Chapter 31: This Is Racism đ-
Hearing the overgrown kid's yell, a beautiful black girl came into the hallway.
"Darling, I think this guy's having trouble breathing. Besides, seeing how tightly you're clinging to him, I'm starting to get jealous," the girl said jokingly.
Embarrassed, Tony set Ray down, giving him room to breathe freely, and said with a laugh:
"Darling, don't worry! Even if the day comes when I discover such inclinations in myself, Ray definitely isn't my type, so you can relax."
"Hi, I'm Michelle. I've heard a lot about you, glad we finally get to meet," she said, extending her hand to Ray.
From the atmosphere between his friend and this girl, it was clear there was something between them, but Ray wasn't sure if they were a couple or just spending time together.
"This is my fiancée Michelle, and this is my best friend Ray," Tony introduced them.
"Nice to meet you! Honestly, I'm surprised this idiot has such a charming lady. Never thought a woman would come along who could tame him. And sorry if I'm intruding," Ray chuckled.
"Don't be stupid! You're always welcome in my home. Honey, be a good girl and go put the kettle on. I think we have things to talk about," Tony said.
When they sat down at the table, Michelle asked:
"Tony's talked a lot about you, but seeing you now, I can see how different you are. I wonder how such different people became best friends?"
"It wasn't always like this," Tony began. "There was a time when I was among those who bullied this guy. My mother worked hard so my sister and I could study at a very prestigious and expensive school. Back then, my sister and I were idiots and didn't appreciate it. Instead of studying, we drank and took all sorts of crap. That lifestyle led to my sister dying of an overdose."
"I was broken and couldn't see anything around me. I still can't believe it, but somehow this guy pulled me back from the edge. He said that instead of flagellating myself, I should open my eyes and look at my mother, who needed help right then."
"That day I beat him up, but when I got home, I realized my mother was broken. She'd always worked hard. There was always hope in her eyes that one day we'd get our act together. Only then did I notice that after my sister's death, the hope that had always been in my mother's eyes had dissipated like smoke."
"Looking around our house, I noticed that our always tidy home was in chaos. Besides dirt and trash, the dishes were a mess, alcohol bottles were everywhere. Realizing this picture finally let me understand what a bastard I'd been."
"Cleaning the house for the first time in years, I waited for Mom to wake up. When she got up, I knelt down, apologized, promised her I'd get my act together, and asked forgiveness for not protecting my sister."
"Moved by my words, Mom hugged me, and we lost track of time, just sobbing in each other's arms. Too bad I had to lose my sister to realize what a jerk I'd been. That day I decided to changeâto become a support for my mother and make her proud of me."
"The first thing I did was apologize to Ray, ask him to help me with my studies, and start training. Seeing that it wasn't just talk, that I was really working on myself, Mom gradually stopped drinking. In our tandem, Ray was always the brains, and I was the muscles."
"I'm glad to see you, but I know how hard you work, so I don't think you'd come just for fun. Did something happen?" Tony asked.
"Yes, I need your help. I want to make a film, and I have a role that's perfect for you," Ray replied.
"Interesting offer, but I never thought you'd be into this," Tony said surprised.
"One of the film schools is holding a competition, and my girlfriend dreams of becoming an actress. I really want to help her."
"I can't believe you found yourself a girl! Is it by any chance that beauty we met at the club back then?"
"Yes, it's her. Honestly, I can't believe it turned out this way either. Besides your participation in the filming, I need twenty thousand dollars. But you have to understand, I can't promise I'll be able to pay you back. This is very important to me. I hope you'll have the time."
"Not long ago I injured my knee and I'm out for six months, so I have plenty of time."
"Ray, do you happen to have a role for me?" Michelle asked. Her face showed she was genuinely interested.
"Sorry, but no. There's no character in the script that would suit you, and offering you a minor role would be a crime."
"Too bad. Listen, can I come with you? If you don't mind, when are we leaving?"
"I'd like to leave tomorrow, but if you have things to do, we can stay a couple more days."
"I'd like to invite you to my place, but I don't have room. If Tony doesn't mind and you have no problem staying in a hotel, then you can come."
"I don't have anything going on, so we can leave tomorrow. What about you?" Tony asked.
"I have no problem with that. I'll leave you two to catch up. Besides, I need to pack," Michelle said.
"Okay, we'll pick you up tomorrow," Tony said.
After seeing his girl out, Tony returned to the kitchen.
"I still can't believe you decided to get a girl. How much does she know?"
"She knows everything and is more than serious. She wants us to have a child. I'm trying to delay it, but I think her patience will run out soon."
"And what did you do for such a beauty to be ready to bear your child?" Tony asked, shocked.
Hearing this question, Ray shrugged.
"It's simple. I just sold a kidney."
Hearing his friend's words, Tony choked on his tea.
"I'm more curious how a flighty guy like you managed to get yourself a fiancée?"
"When I was in the hospital after my injury, she was visiting her friend. That's where we met. Sometimes it seems like everything's moving too fast, but I really love that little one."
Ray never did manage to get proper sleep, but he did finish writing the script completely. Now their trio was sitting on the train, each with their own copy.
"I have to play a black jerk? This is racism," Tony said jokingly.
"A couple years ago you were quite the jerk, so this role suits you," Ray replied with a laugh.
"I really don't want to admit it, but from what you've told me, he's right," Michelle said with a laugh.