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Denzil Arnold graduated first in his high school class. At his graduation ceremony, he gave the valedictory speech. No one in his family had ever graduated. His two elder brothers dropped out in the eleventh grade. They joined a neighborhood gang, and both served time in Attica. His Mama wanted him to do better. She insisted he remain in school and graduated.
After high school, Denzil attended Columbia University on a scholarship from the United Negro College Fund. He eventually received a master's degree in finance. Initially, he worked as a bank clerk while his new wife, Shandra, studied law and worked overnight at the local diner. It was hard to stay afloat, but they managed.
Education meant a lot to the Arnold family. After dinner, their three children spread their homework across the tiny table and bent their heads over their books. They lived in a small Harlem apartment—the best they could afford.
Darius propped his head with his hand and stared vacantly at the wall while Micheal tapped his pencil repeatedly against his open book. Both Denzil and Shandra attended them when their minds wandered too far. On the other hand, Devyn enjoyed studying. She had a bright mind and advanced quickly.
When Devyn turned ten, the Arnold family moved to Brooklyn. The brownstone seemed enormous compared to the Harlem apartment. Denzil and Shandra took a long time to advance in their careers. A long-awaited promotion to branch manager increased Den's salary, and Shandra finally completed her law degree. Three pregnancies delayed her education, but she didn't mind. She loved her children.
"Remember this: hard work pays off," Shandra exclaimed, jabbing her finger toward the open books before her two sons. "You won't get anywhere in life twirling a pencil, Darius. Your father and I worked hard to get where we are. We're movin' on up, kids."
Devyn smiled to herself. She wanted to follow in her daddy's footsteps. Mathematics came easily for her. She could calculate numbers rapidly in her head. And she admired her daddy. Mama also meant a lot to her, but she was always Daddy's little girl.
The Arnold family continued to prosper throughout the years. Darius graduated from high school. He wasn't first in his class like Denzil and didn't have the most significant grade point average, but Shandra was proud of him nonetheless. They supported him when he joined the Army shortly after he left school. On the other hand, Michael talked about dropping out of high school.
"You won't go far that way, Mike," Shandra stated, concern etching her face. "Your daddy and I worked hard to get where we're at. I don't want you to ruin your life."
Mike shrugged nonchalantly and slouched from the room. Devyn looked up from her homework when the door slammed. She caught her Mama's eye and shrugged also. Devyn loved Michael but disagreed with his lack of motivation.
"He's slipping back to where we came from, Shan," the old granny stated, shaking her head mournfully.
Denzil's mother lived in the basement apartment. She usually came up at lunchtime and remained for company. Devyn listened to her avidly. Although Granny wasn't educated like her son and his wife, she encouraged them to continue advancing in life.
Before the discussion could proceed, Denzil strode into the living room. All eyes turned in his direction. It was early afternoon, and it was not time for him to come home from work. His face beamed with joy and excitement.
"I've decided to quit my job," Denzil exclaimed, his deep brown eyes twinkling merrily.
Shandra stepped back in disbelief. Her mouth formed a perfect zero. Granny began to rise from her rocker, and Devyn closed her arithmetic book with a snap.
"Have you gone mad?" Shandra shouted, anger filling her voice.
"Yes!" Denzil replied, jigging around the room.
His wife glared at him with disgust. After all their hard work, he wasn't going to walk away. She'd see to that!
Denzil stopped dancing and stared at Shandra in disbelief. Finally, a huge grin covered his face. He wouldn't hold back the good news any longer.
"I have an opportunity I can't pass up," he shouted, pumping his fists in the air. "We're really movin' on up this time."
"Well, get on with it. Don't keep us in suspense," Granny grumbled from her rocker.
"Okay, Mama." Denzil turned toward his mother and planted a huge kiss on her cheek. "Stop interrupting, and I'll tell you."
"Well." Granny crossed her arms and pouted. "What's keeping you?"
"I'm about to make all our dreams come true," Denzil announced, surveying the room. "I'm opening my own financial advisory office. I signed the lease this very day at the World Trade Center. Hello, Whole New World."
Devyn leaped to her feet, clapping her hands wildly. Throughout her life, her daddy had spoken about having his own office. It meant absolute security for the Arnold family. Two years ago, Shandra became a junior partner at her law firm. Now, her father was promoting himself.
