Dining With Kevin

Dining With Kevin
Springfield, PA


Kevin is a former high school student of mine.  A few years after he graduated from college, I hired him as a German teacher. Eventually, we became friend even thought there is a 25 year difference between us. We go out to dinner several times a year.

Kevin is a large man.  He is tall, maybe 6'7" and massive in body structure.  I am short and squatly.  He towers over me.  I have to stand on my tippy-toes to hug him.  HIs skin is a deep, dark black.  I am lily white, pastey-looking.

Kevin usually likes to go to Red Lobster, a restaurant in our area that predominately caters to our African American community.  I usually get to the restaurant first and am offered a table, tucked away in the corner.  Kevin arrives five or ten minutes later and saunters right up to my table and embraces me.  People stare at us, this odd couple. And I wonder, do they thinks:

1- How did that old woman snag that young man?
2- What's that white woman doing with that black man?
3- Why is that young man get stuck with that old bitch?
4- Does she have money?  Is that why he's with her?
5- How did they get together?
6- What up wif dat couple?

They all look puzzled but it does not appear to me as if anyone is thinking, "Look, two friends having dinner together."