One fall afternoon, I was on my way home from work . I worked directing trains for Metro North in New York City. I came across two girls fighting I broke it up and they pushed me aside and began to box some more.
I pulled them apart and declared a winner I held Mary’s arm in the air and said, “Ok ok you Won.” She started to tell me why they were going at each other, it was over a boy from school. The other girl Stacy Picford was perusing Mary’s Boyfriend and spreading lies around school, so Mary and her friends confronted Stacy and a fight ensued…
Mary started to stop at my house and by my car some school mornings asking for a ride, because she was late for school. It was then, I learned she attended my old school in Yonkers, NY. Roosevelt HS. Where I attended school a few years earlier, went to Roosevelt H.S. it was predominantly white but, now that Yonkers had mandatory integration, Roosevelt was now, mainly a Black and Hispanic populated campus. We struct up a quick friendship… more like mentor ,protegee type relationship. I started taking Mary out around town with me then we started to go to the city, Mary was from the projects in Yonkers . I loved bringing her new places showing her another side of life, outside of the rough New York Projects.
One evening, on my way home from work, Mary put a tape in my car stereo. She and a friend had made the tape in the Galleria Mall in White Plains. I was awe struck. Mary sang like an angel…I was blown away I said ,”Mary you should keep practicing your really talented.” Mary was very shy and humble and thanked me repeatedly… She then professed that I was one of the only people that ever encouraged or complimented her, ever. We grew closer and spent more time together.
I woke up one morning from a dream that was so real I could hardly believe it was a dream. I told Mary, “You were world famous and everyone Loved you and knew your name, you were on top of a mountain in a long white flowing dress, making a music video.” Mary Laughed and said “Dee you too much.” I told her a few more times I’m still having dreams of you being a Star, you need to let as many people as you can hear you sing. After afew years together of sharing my middle class upbringing and part of my world with Mary. We had many great adventures.
My young friend was signed to record contract at Uptown Records In New York City She is now known to the world as singing sensation Ms.Mary J.Blige.
