We resume our episode this week with Melinda Ferguson and Joseph Davenport at her home.
Joseph: I never got a chance to apologize to you.
Melinda: Apologize to me for what?
Joseph: With everything that has happened with the University….I feel like it’s my fault….
Melinda: Joe stop……I’m a big girl…it’s both of our fault. We both made our decisions. You have nothing to apologize for. Is that why you’ve been trying to call me?
Joseph: Actually, no. There’s something important I need to talk to you about...
Melinda: Joe, if this is about us again, I'm really not up for it today.
Joseph: I understand.
Silence
Joseph: Sheena tells me she is supposed to be doing an internship in your office this semester.
Melinda: Yes. She's very sharp, Joe. You and Carsen must be very proud of her.
Joseph: I am. She's smart.
Melinda: That she is!
Joseph: I just hate that she has to work for Mwatsumi until you go back.
Melinda: Yeah.....he can be a handful sometimes....I actually wasn't sure she was still going to accept the position after everything that has happened.
Joseph: Well.....she still isn't talking to me?
Melinda: Oh no......that's terrible, Joe. I'm sure she'll come around. She's hurt. She just needs some time.
Joseph: And what about you?
Melinda: What about me?
Joseph: Do you still need some time?
Melinda: Time from what?
Joseph: Time away from me...
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Over in her dorm room, Lashonda is waiting for her boyfriend, Brian to arrive when her phone rings.
Lashonda: Hello?
Valerie: Lashonda, this is your mother.
Lashonda: Hey mom.
Valerie: I want you to know that I spoke to your godmother about the situation.
Lashonda: What? When? Mom I thought you were goin' to let me tell her!
Valerie: Oh like you have done already? It's been months since this whole thing took place! I don't know if you would have ever told her!
Lashonda: Mom!
Valerie: Mom what? I am furious about this entire situation! How could you let it go so far?
Lashonda: Mom, I told you....I didn't know and I trusted Mona!
Valerie: And it never dawned on you that none of the AKA's on campus knew who you were?
Silence
Valerie: Lashonda I'm very disappointed. I just wish you had come to me.
Lashonda: Yes, mom.
Valerie: Well once we get this straightened out, I will call Carsen and talk to her about when the sorors are doing another process.
Lashonda: Huh? For what?
Valerie: For you!
Lashonda: Mother what are you talking about? I don't want to be a Delta.
Valerie: Excuse me? You mean to tell me after all that has happened, you still want to be an AKA?
Lashonda: Yes, I do....
Silence
Valerie: I see.
Lashonda: Mommy I'm not tryin' to hurt your feelings. I just don't feel like Delta is for me, that's all.
Valerie: That's fine.
Lashonda: Mommy?
Valerie: I have to go now. I will let you know when I hear back from your godmother.
Lashonda: Mom....
Valerie hangs up the phone....
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Scene 1 Continued...
Joseph: Do you still need some time?
Melinda: Time from what?
Joseph: Time away from me...
Melinda: You're here, aren't you?
Joseph smiles
Joseph: I guess you're right. So how have you been? Are you enjoying your vacation?
Melinda: I wouldn't exactly call it a vacation.
Joseph: You know what I mean.
Melinda: Yeah, I guess I'm making the best of it.
Joseph: Oh really? Like what?
Melinda: What do you mean?
Joseph: I mean how are you making the best of it? What have you been doing?
Melinda: Well I've been getting caught up on my reading.....I've been doing a little gardening....I've tried out a few new recipes....and I've caught a few late night movies.
Joseph: Ooh....wild woman.
Melinda (laughs): Oh hush!
Joseph: Melinda that is old woman stuff! You gotta get out and live a little! You need an adventure!
Melinda: I think I've had enough adventure for one year. That's what got me into this mess, remember? I think I'll take it easy for now. Now I gotta figure out a way to fix this whole mess with Mona.
Joseph: Yeah what is that all about?
Melinda: I can't get into it right now.
Joseph: I understand. Hey this is nice...being able to talk again.
Melinda: Yeah, I guess it is.
Joseph: I was offered a 3 month fellowship away.
Melinda: Oh Joe that's wonderful! Are you going to take it?
Joseph: Well that depends....that's kinda what I wanted to speak to you about...
Melinda: Oh?
Joseph: Well I wanted to know if......well.....what do you think about coming with me?
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Over in their new apartment, Joi and Jovan are arguing about Patrick.
Jovan: He saw the baby?
Joi: I don't know! They had taken him to the nursery at that point!
Jovan: What else did he say when he was there?
Joi: Nothin'! I don't know....I don't remember....it....look I didn't bring this up to start a fight with you! I just.....
Just then there is a knock on the door.
Joi: I guess Brian forgot something?
Jovan opens the door to find Krystalyn on the other side....
Jovan: Krystalyn....oh hey....
Krystalyn: Hi.
Joi: Hi Krys!
Krystalyn doesn't respond.
Jovan: Are you here to see Joi?
Krystalyn: No actually I need to speak to you for a second. NPHC business.
Jovan: Oh okay. Why didn't you call?
Krystalyn: I did.....
Jovan begins to feel around for his cell phone.
Jovan: Oh shoot....I must have left it back at the Jewel House. Well uh.....did you wanna come in?
