Friend Ride

It is two weeks before Christmas and Joe is standing outside waiting for his friend and coworker Devern to pick him up so he can give him a ride to school.

“Where is this fool at?” Joe asked himself anxiously. As Joe turned towards the entrance of the complex he saw a black Infinty driven by his friend Devern pulling in the entrance. Devern made his way towards Joe with a sarcastically smile on his face as Joe looked back at him with exhaust.

“My bad Joe Joe” Devern started jokingly as he pulled up to Joe. “What took you so long, good burger?” Joe asked as he got into the passenger seat. “Come on, Joe you know I had to get fresh for the holidays”. “You know, if you focused more on being a better shift lead instead of fresh to death everyone wouldn’t wanna kill you so much” Joe rebuttaled. “Hardy har har, Joe Joe got jokes” Devern replied.

Devern and Joe departed neighborhood and made their way to the University of North Carolina in Greensboro. “Preciate the ride though, big Vern” Joe began. “No prob Bob” Devern replied. “So how you feel about this first semester so far Joe Joe?” Devern asked. “It went pretty good” Joe began. “I got straight A’s and I had some dope classes.”

“I feel that” Devern began. “So who did you get for secret Santa?” “I got the beautiful Ms. Passion” Joe answered with a smile. “Sweet sweet Passion” Devern laughed. “That woman got a crush on you, Joe Joe.” “I’d like to think so” Joe added. “But I don’t think she’s gonna be feelin’ brotha who ain’t got his heels over some wheels.”

“Don’t trip on that” Devern encouraged. “You’ll get your car fixed soon.” “I hope so” Joe sighed. “In the mean time I appreciate you helping me out with a ride, big Vern. It really means a lot” Joe said gratefully. “That’s what friends do, Joe Joe. We might be hard headed, but our hard heads click the right way.” The two bumped fists as they chuckled in unison.

Devern and Joe pulled up to the front of the university as jor got ready to get out of the car. “Alright, Verny Vern. Preciate the ride” Joe said while shaking Devern’s hand. “No problem, brotha” Devern replied. “I’ll see you at work tomorrow, Joe Joe.” As Devern drove off into the morning sun, Joe looked back at him, grateful to have had a friend like Devern Evans.

~~This story is dedicated to my friend Devern Evans who passed away 2 weeks ago. This micro fiction story is a true story of our friendship. Rest in peace my friend. I’ll always remember you.