Page 4 of The Aries Alliance
I remained silent because she was right again. Bitterness pricked my heart as I recalled how quickly colleagues in my department filed complaints against me for not being collegial. The only time anyone in our human resources or faculty affairs offices displayed empathy was when they thought I might resign from my position.
“You can’t be a one-woman justice league with a gigantic target on your back and survive,” Val continued.
I pulled my locs, skeptical that it was possible to form any upper-level collaborations that gave me the freedom to do my job and stay sane. Sure, I had the support of those I supervised, but without endorsements from senior leadership, my demise was inevitable.
“Everyone in power is in bed with the devil,” I spoke the words out loud, allowing the reality of my situation to hit my ears.
“What are you going to do about Aaliyah? Now the people at work know how she feels about them. You may have placed her in more danger by showing your hand.”
Val’s words hit me like a brick. When I filed a complaint, I knew the risks, and so did Aaliyah. She was a brilliant junior researcher who was tortured almost daily in her position. The last time she cried out to me, I presented her with the option to report her concerns formally. We moved forward with that complaint, believing we were on the right side of history.
“If they retaliate, I have the documents to support my case.” I spoke logical words that I didn’t truly believe.
“It probably won’t be enough to stop the mess that’s happening.”
I sighed, disappointed that due process didn’t work, at least not for me.
“I could just throw a match in the middle of campus and be done with it,” I teased.
Val darted her eyes around and furrowed her brow.
“Girl, don’t play about arson. One thing those fools do well is pin mess on you. If there was even a hint of smoke near you, they’d file a report so fast your head would spin.”
I nodded.
“You’re not lying. They’re so conniving, I’d probably catch a case for those California wildfires too.”
For the first time since I read the report, I laughed. Like my romps with Lil’David, making light of serious situations released tension.
“Do you feel a little better?” Val’s soft voice soothed me despite my disappointment.
“Yes, but I’m still pissed at myself for holding onto hope that EFU might do right There aren’t enough warriors willing to speak out against wrong. I hate that I was built this way.”
My shoulders drooped as a familiar feeling tried to overtake me. I knew depression well, but I refused to wallow so deep in despair that I couldn’t get out of darkness. That was yet another reason I called Val.
“It’s who you are. You can’t change that, just like I can’t change how laid-back I am.”
“That’s why we’re friends. Fire and water. Opposites. We balance each other out. Just be there for me when the firing squad comes. I get tired of being the one up front, leading the charge.”
“You wouldn’t have it any other way. What’s next, since arson isn’t an option?” Val spoke in the steady voice she always used to tame the beast that rose in me when injustice reared its ugly head.
I skimmed the report’s twenty-five interviews and at least fifty emails in the document, looking for action items. My eyes landed on the name of my point of contact for follow-up. I banged my fist on the round table, then grimaced as throbbing pain surged through my hand.
“Oh, hell no. I have to contact that human resources puppet, Warrick Redmond. He’s a damn sellout, with his bowtie-wearing Steve Urkel ass.”
Val pumped her hands like brakes before her eyes lit up.
“Hold up. You talking about that sun-kissed brother at the EFU family and friends barbecue, policing folks about takingonly one plate home like he owned the Pigs’ Trough restaurant? A man that fine can’t be all bad,” she added quickly.
I hated when women got caught up with pretty teeth, but that was my girl.
“Yep. That’s him. I might as well quit now. I know he’s going to be shady and tight-lipped with his big-toothed behind. He’ll take notes then do nothing, just like everybody else at EFU. He’s a menace to society.”
Angry tears filled my eyes again as I thought about my dead-end conversation with Warrick. He was a university puppet who always stared at me with a plastic smile.
“Contact your therapist before you see him. The last thing you need to do is pop off on that man and have security escort you off campus.”
“You’re right. It’s about being strategic, not stupid. What would I do without you, girl?”