"I'm not finished," Denzil continued, silencing the cheers. "We're finally leaving the city and moving to Connecticut."
"Whippie," Michael stated, reentering the room. He stuck his finger upright beside his ear and twirled it. All eyes turned in his direction.
******
Devyn loved her new spacious bedroom. A large oak bed swathed with a pink canopy dominated the space. She ran her hand over the smooth desk surface beneath the open window and breathed deeply. Stamford, Connecticut, lay only thirty-four miles from New York City, but it did seem like a different world. She loved her new home already.
Denzil and Shandra commuted by train to the city each day. A brand new SUV sat in the garage waiting for weekend excursions. They enjoyed the freedom the city couldn't offer. The next trip would take them to Niagara Falls. Devyn looked forward to traveling in style. She could get used to their newfound luxuries quickly, she told herself.
"How's my little princess?" Denzil cried, returning home after a long day. He always greeted her the same way.
"Perfect, Daddy." Devyn flung her arms around his neck and kissed his cheek. She kissed her Mama, too.
"Perfect day for the perfect princess," Michael grumbled. He did not love Connecticut as much as Devyn did. He would rather stay in the city where his friends lived.
Both Denzil and Devyn threw him a disdainful glance. Devyn couldn't understand her brother's reluctance. The Arnold family was far better off than they were a few years ago.
Summer days floated past. Devyn swam in the pool every afternoon and lounged on her raft. She enjoyed her peaceful surroundings. Harlem and Brooklyn seemed miles away in her past life. In September, she would meet new students at a new school. She anticipated doing well as she approached her final two years of high school education.
"Hello," a soft voice called to her from the pool's edge. Devyn looked up at the unfamiliar boy standing there. He raised his hand in a brief wave. "I'm Jordan Mclean."
"Devyn Arnold," she replied skeptically. "Where you come from?"
"Next door," Jordan answered, indicating the fence. Stepping toward it, he swung open a hinged panel. "Bet you didn't know that door was there."
"Nope." Devyn remained noncommittal.
"You're new here."
"Took you a while to figure that out." Her lips turned down sarcastically.
Jordan chortled. Suddenly, he began wading toward her. Devyn couldn't control her sudden laughter at the sight of him splashing toward her. He wore jeans, a plaid shirt, and a new pair of Nikes. When he reached her raft, he leaned his hands on it. The float buckled in the middle, spilling her into the water. Jordan grabbed for her.
Devyn stood quickly. Face to face with the boy, she noticed his gentle blue eyes and clear white skin. When he smiled, Jordan's even white teeth gleamed. She found herself smiling back.
"I'll walk you to school on your first day," he offered. "I'm a senior."
"Junior," Devyn answered. "And thanks."
"I guess you haven't met many people around here yet."
She shook her head 'no.'
Devyn and Jordan spent time together every summer day. He kept his word and escorted her to school on the first day. After a while, she found herself holding his hand and kissing him. At first, the other students stared at the new couple. Devyn found it irritating. What difference did it make if she was African-American and he was white? If she and Jordan didn't mind, why should anyone else?
"You keeping time with that white dude?" Michael asked, greeting her at the door after school.
"What's it to you?" Devyn snapped back, pushing him aside and rushing upstairs.
"Ain't right." Mike scowled at her.
"Ain't your biz-ness," she answered, leaning over the banister. She glared at her brother, and he glared back.
"I'll make it my biz-ness," Micheal snarled menacingly.
"No, you won't, Mike." Devyn flounced away, her straightened black hair bouncing on her shoulders. She slammed her bedroom door.
Michael spent more time in the city than in Connecticut. He didn't fit in at their new school. After the first week, he was expelled for fighting. Denzil and Shandra tried to reason with him, but he was over eighteen. There was little they could do. Mike returned to the city and hung out with his old friends in the 'hood.
Devyn didn't care for Mike's attitude. Her Mama and daddy liked Jordan and his parents, Bethany and Frank Mclean. They encouraged her relationship with the boy next door. She brushed off Michael's opinion.
The happy year sped past. Devyn and Jordan's relationship deepened. She wore her hair in beaded braids, and Jordan grew a goatee. On her seventeenth birthday, Daddy gave her a red Mustang. Devyn squealed with delight when she found it parked at the curb. Life treated the Arnold family well.
