My old life ended, and my new life began on a Friday. After a long day at my average job in an average company with an average future, I started my trip home. I live, or rather lived, in Brookly NY. To get there from my job in lower Manhattan I had to take the subway south, but instead found myself on the train going north. I had no memory of how I had gotten there and intended to get off at the next stop, but a strong feeling came over me that it would be a very bad idea not to continue north. Several stops later I got a feeling that now was the time to get off, so I did.
I found myself on the street in a not-so-great neighborhood. Everyone around me was Black or Hispanic and as a white boy in a business suit I was totally out of place. It was starting to get dark and if anyone was ever the target for a robbery, it was I. Yet nobody even looked at me. It was as if I were invisible. I got the feeling that I should start walking and soon found myself in front of an old house. I walked up the stairs to the door and tried the door. It was unlocked. "Come in," a voice called. "You are expected!"
Expected? I thought. How the hell could I be expected? I didn't expect to be there and still had no idea why I was there. I wanted to leave but felt that I really should go inside. I entered and the door closed, by itself, behind me.
It was dim inside and as my eyes gradually adjusted, I could see a woman sitting on a large highbacked chair that stood on a small platform. The woman was Black. She was large and had very darak skin. She's a Queen sitting on a throne I thought. She radiated power and strength.
She smiled and gave me a musical laugh. Her teeth looked very white in contrast to her dark skin. She stood up and came to me, still smiling and said with a Haitian accent. "Do not be afraid. You are welcome here."
"Uh...thanks," I said stupidly.
Her smile grew even broader. "You are quite welcome, and I believe that soon you will be thanking me a bit more sincerely. You must be wondering why you are here.
