All are aboard the Madame C.J. Walker. Driving through the freeways of memory lane, she's beautiful antique, a 1975 Lincoln Continental to be exact. The summer sun and humid heat makes her beige tone blossom. Frank is operating in the driver's seat while his nephew Maurice sits next to him in the passenger's seat. Sitting on top of beige custom-made seats behind them is their luggage buckled down with seatbelts. Both Frank and Maurice listen to oldies, talk about sports, crack jokes, and enjoy the breeze. They both enjoy each other's company. Frank was to Maurice a father he never had. Maurice was to Frank a son he always wanted. Although Maurice is familiar with the Newman's Estate, and that his Uncle Frank worked lengthy hours as a security guard there he knows little concerning the ins and outs of the property. But the reason for him going with his uncle was for a different reason all together. After having a conversation with Maurice's mother, Frank thought that an eighteen-year-old should be able to work for the money to pay for textbooks and a dorm room. The Virginia landscape is a site to behold, until they make it to "The Estate" in Charlottesville.
What was once sunshine and rainbows turned into a nightmare. 931 Paul Newman Pkwy, Charlottesville, VA 22902 looked like a wasteland. Architecture that once showed dominance and majestic beauty was now in decay. The crops that once flourished with organic prowess were dried up and rotten. One half of the animals on the ranch (where Maurice was stationed to work) were killed and the other half went loose. The eyes, hands, and feet that helped "The Estate" function were nowhere to be found. People such as Chef Bill "Bojangles" Robinson, Head of Security Melvin "Junebug" Jenkins, and a young lady of mulatto descent named Maggie (who Maurice use to crush on hard) had all banished. The main palace (often called The Big House) now looked like a shack. Its dome was split in two and the lion statues on its left and right side looked as though they were devoured by sledgehammers. One can only assume that God's wrath was poured down on "The Estate" for its pass partake in being a plantation. Stepping out of the car Frank has a daring idea. In a matter of seconds Frank went from a loving uncle to the Marine Sergent he always dreamed of being. Turning to Maurice Frank tells him the plan he has in mind to investigate what has become of "The Estate." The expression on Maurice's face went from a joyous teenager to a silent assassin. Standing face-to-face both Frank and Maurice are in saluting postures. Frank shouts 'Semper Fidelis." In response to his Uncle Frank Maurice shouts "Always Faithful." Separated both of these individuals will have to witness things that will either change them for the better or destroy them.
"No more ritz, cheese, Nintendo, and anime," Maurice heard his uncle muttered as they went their separate ways. Maurice had forgotten that his Uncle Frank knew "The Estate" like the back of his hand. Sometimes it was as if his Uncle Frank should've been a landscaper instead of a security guard. Uncle Frank also knew about the secret whereabouts of "The Estate's" owner Paul Newman IV. Paul Newman IV became the patron saint of his family by giving jobs and positions to those who were less fortunate and needed a second chance at life (including people like Frank). On the downside Paul Newman IV had a taste for the chocolate (and not the Hershey with Almonds kind either). Rumors had spread around "The Estate" that Paul IV and his and his wife of forty-six years had separated and were in talks for a divorce. Of course, Uncle Frank never mentioned this to his nephew. Not only was Maurice too young to understand, but these types of problems can only relate to "rich white folks." With the assistance of the flashlight connected to his Galaxy A20 in his left hand and the protection of a red, black, and green baseball bat he discovered somewhere lying around, Maurice is facing the nearest wall and see's the words "ALL HAIL QUEEN NANA" finger painted in blood. In a state of shock and horror, Maurice yells "what the fuck? Who in the hell is Queen Nanna?
As mentioned before Paul IV had an appetite for the chocolate. To say it more bluntly, Paul IV loved black women. It was a long-kept secret around 'The Estate" for many years. Most of his mistress' (if not all) were black women. One day a young woman in her twenties named Nanay came to "The Estate" looking for work to pay for her tuition for college (majoring in medicine while attending a community college). She was from Accra, Ghana, but very little is known about her family's background. Besides being quick on her feet Nanay was a great cook and can put spins on African American cuisine. Paul IV took notice of this and took advantage. In two months Nanay went from a part-time cook to one out of five supervisors of the kitchen in The Big House. Things between Nanay and Paul IV would heat up as well. While Ella, Paul IV's wife (sometimes called Lady E) went to Paris to promote her fashion company Aphrodite, Nanay was allowed to spend time in the Master Suite with Paul IV. Summer days wouldn't be complete without seeing Nanay with her knight in shining armor (often called her Sugar Daddy by those who work at "The Estate") on horseback. Like all good things in life, the "relationship" had to end. The short summer fling between Paul IV and Nanay was over. Lady E would come back to "The Estate" and discover Nanay coming out the bathroom of the Master Suite. After receiving an old-fashioned tongue-lashing from his wife, Paul IV vowed to become more faithful to his wife.
