Romey use to say “Mom you worry too much. Ain’t nothing ever gonna happen to me. “And then he would smile that easy slow smile that crept across his beautiful face. And those eyes, eyes full of mischief. Eyes that always let me know that child was up to something. (beat) Like taking four cookies instead of two. Changing that C minus on his report card to some messed up looking A, or sneaking in here at two a.m. when he knew his behind was supposed to be home by twelve-thirty. That child had me fooled for awhile, turning back all the clocks in the house, and me not even knowing he was late! Until I turned up at church Sunday morning and found out that I had missed an entire hour and a half of Sunday Service. And Pastor Thomas not looking too impress with me, rolling in late for church. Sister Rosemary huffing and a puffing because I had missed my choir solo and Sister April had to sing it. And everybody knows that woman is stone deaf. Only reason she’s in the choir because she and Pastor Thomas got a little something going on. Oh the flesh is weak child! And that boy making me miss my solo, was I ever mad. I tell you that day I prayed to the Lord to give me strength to deal with that boy. And when I got home, some divine intervention got into me and I cut up his behind. (sings to herself) God bless the child. (laughs to herself) Six-three, real tall you know, but I still wasn’t afraid to give him something. (beat) But nothing could stop Romey. Oh with that boy there was never a dull moment. But he was a good kid. Yes he was. (beat) I would say Jerome. I would call him Jerome when I get serious or I got something important to say. Otherwise he was just Romey, my Romey. And I remember that night, I said, Jerome I don’t have a good feeling about this. Why don’t you and Damion rent some movies and I’ll fix you some Kool-aid, order some pizza and you boys just can stay in. The streets are not safe for young boys. (beat) And Romey rolled his eyes and smiled that easy slow smile and kissed me right here. (points to the area on her forehead) Right here on my forehead. And he said “Mom, you worry too much, nothing going to happen to me. And besides Mom, we ain’t on the streets it’s a school dance. Nothing going to happen at a school dance. And Mom you know Denna Stewart going to be there, and you know I got a thing for Denna Stewart. I ‘m gonna show her my moves on the dance hall and she’s gonna be all mine.” (She laughs.) Po’ Denna Stewart having that boy step all over her feet. And we laughed. Romey’s he got this real deep happy laugh. (beat) But I guess everybody is happy when they laugh right?