Jingle Her Bells, Or Whatever That Song Said

Jingle her bells…or whatever that song said

John 14:27- Peace I leave with you, My peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your heart be troubled and do not be afraid.

“As we kick off the holiday season, W-B613 wants to help pay your bills. Text “rent due” to…” Kirby Parker spoke into the microphone on the compact desk surrounded by illuminated buttons and switches of the radio station. W-B613 was a popular radio station and each radio personality was a local celebrity in Norfolk, Virginia. Kirby Parker was no different. For the past twenty-four years, his voice was heard throughout the city during his popular radio show, “After Hours with Kirby.” He played all the classic slow jams, allowed callers to shout out their special someone, and most importantly, “Ask Kirby”. A segment where callers, mostly women, called desperately seeking advice and guidance in their failing relationships. Kirby’s voice had a calmness that could command peace in the Middle East and stop toddlers from having temper tantrums. His catchphrase, “Whatever you need baby, Kirby’s got it,” has been sending the women of Hampton Roads in a hypnotic fantasy ever since he graced the radio with his presence. 

It was approaching 1:00 a.m. and Kirby was wrapping up his shift, “Yo Kirb,” Rodney, Kirby’s producer shouted as he entered Kirby’s workspace. Carrying a manila folder, Rodney took a seat across from Kirby. “Here you go, Tucker told me to give this to you,” Rodney said as he slid the folder over to Kirby and slid his iPhone from his pants pocket all in one swift gesture. Kirby was no fool, he’d been around long enough to know that the station’s general manager did not instruct Rodney to give him this folder. A folder instructing him to do something the room knew he was not inclined to do. However, Rodney was a yes-man, a brown-noser, and a people pleaser. Often people in leadership, never those he saw no benefit from. Releasing a wave of deep breaths, Kirby opened the folder while mumbling, “What now?” He scanned the contents of the folder briefly, looking up to Rodney he said, “I thought the station was sending the morning show to host the school’s winter fest.” Looking up from his phone Rodney replied, “Change of plans. Our parent station in NYC wants them for this sad attempt to reboot music videos. They’re shipping out in the morning,” he informed. “Well shit, I ain’t gonna get no sleep,” Kirby said more to himself than Rodney. “Come on brother. Late nights early mornings, that's what Kirby Parker is all about,” he shouted with a laugh. He wanted to rebuttal, remind him that age was showing up differently these days. He wanted to share. Share the details of his life. Share that his life had become routine. Work. Maybe a little fun here and there. However, work. He wanted to protest, he wanted to challenge it. Wanted to say, “Send DeeJay Blue he usually does community outreach.” Yet, he remained silent as he read through the itinerary he’d just received. “Come on man! You love the kids,” Rodney said in an attempt to shift the energy of the room. Kirby did love children. He started and ran a nonprofit that provided art supplies and lessons to children in marginalized communities. He coached little league baseball, and worked part-time as a swim instructor and lifeguard. However, when it came to elementary schools the stations usually sent the younger personalities. The ones who rotated the current hits during their radio shows, not work to keep the classics relevant. These children had no idea who Kirby Parker was. Their parents of course, yet, he was walking into an event to host and would be surrounded by children confused by his presence. They were expecting their local favorites and had to settle for Kirby. Even the most seasoned public personality avoided situations such as this. He wanted to toss the folder back to Rodney. Wanted to storm out of the radio studio. However, he loved his job, and his work ethic wouldn’t allow it. After all, Rodneyvwas right, he loved children. Not to mention, they were sending him to Monticello Elementary School. The same elementary school where he spent his kindergarten to fifth-grade requirement. The same school his grandmother, mother, aunt, and older sister taught at. Monticello Elementary held a special place in his heart. Therefore, he continued to read through the contents of the folder and thought of all the coffee he would drown down his throat in the hope of keeping his energy high for a school for small children. “Come on man cheer up,” Rodney shouted. “It’s an elementary school. They’re filled with nothing but big booty women who love to cook and looking for a good man,” he shouted while breaking into laughter. “You would know, “Kirby replied. “Damn right! I don’t have eleven kids and eight baby mamas for no reason,” he finished.   

Dr. Natalie Foreman’s kitten heels could be loudly heard throughout the hallway as she stomped her way around the school where she acted as principal. Monticello Elementary had been headlines in the news surrounding the performance of its students. Test scores were embarrassingly low. Attendance was concerning, aggression was high, and students became data points on a chart. However, it was Natalie’s efforts that turned the school around. Her dedication elevated test scores, improved teacher retention, and humanized the students.  “Dr. Foreman, Ms. Childs’s third-grade class window is letting in cold air,” Cherry her office assistant informed her as she marched into her office. “Yes, I know, I sent Mr. Dennis to go take a look,” she announced using as her sisters called it, her news reporter voice. Natalie loved her career. She loved her students and staff, and today was no different. Her school had finally been awarded the activity fund she’d been advocating for since her first day as principal. The annual winter fest would now be able to provide refreshments and gift raffles. The type of gifts people actually wanted, such as gift cards to popular restaurants, useful stores, and fun family entertainment.