Jordan Mclean graduated from high school. Encouraged by Denzil Arnold, he attended Columbia University. When he wasn't in class, he worked as an errand boy at Denzil's financial advisory office. Devyn looked forward to doing the same the following year. The job would bring her closer to both her father and boyfriend.
Her senior year started the same as all her other school years. The hustle of finding her new classrooms excited her. Devyn was in the advanced classes and continued to make straight As. Quickly falling into the usual school routine, she moved from homeroom to algebra, then to English. Her body stiffened abruptly as she stood at her locker, changing her books.
"Daddy," Devyn whispered, a sudden premonition overcoming her. Tears sprang to her eyes. Brushing them away, she chided her foolishness. Denzil was in his WTC office as usual. There was nothing to worry about.
Devyn would never forget entering her algebra class on September 11, 2001. The eyes of her teacher and every student turned toward her as she entered the silent room. Shock etched their faces. Perplexed, she wondered what was wrong. With a tear-filled voice, her teacher told her about the attack on the World Trade Center.
The world stood still. At first, Devyn thought she heard incorrectly. DADDY! Dropping her books, she spun and ran. The corridor stretched out for miles, the door receding further and further away as she pounded toward them. Crashing through the doors, she ran for home.
Shandra stood in front of the TV, her shoulders quivering. She never went to the city on Tuesdays or Thursdays. Instead, she wrote her briefs in the home office. Devyn hesitated in the doorway momentarily. She gnawed on her lower lip, wondering how to approach her grieving mother. Finally, she stepped forward. Placing her arm tenderly across her Mama's shoulder, she leaned her head against her neck. They sobbed together. On the screen, the towers collapsed again and again. Angrily, Devyn snatched up the remote and turned it off.
"Mama!" Michael entered the office, his dark cheeks awash with tears. He palmed them away and sank into a nearby chair.
"Daddy's all right, Mama," Devyn said encouragingly. Nothing can happen to Daddy. He wasn't there. I'm sure of it. Isn't that right, Mama?"
Devyn wanted to believe it, but that sudden premonition at her locker nagged at her mind. Somehow, she knew her daddy had called out to her. He seemed to want her to know…to know what? She didn't know exactly, but he was there with her at that moment. Then, she realized it was Jordan's morning at the office, too.
Late in the evening, a knock came at the Arnold's door. The little family gathered in the living room and stared at the door. No one wanted to answer it. The knocking persisted. Finally, Michael stood and opened it a crack. Then, he stood back, allowing the caller to step inside.
Jordan walked in, his face covered in gray soot. Devyn glanced up at him. She couldn't feel happy or sad. The day's emotional turmoil had drained her. Her blank mind told her she was glad he was alive, but she had wanted her daddy to walk in instead.
"I was running an errand when it happened," Jordan explained. "I'm okay. It took a long time to get out of the city. Is Mr. Arnold back yet?"
Everyone shook their heads dolefully.
"I haven't gone home yet," he continued, backing toward the door.…I wanted to check on you first. Mr. Arnold… he'll come home, I'm sure. It takes a while to get out of the city." Jordan left, closing the door silently behind him.
Darius came home the following day. He wore his dress uniform and looked more mature than the boy Devyn grew up with. Shandra felt comforted by his presence. The partially reunited family came together in a group hug.
Days dragged past with no news. Overnight, the peaceful world the Arnold family created cracked and fell apart. They had to come to terms with their loss. Denzil would never walk through the door again with a happy smile plastered across his face. Night after night, Devyn cried herself to sleep.
A week later, Devyn awoke from a fitful sleep. A voice seemed to call to her from a long distance away. As though in a trance, she rose and threw open the window. The black starless sky spread before her. Sighing deeply, she began to back away. Suddenly, a single light appeared high in the sky. Devyn edged closer to the window and gazed at it wonderingly. It seemed to blink out and reappear. She believed it winked at her.
"Daddy," Devyn whispered, feeling an intense comfort. "I know you're there, daddy. You're telling me you'll guide me for the rest of my life." Tears flowed freely, dripping off her chin. "I love you, daddy. Always and forever. I love you."
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