2024-10-01 “Remember Me?” by Emma

Well, this was a little scary, at first.

When t’night’s show was over, I was on my way out. It was ‘least 30 minutes later, but there’s always folk visiting in the lobby. T’night, there was a—I’ve learned to say black for 2024—boy standing by himself, and when he saw me he waved and walked at me.

That ain’t the scary part. What he said later was.

“Emma, remember me?”

I didn’t, but it was nice to hear a Mississippi accent, so I just smiled, looked at him and waited a breath 'til he kept talking. “Jacob Brown. It’s been a while. We was in Chemistry together. I was a senior. I think it was your sophomore year. I was the guy in back playing on my iPhone.”

I thought fast an’ said, “When did you graduate?”

“2020. I guess you graduated last year?”

I ‘membered all what my 2024 daddy tol’ me back when I called him. “I dropped out an’ started working junior year.”

It got scary next when he said, “So how’d you end up actin’ here in Brooklyn.”

I tol’ about going to Memphis and making a mistake and ending up in Omaha, and he said, “That’s some mistake. Lucky you met nice people. Say… Do you keep up with Kaitee?”

I didn’t know Kaitee or what to say, but Addison come up just then and took over. “Emma who’s your friend? Hi… I saw you at the show.”

Addison started asking Jacob questions, an’ he answered. After high school he had gotten a job at the Apple Store in Ridgeland, MS. He had completed 2 years at community college while becoming an Apple Genius. 

“I just got transferred to Apple Downtown Brooklyn and started a comp sci program at New Jersey Institute of Technology.”

That was just when Devon walked in to take me home. “Hey… I start there in January.”

That led to a whole lot more talking ’bout who was who an’ what was what. Devon an’ Jacob swapped numbers an’ Addison typed ‘em both into her phone. 

“So, I don’t know many folk outside work. I might come ‘round here now and then to visit.”

Addison answered for ever’body. “That would be great. We get off at 4 tomorrow. Come by and I’ll treat us all to pizza!”