$12.50 / Perfectbound
ISBN: 9781598581539
140 pages
Also available at fine
bookstores everywhere
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Excerpt from the Book
Chapter 1: Victoria
Late for work again. I especially hate to be late for a meeting
when I know I am going to be the only black person there. Living
down the stereotype of Colored People’s Time puts a lot of
stress on a woman. I always try to make a good impression on the job
and punctuality is a key point. I feel my armpits begin to perspire,
although I have the air conditioning fan blasting on the highest level.
I turn up the volume on my car stereo to hear Tom, Myra, Sybil and
Jay on the morning show over the sound of the blowing air. I speed
up my BMW to seventy miles per hour on route I-465. “Lord, please
don’t let me get another speeding ticket.” I give it a second thought
and I slow down to 60 mph. Now, I start weaving through morning
traffic.
If William were in the car he would say, “I know this is Indianapolis,
but you are not in the Indianapolis 500!” This morning if I
were in the race I would place at least in the top ten. Traffic jam! I
slow down and force my way out of the fast lane into the outside lane.
As I reach the inner city, I decide to take my chances on an
alternate route. I make a hard right turn at the traffic light. I punch
on the gas pedal. I am driving at top speed on the downtown streets.
I make a hard left at the next traffic light and bingo! I hit green lights
for seven blocks! Okay, just a few more blocks. I stop at a red light. I
listen as DJ Jay Anthony murders another song as he sings along to a
Top 40 hit over the sound waves. I laugh out loud and tap on the
steering wheel to the beat of the music.
Finally, the light turns green and I take off leaving tread marks
and smoke behind. After just a few blocks, I hit another red light.
Now the morning show group has decided to play a little theme
music for the rush hour travelers. A little “Move Get Out Tha Way”
is just what I need. I usually treat my downtown commute as a competition.
Each day I try to beat my time from the previous day.
Finally, I see the checkered flag and I complete the last block of the
race. Today my time is exceptional. Eat your heart out, Danica!
As I make a right turn down into the sub-basement parking
garage, I lower the volume of the loud rap music blaring from my
stereo. It is time for me to turn off my world and get into the groove
of the corporate lifestyle I have chosen for myself. JDL, the Fortune
500 Marketing Firm, is where I spend all of my days and most of my
nights.
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