Checkpoint #3: If Beale Street Could Talk

Interview with Clementine “Tish” Rivers

Michael: Hello Clementine. Thank you for coming to this interview on Michael’s Meetings.

Tish: Of course, and please, call me Tish.

Michael: Tish?

Tish: Tish, I’m not really sure why I’m called it, but I guess it makes sense in a way.

Michael: Interesting, so, let’s begin. I would first like to talk about your relationship you’re your fiancé, Alonzo Hunt.

Tish: Yeah, Fonny. I’ve lived across from him for pretty much my entire life. We met when I was six and when he was nine.

Michael: When you first met him, did you know deep down that you liked him or were you guys just close friends?

Tish: The story of how we met is actually a real funny one. So pretty much, my only friend was a girl named Geneva, and I was her only friend. Nobody wanted either of us, so we decided to want each other.

Michael: Are you currently still friends with Geneva?

Tish: We ain’t friends anymore, because eventually I would have Fonny to want me and he would have me to want him, you know. Anyways, Geneva just didn’t like Fonny at all, and one of Fonny’s friends, Daniel, he didn’t like Geneva at all. So, there was a fight between the four of us. In the fight, Fonny grabbed me, and instinctively, I grabbed the closest thing to me and wacked him. Apparently, the stick that I grabbed had a nail in it, and Fonny started bleeding bad.

Michael: Wow. Love at first sight, right, ha-ha. So, how did this relationship that began as enemies end up as a soon-to-be-marriage?

Tish: So, me being a six-year-old, I thought I killed Fonny. He left Harlem, and I started caring about him because I thought he was going to die, and I was responsible. I began visiting his father and just thinking about his well-being in general. Once he came back, we both told each other sorry, and our friendship began. We became family to each other.

Michael: Tish, would you say that all of these events played out, and because of these events your relationship began with Fonny. Like, if these events didn’t happen, do you think that things would’ve turned out the way they did today?

Tish: I ain't sure. I feel like me and Fonny have been connected, and we would become family no matter what. It just happened the way it did, but I feel like if those events didn’t happen, something else would’ve happened to make me and Fonny very close, you know.

Michael: I understand that perfectly. So, what about your relationship now?

Tish: Right now, Fonny is stuck in a cell.

Michael: I’m very sorry to hear that.

Tish: Thank you. I’m sure he’s gonna get out of there soon, though. I’m also pregnant, which is both exhilarating and difficult.

Michael: Oh, congratulations, Tish.

Tish: Thank you, but I often feel alone during this time of trouble. Being in trouble usually makes me feel like that. But I know that with the support from my family, I can get through this. Having my family and Fonny supporting me and helping me, I feel better and stronger and more able to do better in a difficult life.

Michael: I’m sure you will be a great mother, and the child will definitely grow up to be a great kid with you, Fonny, and your family raising him or her. Another topic I would like to discuss with you is both your family and Fonny’s family.

Tish: Me and Fonny have real different families. I wouldn’t even consider his mommy and sisters as his family, but, they are his biological family, which is what we’re talking about.

Michael: Why wouldn’t you consider his mother and sisters as his family? And also, what’s so different about his father, Mr. Frank Hunt?

Tish: Mrs. Hunt’s a real Sanctified woman, and Sheila and Adrienne are the same as Mrs. Hunt. Both Fonny and his daddy were never religious, and they were the same as each other. To me, Mrs. Hunt, Sheila, and Adrienne are very fake and despite their love for the Lord, they can’t seem to show their son and myself love.

Michael: That’s terrible to hear, Tish. Family is so important, and even if they aren’t biological, finding people that love you and who are willing to sacrifice their time, energy, etc. is the most important thing in life, in my opinion.

Tish: You are absolutely correct. Family is the most important thing in life. I have been blessed with a family, my Mama, Daddy, Sis, Frank, and Fonny, that can support and love me no matter what. So, when I found out that I was pregnant, I went to Fonny first, and he went through a roller coaster of emotions: confused, shocked, worried, then finally, he was the happiest man alive.

Michael: If you don’t want to answer this next question, you don’t have to, but was it hard to tell Fonny this news through a phone with a glass barrier in between you guys?

Tish: It obviously ain’t easy telling someone you love that they’re gonna be a father through glass, but I loved Fonny, and I needed to tell him. I wished I could hold onto him, touch his face, kiss him, but I couldn’t, which is ok, I guess, just so long as he knew, you know.

Michael:  Yeah, so who did you tell next?

Tish: Well, I went home to tell my family, but Mama was the only one home. I told her, and as I cried about it, she comforted me. Her embrace was so comforting, and it made me feel so good. She was so understanding and loving about it, and I’m just so thankful for her. When my Daddy and Sis came home, Mama told them. Daddy was unsure about it, but ultimately, he was supportive. When he had his doubts since I’m so young, Sis told him, “it’s rough, but we’ll make it”, and I was just so touched that my whole family would be supporting me and helping me through this time.

Michael: That’s so great about your family. You should be very grateful to have a family like your own. How about the Hunts? How did they take the news?

Tish: Well, Frank was mighty glad when he heard the news, but Mrs. Hunt, Sheila, and Adrienne had different opinions on the situation. Mrs. Hunt was devastated that her son committed such a sinful act, and she blamed me for this and said I had a demon in me. She actually hoped that her grandchild would shrivel in my womb. I was hurt, but I really didn’t care about what she thought of me. Obviously, Sheila and Adrienne agreed and defended Mrs. Hunt.

Michael: That’s terrible. How could a Christian say such hateful things? I thought that Christians were supposed to be loving, and you and Fonny are their family pretty much.

Tish: Yeah, I know. I was just in shock in the beginning, but that shocked feeling turned quickly into anger. They really wished horrible things on me and the baby. They ain’t gonna be no part of our life, hopefully.

Michael: I hope they won’t be a part of your life either. Nobody should be receiving that kind of hate from family/extended family. Well, Tish, thank you so much for sharing about your life in this interview. It was a pleasure talking to you.

Tish: Your welcome; I had a mighty fine time.

Michael: Well that’s it for Michael’s Meetings today, and be sure to tune in for the next interview next Tuesday!