The only obstacle to my plan now is figuring out how to get my parents on board. Sure, they usually go along with whatever I say anyway. I mean there’s a reason I became an actress at five years old. However, this time is different. The work involved, and the thought of interviewing people I don’t know, will undoubtedly give them pause. Can I really blame them? Especially since I’ll, very likely, be interviewing adults as well. I need to create some safety measures for myself to avoid any unnecessary risks. That’s why it’s always imperative to brainstorm with a trusted friend. And I can’t think of anyone I trust more than my best friend, Meylin Arreola (besides it was her idea to begin with).
It’s a rare event to be inside Meylin’s room, we usually hang out at my apartment. I don’t know why, though. She actually has a really cool room (albeit a little small and cramped). The room is painted a light green and is filled with all sorts of interesting things.
Just look in her closet. Yeah, most of her clothes are the usual blue jeans and whatever. However, she also has the most beautiful and colorful skirts I have ever seen. The designs and patterns are incredible. Meylin told me the dresses also belonged to her maternal grandmother and passed down to her. A generational thing, you know. What’s even more interesting is that the clothing symbolizes the village in which it was made. So, that means, the designs contain images that are significant in Santa Maria Nebaj (the village where Meylin’s grandparents are from).
A Brooklyn Nets poster is pinned on the wall right behind her bed. That’s not the only one either. The theatrical poster for Zombie Graveyard is taped to her door. And yeah, if you’re wondering, I got her the poster. Not to mention, that I had it autographed by most of the cast and crew. I don’t know why but Meylin really loves that stupid movie. Look, the only reason I did that film was for the money and because it was my first major role. I don’t even like Stephen Kane or his novels (while Meylin eats them up).
Well, I shouldn’t say I don’t like him. He was pretty cool when he visited the set but his books aren’t for me. After all, his movie, not only got me noticed, but ignited my friendship with Meylin. Back in third grade, when we hardly ever spoke to each other, Meylin walked over to me and said she was a big fan (which surprised me since the movie was rated R). She wasn’t annoying like Andrew Gregory and we actually shared other interests, like basketball for example.
The small dresser, on the other side of the room, already has the Freddy Krueger glove nestled on top. A small Michael Myers collectible figure, which I got for her birthday last year, is situated next to it. Her bed is located a couple of feet away and towards the opposite wall. A book, Island of the Blue Dolphins, lies in the center of the bed.
Meylin grabs the book and gently places it on her nightstand (and almost knocks her lamp over in the process). She then motions for me to sit on her bed.
“V’a. So, how do you want to do this?” Meylin asks while sitting cross-legged on her bed.
“Well, yeah, okay. First of all, we need rules.”
“Rules?”
“Yeah. Like, you know, we’re probably going to interview adults, right? We need a system that keeps us safe but also reassures our parents. Keep them from freaking out.”
“We could use Zoom. That way we don’t have to meet them in person.”
“No, that won’t work. It has to be a professional looking interview. That means it has to be face to face.”
Meylin sighs. “I don’t know. Interview them in a café or restaurant, maybe?”
“That’s not a bad idea, actually. The only thing I’m worried about is the noise factor.”
Okay, getting warmer now. It has to be somewhere public but also quiet. It’s on the tip of my tongue…
“I got it. We can interview them at a library.”
“I thought people aren’t allowed to talk in a library?” Meylin asks.
“That depends. Anyway, it doesn’t matter. I’ll just see if we can borrow a room. My parents do that all the time in their library at Columbia.”
“That’s great. So, I guess you’ll be doing this for the entire summer? Are you gonna have time to be in the summer rec league with me and Kanisha?”
I forgot all about that. Great. With the league and Spirit Scribe going back into production for season two, I’m not going to have time for everything. The basketball will be the easiest thing to drop. I mean, I love basketball and all but it’s really not going to further my career. So, it’s expendable.
“Yeah, about that. I don’t think I’m going to have time to do all three. I think it’s better if I quit the league.”
“What? You love basketball. You’ve been on the team every year since fourth grade. You can’t quit.”
“I have to, Meylin. This is more important.”
“Hold up. I don’t want you to, you know, feel like you have to do this because I suggested it (because I was mad at you). It was just an idea. You don’t have to do this whole thing just to feel empathy towards people.”
“Me Entiendes?” Meylin then holds my right hand and looks at me dead in the eyes, almost beseeching me not to quit basketball.
It’s way too late for that, though. And it’s not because I have this desire, or need, to be more empathetic towards others. Considering that I’m already pretty charitable, notwithstanding yesterday’s slip-up. I’m good. Thanks.
“It’s not a big deal. I’ll be back next year. I mean, don’t you think raising awareness about people with learning and developmental disabilities is more important? Isn’t that what you were getting at yesterday?”
“I guess.”
“Great. That settles it then. You want to be my director?”
“Huh? Director?”
“Uh, yeah. I need someone to film while I conduct the interviews.”
“Isn’t Hassan better at doing that sort of thing?”
“He’s not coming back from Mogadishu until the last week of August.”
“That long? I thought he said he was coming back in July.”
“Originally, yeah, but plans changed. He emailed me last week.”
“Do you really need me, though? Don’t they have tripods or something to hold your phone while you record? So, you don’t really need anyone.”
“Yeah, I’ve used them before but this is different. I want someone I can trust there with me. Look, this is more complicated than your average Instagram or YouTube video. An actual director is essential for this thing to work. I’m going to be focused on the person I’m interviewing and not on filming the thing.”
“Not to mention, it’s especially important when I interview adults. There’s no way my parents agree to me interviewing an adult alone, even if it’s at the library.”
“Oh. Okay, yeah. I’ll help you. As long as it doesn’t interfere with basketball.”
“It won’t. Thanks, Meylin.”
That wasn’t as hard as I thought it was going to be. The best part is that I have someone to help me with the interviews. I don’t even want to think about doing all this work alone. Especially, since I still have Spirit Scribe scripts to memorize for later this month. So, I guess, the final obstacle is convincing my parents on the validity of my activism. If history is any indicator, that should be beyond easy.
Link to Being Special, Chapter 1 https://medium.com/@baltimoreraven87/being-special-chapter-1-b5e175dc0d00
Link to Being Special, Chapter 2 https://medium.com/@baltimoreraven87/being-special-chapter-2-4c622095b4e9