She worked tirelessly around the clock with the help of the school’s art teacher to decorate the school’s gymnasium to replicate what she envisioned as a winter wonderland. There were faux snow, creative photo backdrops, well-lit Christmas trees, and sting lights everywhere. Dropping into her massive desk chair she released a deep breath, opened her desk drawer, retrieved her handheld fan, and attempted to gather a few seconds to herself before someone inevitably knocked on her door, called her phone, or summoned the walkie-talkie. “5,4,3,2,…” she whispered to herself. There was a loud knock on her office door, “I knew it,” she laughed to herself. “Dr. Foreman,” Cherry announced. “Kirby Parker from the radio station is here. You want me to send him straight to the gym?” She asked. Tossing her fan back into her desk drawer, confusion seeped into her spirit. “They sent Kirby? These kids don’t know nothing about no Kirby,” she said more so to herself than Cherry. “No send him in,” she ordered speaking slowly and deliberately. “Now why on earth would they send him,” she asked to herself.

As he entered her office she quickly realized she’d known his voice for decades, yet never laid eyes on him before this moment. His presence commanded her attention, something that made her excited and uneasy at the same time. He wore a radio station branded t-shirt which he paired with a solid color wool cardigan and a pair of good quality jeans that graced his waistline just right. Her eyes touched him from his forehead to his waist. She wanted to continue to his feet, yet that was an imprint, a bulge, a package rather that caught her eye and distracted all her current thoughts. Professionalism and decorum were abandoned and for a split second, she wondered if his well-toned, muscular frame could carry her healthy 245 pounds. She wondered how his smooth plump lips would feel against her freshly waxed…..wait this is a PG-13 story……excuse me. Let’s start over.

He entered her office wearing a boring simple outfit, yet his creamy smooth brown complexion instantly attracted Natalie. “Dr. Foreman?” He asked although he was sure he knew the answer. His baritone voice intoxicated her as if she had just consumed a couple of shots of tequila. “Yes. Mr. Kirby Parker,” she announced while shaking his hand. “Thank you for having us. It’s my pleasure to help out with your students today,” he continued. “Now it is a pleasure for me as well as my staff. However, excuse me if this comes off crass, but these students have no idea who you are. I thought we were getting that morning show crew. The ones who go through Walmart pranking unsuspecting customers. We were expecting them,” she said while adjusting the volume of her walkie-talkie, something she rarely did. Nervously he tucked his hands into the pocket of his cardigan and nodded his head in agreement with her question. Yes, that is correct. The Wake and Bake Crew was initially scheduled to come but the station changed things around last minute. Now, I know this isn’t my typical demographic but I am a vet of hosting and that includes children's events,” he said as his confidence gradually increased with each word. “Oh no, you’re not being interviewed here. The job is yours,” she said with a giggle. “I just want to make sure I understand what happening that’s all.” She offered as she attempted to appear friendly. “You know it just occurred to me, this is the first time I’ve ever seen you. I mean I know that voice…” the more she confessed the more nervous energy invaded her body. It was as if her stomach were under attack by a swarm of butterflies. Kirby Parker was easy on the eyes, well-mannered, employed, and simply fun to look at. She felt like a silly schoolgirl crushing on him right now. It wasn’t that dating was not an option for Natalie. It was just that dating was not an option for Natalie. Between the married, homeless, only dating white women, and I’m not looking for anything serious, Natalie just wrote the concept of procuring love off like a charitable donation on a corporation’s tax return. Yet, Kirby was standing in her office and every charming, adoring, and sexual emotion she’d thought she stored away like Christmas ornaments was clouding her thoughts causing her to second-guess everything she’d thought she’d learned about herself in therapy.