Broken-hearted and back to working as a part-time cook, Nanay has fallen on hard times. Her dream of continuing her college career seemed dim. The salary that she was given was cut in half. The hopes and aspirations of an "American Dream" had left her psyche, never to return. A fetus was developing inside her stomach, and it couldn't grow on nutrients and vitamins from a source of unrealistic ideas and theories. A simple flashback of her coddling with her seventy-six-year-old sugar daddy had her wanting to jump out of her skin. Chances of staying at "The Estate" were slim, so if Nanay was to leave she was going to make sure she would do so as the queen she was destinate to be. Putting on the garment of a grateful employee, Nanay walked among the other workers of "The Estate" to "invite" them to a "gathering" in a nearby area called "The Picnic." Although Nanay was back with the peasantry, whatever she said was responded with respect and admiration. Nanay (often called Nana) was the life of the party. Tunes playing in the background and drinks being tossed around, Nana knows what she's doing. "The Estate" is full of unique individuals from different walks of life. Ex-convicts, aspiring artists, entrepreneurs, and others can chill, clear their heads, and let out frustrations at "The Picnic." Knowing that there was only five minutes left to devise a plan, Queen Nana takes her rightful place. Standing on top of a table the Queen of "The Estate" calls for the attention of her congregation. "Brother and sisters are you not tired? Are you not tired of being fed scraps from their table? Are you not tired of being treated less than? Are you tired of being tokens in the name of second chances? If you are tired than what shall we do about it?" The members of the congregation listened with their ears and eyes. Maggie's brown eye's turned fireball red as she yelled "Rebel." That was all she wrote from that point on. A major move of mob violence broke out over The Newman's Estate. What was once used as cooking utensils were now instruments of death. For the first time in a long time this revolution would not be televised. Nana's old sugar daddy and his old lady got what was coming their way by being ambushed and dragged to the front lawn of the Big House to meet their deaths.
Watching Maurice through the walls is his Uncle Frank. Seeing how sharp his nephew actually was deeply impressed him. Seeing him use military tactics, Frank comes to the conclusion that his nephew has some fight in him and is a dog. "Ah, the boy has become a man," Frank said to himself. Although still a lightweight as it concerned other qualities (here and there), Maurice seems to have the potential to lead (depends on how you view what a leader is). Suddenly, a sense of envy rose up inside Frank, a feeling he never knew he had in him.
Finding a doorway Maurice makes his way outside. His feet hit the grass and that was all she had written. Black and white bodies lying together lifeless will torment any man's mind. "The cost for Life, Liberty, and the Prsuit of Happiness must've been worth it," Maurice thought to himself. Easing up beside him was Frank. With eyes filled with torment and paranoia Frank starts a conversation with his nephew that neither of them will forget for the rest of their lives. "Look son, you see this right here? This is what I like to call fighting for one's place in this world. How do you feel about all of this?" Maurice was so shocked he couldn't utter out a sentence. Stepping closer to Maurice, Frank looked him dead in his eyes and said the realest thing Maurice would ever hear. "It's leader and there's followers, but you have to decide whether to be a dick or a swallower." By the looks of things there was nothing else to discover and dream of doing at the Newman's Estate. Frank and Maurice both decided to head back to the car.
Miles away from the New Newman's Estate Frank is running the engine on 60mph (when he should really have it on 40mph). A million thoughts are running in his mind at the same time. The first thought would be what would he tell his wife. The second thought was that now a position that he's had for thirty years is not going to lead him to retirement. Thinking about this alone caused that same envy to come up and show in his tone towards Maurice. Facing a sunset and trying to leave behind bad memories at the Newman's Estate, Maurice tries to turn on the radio, but is met with Frank slapping his hand. Before Maurice can finally get a word out Frank stops the car on the side of the road. Angry, pissed, and mad as all outdoors, Frank in a low tone tells Maurice to gut his bags out the backseat and get out of the car. Still hesitant after all he has seen, Frank is rushing him, as to try to ambush him out his car. "Unc, what I do?" yells Maurice. Back in his car ready to drive off, Frank tells Maurice "Toughen up Marine," leaving him in the dust.
The deadline to pay off the money for dorms had passed and Maurice's dream of going away to college was killed. Maurice had only one option left, and that was to join the U.S. Marine Corps. He would go on to ace the training camp. On his first tour Maurice would earn three medals. His gun became his best friend. Alcohol and Percocet became his coping devices. Bagging chick after chick became a ritual. Uncle Frank would be proud. The last time he would see his Uncle Frank was in the summer of 2013, two months after what happened at the Newman's Estate, and two months after he would serve on his first tour of service. But, come to think about it his Uncle Frank still looked cold and bitter resting inside a casket. Like so many young black men, Maurice knows that he will never know what love feels like and that forgiveness is a lonely road.
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