Things My Father Gave Me (Which I Never Asked For)

Life. A backyard with a pitching mound. A home plate. A split-finger fastball, a slider, a curve. How to break in a glove. When to slide head first. A family name to uphold. Open arms.

Time. A Huffy bike. How to crack pecans. A sandbox. How to piss. How to be a rock. When to till the Earth. How to make a fist. When to fight. When to smile. How to trap a rabbit. How to catch a liar. How to play dumb. How to talk when White people are present. How to talk when White folk ain't. Prejudice. The difference between a flathead, a Phillips head, and a hardhead. A roof over my head. A good whooping. Room to grow.

How to shoot a free throw. When (and when not) to call a foul. How to drive. A high-top fade. Marvin Gaye. Confidence. How to ask out a lady, how to let her be a woman. How to put out a brush fire. How to pump gas. A pimpstroll. How to use a level. How to keep your cool, when to be cool. Cool.

How to mow the lawn, how to hammer, to saw. How to change a tire, when to change the oil, how to jump off a car. How to smoke out wasps. Where to get good fish. Funk & Wagnalls. Skepticism. How to pick good watermelon. When to ask for help, when to give it. How to speak up when you have something to add, to listen when you don't. A love of brown. Talbotton. How to tie a tie. How to lead, how to follow. How to read the spread. When to swallow your pride. Quiet strength. How to raise a fence. How to use a knife for a pencil sharpener. When to shoot a gun.

A Black hero. How to earn an honest dollar. A key. How to shake a man's hand. How to look him in the eye. How to tip. How to save. A day of rest. Humility. Sunday drives. A thirst to learn. A bookcase. A peaceful home. Muscadines. Nights to dream. Dreambooks. A reason to cry. Dark skin. Strong teeth. Full lips. A narrow frame. Forgiveness. The thickness of blood. A brother. How to care for elders, how to honor elders. How to buy a suit. How to admit when you're wrong, how to apologize before the funeral. How to love. How to always come home.