A preview of published author, Dr. Merriel M. Chase’s, new e-book, Steps Ordered. Enjoy the novel!

 

 The interview is at 11:00 a.m. Jessica has planned accordingly. She removed her snow gear and placed it in her duffel bag. Jessica’s black dress suit, black stockings, black heels, and jewelry were in her garment bag before she dressed. Jessica’s black purse sits on the locker room bench as she checks herself in the mirror.

          “Well, girl, I must look out for numero uno. Columbia should be my first choice but I won’t decide until I’m interviewed and accepted at . . .”

          Someone enters the locker room. It’s Jessica’s best friend.

          “Sister, are you talking to yourself again?”

          “Lynda, just be happy I don’t reply to myself. I can’t go crazy, especially today.”

          “I just came in to see you in clothes other than khakis, a sweater, and boots. And to wish you good luck. You look beautiful, Jessie.”

          “Thank you, Lynda. If I tell you something, do you promise not to tell anyone?”

          “Of course, Jessie. What’s on your mind?”

          “Lynda, my first choice in dental schools is Howard University.”

          “Jessie, I won’t tell anyone, but YOU ARE CRAZY. Columbia is an Ivy League university. Is Howard an Ivy League? No.”

          “Don’t you turn your nose up at Howard University College of Dentistry. If I use my same study habits, I can get just as good a dental education at Howard as I would at Columbia. The curriculum of dental schools throughout the US is identical. I can tell you one trademark Howard has that Columbia doesn’t.”

          “Tell me, Jessie.”

          “Howard has a dental student body made up of a majority of African American males. In fact, I will bet you the current freshman dental class at Howard has more African American males than Columbia University’s dental school population of African American males over the past decade.

          Now I’m talking about in the freshman, sophomore, junior, and senior classes. That is, all four classes over the past decade.”

          “Jessie, I’m not going to bet you. I believe what you say is true. I just don’t think the education at Howard even compares with Columbia. Have you forgotten about Eric?”