Love The Sinner

Two young men, Brad and DeWayne, are justifiably proud of their basketball scholarships to Southern Christian University and find the stultifying comportment standards on campus suit their strict upbringing. A late-night misunderstanding causes the coach to encourage the interracial pair−one black, one white−to “kiss and make up.” Although not intended literally, the youths are obliged to get to know each other better, discovering more similarities than differences. Inevitably, they become good friends, more than that; each is torn between his strict religious upbringing and disconcerting feelings aroused when around the other athlete. When the team wins the conference championship, a victory celebration at an out-of-town hotel brings the issue to a boil−heated up by a late night romp in the pool with team members clad in their underwear. The sexually provocative shenanigans force DeWayne and Brad to face their true natures.

EXCERPT

For several days the two perplexed students avoid each other through an unspoken mutual agreement. Brad is hurt, but also relieved, when DeWayne uses a locker in another row so they would no longer be in close proximity as they undress. They time their showers so as not to be naked in the large room at the same time. Their awkwardness around each other is evident on the basketball court to the extent that the coach takes them aside and asks what the problem is. “I hope it’s not racial.” The broad-shouldered black coach stares at Brad.

“No, sir.” Brad’s voice is faint.

“Then what is it? You didn’t fight over a girl did you? If both of you are interested in the same young lady she better be zebra stripped. You do know the university’s policy on interracial dating?”

“Yes, coach, I know. There’s no girl involved.” DeWayne’s tone is more stringent than Brad’s. “I guess we just go our separate ways,” DeWayne offers by way of explanation.

“Yes, we have no common interests or classes. We…”

“You have basketball in common!” The coach stops Brad’s rambling excuse. “I want you to kiss and make up.” Brad and DeWayne jaws drop in reaction to the coach’s comment, hitting so close to home as it does. “Not literally you understand. Seriously though, get over whatever’s bothering you. Take some meals together and get to know each other better and then you can concentrate on playing ball.”

“Yes, sir!” The pair responds in unison.

Outside the coach’s office DeWayne is the first to speak. “I’m not sure what happened dude; but let’s move on.”

“Okay, I’m not sure either. I think I behaved badly to your approach in the dark the other night. I’m really sorry I was such an idiot.”

“Apology accepted. Let’s go get some lunch. DeWayne, at two inches taller, puts his arm around the other boy’s shoulder as they go into the dining hall. Once inside the two sit at a table apart from everyone else. Usually Brad sits with the white ball players and DeWayne with their black teammates. The change of routine doesn’t go unnoticed. The African-American team captain comes over to the table. “What’s up, you no longer want to sit with the brothers?”

“No, Jared, it’s nothing like that,” DeWayne replies. “Coach said we had to get to know each other better to work more closely together on the court. He thinks we have some issues.” He spits out the last word as if it were a code word for racism.

“Don’t get too cozy with whitey and forget where you come from.” The captain walks back to his meal.