Path to Manhood
Dane C. Hawkins
Copyright © 2024 by Dane C. Hawkins
All rights reserved.
No portion of this book may be reproduced in any form without written permission from the publisher or author, except as permitted by U.S. copyright law.
Dedication
To my motivation, my inspiration, my muse…my wife.
All my love with all I have.
Contents
1. “Is It Like This In Here Everyday”
2. “Do You Have To Know Everyone On Campus?”
3. “Don’t Mess Up That Good Potential”
4. “You Know I Will Work for What I Want”
5. “I’m Tough But It’s Tough LOVE”
6. “Especially After What Happened Last Semester”
7. “Anything I Have That Is Worth Keeping Is Worth Puttin In Work”
8. “Am I That Obvious?”
9. “So What Actually Happened Between You?”
10. “Now, Deal These Cards”
11. “Okay, I’m Ready To Start Now”
12. “Man, This Is Chaotic”
13. “I Think We Need To Talk About...Everything”
14. “What Planet Is He From”
15. “Y’all Can Just Come To The Apartment”
16. “What’s Good?”
17. “I Know That’s What You’ve Been Waiting For”
18. “You’re Just Gonna Act Like Everything Is Normal”
19. “What the Hell Did I Miss”
20. “So... I Finally Talked To Him”
21. “Been Looking For Something To Fill The Void”
22. “He May Need You To Forgive Him Just As Much”
Acknowledgements
1
“Is It Like This In Here Everyday”
After more than five hours on the road it is the first day of college for a young man and his nerves are on edge. Like anyone in this position, naturally he is full of conflicting emotions and anxiety on this day as he begins a new chapter in life while feeling like he is leaving behind everything that he loves. His name is Jairus (rhymes with “pair us”) Thomas. He, his mother Bernice, and his little sister Damaris, who has nagged the whole way, arrive at the university that will be his new home. He already has a room assignment, but when he checks into his dorm, they tell him that the room is already occupied. Not the start he and his mother expected for his college career. To make things worse they tell them that all of the rooms are filled in the freshman dorm and send them to the Department of Residence Housing across campus. So, for the next hour and a half he listens to his mother fuss at everyone under the sun. “Well, if you can’t help me then point me in the direction of someone who can, sweetheart.”
“Ma’am, I can get one of the other residence assistants but they’re probably going to tell you the same thing.” The clearly young and inexperienced employee says.
Minutes later, with another more experienced staff member Bernice is still at work. “I understand you don’t see him in your system, but I didn’t create this room assignment document with the school logo myself. You said you can see that he is enrolled in school, right?”
“Yes, Ma’am. It doesn’t make sense. I even see the person who he was assigned to room with in the system, but he has another roommate.”
“Well let’s stop worrying about the problem and focus on the solution. What room is my son assigned to now?”
