latrice Jackson, get it together, Girl. You got this! You belong in this space as much as anyone, even at the age of 54!. Her mother’s words comforted and strengthened her in the moment. She straightened her spine, cracked her neck and knuckles, then bent down and bounced back up as if she were about to enter a boxing ring. Her stretching lessons and beginner kickboxing classes paid off, because there was a time when she bent down and needed help getting back up.

“God, please go before me,” she whispered, eyes closed. She took a few deep breaths, opened her Sahara brown eyes, and told herself, “Let’s do this!” As she charged ahead, she collided with a petite, oval-faced teenager wearing a lime-green, rhinestone-crusted backpack with the name Precious embroidered on it. The natural power of Jubilee’s robust frame and forward momentum was too much for Precious’s skinny frame to handle, and Precious splashed across the floor.

Jubilee gasped. She rushed to her unintended sparring partner, who had slid to the foot of the waterfall, yet somehow still managed to hold on to her cell phone. “Oh, my God. I’m so sorry, Baby.” Jubilee bent, grabbed Precious’ bony arm, and pulled her to her feet, careful not to snap the arm in two. “I was so lost in my own thoughts; I didn’t even see you, Child. Are you okay?” She removed the lime green backpack from Precious’ back, guided her gently towards a chair, and placed the backpack on a round glass table.

“It’s okay. It was my fault,” Precious said, shaking her head, slightly dazed from the morning’s clash. “Wow. You’re strong,” she added, a twisted smile on her face. Once the room stopped spinning, she smoothed her clothes, put her red-rimmed glasses back on, and continued. “I’m so clumsy and always running into things. And people.” She extended her hand to Jubilee. “I’m Precious.”

“That you are.” Jubilee flashed a warm, concerned smile and shook Precious’s hand. “I’m Ms. Jubilee, Precious, and it’s very nice to meet you.” Precious reminded her of her glam baby, Samantha.

“Are you a professor?” Precious asked.

“No, Darling. Are you?”

The question amused Precious. She laughed, then broke into a wide, toothy grin that revealed her invisible braces. “No way. I’m a freshman. This is my first year.”

“Well, Ms. Freshman, I’m also a freshman.”  

“You are?” Precious replied as if Ms. Jubilee had just announced she was a celestial being who’d arrived on Earth that morning. She peeked at Ms. Jubilee over the top of her glasses as her head dipped and her mouth opened wide enough to stuff a pizza.  

“Precious, close your mouth, Dear.”

“I’m so sorry,” she wrung her hands. “It’s just that I wasn’t expecting to see someone your age. I mean,” she said, now waving her hands wildly, and squeezing her thighs together like she had to go to the bathroom. “I mean, I didn’t think someone your age went to school. I mean, um, um.” She stumbled.

Now Jubilee was amused. Po’ thang. This child needs some help. Let me throw her a lifeline.

“It’s fine, Precious. Relax, Honey. I understand what you meant. It’s surprising to meet someone my age who’s a freshman in college.”

“Yeah, that’s what I meant.” She sighed, and her bangs flitted up in response to her breezy breath. But I think it’s totally cool that you’re in school. Is this like a lifelong dream or something like that?

“Yes, it is. It’s never too late to pursue your dreams, right?”

“Yes, Ma’am. That is so litt. You’re like my hero, or heroine, or you know, um, um.”

“I get it, Precious,” she said calmly, holding up her hand to reassure Precious that she understood her intentions. “And thank you. That’s very kind of you to say that. What’s your first class? Mine is Computer Science with Professor Owens. I’m really looking forward to digging into that subject.”

Precious pushed back in the chair. “No way. That’s my first class too! Can I tell you something, Ms. Jubilee?”

“Sure you can.”

“I was so nervous about the first day of class that I spent all morning in the bathroom, throwing up.”

“Oh, bless your heart. It’s going to be all right.” She patted Precious’ honey-colored hand. “They obviously thought you had what it takes to succeed, or you wouldn’t be here, right?”

“Yeah, I guess. I’m just not a naturally confident person.” She tilted her head toward the ground. 

“I understand. Now, can I tell you something, Ms. Freshman?”

“Yes, Ma’am.” Precious snapped to attention in her chair, leaned forward, and glared intently into Ms. Jubilee’s eyes, ready to drink in every word. It was as though it were the first time anyone had ever shared a secret with her. 

“I didn’t spend the morning throwing up, but I had to give myself a serious pep talk. I almost didn’t show up because I thought I didn’t belong, that it was ridiculous for someone my age to go to college. I’m so glad I pressed my way here for many reasons, and one of them is that I would have missed out on meeting you.”

Precious’ face lit up. She pressed her gleeful palms into her cheeks like a little girl. “Can I tell you something else, Ms. Jubilee?”

“I don’t see why not. I knocked you down like I was a defensive back trying to keep you from catching the winning pass; the least I can do is listen to what else you have to say.” They both laughed.

“I prayed for a friend. I don’t really have any. I know I just met you, but you’re like an answer to my prayer.”

Jubilee’s eyes moistened, and her heart fluttered with the divine assurance that she was indeed in the right place at the right time. Holding Precious’ gaze, she said, “And you’re an answer to mine, Precious.”

Now Precious’ eyes moistened, and her cheeks turned strawberry red. No one had ever spoken such kind words to her before and meant them. She could tell.

Jubilee continued. “Now, let’s get to class. I want to get a good seat up front.”

The End

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