The two conversed. What was meant to be a simple meet and greet followed by professional instructions turned into an extended conversation. He spoke of his grandmother, mother, aunt, and sister who all taught at that school. He spoke of his allegiance to that school. He spoke of his non-profit and the challenges and successes he experienced over the years. There was mention of him being ready to retire his radio show. With each word he spoke, she felt closer to him as if she could jump into his skin. “You really want to retire? How would the women of Norfolk cope without hearing your voice every night?” She asked. “I’m not concerned with every woman hearing my voice anymore. Just that one woman,” he explained. She blushed. Then she talked. There was mention of the pressure she felt when she was assigned to be the principal of Monticello Elementary. “But you’ve done an amazing job you should feel very accomplished,” he offered. She shared stories of her time in the military. “Navy woman!” He announced with exhilaration. He enjoyed that she referred to her students as “my babies”. “Come on you have to have a favorite Christmas song,” Natalie squealed through laughter. “I just love them all. But I guess if you twisted my arm I would say O’ Holy Night,” he confessed. “Yours?” He asked eager to hear her response. Her fuchsia pink blush didn’t stand a chance as her cheeks suddenly changed hue revealing her bashful embarrassment as she confessed, “Jingle Bells.” “Jingle Bells? What because of your students?” He asked for clarity. “No. I know it sounds silly. But something about that song just takes me back to my childhood. When Christmas was fun and easy, it takes me back to Christmas shopping in a store with my mom. Decorating the tree with my siblings. It just takes me back to a place I would pay good money to return to,” she explained. With each word she spoke, his heart melted like chocolate in the hot sun. It was as if she opened the door to her universe and he ran in as if he was seeking refuge from his. The passion and dedication she spoke with impressed him. There was chemistry like an 11th-grade science class. There were sparks like a faulty muffler dragging down hot pavement. There was connection like premium wi-fi. And there was love at first sight.

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The winter festival was festive, fun, and enchanting. There was Santa, there was food, there was music, and most importantly there was Kirby Parker and Natalie. The two flirted. The two danced. The two conversed. Staff and parents started watching to two, some with envious eyes, and some with admirable eyes. The deejay mixed through classic Christmas music and Kirby worked the crowd with ease and familiarity. The students may not have known him by name but they were familiar with his energy and they trusted him, enjoyed him, and most importantly appreciated him. Natalie was floating on cloud nine and she scanned the room and saw the fruits of her hard-intensive labor. Then there was a…..” FIRE!” some of the students yelled. Chaos and terror filled the gymnasium as hues of orange and red illuminated a small portion of the massive room. “Calm down!” “Single filed line!” “This way!” Staff and parents yelled as they attempted to get the children away from the growing fire. Quick to his feet, Kirby ran and retrieved the fire extinguisher that was nailed to the wall. In one heroic gesture, he sprayed the growing fire and quickly extinguished it. However, it was too late the sensitive smoke detector set off the sprinkler system, and water sprayed from the ceiling. Natalie ran throughout the school like the infamous road runner. She was concerned for everyone and everything surrounding this event.

Fire trucks raced into the parking lot with the local news vans on their heels. “Kirby!” Courtney Sams the local favorite news reporter squealed. Kirby was sprinting in the parking lot assisting teachers with their students. The fire was contained but the spirits were shattered. Barefoot with sweat leaking from her pores, Natalie worked to cover her students in blankets. “Kirby let me get a few words, Courtney asked as she continued to demand his attention. “Not now, Ms. Sams,” he respectfully declined. “Come on Kirb. We both know I won’t get a complete sentence from these people,” she said ignoring the fact that these people were within hearing distance. The comment sparked rage in Kirby. “Courtney, go to hell,” he said with calmness and clarity in his voice. “Oh, Kirby. I didn’t mean….” “Yes, you did. Play your words around on the six o’clock news but not in my face. I know why y’all came racing down here. Got here before the fire department. Can’t wait to curate some overly dramatic and misleading headlines about this school and its staff. Can’t wait to blame everything but the problem. There was a small fire. It was contained. No one was hurt. And let me be clear, don’t you bash this school, its students, or its principal in your report. Report this the same way you would if this was Thomas Jefferson Elementary School. Because you don’t want these people comin for your job,” he said as he locked eyes with Courtney. Leaving her speechless he resumed his efforts to assist in containing the chaos.

The fire was the talk of the town. Natalie felt defeated, misunderstood, and doubted. Courtney ignored Kirby’s warning and dramatized the small fire. There was mention of someone being hurt, although there were no reported injuries. Natalie’s phone rang non-stop and the school board summoned her to their office. Her job was in jeopardy despite the cause of the fire was due to faulty wiring. There was no mention of her endless maintenance requests. The possibility of Kirby was overshadowed by the press, school board, angered parents, overworked staff, and traumatized students. He sent flowers. Yet, her office was disheveled and unorganized so they were overlooked and accidentally thrown in the trash. He called and left messages, but her office phone would not stop ringing, therefore his messages were lost in the shuffle. Weeks went by while Natalie sat in hot water like hot dogs boiling. Kirby toyed with the thought of visiting her at her office, yet, he was fearful. He started to think their connection was one-sided. “She was just being nice,” he told himself.

The new year started and signs of the new season were sprinkling in. Kirby thought of Natalie daily. The fire was no longer a current topic. Her job was secure and the school moved on but Kirby felt left out in the cold. He wanted to see Natalie again. He wanted to hear her voice and feel her presence. He tried again. Called her. “I will forward your message to Dr. Foreman,” Cherry the office assistant informed.   