Krystalyn looks over at Joi.
Krystalyn: No. It will only take a second.
Jovan: Okay.....I can step out for a second....if that's okay with you Joi.
Joi: That's fine, honey.
Jovan steps out onto the balcony with Krystalyn.
Jovan: So, what's up?
Krystalyn: The Student Activities Office called me about NPHC week. They need a full list of our schedule of events so that we can reserve the rooms we need.
Jovan: Oh shoot....okay....uh.....I'll call an emergency e-board meeting for this week and finalize it so you can get it over to them. Call back and let them know we'll have it over to them by Thursday.
Krystalyn: Okay cool. Did you want me to send out the email about the e-board meeting?
Jovan: Could you? As you can see by looking around, I'm not exactly sure where my laptop is right now.
Krystalyn: I understand! Um....Wednesday at 8?
Jovan: Perfect. Thanks a lot, Krys.
Krystalyn: No problem. I'll see you later. See....I told you it would be quick.
Jovan: It was!
Krystalyn: Jovan, you been hittin' the gym?
Jovan: Um.........a little....why?
Krystalyn: No reason. Just askin....I notice things like that...looks nice...
Krystalyn smiles before turning to go down the stairs.
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Scene 2 Continued...
Lashonda is sitting in her room, visibly shaken from her conversation with her mother when her boyfriend Brian finally arrives.
Lashonda: Hey hon.
Brian: Hey baby!
Brian leans in to give Lashonda a kiss.
Brian: What you up to?
Lashonda: Nothin'.
Brian: You okay?
Lashonda: I guess.
Brian: Uh oh. Am I in trouble?
Lashonda smiles
Lashonda: No! Did you do something to be in trouble?
Lashonda gives Brian a side eyed glance.
Brian: No!
Lashonda: Mmm hmmm.....
Brian starts to laugh.
Brian: For real, baby. I just wanted to make sure cause you seem kinda down.
Lashonda: I guess I am.
Brian: What's up? What's wrong?
Lashonda (sighs deeply): I had a fight with my mom.
Brian: About what?
Lashonda: What do you think? I told her about the process.
Brian: You did? Baby it's about time! Mona needs to get what is comin' to her!
Lashonda: Yeah well I asked her not to say anything to my godmother and she did, anyway!
Brian: What's wrong with that? You and Denitra should have busted Mona out a long time ago!
Lashonda: Excuse me, but who's side are you on?
Brian: I'm not on anyone's side! I mean.....I'm on yours but seriously Shonda......it was way overdue for you not telling President Ferguson.
Lashonda: I guess.
Brian: Oh so now you're mad at me?
Lashonda: Whatever, Brian. I don't wanna talk about it anymore right now.
Brian: Fine.
Lashonda: Fine.
Silence.
Lashonda: Um..........I saw a flyer today about an Alpha party on Friday.
Brian: Oh, um yeah.
Lashonda: You never mentioned any party to me.
Brian: Must have slipped my mind.
Lashonda: A party given by your fraternity slipped your mind?
Brian: Yeah. I mean you know I'm really not that interested in goin' anyway.
Lashonda: Huh? You're not goin'?
Brian: I mean you know.....I was thinkin' you and I could just hang out that night.
Lashonda: Okay so we'll hang out at the party. Besides, you guys throw the best parties on campus. I wouldn't miss an Alpha party!
Brian: Baby....I don't know how to say this, but you might have to miss this one....
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Scene 3 Continued...
Jovan comes back into the apartment to find Joi unpacking a box in the bedroom.
Joi: What was that all about?
Jovan: What?
Joi: Krystalyn.
Jovan: Oh nothin'. Just NPHC stuff.
Joi: Oh. I guess I'll never know anything about that.
Jovan: Is our conversation over?
Joi: Which one?
Jovan: You know which one.The one about Patrick comin' to the hospital.
Joi: Yeah, I guess. Unless there is somethin' else you have to say about it.
Jovan: Like what? That it was wrong for him to show up like that? And it was wrong for you not to tell me?
Joi: I told you now... so what's the big deal? I could have never said anything and you would have never found out.
Jovan: Oh that's how we're operating now?
Joi: Jovan, please! You are makin' a way bigger deal out of this than it really is!
Jovan: Fine. But I don't want Patrick around the baby or you.
Joi: Okay fine.
Jovan: I'm serious, Joi. I don't want to keep havin' this conversation.
Joi: Okay.
Joi's cell phone rings.
Joi: Saved by the bell!
Jovan smiles
Jovan: Very funny!
Joi searches around the mound of boxes and bags before finally locating her phone.
Joi: Hello?
Sy'Mone: Is this Joi?
Joi: Hello? Sy'Mone? Girl, what are you talkin' about?
Sy'Mone: Now you listen to me! Be dressed in all black and ready to go in five minutes.
Joi: What? Sy'Mone?
Sy'Mone: You heard me. This is the dean of your line. I will not repeat myself. Be dressed and ready.
Sy'Mone hangs up the phone.....
Jovan: Who was that?
Joi pulls the phone down from her ear and begins smiling
Joi: It was Sy'Mone....I mean....it was big sister dean of pledges.....Jovan....if I heard correctly I....I think I'm back on line!!!!
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