Blooming

For every single Washingtonian there are a few rites of passage one must undertake before claiming that moniker. Like most denizens of other cities these events are generally centric to gaining a greater understanding of your city and it’s climate. Understanding the difference between the National Mall and a normal mall, being able to differentiate the Capitol and the White House, strolling down Pennsylvania Avenue in a peacoat and sunglasses to feel like Kerry Washington playing Olivia Pope in Scandal are just a few of said rites. If you’ve a bit more melanin you can expect to have to know which Ben’s Chili Bowl is the original, how many HBCU’s are in the DMV, and where the only place left to hear DC’s signature music is found. Then there’s that hushed rite; you know the one you have to do but not tell too many people you do lest you run the risk of sounding like a tourist. That event is the annual Cherry Blossom festival held at the National Mall.
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This years festival seemed especially festive as it marked the first time in two years that the festival would be held in person since the onset of COVID. We were emerging from our telework and quarantine holes to greet a city that too seemed to be wiping the sleep from its eyes. As more establishments opened the energy of DC could be felt like a gentle buzz vibrating gently beneath your feet. The trees bloomed in different shades of pinks, whites, and greens as workers begrudgingly became reacquainted with their morning and evening commutes to their long-abandoned office spaces. I could think of no better time for me to experience my first festival.

I decided not to undergo this momentous occasion alone. Peak bloom is a time where the Mall would be buzzing with visitors from across the globe and I didn’t dare risk it alone therefore I enlisted the help of Tadeu. Though our friendship was still budding he was proving quickly to become a dependable person to talk to about life in general who offered unbiased advice, terrible fashion advice, and provided the perfect eye candy to gaze upon when life got exceedingly difficult. It was a bit difficult to organize him meeting me as he had a child and he was rarely seen without him, but eventually I got him under the sweet scent of the blossoms.

“I can’t believe you never been out here for this shit,” he said as we walked off from grabbing hotdogs at the Tidal Basin Food Kiosk off Maine Ave. It was a Friday evening. I had taken a majority of the afternoon off from my job to spend it here on the mall with him and my dog, Naga.
“Why is that so hard to believe? I hit the ground running even amid COVID there was barely time to catch my breath before life started happening,” I said making sure my hands free leash was secure around my waist as we walked over towards a free bit of grass.

“I mean I get that. Two years?” Tadeu said spreading the red and white checkered blanket I purchased for this event. He paused before sitting. “You know this is very Caucasian of you,” he said shaking his head.

“Oh stop. White people aren’t the only ones who can eat at parks on checkered blankets under Cherry Blossoms with their pets,” I said rolling my eyes as I joined him. He gave a mocking look around as if to say “Tell that to the 90% Caucasian demographic out here”. I ignored him.

“So what’s new with you? Last time we talked was what? Three days ago?” he asked biting his hotdog. I raised a brow.

“Negro try six weeks ago. It was February when we talked. Before Valentines Day. It’s now 25 March,” I corrected.

“Aye aye! It’s been busy what with everything going on with work and whatnot. You know the stuff in Ukraine,” he said shaking is head. I nodded.

“I know. We feel it here too,” I said making sure Naga didn’t go too far away.

“Oh yeah?” he asked sarcastically.

“Well administratively I suppose. Indirectly as compared to you I’m sure. Don’t blame me for your misfortune sir. I did my time on your side of the chevrons. I’m good on that,” I responded causing a laugh from him.

“I guess. Work plus the stuff with her too you know?” he responded somberly.

“Oh. Yes. I know,” I said taking a sip of my drink and looking away. There was a momentary pause between us before he asked “ So how you doing though? I mean with your dude or whatever?”

“Oh so you do care Mr. Morais?” I asked not bothering to hide my smile. He looked confused. “Oh nothing. Just…forget I said it,” waving off his look of confusion and the thought of my conversation with Felix back in February.

“Things here are proceeding…apace? I found a place to move. I go see it this weekend actually. Let’s see what else…school is kicking my ass. I have a Intro to Tech professor who insists we are all some advanced Computer Science majors wanting 4-5 page essays on tech terms I’ve heard nothing about. Oh yeah and still working the same job which I suppose I should be happy about after earlier this morning,” I said quickly.

“Why you say that?” he asked crossing his legs to sit Indian style in front of me.

“Well I kinda lost my temper on my Contract boss? And before you scold me this is the guy-“ I started but he cut me off.

“Noland?” he asked frowning. I paused for a moment baffled by the fact that he actually remembered that detail from a conversation we had last month. I suppose there is hope for straight women after all.

“Yeah. Him,” I said.

“Fuck him,” was his response which caused me to choke on my drink.

“Okay tough guy!” I said laughing.

“No man every time I hear bout him he causing shit,” he said angrily.

“You’re not gonna go all Bryan Mills on him are you?” I asked slyly.

“Nah. Those days are behind me. Besides this ah…particular set of skills is better used on the ladies,” he replied just as slyly.

“I’m sure you were quite the rowdy one back in your day,” I said ignoring the heat rising in my cheeks from the playful way he looked at me with his last line.

We spent the remainder of the afternoon discussing our pasts; his with being a rough boy in a biker gang who didn’t mind getting into the occasional bar fight or two and mine of being an international wanderer. The conversation saw us to sunset where I told him I had a deadline and I had to run. He understood and walked me back to my car.

“Damn! This is what I can look forward to after the Army? Luxury cars?” he said once we arrived to my car.

“It’s nothing much. Just wheels and motors and such,” I said placing my dog inside as I turned the car on remotely.

“It’s a Lexus my dude,” he said dryly. I shrugged.

“So this is it?” he asked leaning against my car. I frowned. I didn’t have the guts to tell him that the car he was leaning on was on borrowed time due to a few missed car payments. The reason I was rushing down to Virginia was to meet my father who had just agreed to help catch my payments up. I didn’t have the stomach to tell him I was actually moving because the son of bitch who is divorcing me left me with a mountain of bills causing me to fall behind in every aspect of my life. I couldn’t even repeat the words to myself least I burst into a rage right here at the Mall so instead  deflected.

“Yeah. I really have to go finish my column,” I said hoping he would get the veiled message.

“Aight…do what you have to tonight, but I ain’t fly across the country to sit on a lawn like a Caucasian couple and eat nasty ass hot dogs for a few hours. I coulda did that in country ass Tennessee,” he said folding his arms. I laughed.

“Oh so you were thinking this was a couples thing?” I teased.

“Man look. You know what the fuck I meant! So like I said. Do your thing. I’ll send you hotel address. We gon meet up tomorrow and you gon take me to the real DC,” he said holding his head up in a gesture of authority. I snickered at it.

“Yes sir, Mr. Mills sir. I’ll see you tomorrow” I said.
"Yeah. I guess I can be your Mr. Mills," he laughed. We hugged, and parted ways.

​To be continued....