The message was received. It wasn’t that Natalie stopped thinking of Kirby because she did not. Once her professional life reached calm waters he wandered into her thoughts like a toddler bouncing from room to room. When she heard his voice on the radio she felt nostalgic. She liked him. He left an impression. Yet, she was uneasy and embarrassed. The local media threw her under the bus as if she were a speed bump. She wanted to return his calls. Wanted to hear his voice off the radio. Wanted to view his smooth dark skin that was perfectly complemented by his salt-and-pepper beard. She wanted to sit on that bea……. Sorry! Sorry! PG-13. I keep forgetting. I’m a rated R writer. Geesh! Forgive me! Where were we? Oh, right. Natalie wanted Kirby but her anxiety clouded her judgment. She studied the message he left. Sat in her thoughts and decided against returning his call. She figured the first thing he would mention would be the fire and she could not conceptualize a response to that. Her office assistant Cherry entered her office. “Now you might as well call him back,” allowing her intrusive thoughts to speak for her she took a seat in front of Natalie’s desk. She was snacking on a bag of Cheetos and she took pleasure in the sight of Natalie and Kirby before the chaos the day of the winter festival. “Cherry!” “Dr. Foreman, you may know children and budgets and that other stuff. But I know relationships. Chile when James and I first met that man would call me. Even called my sister looking for me. He gonna keep callin. Because he wants you,” she said with a laugh. “I been married,” “twenty-eight years,” both women sang in unison. “See you know. I’m tellin you what I know,” Cherry continued. Natalie appreciated Cherry’s words. Appreciated her overstepping. Yet, she was not prepared to call Kirby back. There were too many “what ifs” What if he’s married? What if he’s gay and using her to avoid publicly living his truth? What if he has bad money management and wants her to be his sugar mama? What if he loses interest after their first date? What if there isn’t even a first date? What if he just wants to have sex? What if he has an incurable disease? Yet, her thoughts never arrived at, what if he’s the one? What if he treats me right? What if he can provide for me? What if he can protect me? What if he can fulfill all my needs and desires? What if he adds value to my life?

So, she studied his message, ignored Cherry’s advice, and continued with her daily routine.

  It wasn’t until he was grocery shopping on a spring evening. “Kirby Parker?” It was Cherry. She wore a smile that revealed every tooth in her mouth. “I’m so happy to run into you,” she started. She explained how she was hoping he would call the office again, “because this time I would have told you to quit with all the calls and just show your face again.” She understood Natalie’s reservations. She could only imagine what dating for Natalie was like. A professional highly educated woman who was self-sufficient and financially stable. Most men assumed she was bossy, combative, and too masculine. Simply because of professional titles and accolades. However, Natalie was the opposite. She was meek and soft-spoken outside of her work. She wanted a man. A real man. A man who she could submit to. A man who could hold her and help usher her worries away. She wanted a man she could build with. Work side by side with. Make an impact with. Yet, she deemed it impossible.

The spring concert was held outdoors since the proper repairs were never made after the fire. Natalie’s nerves were dancing around her body like backup dancers during a concert. This was the first event she organized since the fire and she felt as though the entire city was watching her. “Next, we will have Mrs. Gordon’s kindergarten class sing a special song,” Mrs. Rhymes the music teacher announced into the microphone. The music started to play and instantly Natalie recognized the melody. “Dashing through the snow, in a one-horse open sleigh…” the class of small children began to sing. Confusion and delight seeped into her spirit. Before she could react, Kirby appeared beside the children holding a huge bouquet. The audience yelled, “Aww” in unison. “That right baby. Told you to come on up here,” Cherry yelled from the audience, causing everyone to laugh deeply. He made his way over to Natalie. Her worries, concerns, and fears quickly vanished. The sight of Kirby summons feelings that were foreign to her. Feelings that caused her to grin from ear to ear. Feelings that delighted her. The two stood toe to toe and he leaned in for a hug. “I asked Mrs. Rhymes if we could do Jingle Bells in Spring.” He said as she enjoyed the Italian bergamot scent he wore. “And she agreed I see,” Natalie replied with a giggle. “No no no. She cursed me out and told me to get off her phone. So, I promised to let the school take a field trip to the radio station,” he said with a chuckle. “You remembered what I said about liking this song?” Natalie asked in disbelief. “I remembered everything you said that day,” he confessed. Left speechless she admired her flowers as Kirby planted an innocent and gentle kiss on her forehead. “I’m hoping you will call me back now,” he said with a laugh. “Jingle her bells,” Cherry said as she two-stepped her way over to the couple. “I’m going to do that too,” Kirby whispered into her ear.